Vol. I Issue 5
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Two Short Listed Documentary Features
Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry, directed by Alison Klayman
Ai Weiwei is China's most famous international artist, and its most outspoken domestic critic. Against a backdrop of strict censorship and an unresponsive legal system, Ai expresses himself and organizes people through art and social media. In response, Chinese authorities have shut down his blog, beat him up, bulldozed his newly built studio, and held him in secret detention.
Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry is the inside story of a dissident for the digital age who inspires global audiences and whose actions blur the boundaries of art and politics. First-time director Alison Klayman gained unprecedented access to Ai while working as a journalist in China. Her detailed portrait of Weiwei’s life and work allows us to follow Weiwei’s journey and his transformation of his life and works are perceived. Few artists have been able to use their public stature to help cause political change. Clearly this is the story of a giant killer. Regrettably the story continues and China continues to repress its people.
What’s special about Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry is that the filmmaker was able to follow Ai Weiwei over several years. We are able to see a Chinese dissident whose home is watched by 1984-like cameras hung from telephone and power poles. We can only assume his home is bugged, his cell phone is bugged and all of his computers are bugged. The power of this work is seeing an artist functioning in this environment. Shocking. His spirit is best shown in his defiant art, his raised middle finger in the foreground of many still images of iconic monuments to the Chinese peoples’ struggles. He dares to challenge America’s biggest trading partner, debt holder and, by the end of the film, he is shown silenced, unable to comment because he was released from detention. The irony of this powerful work is that we and the world are shown to be complicit.
While the film lacks the slickness of many of the Academy’s short listed docs, its power flows from the subject. Clearly an artist whose work reflects his life experiences and struggle is a difficult subject. Weiwei constantly tweaks the authorities who clearly fear its citizens being free to express themselves and their feelings about their government globally. Yet the world is silent about this repressive government that spies on, beats up and terrorizes its citizens. This is another film that should be nominated. Its construction, score, shooting suggests that Ms. Klayman can, with some more experience, become an extraordinary filmmaker.
The Filmmakers
Alison Klayman, Director, Producer, Cinematographer
Ai Weiwei: Never Sorryis Alison Klayman's debut feature documentary, which she directed, produced, filmed and co-edited. She is a 2011 Sundance Documentary Fellow and one of Filmmaker Magazine's "25 New Faces of Independent Film". She has been a guest on The Colbert Report, as well as CNN and NPR. Klayman lived in China from 2006 to 2010, working as a freelance journalist. She speaks Mandarin and Hebrew, and graduated from Brown University in 2006.
Adam Schlesinger, Producer
Adam Schlesinger is an award-winning independent film producer based in New York. He produced the Sundance Film Festival selections: Smash His Camera, which won for Best Director; Page One- Inside the New York Times; and God Grew Tired of Us, winner of the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award.
Credits:
Director/Producer/Writer/Camera: Alison Klayman
Producer: Adam Schlesinger
Contributing Producer: Colin
Executive Producers: Andrew Cohen, Julie Goldman, Karl
Music: Ilan Isakov
Editor: Jen Fineran
Production Companies: Expressions United Media, Muse Film and Television, Never Sorry
Distribution: Sundance Selects, Artificial Eye
Bully, directed by Lee Hirsch A Case Study: How to be Short Listed and Gross $3Million
Bully, directed by Lee Hirsch
A Case Study: How to be Short Listed and Gross $3Million
Bully is a character-driven documentary that looks at how bullying has touched five children and their families. The five stories each represent a different facet of bullying. Filmed over the course of the 2009/2010 school year, Bully opens a window onto the lives of bullied kids, revealing a problem that transcends geographic, racial, ethnic and economic borders. It documents the responses of teachers and administrators to aggressive behaviors that defy “kids will be kids” clichés, and it captures a growing movement among parents and youths to change how bullying is handled in schools, in communities and in society as a whole.
Bully is a case study of how The Weinstein Company can take what would be a traditional non-theatrical documentary feature and turn it into both a cause and a theatrical event and, because of the rule changes at the Academy, have it come to be short listed for an Oscar.
Bully is an excellent film, it is well made, directed, edited and scored. Its characters and stories are well done. It’s just not in the same league as many of the documentary films short listed for this year’s Academy Award nomination.
When the film was released with an “R” rating, appropriate and consistent with the MPAA guidelines because of language and violence, the Weinsteins used the R rating to create a controversy which enabled the film to become a box office success and was the basis of a brilliant Academy campaign for a documentary nomination. This is one of the best examples (since Michael Moore and Roger and Menot being nominated for an Oscar) of creating a box-office success with a documentary. (Roger and Mewas distributed by Warners.) As of December 30, 2012 Bully had grossed over $3.5 million. (Box Office Mojo)
The MPAA gives an automatic “R” rating to films that use the “F” word. It has done this since its inception. This makes sense. The “F” word is inappropriate for children. But wait, Bullyis for middle and high school students! These schools can’t (or should not) show “R” rated films.
The MPAA rating system has never been particularly clear to Americans. Developed by the Motion Picture Association to prevent local and/or regional ratings it has always been “advisory”; however, some media outlets will not accept advertising or promote films with some of the harder ratings. The Weinsteins knew that this film would get an “R” rating because of the “F” word. No surprise. Yet how could this “important” film for school children to see be blocked from its audience?
“Bully's R ratingsparks a nationwide protest. ...stars, theater owners, and Members of Congress have joined forces to protest the film's R rating as a result of the film having six swear words.” This is in the industry press. (Deadline)
The Weinsteins, of course with great fanfare, appealed the rating decision which got the film more press. They decided to release the film in just two markets to qualify for the documentary Academy award, without a rating, but continue the press-push to have the rating changed.
On April 5, The Weinstein Company announced that their doc, Bully, was to receive a PG-13 from the MPAA, with some minor cuts. After removing three uses of the F-word it was re-released in the new PG-13 version on April 13 and shortly after the run was expanded to 55 theatrical markets.
Deadline reported, “The big victory, even though they had to remove three F-words, was that they could keep the controversial school bus bullying scene unedited and uncut, which (the director) Hirsch continuously refused to edit, "since it is too important to the truth and integrity behind the film." Hirsch states: "I feel completely vindicated with this resolution. While I retain my belief that PG-13 has always been the appropriate rating for this film, as reinforced by Canada's rating of a PG, we have today scored a victory from the MPAA. The support and guidance we have received throughout this process has been incredible."
Let’s note that the MPAA is an industry trade association. The Weinsteins are members. It’s not exactly a group that battles. The ratings are advisory only.
The Weinstein press release continued the illusion, This decision by the MPAA is a huge victory for the parents, educators, lawmakers, and most importantly, children, everywhere who have been fighting for months for the appropriate PG-13 rating without cutting some of the most sensitive moments. Three uses of the 'F word' were removed from other scenes, which ultimately persuaded the MPAA to lower the rating. Hirsch made the documentary with the intent to give an uncensored, real-life portrayal of what 13 million children suffer through every year. The new rating, which came about with the great support from MPAA Chairman Chris Dodd, grants the schools, organizations and cities all around the country who are lined up and ready to screen Bully, including the National Education Association and the Cincinnati School District, the opportunity to share this educational tool with their children.”
It needs to be pointed out that this controversy was a set up. When The Weinstein Company released Bully "unrated" in theaters in New York and Los Angeles it barely earned $150,000. The film might be seen by a few hundred thousand people in theaters which is a theatrical success but not the millions of kids the filmmakers are on record to reach. (A $3.5 mil gross suggests at a $6 admission fee perhaps a half-million tickets were sold.) Millions of people don’t usually go to theaters to see docs. So a $3.5 mil theatrical gross makes this film a major theatrical success. It puts this film in the top 50 or so theatrical documentaries of all time.
But all along, the Weinsteins knew that the film can easily be provided in DVD and in video-on-demand to schools, teachers, students and families in an “Educational” version without the R rated language being included. The use of an educational version would totally serve the school market. This version could be provided for “free” or even for a modest fee if the Weinsteins were really interested in this aspect of marketing the film. The Bullybook is available now for sale and soon the Blu Ray and DVD. Seeing the film in a classroom and then talking about it is what educators do with films. There are over 100,000 school, church and other groups (like Girls Scouts) that can show this film to groups of kids.
Note: Full disclosure, I started a Move-on Campaign and petitioned the Weinsteins to offer
Bully for a Buck! after I saw the film. More than 480 people have signed the petition to date. No match for the hundreds of thousands who signed the rating controversy petition but I did not do any publicity. As a parent of two teens, I felt this was a far more logical thing to do to get the film out to children without the strong language. This petition continues on Change.org.
Bully Short Listed for an Academy Award
With the rule change at the Academy this year, the documentary branch is working as a committee of the whole to do both the short listing and the nomination. The committee members were sent 125 documentary features, mostly arriving at the tail end of the deadline, to review. The committee was made up of both documentary branch members and Academy members who have been nominated or won documentary Oscars. Obviously, few members saw all 125 documentaries. The short list of 15 films was made from tallying the results of each member’s list of their 15 top docs. I think the publicity for Bully insured it would make this list.
The Weinsteins also had it screened at the Academy as part of the Academy members screening program, one of the handful of documentaries that were screened as part of the weekend program. This also will likely help the film get on members’ radar. Smart. Last year, The Weinsteins’ film The Undefeatedwon the Documentary Oscar. They do a great job getting their films out.
Credits:
Directed by: Lee Hirsch
Produced by: Lee Hirsch, Cynthia Lowen
Written by: Lee Hirsch, Cynthia Lowen
Executive Producer: Cindy Waitt
Cinematography: Lee Hirsch
Edited by: Lindsay Utz, Jenny Golden
Original Score by: Ion Furjanic, Justin Rice/Christian Rudder
Consulting Editors: Enat Sidi, Cynthia Lowen
Music Supervisor: Brooke Wentz
Running Time: 94 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some language
Short Notes and Update:
WGA Announces Nominees for Documentary Screenplay Award
The WGA announced six nominees for its documentary screenplay award: War, Mea Culpa and Sugar Man also are on the Academy shortlist of feature docs hoping to score an Oscar nomination.
Winners will be honored by the Writers Guild of America, West (Wgaw) and the Writers Guild of America, East (Wgae) at the 2013 Writers Guild Awards on Feb. 17 during simultaneous ceremonies in Los Angeles and New York.
Documentary Screenplay
The Central Park Five, written by Sarah Burns and David McMahon and Ken Burns; Sundance Selects
The Invisible War, written by Kirby Dick; Cinedigm Entertainment Group
Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God, written by Alex Gibney; HBO Documentary Films
Searching for Sugar Man, written by Malik Bendejelloul; Sony Pictures Classics
We Are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists, written by Brian Knappenberger; Cinetic Media
West of Memphis, written by Amy Berg & Billy McMillin; Sony Pictures Classics
Sundance Announces 2013 Documentary Competition:
U.S. Documentary Competition
The world premieres of 16 American documentary films.
99% - The Occupy Wall Street Collaborative Film/ U.S.A. (Directors: Audrey Ewell, Aaron Aites, Lucian Read, Nina Krstic) The Occupy movement erupted in September 2011, propelling economic inequality into the spotlight. In an unprecedented collaboration, filmmakers across America tell its story, digging into big picture issues as organizers, analysts, participants and critics reveal how it happened and why.
After Tiller/ U.S.A. (Directors: Martha Shane, Lana Wilson) — Since the assassination of Dr. George Tiller in 2009, only four doctors in the country provide late-term abortions. With unprecedented access, After Tiller goes inside the lives of these physicians working at the center of the storm.
American Promise/ U.S.A. (Directors: Joe Brewster, Michèle Stephenson) — This intimate documentary follows the 12-year journey of two African-American families pursuing the promise of opportunity through the education of their sons.
Blackfish/ U.S.A. (Director: Gabriela Cowperthwaite) — Notorious killer whale Tilikum is responsible for the deaths of three individuals, including a top killer whale trainer. Blackfish shows the sometimes devastating consequences of keeping such intelligent and sentient creatures in captivity.
Blood Brother/ U.S.A. (Director: Steve Hoover) — Rocky went to India as a disillusioned tourist. When he met a group of children with HIV, he decided to stay. He never could have imagined the obstacles he would face, or the love he would find.
Citizen Koch / U.S.A. (Directors: Carl Deal, Tia Lessin) — Wisconsin – birthplace of the Republican Party, government unions, “cheeseheads” and Paul Ryan – becomes a test market in the campaign to buy Democracy, and ground zero in the battle for the future of the Gop.
Cutie and the Boxer/ U.S.A. (Director: Zachary Heinzerling) — This candid New York love story explores the chaotic 40-year marriage of famed boxing painter Ushio Shinohara and his wife, Noriko. Anxious to shed her role of assistant to her overbearing husband, Noriko seeks an identity of her own.
Dirty Wars/ U.S.A. (Director: Richard Rowley) — Investigative journalist Jeremy Scahill chases down the truth behind America’s covert wars.
Gideon's Army/ U.S.A. (Director: Dawn Porter) — Gideon’s Army follows three young, committed Public Defenders who are dedicated to working for the people society would rather forget. Long hours, low pay and staggering caseloads are so common that even the most committed often give up.
God Loves Uganda/ U.S.A. (Director: Roger Ross Williams) — A powerful exploration of the evangelical campaign to infuse African culture with values imported from America’s Christian Right. The film follows American and Ugandan religious leaders fighting “sexual immorality” and missionaries trying to convince Ugandans to follow biblical law.
Inequality for All/ U.S.A. (Director: Jacob Kornbluth) — In this timely and entertaining documentary, noted economic-policy expert Robert Reich distills the topic of widening income inequality, and addresses the question of what effects this increasing gap has on our economy and our democracy.
Life According to Sam/ U.S.A. (Directors: Sean Fine, Andrea Nix Fine) — Dr. Leslie Gordon and Dr. Scott Berns fight to save their only son from a rare and fatal aging disease for which there is no cure. Their work may one day unlock the key to aging in all of us.
Manhunt / U.S.A., United Kingdom (Director: Greg Barker) — This espionage tale goes inside the CIA’s long conflict against Al Qaeda, as revealed by the remarkable women and men whose secret war against Osama bin Laden started nearly a decade before most of us even knew his name.
Narco Cultura/ U.S.A. (Director: Shaul Schwarz) — An examination of Mexican drug cartels’ influence in pop culture on both sides of the border as experienced by an La narcocorrido singer dreaming of stardom and a Juarez crime scene investigator on the front line of Mexico’s Drug War.
Twenty Feet From Stardom/ U.S.A. (Director: Morgan Neville) — Backup singers live in a world that lies just beyond the spotlight. Their voices bring harmony to the biggest bands in popular music, but we've had no idea who these singers are or what lives they lead – until now. Day One Film
Valentine Road/ U.S.A. (Director: Marta Cunningham) — In 2008, eighth-grader Brandon McInerney shot classmate Larry King at point blank range. Unraveling this tragedy from point of impact, the film reveals the heartbreaking circumstances that led to the shocking crime as well as its startling aftermath.
________________________________________________________________________
Credits: Editing by Jessica Just for SydneysBuzz
________________________________________________________________________
Block Doc Workshops in Los Angeles February 2013
The International Documentary Association will be hosting Documentary Funding and Documentary Tune-Up Workshops with Block on February 9/10. http://www.eventbrite.com/org/169037034
Mitchell Block specializes in conceiving, producing, marketing & distributing independent features & consulting. He is an expert in placing both completed works into distribution & working with producers to make projects fundable. He conducts regular workshops in film producing in Los Angeles and most recently in Maine, Russia and in Myanmar (Burma).
Poster Girl, produced by Block was nominated for a Documentary Academy Award and selected by the Ida as the Best Doc Short 2011. It was also nominated for two Emmy Awards and aired on HBO. He is an executive producer of the Emmy Award-winning PBS series Carrier, a 10-hour series that he conceived & co-created. Block is a graduate of Tisch School and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business. He is a member of Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, the Television Academy, a founding member of BAFTA-la and has been teaching at USC School of Cinematic Arts since 1979. Currently Block teaches a required class in the USC Peter Stark Producing Program. ______________________________________________________________________
©2013Mwb All Rights Reserved All Rights Reserved. All information and designs on the Sites are copyrighted material owned by Block. Reproduction, dissemination, or transmission of any part of the material here without the express written consent of the owner is strictly prohibited.All other product names and marks on Block Direct, whether trademarks, service marks, or other type, and whether registered or unregistered, is the property of Block.
Join us twice weekly. Send us links to your sizzle reels and film sites.
Two Short Listed Documentary Features
Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry, directed by Alison Klayman
Ai Weiwei is China's most famous international artist, and its most outspoken domestic critic. Against a backdrop of strict censorship and an unresponsive legal system, Ai expresses himself and organizes people through art and social media. In response, Chinese authorities have shut down his blog, beat him up, bulldozed his newly built studio, and held him in secret detention.
Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry is the inside story of a dissident for the digital age who inspires global audiences and whose actions blur the boundaries of art and politics. First-time director Alison Klayman gained unprecedented access to Ai while working as a journalist in China. Her detailed portrait of Weiwei’s life and work allows us to follow Weiwei’s journey and his transformation of his life and works are perceived. Few artists have been able to use their public stature to help cause political change. Clearly this is the story of a giant killer. Regrettably the story continues and China continues to repress its people.
What’s special about Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry is that the filmmaker was able to follow Ai Weiwei over several years. We are able to see a Chinese dissident whose home is watched by 1984-like cameras hung from telephone and power poles. We can only assume his home is bugged, his cell phone is bugged and all of his computers are bugged. The power of this work is seeing an artist functioning in this environment. Shocking. His spirit is best shown in his defiant art, his raised middle finger in the foreground of many still images of iconic monuments to the Chinese peoples’ struggles. He dares to challenge America’s biggest trading partner, debt holder and, by the end of the film, he is shown silenced, unable to comment because he was released from detention. The irony of this powerful work is that we and the world are shown to be complicit.
While the film lacks the slickness of many of the Academy’s short listed docs, its power flows from the subject. Clearly an artist whose work reflects his life experiences and struggle is a difficult subject. Weiwei constantly tweaks the authorities who clearly fear its citizens being free to express themselves and their feelings about their government globally. Yet the world is silent about this repressive government that spies on, beats up and terrorizes its citizens. This is another film that should be nominated. Its construction, score, shooting suggests that Ms. Klayman can, with some more experience, become an extraordinary filmmaker.
The Filmmakers
Alison Klayman, Director, Producer, Cinematographer
Ai Weiwei: Never Sorryis Alison Klayman's debut feature documentary, which she directed, produced, filmed and co-edited. She is a 2011 Sundance Documentary Fellow and one of Filmmaker Magazine's "25 New Faces of Independent Film". She has been a guest on The Colbert Report, as well as CNN and NPR. Klayman lived in China from 2006 to 2010, working as a freelance journalist. She speaks Mandarin and Hebrew, and graduated from Brown University in 2006.
Adam Schlesinger, Producer
Adam Schlesinger is an award-winning independent film producer based in New York. He produced the Sundance Film Festival selections: Smash His Camera, which won for Best Director; Page One- Inside the New York Times; and God Grew Tired of Us, winner of the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award.
Credits:
Director/Producer/Writer/Camera: Alison Klayman
Producer: Adam Schlesinger
Contributing Producer: Colin
Executive Producers: Andrew Cohen, Julie Goldman, Karl
Music: Ilan Isakov
Editor: Jen Fineran
Production Companies: Expressions United Media, Muse Film and Television, Never Sorry
Distribution: Sundance Selects, Artificial Eye
Bully, directed by Lee Hirsch A Case Study: How to be Short Listed and Gross $3Million
Bully, directed by Lee Hirsch
A Case Study: How to be Short Listed and Gross $3Million
Bully is a character-driven documentary that looks at how bullying has touched five children and their families. The five stories each represent a different facet of bullying. Filmed over the course of the 2009/2010 school year, Bully opens a window onto the lives of bullied kids, revealing a problem that transcends geographic, racial, ethnic and economic borders. It documents the responses of teachers and administrators to aggressive behaviors that defy “kids will be kids” clichés, and it captures a growing movement among parents and youths to change how bullying is handled in schools, in communities and in society as a whole.
Bully is a case study of how The Weinstein Company can take what would be a traditional non-theatrical documentary feature and turn it into both a cause and a theatrical event and, because of the rule changes at the Academy, have it come to be short listed for an Oscar.
Bully is an excellent film, it is well made, directed, edited and scored. Its characters and stories are well done. It’s just not in the same league as many of the documentary films short listed for this year’s Academy Award nomination.
When the film was released with an “R” rating, appropriate and consistent with the MPAA guidelines because of language and violence, the Weinsteins used the R rating to create a controversy which enabled the film to become a box office success and was the basis of a brilliant Academy campaign for a documentary nomination. This is one of the best examples (since Michael Moore and Roger and Menot being nominated for an Oscar) of creating a box-office success with a documentary. (Roger and Mewas distributed by Warners.) As of December 30, 2012 Bully had grossed over $3.5 million. (Box Office Mojo)
The MPAA gives an automatic “R” rating to films that use the “F” word. It has done this since its inception. This makes sense. The “F” word is inappropriate for children. But wait, Bullyis for middle and high school students! These schools can’t (or should not) show “R” rated films.
The MPAA rating system has never been particularly clear to Americans. Developed by the Motion Picture Association to prevent local and/or regional ratings it has always been “advisory”; however, some media outlets will not accept advertising or promote films with some of the harder ratings. The Weinsteins knew that this film would get an “R” rating because of the “F” word. No surprise. Yet how could this “important” film for school children to see be blocked from its audience?
“Bully's R ratingsparks a nationwide protest. ...stars, theater owners, and Members of Congress have joined forces to protest the film's R rating as a result of the film having six swear words.” This is in the industry press. (Deadline)
The Weinsteins, of course with great fanfare, appealed the rating decision which got the film more press. They decided to release the film in just two markets to qualify for the documentary Academy award, without a rating, but continue the press-push to have the rating changed.
On April 5, The Weinstein Company announced that their doc, Bully, was to receive a PG-13 from the MPAA, with some minor cuts. After removing three uses of the F-word it was re-released in the new PG-13 version on April 13 and shortly after the run was expanded to 55 theatrical markets.
Deadline reported, “The big victory, even though they had to remove three F-words, was that they could keep the controversial school bus bullying scene unedited and uncut, which (the director) Hirsch continuously refused to edit, "since it is too important to the truth and integrity behind the film." Hirsch states: "I feel completely vindicated with this resolution. While I retain my belief that PG-13 has always been the appropriate rating for this film, as reinforced by Canada's rating of a PG, we have today scored a victory from the MPAA. The support and guidance we have received throughout this process has been incredible."
Let’s note that the MPAA is an industry trade association. The Weinsteins are members. It’s not exactly a group that battles. The ratings are advisory only.
The Weinstein press release continued the illusion, This decision by the MPAA is a huge victory for the parents, educators, lawmakers, and most importantly, children, everywhere who have been fighting for months for the appropriate PG-13 rating without cutting some of the most sensitive moments. Three uses of the 'F word' were removed from other scenes, which ultimately persuaded the MPAA to lower the rating. Hirsch made the documentary with the intent to give an uncensored, real-life portrayal of what 13 million children suffer through every year. The new rating, which came about with the great support from MPAA Chairman Chris Dodd, grants the schools, organizations and cities all around the country who are lined up and ready to screen Bully, including the National Education Association and the Cincinnati School District, the opportunity to share this educational tool with their children.”
It needs to be pointed out that this controversy was a set up. When The Weinstein Company released Bully "unrated" in theaters in New York and Los Angeles it barely earned $150,000. The film might be seen by a few hundred thousand people in theaters which is a theatrical success but not the millions of kids the filmmakers are on record to reach. (A $3.5 mil gross suggests at a $6 admission fee perhaps a half-million tickets were sold.) Millions of people don’t usually go to theaters to see docs. So a $3.5 mil theatrical gross makes this film a major theatrical success. It puts this film in the top 50 or so theatrical documentaries of all time.
But all along, the Weinsteins knew that the film can easily be provided in DVD and in video-on-demand to schools, teachers, students and families in an “Educational” version without the R rated language being included. The use of an educational version would totally serve the school market. This version could be provided for “free” or even for a modest fee if the Weinsteins were really interested in this aspect of marketing the film. The Bullybook is available now for sale and soon the Blu Ray and DVD. Seeing the film in a classroom and then talking about it is what educators do with films. There are over 100,000 school, church and other groups (like Girls Scouts) that can show this film to groups of kids.
Note: Full disclosure, I started a Move-on Campaign and petitioned the Weinsteins to offer
Bully for a Buck! after I saw the film. More than 480 people have signed the petition to date. No match for the hundreds of thousands who signed the rating controversy petition but I did not do any publicity. As a parent of two teens, I felt this was a far more logical thing to do to get the film out to children without the strong language. This petition continues on Change.org.
Bully Short Listed for an Academy Award
With the rule change at the Academy this year, the documentary branch is working as a committee of the whole to do both the short listing and the nomination. The committee members were sent 125 documentary features, mostly arriving at the tail end of the deadline, to review. The committee was made up of both documentary branch members and Academy members who have been nominated or won documentary Oscars. Obviously, few members saw all 125 documentaries. The short list of 15 films was made from tallying the results of each member’s list of their 15 top docs. I think the publicity for Bully insured it would make this list.
The Weinsteins also had it screened at the Academy as part of the Academy members screening program, one of the handful of documentaries that were screened as part of the weekend program. This also will likely help the film get on members’ radar. Smart. Last year, The Weinsteins’ film The Undefeatedwon the Documentary Oscar. They do a great job getting their films out.
Credits:
Directed by: Lee Hirsch
Produced by: Lee Hirsch, Cynthia Lowen
Written by: Lee Hirsch, Cynthia Lowen
Executive Producer: Cindy Waitt
Cinematography: Lee Hirsch
Edited by: Lindsay Utz, Jenny Golden
Original Score by: Ion Furjanic, Justin Rice/Christian Rudder
Consulting Editors: Enat Sidi, Cynthia Lowen
Music Supervisor: Brooke Wentz
Running Time: 94 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some language
Short Notes and Update:
WGA Announces Nominees for Documentary Screenplay Award
The WGA announced six nominees for its documentary screenplay award: War, Mea Culpa and Sugar Man also are on the Academy shortlist of feature docs hoping to score an Oscar nomination.
Winners will be honored by the Writers Guild of America, West (Wgaw) and the Writers Guild of America, East (Wgae) at the 2013 Writers Guild Awards on Feb. 17 during simultaneous ceremonies in Los Angeles and New York.
Documentary Screenplay
The Central Park Five, written by Sarah Burns and David McMahon and Ken Burns; Sundance Selects
The Invisible War, written by Kirby Dick; Cinedigm Entertainment Group
Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God, written by Alex Gibney; HBO Documentary Films
Searching for Sugar Man, written by Malik Bendejelloul; Sony Pictures Classics
We Are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists, written by Brian Knappenberger; Cinetic Media
West of Memphis, written by Amy Berg & Billy McMillin; Sony Pictures Classics
Sundance Announces 2013 Documentary Competition:
U.S. Documentary Competition
The world premieres of 16 American documentary films.
99% - The Occupy Wall Street Collaborative Film/ U.S.A. (Directors: Audrey Ewell, Aaron Aites, Lucian Read, Nina Krstic) The Occupy movement erupted in September 2011, propelling economic inequality into the spotlight. In an unprecedented collaboration, filmmakers across America tell its story, digging into big picture issues as organizers, analysts, participants and critics reveal how it happened and why.
After Tiller/ U.S.A. (Directors: Martha Shane, Lana Wilson) — Since the assassination of Dr. George Tiller in 2009, only four doctors in the country provide late-term abortions. With unprecedented access, After Tiller goes inside the lives of these physicians working at the center of the storm.
American Promise/ U.S.A. (Directors: Joe Brewster, Michèle Stephenson) — This intimate documentary follows the 12-year journey of two African-American families pursuing the promise of opportunity through the education of their sons.
Blackfish/ U.S.A. (Director: Gabriela Cowperthwaite) — Notorious killer whale Tilikum is responsible for the deaths of three individuals, including a top killer whale trainer. Blackfish shows the sometimes devastating consequences of keeping such intelligent and sentient creatures in captivity.
Blood Brother/ U.S.A. (Director: Steve Hoover) — Rocky went to India as a disillusioned tourist. When he met a group of children with HIV, he decided to stay. He never could have imagined the obstacles he would face, or the love he would find.
Citizen Koch / U.S.A. (Directors: Carl Deal, Tia Lessin) — Wisconsin – birthplace of the Republican Party, government unions, “cheeseheads” and Paul Ryan – becomes a test market in the campaign to buy Democracy, and ground zero in the battle for the future of the Gop.
Cutie and the Boxer/ U.S.A. (Director: Zachary Heinzerling) — This candid New York love story explores the chaotic 40-year marriage of famed boxing painter Ushio Shinohara and his wife, Noriko. Anxious to shed her role of assistant to her overbearing husband, Noriko seeks an identity of her own.
Dirty Wars/ U.S.A. (Director: Richard Rowley) — Investigative journalist Jeremy Scahill chases down the truth behind America’s covert wars.
Gideon's Army/ U.S.A. (Director: Dawn Porter) — Gideon’s Army follows three young, committed Public Defenders who are dedicated to working for the people society would rather forget. Long hours, low pay and staggering caseloads are so common that even the most committed often give up.
God Loves Uganda/ U.S.A. (Director: Roger Ross Williams) — A powerful exploration of the evangelical campaign to infuse African culture with values imported from America’s Christian Right. The film follows American and Ugandan religious leaders fighting “sexual immorality” and missionaries trying to convince Ugandans to follow biblical law.
Inequality for All/ U.S.A. (Director: Jacob Kornbluth) — In this timely and entertaining documentary, noted economic-policy expert Robert Reich distills the topic of widening income inequality, and addresses the question of what effects this increasing gap has on our economy and our democracy.
Life According to Sam/ U.S.A. (Directors: Sean Fine, Andrea Nix Fine) — Dr. Leslie Gordon and Dr. Scott Berns fight to save their only son from a rare and fatal aging disease for which there is no cure. Their work may one day unlock the key to aging in all of us.
Manhunt / U.S.A., United Kingdom (Director: Greg Barker) — This espionage tale goes inside the CIA’s long conflict against Al Qaeda, as revealed by the remarkable women and men whose secret war against Osama bin Laden started nearly a decade before most of us even knew his name.
Narco Cultura/ U.S.A. (Director: Shaul Schwarz) — An examination of Mexican drug cartels’ influence in pop culture on both sides of the border as experienced by an La narcocorrido singer dreaming of stardom and a Juarez crime scene investigator on the front line of Mexico’s Drug War.
Twenty Feet From Stardom/ U.S.A. (Director: Morgan Neville) — Backup singers live in a world that lies just beyond the spotlight. Their voices bring harmony to the biggest bands in popular music, but we've had no idea who these singers are or what lives they lead – until now. Day One Film
Valentine Road/ U.S.A. (Director: Marta Cunningham) — In 2008, eighth-grader Brandon McInerney shot classmate Larry King at point blank range. Unraveling this tragedy from point of impact, the film reveals the heartbreaking circumstances that led to the shocking crime as well as its startling aftermath.
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Credits: Editing by Jessica Just for SydneysBuzz
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Block Doc Workshops in Los Angeles February 2013
The International Documentary Association will be hosting Documentary Funding and Documentary Tune-Up Workshops with Block on February 9/10. http://www.eventbrite.com/org/169037034
Mitchell Block specializes in conceiving, producing, marketing & distributing independent features & consulting. He is an expert in placing both completed works into distribution & working with producers to make projects fundable. He conducts regular workshops in film producing in Los Angeles and most recently in Maine, Russia and in Myanmar (Burma).
Poster Girl, produced by Block was nominated for a Documentary Academy Award and selected by the Ida as the Best Doc Short 2011. It was also nominated for two Emmy Awards and aired on HBO. He is an executive producer of the Emmy Award-winning PBS series Carrier, a 10-hour series that he conceived & co-created. Block is a graduate of Tisch School and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business. He is a member of Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, the Television Academy, a founding member of BAFTA-la and has been teaching at USC School of Cinematic Arts since 1979. Currently Block teaches a required class in the USC Peter Stark Producing Program. ______________________________________________________________________
©2013Mwb All Rights Reserved All Rights Reserved. All information and designs on the Sites are copyrighted material owned by Block. Reproduction, dissemination, or transmission of any part of the material here without the express written consent of the owner is strictly prohibited.All other product names and marks on Block Direct, whether trademarks, service marks, or other type, and whether registered or unregistered, is the property of Block.
- 1/8/2013
- by Mitchell Block
- Sydney's Buzz
Last year it was announced that Stephen King and Stephen Spielberg would be teaming up to adapt novel Under the Dome for the small screen. For those of you who liked this story, and are looking forward to seeing this series get made, you'll be happy to learn that CBS has ordered up 13-episodes! They've also hired Brian K. Vaughan of Lost to write the series, and the director of the Swedish version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Niels Arden Ople, to direct the first episode.
Deadline says that there are going to be some changes in the adaptation saying, "I hear the project’s writer Brian K. Vaughan kept the general conceit and many of the characters from the book but also introduced new characters as regulars and tweaked some details and backstory for the existing ones. I hear King has blessed all the changes. As for the book’s much-talked-about ending,...
Deadline says that there are going to be some changes in the adaptation saying, "I hear the project’s writer Brian K. Vaughan kept the general conceit and many of the characters from the book but also introduced new characters as regulars and tweaked some details and backstory for the existing ones. I hear King has blessed all the changes. As for the book’s much-talked-about ending,...
- 11/29/2012
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Breaking: After getting shelved by Universal Pictures in April of last year, director Paul Greengrass’ would-be project about the final days of Martin Luther King, "Memphis,” is back on again with producer Scott Rudin in tow. After Universal backed out last year, after reportedly getting cold feet about the MLK estate's issues with the allegations of infidelity in the screenplay, the project had no funding and Greengrass turned his attention to "Captain Phillips" his Somali pirates picture starring Tom Hanks set up over at Sony. Without funding, they essentially abandoned it. But Deadline reports that Greengrass and Rudin intend to make it their next picture and says that Wild Bunch -- the international sales group that helped finance and distribute Steven Sobergh’s “Che,” Michael Moore’s "Fahrenheit 9/11" and highly anticipated upcoming projects like James Gray’s “The Nightingale”...
- 11/17/2012
- by Rodrigo Perez
- The Playlist
Turns out, we won’t be hearing any confessions of a (twenty-something) drama queen.
For those that were planning a glorious week of watching Barbara Walters’ interview with Lindsay Lohan and the premiere of Liz & Dick, apologies. You’ll have to make do with just the TV movie. According to Deadline, Lohan has cancelled on the planned sit down with 20/20 doyenne Walters.
The change likely has to do with Lohan’s change in publicity representation. Her publicist of the last two years recently quit, and it seems her new team is making some changes. (EW reached out to her new publicist,...
For those that were planning a glorious week of watching Barbara Walters’ interview with Lindsay Lohan and the premiere of Liz & Dick, apologies. You’ll have to make do with just the TV movie. According to Deadline, Lohan has cancelled on the planned sit down with 20/20 doyenne Walters.
The change likely has to do with Lohan’s change in publicity representation. Her publicist of the last two years recently quit, and it seems her new team is making some changes. (EW reached out to her new publicist,...
- 11/9/2012
- by Erin Strecker
- EW.com - PopWatch
Looks like things are about to heat up for Terra Nova creator/exec producer Kelly Marcel.
Deadline reports that the scribe has beaten out her competition for the hotly contested writer's position for Universal and Focus Features' film adaptation of 50 Shades of Grey, the E.L. James novel that has swept the nation with its sex-fueled narrative.
The book, which began as Twilight fan fiction, follows the sexual exploits of a young journalist named Anastasia Steele after she meets the brooding billionaire Christian Grey. Fan speculation is running rampant over who will be cast in the film versions, but as IMDb points out, Marcel formed a theater company with Tom Hardy back in 2010, so perhaps there could be a spot for him.
Marcel hasn't had any produced screenplays of her own yet, but she wrote Saving Mr. Banks, Disney's upcoming high profile Tom Hanks/Emma Thompson starrer that will certainly...
Deadline reports that the scribe has beaten out her competition for the hotly contested writer's position for Universal and Focus Features' film adaptation of 50 Shades of Grey, the E.L. James novel that has swept the nation with its sex-fueled narrative.
The book, which began as Twilight fan fiction, follows the sexual exploits of a young journalist named Anastasia Steele after she meets the brooding billionaire Christian Grey. Fan speculation is running rampant over who will be cast in the film versions, but as IMDb points out, Marcel formed a theater company with Tom Hardy back in 2010, so perhaps there could be a spot for him.
Marcel hasn't had any produced screenplays of her own yet, but she wrote Saving Mr. Banks, Disney's upcoming high profile Tom Hanks/Emma Thompson starrer that will certainly...
- 10/8/2012
- by Ben Pearson
- GeekTyrant
We've got scheduling changes for two films so break out your calendars and read below. It’s been four long years since Ian Fleming’s debonair spy has graced the big screen and the wait is about to get shorter for North American audiences. The official Twitter account of Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson announced (via Deadline) that the Sam Mendes-helmed “Skyfall” will open exclusively on North American IMAX screens a day earlier than regular theaters on November 8th. Keep in mind that the film -- photographed by living legend Roger Deakins -- was not shot natively in IMAX like “The Dark Knight Rises” was, and will instead be digitally retrofitted for IMAX screens. Bond 23 opens overseas on October 26th and stateside on November 9th. After leading two films by auteurs this year, Ridley Scott’s “Prometheus” and Brian De Palma’s “Passion,” Noomi Rapace is reuniting with Niels Arden.
- 9/28/2012
- by Cain Rodriguez
- The Playlist
Gossip Girl's Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage have teamed with Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke for a new pilot. Horror drama Copeland Prep has been written by Bret Easton Ellis and takes place at a secondary school where the students are being transformed into monsters, according to Deadline. Ellis will executive produce alongside Schwartz and Savage, while Hardwicke will serve as executive consultant. Schwartz and Savage's Fake Empire also produces Hart of Dixie for The CW, as well as forthcoming series Cult and The Carrie (more)...
- 9/13/2012
- by By Morgan Jeffery
- Digital Spy
More terror is heading to television, this time from the wonderfully twisted mind of author Bret Easton Ellis. While it's doubtful we'll be seeing any creative uses for lube and a hamster Habitrail, the news still makes us smile.
Deadline reports that Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, who are behind The CW‘s departing drama "Gossip Girl," have set up another project at the network that takes place in an elite school. The high-concept "Copeland Prep" is set at the premier secondary school in the nation, which is so fiercely competitive it’s turning its students into monsters — literally — and spreading the disturbing ramifications throughout the town. The project was written by Bret Easton Ellis, who is executive producing with Fake Empire’s Schwartz, Savage and Len Goldstein as well as Nicky Weinstock.
Catherine Hardwicke, who has experience with projects about students who are not quite human, having directed the first Twilight movie,...
Deadline reports that Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, who are behind The CW‘s departing drama "Gossip Girl," have set up another project at the network that takes place in an elite school. The high-concept "Copeland Prep" is set at the premier secondary school in the nation, which is so fiercely competitive it’s turning its students into monsters — literally — and spreading the disturbing ramifications throughout the town. The project was written by Bret Easton Ellis, who is executive producing with Fake Empire’s Schwartz, Savage and Len Goldstein as well as Nicky Weinstock.
Catherine Hardwicke, who has experience with projects about students who are not quite human, having directed the first Twilight movie,...
- 9/13/2012
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
The Possession to Top Weak Labor Day Weekend For some curious reason, Labor Day weekend is a slow time at the North American box office. Labor Day weekend 2012 will be no exception to that rule. Directed by Ole Bornedal, the Lionsgate-distributed The Possession, not to be confused with last weekend’s box-office flop The Apparition, is expected to top the Us/Canada box-office chart — but with a mere $17.5m over the four-day holiday ($14.4m three-day). The Possession opened with a quite modest (estimated) $5.5m at 2,816 locations on Friday, as reported at Deadline.com. The — huh, based on true story… — tale of a [...]...
- 9/1/2012
- by Zac Gille
- Alt Film Guide
Chicago – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film with our unique social giveaway technology, we have 40 admit-two movie passes up for grabs to the advance screening of the new horror film “The Possession”! The film, which is based on a true story and opens on Aug. 31, 2012, stars Jeffrey Dean Morgan from horror master Sam Raimi!
“The Possession” also stars Kyra Sedgwick, Natasha Calis, Madison Davenport, Grant Show, Agam Darshi, Matisyahu, Quinn Lord, Rob Labelle, Erin Simms, John Cassini, Amanda Dyar, Nana Gbewonyo, Jim Thorburn and Anna Hagan from director Ole Bornedal and writers Juliet Snowden and Stiles White. The film is produced by horror master Sam Raimi (director of the “Spider-Man” franchise).
To win your free advance-screening passes to “The Possession” courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, just get interactive with our unique Hookup technology directly below. That’s it! This screening is on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012 at 7 p.m. in downtown Chicago.
“The Possession” also stars Kyra Sedgwick, Natasha Calis, Madison Davenport, Grant Show, Agam Darshi, Matisyahu, Quinn Lord, Rob Labelle, Erin Simms, John Cassini, Amanda Dyar, Nana Gbewonyo, Jim Thorburn and Anna Hagan from director Ole Bornedal and writers Juliet Snowden and Stiles White. The film is produced by horror master Sam Raimi (director of the “Spider-Man” franchise).
To win your free advance-screening passes to “The Possession” courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, just get interactive with our unique Hookup technology directly below. That’s it! This screening is on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012 at 7 p.m. in downtown Chicago.
- 8/22/2012
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Nikki Finke, who's been sitting atop the Hollywood industry news food chain thanks to her unique style of journalism, as seen in her La Weekly columns (which ran from 2002-2009) and her current Deadline Hollywood blog, has been in the news lately herself for reasons that are less than favorable for her image. She's garnered attention for writing a series of pieces in response to this weekend's Aurora shootings about the prospects of "The Dark Knight Rises" at the box office and slapping Bret Easton Ellis and his talent agency with legal threats for tweeting that he lives in the same apartment complex as the famed journalist. Despite these litigious tendencies, an unnamed man in Los Angeles is having some fun with Finke's name, running the Twitter handle @NIKKlFINKE (in all caps that's @Nikklfinke), using it to poke fun at the reclusive journalist's predilection for cats (e.g.: "Next week is Meow Zedong's birthday.
- 7/24/2012
- by Bryce J. Renninger
- Indiewire
Back in June, novelist and Fifty Shades of Grey superfan Bret Easton Ellis revealed (on Twitter) that he lives in the same L.A. apartment building as the very private Nikki Finke. (Gawker more or less confirmed this.) Ellis was back on Twitter this weekend detailing Finke's reaction, which included threats against ICM, the talent agency that represents Ellis, and the author himself. ICM has since lawyered up in the matter, and their legal team is reportedly claiming that Finke "told top ICM employees she would reveal their home addresses and where their children go to school." She also allegedly told one ICM agent that she would post "damaging" and potentially false information about the agency on Deadline. Penske Media Corp, which owns Deadline, issued a statement denying the claims. Meanwhile, Bret Easton Ellis is still tweeting against Finke, and will probably continue to.
- 7/19/2012
- by Amanda Dobbins
- Vulture
Seems Nikki Finke may have finally come up against an equally tart-tongued opponent. On June 22, author-screenwriter Bret Easton Ellis tweeted he lives in the same West Hollywood building as the notoriously reclusive Deadline Hollywood blogger. Three weeks later, according to Ellis, Finke called ICM and threatened to sue the writer, the agency and his agent, Binky Urban, prompting this Ellis tweet on July 13: “Anyone in the movie industry who fears they have to ‘watch out’ for Nikki Finke is a complete and total old-school f—ing Hollywood loser.” (That day, Gawker posted a photo of
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- 7/18/2012
- by Gary Baum
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Well, this would make an interesting judging table: Aretha Franklin has expressed interest in becoming a judge on American Idol. This isn't rumor, she said it to CNN herself, though no talks have reportedly been had. But Fox would be crazy not to consider Franklin.
Talk about mixed signals – Target is selling Mr. & Mr. and "Two Special Ladies" wedding cards in the store, designed by Carlton. The two companies say it was time to have marriage cards for everyone, and I couldn't agree more. My nearest Target is 65 miles away, so has anybody seen them?
Ice Age 4: Continental Drift won the box office with $45.5 million for the weekend, handily knocking off The Amazing Spider-man's $35 million. I'm not sure I buy the analysis about Spidey dropping 44% being weird – it was out almost a week before last weekend, so I'm not sure that you can measure it like a normal movie.
Talk about mixed signals – Target is selling Mr. & Mr. and "Two Special Ladies" wedding cards in the store, designed by Carlton. The two companies say it was time to have marriage cards for everyone, and I couldn't agree more. My nearest Target is 65 miles away, so has anybody seen them?
Ice Age 4: Continental Drift won the box office with $45.5 million for the weekend, handily knocking off The Amazing Spider-man's $35 million. I'm not sure I buy the analysis about Spidey dropping 44% being weird – it was out almost a week before last weekend, so I'm not sure that you can measure it like a normal movie.
- 7/16/2012
- by lostinmiami
- The Backlot
I've always felt that Roger Avery never got his fair shake in Hollywood. Largely known for his work writing with Quentin Tarantino back in the early 1990s - remember when he won an Oscar for Pulp Fiction? - 2002 brought the vastly underrated Bret Easton Ellis adaptation The Rules of Attraction. As you can probably tell by the word "underrated," though, the movie never exactly took off at the box office and Avery's work has been limited since, his last screenplay coming in the form of Robert Zemeckis' Beowulf. But now Paul Verhoeven of all people is giving him the chance to climb back on top. Deadline reports that Verhoeven has hired Avery to adapt a film version of Jesus of Nazareth, the controversial book co-written by Verhoeven about the life and times of Jesus Christ. The project will join the ranks of other Christ based films such as Mel Gibson...
- 6/20/2012
- cinemablend.com
After paramedics were called to Lohan's hotel room, two other members of the 'Liz & Dick' crew have also complained of exhaustion.
By Jocelyn Vena
Lindsay Lohan
Photo:
It seems that Lindsay Lohan isn't the only one feeling exhausted on the set of her Lifetime flick, "Liz & Dick." According to a new report, several crew members also complained of suffering from exhaustion while shooting the film.Over the weekend, Deadline reported that two members of the hair department left the set early due to "severe dehydration and exhaustion." A rep for the network couldn't confirm if they had received treatment for their symptoms. A source notes that the cast and crew have been working long hours trying to complete the Elizabeth Taylor/Richard Burton biopic, adding that the days on set have gone upwards of 20 hours.
Lohan herself addressed all the drama on her Twitter after she made headlines on Friday...
By Jocelyn Vena
Lindsay Lohan
Photo:
It seems that Lindsay Lohan isn't the only one feeling exhausted on the set of her Lifetime flick, "Liz & Dick." According to a new report, several crew members also complained of suffering from exhaustion while shooting the film.Over the weekend, Deadline reported that two members of the hair department left the set early due to "severe dehydration and exhaustion." A rep for the network couldn't confirm if they had received treatment for their symptoms. A source notes that the cast and crew have been working long hours trying to complete the Elizabeth Taylor/Richard Burton biopic, adding that the days on set have gone upwards of 20 hours.
Lohan herself addressed all the drama on her Twitter after she made headlines on Friday...
- 6/18/2012
- MTV Music News
By now, you've probably heard of Fifty Shades of Grey, the literary sensation by El James that has taken the world by storm, selling 10 million copies in just six weeks. The steamy pseudo-softcore trilogy is flying off store shelves, titillating housewives across the U.S. and sparking a multimillion-dollar bidding war for the big screen rights. Universal Pictures and Focus Features ended up teaming up to win the rights, but how exactly they plan to adapt a series of books that border on straight up pornography remains to be seen. With the amount of attention the books have been getting, however, they will definitely find a way to make it happen. Last week there were rumours that they've been trying to get Angelina Jolie to attach her name to the adaptation. What's surprising, however, is that Universal supposedly doesn't want her to star but rather to direct. The news was originally reported by Deadline,...
- 6/11/2012
- by Sean
- FilmJunk
Fourteen years after he helped launch the Dogme 95 movement with his family drama “The Celebration,” director Thomas Vinterberg returned to Cannes this past month with his latest film, “The Hunt.” As the Croisette is wont to do, reactions were immensely divided, with some calling the film a masterpiece of near-unbearable dread, while others found the film a manipulative soap opera. Luckily for the filmmakers though, those in distribution kept a keen eye, and have now tapped the film for a future Us release.
THR reports Magnolia Pictures have acquired the U.S. rights from sales group TrustNordisk, and we're guessing they plan to release the film by year's end. The drama follows Mads Mikkelsen, who impressed Cannes enough to win Best Actor this past weekend, as a man suddenly plunged into a world of accusations and hatred after his genial relationship with a young girl (Annika Wedderkopp) goes truly awry.
THR reports Magnolia Pictures have acquired the U.S. rights from sales group TrustNordisk, and we're guessing they plan to release the film by year's end. The drama follows Mads Mikkelsen, who impressed Cannes enough to win Best Actor this past weekend, as a man suddenly plunged into a world of accusations and hatred after his genial relationship with a young girl (Annika Wedderkopp) goes truly awry.
- 6/1/2012
- by Charlie Schmidlin
- The Playlist
Atom Egoyan‘s upcoming drama based on the real-life tragedy of the West Memphis 3, Devil’s Knot, has been quite slowly accumulating cast members, with news on each new member of the production trickling out over the course of many months. Reese Witherspoon joined the cast in December as Pam Hobbs, the mother of victim Stevie Branch, and Colin Firth signed on in February to play Ron Lax, a private eye who offered his services to the WM3 before their trial in 1993. While the project itself was announced all the way back in August, with such delicate material to cover, perhaps Egoyan is taking his time in picking his cast (what an idea!). Devil’s Knot has now added its third major cast member, and it is indeed a delicate role that is being filled – Deadline Seattle reports that The Killing star Mireille Enos will play Vicki Hutcheson in the film. Those...
- 5/31/2012
- by Kate Erbland
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Niels Arden Oplev, the Danish director best known for helming the original The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, is currently filming his English language debut, Dead Man Down, with Colin Farrell, Noomi Rapace, and Dominic Cooper in the leads.
FilmDistrict have just finished a deal at Cannes that will see them take the Us distribution rights for the film, and in reporting that news, Deadline have got the first look image of Farrell in the lead.
“Dead Man Down stars Farrell as the right-hand man to an underground crime lord in New York City who is seduced and blackmailed by Beatrice (Rapace), a crime victim seeking retribution. Their chemistry and intense relationship leads them to execute a violent and cathartic plan for revenge.”
Also starring Oscar-nominated Terrence Howard, the film has been penned by J.H. Wyman, writer and executive producer of Fringe.
Farrell will be back on the big screen...
FilmDistrict have just finished a deal at Cannes that will see them take the Us distribution rights for the film, and in reporting that news, Deadline have got the first look image of Farrell in the lead.
“Dead Man Down stars Farrell as the right-hand man to an underground crime lord in New York City who is seduced and blackmailed by Beatrice (Rapace), a crime victim seeking retribution. Their chemistry and intense relationship leads them to execute a violent and cathartic plan for revenge.”
Also starring Oscar-nominated Terrence Howard, the film has been penned by J.H. Wyman, writer and executive producer of Fringe.
Farrell will be back on the big screen...
- 5/18/2012
- by Kenji Lloyd
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
The Cannes Film Festival is now well underway in the South of France and amidst the glitz and glamour, there is still also a lot of business taking place. FilmDistrict, perhaps best known for being behind last year's Drive - a strong contender for the Palme, Nicolas Winding Refn walked away with Best Director - has already acquired Intrepid Pictures' horror flick Oculus this year before closing the deal for U.S. distribution rights to Dead Man Down. Deadline reports that FilmDistrict has also acquired the new film from director Niels Arden Oplev , the man behind the original Swedish adaptation of Stieg Larsson's The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (Män Som Hatar Kvinnor). Dead Man Down re-teams the director with his Dragon Tattoo leading lady as Noomi Rapace stars alongside Colin Farrell in this romantic revenge thriller set in the criminal underworld. The studio also just released the first...
- 5/18/2012
- cinemablend.com
And Relativity Pick Up 'Paranoia' With Harrison Ford, Gary Oldman And Liam Hemsworth
Over a decade after he first emerged on the scene (his breakout, "Tigerland," was way back in 2000), Colin Farrell is having a moment again. The actor looked to have chucked his chance at A-list stardom away after films like "Alexander" tanked, but the actor has slowly been working his way back up again, aided by a well-received pair of villains last summer in "Horrible Bosses" and "Fright Night." Before the year is out, he'll headline blockbuster "Total Recall," and reunite with Martin McDonagh, who gave Farrell his best-ever showcase in "In Bruges," for "Seven Psychopaths." And he seems to be Warner Bros' new favorite son: when the studio couldn't interest him in the troubled "Arthur and Lancelot," they gave him the lead role in Akiva Goldsman's "A Winter's Tale" instead.
But right now, Farrell...
Over a decade after he first emerged on the scene (his breakout, "Tigerland," was way back in 2000), Colin Farrell is having a moment again. The actor looked to have chucked his chance at A-list stardom away after films like "Alexander" tanked, but the actor has slowly been working his way back up again, aided by a well-received pair of villains last summer in "Horrible Bosses" and "Fright Night." Before the year is out, he'll headline blockbuster "Total Recall," and reunite with Martin McDonagh, who gave Farrell his best-ever showcase in "In Bruges," for "Seven Psychopaths." And he seems to be Warner Bros' new favorite son: when the studio couldn't interest him in the troubled "Arthur and Lancelot," they gave him the lead role in Akiva Goldsman's "A Winter's Tale" instead.
But right now, Farrell...
- 5/17/2012
- by Oliver Lyttelton
- The Playlist
Colin Farrell, Noomi Rapace starrer Dead Man Down helmed by Niels Arden Oplev lands at FilmDistrict Deadline reports that the thriller which also with Terrence Howard, Dominic Cooper and Isabelle Huppert, has found a home with FilmDistrict, distributors of the beloved Ryan Gosling starrer Drive. Rapace and Oplev reteam after having worked together on the original The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. Scripted by J.H. Wyman, Dead Man Down, Farrell plays Victor, a New York-based crime lord's right-hand man who is seduced by a woman seeking out for some payback. Wyman also produces alongside Neal H. Moritz, while Stuart Ford, Bruan Kavanaugh-Jones, Ori Marmur and Reid Shane serve as executive producers.
- 5/17/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
French actress Isabelle Huppert has been a force in the film world for quite a while now, winning Best Actress awards at Cannes for her work in Violette and The Piano Teacher, and a César for her role in La Cérémonie. Though she’s really only appeared in I Heart Huckabees and episodes of Law & Order: Svu in English-speaking roles (as far as I know?), she’s been a top international actress long enough that most everyone interested in acting and such Stateside should have an idea of who she is. Niels Arden Oplev hasn’t been around the scene for quite as long, but after he took the world by storm directing the Swedish version of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, he solidified his place on the list of filmmakers that everyone is keeping their eyeballs on. His success launching that franchise has led to his latest project, Dead Man Down...
- 5/1/2012
- by Nathan Adams
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Add one more point in Dead Man Down‘s favor, since Deadline reports that Niels Arden Oplev‘s English-language debut has just snagged Isabelle Huppert (The Piano Teacher, White Material) for an undisclosed role. And the cast she’s joining is already an international smattering of acting talent; Noomi Rapace and Colin Farrell are leading the picture, while Terrence Howard and Dominic Cooper have been set for to play the villain and the protagonist’s sidekick, respectively. (Sweden, Ireland, America, England, and, now, France.)
Written by J.H. Wyman, Dead Man Down sees Farrell play Victor, a former criminal aide who seeks vengeance on Alphonse Hoyt (Howard) a criminal overlord who helped orchestrate the death of his family. Rapace enters the swing of things as Beatrice, a woman blackmailing Victor for his services; Cooper will play Victor’s partner, Darcy. That run-down is another way of admitting we don’t know who Huppert is playing,...
Written by J.H. Wyman, Dead Man Down sees Farrell play Victor, a former criminal aide who seeks vengeance on Alphonse Hoyt (Howard) a criminal overlord who helped orchestrate the death of his family. Rapace enters the swing of things as Beatrice, a woman blackmailing Victor for his services; Cooper will play Victor’s partner, Darcy. That run-down is another way of admitting we don’t know who Huppert is playing,...
- 4/30/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Danish director Niels Arden Oplev; best known as the director of the original The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, continued to make impressive cast additions to his Hollywood project, the crime thriller Dead Man Down. Deadline reported today that the iconic French actress Isabelle Huppert joined the thriller in a still-undisclosed role. Huppert joined recent cast addition Terrence Howard, who signed on to play the villainous crime boss Alphone Hoyt, joining fellow leads Colin Farrell, Dominic Cooper and Oplev's Dragon Tattoo star Noomi Rapace.
- 4/30/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Among the string of big-name directors featuring this year are Jacques Audiard, Michael Haneke and Ken Loach
A selection of heavyweight titles from top-drawer auteurs has been unveiled for this year's Cannes film festival, with previous winners of the Palme d'Or, Jacques Audiard, Michael Haneke and Ken Loach, all back in contention.
A competition lineup strong on European arthouse is leavened by the anticipated presence on the Croisette of teenybop pinups Zac Efron and Robert Pattinson. Pattinson, the British star of Twilight, tops the bill in David Cronenberg's Cosmopolis, tipped as one of the key titles to screen, while Efron takes the lead in Paperboy, the new film from Lee Daniels, whose social drama Precious was a sleeper hit two years ago.
Daniels is one of the few Us directors on this year's slate; he joins Wes Anderson, whose 60s-set summer camp romance Moonrise Kingdom opens the festival on 16 May,...
A selection of heavyweight titles from top-drawer auteurs has been unveiled for this year's Cannes film festival, with previous winners of the Palme d'Or, Jacques Audiard, Michael Haneke and Ken Loach, all back in contention.
A competition lineup strong on European arthouse is leavened by the anticipated presence on the Croisette of teenybop pinups Zac Efron and Robert Pattinson. Pattinson, the British star of Twilight, tops the bill in David Cronenberg's Cosmopolis, tipped as one of the key titles to screen, while Efron takes the lead in Paperboy, the new film from Lee Daniels, whose social drama Precious was a sleeper hit two years ago.
Daniels is one of the few Us directors on this year's slate; he joins Wes Anderson, whose 60s-set summer camp romance Moonrise Kingdom opens the festival on 16 May,...
- 4/19/2012
- by Catherine Shoard
- The Guardian - Film News
New films by Michael Haneke, Jacques Audiard, Lee Daniels, Abbas Kiarostami, Ken Loach and Wes Anderson are in competition at this year's festival
Cannes 2012 is shaping up to be an auteurs' reunion, with new films from old Croisette stagers such as Jacques Audiard, Ken Loach and Michael Haneke vying for this year's top honour, the Palme d'Or. Joining them in competiton are the likes of Walter Salles, Leos Carax, David Cronenberg, Thomas Vinterberg, Lee Daniels and Wes Anderson, whose Moonrise Kingdom is the first opening night film to be also in competition since 2008's Blindness.
Rust and Bone, the latest from Audiard, whose A Prophet won the Grand Prix in 2009, was long a shoo-in for a competition spot; ditto Haneke with Love, which reunites him with Piano Teacher Isabelle Huppert, and Abbas Kiarostami with Like Someone in Love. Matteo Garrone's followup to Gommorah is another welcome inclusion. Loach returns with The Angels' Share,...
Cannes 2012 is shaping up to be an auteurs' reunion, with new films from old Croisette stagers such as Jacques Audiard, Ken Loach and Michael Haneke vying for this year's top honour, the Palme d'Or. Joining them in competiton are the likes of Walter Salles, Leos Carax, David Cronenberg, Thomas Vinterberg, Lee Daniels and Wes Anderson, whose Moonrise Kingdom is the first opening night film to be also in competition since 2008's Blindness.
Rust and Bone, the latest from Audiard, whose A Prophet won the Grand Prix in 2009, was long a shoo-in for a competition spot; ditto Haneke with Love, which reunites him with Piano Teacher Isabelle Huppert, and Abbas Kiarostami with Like Someone in Love. Matteo Garrone's followup to Gommorah is another welcome inclusion. Loach returns with The Angels' Share,...
- 4/19/2012
- by Catherine Shoard
- The Guardian - Film News
"The Hunger Games" is looking to possibly make movie history at the box office. It opened in Australia Friday (March 23) at midnight and Deadline is reporting its earnings numbers are the U.S. dollar equivalent to $1.8 million, which is bigger than both "Iron Man" and "Quantum of Solace's" first-day earnings down under.
Meanwhile, Box Office Mojo is predicting one of the biggest openings in movie history. First, because the "Hunger Games" pre-sales are at nearly unprecedented levels. Secondly, because it's opening at over 10,000 screens across 4,137 locations nationwide, which is the biggest release ever for a non-sequel and for a movie released by a non-major studio (Lionsgate is considered a mid-major studio).
Lionsgate's biggest movie to date is Michael Moore's documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11," which took in just shy of $120 million total - a number "The Hunger Games" will most likely eclipse in its opening weekend.
"Hunger Games" advanced ticket sales...
Meanwhile, Box Office Mojo is predicting one of the biggest openings in movie history. First, because the "Hunger Games" pre-sales are at nearly unprecedented levels. Secondly, because it's opening at over 10,000 screens across 4,137 locations nationwide, which is the biggest release ever for a non-sequel and for a movie released by a non-major studio (Lionsgate is considered a mid-major studio).
Lionsgate's biggest movie to date is Michael Moore's documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11," which took in just shy of $120 million total - a number "The Hunger Games" will most likely eclipse in its opening weekend.
"Hunger Games" advanced ticket sales...
- 3/23/2012
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
A day after Greg Smith rattled the financial sector with his New York Times Op-Ed, "Why I Am Leaving Goldman Sachs," claiming that "the environment now is as toxic and destructive as I have ever seen it," Deadline's Mike Fleming reminds us that Wall Street was pretty toxic and destructive long before Smith even began his 12-year run at the company. Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio "are committing to make The Wolf of Wall Street their fifth collaboration. The film is based on the Jordan Belfort memoir of his days as a hard partying, drug addicted stockbroker who was indicted in 1998 for security fraud and money laundering and served a 22-month federal prison stretch. Shooting will begin August in New York." The Playlist's Kevin Jagernauth posts a 2007 interview with Belfort.
Also at the Playlist, Jagernauth reports that Gerardo Naranjo (Miss Bala) will likely direct Michael Fassbender in J Mills Goodloe...
Also at the Playlist, Jagernauth reports that Gerardo Naranjo (Miss Bala) will likely direct Michael Fassbender in J Mills Goodloe...
- 3/15/2012
- MUBI
Hollywood Before the Code: Nasty-Ass Films for a Nasty-Ass World! runs from today through Thursday at the Roxie in San Francisco and Dennis Harvey has a fun preview in the Bay Guardian. A snippet: "March 4 offers a shocking double dose of pure white femininity finding themselves in, ahem, 'Yellow Peril' — miscegenation being something Hollywood could only begin to embrace a few decades later. Frank Capra's atypically erotic The Bitter Tea of General Yen, with Barbara Stanwyck alllllmost surrendering the white flag to a 'charismatic Chinese warlord' (Swede Nils Asther, eyes narrowed), has become a minor classic since flopping in 1933. No such luck for The Cheat (1931), a remake of Cecil B DeMille's 1915 shocker that was part of Paramount's brief, failed attempt to make stage sensation Tallulah Bankhead a movie star. Her gambling-addicted socialite gets branded (literally) in lieu of repayment not by the original's Far East businessman (dashing Sessue Hayakawa...
- 3/2/2012
- MUBI
Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal is to star in 20th Century Fox's reboot Zorro Reborn, set this time in a post-apocalyptic wasteland.
As we previously reported, the project will see Zorro as a one-man vigilante force bent on revenge - rather than a masked crusader fighting for justice - in a tale that will have echoes of Sergio Leone and No Country for Old Men.
Bernal appears with Will Ferrell in the upcoming Spanish comedy Casa de mi Padre and with Kate Hudson in A Little Bit of Heaven.
Glenn Gers wrote the script with Lee Shipman and Brian McGreevy. Variety's report says no director has yet been hired, despite earlier suggestions that concept artist Rpin Suwannath was to make his debut in the hotseat.
Sony, which released two Zorro films starring Antonio Banderas, is developing its own origin story about the swashbuckling hero based on Isabel Allende's 2005 novel Zorro.
As we previously reported, the project will see Zorro as a one-man vigilante force bent on revenge - rather than a masked crusader fighting for justice - in a tale that will have echoes of Sergio Leone and No Country for Old Men.
Bernal appears with Will Ferrell in the upcoming Spanish comedy Casa de mi Padre and with Kate Hudson in A Little Bit of Heaven.
Glenn Gers wrote the script with Lee Shipman and Brian McGreevy. Variety's report says no director has yet been hired, despite earlier suggestions that concept artist Rpin Suwannath was to make his debut in the hotseat.
Sony, which released two Zorro films starring Antonio Banderas, is developing its own origin story about the swashbuckling hero based on Isabel Allende's 2005 novel Zorro.
- 2/17/2012
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
Nicholas Jarecki’s feature directorial debut in Arbitrage has just made its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival out in Park City, Utah, and boasts an impressive cast that includes Richard Gere in the lead, supported by Tim Roth, Susan Sarandon, Brit Marling, and Nate Parker.
A new clip from the film has surfaced over at Deadline, showing Parker coming to Gere’s rescue as he sets up an alibi for them. We can probably safely presume that something has gone wrong for Gere in the previous scene, no doubt involving the crossing of the line of the law.
“Richard Gere plays a hedge fund trader desperate to unload his company before his fraud is found out. An unexpected misstep forces him to turn to a figure from his past played by Nate Parker.”
Parker and Marling are both rising stars, with the former currently starring in the George Lucas-produced Red Tails,...
A new clip from the film has surfaced over at Deadline, showing Parker coming to Gere’s rescue as he sets up an alibi for them. We can probably safely presume that something has gone wrong for Gere in the previous scene, no doubt involving the crossing of the line of the law.
“Richard Gere plays a hedge fund trader desperate to unload his company before his fraud is found out. An unexpected misstep forces him to turn to a figure from his past played by Nate Parker.”
Parker and Marling are both rising stars, with the former currently starring in the George Lucas-produced Red Tails,...
- 1/23/2012
- by Kenji Lloyd
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Reality is always stranger than fiction, but when we're talking about the West Memphis Three, it continues to grow stranger still. Today there's more information pertaining to the upcoming West of Memphis documentary, which indicates a new direction for the case that could finally lead to the real killer.
According to Deadline, West of Memphis will feature some recently obtained evidence that may have bearing on the future of this case. The documentary was screened for press in New York and Los Angeles last week with the stipulation that one scene was missing. Deadline alleges that this scene will be reinstated in the film for its Sundance premiere today.
To coincide with this news, it seems that Damien Echols issued a press release today that may allude to the missing scene in West of Memphis:
Terry Hobbs’ nephew, Michael Hobbs, Jr., allegedly told his friends, “My uncle Terry murdered those three little boys,...
According to Deadline, West of Memphis will feature some recently obtained evidence that may have bearing on the future of this case. The documentary was screened for press in New York and Los Angeles last week with the stipulation that one scene was missing. Deadline alleges that this scene will be reinstated in the film for its Sundance premiere today.
To coincide with this news, it seems that Damien Echols issued a press release today that may allude to the missing scene in West of Memphis:
Terry Hobbs’ nephew, Michael Hobbs, Jr., allegedly told his friends, “My uncle Terry murdered those three little boys,...
- 1/20/2012
- by Masked Slasher
- DreadCentral.com
Christopher Plummer, Daniel Craig, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Tom Cruise/Brad Bird/Mission: Impossible IV – Ghost Protocol: Only Bright Christmas Light at North American Box Office Trailing Brad Bird/Tom Cruise's Mission: Impossible IV – Ghost Protocol, Guy Ritchie/Robert Downey Jr's Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, and Mike Mitchell's Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chip-Wrecked was David Fincher's remake of Niels Arden Oplev's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Starring Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara — replacing Michael Nyqvist (featured in Ghost Protocol) and Noomi Rapace (featured in A Game of Shadows) — the American remake pulled in an estimated $4.6 million on Friday, Dec. 23, as per early, rough estimates found at both The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline.com. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is expected to earn $12.3 million over the three-day weekend, which is about $2 million more than the original earned in the United States,...
- 12/24/2011
- by Zac Gille
- Alt Film Guide
It is not as if American Psycho is hallowed ground, like Casablanca or Gone With The Wind. It is just that a remake is so very unnecessary. Although the original came out over a decade ago, it was set in the 1980′s and so it can’t really be argued to be dated. It looks as though the planned remake will be set in a more contemporary New York, possibly addressing how the city has changed since the milieu of the book and original film. That is all well and good, though it could be argued that the milieu of the original was part of its distinctive quality and that to take the story out of that environment does more than a little violence to Bret Easton Ellis’s work.
Matters are not helped by news that the writer Lionsgate have employed to rework the script, Noble Jones, has written...
Matters are not helped by news that the writer Lionsgate have employed to rework the script, Noble Jones, has written...
- 12/15/2011
- by Dave Roper
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
An American Psycho remake may be written and directed by Noble Jones. Remaking American Psycho is dangerous ground to tread on. The first adaptation was a supplement to the book of the same name written by Bret Easton Ellis, a visual of some of the written material. It was never a very good adaptation in my opinion (an adequate one though e.g. Patrick knowing the designers of people’s clothing) nor could any adaptation capture: a.) The obsessive compulsive nature of Patrick Bateman and b.) the vicious and highly descriptive killings in the book.
I will admit I had no idea how Patrick Bateman sounded until I saw the 2000 film. That was good. Now it seems Lionsgate wants another stab (I had to) at the source material.
The official report:
Noble Jones…hopes to make his feature directing debut on an updated low budget remake of American Psycho. Jones,...
I will admit I had no idea how Patrick Bateman sounded until I saw the 2000 film. That was good. Now it seems Lionsgate wants another stab (I had to) at the source material.
The official report:
Noble Jones…hopes to make his feature directing debut on an updated low budget remake of American Psycho. Jones,...
- 12/9/2011
- by filmbook
- Film-Book
After the gravel-voiced Dark Knight, for many, Christian Bale’s most identifiable role remains American Psycho’s Patrick Bateman, the Manhattan-suit-turned-murderous-sociopath adapted from Bret Easton Ellis’ lighting-rod novel of the same name. It could be difficult for some to imagine anyone else pulling off the role, but EW has confirmed that a new actor may have a chance to slip on Bateman’s top-of-the-line suits: Lionsgate is in very early development on a new film based on Ellis’ book, working with commercial and music video director Noble Jones. Deadline is reporting that Jones’ take is to bring Bateman into post-9/11, post-financial meltdown New York.
- 12/9/2011
- by Adam B. Vary
- EW - Inside Movies
Fine, maybe you didn’t ask for it, but someone did! Incidentally, the person who wrote the film and wants to direct it! Weird, right? Commercial director (and second unit director for The Social Network) Noble Jones reportedly pitched a new take on Bret Easton Ellis‘s American Psycho (which of course already has already has its own, very fine, cinematic adaptation from Mary Harron, starring Christian Bale in one of his best roles, which hit theaters in 2000) to Lionsgate a few months ago, followed that by turning in a script within the last few weeks, and is now seeing an uptick in interest thanks to the entertainment industry’s insidery tracking reports. Thanks, assistants at Wme who run these things, thanks a lot. Now that we’ve got all the bile out of the way, who the hell is Noble Jones and just what does he want to do with Bret Easton Ellis’s classic villain...
- 12/8/2011
- by Kate Erbland
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
In the ultimate hierarchy of psychoticness, some things get you pretty far up on the list. Killing a cat because your Atm demands a sacrifice? That's psycho. Murdering a slew of people, including your own friends and complete strangers, because you're upset that someone else has a nicer business card? That's really psycho. But remaking an acclaimed movie that just came out 11 years ago?
Nothing tops that level of psycho.
Well, being psycho is apparently the name of the game over at Lionsgate, because Deadline is reporting that the studio has just given the go ahead for a "microbudget" remake of Christian Bale's 2000 slaughterfest "American Psycho." Crazy? Or crazy like a fox?
Of course, remakes are nothing new, but usually it's normal to wait at least one generation or so before you try to put out a new version of a beloved film. And while it would be hard...
Nothing tops that level of psycho.
Well, being psycho is apparently the name of the game over at Lionsgate, because Deadline is reporting that the studio has just given the go ahead for a "microbudget" remake of Christian Bale's 2000 slaughterfest "American Psycho." Crazy? Or crazy like a fox?
Of course, remakes are nothing new, but usually it's normal to wait at least one generation or so before you try to put out a new version of a beloved film. And while it would be hard...
- 12/8/2011
- by Scott Harris
- NextMovie
Lionsgate has hired a writer and director for a new adaptation of American Psycho. The studio has contracted Noble Jones to write and direct a new film adaptation of the Bret Easton Ellis novel, according to Deadline. The book was previously adapted for the screen in 2000. It starred Christian Bale as serial killer Patrick Bateman. Jones, who has helmed music videos for Taylor Swift and Mary J Blige, (more)...
- 12/8/2011
- by By Tara Fowler
- Digital Spy
Not many adaptations manage to supplant their source material in the cultural consciousness, but Mary Harron‘s take on Bret Easton Ellis‘ American Psycho is one of those. While a good film in its own right, American Psycho primarily functions so well because of Christian Bale‘s turn as Patrick Bateman, as well as the vantage point it had on a period that wasn’t so old at the time. The whole thing is like lightning in a bottle — why attempt it again?
A question that doesn’t faze Lionsgate, who, according to Variety, will be working with writer and director Nobel Jones on another adaptation of the original novel. Deadline has some more information on the screenplay, a “microbudget” take that will be “a down and dirty new version that imagines how yuppie serial killer Patrick Bateman would fare in New York today, factoring in how the world has changed since the 2000 film.
A question that doesn’t faze Lionsgate, who, according to Variety, will be working with writer and director Nobel Jones on another adaptation of the original novel. Deadline has some more information on the screenplay, a “microbudget” take that will be “a down and dirty new version that imagines how yuppie serial killer Patrick Bateman would fare in New York today, factoring in how the world has changed since the 2000 film.
- 12/8/2011
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Since Paul Verhoeven's sci-fi flick Starship Troopers getting prepped for a reboot, it's not surprise to hear that another cult classic is in the midst of getting a shiny new remake as well. Deadline has word that Lionsgate has hired Noble Jones to adapt an updated low budget remake of American Psycho, the 2000 film starring Christian Bale based on Bret Easton Ellis' novel of the same name. Jones also hopes to make his feature directorial debut after pitching the project to Lionsgate a few months back with the first draft of the script turned in sometime last month. But don't expect the same Patrick Bateman from the original film. Obviously Christian Bale won't return since it's a remake and not a sequel, but this new version of the story will bring the serial killer into modern New York City, so Bateman's survival as a killer in this world...
- 12/8/2011
- by Ethan Anderton
- firstshowing.net
We've heard rumblings and now the threat is real: Lionsgate is developing a new film based on the Bret Easton Ellis novel American Psycho. The studio has just hired Noble Jones to write the script. Jones seems at first like an unknown quantity, as his few IMDb credits include second-unit director on part of The Social Network, and shooting and directing the doc 10 Days Out: Blues From the Backroads. But he's also got credits as a commercial and music video director, so it's not like he came out of nowhere. A few more details on the new American Psycho are below. Variety [1] has the news, but no real details other than the fact that Lionsgate wants a new version of the story that Mary Harron previously directed with Christian Bale in the lead role. That performance is one of Bale's distinctive works, and in fact such a specific and iconic...
- 12/8/2011
- by Russ Fischer
- Slash Film
What if Patrick Bateman had Facebook? The yuppie serial killer at the heart of Bret Easton Ellis' 1991 novel, and the subsequent 2000 movie by Mary Harron, may be coming back to a screen near you but this time, as a man living in modern-day New York.
According to Deadline Hollywood, Noble Jones, a David Fincher protege and commercial and music video director, has pitched an updated, very low-budget version to Lionsgate and the studio is interested in what's quickly becoming a buzzed-about project.
According to Deadline Hollywood, Noble Jones, a David Fincher protege and commercial and music video director, has pitched an updated, very low-budget version to Lionsgate and the studio is interested in what's quickly becoming a buzzed-about project.
- 12/8/2011
- by Andrea Miller
- Cineplex
A trilogy of Tintin films has always been a plan for Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson; the former would direct the first, the latter the second, while the both of them might combine efforts on the third. That said, even though The Adventures of Tintin has been doing great financial work before it even hits U.S. shores, timing for a sequel — subtitled Prisoners of the Sun — is a little doubtful. Jackson is, to put it lightly, a busy man at the moment, with two Hobbit movies currently filming for releases over the next couple of years. When he finally has those exhausting shoots behind him — and the extensive post-production work lying ahead — the issue of when he’d get behind the camera for a Spielberg follow-up is unanswerable.
That’s not to say it isn’t being planned at this very moment, and Spielberg‘s longtime producer, Kathleen Kennedy,...
That’s not to say it isn’t being planned at this very moment, and Spielberg‘s longtime producer, Kathleen Kennedy,...
- 12/5/2011
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Here's another project announced at the American Film Market this week: Dead Man Down is an action thriller that will see Noomi Rapace working again with her The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo director Niels Arden Oplev. Colin Farrell is signing on as well, for a film that is being sold as a "thrilling tale of vengeance." Deadline [1] gives up the core details: [Colin Farrell is] Victor, right hand man to an underground crime lord in New York City who is seduced and blackmailed by Beatrice (Rapace), a crime victim seeking retribution. Their intense chemistry leads them spiraling into payback delivered in violent catharsis. Dead Man Down, a powerful action thriller and portrait of two people caught in the crosshairs of revenge, is scheduled to start shooting in early 2012. This film is fully financed, by Im Global, so it should be good to go for that early '12 shoot, so long as distribution...
- 11/2/2011
- by Russ Fischer
- Slash Film
So, when can we expect the David Fincher-directed, Rooney Mara-starring remake?
I clearly jest, but it’s reported that Dragon Tattoo‘s Niels Arden Oplev and Noomi Rapace will get back together as director and star for Dead Man Down, which will also be led by Colin Farrell. The project is being sold by Im Global at this year’s American Film Market; Neil Moritz is producing through Original Films, as is writer J.H. Wyman for Frequency Films.
Farrell will be playing “Victor, right hand man to an underground crime lord in New York City who is seduced and blackmailed by Beatrice (Rapace), a crime victim seeking retribution.” Shooting on the film will begin in early 2012, making a release toward the end of next year a real possibility. At the same time, they could try and take advantage of the success seen by action films in the beginning of the year,...
I clearly jest, but it’s reported that Dragon Tattoo‘s Niels Arden Oplev and Noomi Rapace will get back together as director and star for Dead Man Down, which will also be led by Colin Farrell. The project is being sold by Im Global at this year’s American Film Market; Neil Moritz is producing through Original Films, as is writer J.H. Wyman for Frequency Films.
Farrell will be playing “Victor, right hand man to an underground crime lord in New York City who is seduced and blackmailed by Beatrice (Rapace), a crime victim seeking retribution.” Shooting on the film will begin in early 2012, making a release toward the end of next year a real possibility. At the same time, they could try and take advantage of the success seen by action films in the beginning of the year,...
- 11/1/2011
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
In this edition of the casting couch, Eddie Redmayne joins Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, and Russell Crowe in Tom Hooper’s adaptation of Les Miserables. Noomi Rapace will reunite with her Girl with the Dragon Tattoo director in Dead Man Down. Collin Ferrell will also star. Terrence Stamp will fly high in Pan, the contemporary telling of the classic fairy tale Peter Pan.
Tom Hooper’s adaptation of Les Miserables is coming along nicely. First was the casting of Hollywood and Broadway star Hugh Jackman, and just a few weeks ago Anne Hathaway joined the cast. Now My Week with Marilyn star Eddie Redmayne will be joining to two and Helena Bonham Carter and Russell Crowe. The film is schedule for a December 7th, 2012 release. [Deadline]
Deadline is also reporting that Fright Night’s Collin Ferrell and Sweden’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’s Noomi Rapace (Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows...
Tom Hooper’s adaptation of Les Miserables is coming along nicely. First was the casting of Hollywood and Broadway star Hugh Jackman, and just a few weeks ago Anne Hathaway joined the cast. Now My Week with Marilyn star Eddie Redmayne will be joining to two and Helena Bonham Carter and Russell Crowe. The film is schedule for a December 7th, 2012 release. [Deadline]
Deadline is also reporting that Fright Night’s Collin Ferrell and Sweden’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’s Noomi Rapace (Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows...
- 11/1/2011
- by Mike Lee
- FusedFilm
After a flurry of speculation - which included the likes of Christopher Nolan and Michael Bay - Warner Brothers has reportedly settled on Cloverfield and Let Me In director Matt Reeves for its new journey into The Twilight Zone.
Deadline reports that negotiations should be under way next week, with the intention of getting the cameras rolling by summer 2012.
The script for this new film based on the classic TV show was penned by Jason Rothenberg (Body Public), who says it's "one big science-fiction action movie with a single freestanding story that is linked to the original series mainly in that it shares that familiarly eerie feel."
The previous big-screen adaptation in 1983 was an anthology comprising stories by four different directors including Steven Spielberg.
This project falls on an already-full plate for Reeves, who's set to helm This Dark Endeavor: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein as well as the adaptation...
Deadline reports that negotiations should be under way next week, with the intention of getting the cameras rolling by summer 2012.
The script for this new film based on the classic TV show was penned by Jason Rothenberg (Body Public), who says it's "one big science-fiction action movie with a single freestanding story that is linked to the original series mainly in that it shares that familiarly eerie feel."
The previous big-screen adaptation in 1983 was an anthology comprising stories by four different directors including Steven Spielberg.
This project falls on an already-full plate for Reeves, who's set to helm This Dark Endeavor: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein as well as the adaptation...
- 10/17/2011
- by Michael Pellegrini
- The Geek Files
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