In Manodrome, cinema’s enduring love for frustrated male loners is brought, kicking and screaming, into the cold light of the present day. Set in an unnamed, crumbling city in the Northeast, it stars an against-type Jesse Eisenberg as a jacked-up, emotionally stunted gym bro who joins a cult of voluntarily and involuntarily celibate men. The director is John Trengrove, whose previous feature The Wound used a very real Xhosa rite of passage as a way to examine the ever-knotted rituals of male bonding. The subcultures in Manodrome are ostensibly a work of fiction but, exaggerated as they may be, are no less plausible or rife with intrigue.
What Manodrome suffers from is a case of spreading itself too thin. Eisenberg stars as Ralphie, a taxi driver with money problems and a meds addiction. Though they might be the least of his worries. Out shopping for baby supplies with his...
What Manodrome suffers from is a case of spreading itself too thin. Eisenberg stars as Ralphie, a taxi driver with money problems and a meds addiction. Though they might be the least of his worries. Out shopping for baby supplies with his...
- 3/2/2023
- by Rory O'Connor
- The Film Stage
Remember Gheorghe Muresan? The 7’7 tallest player in NBA history actually had a pretty solid run in the NBA. There were a few years in his career where the man was a pretty dangerous player. But what was so great about Gheorghe was his personality. He wasn’t just some big oaf. The dude was funny. Even funny enough to land a starring role in a movie (My Giant) with Billy Crystal. Plus Muresan did some great commercials as well. Surprisingly, there are more Gheorghe Muresan commercials out there than you would think. Good lord I can’t stand writing his first
The Best Gheorge Muresan Commercial of All-Time...
The Best Gheorge Muresan Commercial of All-Time...
- 1/27/2016
- by Nat Berman
- TVovermind.com
This spring and summer is shaping up to be another one of those movie seasons chock full of Hollywood gold! From anticipated remakes to new comedies destined to become classics, ’98 is poised for blockbuster greatness.
5. My Giant
We start off our list with a practically guaranteed box office success of a film. My Giant stars the always hilarious genius Billy Crystal alongside the venerable newcomer (and basketball star) Gheorghe Muresan as the “giant” Max.
Very little is known about the plot of the film as the no doubt amazing plot is being kept under wraps. However we do know that in some ways it is inspired by the story of Andre The Giant whom Billy Crystal met and worked with on The Princess Bride.
The first images and posters show the hysterical comparison between the tiny Crystal and the near 8 foot tall Muresan holding the pint sized comedian like a bag of groceries.
5. My Giant
We start off our list with a practically guaranteed box office success of a film. My Giant stars the always hilarious genius Billy Crystal alongside the venerable newcomer (and basketball star) Gheorghe Muresan as the “giant” Max.
Very little is known about the plot of the film as the no doubt amazing plot is being kept under wraps. However we do know that in some ways it is inspired by the story of Andre The Giant whom Billy Crystal met and worked with on The Princess Bride.
The first images and posters show the hysterical comparison between the tiny Crystal and the near 8 foot tall Muresan holding the pint sized comedian like a bag of groceries.
- 4/1/2013
- by Don Hohner II
- Obsessed with Film
Helen Mirren is one Oscar-winner who doesn't mind forsaking Ferragamos for, shall we say, more athletic footwear. "I often buy my shoes on Hollywood Boulevard at these places that sell them to pole dancers -- because they're really high," she said. "I'm only five foot four (inches), so I put those little babies on and I'm, like, five foot 10 and I can strut my stuff alongside Nicole Kidman anytime." I imagine Nicole Kidman does the same thing so she can finally compete with Sigourney Weaver and Gheorghe Muresan. [IMDb]...
- 4/5/2011
- Movieline
After directly jumping from high school to the NBA, LeBron James never got to experience the college basketball ritual of March Madness, but if it were a condition rather than an event, I'd say his decision to star in the Universal comedy "Fantasy Basketball Camp" might just count for some sort of insanity. James is set to play the lead in the film, directed by "Soul Men" helmer Malcolm D. Lee, about a group of friends who head to Vegas and learn life lessons in addition to tips on how to set picks at the Cleveland Cavalier's fantasy camp.
Of course, James already has some big screen experience under his belt with last year's Spirit Award-nominated doc "More Than a Game" about his Ohio high school squad, as well as some small-screen experience on "Saturday Night Live" and multi-character Nike commercials. Still, the track record for basketball stars crossing over...
Of course, James already has some big screen experience under his belt with last year's Spirit Award-nominated doc "More Than a Game" about his Ohio high school squad, as well as some small-screen experience on "Saturday Night Live" and multi-character Nike commercials. Still, the track record for basketball stars crossing over...
- 4/5/2010
- by Stephen Saito
- ifc.com
Although those TV and print ads may suggest otherwise, "My Giant" is actually a little movie with a big heart.
Billy Crystal plays a third-tier talent agent who's convinced he's headed for the big time when he crosses paths with a 7-foot-7-inch, Shakespeare-quoting Romanian giant (played by Gheorghe Muresan of the NBA's Washington Wizards). But he stumbles upon some mighty family values in the process.
Directed by Michael Lehmann ("The Truth About Cats and Dogs", "Heathers") from a script by David Seltzer ("Lucas", "Shining Through"), the picture, given its somewhat misleading marketing, may disappoint those expecting something in the broader, higher-concept vein of a "Twins". But audiences in the mood for a sweet-natured if trifling comedy should be proportionately pleased.
Numbers-wise, expect just average-sized business but plenty of room for growth when "My Giant" hits home video.
Things aren't exactly looking up for Sammy (Crystal), a driven agent who's unceremoniously dumped by one of his few clients while on location somewhere in rural Romania (actually the Czech Republic). Then he inadvertently drives his car into some dangerously deep water.
He's rescued both physically and spiritually by Max (Muresan), a sheltered giant who appears to have stepped right out of a fairy tale. Seeing Max as his ticket to fame and fortune, Sammy whisks him away from the cloistered security of his monastery and puts him on a plane to America. He promises he'll reunite the big, lovable lug with his childhood sweetheart.
Naturally, their journey takes some unexpected turns, leading each to discover a thing or two about personal priorities.
In part Crystal's valentine to the late Andre the Giant (with whom he worked on "The Princess Bride"), the picture would have benefited considerably had it put a little more trust in its own comic instincts rather than reaching too early for the heart moments.
Novice Muresan has such a wonderfully expressive, sweet-spirited quality built right into his performance that both the script and direction could have afforded to go broader without fear of losing charm.
Crystal, too, is amiably low-key, while reliable-as-usual Kathleen Quinlan can again be counted upon to add more to the overlooked but supportive wife role than the writing provides.
Technical contributions hit the appropriate heights. Cinematographer Michael Coulter ("Sense and Sensibility") provides the necessary soft-focus sense of wonderment that is effectively echoed by Jackson DeGovia's production design and Rita Ryack's XXXXL-sized costumes.
MY GIANT
Columbia Castle Rock Entertainment presents
A Face production
A film by Michael Lehmann
Director:Michael Lehmann
Screenwriter:David Seltzer
Story by:Billy Crystal & David Seltzer
Producer:Billy Crystal
Executive producer:Peter Schindler
Director of photography:Michael Coulter
Production designer:Jackson DeGovia
Editor:Stephen Semel
Costume designer:Rita Ryack
Music:Marc Shaiman
Casting:Pam Dixon Mickelson
Color/stereo
Cast:
Sammy:Billy Crystal
Max:Gheorghe Muresan
Serena:Kathleen Quinlan
Weller:Jere Burns
Lillianna:Joanna Pacula
Nick:Zane Carney
Himself:Steven Seagal
Running time -- 97 minutes
MPAA rating: PG...
Billy Crystal plays a third-tier talent agent who's convinced he's headed for the big time when he crosses paths with a 7-foot-7-inch, Shakespeare-quoting Romanian giant (played by Gheorghe Muresan of the NBA's Washington Wizards). But he stumbles upon some mighty family values in the process.
Directed by Michael Lehmann ("The Truth About Cats and Dogs", "Heathers") from a script by David Seltzer ("Lucas", "Shining Through"), the picture, given its somewhat misleading marketing, may disappoint those expecting something in the broader, higher-concept vein of a "Twins". But audiences in the mood for a sweet-natured if trifling comedy should be proportionately pleased.
Numbers-wise, expect just average-sized business but plenty of room for growth when "My Giant" hits home video.
Things aren't exactly looking up for Sammy (Crystal), a driven agent who's unceremoniously dumped by one of his few clients while on location somewhere in rural Romania (actually the Czech Republic). Then he inadvertently drives his car into some dangerously deep water.
He's rescued both physically and spiritually by Max (Muresan), a sheltered giant who appears to have stepped right out of a fairy tale. Seeing Max as his ticket to fame and fortune, Sammy whisks him away from the cloistered security of his monastery and puts him on a plane to America. He promises he'll reunite the big, lovable lug with his childhood sweetheart.
Naturally, their journey takes some unexpected turns, leading each to discover a thing or two about personal priorities.
In part Crystal's valentine to the late Andre the Giant (with whom he worked on "The Princess Bride"), the picture would have benefited considerably had it put a little more trust in its own comic instincts rather than reaching too early for the heart moments.
Novice Muresan has such a wonderfully expressive, sweet-spirited quality built right into his performance that both the script and direction could have afforded to go broader without fear of losing charm.
Crystal, too, is amiably low-key, while reliable-as-usual Kathleen Quinlan can again be counted upon to add more to the overlooked but supportive wife role than the writing provides.
Technical contributions hit the appropriate heights. Cinematographer Michael Coulter ("Sense and Sensibility") provides the necessary soft-focus sense of wonderment that is effectively echoed by Jackson DeGovia's production design and Rita Ryack's XXXXL-sized costumes.
MY GIANT
Columbia Castle Rock Entertainment presents
A Face production
A film by Michael Lehmann
Director:Michael Lehmann
Screenwriter:David Seltzer
Story by:Billy Crystal & David Seltzer
Producer:Billy Crystal
Executive producer:Peter Schindler
Director of photography:Michael Coulter
Production designer:Jackson DeGovia
Editor:Stephen Semel
Costume designer:Rita Ryack
Music:Marc Shaiman
Casting:Pam Dixon Mickelson
Color/stereo
Cast:
Sammy:Billy Crystal
Max:Gheorghe Muresan
Serena:Kathleen Quinlan
Weller:Jere Burns
Lillianna:Joanna Pacula
Nick:Zane Carney
Himself:Steven Seagal
Running time -- 97 minutes
MPAA rating: PG...
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