Stephen King’s Doctor Sleep.
Warner Bros cast the usually reliable Ewan McGregor and Rebecca Ferguson as the leads in Stephen King’s Doctor Sleep and pitched the film to fans of Stephen King’s 1977 novel and Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 classic The Shining.
So what could go wrong? Almost everything, as Mike Flanagan’s $50 million horror movie adapted from King’s 2013 novel was D.O.A. in Australia, the Us and the rest of the world last weekend.
It was a blah weekend in Oz despite a lively launch for Chinese drama Better Days and solid starts by Bollywood comedy Bala and Pedro Almodóvar’s Cannes Film Festival hit Pain and Glory.
Martin Scorsese’s $150 million Netflix-financed The Irishman opened at about a dozen independent cinemas. There were reports of sold-out sessions at some locations but as exhibitors are obliged to sign NDAs, we will never know the grosses.
The top 20 titles generated $10.2 million,...
Warner Bros cast the usually reliable Ewan McGregor and Rebecca Ferguson as the leads in Stephen King’s Doctor Sleep and pitched the film to fans of Stephen King’s 1977 novel and Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 classic The Shining.
So what could go wrong? Almost everything, as Mike Flanagan’s $50 million horror movie adapted from King’s 2013 novel was D.O.A. in Australia, the Us and the rest of the world last weekend.
It was a blah weekend in Oz despite a lively launch for Chinese drama Better Days and solid starts by Bollywood comedy Bala and Pedro Almodóvar’s Cannes Film Festival hit Pain and Glory.
Martin Scorsese’s $150 million Netflix-financed The Irishman opened at about a dozen independent cinemas. There were reports of sold-out sessions at some locations but as exhibitors are obliged to sign NDAs, we will never know the grosses.
The top 20 titles generated $10.2 million,...
- 11/10/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
‘Arctic Dogs’ Film Review: Unremarkable Kids’ Cartoon Offers Self-Esteem and Environmental Messaging
If you’ve been frantically sending letters to animation studios, begging them to make a kid-friendly CG-animated movie about the dangers of fracking and walruses, then “Arctic Dogs” is the extremely specific movie for you. Nobody else needs to buy a ticket, because although this film is hardly the worst of the year, it’s about as insubstantial as a tiny handful of snow.
Jeremy Renner lends his voice to Swifty, an anthropomorphic Arctic Fox who lives in the faraway, icy town of Taigasville. Arctic Foxes are bright white and disappear almost entirely into the snow, so nobody ever seems to notice him. He dreams of one day joining the “Top Dog” delivery service, on which the town’s entire economy depends, and which has elevated heroic huskies Duke, Dakota and Dusty into local celebrities.
Years go by, and Swifty finds a job working for the service, on the conveyor belt,...
Jeremy Renner lends his voice to Swifty, an anthropomorphic Arctic Fox who lives in the faraway, icy town of Taigasville. Arctic Foxes are bright white and disappear almost entirely into the snow, so nobody ever seems to notice him. He dreams of one day joining the “Top Dog” delivery service, on which the town’s entire economy depends, and which has elevated heroic huskies Duke, Dakota and Dusty into local celebrities.
Years go by, and Swifty finds a job working for the service, on the conveyor belt,...
- 11/1/2019
- by William Bibbiani
- The Wrap
In today’s film news roundup, “A Star Is Born” gets an Imax release, Oscar winner Stephen Flick gets an honor and Jeremy Renner’s “Arctic Dogs” is set for a 2019 release.
IMAX Release
Awards contender “A Star Is Born” has been set for a one-week Imax release beginning on Dec. 7 — the first time the Lady Gaga-Bradley Cooper drama has been shown in the large-screen format.
Warner Bros. Pictures, Live Nation Productions and Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures made the announcement on Monday. The showings will include “The Road to Stardom,” an exclusive look at the making of “A Star Is Born,” featuring Cooper and Gaga, both of whom also wrote and produced many of the film’s songs, and performed them live for the movie.
Jeff Goldstein, president of domestic distribution for Warner Bros. Pictures, said, “Securing premium Imax screens in this competitive holiday window, 10 weeks into release,...
IMAX Release
Awards contender “A Star Is Born” has been set for a one-week Imax release beginning on Dec. 7 — the first time the Lady Gaga-Bradley Cooper drama has been shown in the large-screen format.
Warner Bros. Pictures, Live Nation Productions and Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures made the announcement on Monday. The showings will include “The Road to Stardom,” an exclusive look at the making of “A Star Is Born,” featuring Cooper and Gaga, both of whom also wrote and produced many of the film’s songs, and performed them live for the movie.
Jeff Goldstein, president of domestic distribution for Warner Bros. Pictures, said, “Securing premium Imax screens in this competitive holiday window, 10 weeks into release,...
- 12/4/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Byron Allen’s distribution label Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures has picked up U.S. rights to Arctic Dogs, the animated film featuring the voices of Jeremy Renner, Alec Baldwin and Angelica Huston.
The movie, formerly known as Arctic Justice, was previously on the slate of Open Road, which filed for bankruptcy in September. Esmp struck a deal for the film at last month’s American Film Market, and the pic is being lined up for a wide theatrical release on more than 3,500 screens in 2019.
Arctic Dogs tells the story of Swifty (Renner), an Arctic fox who stumbles upon a dark scheme to melt the Arctic. He teams with his ragtag group of friends to try and save the day. Voice co-stars include Heidi Klum, Alec Baldwin, John Cleese, James Franco, Angelica Huston, Michael Madsen, Omar Sy and Laurie Holden.
The film was written by Cal Brunker & Bob Barlen (The Nut Job 2: Nutty By Nature...
The movie, formerly known as Arctic Justice, was previously on the slate of Open Road, which filed for bankruptcy in September. Esmp struck a deal for the film at last month’s American Film Market, and the pic is being lined up for a wide theatrical release on more than 3,500 screens in 2019.
Arctic Dogs tells the story of Swifty (Renner), an Arctic fox who stumbles upon a dark scheme to melt the Arctic. He teams with his ragtag group of friends to try and save the day. Voice co-stars include Heidi Klum, Alec Baldwin, John Cleese, James Franco, Angelica Huston, Michael Madsen, Omar Sy and Laurie Holden.
The film was written by Cal Brunker & Bob Barlen (The Nut Job 2: Nutty By Nature...
- 12/3/2018
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Win a Blu-ray copy of Spark. The thrilling intergalactic adventures of a teen monkey and his gang zoom onto Blu-ray and DVD, in an animated sci-fi comedy from the makers of The Nut Job and Coraline, featuring the talents of Patrick Stewart, Jessica Biel, Hilary Swank and Susan Sarandon.
Synopsis:
Spark is a wisecracking, teenage monkey who lives on an abandoned planet with his friends Chunk the pig Chunk, a fox called Vix and some insects. Thirteen years ago, power- hungry Zhong seized control of their planet Beta, wiping out Spark’s family and sending him into hiding. Now, Zhong plans to use the deadly space Kraken to destroy the entire universe, and no one but Spark and his ragtag gang can stop him.
Spark is out now on Digital Download and on DVD, Blu-ray and VOD Monday 18th September. Order now: http://amzn.to/2h6ZrTQ
To win a copy of Spark on Blu-ray,...
Synopsis:
Spark is a wisecracking, teenage monkey who lives on an abandoned planet with his friends Chunk the pig Chunk, a fox called Vix and some insects. Thirteen years ago, power- hungry Zhong seized control of their planet Beta, wiping out Spark’s family and sending him into hiding. Now, Zhong plans to use the deadly space Kraken to destroy the entire universe, and no one but Spark and his ragtag gang can stop him.
Spark is out now on Digital Download and on DVD, Blu-ray and VOD Monday 18th September. Order now: http://amzn.to/2h6ZrTQ
To win a copy of Spark on Blu-ray,...
- 9/18/2017
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Author: Stefan Pape
Before we’ve even had time to settle in to our seats, director Aaron Woodley’s Spark: A Space Tails throws us right into the heart of the action, expecting viewers to instantly understand this new world we’ve inhabited, and the rules and context of this particular universe. While kids marvel at the swirling colours and vibrant aesthetic, parents are left scratching their head – as this haphazard opening act is emblematic of a film that runs at a fast pace, certain to appeal to little ones with a rather short attention span.
Jace Normal voices Spark, a teenage monkey who desperately wants to join his best friends Chunk (Rob deLeeuw) and Vix (Jessica Biel) in setting off on extravagant, life-threatening missions utilising all of their latest, most ambitious of inventions. Told he’s too young to partake, when having to pass on a message, instead Spark...
Before we’ve even had time to settle in to our seats, director Aaron Woodley’s Spark: A Space Tails throws us right into the heart of the action, expecting viewers to instantly understand this new world we’ve inhabited, and the rules and context of this particular universe. While kids marvel at the swirling colours and vibrant aesthetic, parents are left scratching their head – as this haphazard opening act is emblematic of a film that runs at a fast pace, certain to appeal to little ones with a rather short attention span.
Jace Normal voices Spark, a teenage monkey who desperately wants to join his best friends Chunk (Rob deLeeuw) and Vix (Jessica Biel) in setting off on extravagant, life-threatening missions utilising all of their latest, most ambitious of inventions. Told he’s too young to partake, when having to pass on a message, instead Spark...
- 5/25/2017
- by Stefan Pape
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Keep up with the wild and wooly world of indie film acquisitions with our weekly Rundown of everything that’s been picked up around the globe. Check out last week’s Rundown here.
-The Weinstein Company has acquired the distribution rights for the U.S. and Canada to director Joel Hopkins’s upcoming film “Hampstead.” Written by Robert Festinger, the film stars Diane Keaton, Brendan Gleeson and James Norton. The project was produced by Robert Bernstein and Douglas Rae at Ecosse Films. “Hampstead” focuses on an American widow and her relationship with an unkempt man in the Heath whose lifestyle comes under siege by property developers.
“We’re thrilled to work with Robert Bernstein, Douglas Rae and the incredible Diane Keaton and Brendan Gleeson on this film,” TWC co-chairman Harvey Weinstein said in a statement. “‘Hampstead’ is a great example of the power we all can have when we stand...
-The Weinstein Company has acquired the distribution rights for the U.S. and Canada to director Joel Hopkins’s upcoming film “Hampstead.” Written by Robert Festinger, the film stars Diane Keaton, Brendan Gleeson and James Norton. The project was produced by Robert Bernstein and Douglas Rae at Ecosse Films. “Hampstead” focuses on an American widow and her relationship with an unkempt man in the Heath whose lifestyle comes under siege by property developers.
“We’re thrilled to work with Robert Bernstein, Douglas Rae and the incredible Diane Keaton and Brendan Gleeson on this film,” TWC co-chairman Harvey Weinstein said in a statement. “‘Hampstead’ is a great example of the power we all can have when we stand...
- 2/3/2017
- by Graham Winfrey
- Indiewire
Open Road Films has acquired all U.S. rights to Arctic Justice: Thunder Squad – the epic 3D CGI animated family film from Andrea Iervolino and Monika Bacardi’s Ambi Media Group. The movie features the voices of Jeremy Renner, Alec Baldwin, Heidi Klum, John Cleese, James Franco, Anjelica Huston and Omar Sy, and is directed by Aaron Woodley. The announcement was made today by Tom Ortenberg, CEO of Open Road Films.
Open Road will release Arctic Justice wide in 2018. Animation work for the film is currently being done out of Ambi’s Toronto based studio, Aic Studios. The movie is fully financed and being produced by Ambi and its principals, Andrea Iervolino and Monika Bacardi.
Swifty (Jeremy Renner), an arctic fox, dreams of becoming one the famous Top Dogs, a team of huskies that deliver packages for the Arctic Blast Delivery Service. In the Arctic, every day trips can quickly turn into epic journeys,...
Open Road will release Arctic Justice wide in 2018. Animation work for the film is currently being done out of Ambi’s Toronto based studio, Aic Studios. The movie is fully financed and being produced by Ambi and its principals, Andrea Iervolino and Monika Bacardi.
Swifty (Jeremy Renner), an arctic fox, dreams of becoming one the famous Top Dogs, a team of huskies that deliver packages for the Arctic Blast Delivery Service. In the Arctic, every day trips can quickly turn into epic journeys,...
- 2/1/2017
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Open Road is teaming with the Arctic Justice: Thunder Squad, acquiring the starry and topical CGI-animated film for a 2018 release.
Jeremy Renner, Alec Baldwin, Heidi Klum, John Cleese, James Franco, Anjelica Huston and Omar Sy are among the voice cast of the family film, directed by Aaron Woodley. It is produced and fully financed by Ambi and its principals, Andrea Iervolino and Monika Bacardi. Animation work is currently being done out of Ambi’s Toronto-based Aic Studios.
Arctic Justice: Thunder Squad tells the story of a rag-tag group of inexperienced heroes (voiced by Renner, Franco, Baldwin, Huston, Klum and Sy) who...
Jeremy Renner, Alec Baldwin, Heidi Klum, John Cleese, James Franco, Anjelica Huston and Omar Sy are among the voice cast of the family film, directed by Aaron Woodley. It is produced and fully financed by Ambi and its principals, Andrea Iervolino and Monika Bacardi. Animation work is currently being done out of Ambi’s Toronto-based Aic Studios.
Arctic Justice: Thunder Squad tells the story of a rag-tag group of inexperienced heroes (voiced by Renner, Franco, Baldwin, Huston, Klum and Sy) who...
- 2/1/2017
- by Ashley Lee
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jeremy Renner, Alec Baldwin, Heidi Klum, John Cleese, James Franco, Anjelica Huston, Omar Sy and John Cleese among voice cast.
Open Road has picked up Us rights from Ambi Media Group to the 3D CGI animated feature Arctic Justice: Thunder Squad.
The distributor plans a wide theatrical release in 2018. Ambi is fully financing the project and animation work is in progress at its Toronto-based Aic Studios.
Ambi principals Andrea Iervolino and Monika Bacardi are producing and Aaron Woodley directs the story about a scratch team of furry heroes that assembles to thwart a villain’s plans to accelerate global warming.
“The family film audience is hungry for quality product and we are very happy to serve up something fresh and topical with Arctic Justice,” Open Road CEO Tom Ortenberg said.
Iervolino added: “Tom and the Open Road team have a keen understanding of the audience that will love this film and are astute at reaching them in...
Open Road has picked up Us rights from Ambi Media Group to the 3D CGI animated feature Arctic Justice: Thunder Squad.
The distributor plans a wide theatrical release in 2018. Ambi is fully financing the project and animation work is in progress at its Toronto-based Aic Studios.
Ambi principals Andrea Iervolino and Monika Bacardi are producing and Aaron Woodley directs the story about a scratch team of furry heroes that assembles to thwart a villain’s plans to accelerate global warming.
“The family film audience is hungry for quality product and we are very happy to serve up something fresh and topical with Arctic Justice,” Open Road CEO Tom Ortenberg said.
Iervolino added: “Tom and the Open Road team have a keen understanding of the audience that will love this film and are astute at reaching them in...
- 2/1/2017
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Open Road Films has acquired all U.S. rights to the 3D CGI animated film Arctic Justice: Thunder Squad which is voiced by an impressive ensemble of talent: Jeremy Renner, Alec Baldwin, Heidi Klum, John Cleese, James Franco, Anjelica Huston and Omar Sy. Directed by Aaron Woodley, the family film hails from Andrea Iervolino and Monika Bacardi's Ambi Media Group. The film will be released in 2018. Open Road has released animated films previously, most notably The Nut Job in…...
- 2/1/2017
- Deadline
Keep up with the wild and wooly world of indie film acquisitions with our weekly Rundown of everything that’s been picked up around the globe. Check out last week’s Rundown here.
– Open Road Films has announced that it has acquired domestic distribution rights to “Spark,” an animated space adventure starring voice talent from Academy Award-winning actresses Hilary Swank and Susan Sarandon, Golden Globe nominee Patrick Stewart, Jessica Biel, and introducing Jace Norman. The animated film is directed by Canadian filmmaker Aaron Woodley. Open Road Films plans to release the film in theatres on April 14, 2017.
– IFC Films has announced at the American Film Market conference that the company has acquired U.S. rights to Werner Herzog’s “Queen of the Desert.” The film, written and directed by Herzog, stars Nicole Kidman, James Franco, Robert Pattinson and Damian Lewis. They will the release the film in the spring of next year.
– Open Road Films has announced that it has acquired domestic distribution rights to “Spark,” an animated space adventure starring voice talent from Academy Award-winning actresses Hilary Swank and Susan Sarandon, Golden Globe nominee Patrick Stewart, Jessica Biel, and introducing Jace Norman. The animated film is directed by Canadian filmmaker Aaron Woodley. Open Road Films plans to release the film in theatres on April 14, 2017.
– IFC Films has announced at the American Film Market conference that the company has acquired U.S. rights to Werner Herzog’s “Queen of the Desert.” The film, written and directed by Herzog, stars Nicole Kidman, James Franco, Robert Pattinson and Damian Lewis. They will the release the film in the spring of next year.
- 11/4/2016
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Rights for animated feature sold for UK, Latin America, Middle East and more.
Double Dutch International (Ddi) has closed a slew of deals on animated feature Spark, which it emerged this week Open Road will distribute in the Us.
Rights have gone in the UK (Kaleidoscope), Latin America (California Films), Middle East (Eagle Films), pan-Asia pay TV (Fox International), Philippines (Captive Entertainment), Vietnam (Mvp Films) and Iceland (Sam Films).
Jessica Biel, Hilary Swank, Patrick Stewart and Susan Sarandon lend their voice talents to the film about a plucky band of friends who attempt to thwart a power-hungry general from taking over the universe.
Aaron Woodley wrote and directs Spark for Redrover, ToonBox Entertainment, Gulfstream Pictures and new Chinese partner Shanghai Hoongman Technology.
“With the recent announcement of Open Road theatrically releasing Spark in the Us combined with the track record of these great animated producers and strong voice talent, we fully expect...
Double Dutch International (Ddi) has closed a slew of deals on animated feature Spark, which it emerged this week Open Road will distribute in the Us.
Rights have gone in the UK (Kaleidoscope), Latin America (California Films), Middle East (Eagle Films), pan-Asia pay TV (Fox International), Philippines (Captive Entertainment), Vietnam (Mvp Films) and Iceland (Sam Films).
Jessica Biel, Hilary Swank, Patrick Stewart and Susan Sarandon lend their voice talents to the film about a plucky band of friends who attempt to thwart a power-hungry general from taking over the universe.
Aaron Woodley wrote and directs Spark for Redrover, ToonBox Entertainment, Gulfstream Pictures and new Chinese partner Shanghai Hoongman Technology.
“With the recent announcement of Open Road theatrically releasing Spark in the Us combined with the track record of these great animated producers and strong voice talent, we fully expect...
- 11/4/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
The distributor has acquired Us rights to the animation Spark, which Double Dutch International represents for sales at the Afm outside the Us with the exception of China and South Korea.
Hilary Swank, Susan Sarandon, Patrick Stewart, Jessica Biel and newcomer Jace Norman star in the ToonBox Entertainment, Redrover Co, Shanghai Hoongman Technology Co, and Gulfstream Pictures.
Open Road Films plans an April 14, 2017, theatrical release on the space adventure inspired by the 16th century Chinese novel Journey To The West. Canadian Aaron Woodley directed.
Hoe Jin Ha, Hong Kim, Jay Hj Ahn and Daniel Woo served as executive producers alongside Gulfstream Pictures’ Mike Karz and Bill Bindley.
Covert Media is fully financing, producing and will handle worldwide sales on Ya adaptation Need. Covert’s Elissa Friedman and Media Content Capital’s Sasha Shapiro and Anton Lessine serve as executive producers on the thriller about a social networking site. Samantha Buck and Marie Schlingmann will write and direct...
Hilary Swank, Susan Sarandon, Patrick Stewart, Jessica Biel and newcomer Jace Norman star in the ToonBox Entertainment, Redrover Co, Shanghai Hoongman Technology Co, and Gulfstream Pictures.
Open Road Films plans an April 14, 2017, theatrical release on the space adventure inspired by the 16th century Chinese novel Journey To The West. Canadian Aaron Woodley directed.
Hoe Jin Ha, Hong Kim, Jay Hj Ahn and Daniel Woo served as executive producers alongside Gulfstream Pictures’ Mike Karz and Bill Bindley.
Covert Media is fully financing, producing and will handle worldwide sales on Ya adaptation Need. Covert’s Elissa Friedman and Media Content Capital’s Sasha Shapiro and Anton Lessine serve as executive producers on the thriller about a social networking site. Samantha Buck and Marie Schlingmann will write and direct...
- 11/2/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Open Road Films announced today that it has acquired domestic distribution rights to “Spark,” a 3D animated movie featuring the voice talent of Oscar-winning actresses Hilary Swank and Susan Sarandon, Golden Globe nominee Patrick Stewart, Jessica Biel and Nickelodeon star Jace Norman. The animated film is directed by Canadian filmmaker Aaron Woodley. Open Road Films has set a theatrical release date for “Spark” on April 14, 2017. Also Read: Blake Lively, Jason Clarke Drama 'All I See Is You' Picked Up by Open Road Films The animated space adventure is a co-production with ToonBox Entertainment, Redrover Co., Ltd, Shanghai Hoongman Technology Co.
- 11/2/2016
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Open Road Films has picked up domestic rights to Spark, an animated sci-fi feature by Canadian filmmaker Aaron Woodley that headlines the voice-over talent of Hilary Swank, Susan Sarandon, Patrick Stewart, Jessica Biel and Jace Norman of Nickelodeon’s Henry Danger. The pic will hit theaters on April 14. Spark is co-production with ToonBox Entertainment, Redrover Co., Ltd, Shanghai Hoongman Technology Co., Ltd. and Gulfstream Pictures. Double Dutch International has global…...
- 11/2/2016
- Deadline
Ddi president Jason Moring announced the international rights deal on Friday in the run-up to Cannes.
Spark is an animation from the creators of The Nut Job and features the voice talents of Jessica Biel, Hilary Swank, Patrick Stewart and Susan Sarandon
Produced by Redrover, ToonBox Entertainment and Gulfstream Pictures and written and directed by Aaron Woodley, the film premiered in April at the Toronto Animation Arts Festival International.
Spark centres on a young hero who must thwart an evil maniac from taking over the universe.
“This is one of the most exciting projects we’ve brought to Cannes,” said Moring. “Spark is a magical film with a wonderful message. The team behind The Nut Job has done it again with an A-list voice cast combined with incredible animation. We are extremely excited to be sharing this film with our buyers on la Croisette.”
Redrover CEO Hoe-Jin Ha added: “After all of the enthusiasm and positive reception...
Spark is an animation from the creators of The Nut Job and features the voice talents of Jessica Biel, Hilary Swank, Patrick Stewart and Susan Sarandon
Produced by Redrover, ToonBox Entertainment and Gulfstream Pictures and written and directed by Aaron Woodley, the film premiered in April at the Toronto Animation Arts Festival International.
Spark centres on a young hero who must thwart an evil maniac from taking over the universe.
“This is one of the most exciting projects we’ve brought to Cannes,” said Moring. “Spark is a magical film with a wonderful message. The team behind The Nut Job has done it again with an A-list voice cast combined with incredible animation. We are extremely excited to be sharing this film with our buyers on la Croisette.”
Redrover CEO Hoe-Jin Ha added: “After all of the enthusiasm and positive reception...
- 5/6/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
New projects from Larry Fessenden, Rkss and John McNaughton among line-up at sixth edition, taking place July 23-26 in Montreal.
Having announced a first wave during Cannes, Frontières International Co-Production Market has unveiled the full line-up for its upcoming sixth edition.
Among the additional projects announced are The Designer from Glass Eye Pix (Larry Fessenden, Peter Phok, Graham Reznick), Todd E. Freeman’s The Beautiful, Enric Folch’s Duel documentary The Devil on Wheels and Huan Vu’s H.P. Lovecraft’s adaptation The Dreamlands.
They join the already announced projects from the likes of John McNaughton (Carny Kill), Turbo Kid film-makers Rkss (Elora) and Srdjan Spasojevic (Whereout).
Frontières will run July 23-26 at the Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal, following its second European edition at the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival (Bifff) in April.
The expanded project line-up for the upcoming edition will see more projects participating in live pitch sessions.
Established in 2012 at...
Having announced a first wave during Cannes, Frontières International Co-Production Market has unveiled the full line-up for its upcoming sixth edition.
Among the additional projects announced are The Designer from Glass Eye Pix (Larry Fessenden, Peter Phok, Graham Reznick), Todd E. Freeman’s The Beautiful, Enric Folch’s Duel documentary The Devil on Wheels and Huan Vu’s H.P. Lovecraft’s adaptation The Dreamlands.
They join the already announced projects from the likes of John McNaughton (Carny Kill), Turbo Kid film-makers Rkss (Elora) and Srdjan Spasojevic (Whereout).
Frontières will run July 23-26 at the Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal, following its second European edition at the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival (Bifff) in April.
The expanded project line-up for the upcoming edition will see more projects participating in live pitch sessions.
Established in 2012 at...
- 6/10/2015
- by ian.sandwell@screendaily.com (Ian Sandwell)
- ScreenDaily
Hilary Swank, Susan Sarandon and Jessica Biel are set to lend their voices to Aaron Woodley's 3D-animated sci-fi comedy feature "Spark" at ToonBox Entertainment Ltd., Redrover Co., Ltd. and Gulfstream Pictures.
The second feature from the team behind "The Nut Job," the project also marks Swank's first animated voice role.
Doug Hadders, Adam Rotstein and Woodley penned the script in which a teenage monkey named Spark (Jace Norman) and his friends, a battle-ready fox (Jessica Biel) and a tech-savvy warthog, must take back the besieged Planet Bana from the power-mad General Zhong.
It's a mission that takes Spark to the farthest reaches of the universe, and to the secret of his true identity. Sarandon will play a forgetful nanny robot, and Swank a noble and self-sacrificing Queen.
The film is in production and is targeting a release sometime next year.
Source: Toonbox Entertainment...
The second feature from the team behind "The Nut Job," the project also marks Swank's first animated voice role.
Doug Hadders, Adam Rotstein and Woodley penned the script in which a teenage monkey named Spark (Jace Norman) and his friends, a battle-ready fox (Jessica Biel) and a tech-savvy warthog, must take back the besieged Planet Bana from the power-mad General Zhong.
It's a mission that takes Spark to the farthest reaches of the universe, and to the secret of his true identity. Sarandon will play a forgetful nanny robot, and Swank a noble and self-sacrificing Queen.
The film is in production and is targeting a release sometime next year.
Source: Toonbox Entertainment...
- 1/29/2015
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
The Film:
When taken for face value, The Entitled is a movie that should kind of fail on every level. It’s a low budget, direct to video feature starring a few aged stars and a few up and coming ones. Even when looking at the cover of the Blu-Ray/DVD, it just looks generic. After watching it, you realize that this movie is far from a failure. The aged stars; Ray Liotta as Richard Nader, Victor Garber as Bob Vincent and Stephen McHattie as Clifford Jones, do a great job as three rich men who are meeting for a weekend with their kids in a house in the middle of the woods. The young up and comers; John Breger as Jeff Vincent, Dustin Milligan as Nick Nader and the lovely Laura Vandervoot as Hailey Jones are the kids and they, too do a great job. They are believable in their roles,...
When taken for face value, The Entitled is a movie that should kind of fail on every level. It’s a low budget, direct to video feature starring a few aged stars and a few up and coming ones. Even when looking at the cover of the Blu-Ray/DVD, it just looks generic. After watching it, you realize that this movie is far from a failure. The aged stars; Ray Liotta as Richard Nader, Victor Garber as Bob Vincent and Stephen McHattie as Clifford Jones, do a great job as three rich men who are meeting for a weekend with their kids in a house in the middle of the woods. The young up and comers; John Breger as Jeff Vincent, Dustin Milligan as Nick Nader and the lovely Laura Vandervoot as Hailey Jones are the kids and they, too do a great job. They are believable in their roles,...
- 10/13/2011
- by Brad Reiter
- Killer Films
The Movie Pool is richer for having seen The Entitled on Blu-ray!
Blu-ray Specs
Release Date: September 6, 2011
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1 Anamorphic
Running Time: 91 minutes
Rating: R (language, violence, brief drug use)
Audio: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish Mono
Subtitles: English for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired, Spanish
Special Features: "Behind the Scenes of The Entitled" featurette, Alternate Ending
The Set-up
A group of anti-social college students kidnap three of their rich classmates and hold them for ransom, but things soon spiral out of control.
Director: Aaron Woodley
Written by: William Morrissey
The Delivery
Surprisingly riveting, The Entitled is an entertaining crime thriller that brings an original take on the ransom storyline. It didn't get a theatrical release, and while gong straight to DVD/Blu-ray is usually a warning sign, this is a nice exception. This indie film was obviously shot on a low budget, but it acts and looks like a big budget thriller.
Blu-ray Specs
Release Date: September 6, 2011
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1 Anamorphic
Running Time: 91 minutes
Rating: R (language, violence, brief drug use)
Audio: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish Mono
Subtitles: English for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired, Spanish
Special Features: "Behind the Scenes of The Entitled" featurette, Alternate Ending
The Set-up
A group of anti-social college students kidnap three of their rich classmates and hold them for ransom, but things soon spiral out of control.
Director: Aaron Woodley
Written by: William Morrissey
The Delivery
Surprisingly riveting, The Entitled is an entertaining crime thriller that brings an original take on the ransom storyline. It didn't get a theatrical release, and while gong straight to DVD/Blu-ray is usually a warning sign, this is a nice exception. This indie film was obviously shot on a low budget, but it acts and looks like a big budget thriller.
- 9/22/2011
- Cinelinx
Director: Aaron Woodley.
Writer: William Morissey.
Cast: Kevin Zegers, Ray Liotta, and Stephen McHattie.
The Entitled is a film which was shot in Ontario, Canada, with help from Telefilm Canada. The film stars Kevin Zegers of Wrong Turn fame, Canadian actor Stephen McHattie (Die) and the versatile actor Ray Liotta. This is a tense kidnap thriller that incorporates some important messages about "The American Dream" and its promise of wealth. Occasionally predictable, director Aaron Woodley keeps the tension high through malevolent planning, double-crosses, false accusations and murder.
The film begins with Paul feeling trapped by his job and his lot in life. His mother is sick and her medication bills continue to rise. Meanwhile, his parents have to foreclose on their house. These are desperate times. So, Paul steps outside of the law to plan an elaborate kidnapping, which, while intricate, does not go how he would like. Soon characters are being killed,...
Writer: William Morissey.
Cast: Kevin Zegers, Ray Liotta, and Stephen McHattie.
The Entitled is a film which was shot in Ontario, Canada, with help from Telefilm Canada. The film stars Kevin Zegers of Wrong Turn fame, Canadian actor Stephen McHattie (Die) and the versatile actor Ray Liotta. This is a tense kidnap thriller that incorporates some important messages about "The American Dream" and its promise of wealth. Occasionally predictable, director Aaron Woodley keeps the tension high through malevolent planning, double-crosses, false accusations and murder.
The film begins with Paul feeling trapped by his job and his lot in life. His mother is sick and her medication bills continue to rise. Meanwhile, his parents have to foreclose on their house. These are desperate times. So, Paul steps outside of the law to plan an elaborate kidnapping, which, while intricate, does not go how he would like. Soon characters are being killed,...
- 9/10/2011
- by noreply@blogger.com (Michael Allen)
- 28 Days Later Analysis
The Entitled is a film of tough times e.g. recession, medical expenses. Kevin Zegers plays Paul, a man driven to desperate measures when his mom needs expensive medication. Unable to find a job, Paul recruits two of his friends to kidnap three socialites, The Entitled. This title recently released on DVD and Blu-Ray and one of the first reviews is in. Matt Paprocki of Do Blue has mentioned the "morality play" and "false tension." It seems The Entitled has missed its mark (review below), but understanding a film from one review is not enough.
The trailer seems to promise some excitement, along a dusty road. It is here where the three socialites are kidnapped right out of their sports car. The ransom is $3 million and the fathers of the kidnapped look ready to pay. But events rarely go well in film, right? It seems the turn in action is...
The trailer seems to promise some excitement, along a dusty road. It is here where the three socialites are kidnapped right out of their sports car. The ransom is $3 million and the fathers of the kidnapped look ready to pay. But events rarely go well in film, right? It seems the turn in action is...
- 9/9/2011
- by noreply@blogger.com (Michael Allen)
- 28 Days Later Analysis
Title: The Entitled Directed by: Aaron Woodley Starring: Kevin Zegers, Ray Liotta and Victor Garber Running time: 91 minutes, Rated R, available on standard DVD Struggling college student Paul Dynan is working a dead-end job while trying to help support his family, when times just keep getting harder. When he’s out of options, he devises a plan with the help of two friends to extort $3 million out of the parents of the more privileged students who don’t take their education and futures as seriously. When the plan goes off track, Paul has to improvise while still staying in control. Every few years or so, a caper movie like this...
- 9/6/2011
- by juliana
- ShockYa
These days, financial security seems as much a luxury as a pool, a monkey butler or a private jet. We all want it, but we’re not all gonna get it. Hey, cheer up. If you trust The Entitled, a thriller about extortion and ransom, you can always kidnap the children of the wealthy and wait for a $3 million pay off. While JustPressPlay doesn’t endorse (publicly) kidnapping or any other crimes, we will promote films that do and live vicariously through them. To help you do the same, we’re giving away a copy of Director Aaron Woodley’s The Entitled on Blu-ray. The film stars Kevin Zegers, Victor Garber (Alias), Laura Vandervoort (Smallville), Dustin Milligan (Shark Night 3D), Devon Bostick (Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules), and Ray Liotta (whatever pays).
To find out how you can win a copy of The Entitled on Blu-ray, just keep reading.
To find out how you can win a copy of The Entitled on Blu-ray, just keep reading.
- 9/4/2011
- by Lex Walker
- JustPressPlay.net
Coming to Blu-ray and DVD on September 6th from Anchor Bay is The Entitled, starring Ray Liotta, Kevin Zegers, Devon Bostick, and Laura Vandervoort.
Paul Dynan’s life is turned upside down when he decides to kidnap three young socialites and hold them ransom to save his family. Things spiral out of control when his psychotic partners get trigger happy and his victims come with their own surprises. When blood is shed and his perfect plan goes horribly wrong, Dynan must fight to stay one step ahead of his own twisted game.
Aaron Woodley directs. Here’s a slideshow of stills, followed by the clips:...
Paul Dynan’s life is turned upside down when he decides to kidnap three young socialites and hold them ransom to save his family. Things spiral out of control when his psychotic partners get trigger happy and his victims come with their own surprises. When blood is shed and his perfect plan goes horribly wrong, Dynan must fight to stay one step ahead of his own twisted game.
Aaron Woodley directs. Here’s a slideshow of stills, followed by the clips:...
- 9/1/2011
- by Jon Peters
- Killer Films
Kevin Zegers is smokin' in The Entitled.
Anchor Bay will release the 2011 thriller The Entitled, starring Kevin Zegers (Frozen) and Ray Liotta (Something Wild), on Blu-ray and DVD on Sept. 6, for the list prices of 29.99 and $26.98, respectively.
In the movie, Zegers stars as Paul Dynan, who doesn’t have the security of the job he dreamed of so he plans the perfect crime to help his struggling family: extort a fortune from three wealthy men (Liotta, Titanic‘s Victor Garber, and A History of Violence‘s Stephen McHattie). He plans to abduct their socialite children and collect a healthy ransom of $3 million. Well, the kidnapping part goes okay, but it doesn’t take too long before blood is shed and the entire scheme begins to unravel.
Directed by Aaron Woodley (Rhinoceros Eyes) and also starring Laura Vandervoort (TV’s V) and Devon Bostick (Diary of a Wimpy Kid), the film is premiering in the U.
Anchor Bay will release the 2011 thriller The Entitled, starring Kevin Zegers (Frozen) and Ray Liotta (Something Wild), on Blu-ray and DVD on Sept. 6, for the list prices of 29.99 and $26.98, respectively.
In the movie, Zegers stars as Paul Dynan, who doesn’t have the security of the job he dreamed of so he plans the perfect crime to help his struggling family: extort a fortune from three wealthy men (Liotta, Titanic‘s Victor Garber, and A History of Violence‘s Stephen McHattie). He plans to abduct their socialite children and collect a healthy ransom of $3 million. Well, the kidnapping part goes okay, but it doesn’t take too long before blood is shed and the entire scheme begins to unravel.
Directed by Aaron Woodley (Rhinoceros Eyes) and also starring Laura Vandervoort (TV’s V) and Devon Bostick (Diary of a Wimpy Kid), the film is premiering in the U.
- 7/21/2011
- by Laurence
- Disc Dish
Actor Ray Liotta is starring in the upcoming kidnap thriller The Entitled. This title releases September 16th, 2011 on DVD and Blu-Ray and the film involves the ransom and extortion of several socialites (Anchor). Liotta plays Richard, one of the extorted and Kevin Zegers plays Paul, a kidnapper on the run when others find $3 million a price too steep to pay.
The first poster for The Entitled is here and fans of thrillers can preview this title below.
The synopsis for The Entitled is here:
"Without the security of the job he wants or the future he dreamed of, Paul Dynan (Kevin Zegers), plans the perfect crime to help his struggling family – extort a fortune from three wealthy men (Ray Liotta, Victor Garber, Stephen Mchattie). The plan: to abduct their socialite children (Laura Vandervoort, Dusting Milligan, John Bregar) and collect a healthy ransom of $3-million dollars. Over the course of one long night,...
The first poster for The Entitled is here and fans of thrillers can preview this title below.
The synopsis for The Entitled is here:
"Without the security of the job he wants or the future he dreamed of, Paul Dynan (Kevin Zegers), plans the perfect crime to help his struggling family – extort a fortune from three wealthy men (Ray Liotta, Victor Garber, Stephen Mchattie). The plan: to abduct their socialite children (Laura Vandervoort, Dusting Milligan, John Bregar) and collect a healthy ransom of $3-million dollars. Over the course of one long night,...
- 7/4/2011
- by noreply@blogger.com (Michael Allen)
- 28 Days Later Analysis
You can brand them as peddlers of Brad Pitt, as U.S based Inferno Entertainment have got some highly anticipated titles in their sales line-up and one matches Pitt with Andrew Dominik in Cogan's Trade (they worked together on Jesse James) and James Gray should be rolling out the cameras one of these days for The Lost City of Z with Pitt attached in the lead. Joe Carnahan's The Grey is on the map as well. Killer Elite by Gary McKendry - Post-Production The Grey by Joe Carnahan - Post-Production Cogan's Trade by Andrew Dominik - Post-Production The Entitled by Aaron Woodley - Completed Arabian Nights by Chuck Russell - Pre-Production Cane Toads: The Conquest by Mark Lewis - Completed Five Star Day by Danny Buday - Completed Hachiko: A Dog's Story by Lasse HALLSTRÖM - Completed Happy Tears by Mitchell Lichtenstein - Completed How To Make Love Like...
- 5/13/2011
- IONCINEMA.com
Canadian director Aaron Woodley, one of the directors of the anthology film Toronto Stories, is preparing an upcoming feature film. This film, which is called Entitled, has been in production since July 5 in Toronto. Filming will be over on August 1rst.
According to the film's production company Foundation Features, the story goes like this:
Paul Dynan (Kevin Zegers) is a decent, intelligent 24-year-old man. But he is also one of the new generation of young people who have played by the rules, working hard and graduated college – only to find that the certainties of the past are gone. With out a job or future, he plans the perfect crime to redress the balance. He will extort a fortune from three wealthy men, all great friends, who typify the ruling class that made their millions when the going was good – he will abduct their perfect Ivy League children.
Over the course of one long,...
According to the film's production company Foundation Features, the story goes like this:
Paul Dynan (Kevin Zegers) is a decent, intelligent 24-year-old man. But he is also one of the new generation of young people who have played by the rules, working hard and graduated college – only to find that the certainties of the past are gone. With out a job or future, he plans the perfect crime to redress the balance. He will extort a fortune from three wealthy men, all great friends, who typify the ruling class that made their millions when the going was good – he will abduct their perfect Ivy League children.
Over the course of one long,...
- 7/10/2010
- by anhkhoido@hotmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
Kevin Zegers ("Transamerica," "Dawn of the Dead") has signed to star in a two indie features - the college drama "A Great Education" for Myriad Pictures and the thriller "Entitled" reports Variety.
In the Christopher Keyser-directed 'Education', the young hunk plays an ambitious but poor man from Indiana on a Harvard scholarship who begins dating a society girl (Emma Roberts). William Mosely and Ben Kingsley also star.
In the Aaron Woodley-directed "Entitled," Zegers plays the ringleader of a ransom plot with several other college students. Ray Liotta also stars.
Zegers is currently in Vancouver working on the Shunji Iwai-directed "Vampire".
In the Christopher Keyser-directed 'Education', the young hunk plays an ambitious but poor man from Indiana on a Harvard scholarship who begins dating a society girl (Emma Roberts). William Mosely and Ben Kingsley also star.
In the Aaron Woodley-directed "Entitled," Zegers plays the ringleader of a ransom plot with several other college students. Ray Liotta also stars.
Zegers is currently in Vancouver working on the Shunji Iwai-directed "Vampire".
- 5/24/2010
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Director, producer and general force of nature Lee Daniels is a hot property these days. So hot that two studios, Lionsgate and the Weinstein Company, are suing each other over the rights to distribute his second directorial effort, "Precious," the winner of both the jury and audience awards at Sundance earlier this year. Lawsuits willing, "Precious" opens in the fall, and in the meantime Daniels has "Tennessee" in theaters, a small-scale Americana-steeped road movie he produced under his own banner of Lee Daniels Entertainment. "Tennessee," directed by David Cronenberg nephew Aaron Woodley, has the distinction of containing the first Mariah Carey acting role to officially see theaters since "Glitter," something that was looked upon as potentially laughable when the film premiered at Tribeca last year, but that seems a lot less so now, in light of the singer's praised turn as a social worker in "Precious."
It's that fearlessness with material,...
It's that fearlessness with material,...
- 6/11/2009
- by Alison Willmore
- ifc.com
Tennessee
Starring Adam Rothenberg, Ethan Peck, Mariah Carey, and Lance Reddick
Directed by Aaron Woodley
Rated R
The independent film Tennessee lays out a lot of its cards pretty early, but if you get through the first half-hour unscathed, you should be fine. Because we're told this is going to be a road trip movie, there are certain things we already know before we meet all the characters.
Lots of movies have problems with that first act: There are only so many kinds of stories you can tell. But like every joke that begins with "A guy walks into a bar...", it's what happens after the standard line that has to move us.
Tennessee is about four people, but it really should only be about two. There are two brothers driving from New Mexico back to their home state of Tennessee. Carter and Ellis (Adam Rothenberg and Ethan Peck) are returning to find their father,...
Starring Adam Rothenberg, Ethan Peck, Mariah Carey, and Lance Reddick
Directed by Aaron Woodley
Rated R
The independent film Tennessee lays out a lot of its cards pretty early, but if you get through the first half-hour unscathed, you should be fine. Because we're told this is going to be a road trip movie, there are certain things we already know before we meet all the characters.
Lots of movies have problems with that first act: There are only so many kinds of stories you can tell. But like every joke that begins with "A guy walks into a bar...", it's what happens after the standard line that has to move us.
Tennessee is about four people, but it really should only be about two. There are two brothers driving from New Mexico back to their home state of Tennessee. Carter and Ellis (Adam Rothenberg and Ethan Peck) are returning to find their father,...
- 6/5/2009
- by Colin Boyd
- GetTheBigPicture.net
Yes, yes, I stole the line from some other scifi horror film, I’m a bad man. But I can live with that, particularly when its in the interest of something as intriguing as Almaz Black Box. This one appears to be right on the verge of becoming a lost film. The production year is listed as 2007, it appears to be the only thing that writer-director Christian Johnston has ever done, the production company’s listed website is non-existent, and despite some scattered references to it having screened in the Cannes Marche Du Film - the market component of the giant festival - there is nary a single mention of it to be found on the listed sales agent’s web site. When things like this happen it normally means that the backers have gone bankrupt after the film is finished but before it’s paid for - exactly what...
- 5/4/2009
- by Todd Brown
- Screen Anarchy
Be honest: do you really miss Mariah Carey on the big screen? Well, if you do, here's some good news for ya: Mariah will soon return to theaters!
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Vivendi Entertainment has acquired the domestic rights to distribute the singer's latest film "Tennessee," in which she plays a waitress who joins two brothers (Adam Rothenberg and Ethan Peck) on their journey to the Volunteer State.
Directed by Aaron Woodley, the film also features some of Carey's singing, including "Right to Dream," which she co-wrote with Willie Nelson.
Although I'm still very suspicious at this point, something tells me this can't possibly be worse than "Glitter." We will find out when "Tennessee" hits theaters in December. And as a student currently attending the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, let me wrap this up with a big Go Vols!
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Vivendi Entertainment has acquired the domestic rights to distribute the singer's latest film "Tennessee," in which she plays a waitress who joins two brothers (Adam Rothenberg and Ethan Peck) on their journey to the Volunteer State.
Directed by Aaron Woodley, the film also features some of Carey's singing, including "Right to Dream," which she co-wrote with Willie Nelson.
Although I'm still very suspicious at this point, something tells me this can't possibly be worse than "Glitter." We will find out when "Tennessee" hits theaters in December. And as a student currently attending the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, let me wrap this up with a big Go Vols!
- 9/12/2008
- by Franck Tabouring
- screeninglog.com
Paris, Je T’Aime, what have you wrought? The anthology film is undergoing something of a revival right now and it’s impossible not to look at the success of Paris as the main reason why. The producers of that collection of Paris-set films have since gone on to create the similarly themed New York, I Love You; earlier this year Bong Joon-Ho, Leos Carax and Michel Gondry took a bow in Cannes with their Japan-based effort Tokyo!; and throwing a toque into the ring are the producers of the aptly titled Toronto Stories, a four part collection of Toronto-based tales from local film makers Aaron Woodley, Sook-Yin Lee, Sudz Sutherland and David Weaver.
- 9/11/2008
- by Todd Brown
- Screen Anarchy
A stop motion animated feature fusing childhood animation techniques with gouts of blood, absurd violence, copious jokes about Winnipeg, and 19th century science from the mind of Guy Maddin’s regular screen writing partner as directed by a key animator on uber-surreal television series What It’s Like Being Alone and Aaron Woodley’s Rhinoceros Eyes. Should be a recipe for instant gold in these parts, right? I mean, what could go wrong? Well, rather a lot, really, rendering Neil Burns’ Edison and Leo a significant misfire on a number of levels.
- 9/6/2008
- by Todd Brown
- Screen Anarchy
Queen Latifah will serve as the honorary chair of 2008 Urbanworld Film Festival, which runs from Sept. 10-14 in New York City. She stars in "The Secret Life of Bees," which will play as the closing night film, followed by a Q&A with writer/director Gina Prince-Bythewood, Latifah and Sophie Okonedo.
The fest, which focusses on mainstream cinema by and about people of color, will screen 85 films at the AMC Loews 34th Street Theaters.
Receiving spotlight screenings are Gerald Barclay's "Wu: The Story of the Wu-Tang Clan" and Aaron Woodley's "Tennessee."
The narrative film line-up includes Brin Hill's "Ball Don't Lie"; Lance Hammer's "Ballast"; Daniel Williams' "Cigarettes for Breakfast"; Mark Harris' "I Used to Love Her"; Lindsey Christian's "Jazz in the Diamond District"; Robert Townsend's "Pantom Punch"; Mark Andrews "Seal Team"; Iris Huey's "Second Chance"; Kent Faulcon's "Sister's Keeper"; Leon Lozano...
The fest, which focusses on mainstream cinema by and about people of color, will screen 85 films at the AMC Loews 34th Street Theaters.
Receiving spotlight screenings are Gerald Barclay's "Wu: The Story of the Wu-Tang Clan" and Aaron Woodley's "Tennessee."
The narrative film line-up includes Brin Hill's "Ball Don't Lie"; Lance Hammer's "Ballast"; Daniel Williams' "Cigarettes for Breakfast"; Mark Harris' "I Used to Love Her"; Lindsey Christian's "Jazz in the Diamond District"; Robert Townsend's "Pantom Punch"; Mark Andrews "Seal Team"; Iris Huey's "Second Chance"; Kent Faulcon's "Sister's Keeper"; Leon Lozano...
- 8/22/2008
- by By Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
While I’m not entirely certain what the status of Aaron Woodley’s Drone - the film being produced by Woodley’s famous uncle, David Cronenberg - is, I do know this: Woodley is one very busy man. Tennessee has wrapped up, the Toronto Stories anthology project is complete and ready to premiere at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival and he’s already got another feature in development: League of Monster Slayers. Wondering where all the Goonies have gone? Missing the Monster Squad? It looks like Woodley is preparing to scratch that particular itch:
Orphaned twin siblings Lilly (10) and Sebastian (10), live at their wealthy uncle - Mr. Blackburn’s estate. The castle-like house is run by the cold and stern cook, Mrs. Kind (60), the odd groundskeeper Samuel (50’s), and mysterious, mute maid Camille (60s). The orphans are alone, all their previous nannies have quit, exhausted by the children’s overactive imaginations,...
Orphaned twin siblings Lilly (10) and Sebastian (10), live at their wealthy uncle - Mr. Blackburn’s estate. The castle-like house is run by the cold and stern cook, Mrs. Kind (60), the odd groundskeeper Samuel (50’s), and mysterious, mute maid Camille (60s). The orphans are alone, all their previous nannies have quit, exhausted by the children’s overactive imaginations,...
- 8/21/2008
- by Todd Brown
- Screen Anarchy
• Variety lists off the festival's big winners -- puppy love and blood lust, it seems, is a winning combination. • Tennessee director Aaron Woodley tells Variety's Micheal Jones that the film's star, Mariah Carey, was his second choice after Janet Jackson. • Variety's John Andersons says the documentary I Am Because We Are is little more than a public service announcement starring Madonna about the horrors of AIDS .
- 5/2/2008
- AMC News: Film Festivals
- Days Left Before Sundance: updateCountdownClock('January 17, 2008'); Yesterday, the Sundance Film Fest officially announced the first title selected for their 2008 edition (film opener is Martin McDonagh's In Bruges) and The Hollywood Reporter got the rumor mill started naming Phoebe in Wonderland, What Just Happened?, The Great Buck Howard, Incendiary and The Wackness as possible selections (for the record they’ve named 3 other titles that match with our previsionary list as well).A little less than a week left until the Sundance film festival reveals its entire line-up (Wednesday & Thursday of next week) we here at Ioncinema.com headquarters like to guestimate the films that have fabulous chances at preeming at the event. Keeping track on all U.S indie developments is the name of our game, so without much further ado – here is a potential list of 20 films comprised of long shots, low probabilities and a couple of
- 11/21/2007
- IONCINEMA.com
NEW YORK -- This debut feature well demonstrates that aspiring filmmakers looking to achieve cult status might want to avoid bringing to mind the legendary director Ed Wood. Using as one of its main visual devices a large rubber mask of Tor Johnson, the late wrestler immortalized by his starring turn in "Plan 9 From Outer Space", "Rhinoceros Eyes" wears the influence of Wood and far too many other cult directors -- including David Lynch, the Brothers Quay, Jan Svankmajer, Tim Burton and David Cronenberg -- far too heavily.
The influence of Cronenberg can be easily explained, since writer-director Aaron Woodley happens to be his nephew. His film tells the story of Chep (Michael Pitt of "The Dreamers"), a taciturn and socially withdrawn prop house employee. Despite the well-stocked paraphernalia on hand, Chep is forced to improvise when approached by Fran (Paige Turco), a beautiful Film Production designer who has some unusual requests.
Desperate to win her affections, Chep is forced to go to considerable lengths to satisfy her outlandish needs, which include a pair of genuine rhinoceros eyes, a vintage prosthetic arm and an actual human finger. Donning the aforementioned mask, he goes on a series of thievery expeditions, finding his quarry in such places as a porno movie set and the home of an elderly couple. As he pursues these objects of desire, Chep starts to lose his grasp of reality, as evidenced by various inanimate objects coming to life (courtesy of stop-motion animation) and offering unsolicited advice. Meanwhile, a detective (Gale Harold) obsessed with old-style movie musicals begins to investigate the mysterious thefts.
Oddly bereft of scares or tension, the film is mainly notable for its sustained atmosphere of weirdness. But while the filmmaker has managed to create a fairly stylized atmosphere on an obviously low budget, the proceedings have a slack quality that induces tedium. For too much of the film's running time, quirkiness stands in for genuine wit, and the screenplay is most notable for its derivativeness. Not helping matters is the lead performance by Pitt, who here lacks the charisma to make us empathize with his bizarre character.
The influence of Cronenberg can be easily explained, since writer-director Aaron Woodley happens to be his nephew. His film tells the story of Chep (Michael Pitt of "The Dreamers"), a taciturn and socially withdrawn prop house employee. Despite the well-stocked paraphernalia on hand, Chep is forced to improvise when approached by Fran (Paige Turco), a beautiful Film Production designer who has some unusual requests.
Desperate to win her affections, Chep is forced to go to considerable lengths to satisfy her outlandish needs, which include a pair of genuine rhinoceros eyes, a vintage prosthetic arm and an actual human finger. Donning the aforementioned mask, he goes on a series of thievery expeditions, finding his quarry in such places as a porno movie set and the home of an elderly couple. As he pursues these objects of desire, Chep starts to lose his grasp of reality, as evidenced by various inanimate objects coming to life (courtesy of stop-motion animation) and offering unsolicited advice. Meanwhile, a detective (Gale Harold) obsessed with old-style movie musicals begins to investigate the mysterious thefts.
Oddly bereft of scares or tension, the film is mainly notable for its sustained atmosphere of weirdness. But while the filmmaker has managed to create a fairly stylized atmosphere on an obviously low budget, the proceedings have a slack quality that induces tedium. For too much of the film's running time, quirkiness stands in for genuine wit, and the screenplay is most notable for its derivativeness. Not helping matters is the lead performance by Pitt, who here lacks the charisma to make us empathize with his bizarre character.
NEW YORK -- This debut feature well demonstrates that aspiring filmmakers looking to achieve cult status might want to avoid bringing to mind the legendary director Ed Wood. Using as one of its main visual devices a large rubber mask of Tor Johnson, the late wrestler immortalized by his starring turn in "Plan 9 From Outer Space", "Rhinoceros Eyes" wears the influence of Wood and far too many other cult directors -- including David Lynch, the Brothers Quay, Jan Svankmajer, Tim Burton and David Cronenberg -- far too heavily.
The influence of Cronenberg can be easily explained, since writer-director Aaron Woodley happens to be his nephew. His film tells the story of Chep (Michael Pitt of "The Dreamers"), a taciturn and socially withdrawn prop house employee. Despite the well-stocked paraphernalia on hand, Chep is forced to improvise when approached by Fran (Paige Turco), a beautiful Film Production designer who has some unusual requests.
Desperate to win her affections, Chep is forced to go to considerable lengths to satisfy her outlandish needs, which include a pair of genuine rhinoceros eyes, a vintage prosthetic arm and an actual human finger. Donning the aforementioned mask, he goes on a series of thievery expeditions, finding his quarry in such places as a porno movie set and the home of an elderly couple. As he pursues these objects of desire, Chep starts to lose his grasp of reality, as evidenced by various inanimate objects coming to life (courtesy of stop-motion animation) and offering unsolicited advice. Meanwhile, a detective (Gale Harold) obsessed with old-style movie musicals begins to investigate the mysterious thefts.
Oddly bereft of scares or tension, the film is mainly notable for its sustained atmosphere of weirdness. But while the filmmaker has managed to create a fairly stylized atmosphere on an obviously low budget, the proceedings have a slack quality that induces tedium. For too much of the film's running time, quirkiness stands in for genuine wit, and the screenplay is most notable for its derivativeness. Not helping matters is the lead performance by Pitt, who here lacks the charisma to make us empathize with his bizarre character.
The influence of Cronenberg can be easily explained, since writer-director Aaron Woodley happens to be his nephew. His film tells the story of Chep (Michael Pitt of "The Dreamers"), a taciturn and socially withdrawn prop house employee. Despite the well-stocked paraphernalia on hand, Chep is forced to improvise when approached by Fran (Paige Turco), a beautiful Film Production designer who has some unusual requests.
Desperate to win her affections, Chep is forced to go to considerable lengths to satisfy her outlandish needs, which include a pair of genuine rhinoceros eyes, a vintage prosthetic arm and an actual human finger. Donning the aforementioned mask, he goes on a series of thievery expeditions, finding his quarry in such places as a porno movie set and the home of an elderly couple. As he pursues these objects of desire, Chep starts to lose his grasp of reality, as evidenced by various inanimate objects coming to life (courtesy of stop-motion animation) and offering unsolicited advice. Meanwhile, a detective (Gale Harold) obsessed with old-style movie musicals begins to investigate the mysterious thefts.
Oddly bereft of scares or tension, the film is mainly notable for its sustained atmosphere of weirdness. But while the filmmaker has managed to create a fairly stylized atmosphere on an obviously low budget, the proceedings have a slack quality that induces tedium. For too much of the film's running time, quirkiness stands in for genuine wit, and the screenplay is most notable for its derivativeness. Not helping matters is the lead performance by Pitt, who here lacks the charisma to make us empathize with his bizarre character.
TORONTO -- Plum Pictures, the fledgling New York production shingle headed by the trio of Galt Niederhoffer, Celine Rattray and Daniela Soto-Taplin, has partnered with Madstone Films to search out first-time directors and projects for the company's directors program. As part of the pact, Plum will move into Madstone's offices in Manhattan. Madstone launched the directors program two years ago, and the first film to come out of the program, Aaron Woodley's Rhinoceros Eyes, is screening at the Toronto International Film Festival. The directors program is overseen by Madstone co-CEO and co-founder Tom Gruenberg. Plum currently is developing The Michael Pellegrino Project, to be penned by James Manos Jr., and The Angelo Brooks Story, which the company optioned from a 60 Minutes piece about a cop who forms a debate team of inner-city youth. The company recently acquired film rights to Edmund Morris' book The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt, as well as the novel Lucy by Jamaica Kincaid. Plum also will continue to develop projects outside of Madstone.
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