It's a new year, so it's time for a new Blu-ray round-up! Our first of 2024! Things are a little sparse here in at the start of the year, but there's still some great stuff to check out. We have Eli Roth's holiday slasher "Thanksgiving" to carve things up. Also, the fine folks at Kino Lorber have released John Woo's bonkers action extravaganza "Face/Off" on 4K! "Face/Off" is technically a December release, but we're including it now. Speaking of action, we also have a 4K release of Gareth Evans' "The Raid," aka "The Raid: Redemption." Finally, on the non-action movie front, we have the Criterion release of John Sayles' Western neo-noir character drama "Lone Star."
So let's get to it. And remember to keep spinning those discs.
Read more: The 15 Best Horror Franchises Of All Time, Ranked
Thanksgiving
"Thanksgiving" started as a joke. When the experiment known as "Grindhouse...
So let's get to it. And remember to keep spinning those discs.
Read more: The 15 Best Horror Franchises Of All Time, Ranked
Thanksgiving
"Thanksgiving" started as a joke. When the experiment known as "Grindhouse...
- 1/31/2024
- by Chris Evangelista
- Slash Film
Silent Night, the latest film from the legendary John Woo, reached theatres on December 1st (you can read our review at This Link) – and while Woo was doing the press rounds for his new movie, The Hollywood Reporter took the opportunity to ask him about a couple revivals of his older works: the remake of his 1989 film The Killer, which Woo is directing himself, and the sequel to his 1997 film Face/Off, which is set to be directed by Godzilla vs. Kong‘s Adam Wingard.
Asked why he has decided to remake his own film with the new take on The Killer (which went into production this past summer), Woo said, “Well, the project was in the works for many years, but it was hard to find a director to direct it. So when I came back [to the States], we got support from Universal, and they asked me to do it. So I...
Asked why he has decided to remake his own film with the new take on The Killer (which went into production this past summer), Woo said, “Well, the project was in the works for many years, but it was hard to find a director to direct it. So when I came back [to the States], we got support from Universal, and they asked me to do it. So I...
- 12/11/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
German-born laywer acquired hundreds of film and TV projects as pre-buys from US producers.
International media consultant and producer Thomas Augsberger has passed away suddenly at his home in the Hollywood Hills. He was 60 years old.
The German-born lawyer was founder of Eden Rock Media, a film and television production company and media consulting business.
Augsberger advised a number of high-profile media clients over the years, most prominently Germany’s Leonine Studios. Before Leonine, Augsberger spent 23 years as an advisor to Dr. Herbert Kloiber’s Tele Muenchen Group as Tmg’s exclusive North American representative in the US.
Augsberger’s...
International media consultant and producer Thomas Augsberger has passed away suddenly at his home in the Hollywood Hills. He was 60 years old.
The German-born lawyer was founder of Eden Rock Media, a film and television production company and media consulting business.
Augsberger advised a number of high-profile media clients over the years, most prominently Germany’s Leonine Studios. Before Leonine, Augsberger spent 23 years as an advisor to Dr. Herbert Kloiber’s Tele Muenchen Group as Tmg’s exclusive North American representative in the US.
Augsberger’s...
- 11/29/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
International media consultant and producer Thomas Augsberger died suddenly on Tuesday at his home in the Hollywood Hills, his publicist informed Variety. He was 60.
The German-born and trained attorney was founder of film and television production company and media consulting business Eden Rock Media. Augsberger’s high profile media clients included Germany’s Leonine Studios. Prior to Leonine, Augsberger served for more than two decades as an advisor to the Tele Muenchen Group (Tmg) as their exclusive North American representative in the U.S. During this time he oversaw Tmg investments in the U.S., including a preferred equity investment in Lionsgate Entertainment in 1999 and the acquisition of the Mutual Film Library in 2006.
Over his 26-year consulting career, Augsberger acquired hundreds of projects as pre-buys including Marvel’s Iron Man franchise, Voltage’s Oscar winner “The Hurt Locker,” Paramount’s “Shutter Island,” Summit’s Twilight franchise, Lionsgate’s John Wick franchise,...
The German-born and trained attorney was founder of film and television production company and media consulting business Eden Rock Media. Augsberger’s high profile media clients included Germany’s Leonine Studios. Prior to Leonine, Augsberger served for more than two decades as an advisor to the Tele Muenchen Group (Tmg) as their exclusive North American representative in the U.S. During this time he oversaw Tmg investments in the U.S., including a preferred equity investment in Lionsgate Entertainment in 1999 and the acquisition of the Mutual Film Library in 2006.
Over his 26-year consulting career, Augsberger acquired hundreds of projects as pre-buys including Marvel’s Iron Man franchise, Voltage’s Oscar winner “The Hurt Locker,” Paramount’s “Shutter Island,” Summit’s Twilight franchise, Lionsgate’s John Wick franchise,...
- 11/29/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Deadline has learned that Thomas Augsberger, Eden Rock Media founder, producer and international media consultant died suddenly today at his Hollywood Hills home. He was 60 years old.
The German-born and trained attorney advised a number of high-profile media clients over the years, most prominently Germany’s Leonine Studios. Prior to Leonine, Augsberger served 23 years as an advisor to Dr. Herbert Kloiber‘s Tele Muenchen Group as Tmg’s exclusive North American representative in the US.
In 2002, he founded Eden Rock Media, a film and television production company and media consulting business.
Augsberger was widely respected for his deep experience in the production and acquisition of feature films, television series, and content libraries; investments in US distributors and production companies; the co-financing, co-production, and distribution of film, television, and digital projects; and the negotiation of German output deals with studios for theatrical, home entertainment, and television. Over the course of his 26-year consulting career,...
The German-born and trained attorney advised a number of high-profile media clients over the years, most prominently Germany’s Leonine Studios. Prior to Leonine, Augsberger served 23 years as an advisor to Dr. Herbert Kloiber‘s Tele Muenchen Group as Tmg’s exclusive North American representative in the US.
In 2002, he founded Eden Rock Media, a film and television production company and media consulting business.
Augsberger was widely respected for his deep experience in the production and acquisition of feature films, television series, and content libraries; investments in US distributors and production companies; the co-financing, co-production, and distribution of film, television, and digital projects; and the negotiation of German output deals with studios for theatrical, home entertainment, and television. Over the course of his 26-year consulting career,...
- 11/29/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Network: The CW
Episodes: 10 (hour)
Seasons: One
TV show dates: October 11, 2022 -- December 22, 2022
Series status: Cancelled
Performers include: Tom Welling, Brendan Fraser, Elena Anaya, Ken Duken, Saïd Taghmaoui, Ken Duken, Lisa Loven Kongsli, August Wittgenstein, Stevel Marc, Tanya Van Graan, and Nic Rasenti.
TV show description:
An International action drama series, the Professionals TV show was created by Jeff Most and Michael Colleary.
In the story, Vincent Corbo (Welling) is a top-tier security operative who is paid to protect the interests of rich and powerful clients by any means necessary -- legal or not.
Read More…...
Episodes: 10 (hour)
Seasons: One
TV show dates: October 11, 2022 -- December 22, 2022
Series status: Cancelled
Performers include: Tom Welling, Brendan Fraser, Elena Anaya, Ken Duken, Saïd Taghmaoui, Ken Duken, Lisa Loven Kongsli, August Wittgenstein, Stevel Marc, Tanya Van Graan, and Nic Rasenti.
TV show description:
An International action drama series, the Professionals TV show was created by Jeff Most and Michael Colleary.
In the story, Vincent Corbo (Welling) is a top-tier security operative who is paid to protect the interests of rich and powerful clients by any means necessary -- legal or not.
Read More…...
- 6/16/2023
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Professionals, like many a onetime show on The CW, isn’t part of the new ownership’s game plan. But the action-drama might still have “one in the chamber,” as they say.
“The CW hasn’t renewed us for a second season,” Professionals co-creator Jeff Most, of Jeff Most Productions, informs TVLine. “However, we are shopping the second season of Professionals to other networks and streaming platforms.”
More from TVLineAll American: Homecoming Renewed for Season 3 at The CWSuperman & Lois Renewed for Shortened Season 4 at The CWGotham Knights Cancelled at The CW
A spinoff of the 2012 movie Soldiers of Fortune and...
“The CW hasn’t renewed us for a second season,” Professionals co-creator Jeff Most, of Jeff Most Productions, informs TVLine. “However, we are shopping the second season of Professionals to other networks and streaming platforms.”
More from TVLineAll American: Homecoming Renewed for Season 3 at The CWSuperman & Lois Renewed for Shortened Season 4 at The CWGotham Knights Cancelled at The CW
A spinoff of the 2012 movie Soldiers of Fortune and...
- 6/13/2023
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
The greatest thing about the body-swap movies is that nobody expects anything else from them than being entertaining. Unless they aspire to bring some big message across (bad idea), they are designed to make the audience either laugh or shudder. That said, not everyone has Carl Rainer's ability to make a screwball comedy like “All of Me” (1984), blessed with hilarious dialogues and unforgettable performances by Steve Martin and Lily Tomlin, nor the creepy vision of a body swap penned by Mike Werb and Michael Colleary for John Woo's “Face Off”, with John Travolta in his scariest role so far. It is clear that all of them, be it good or bad use the proved recipes with the same basic ingredients, because what else can you do in a body swap movie, then swapping people in each other's bodies? The opposites always qualify for the plot, and fine seasoning is needed to make it work,...
- 4/13/2023
- by Marina D. Richter
- AsianMoviePulse
Ten months ago, Face/Off (watch it Here) star Nicolas Cage said he hadn’t heard anything about the Face/Off sequel, even though it was announced that Godzilla vs. Kong director Adam Wingard and his frequent collaborator Simon Barrett were working on a “direct sequel” to John Woo’s 1997 sci-fi action classic way back at the start of 2021. Thankfully, Cage and Wingard have since met up to discuss the possibilities of the Face/Off sequel – and during an interview with Collider, Cage said that it wouldn’t only be a rematch between his character Castor Troy and John Travolta’s Sean Archer. This one will also add their adult children into the mix.
Cage said, “I think Face/Off is a sequel that lends itself to a lot of twists and turns and unpredictability. It’s almost like if you factor in the idea of offspring and Castor and Sean having children and these children grow up,...
Cage said, “I think Face/Off is a sequel that lends itself to a lot of twists and turns and unpredictability. It’s almost like if you factor in the idea of offspring and Castor and Sean having children and these children grow up,...
- 1/6/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Do the makers of Professionals have a possible Season 2 in their crosshairs?
A spin-off of the 2012 movie Soldiers of Fortune and co-created by Jeff Most and Michael Colleary, Professionals filmed its 10-episode run back in the summer of 2019, in South Africa (specifically Johannesburg) and Ireland.
More from TVLineRatings: Grinch, Santa Claus Top Night in Demo, Mariah Draws Biggest CrowdRiverdale Casts Cheryl's New Twin Brother (!) for 1950s-Set Final SeasonRatings: Coroner Rises With Possible Series Finale; CBC Has No New Updates
The action-drama follows Vincent Corbo (played by Smallville alum Tom Welling), a top-tier security operative who is paid to protect the...
A spin-off of the 2012 movie Soldiers of Fortune and co-created by Jeff Most and Michael Colleary, Professionals filmed its 10-episode run back in the summer of 2019, in South Africa (specifically Johannesburg) and Ireland.
More from TVLineRatings: Grinch, Santa Claus Top Night in Demo, Mariah Draws Biggest CrowdRiverdale Casts Cheryl's New Twin Brother (!) for 1950s-Set Final SeasonRatings: Coroner Rises With Possible Series Finale; CBC Has No New Updates
The action-drama follows Vincent Corbo (played by Smallville alum Tom Welling), a top-tier security operative who is paid to protect the...
- 12/21/2022
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
In the year of our Lord Cate Blanchett, running a successful Oscar campaign is akin to running a marathon on a tightrope. The first stride is pivotal: An anticipated title must be properly teased, and “surprise” breakouts still require the right awards context if critics and tastemakers are to anoint a new contender. Next steps come in a flurry: The reaction roundups, review roundups, and reactions to the reaction and review roundups all swirl together to shape the would-be-nominee’s initial “buzz.”
Right now, this is where Brendan Fraser finds himself — in the midst of an Oscar push for his heavily touted “comeback” turn in “The Whale,” a Darren Aronofsky film starring everyone’s favorite “Mummy” lead as a reclusive English teacher living with severe obesity. First looks stirred considerable interest. Early buzz out of Venice is strong. And while the film has seen a steady stream of negative notices,...
Right now, this is where Brendan Fraser finds himself — in the midst of an Oscar push for his heavily touted “comeback” turn in “The Whale,” a Darren Aronofsky film starring everyone’s favorite “Mummy” lead as a reclusive English teacher living with severe obesity. First looks stirred considerable interest. Early buzz out of Venice is strong. And while the film has seen a steady stream of negative notices,...
- 10/13/2022
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
The 1990s was a decade packed full of brilliant action movies but few, if any, reached the delirious heights of 1997’s Face/Off. Built around an absurd yet ingenious premise involving a cop switching faces with a comatosed master criminal in order to find and defuse a bomb, only for said bad guy to then awaken and return the favor, it featured a director and pair of A-list stars at the peak of their career powers.
Nicolas Cage had just won an Oscar in 1995 for his breakout performance in Leaving Las Vegas, following that up with two star-making turns in The Rock and Con Air, making the idiosyncratic actor an unlikely action movie star. John Travolta, meanwhile, was enjoying a career renaissance, buoyed by films like Pulp Fiction and Get Shorty. He had worked with director John Woo on the helmer’s previous English language actioner, Broken Arrow, but the pair would hit new heights here.
Nicolas Cage had just won an Oscar in 1995 for his breakout performance in Leaving Las Vegas, following that up with two star-making turns in The Rock and Con Air, making the idiosyncratic actor an unlikely action movie star. John Travolta, meanwhile, was enjoying a career renaissance, buoyed by films like Pulp Fiction and Get Shorty. He had worked with director John Woo on the helmer’s previous English language actioner, Broken Arrow, but the pair would hit new heights here.
- 7/9/2022
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
The CW has acquired the US rights to the action series “Professionals” starring Tom Welling, Brendan Fraser, and Elena Anaya.
The premiere date for the show’s U.S. broadcast debut will be announced at a later date.
“Professionals” follows Vincent Corbo (Welling), a top-tier security operative, who is paid to protect the interests of rich and powerful clients by any means necessary – legal or not. After a next-gen medical satellite explodes on launch, Corbo is hired by the rocket’s designer – billionaire futurist Peter Swann (Fraser) – who suspects sabotage. Complicating Corbo’s new gig is his former paramour and now Swann’s fiancée, medical visionary Dr. Grace Davila (Anaya), who is racing to help stave off a global catastrophe.
As Corbo and his team of veteran security professionals investigate the rocket disaster, they expose a lethal conspiracy of Swann’s corporate rivals, corrupt government officials, and a shadowy crime...
The premiere date for the show’s U.S. broadcast debut will be announced at a later date.
“Professionals” follows Vincent Corbo (Welling), a top-tier security operative, who is paid to protect the interests of rich and powerful clients by any means necessary – legal or not. After a next-gen medical satellite explodes on launch, Corbo is hired by the rocket’s designer – billionaire futurist Peter Swann (Fraser) – who suspects sabotage. Complicating Corbo’s new gig is his former paramour and now Swann’s fiancée, medical visionary Dr. Grace Davila (Anaya), who is racing to help stave off a global catastrophe.
As Corbo and his team of veteran security professionals investigate the rocket disaster, they expose a lethal conspiracy of Swann’s corporate rivals, corrupt government officials, and a shadowy crime...
- 9/14/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
The CW is continuing its interest in international series. The youth-skewing network has acquired Professionals, a loose remake of the Christian Slater-fronted action movie Soldiers of Fortune for Scandinavian SVOD service Viaplay.
The series, which was first revealed by Deadline in 2019, stars Smallville’s Welling as Vincent Corbo, a top-tier security operative, who is paid to protect the interests of rich and powerful clients by any means necessary – legal or not.
After a next-gen medical satellite explodes on launch, Corbo is hired by the rocket’s designer – billionaire futurist Peter Swann, played by Fraser, who suspects sabotage. Complicating Corbo’s new gig is his former paramour and now Swann’s fiancée, medical visionary Dr. Grace Davila, played by Wonder Woman’s Elena Anaya, who is racing to help stave off a global catastrophe. As Corbo and his team of veteran security professionals investigate the rocket disaster, they expose a...
The series, which was first revealed by Deadline in 2019, stars Smallville’s Welling as Vincent Corbo, a top-tier security operative, who is paid to protect the interests of rich and powerful clients by any means necessary – legal or not.
After a next-gen medical satellite explodes on launch, Corbo is hired by the rocket’s designer – billionaire futurist Peter Swann, played by Fraser, who suspects sabotage. Complicating Corbo’s new gig is his former paramour and now Swann’s fiancée, medical visionary Dr. Grace Davila, played by Wonder Woman’s Elena Anaya, who is racing to help stave off a global catastrophe. As Corbo and his team of veteran security professionals investigate the rocket disaster, they expose a...
- 9/14/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Paramount Pictures has chosen You’re Next and Godzilla Vs. Kong director Adam Wingard to helm its re-imagining of Face/Off, the 1997 John Woo-directed action thriller that starred John Travolta and Nicolas Cage. Wingard will write the script with his scripting partner Simon Barrett and the studio will reboot the film, with new cast. Neal Moritz will produce and David Permut will be executive producer.
Oren Uziel had been part of the equation when Paramount set up the remake last fall, but the understanding is Wingard and Barrett are starting from scratch. Despite a fairly preposterous-sounding premise, the original film was a wild ride that became the top grossing U.S. film of its Hong Kong director John Woo as it did $246 million in global ticket sales. It is easy to imagine this taking shape as a two-hander with a couple of strong male or female stars.
In the original,...
Oren Uziel had been part of the equation when Paramount set up the remake last fall, but the understanding is Wingard and Barrett are starting from scratch. Despite a fairly preposterous-sounding premise, the original film was a wild ride that became the top grossing U.S. film of its Hong Kong director John Woo as it did $246 million in global ticket sales. It is easy to imagine this taking shape as a two-hander with a couple of strong male or female stars.
In the original,...
- 2/11/2021
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Brendan Fraser Actioner ‘Professionals’ Finds Global Distribution With Rainmaker Content (Exclusive)
Rainmaker Content has picked up worldwide distribution rights from German studio Leonine for Brendan Fraser-starring action series “Professionals.” The project, which was completed during the global pandemic, will be shopped to buyers at next month’s virtual Mipcom market.
Commissioned by Nordic Entertainment Group (Nent Group) for streamer Viaplay, the cast includes Fraser (“Trust”), Tom Welling (“Smallville”), Elena Anaya (“Wonder Woman”), Saïd Taghmaoui (“John Wick 3”), Ken Duken (“Inglorious Basterd”), Lisa Loven Kongsli (“Force Majeure”) and August Wittgenstein (“The Crown”).
The 10-part series stars Welling as hardened former counterintelligence officer Captain Vincent Corbo, who is hired by billionaire futurist Peter Swann (Fraser) and his fiancée, medical visionary Dr. Graciela “Grace” Davila (Anaya), to investigate the explosion of an advanced medical satellite. What Corbo and his team discover, however, is that a combination of Swann’s business rivals, corrupt government officials and a shadowy crime syndicate could be behind the attack.
Commissioned by Nordic Entertainment Group (Nent Group) for streamer Viaplay, the cast includes Fraser (“Trust”), Tom Welling (“Smallville”), Elena Anaya (“Wonder Woman”), Saïd Taghmaoui (“John Wick 3”), Ken Duken (“Inglorious Basterd”), Lisa Loven Kongsli (“Force Majeure”) and August Wittgenstein (“The Crown”).
The 10-part series stars Welling as hardened former counterintelligence officer Captain Vincent Corbo, who is hired by billionaire futurist Peter Swann (Fraser) and his fiancée, medical visionary Dr. Graciela “Grace” Davila (Anaya), to investigate the explosion of an advanced medical satellite. What Corbo and his team discover, however, is that a combination of Swann’s business rivals, corrupt government officials and a shadowy crime syndicate could be behind the attack.
- 9/29/2020
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
The 1997 action movie “Face/Off,” which starred John Travolta and Nicolas Cage, is getting a reboot.
Paramount has hired “22 Jump Street” screenwriter Oren Uziel to pen the script with Neal Moritz producing. David Permut, who was a producer on the original film, will executive produce. No actors or director has yet boarded the reboot.
John Woo directed the original movie from Mike Werb and Michael Colleary’s script. Travolta and Cage played FBI agent Sean Archer and terrorist Castor Troy, respectively, who each took on the other’s physical appearance via surgery in a complicated story triggered by the assassination of Archer’s son by Troy.
“Face/Off” also starred Joan Allen, Gina Gershon and Alessandro Nivola as Troy’s brother. The film, which carried an $80 million budget, was a solid performer with a $245 million global gross. Woo went on to direct “Mission: Impossible II,” “Windtalkers” and “Paycheck” in the next six years.
Paramount has hired “22 Jump Street” screenwriter Oren Uziel to pen the script with Neal Moritz producing. David Permut, who was a producer on the original film, will executive produce. No actors or director has yet boarded the reboot.
John Woo directed the original movie from Mike Werb and Michael Colleary’s script. Travolta and Cage played FBI agent Sean Archer and terrorist Castor Troy, respectively, who each took on the other’s physical appearance via surgery in a complicated story triggered by the assassination of Archer’s son by Troy.
“Face/Off” also starred Joan Allen, Gina Gershon and Alessandro Nivola as Troy’s brother. The film, which carried an $80 million budget, was a solid performer with a $245 million global gross. Woo went on to direct “Mission: Impossible II,” “Windtalkers” and “Paycheck” in the next six years.
- 9/9/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
One of the most bizarre action movies of the 1990s (if not of all-time), John Woo’s Face/Off sees Nicolas Cage and John Travolta swap identities and lose their grip on reality. It’s now been reported by Deadline that Paramount Pictures are rebooting the 1997 thriller, with Oren Uziel behind the screenplay, Neal Moritz producing and David Permut executive producing. While there hasn’t been any casting or directing news yet, it’ll be difficult to see anyone topping the performances of Travolta and Cage in the original movie.
For those not in the know, Face/Off sees Travolta’s FBI agent Sean Archer going to remarkable lengths to capture Cage’s Castor Troy, the theatrical criminal who killed his son. For reasons best not explored, Archer takes on the face of Castor to take him down, only for Cage’s character to go steal Archer’s face and insinuate himself into his life.
For those not in the know, Face/Off sees Travolta’s FBI agent Sean Archer going to remarkable lengths to capture Cage’s Castor Troy, the theatrical criminal who killed his son. For reasons best not explored, Archer takes on the face of Castor to take him down, only for Cage’s character to go steal Archer’s face and insinuate himself into his life.
- 9/9/2019
- by Jessica James
- We Got This Covered
Exclusive: Paramount Pictures is giving a face lift to Face/Off, the 1997 John Woo-directed action thriller that starred John Travolta and Nicolas Cage. The studio will reboot the film, with new cast. Oren Uziel has been set to write the script, and Neal Moritz will produce and David Permut will be executive producer.
Given a fairly preposterous-sounding premise, the original film was a wild ride. Travolta played FBI agent Sean Archer, who is obsessed with catching a homicidal sociopath named Castor Troy, who is responsible for killing the fed’s son. The agent undergoes facial transplant surgery and takes the mug of his nemesis so he can be sent to prison to find out a bomb’s whereabouts and stop an attack. The plan goes awry when the bad guy wakes up and takes the face of the FBI agent. Soon, the new-faced Castor visits the agent with the...
Given a fairly preposterous-sounding premise, the original film was a wild ride. Travolta played FBI agent Sean Archer, who is obsessed with catching a homicidal sociopath named Castor Troy, who is responsible for killing the fed’s son. The agent undergoes facial transplant surgery and takes the mug of his nemesis so he can be sent to prison to find out a bomb’s whereabouts and stop an attack. The plan goes awry when the bad guy wakes up and takes the face of the FBI agent. Soon, the new-faced Castor visits the agent with the...
- 9/9/2019
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Brendan Fraser is to star in The Professionals, a loose remake of the Christian Slater-fronted action movie Soldiers of Fortune for Scandinavian Svod service Viaplay.
The Mummy and Trust star is to front The Professionals, based on the Jeff Most-produced film, alongside Smallville’s Tom Welling, Wonder Woman’s Elena Anaya, John Wick 3’s Saïd Taghmaoui, Inglourious Basterds’ Ken Duken, Force Majeure’s Lisa Loven Kongsli and Das Boot’s August Wittgenstein.
The ten-part English-language series, which has just begun filming in South Africa and Ireland, was commissioned by Viaplay with German broadcaster Rtl II pre-buying the free-tv rights.
The Professionals is set against a backdrop of international espionage and corporate sabotage in the 21st century’s privately-funded space race and follow Welling as a hardened former counterintelligence officer Captain Vincent Corbo. After their advanced medical satellite explodes on deployment, billionaire futurist Peter Swann, played by Fraser,...
The Mummy and Trust star is to front The Professionals, based on the Jeff Most-produced film, alongside Smallville’s Tom Welling, Wonder Woman’s Elena Anaya, John Wick 3’s Saïd Taghmaoui, Inglourious Basterds’ Ken Duken, Force Majeure’s Lisa Loven Kongsli and Das Boot’s August Wittgenstein.
The ten-part English-language series, which has just begun filming in South Africa and Ireland, was commissioned by Viaplay with German broadcaster Rtl II pre-buying the free-tv rights.
The Professionals is set against a backdrop of international espionage and corporate sabotage in the 21st century’s privately-funded space race and follow Welling as a hardened former counterintelligence officer Captain Vincent Corbo. After their advanced medical satellite explodes on deployment, billionaire futurist Peter Swann, played by Fraser,...
- 5/31/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
I’d imagine every one of us, despite our individual life situations, however privileged or difficult they may be, wouldn’t have too much trouble coming up with a pretty long list of people and circumstances for which to be grateful, during the upcoming week traditionally reserved for the expression of thanks as well as throughout the entirety of the year.
Even in our brave new world, where gratitude and humility and generosity of spirit often seem to be in short supply, at the mercy of greed, abuse of power, disregard for the rule of law, and megalomaniac self-interest cynically masquerading as an aggressive strain of nationalist, populist passion, there are good, everyday reasons to look around and take stock of blessings in one’s immediate surroundings.
And speaking specifically as one who has the privilege and opportunity to occasionally write about matters concerning the movies, and even a (very...
Even in our brave new world, where gratitude and humility and generosity of spirit often seem to be in short supply, at the mercy of greed, abuse of power, disregard for the rule of law, and megalomaniac self-interest cynically masquerading as an aggressive strain of nationalist, populist passion, there are good, everyday reasons to look around and take stock of blessings in one’s immediate surroundings.
And speaking specifically as one who has the privilege and opportunity to occasionally write about matters concerning the movies, and even a (very...
- 11/23/2017
- by Dennis Cozzalio
- Trailers from Hell
Everyone knows “Face/Off” isn’t about hockey. What a new oral history presupposes is…what if it had been? ShortList recently took a deep dive into the beloved, bonkers action flick starring Nicolas Cage and John Travolta (or is it the other way around?), which was almost a very different movie with a very different star. “Demolition Man” director Marco Brambilla was briefly attached to the project, and Johnny Depp was considering starring — until he realized it wasn’t about hockey.
Read MoreJohnny Depp Rejected an Early Draft of the Upcoming ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ Sequel Because it Had a Female Villain
According to co-writer Michael Colleary, the studio was only interested in casting Cage if they could also cast Depp. Just one problem: “After finally reading the script, however, Depp refused to take part. Having read the title he thought the film would be about hockey. He was...
Read MoreJohnny Depp Rejected an Early Draft of the Upcoming ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ Sequel Because it Had a Female Villain
According to co-writer Michael Colleary, the studio was only interested in casting Cage if they could also cast Depp. Just one problem: “After finally reading the script, however, Depp refused to take part. Having read the title he thought the film would be about hockey. He was...
- 7/15/2017
- by Michael Nordine
- Indiewire
Simon Brew May 22, 2017
The first Tomb Raider movie was made against the clock - and a contractual need to keep moving, and moving fast...
Next summer, the eternal battle to make a compelling, successful movie adaptation of a videogame continues, with a new take on Tomb Raider. This time, it’s Alicia Vikander who’ll be bringing Lara Croft to the big screen, in an origin story that has inevitable eyes on developing into a long-running movie franchise.
It’s the best part of 20 years since we were first down this particular road before, though, and in the intervening period, the Tomb Raider videogames have been rebooted to impressive effect. But there’s nothing that can quite match the cultural impact when Lara Croft first arrived on the scene.
The first Tomb Raider title was the right game at the right time. Sony’s PlayStation console – the original one – was booming,...
The first Tomb Raider movie was made against the clock - and a contractual need to keep moving, and moving fast...
Next summer, the eternal battle to make a compelling, successful movie adaptation of a videogame continues, with a new take on Tomb Raider. This time, it’s Alicia Vikander who’ll be bringing Lara Croft to the big screen, in an origin story that has inevitable eyes on developing into a long-running movie franchise.
It’s the best part of 20 years since we were first down this particular road before, though, and in the intervening period, the Tomb Raider videogames have been rebooted to impressive effect. But there’s nothing that can quite match the cultural impact when Lara Croft first arrived on the scene.
The first Tomb Raider title was the right game at the right time. Sony’s PlayStation console – the original one – was booming,...
- 5/15/2017
- Den of Geek
ScreenCraft and Celtx have partnered on a new screenwriting fellowship that will reward the winners with intensive consultation as well as introductions to agents, producers and professors, the companies announced Monday. Screenwriters who have earned less than $20,000 from writing can submit a film or TV script, and the winner will receive six months of development and consultation with ScreenCraft, a boutique screenwriting consulting firm. Winners will also receive a $1,000 stipend and round-trip travel to Los Angeles for meeting with Jen Grisanti, a story consultant and writer, Don Handfield, Jeremy Renner’s producing partner, Michael Colleary, a UCLA screenwriting professor and.
- 11/25/2013
- by Lucas Shaw
- The Wrap
ScreenCraft has announced its first annual 2013 Screenwriting Fellowship contest presented by media pre-production and screenwriting software Celtx. The contest, which is currently accepting submissions until January 15th, offers aspiring film and TV screenwriters a unique opportunity to advance their talents and careers through a series of rigorous one-on-one consultations and introductions with industry executives and talent representatives. The competition's triumphant screenwriters will receive six months of consultation with the ScreenCraft consulting team in addition to a $1,000 stipend and a round-trip ticket to Los Angeles to be mentored by story consultant and writing instructor Jen Grisanti as well as to have coffee with screenwriter-producer Don Handfield, lunch with UCLA screenwriting professor and writer Michael Colleary, and finally to meet with a yet to be determined literary agent. Applications will be closely evaluated based on story, voice, originality,...
- 11/25/2013
- by Ramzi De Coster
- Indiewire
Article by Dan Clark (MovieRevolt)
Welcome to another installment of Streaming for Your Pleasure where I highlight films that are currently streaming on Netflix. In this installment I am focusing on action movies. I don’t know about you but sometimes when the proper mood strikes I fiend for some not stop action thrills. In order to make your lives easier I picked out some films that are worth your viewing pleasure. To keep things exciting I choose a variety of films. Some are recent hits while others are classics in the genre. Certain choices are rather obvious and I’m sure you’ve seen them countless times before, but there are a few hidden gems as well. Whatever your cup of tea might be there’s a film here that you will find worthy of adding to your Netflix queue.
Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol
Directed By: Brad Bird
Written By: Josh Appelbaum,...
Welcome to another installment of Streaming for Your Pleasure where I highlight films that are currently streaming on Netflix. In this installment I am focusing on action movies. I don’t know about you but sometimes when the proper mood strikes I fiend for some not stop action thrills. In order to make your lives easier I picked out some films that are worth your viewing pleasure. To keep things exciting I choose a variety of films. Some are recent hits while others are classics in the genre. Certain choices are rather obvious and I’m sure you’ve seen them countless times before, but there are a few hidden gems as well. Whatever your cup of tea might be there’s a film here that you will find worthy of adding to your Netflix queue.
Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol
Directed By: Brad Bird
Written By: Josh Appelbaum,...
- 2/19/2013
- by Guest
- Nerdly
Hollywood screenwriter Claire-Dee Lim, author of family-friendly film Firehouse Dog, is releasing an original comedy web series about three best girlfriends in San Francisco who stumble upon a magic vibrator that turns their loser lives upside down. The Power Object, which is scheduled to premiere June 6, is an adaptation from Lim's R-Rated comedy screenplay, co-story by writer-producers Mike Werb (The Mask, Face/Off, Tomb Raider, Curious George) and Michael Colleary (Face/Off). A cross between Sex and the City and Team America, The Power Object features a cast of customized doll puppets and toys (read: Barbies + arts & crafts). The original screenplay for The Power Object garnered Lim a lot of attention—which actually resulted in an offer to co-write Firehouse Dog—though no studio wanted to touch it. So Lim turned to YouTube. "I wanted to tell a wacky wish fulfillment story and the only way I could make that...
- 6/3/2011
- by Drew Baldwin
- Tubefilter.com
Screenwriter Matthew Greenberg is on board to adapt another Stephen King story for the big screen, The Hollywood Reporter announced on March 4. Greenberg, who penned the screenplay for the 2007 hit ‘1408′ with John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson, is now set to write the movie remake of King’s novel ‘Pet Sematary.’ Paramount Pictures is releasing the movie, with Lorenzo di Bonaventura, who produced ‘1408,’ and Steven Schneider set to produce. ‘Pet Sematary’ was at one point going to be produced by Alphaville, with Mike Werb and Michael Colleary from ‘Face/Off’ fame set to write. George Clooney was also rumored to be attached to star. But [...]...
- 3/8/2010
- by karen
- ShockYa
Ah, Hollywood. They just don't make 'em like they used to. Oh wait, yes they do. Every other week.Matthew Greenberg, who wrote the Stephen King adaptation "1408," is heading back to King territory with "Pet Sematary." Published in 1983, King's creeper tale centered on a family that trades the city life for the country life in Maine, then discovers that they have moved near a pet cemetery that rests on an ancient burial ground. When the husband's toddler son is killed in an auto accident, the father takes the boy's body to the cemetery, where it is resurrected in demonic form. Paramount brought the book to life in 1989, with a feature version adapted by King that starred Dale Midkiff, Denise Crosby and Fred Gwynne. The original creeped me out as a youngster. I haven't seen it in years, so I can't say how it holds up, but is a new version...
- 3/6/2010
- LRMonline.com
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Matthew Greenberg, writer of the Stephen King adaptation 1408, will once again bring King’s words to the big screen with a remake of Pet Sematary.
The idea of a remake has been circling for a while, and at one point producer Alphaville, writers Mike Werb and Michael Colleary, and actor George Clooney were being considered. With a 20 year break and producers Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Steven Schnieder jumping on board, this will be an interesting remake of a classic to look out for.
Paramount first brought the book to life in 1989 under director Mary Lambert, which starred Dale Midkiff, Denise Crosby and Fred Gwynne.
King’s 1983 novel follows the Creeds, a family who trade their city life in for a new life in the country, only to discover the pet cemetery behind their house rests on an ancient burial ground, which local legend claims has resurrective abilities.
The idea of a remake has been circling for a while, and at one point producer Alphaville, writers Mike Werb and Michael Colleary, and actor George Clooney were being considered. With a 20 year break and producers Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Steven Schnieder jumping on board, this will be an interesting remake of a classic to look out for.
Paramount first brought the book to life in 1989 under director Mary Lambert, which starred Dale Midkiff, Denise Crosby and Fred Gwynne.
King’s 1983 novel follows the Creeds, a family who trade their city life in for a new life in the country, only to discover the pet cemetery behind their house rests on an ancient burial ground, which local legend claims has resurrective abilities.
- 3/6/2010
- by Jonathan
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
"I don't wanna be buried ... in a Pet ... Semataaaaryyyy" ... Hmm? Oh, sorry. It's just impossible to see that title without thinking about the classic song from the Ramones. Anyway, the Pet Sematary remake is moving along full-speed ahead, and a new writer has been tapped for the flick!
According to The Hollywood Reporter Matthew Greenberg, who wrote the Stephen King adaptation 1408, is heading back to King territory with his vision of Pet Sematary, replacing the previously announced writing duo of Mike Werb and Michael Colleary.
Originally published in 1983, Stephen King's tale centered on a family that trades the big city for country life in Maine, then discovers that they have moved near a pet cemetery that rests on an ancient burial ground. Damn those pesky things! They're everywhere just waiting for someone to come along to zap their whammy curse upon! When the husband's toddler son is killed in an auto accident,...
According to The Hollywood Reporter Matthew Greenberg, who wrote the Stephen King adaptation 1408, is heading back to King territory with his vision of Pet Sematary, replacing the previously announced writing duo of Mike Werb and Michael Colleary.
Originally published in 1983, Stephen King's tale centered on a family that trades the big city for country life in Maine, then discovers that they have moved near a pet cemetery that rests on an ancient burial ground. Damn those pesky things! They're everywhere just waiting for someone to come along to zap their whammy curse upon! When the husband's toddler son is killed in an auto accident,...
- 3/5/2010
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Matthew Greenberg, who wrote the Stephen King adaptation "1408," is heading back to King territory with "Pet Sematary."
Lorenzo di Bonaventura recently boarded as producer on the long-gestating project, which is set up at Paramount. Steven Schneider also is producing.
Published in 1983, King's creeper tale centered on a family that trades the city life for the country life in Maine, then discovers that they have moved near a pet cemetery that rests on an ancient burial ground. When the husband's toddler son is killed in an auto accident, the father takes the boy's body to the cemetery, where it is resurrected in demonic form.
Paramount brought the book to life in 1989, with a feature version adapted by King that starred Dale Midkiff, Denise Crosby and Fred Gwynne.
Matthew Greenberg The new project at one point was being produced by Alphaville, working with a screenplay by Mike Werb and Michael Colleary ("Face...
Lorenzo di Bonaventura recently boarded as producer on the long-gestating project, which is set up at Paramount. Steven Schneider also is producing.
Published in 1983, King's creeper tale centered on a family that trades the city life for the country life in Maine, then discovers that they have moved near a pet cemetery that rests on an ancient burial ground. When the husband's toddler son is killed in an auto accident, the father takes the boy's body to the cemetery, where it is resurrected in demonic form.
Paramount brought the book to life in 1989, with a feature version adapted by King that starred Dale Midkiff, Denise Crosby and Fred Gwynne.
Matthew Greenberg The new project at one point was being produced by Alphaville, working with a screenplay by Mike Werb and Michael Colleary ("Face...
- 3/4/2010
- by By Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Budgeted at $35 million, "Tekken" is the upcoming martial arts feature directed by Dwight H. "Bones" Little, based on the "Tekken" fighting video game series.
The live-action film follows 'Jin Kazama' (Jon Foo) , who confronts both his father, 'Kazuya Mishima' (Ian Anthony Dale) and his grandfather, 'Heihachi Mishima' (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa).
"Tekken" is produced by Steven Paul Benedict Carver and Iddo Lampton Enochs from a screenplay by Michael Colleary, Alan B. McElroy and Mike Werb, adapting the original story, based on the Namco video game.
From the Weinstein Company, Summit Entertainment and Crystal Sky Pictures, Warner Bros will release the film in Japan, March, 2010.
A DVD release will follow April 5th, 2010 in the UK.
"...In the year 2039, after World Wars destroyed much of civilization, the remaining territories are no longer run by governments, but by corporations, the mightiest of which is the 'Mishima Zaibatsu'.
In order to keep the masses down, Mishima...
The live-action film follows 'Jin Kazama' (Jon Foo) , who confronts both his father, 'Kazuya Mishima' (Ian Anthony Dale) and his grandfather, 'Heihachi Mishima' (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa).
"Tekken" is produced by Steven Paul Benedict Carver and Iddo Lampton Enochs from a screenplay by Michael Colleary, Alan B. McElroy and Mike Werb, adapting the original story, based on the Namco video game.
From the Weinstein Company, Summit Entertainment and Crystal Sky Pictures, Warner Bros will release the film in Japan, March, 2010.
A DVD release will follow April 5th, 2010 in the UK.
"...In the year 2039, after World Wars destroyed much of civilization, the remaining territories are no longer run by governments, but by corporations, the mightiest of which is the 'Mishima Zaibatsu'.
In order to keep the masses down, Mishima...
- 12/27/2009
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Can anyone dislike a "Firehouse Dog"? Even one as formulaic and hackneyed as this one? It truly is hard when your hero is a boisterous and lovable red-haired Irish terrier, or to be accurate four red-haired Irish terriers, who collectively play Rexxx, a Hollywood star who finds fulfillment as a working dog in a firehouse. The appeal here doesn't reach much beyond the canine set and K-9 grades. But that's broad enough to ensure medium-range family business. And a run in pet stores.
Rexxx is a Hollywood wonder dog who stars in such films as "The Fast and the Furriest" and "Jurassic Bark". He disappears from an airplane during his last death-defying stunt and lands in the back of a truck carrying tomatoes, which makes for one messy canine. The tomato-scented dog wanders into an unnamed town where, thanks to a fire, he finds himself attached to a down-on-its-luck fire station.
The company always is the last one to any fire, the station itself is threatened with termination and its widower captain (Bruce Greenwood) is having disciplinary issues with his 12-year-old son, Shane (Josh Hutcherson). The station is called Dogpatch. Of course it is.
In a matter of days, Rexxx, now named Dewey, cleans up Shane's messy room, forces him to do his homework, whips the fire company into shape, heals the family rift and exposes a major political scandal. That is a wonder dog.
It also is a wonder that director Todd Holland doesn't trust real dog tricks. There are plenty here, but mixed in are obviously phony ones accomplished with trick shots and editing. Claire-Dee Lim, Mike Werb and Michael Colleary's screenplay maximizes these dog stunts while barely managing a credible story. They do blow a chance, though, to explore the differences between real dogs and movie dogs, which might have made for good comedy.
The human co-stars, which include Bill Nunn as the station's aggressively bad cook, Mayte Garcia as its super-athletic beauty and Teddy Sears as the put-upon rookie, have little choice but to let the movie go to the dogs as the canines upstage them at every turn. The Toronto-based production is bright and efficient without ever rising above the ordinary.
FIREHOUSE DOG
20th Century Fox
Regency Enterprises presents a New Regency production
Credits:
Director: Todd Holland
Screenwriters: Claire-Dee Lim, Mike Werb, Michael Colleary
Producers: Michael Colleary, Mike Werb
Cinematographer: Victor Hammer
Production designer: Tamara Deverell
Music: Jeff Cardoni
Co-producer: Michael J. Maschio
Costume designer: Judith R. Gellman
Editor: Scott James Wallace
Cast:
Shane Fahey: Josh Hutcherson
Connor Fahey: Bruce Greenwood
Joe Musto: Bill Nunn
Lionel: Scotch Ellis Loring
Pep Clemente: Mayte Garcia
Terence Kahn: Teddy Sears
Zachary: Steven Culp
Running time -- 102 minutes
MPAA rating: PG...
Rexxx is a Hollywood wonder dog who stars in such films as "The Fast and the Furriest" and "Jurassic Bark". He disappears from an airplane during his last death-defying stunt and lands in the back of a truck carrying tomatoes, which makes for one messy canine. The tomato-scented dog wanders into an unnamed town where, thanks to a fire, he finds himself attached to a down-on-its-luck fire station.
The company always is the last one to any fire, the station itself is threatened with termination and its widower captain (Bruce Greenwood) is having disciplinary issues with his 12-year-old son, Shane (Josh Hutcherson). The station is called Dogpatch. Of course it is.
In a matter of days, Rexxx, now named Dewey, cleans up Shane's messy room, forces him to do his homework, whips the fire company into shape, heals the family rift and exposes a major political scandal. That is a wonder dog.
It also is a wonder that director Todd Holland doesn't trust real dog tricks. There are plenty here, but mixed in are obviously phony ones accomplished with trick shots and editing. Claire-Dee Lim, Mike Werb and Michael Colleary's screenplay maximizes these dog stunts while barely managing a credible story. They do blow a chance, though, to explore the differences between real dogs and movie dogs, which might have made for good comedy.
The human co-stars, which include Bill Nunn as the station's aggressively bad cook, Mayte Garcia as its super-athletic beauty and Teddy Sears as the put-upon rookie, have little choice but to let the movie go to the dogs as the canines upstage them at every turn. The Toronto-based production is bright and efficient without ever rising above the ordinary.
FIREHOUSE DOG
20th Century Fox
Regency Enterprises presents a New Regency production
Credits:
Director: Todd Holland
Screenwriters: Claire-Dee Lim, Mike Werb, Michael Colleary
Producers: Michael Colleary, Mike Werb
Cinematographer: Victor Hammer
Production designer: Tamara Deverell
Music: Jeff Cardoni
Co-producer: Michael J. Maschio
Costume designer: Judith R. Gellman
Editor: Scott James Wallace
Cast:
Shane Fahey: Josh Hutcherson
Connor Fahey: Bruce Greenwood
Joe Musto: Bill Nunn
Lionel: Scotch Ellis Loring
Pep Clemente: Mayte Garcia
Terence Kahn: Teddy Sears
Zachary: Steven Culp
Running time -- 102 minutes
MPAA rating: PG...
Emmy-winning TV director Todd Holland has signed on to helm Firehouse Dog for Regency Enterprises. Josh Hutcherson is on board to star in the live-action feature, which is being produced by Michael Colleary and Mike Werb. The story centers on Rexxx, Hollywood's most in-demand canine star. After getting lost, the divalike dog is adopted by a down-on-its-luck firehouse. Rexxx teams with a 12-year-old boy (Hutcherson) to turn the scrappy firehouse into the city's finest. "It's very high-octane family fun," Colleary said. "It's unusual because it's a family movie but also an action film. It's a little bit of a satire of Hollywood, too, but also warmhearted."...
- 8/23/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
John Travolta and Nicolas Cage get facials in this John Woo actioner, which should lift the summer out of its boxoffice doldrums and propel Paramount to stunning grosses, both domestic and worldwide. A mesmerizing, pulsating blast, "Face/Off" is brainy and brawny, traits that are wonderfully exhibited by its two stars, whose deliciously ripe performances are highly entertaining.
While there are, not surprisingly, bullets and gunfights in this Woo wonder to approximate the Battle of the Bulge, there's also a lot of heart, comedy and wizardry. In between all these colossals, there's not a moment of dead space, including a medical operation scene that is so amazing and credible that it's likely to cause the phones to ring off the hooks for Beverly Hills plastic surgeons.
The apt title, "Face/Off," is a double-edged sword, indicating both a duel and, well, faces off. That's what happens in this Good vs. Evil epic as good-guy Sean (Travolta), a law enforcement leader in the battle against international terrorism, duels Castor Troy (Cage), a sociopathic terrorist whose savagery and technical skills make him far more lethal than some dumb slug who puts fertilizer in a rental truck.
And screenwriters Mike Werb and Michael Colleary have smartly charged their explosive scenario with a personal fuse -- Castor has killed Sean's young son in a botched attempt at the latter's life.
Overall, Sean and Castor could not be more different: In addition to their ethics, they are complete opposites in style and personality. Sean is cautious, tenacious and sweet, while Castor is adventurous, flippant and cold. In many ways, this is a classic tortoise-vs.-the-hare contest, but one that ultimately relies on each knowing the other's habits, quirks and ways. And, in this Crichton-esque scenario, both Sean and Castor not only have to assume the other's identity but take on the other's face, literally.
Grounded in the scenarist's solid character development and topped off by the delicate and robust performances, "Face/Off" is a true rarity -- a summer popcorn film whose personal stories are not secondary to the effects. Travolta and Cage are a terrific pair of adversaries.
As the stolid crime fighter, Travolta smartly conveys not only his character's flat-footed virtues but demonstrates his light-footed capabilities when the situation calls for more. As the megalomaniacal Castor, summer action man Cage is deliriously evil, a Lucifer as loony and deadly as there is. Most wondrous about their performances is that both Travolta and Cage, when put behind the other's face, can pull off stunningly deft approximations of the other's character and style. And that's where the fun erupts. The switched-identity scenes are at once chilling, hilarious and utterly amazing.
The supporting players are similarly terrific, including Joan Allen as Sean's neglected wife and Dominique Swain as his nymphette daughter. Alessandro Nivola is outstanding as Castor's whiz-kid "bro," a peculiar twerp with deadly dimension, while Gina Gershon is well-cast as Castor's sexy squeeze.
There's not one ounce of film fat in this ripped and buff production, chiefly owing to Woo's cinematic sorcery. While his balletic violence has at times been stylishly pretentious in the past, his rapid-fire shooting here is terrifically lethal: In short, he has found a story and players worthy of his skills, too often in the past wasted on generic, dummy rounds and soft slugs.
Hats off to the "Face/Off" production team, chiefly cinematographer Oliver Wood for the formidable framings and composer John Powell for the supple and rousing score. Special mention to Kevin Yagher for the impressive makeup effects, as well as to second unit director Jamie Marshall for some buoyantly wild action sequences.
FACE/OFF
Paramount Pictures
A Douglas/Reuther production
AWCG Entertainment production
A David Permut production
A John Woo film
Producers David Permut, Barrie M. Osborne,
Terrence Chang, Christopher Godsick
Director John Woo
Screenwriters Mike Werb, Michael Colleary
Executive producer Jonathan D. Krane
Executive produced by Michael Douglas,
Steven Reuther
Director of photography Oliver Wood
Production designer Neil Spisak
Editor Christian Wagner, Steven Kemper
Costume designer Ellen Mirojnick
Music John Powell
Co-producers Michael Colleary, Mike Werb
Associate producer Jeff Levine
Casting Mindy Marin
Visual effects supervisors Richard Hollander,
Boyd Shermis
Special makeup effects created by Kevin Yagher
Second unit director Jamie Marshall
Sound mixer avid Ronne
Color/Stereo
Cast:
Sean Archer John Travolta
Castor Troy Nicolas Cage
Eve Archer Joan Allen
Pollux Troy Alessandro Nivola
Sasha Hassler Gina Gershon
Jamie Archer Dominique Swain
Dietrich Hassler Nick Cassavetes
Lazzaro Harve Presnell
Dr. Malcolm Walsh Colm Feore
Running time -- 136 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
While there are, not surprisingly, bullets and gunfights in this Woo wonder to approximate the Battle of the Bulge, there's also a lot of heart, comedy and wizardry. In between all these colossals, there's not a moment of dead space, including a medical operation scene that is so amazing and credible that it's likely to cause the phones to ring off the hooks for Beverly Hills plastic surgeons.
The apt title, "Face/Off," is a double-edged sword, indicating both a duel and, well, faces off. That's what happens in this Good vs. Evil epic as good-guy Sean (Travolta), a law enforcement leader in the battle against international terrorism, duels Castor Troy (Cage), a sociopathic terrorist whose savagery and technical skills make him far more lethal than some dumb slug who puts fertilizer in a rental truck.
And screenwriters Mike Werb and Michael Colleary have smartly charged their explosive scenario with a personal fuse -- Castor has killed Sean's young son in a botched attempt at the latter's life.
Overall, Sean and Castor could not be more different: In addition to their ethics, they are complete opposites in style and personality. Sean is cautious, tenacious and sweet, while Castor is adventurous, flippant and cold. In many ways, this is a classic tortoise-vs.-the-hare contest, but one that ultimately relies on each knowing the other's habits, quirks and ways. And, in this Crichton-esque scenario, both Sean and Castor not only have to assume the other's identity but take on the other's face, literally.
Grounded in the scenarist's solid character development and topped off by the delicate and robust performances, "Face/Off" is a true rarity -- a summer popcorn film whose personal stories are not secondary to the effects. Travolta and Cage are a terrific pair of adversaries.
As the stolid crime fighter, Travolta smartly conveys not only his character's flat-footed virtues but demonstrates his light-footed capabilities when the situation calls for more. As the megalomaniacal Castor, summer action man Cage is deliriously evil, a Lucifer as loony and deadly as there is. Most wondrous about their performances is that both Travolta and Cage, when put behind the other's face, can pull off stunningly deft approximations of the other's character and style. And that's where the fun erupts. The switched-identity scenes are at once chilling, hilarious and utterly amazing.
The supporting players are similarly terrific, including Joan Allen as Sean's neglected wife and Dominique Swain as his nymphette daughter. Alessandro Nivola is outstanding as Castor's whiz-kid "bro," a peculiar twerp with deadly dimension, while Gina Gershon is well-cast as Castor's sexy squeeze.
There's not one ounce of film fat in this ripped and buff production, chiefly owing to Woo's cinematic sorcery. While his balletic violence has at times been stylishly pretentious in the past, his rapid-fire shooting here is terrifically lethal: In short, he has found a story and players worthy of his skills, too often in the past wasted on generic, dummy rounds and soft slugs.
Hats off to the "Face/Off" production team, chiefly cinematographer Oliver Wood for the formidable framings and composer John Powell for the supple and rousing score. Special mention to Kevin Yagher for the impressive makeup effects, as well as to second unit director Jamie Marshall for some buoyantly wild action sequences.
FACE/OFF
Paramount Pictures
A Douglas/Reuther production
AWCG Entertainment production
A David Permut production
A John Woo film
Producers David Permut, Barrie M. Osborne,
Terrence Chang, Christopher Godsick
Director John Woo
Screenwriters Mike Werb, Michael Colleary
Executive producer Jonathan D. Krane
Executive produced by Michael Douglas,
Steven Reuther
Director of photography Oliver Wood
Production designer Neil Spisak
Editor Christian Wagner, Steven Kemper
Costume designer Ellen Mirojnick
Music John Powell
Co-producers Michael Colleary, Mike Werb
Associate producer Jeff Levine
Casting Mindy Marin
Visual effects supervisors Richard Hollander,
Boyd Shermis
Special makeup effects created by Kevin Yagher
Second unit director Jamie Marshall
Sound mixer avid Ronne
Color/Stereo
Cast:
Sean Archer John Travolta
Castor Troy Nicolas Cage
Eve Archer Joan Allen
Pollux Troy Alessandro Nivola
Sasha Hassler Gina Gershon
Jamie Archer Dominique Swain
Dietrich Hassler Nick Cassavetes
Lazzaro Harve Presnell
Dr. Malcolm Walsh Colm Feore
Running time -- 136 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
- 6/23/1997
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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