Chicago – One of Chicago’s icon theater actors … Michael Shannon … is performing again in town, in the company that he co-founded. Red Orchid Theatre presents Michael Shannon and Travis A. Knight in the World Premiere of “Turret” by Levi Holloway, now at the Chopin Theatre through June 9, 2024. For tickets and info, click Turret.
Two men (Shannon and Knight) survive in a facility deep underground somewhere in the wild woods of the Pacific Northwest, hiding away from something terrible from the outside. Ensnared in a relentless loop of endless tomorrows, they discover the wolf isn’t at the door, it’s already inside, waiting in the creeping darkness all around them. “Turret” is an excavation of masculinity, love, loss and isolation, and a claustrophobic carnival of carnage, carrier pigeons, cribbage, whiskey, music, mischief and mayhem.
Red Orchid’s ’Turret’ at the Chopin Theatre through June 9th
Photo credit: RedOrchidTheatre.org
Michael Shannon was born in Kentucky,...
Two men (Shannon and Knight) survive in a facility deep underground somewhere in the wild woods of the Pacific Northwest, hiding away from something terrible from the outside. Ensnared in a relentless loop of endless tomorrows, they discover the wolf isn’t at the door, it’s already inside, waiting in the creeping darkness all around them. “Turret” is an excavation of masculinity, love, loss and isolation, and a claustrophobic carnival of carnage, carrier pigeons, cribbage, whiskey, music, mischief and mayhem.
Red Orchid’s ’Turret’ at the Chopin Theatre through June 9th
Photo credit: RedOrchidTheatre.org
Michael Shannon was born in Kentucky,...
- 5/11/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
‘Train Dreams’: Joel Edgerton & Felicity Jones To Star In Adaptation Of Denis Johnson’s 2011 Novella
It looks like Joel Edgerton has another drama in the vein of “The Boys In The Boat” and “Thirteen Lives” up next. The actor will co-star with Felicity Jones in “Train Dreams,” Black Bear‘s adaptation of Denis Johnson‘s 2011 novella. It’ll be the third adaptation of Johnson’s literary work for the big screen, after 1999’s “Jesus’ Son” and Claire Denis‘ recent outing, “The Stars At Noon.”
Read More: The 100 Most Anticipated Films Of 2024
Clint Bentley will direct “Train Dreams” from an adapted script he co-writes with his “Sing Sing” co-writer Greg Kwedar.
Continue reading ‘Train Dreams’: Joel Edgerton & Felicity Jones To Star In Adaptation Of Denis Johnson’s 2011 Novella at The Playlist.
Read More: The 100 Most Anticipated Films Of 2024
Clint Bentley will direct “Train Dreams” from an adapted script he co-writes with his “Sing Sing” co-writer Greg Kwedar.
Continue reading ‘Train Dreams’: Joel Edgerton & Felicity Jones To Star In Adaptation Of Denis Johnson’s 2011 Novella at The Playlist.
- 2/8/2024
- by Ned Booth
- The Playlist
Chicago – Michael Shannon is also a film director. The distinctive actor, who has wowed cinema fans with his performances over the years, showcased his directorial debut at the 59th Chicago International Film Festival (Ciff) with “Eric Larue.” Shannon did a master class on directing, walked the Red Carpet and appeared at the film screening.
Janice Larue is (Judy Greer) a middle-aged mother coming to terms with a shooting spree perpetrated by her son. Adapted from Brett Neveu’s 2002 play — which debuted at A Red Orchid Theatre in Chicago — the film follows the shell-shocked Janice as she attempts to navigate the tragedy in her small town. While a local pastor tries to reconcile Janice with the victims’ mothers, Janice’s feeble husband (Alexander Skarsgård) finds refuge in an upstart church led by a motivational preacher (Tracy Letts). But Janice must find her own way. The film was a Special Presentation of the 59th Ciff.
Janice Larue is (Judy Greer) a middle-aged mother coming to terms with a shooting spree perpetrated by her son. Adapted from Brett Neveu’s 2002 play — which debuted at A Red Orchid Theatre in Chicago — the film follows the shell-shocked Janice as she attempts to navigate the tragedy in her small town. While a local pastor tries to reconcile Janice with the victims’ mothers, Janice’s feeble husband (Alexander Skarsgård) finds refuge in an upstart church led by a motivational preacher (Tracy Letts). But Janice must find her own way. The film was a Special Presentation of the 59th Ciff.
- 10/16/2023
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Robert Gottlieb, the legendary editor at Simon & Schuster, Alfred A. Knopf and The New Yorker who helped shape the work of many of the world’s greatest writers over the past six decades, has died, according to Knopf and The New Yorker. He was 92.
A partial list of the literary talents whose work Gottlieb edited includes Nobel laureates such as Toni Morrison, Doris Lessing and V.S. Naipaul; bestselling novelists such as John le Carré, Michael Crichton and Ray Bradbury; Hollywood types such as Elia Kazan, Katharine Hepburn, Sidney Poitier, Nora Ephron and Lauren Bacall; Pulitzer Prize-winners such as John Cheever, Katharine Graham and Robert Caro; and even a president, Bill Clinton.
Gottlieb was featured in the documentary Turn Every Page, directed by his daughter Lizzie, which premiered at last year’s Tribeca Festival and was picked up by Sony Pictures Classics. The film focuses on Gottlieb and Caro as...
A partial list of the literary talents whose work Gottlieb edited includes Nobel laureates such as Toni Morrison, Doris Lessing and V.S. Naipaul; bestselling novelists such as John le Carré, Michael Crichton and Ray Bradbury; Hollywood types such as Elia Kazan, Katharine Hepburn, Sidney Poitier, Nora Ephron and Lauren Bacall; Pulitzer Prize-winners such as John Cheever, Katharine Graham and Robert Caro; and even a president, Bill Clinton.
Gottlieb was featured in the documentary Turn Every Page, directed by his daughter Lizzie, which premiered at last year’s Tribeca Festival and was picked up by Sony Pictures Classics. The film focuses on Gottlieb and Caro as...
- 6/14/2023
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
No matter how talented his castmates are, Michael Shannon easily stands out from the crowd onscreen. The actor's 6'3" frame easily makes him look imposing, and his stoic facial expressions are an unmissable signature that permeates every role he plays. However, behind that tough-looking countenance lies an often underrated talent and an impressive range.
Whereas many actors shine brightly in over-the-top parts, Shannon's true strength lies in subtlety. Over the course of his career, he has played everything from hardened criminals to iconic rock stars, but all of his characters have one thing in common: a compelling duality that plays out in small moments. By fully committing to roles, Shannon captures unconscious behaviors that make his portrayals feel real. He makes it possible to see how many characters would like others to see them and how they truly see themselves.
Whether he is the leading man or merely a side character,...
Whereas many actors shine brightly in over-the-top parts, Shannon's true strength lies in subtlety. Over the course of his career, he has played everything from hardened criminals to iconic rock stars, but all of his characters have one thing in common: a compelling duality that plays out in small moments. By fully committing to roles, Shannon captures unconscious behaviors that make his portrayals feel real. He makes it possible to see how many characters would like others to see them and how they truly see themselves.
Whether he is the leading man or merely a side character,...
- 5/6/2023
- by Samantha Jacobs
- Slash Film
After a story in Variety in November exposed the fact that registered sex offender — and noted cinematographer — Adam Kimmel has been a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences since 2007, the organization has taken action and removed him.
An Academy source confirmed to Variety that Kimmel is no longer a member. When asked for a comment, a representative for the Academy did not immediately respond.
Kimmel also appears no longer to be in the American Society of Cinematographers, an elite organization for directors of photography either. A spokesperson for the ASC did not return Variety‘s inquiries about Kimmel’s status. But his name, which used to be listed among the organization’s members, is no longer on the ASC website. And on a list of ASC members, Kimmel’s name has an asterisk next to it, which means “withdrawn from membership.” On his IMDb page under trivia,...
An Academy source confirmed to Variety that Kimmel is no longer a member. When asked for a comment, a representative for the Academy did not immediately respond.
Kimmel also appears no longer to be in the American Society of Cinematographers, an elite organization for directors of photography either. A spokesperson for the ASC did not return Variety‘s inquiries about Kimmel’s status. But his name, which used to be listed among the organization’s members, is no longer on the ASC website. And on a list of ASC members, Kimmel’s name has an asterisk next to it, which means “withdrawn from membership.” On his IMDb page under trivia,...
- 3/17/2021
- by Kate Aurthur
- Variety Film + TV
Oren Moverman began his career as a screenwriter, contributing to such landmarks of independent film as “Jesus’ Son” and “I’m Not There.” In 2009, he made his directorial debut with “The Messenger,” an Iraq-war homefront drama that attracted major critical acclaim as well as two Oscar nominations (for best original screenplay and for Woody Harrelson as best supporting actor). Moverman’s other films as a director are “Rampart” (2011), “Time Out of Mind” (2014), and “The Dinner” (2017); he also cowrote the Brian Wilson biopic “Love & Mercy.” In addition, he works as a producer, and has been more and more active in that role in recent years, having shepherded such films as “Bad Education,” “The Tale,” “Wildlife,” “Monsters and Men,” and “Diane.” I spoke with him about where he thinks the movie world is heading.
Here we are in the middle of a totally fractured, changing movie landscape. When you look around you and look at the future,...
Here we are in the middle of a totally fractured, changing movie landscape. When you look around you and look at the future,...
- 7/29/2020
- by Owen Gleiberman
- Variety Film + TV
A24 is staying in the Claire Denis business. Following her wondrous, daring, frightening sci-fi odyssey High Life, released last year, they are now reteaming with the director for her next project. Last year, she announced she was developing an adaptation of The Stars at Noon, the 1986 novel from the late, brilliant writer Denis Johnson, with Robert Pattinson attached to star.
Now, Deadline reports that A24 has come aboard as has Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood star Margaret Qualley. Described as a “love story/thriller,” it follows a mysterious English businessman and headstrong American journalist who strike up a passionate romance in Nicaragua in 1984. Production is expected to kick off later this year, which could mean a 2021 release in the cards.
Check out the synopsis of the book below courtesy of Amazon:
Set in Nicaragua in 1984, The Stars at Noon is a story of passion, fear, and betrayal told...
Now, Deadline reports that A24 has come aboard as has Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood star Margaret Qualley. Described as a “love story/thriller,” it follows a mysterious English businessman and headstrong American journalist who strike up a passionate romance in Nicaragua in 1984. Production is expected to kick off later this year, which could mean a 2021 release in the cards.
Check out the synopsis of the book below courtesy of Amazon:
Set in Nicaragua in 1984, The Stars at Noon is a story of passion, fear, and betrayal told...
- 2/18/2020
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Exclusive: In a competitive situation on the eve of the European Film Market, A24 has swooped on North American rights to one of the hot indie pics that has just dropped at the market.
In a low-seven-figure deal, the blue-chip buyer has swooped on Claire Denis’ next movie, love story/thriller The Stars at Noon, which has her High-Life collaborator Robert Pattinson and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood breakout Margaret Qualley attached.
Set in 1984 during the Nicaraguan Revolution, the film follows a mysterious English businessman and headstrong American journalist who strike up a passionate romance. They soon become embroiled in a dangerous labyrinth of lies and conspiracies and are forced to try and escape the country, with only each other to trust and rely on.
The project is based on the 1986 novel by acclaimed U.S. writer Denis Johnson. Filmmaker Denis is adapting the novel with Lea Mysius and Andrew Litvack.
In a low-seven-figure deal, the blue-chip buyer has swooped on Claire Denis’ next movie, love story/thriller The Stars at Noon, which has her High-Life collaborator Robert Pattinson and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood breakout Margaret Qualley attached.
Set in 1984 during the Nicaraguan Revolution, the film follows a mysterious English businessman and headstrong American journalist who strike up a passionate romance. They soon become embroiled in a dangerous labyrinth of lies and conspiracies and are forced to try and escape the country, with only each other to trust and rely on.
The project is based on the 1986 novel by acclaimed U.S. writer Denis Johnson. Filmmaker Denis is adapting the novel with Lea Mysius and Andrew Litvack.
- 2/18/2020
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
I'll announce 2012's nominees the second the write-ups are done (working on them this week). But until then another listy flashblack to year's past here at The Film Experience. My opinions have changed somewhat over the years (as many opinions should if we continue to evolve) and perhaps I'll detail which changes those were in the future but mostly I like to think of Awards, both mine and other people's as time capsules of What We Valued At That Moment.
So here you go...
Nominees in Alpha Order
Sally Field, Lincoln
Anne Hathaway, Les Misérables
Nicole Kidman, The Paperboy
Diane Kruger, Farewell My Queen
Lorraine Toussaint, Middle of Nowhere
write ups here
Gold: Vanessa Redgrave, Coriolanus
Silver: Sarah Bayet, A Separation
Bronze: Carey Mulligan, Shame
Also Nominated
Jessica Chastain, The Help
Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids
Gold: Jacki Weaver, Animal Kingdom
Silver: Melissa Leo, The Fighter
Bronze: Amy Adams, The Fighter
Also Nominated
Kimberly Elise,...
So here you go...
Nominees in Alpha Order
Sally Field, Lincoln
Anne Hathaway, Les Misérables
Nicole Kidman, The Paperboy
Diane Kruger, Farewell My Queen
Lorraine Toussaint, Middle of Nowhere
write ups here
Gold: Vanessa Redgrave, Coriolanus
Silver: Sarah Bayet, A Separation
Bronze: Carey Mulligan, Shame
Also Nominated
Jessica Chastain, The Help
Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids
Gold: Jacki Weaver, Animal Kingdom
Silver: Melissa Leo, The Fighter
Bronze: Amy Adams, The Fighter
Also Nominated
Kimberly Elise,...
- 2/5/2013
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/evanmcmurry/Desktop/Bernie.doc
Bernie, Richard Linklater's newest film, is an odd, disjointed, always fascinating but ultimately shallow movie about Bernie Tiede (Jack Black), a mortician and town vivant in Carthage, Texas, who inexplicably takes up with a nasty widow twice his age and then just as inexplicably murders her. The film is based off a Texas Monthly article by Skip Hollandsworth (who shares screenwriting credit here), and has all the elements of drama except the drama itself.
Two enigmas swirl about the film, the first Black's Tiede, a gregarious, Christian, possibly gay and certainly eccentric assistant funeral director for whom the entire town of Carthage swoons. He sings like an angel at church, dispenses tax advice to his blue collar buddies, and goes above and beyond for the widows whose husbands he prepares for the afterlife.
Bernie meets his biggest challenge in Marjorie Nugent (Shirley MacLaine...
Bernie, Richard Linklater's newest film, is an odd, disjointed, always fascinating but ultimately shallow movie about Bernie Tiede (Jack Black), a mortician and town vivant in Carthage, Texas, who inexplicably takes up with a nasty widow twice his age and then just as inexplicably murders her. The film is based off a Texas Monthly article by Skip Hollandsworth (who shares screenwriting credit here), and has all the elements of drama except the drama itself.
Two enigmas swirl about the film, the first Black's Tiede, a gregarious, Christian, possibly gay and certainly eccentric assistant funeral director for whom the entire town of Carthage swoons. He sings like an angel at church, dispenses tax advice to his blue collar buddies, and goes above and beyond for the widows whose husbands he prepares for the afterlife.
Bernie meets his biggest challenge in Marjorie Nugent (Shirley MacLaine...
- 5/18/2012
- by Evan McMurry
- Filmology
Production designer David Doernberg, who brought a sensitive, finely crafted and observant touch to many excellent independent films, died in New York on Friday after a battle with cancer.
Doernberg began his career in the late ’80s/early ’90s working on music videos for bands like Sonic Youth, Yo La Tengo and Superchunk. He quickly moved into independent features, working as a propmaster for films by Hal Hartley (Amateur), Daisy von Scherler Mayer (Party Girl) and Eric Schaeffer (If Lucy Fell). Soon after he became a production designer, bookending his career with films by Kelly Reichardt. He designed her 1994 debut film, River of Grass, as well as her 2010 period tale of frontier life on the Oregon Trail, Meek’s Cutoff. Other notable credits include Phil Morrison’s Junebug, Alison Maclean’s Jesus’s Son, Morgan J. Freeman’s Desert Blue, Todd Solondz’s Palindromes and Pete Sollett’s Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist.
Doernberg began his career in the late ’80s/early ’90s working on music videos for bands like Sonic Youth, Yo La Tengo and Superchunk. He quickly moved into independent features, working as a propmaster for films by Hal Hartley (Amateur), Daisy von Scherler Mayer (Party Girl) and Eric Schaeffer (If Lucy Fell). Soon after he became a production designer, bookending his career with films by Kelly Reichardt. He designed her 1994 debut film, River of Grass, as well as her 2010 period tale of frontier life on the Oregon Trail, Meek’s Cutoff. Other notable credits include Phil Morrison’s Junebug, Alison Maclean’s Jesus’s Son, Morgan J. Freeman’s Desert Blue, Todd Solondz’s Palindromes and Pete Sollett’s Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist.
- 3/5/2012
- by Scott Macaulay
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Oren Moverman has two films to his directing credit (aside from a number of writing credits including I'm Not There And Jesus' Son). This includes his latest crime drama Rampart and his last film - which also featured Woody Harrelson and Ben Foster . the Academy Award nominated The Messenger. Clearly, the man has a hell of a lot of talent telling intensely personal stories. In Rampart, Woody Harrelson plays a renegade cop who has trouble adjusting to a whole new world of law enforcement....
- 2/9/2012
- by JimmyO
- JoBlo.com
The Providence has an interview with Michael Shannon in which the pleasantly odd actor dishes some tiny tidbits on a little film he's currently working on called "Man of Steel." It's about a steel worker who makes his own superhero suit and fights crime. Oh no, wait. It's about some guy named Superman. Shannon plays it pretty close to the chest, so no serious bombshells are dropped. We get another confirmation that the film will be an origin story. We also find out that it's state of the art effects will by augmented with computer graphics somehow. Kidding aside, Shannon admits to doing a little wirework on the film, so at least some of it will look real. Shannon also confirmed that in between work on Superman and season three of "Boardwalk Empire" he will make "The Iceman" about a real life mafia hit man who killed a rather large amount of people.
- 12/5/2011
- LRMonline.com
Israeli-born writer-director Oren Moverman isn't just the owner of one of the best bald heads this side of Greg Mottola,, he's also becoming one of the most in-demand screenwriters around. Having gotten early credits on the likes of "Jesus' Son," "Married Life" and Todd Haynes' "I'm Not There," Moverman broke out with his 2009 directorial debut "The Messenger," which saw him, co-writer Alessandro Camon and star Woody Harrelson all nominated for Oscars. His follow-up "Rampart" is one of our most eagerly anticipated films at Toronto this year, and he's taken a number of high-profile screenwriting jobs of late, including biopics…...
- 8/10/2011
- The Playlist
Is Jack Black trying to make a serious career course correction? First he's working with Richard Linklater and Shirley MacLaine on the strange true-life comedy [1] Bernie, and now he is set to star in Bailout, a dramedy to be directed by Michael Winterbottom. The film is based on a novel by Jess Walter called The Financial Lives of the Poets. (The author also scripted the film.) Here's the description of the book: Matt Prior quits his job as a business reporter to start Poetfolio.com, a Web site featuring poetry about finance, or money-lit. Unsurprisingly, it tanks, and Matt returns to the newspaper, only to be laid off with a meager severance package. Now not only are the Priors in danger of losing their house, but Matt is convinced that his wife, Lisa, is having an affair with an old boyfriend she rediscovered during her lengthy nightly Facebook sessions. With...
- 5/13/2011
- by Russ Fischer
- Slash Film
by Steve Dollar
"Jesus is just alright with me" goes the refrain to the Doobie Brothers' 1970s sing-along, a cheerful ode to the only begotten son's Nixon Era vogue as a pothead's antihero. Hippie Jesus branded rolling papers and bonded groovy seekers at folk mass. And he apparently inspired that most demonic of actors, Klaus Kinski, to dedicate a one-man show to the Prince of Peace. The year was 1971, and in Peter Geyer's documentary Klaus Kinski: Jesus Christ Savior, the occasion was anything but a love-in. Kinski, then 45, was winding down a prolific year with 10 movies released, most of them spaghetti Westerns with names like Il venditore di morte and Giu la testa … hombre (whose tagline read: "A fistful of Death"), plus a few psycho thrillers on the sleazy order of La bestia uccide a sangue freddo. Maybe he wanted to reconnect with a passionate role. Instead, his Nov.
"Jesus is just alright with me" goes the refrain to the Doobie Brothers' 1970s sing-along, a cheerful ode to the only begotten son's Nixon Era vogue as a pothead's antihero. Hippie Jesus branded rolling papers and bonded groovy seekers at folk mass. And he apparently inspired that most demonic of actors, Klaus Kinski, to dedicate a one-man show to the Prince of Peace. The year was 1971, and in Peter Geyer's documentary Klaus Kinski: Jesus Christ Savior, the occasion was anything but a love-in. Kinski, then 45, was winding down a prolific year with 10 movies released, most of them spaghetti Westerns with names like Il venditore di morte and Giu la testa … hombre (whose tagline read: "A fistful of Death"), plus a few psycho thrillers on the sleazy order of La bestia uccide a sangue freddo. Maybe he wanted to reconnect with a passionate role. Instead, his Nov.
- 2/13/2011
- GreenCine Daily
Some roles are hard to shake. Ben Foster ("3:10 to Yuma," "Alpha Dog," "Six Feet Under") found this out the hard way on a recent promotional tour for his new film "The Messenger." At Hunter Airfield Base in Georgia, he started experiencing severe leg pain from an injury he never suffered. His leg "froze up," he says. "I couldn't walk downstairs without limping. It was so strange." Foster plays a soldier recovering from leg and eye injuries after returning from Iraq. "The mind and the imagination are really curious places. I'm sure those things will drift. That's what we do" as actors, he says. "We allow ourselves to believe things. It's just an occupational hazard." He adds, "I definitely need a vacation soon."Foster's vacation will have to wait, as he is currently shooting a remake of the 1972 Charles Bronson thriller "The Mechanic" with Jason Statham in New Orleans. And still,...
- 12/10/2009
- backstage.com
The 16th annual Austin Film Festival opened with a true screenwriting gem, Serious Moonlight. Penned by the late Adrienne Shelley around the same time she created Waitress – Shelley was murdered shortly after wrapping Waitress, before she had the opportunity to direct Serious Moonlight. I loved Waitress, and have been a fan of Adrienne Shelley since seeing her act in Hal Hartley’s The Unbelievable Truth and Trust. Serious Moonlight | Review "...the script is chock-full of clever Hitchcockian twists along with a impeccably strong (and mysterious) conclusion. Serious Moonlight is very conservatively directed by first-timer Cheryl Hines (who acted in Waitress with Shelley)." ____________________________________________________ I have long been curious about C.D. Payne’s 1993 epistolary novel Youth in Revolt: The Journals of Nick Twisp, and unfortunately I did not have the opportunity to read it prior to the Aff screening of Miguel Arteta’s film. Nonetheless, into the Paramount I went… I must...
- 11/17/2009
- by Don Simpson
- SmellsLikeScreenSpirit
Director: Oren Moverman Writer(s): Alessandro Camon, Oren Moverman Starring: Ben Foster, Woody Harrelson, Samantha Morton, Jena Malone After recovering from wounds inflicted during a tour of duty in Iraq, the heroically decorated Will (Ben Foster) is assigned to the Army’s Casualty Notification Office in the drab environs of suburban New Jersey. Upon his return stateside, Will is greeted with some flowers and a shag by Kelly (Jena Malone) – the girl he left behind. Unfortunately, this hello is also goodbye as Kelly is engaged to another man. Despite his cool expression we know that Will is emotionally devastated. Will’s superior officer, Tony (Woody Harrelson), is a recovering alcoholic carrying other apparent psychological baggage as well. Tony catholically abides by the casualty notification manual – meaning that he avoids any gestures of sympathy (most importantly he does not touch the next of kin) – and his goal is to get...
- 11/16/2009
- by Don Simpson
- SmellsLikeScreenSpirit
Woody Harrelson and Ben Foster in The Messenger. The Messenger is the incredibly personal story of two soldiers whose daily duty is to inform families their loved ones have died in action. Injured Staff Sergeant Will Montgomery (Ben Foster) is spending his last three months as part of Army's Casualty Notification alongside Captain Tony Stone (Woody Harrelson), a strong-jawed patriot who wants to stick to the script. As Will struggles with his new job, he also finds himself falling for war widow Olivia Pitterson (Samantha Morton), whom he and Tony informed about the death of her husband. A striking debut from screenwriter (Jesus' Son, I'm Not There) turned director Oren Moverman, who co-wrote the film with producer Alessandro Camon, The Messenger puts a human face on the casualites of a war where photos of the dead didn't even make the newspapers. The result? A powerful portrayal of the everyday struggles...
- 11/11/2009
- TribecaFilm.com
Click image below to view full poster
Cinematical has just received this exclusive poster for The Messenger -- scribe Oren Moverman's directorial debut starring Ben Foster, Woody Harrelson, Samantha Morton, and Jena Malone. What a jolt, eh? The dark and stern look in Harrelson's eyes is a far cry from all the zombie fighting we've been watching him tackle lately, and this is also a decidedly more adult role for Foster (who you might remember from 30 Days of Night and X3).
Yes, this is a new Iraq War drama, but between the talent involved and the fact that this comes from the pen behind Jesus' Son and I'm Not There, this should make for a bold, brave journey -- one said to be quite the emotional rollercoaster ride. Jessica Barnes first posted about the film back in February of 2008 when Foster signed on, and Morton and Harrelson signed on soon after.
Cinematical has just received this exclusive poster for The Messenger -- scribe Oren Moverman's directorial debut starring Ben Foster, Woody Harrelson, Samantha Morton, and Jena Malone. What a jolt, eh? The dark and stern look in Harrelson's eyes is a far cry from all the zombie fighting we've been watching him tackle lately, and this is also a decidedly more adult role for Foster (who you might remember from 30 Days of Night and X3).
Yes, this is a new Iraq War drama, but between the talent involved and the fact that this comes from the pen behind Jesus' Son and I'm Not There, this should make for a bold, brave journey -- one said to be quite the emotional rollercoaster ride. Jessica Barnes first posted about the film back in February of 2008 when Foster signed on, and Morton and Harrelson signed on soon after.
- 9/29/2009
- by Monika Bartyzel
- Cinematical
Oscilloscope is hearing the message.
Adam Yauch's upstart label has picked up North American rights to Oren Moverman's directorial debut "The Messenger," which premiered this year at the Sundance Film Festival.
The company will release the movie theatrically in November; it also plans an awards push for cast and filmmakers, reps said.
"Messenger" stars Ben Foster as a young soldier recently back from Iraq who is assigned to the Army's Casualty Notification Service, which travels the country informing families that a loved one has been killed overseas.
Woody Harrelson co-stars as Foster's gruff, more experienced partner, and Samantha Morton plays a woman whose husband recently was killed in combat and to whom Foster is attracted.
Moverman wrote the script with Alessandro Camon; Lawrence Inglee, Mark Gordon and Zach Miller produced.
The movie has received a number of good notices on the festival circuit, picking up two prizes in February in Berlin.
Adam Yauch's upstart label has picked up North American rights to Oren Moverman's directorial debut "The Messenger," which premiered this year at the Sundance Film Festival.
The company will release the movie theatrically in November; it also plans an awards push for cast and filmmakers, reps said.
"Messenger" stars Ben Foster as a young soldier recently back from Iraq who is assigned to the Army's Casualty Notification Service, which travels the country informing families that a loved one has been killed overseas.
Woody Harrelson co-stars as Foster's gruff, more experienced partner, and Samantha Morton plays a woman whose husband recently was killed in combat and to whom Foster is attracted.
Moverman wrote the script with Alessandro Camon; Lawrence Inglee, Mark Gordon and Zach Miller produced.
The movie has received a number of good notices on the festival circuit, picking up two prizes in February in Berlin.
- 7/13/2009
- by By Steven Zeitchik
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
NEW YORK -- Ed Pressman and John Schmidt's ContentFilm banner said Wednesday that it will finance and produce a big-screen adaptation of Donald Goines' novel Daddy Cool. A Goines novel was the basis for ContentFilm's Never Die Alone, which Fox Searchlight is releasing Friday. Cool follows a hit man whose family life is torn apart after his teenage daughter runs away. When the assassin tries to rescue her, a tragic series of circumstances unfolds. Alone helmer Ernest Dickerson is said to be circling Cool, and another Alone alum, rapper-actor DMX, is considering a supporting role and shared producing responsibilities through his Bloodline Pictures banner. Daddy was adapted by screenwriter Oren Moverman (Jesus' Son). James Gibson is executive producing with Marc Gerald, Pressman and Schmidt. ContentFilm's Alessandro Camon will produce. Michael Roban, ContentFilm head of business affairs and acquisitions, brokered the deal with publisher Holloway House's Bentley Morris for Cool's rights. ContentFilm's credits include The Cooler, which was released by Lions Gate Films, and United Artists' upcoming Undertow.
- 3/25/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
NEW YORK -- City Lights Pictures, the Big Apple-based production arm of City Lights Media Group, has added A History of Sex, a documentary about controversial artist Andres Serrano, to its slate, along with Laurie Anderson's Songs and Stories From Moby Dick, by Mike Figgis. Other City Lights film projects include the Nicholas Ray biopic Interrupted, to be directed by Larry Clark and penned by Oren Moverman (Jesus' Son), and the feature Torn Apart. The company is also teaming with cult director John Waters on an upcoming film. Directed by Michael Coulter, "Sex" follows a 1997 Serrano exhibition at the Netherlands' Groninger Museum. Figgis' Moby Dick, in postproduction, documents Laurie Anderson's musical reimagining of the Melville novel at London's Barbican Theatre in May 2000. Specializing in film, television, video and commercial production, City Lights also runs the largest Avid editing facility in New York. "We are now capitalizing on what we have developed in the service industry, and we are looking for associations with people who interest us and projects that we can get off the ground," City Lights president Danny Fisher said. The company has also signed Serrano to direct several of its upcoming commercials and music video projects.
- 12/9/2002
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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