Andrew Garfield learned a lot from Mel Gibson on the set of 2016’s Hacksaw Ridge and says the filmmaker should continue making films.
The We Live In Time actor, who is Jewish, feels that everyone deserves opportunities to grow and learn from their past mistakes, including Gibson following his antisemitic comments.
“I learned a lot, actually. I learned that people can heal. I learned that people can change, that people can get help,” Garfield said about working with Gibson. “I learned that everyone deserves respect. And that people deserve second chances, third chances, fourth chances. That none of us are infallible.”
Garfield noted that Gibson has “done a lot of beautiful healing with himself,” adding, “And thank God. Because he’s an amazing filmmaker, and I think he deserves to make films. He deserves to tell stories, because he has a very, very big, compassionate heart.”
“He’s the kind...
The We Live In Time actor, who is Jewish, feels that everyone deserves opportunities to grow and learn from their past mistakes, including Gibson following his antisemitic comments.
“I learned a lot, actually. I learned that people can heal. I learned that people can change, that people can get help,” Garfield said about working with Gibson. “I learned that everyone deserves respect. And that people deserve second chances, third chances, fourth chances. That none of us are infallible.”
Garfield noted that Gibson has “done a lot of beautiful healing with himself,” adding, “And thank God. Because he’s an amazing filmmaker, and I think he deserves to make films. He deserves to tell stories, because he has a very, very big, compassionate heart.”
“He’s the kind...
- 10/17/2024
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
Producer Jonathan Saba has acquired adaptive rights to Sean Patrick Griffin’s novel “Gaming The Game: The Story of the NBA Betting Scandal and the Gambler Who Made It Happen.” Saba will produce with a script from Marc-Edouard Leon.
According to an official logline, the sports betting exposé “explores the fascinating world of sports betting through the eyes of Jimmy ‘The Sheep’ Battista who, starting in the early ‘90s, helped run with a motley crew from blue-collar Delaware County, Pennsylvania one of the most respected betting syndicates to ever exist: The Animals.”
“The revelation that a professional referee was betting on his own games rocked professional sports. However, this story goes so much deeper and everything you think you know is just the beginning,” Saba said. “The Animals were a living paradox, unassuming yet sophisticated, crude yet shrewd, hardworking yet uninterested in ostentatious symbols of material success. These are the...
According to an official logline, the sports betting exposé “explores the fascinating world of sports betting through the eyes of Jimmy ‘The Sheep’ Battista who, starting in the early ‘90s, helped run with a motley crew from blue-collar Delaware County, Pennsylvania one of the most respected betting syndicates to ever exist: The Animals.”
“The revelation that a professional referee was betting on his own games rocked professional sports. However, this story goes so much deeper and everything you think you know is just the beginning,” Saba said. “The Animals were a living paradox, unassuming yet sophisticated, crude yet shrewd, hardworking yet uninterested in ostentatious symbols of material success. These are the...
- 9/26/2024
- by Jack Dunn
- Variety Film + TV
Here we go again. In recent years, Mel Gibson’s found himself stuck in a never-ending series of Dtv-style action thrillers, similar to the kind of fare Bruce Willis churned out before his retirement. Along with his contemporaries like John Travolta, John Cusack and many others, Gibson seems totally stuck in a rut, with virtually all of these films (most of which he only has minor roles in) going totally unnoticed. Has anyone seen Panama, Agent Game, On the Line, Confidential Informant, Desperation Road, Dangerous or Force of Nature? There have been some bright spots, such as the solid Bandit (a movie he was proud of when I interviewed him) or Fatman, but for the most part, Gibson’s career as an actor in mainstream movies seems limited to this kind of fare, which is a shame.
Nevertheless, he’s still out there cranking out VOD movies, with Boneyard being the latest.
Nevertheless, he’s still out there cranking out VOD movies, with Boneyard being the latest.
- 5/6/2024
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
While there has been no shortage of Batman in the realm of live-action, we’re still due for a live-action adaptation of one of the most influential Batman stories of all time. After crafting the definitive Batman experience with Batman: The Animated Series, Bruce Timm once again outdid himself with 1999’s Batman Beyond, set 40 years after the events of Btas.
Despite being decades old, the series still remains beloved by the fandom, and fans were ecstatic when it was rumored that a live-action adaptation with Michael Keaton might be heading our way. Even though it is no longer the case, Timm felt Keaton was perfect to play the part.
Bruce Timm Entertained the Idea of Michael Keaton as Batman Beyond‘s Bruce Wayne
Bruce Timm’s Batman Beyond | Kid’s WB
While The Flash had many issues that contributed to its box-office failure last year, Michael Keaton‘s Batman wasn...
Despite being decades old, the series still remains beloved by the fandom, and fans were ecstatic when it was rumored that a live-action adaptation with Michael Keaton might be heading our way. Even though it is no longer the case, Timm felt Keaton was perfect to play the part.
Bruce Timm Entertained the Idea of Michael Keaton as Batman Beyond‘s Bruce Wayne
Bruce Timm’s Batman Beyond | Kid’s WB
While The Flash had many issues that contributed to its box-office failure last year, Michael Keaton‘s Batman wasn...
- 4/4/2024
- by Santanu Roy
- FandomWire
The thrill of a teenage Batman, especially one separate from Bruce Wayne, has been a tantalizing “what-if” for fans. “Batman Beyond” delivered this dream scenario, whisking us twenty years into the future with Terry McGinnis donning the cowl under a grizzled Bruce Wayne’s guidance.
A still from Batman Beyond
Despite the show’s acclaim and the potential for a live-action adaptation, fans have yet to see this concept realized on the big screen. However, the producers had once strongly considered the idea before it was eventually dropped.
SUGGESTEDBatman Beyond Concept Art Shows How a Movie Would Look Like and We Can’t Think of Anyone But Denis Villeneuve as Director Clint Eastwood Was Considered For A Live-Action Batman Beyond Clint Eastwood || Space Cowboys
As per Cbr, the producers had chosen Hollywood heavyweight Clint Eastwood to play Bruce Wayne in a live-action Batman Beyond movie. Show’s creator Paul Dini...
A still from Batman Beyond
Despite the show’s acclaim and the potential for a live-action adaptation, fans have yet to see this concept realized on the big screen. However, the producers had once strongly considered the idea before it was eventually dropped.
SUGGESTEDBatman Beyond Concept Art Shows How a Movie Would Look Like and We Can’t Think of Anyone But Denis Villeneuve as Director Clint Eastwood Was Considered For A Live-Action Batman Beyond Clint Eastwood || Space Cowboys
As per Cbr, the producers had chosen Hollywood heavyweight Clint Eastwood to play Bruce Wayne in a live-action Batman Beyond movie. Show’s creator Paul Dini...
- 3/28/2024
- by Piyush Yadav
- FandomWire
Plot: Cash is trying to live an honest and quiet life, but when Big Cat forces him back into her services, he proves capable of anything to protect the town and the only family he has left.
Review: After 2020’s Fatman, I’ve been patiently waiting to see what the Nelms Brothers would get up to with their next venture. Their more low-budget approach to action has a lot of potential, especially with the right lead. And while they don’t have Mel Gibson, they do have Orlando Bloom re-entering the action genre. But this isn’t some bombastic, new take on blockbusters. Red Right Hand is similar to the action fare you’d find in the bargain bin at Walmart. The action itself is very staged and low impact. And the story fails to surprise, following down the same expected path that these movies often take. But there are some moments that stand out.
Review: After 2020’s Fatman, I’ve been patiently waiting to see what the Nelms Brothers would get up to with their next venture. Their more low-budget approach to action has a lot of potential, especially with the right lead. And while they don’t have Mel Gibson, they do have Orlando Bloom re-entering the action genre. But this isn’t some bombastic, new take on blockbusters. Red Right Hand is similar to the action fare you’d find in the bargain bin at Walmart. The action itself is very staged and low impact. And the story fails to surprise, following down the same expected path that these movies often take. But there are some moments that stand out.
- 2/29/2024
- by Tyler Nichols
- JoBlo.com
Magnolia Pictures is giving the action thriller Red Right Hand a theatrical and VOD release today, February 23rd, and to mark the occasion we have been given an Exclusive clip from the film! Giving a preview of more than a minute of the film, this clip involves a “house shootout scene”, and you can check it out in the embed above.
Directed by Eshom Nelms and Ian Nelms from a screenplay by first-time feature writer Jonathan Easley, Red Right Hand stars Orlando Bloom (Lord of the Rings), Chapel Oaks (Will Trent), Garret Dillahunt (Fear the Walking Dead), Brian Geraghty (The Hurt Locker), James Lafferty (One Tree Hill), Jeremy Ratchford (Cold Case), Alexandra Park (12 Feet Deep), Scott Haze (Jurassic World Dominion), and Andie MacDowell (Groundhog Day). Here’s the synopsis: Cash (Orlando Bloom) is trying to live an honest and quiet life taking care of his recently orphaned niece Savannah...
Directed by Eshom Nelms and Ian Nelms from a screenplay by first-time feature writer Jonathan Easley, Red Right Hand stars Orlando Bloom (Lord of the Rings), Chapel Oaks (Will Trent), Garret Dillahunt (Fear the Walking Dead), Brian Geraghty (The Hurt Locker), James Lafferty (One Tree Hill), Jeremy Ratchford (Cold Case), Alexandra Park (12 Feet Deep), Scott Haze (Jurassic World Dominion), and Andie MacDowell (Groundhog Day). Here’s the synopsis: Cash (Orlando Bloom) is trying to live an honest and quiet life taking care of his recently orphaned niece Savannah...
- 2/23/2024
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
It’s that time of year again. The chestnuts are roasting, the eggnog is nogging, and some of us are getting ready for a house full of people that will turn this holiday season into a stressful one. So what do you do when you want to get into that merry spirit but also feel a slight bit of homicidal rage at your mother-in-law who just won’t shut up?
You put on some violent, blood-drenched action films that still capture that yuletide spirit. While others may embrace the holiday season with hilarious comedy, a hearty drama, a romantic rendezvous, or even Ernest, you can sit back and partake in one or all of the movies we here at JoBlo deem the top 10 best Christmas action movies.
10. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service:
Yes, a James Bond movie took place at Christmas, and it’s a doozy. Arguably the greatest James Bond film,...
You put on some violent, blood-drenched action films that still capture that yuletide spirit. While others may embrace the holiday season with hilarious comedy, a hearty drama, a romantic rendezvous, or even Ernest, you can sit back and partake in one or all of the movies we here at JoBlo deem the top 10 best Christmas action movies.
10. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service:
Yes, a James Bond movie took place at Christmas, and it’s a doozy. Arguably the greatest James Bond film,...
- 12/25/2023
- by Brad Hamerly
- JoBlo.com
“Unvaxxed Sperm” reads the poster held aloft by a woman standing outside the theater, and you know you’re in the right place: Joe Rogan’s new comedy club mecca. On Austin’s historic Sixth Street, Comedy Mothership enjoyed its opening night after two-and-a-half years of development.
Comedy Mothership is the comedian and podcaster’s effort to launch what he’s described as an ideal venue for comics and an effort to terraform the Texas capitol into a major live comedy hub. When tickets for the opening week of shows went on sale (for a surprisingly reasonable $40 per person), they sold out within minutes. Tickets are being re-sold online for $500.
“I’m drunk and on mushrooms in my new club!” exclaimed Rogan while wearing a rather odd Obi-Wan-like sweater. “This is as high as I’ve ever been onstage. I need to connect with this moment … You can’t fire me from my own club,...
Comedy Mothership is the comedian and podcaster’s effort to launch what he’s described as an ideal venue for comics and an effort to terraform the Texas capitol into a major live comedy hub. When tickets for the opening week of shows went on sale (for a surprisingly reasonable $40 per person), they sold out within minutes. Tickets are being re-sold online for $500.
“I’m drunk and on mushrooms in my new club!” exclaimed Rogan while wearing a rather odd Obi-Wan-like sweater. “This is as high as I’ve ever been onstage. I need to connect with this moment … You can’t fire me from my own club,...
- 3/8/2023
- by James Hibberd
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Directors interested in important, ambitious subject matter didn’t all go extinct with the rise of the Star Wars Generation. Roland Joffé’s first four features are powerful pictures that tell truths that we ought not to forget, with a couple of Award-winning gems right up front. The star power is here as well — Robert De Niro, Paul Newman, Patrick Swayze. The deluxe collector’s box caps a presentation with new extras for each title: The Killing Fields, The Mission, Fat Man and Little Boy and City of Joy.
Directed by Roland Joffé
Region-Free Blu-ray
Powerhouse Indicator 194, 185, 186, 187
1984 – 1992 / Color / Street Date December 7, 2022 / 525 minutes cumulative / Available from / au 179.95
Starring: Sam Waterston, Dr. Haing S. Ngor, John Malkovich; Robert De Niro, Jeremy Irons; Paul Newman, Dwight Schultz, Bonnie Bedelia, John Cusack; Patrick Swayze, Om Puri, Pauline Collins.
Cinematography: Chris Menges (2); Vilmos Zsigmond, Peter Biziou
Original Music: Mike Oldfield, Ennio Morricone (3)
Written by Bruce Robinson; Robert Bolt; Bruce Robinson,...
Directed by Roland Joffé
Region-Free Blu-ray
Powerhouse Indicator 194, 185, 186, 187
1984 – 1992 / Color / Street Date December 7, 2022 / 525 minutes cumulative / Available from / au 179.95
Starring: Sam Waterston, Dr. Haing S. Ngor, John Malkovich; Robert De Niro, Jeremy Irons; Paul Newman, Dwight Schultz, Bonnie Bedelia, John Cusack; Patrick Swayze, Om Puri, Pauline Collins.
Cinematography: Chris Menges (2); Vilmos Zsigmond, Peter Biziou
Original Music: Mike Oldfield, Ennio Morricone (3)
Written by Bruce Robinson; Robert Bolt; Bruce Robinson,...
- 12/20/2022
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Universal just dropped a bomb on everyone expecting a quiet Sunday night, with them finally unveiling the new, full-length trailer for Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. Now, if you were one of the many folks to see Avatar: The Way of Water this weekend, you’ve already seen this, and indeed, the IMAX-shot movie promises to be a visual spectacle. The film stars Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer, the enigmatic scientist who’s considered the father of the A-bomb.
The Oppenheimer story was previously made into a (pretty decent) movie in the eighties called Fat Man and Little Boy (named after the two A-bombs dropped on Japan), but Nolan’s epic seems to be a whole other ballgame. The trailer is spectacular and focuses mainly on what could be a career-defining performance from the always-great Murphy. Emily Blunt co-stars as his wife, Katherine “Kitty” Oppenheimer, a scientist in her own right,...
The Oppenheimer story was previously made into a (pretty decent) movie in the eighties called Fat Man and Little Boy (named after the two A-bombs dropped on Japan), but Nolan’s epic seems to be a whole other ballgame. The trailer is spectacular and focuses mainly on what could be a career-defining performance from the always-great Murphy. Emily Blunt co-stars as his wife, Katherine “Kitty” Oppenheimer, a scientist in her own right,...
- 12/19/2022
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
It is time to acknowledge the reindeer in the room; the truth that children and grown-ups alike are aware of, but dare not speak aloud. Santa Claus is terrifying. A strange old man overseeing an industrial complex of magical creatures, and who watches and judges all the children, then sneaks into your home dispatching justice as he sees fit.
Like clowns and DisneyWorld mascots, as a society, we have all agreed to pretend that this is charming and magical and suitable for children, but deep down in the dark part of our souls, we all know the truth. So with that in mind, here are the most terrifying Santas to ever grace a screen. Some intentionally. Some… less so.
Disclaimer: This is a list of actual terrifying Santa Clauses. Not serial killers dressed up as Santa Claus, no surly mall Santas (Sorry Bad Santa), and no evil Santa robots (So...
Like clowns and DisneyWorld mascots, as a society, we have all agreed to pretend that this is charming and magical and suitable for children, but deep down in the dark part of our souls, we all know the truth. So with that in mind, here are the most terrifying Santas to ever grace a screen. Some intentionally. Some… less so.
Disclaimer: This is a list of actual terrifying Santa Clauses. Not serial killers dressed up as Santa Claus, no surly mall Santas (Sorry Bad Santa), and no evil Santa robots (So...
- 12/9/2022
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
Like a cyanide-laced sugarplum, Violent Night is a jolly and vicious burst of holiday mayhem. Bloody and crass, yet brimming with Christmas spirit, it’s a 110-minute joke that largely works because of how firmly everyone involved commits to the bit.
David Harbour stars as Santa Claus, first seen drinking his holiday blues away at a London watering hole. Santa’s having a rough Christmas Eve; kids are getting greedier and naughtier every year, and he’s thinking of hanging up the hat. His night doesn’t get any easier when he heads to the United States-based home of a wealthy, heartless matriarch (Beverly D’Angelo), whose family has been taken hostage by a gang of thieves (led by John Leguizamo). While his first instinct is to fly off and finish his route, the presence of an innocent child (Leah Brady) causes Santa to reconsider, call upon the skills he learned...
David Harbour stars as Santa Claus, first seen drinking his holiday blues away at a London watering hole. Santa’s having a rough Christmas Eve; kids are getting greedier and naughtier every year, and he’s thinking of hanging up the hat. His night doesn’t get any easier when he heads to the United States-based home of a wealthy, heartless matriarch (Beverly D’Angelo), whose family has been taken hostage by a gang of thieves (led by John Leguizamo). While his first instinct is to fly off and finish his route, the presence of an innocent child (Leah Brady) causes Santa to reconsider, call upon the skills he learned...
- 12/8/2022
- by Chris Williams
- CinemaNerdz
There was a time when it seemed like Cillian Murphy was destined for movie superstardom. The Irish actor was mesmerizing in early-2000s films like "28 Days Later," "Batman Begins," "Red Eye" and "Breakfast on Pluto." But while he's remained busy over the years, Hollywood just couldn't figure out what to do with him, so he wound up bouncing from leads to supporting roles for a bit until he found a role that fit him like a tweed suit in Tommy Shelby, the crime boss of "Peaky Blinders."
Now that Steven Knight's gangster series has come to a close after six knockabout seasons, Murphy has been gifted a prime opportunity to reestablish himself as a big-screen draw in Christopher Nolan's forthcoming "Oppenheimer." Murphy has been cast as the physicist who spearheaded the Manhattan Project's development of the atomic bomb. Oppenheimer's triumph resulted in the end of World...
Now that Steven Knight's gangster series has come to a close after six knockabout seasons, Murphy has been gifted a prime opportunity to reestablish himself as a big-screen draw in Christopher Nolan's forthcoming "Oppenheimer." Murphy has been cast as the physicist who spearheaded the Manhattan Project's development of the atomic bomb. Oppenheimer's triumph resulted in the end of World...
- 8/31/2022
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Samantha Allwinton joins Head Gear from Ingenious Media.
Samantha Allwinton has been named senior investment manager at UK financier Head Gear.
Allwinton previously spent three years at Ingenious Media on the investment team. She worked alongside Peter Touche on features including Fatman, staring Mel Gibson, and Anthony Hayes’ Gold. She also previously worked for Prescience and Working Title Films.
In her new position, Allwinton will oversee and run the negotiation, analysis and structuring of loans to media projects and companies.
Sophie Bell was Head Gear’s former investment manager but Allwinton is taking on a more senior role.
The finance...
Samantha Allwinton has been named senior investment manager at UK financier Head Gear.
Allwinton previously spent three years at Ingenious Media on the investment team. She worked alongside Peter Touche on features including Fatman, staring Mel Gibson, and Anthony Hayes’ Gold. She also previously worked for Prescience and Working Title Films.
In her new position, Allwinton will oversee and run the negotiation, analysis and structuring of loans to media projects and companies.
Sophie Bell was Head Gear’s former investment manager but Allwinton is taking on a more senior role.
The finance...
- 6/10/2022
- by Ellie Calnan
- ScreenDaily
This review of “On the Count of Three” was first published on Jan. 29, 2021, after its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.
“On the Count of Three” opens with two friends nervously trying to commit a joint murder-suicide, and it’s the feature directorial debut of comedian Jerrod Carmichael. Thankfully Carmichael, who also stars, never loses sight of the real pain at the story’s center, even as he’s also managing to find the laughs.
Working from a screenplay by TV writers Ari Katcher (“The Carmichael Show”) and Ryan Welch (who co-created “Ramy” with Katcher and Ramy Youssef), Carmichael already feels comfortable behind the camera, which should come as no surprise to anyone who’s seen his HBO documentary shorts about his family and childhood neighborhood. With “On the Count of Three,” he takes on a challenging mix of tones, and mostly succeeds as the story segues from the tragic...
“On the Count of Three” opens with two friends nervously trying to commit a joint murder-suicide, and it’s the feature directorial debut of comedian Jerrod Carmichael. Thankfully Carmichael, who also stars, never loses sight of the real pain at the story’s center, even as he’s also managing to find the laughs.
Working from a screenplay by TV writers Ari Katcher (“The Carmichael Show”) and Ryan Welch (who co-created “Ramy” with Katcher and Ramy Youssef), Carmichael already feels comfortable behind the camera, which should come as no surprise to anyone who’s seen his HBO documentary shorts about his family and childhood neighborhood. With “On the Count of Three,” he takes on a challenging mix of tones, and mostly succeeds as the story segues from the tragic...
- 5/14/2022
- by Alonso Duralde
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Orlando Bloom (Carnival Row) and Andie MacDowell (Maid) have signed on to star in Red Right Hand, an upcoming action-thriller from directors Ian and Eshom Nelms (Fatman).
The film written by Jonathan Easley centers on Cash (Bloom), who is trying to live an honest and quiet life, taking care of his niece Savannah in the Appalachian hills of Odim County. When the sadistic Queenpin Big Cat (MacDowell) who runs the town forces him back into her services, Cash learns he’s capable of anything—even killing—to protect the town and the only family he has left. As the journey gets harder, Cash is drawn into a nightmare that blurs the lines between good and evil.
Asbury Park Pictures is serving as the project’s financier and producing alongside Traction. Individual producers on board include John Wick‘s Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, Asbury Park Pictures’ Mike Gabrawy, Traction...
The film written by Jonathan Easley centers on Cash (Bloom), who is trying to live an honest and quiet life, taking care of his niece Savannah in the Appalachian hills of Odim County. When the sadistic Queenpin Big Cat (MacDowell) who runs the town forces him back into her services, Cash learns he’s capable of anything—even killing—to protect the town and the only family he has left. As the journey gets harder, Cash is drawn into a nightmare that blurs the lines between good and evil.
Asbury Park Pictures is serving as the project’s financier and producing alongside Traction. Individual producers on board include John Wick‘s Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, Asbury Park Pictures’ Mike Gabrawy, Traction...
- 3/29/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The “Fallout” TV series at Amazon has cast Walton Goggins in a lead role, Variety has learned.
Like the video games on which it is based, the “Fallout” series is set in a world where the future envisioned by Americans in the late 1940s explodes upon itself through a nuclear war in 2077.
Amazon had no comment on the character Goggins will play in the series. According to sources, he will play a character based on the ghouls from the games. Ghouls are humans who have been horribly disfigured due to exposure to radiation, but are also largely immune to radiation and nuclear fallout as a result.
Goggins is a highly versatile actor known for playing a wide range of roles. He received an Emmy nomination for playing the character Boyd Crowder in the hit series “Justified.” He also starred in the FX series “The Shield” as Det. Shane Vendrell and...
Like the video games on which it is based, the “Fallout” series is set in a world where the future envisioned by Americans in the late 1940s explodes upon itself through a nuclear war in 2077.
Amazon had no comment on the character Goggins will play in the series. According to sources, he will play a character based on the ghouls from the games. Ghouls are humans who have been horribly disfigured due to exposure to radiation, but are also largely immune to radiation and nuclear fallout as a result.
Goggins is a highly versatile actor known for playing a wide range of roles. He received an Emmy nomination for playing the character Boyd Crowder in the hit series “Justified.” He also starred in the FX series “The Shield” as Det. Shane Vendrell and...
- 2/18/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Saban Films has acquired North American and South African rights to “So Cold The River,” a new thriller from Paul Shoulberg. The deal, which was forged with UK-based distribution and sales company Blue Finch Films, also includes rights to distribute the film in Australia and New Zealand rights via Saban’s partners at Defiant Screen Entertainment.
Shoulberg, best known for “The Good Catholic,” also wrote the script, an adaptation of the novel by Michael Koryta (“Those Who Wish Me Dead”). The film stars Bethany Joy Lenz as a documentary filmmaker who soon realizes her subject isn’t who he claims to be.
The film also stars Andrew J. West (“Once Upon a Time”), Katie Sarife (“Annabelle Comes Home”) and Alysia Reiner (“Orange is the New Black”) and is a co-production between 1804 Productions and Pigasus Pictures. It is produced by Claire Tuft, Zachary Spicer, and John Armstrong. Executive producers are Pete Yonkman,...
Shoulberg, best known for “The Good Catholic,” also wrote the script, an adaptation of the novel by Michael Koryta (“Those Who Wish Me Dead”). The film stars Bethany Joy Lenz as a documentary filmmaker who soon realizes her subject isn’t who he claims to be.
The film also stars Andrew J. West (“Once Upon a Time”), Katie Sarife (“Annabelle Comes Home”) and Alysia Reiner (“Orange is the New Black”) and is a co-production between 1804 Productions and Pigasus Pictures. It is produced by Claire Tuft, Zachary Spicer, and John Armstrong. Executive producers are Pete Yonkman,...
- 11/10/2021
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Saban Films President Bill Bromiley and Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer Shanan Becker have renewed their contracts with the Los Angeles-based global film acquisition and distribution company through the end of 2024. The new deals keep the two critical executives in the fold. Bromiley and Becker founded the company in May 2014, and during their tenure, Saban Films have released a total of 148 films through the end of 2021.
Over the last year, Bromiley and Becker have expanded Saban Films’ presence in the industry, boarding a greater number of projects at the script stage and setting distribution deals beyond North America in territories including the United Kingdom and Ireland, France, Germany, Spain, Scandinavia, Australia and New Zealand. Next year will also see the culmination of Saban Films field 60 releases, doubling the output of films in just two years.
“Bill and Shanan have successfully grown Saban Films since its formation in 2015. They...
Over the last year, Bromiley and Becker have expanded Saban Films’ presence in the industry, boarding a greater number of projects at the script stage and setting distribution deals beyond North America in territories including the United Kingdom and Ireland, France, Germany, Spain, Scandinavia, Australia and New Zealand. Next year will also see the culmination of Saban Films field 60 releases, doubling the output of films in just two years.
“Bill and Shanan have successfully grown Saban Films since its formation in 2015. They...
- 10/14/2021
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
In a statement buy, Saban Films has acquired rights to North America – along with Australia, New Zealand, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, France, South Africa and Scandinavia – on Bruce Willis starrer “Soul Assassin.”
Directed by Jesse Atlas, the revenge thriller also stars Nomzamo Mbatha (“Coming 2 America”) and Barry Jay Minoff (“Exposure”). Atlas wrote “Soul Assassin” along with Aaron Wolfe, based on their short film, “Let Them Die Like Lovers.” Jeff Elliott produced; 120dB Films co-financed the film with Elliott’s Brickell & Broadbridge.
Set to release in 2022, “Soul Assassin” recently wrapped principal photography. It turns on a former black-ops soldier who takes the place of a man who died as part of an experimental military program, in order to find out who killed him.
Saban Films have boarded multiple Willis movies of late such as Chuck Russell’s recently announced “Paradise City,” Jared Cohn’s “Reactor,” and the recently released “Cosmic Sin” and the “Breach.
Directed by Jesse Atlas, the revenge thriller also stars Nomzamo Mbatha (“Coming 2 America”) and Barry Jay Minoff (“Exposure”). Atlas wrote “Soul Assassin” along with Aaron Wolfe, based on their short film, “Let Them Die Like Lovers.” Jeff Elliott produced; 120dB Films co-financed the film with Elliott’s Brickell & Broadbridge.
Set to release in 2022, “Soul Assassin” recently wrapped principal photography. It turns on a former black-ops soldier who takes the place of a man who died as part of an experimental military program, in order to find out who killed him.
Saban Films have boarded multiple Willis movies of late such as Chuck Russell’s recently announced “Paradise City,” Jared Cohn’s “Reactor,” and the recently released “Cosmic Sin” and the “Breach.
- 7/9/2021
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Continuing its resilient acquisition of higher-profile commercial titles for distribution in the U.S. and Canada, Saban Films has picked up North American rights to “The Hyperions,” an indie superhero movie headed by Cary Elwes (“The Princess Bride”).
Saban Films has set a theatrical release for Feb. 2022.
Archstone Entertainment is representing the worldwide rights to the film.
The North American deal marks one of the first to be announced at this week’s Pre-Cannes Screenings, a virtual market that kicked off Monday.
Also starring Penelope Mitchell (“Hellboy”), Tanner Buchanan (“Cobra Kai”), Elaine Tan (“Tully”), and Alphonso McAuley (“Walk of Shame”), “The Hyperions” was written and directed by Jon McDonald (“Muddy Corman”). It is produced by McDonald out of his label American Millimetre, as well as Justin Bell Productions’ Justin Bell Jon Michael Kondrath at ReKon Productions.
In “The Hyperions,” Elwes plays Professor Ruckus Mandelabaum who by 1960 has come up with a device,...
Saban Films has set a theatrical release for Feb. 2022.
Archstone Entertainment is representing the worldwide rights to the film.
The North American deal marks one of the first to be announced at this week’s Pre-Cannes Screenings, a virtual market that kicked off Monday.
Also starring Penelope Mitchell (“Hellboy”), Tanner Buchanan (“Cobra Kai”), Elaine Tan (“Tully”), and Alphonso McAuley (“Walk of Shame”), “The Hyperions” was written and directed by Jon McDonald (“Muddy Corman”). It is produced by McDonald out of his label American Millimetre, as well as Justin Bell Productions’ Justin Bell Jon Michael Kondrath at ReKon Productions.
In “The Hyperions,” Elwes plays Professor Ruckus Mandelabaum who by 1960 has come up with a device,...
- 6/21/2021
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Saban Films has landed the North American distribution rights to the upcoming action thriller “Gasoline Alley.”
The film — written, directed and produced by Edward Drake — is led by Bruce Willis, Devon Sawa and Luke Wilson. Set in the underbelly of Los Angeles, Sawa plays a man drawn into a high-profile triple murder. The two police detectives on his tail (Willis and Wilson) soon join him in attempting to uncover an explosive conspiracy.
The project, also produced by Corey Large, is eyeing a February 2022 release. BondIt Media Capital, 308 Ent, Highland Film Group and Yale Productions are also producers. This is the latest in numerous collaborations between Willis and Saban, which released films like “Paradise City,” “Cosmic Sin” and “Breach.”
“We have loved all our partnerships with Bruce Willis and are excited to unite again with him and Edward on ‘Gasoline Alley,'” said Saban Films’ Bill Bromiley. Matthew Helderman, CEO and co-founder of BondIt,...
The film — written, directed and produced by Edward Drake — is led by Bruce Willis, Devon Sawa and Luke Wilson. Set in the underbelly of Los Angeles, Sawa plays a man drawn into a high-profile triple murder. The two police detectives on his tail (Willis and Wilson) soon join him in attempting to uncover an explosive conspiracy.
The project, also produced by Corey Large, is eyeing a February 2022 release. BondIt Media Capital, 308 Ent, Highland Film Group and Yale Productions are also producers. This is the latest in numerous collaborations between Willis and Saban, which released films like “Paradise City,” “Cosmic Sin” and “Breach.”
“We have loved all our partnerships with Bruce Willis and are excited to unite again with him and Edward on ‘Gasoline Alley,'” said Saban Films’ Bill Bromiley. Matthew Helderman, CEO and co-founder of BondIt,...
- 6/8/2021
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Walton Goggins, Marsha Stephanie Blake, Damon Gupton, Cynthia Kaye McWilliams and Omar Miller round out the ensemble cast for Apple TV+’s limited series The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey. They join Samuel L. Jackson and Dominique Fishback in the six-episode series based on the acclaimed novel by best-selling author Walter Mosley.
In The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey, produced by Apple Studios, Jackson stars as Ptolemy Grey, a 91-year-old man forgotten by his family, by his friends, by even himself. On the brink of sinking even deeper into a lonely dementia, Ptolemy experiences a seismic shift when he’s given the tremendous opportunity to briefly regain his memories, and uses this precious and fleeting lucidity to solve his nephew’s death and come to terms with his past.
In The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey, produced by Apple Studios, Jackson stars as Ptolemy Grey, a 91-year-old man forgotten by his family, by his friends, by even himself. On the brink of sinking even deeper into a lonely dementia, Ptolemy experiences a seismic shift when he’s given the tremendous opportunity to briefly regain his memories, and uses this precious and fleeting lucidity to solve his nephew’s death and come to terms with his past.
- 4/27/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
The time has come again for me to bring you the good word about the latest Blu-ray releases. As usual, I’m focused on physical media here – but you can always choose to check things out digitally and pretend you’re Johnny Mnemonic. Whatever floats your boat! This week’s Blu-ray round-up includes the pseudo-documentary Rolling Thunder Revue, the […]
The post New on Blu-ray: ‘Rolling Thunder Revue’, ‘Southland Tales’, ‘Fatman’, ‘Prince of Darkness’ appeared first on /Film.
The post New on Blu-ray: ‘Rolling Thunder Revue’, ‘Southland Tales’, ‘Fatman’, ‘Prince of Darkness’ appeared first on /Film.
- 1/27/2021
- by Chris Evangelista
- Slash Film
New Indie
Slated to open in theaters right when the pandemic lockdowns started, and subsequently lost in the 2020 shuffle, Cannes award-winner “The Climb” (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment) is a smart comedy you might have missed. Co-writers Michael Angelo Covino (who also directed) and Kyle Marvin star as lifelong friends Mike and Kyle who may, as it turns out, be dragging each other down. A playful and occasionally ouch-y spin on the buddy comedy, this film may well be a calling card for two up-and-coming comic talents.
Also available: Mel Gibson makes a very non-traditional Santa Claus in the dark holiday comedy “Fatman” (Saban/Paramount), but Walton Goggins steals the show as the hitman hired to dispatch St. Nick; Adam Brody stars as “The Kid Detective” (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment), whose boozy grown-up existence doesn’t quite reflect his youthful potential; “Synchronic” (Well Go USA Entertainment) stars Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan...
Slated to open in theaters right when the pandemic lockdowns started, and subsequently lost in the 2020 shuffle, Cannes award-winner “The Climb” (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment) is a smart comedy you might have missed. Co-writers Michael Angelo Covino (who also directed) and Kyle Marvin star as lifelong friends Mike and Kyle who may, as it turns out, be dragging each other down. A playful and occasionally ouch-y spin on the buddy comedy, this film may well be a calling card for two up-and-coming comic talents.
Also available: Mel Gibson makes a very non-traditional Santa Claus in the dark holiday comedy “Fatman” (Saban/Paramount), but Walton Goggins steals the show as the hitman hired to dispatch St. Nick; Adam Brody stars as “The Kid Detective” (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment), whose boozy grown-up existence doesn’t quite reflect his youthful potential; “Synchronic” (Well Go USA Entertainment) stars Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan...
- 1/27/2021
- by Alonso Duralde
- The Wrap
As is obligatory for the start of a new year, it’s time to look back at the sh*t-show that was last year and pick out our highlights of the year… In this special presentation, our host of Nerdly Out Loud, Kevin Haldon, wanted to bring something a little different to the website – in the form of a Video of his Top 10 Films of 2020. Below the video we have full review links to each of his picks…
Knuckledust: https://www.nerdly.co.uk/2020/12/02/knuckledust-vod-review/ Skylines: https://www.nerdly.co.uk/2020/12/23/skylines-vod-review/ Fatman: https://www.nerdly.co.uk/2020/11/25/fatman-review/ Legend of Baron To’a: https://www.nerdly.co.uk/2020/12/03/the-legend-of-baron-toa-vod-review/ Host: https://www.nerdly.co.uk/2020/08/21/host-review-shudder/ Tremors Shreiker Island: https://www.nerdly.co.uk/2020/11/05/tremors-shrieker-island-blu-ray-review/ Hosts: http://www.nerdly.co.uk/2020/10/02/hosts-vod-review/ Max Cloud: https://365flickspod.com/2020/12/20/the-intergalactic-adventures-of-max-cloud/ Why Don’t You Just Die: https://www.nerdly.
Knuckledust: https://www.nerdly.co.uk/2020/12/02/knuckledust-vod-review/ Skylines: https://www.nerdly.co.uk/2020/12/23/skylines-vod-review/ Fatman: https://www.nerdly.co.uk/2020/11/25/fatman-review/ Legend of Baron To’a: https://www.nerdly.co.uk/2020/12/03/the-legend-of-baron-toa-vod-review/ Host: https://www.nerdly.co.uk/2020/08/21/host-review-shudder/ Tremors Shreiker Island: https://www.nerdly.co.uk/2020/11/05/tremors-shrieker-island-blu-ray-review/ Hosts: http://www.nerdly.co.uk/2020/10/02/hosts-vod-review/ Max Cloud: https://365flickspod.com/2020/12/20/the-intergalactic-adventures-of-max-cloud/ Why Don’t You Just Die: https://www.nerdly.
- 1/5/2021
- by Kevin Haldon
- Nerdly
High-priced titles dominated the charts on New Year’s week with “The Croods: The New Age” leading the way. Sharing the glory was Liam Neeson: “Honest Thief,” a former theatrical/PVOD title, now thrives at $4.99, while Neeson’s 2011 Warner Bros. thriller “Unknown” is currently #1 at Netflix.
The thriving home-viewing market also includes “Soul” (Disney+ only) and “Wonder Woman 1984” (also in theaters). Neither studio reported specific results, though Warners claims “WW84” viewings by “millions” of subscribers. What constitutes a “view” remains undefined.
What stands out is the public is spending money on multiple high-price offerings. FandangoNow, which ranks by money spent, has a record nine PVOD titles in the top 10. (Only “Honest Thief” is standard priced at #4.) AmazonTV and GooglePlay also place PVOD entries in four of their five top slots.
Apart from “Croods,” the leading premium hits are “Tenet,” “Greenland,” and “The War With Grandpa.” At $14.99, “Grandpa” is less expensive,...
The thriving home-viewing market also includes “Soul” (Disney+ only) and “Wonder Woman 1984” (also in theaters). Neither studio reported specific results, though Warners claims “WW84” viewings by “millions” of subscribers. What constitutes a “view” remains undefined.
What stands out is the public is spending money on multiple high-price offerings. FandangoNow, which ranks by money spent, has a record nine PVOD titles in the top 10. (Only “Honest Thief” is standard priced at #4.) AmazonTV and GooglePlay also place PVOD entries in four of their five top slots.
Apart from “Croods,” the leading premium hits are “Tenet,” “Greenland,” and “The War With Grandpa.” At $14.99, “Grandpa” is less expensive,...
- 1/4/2021
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
Even as Covid-19 reduces travel, the public is in a holiday mood. Along with anecdotal reports of near-record Christmas tree sales and an increase of home-lighting displays, we say 11 Christmas-related films flourish this week on VOD and streaming charts. This includes some overlap between home viewing and theaters, as well as some oddball trends that suggest the platforms increasingly bleed into one another.
Our four charts each have a different film at #1; another two titles made all four charts. Apple TV has “The Grinch” on top even after weeks of Netflix play. GooglePlay still ranks “The New Mutants” as #1. Premium VOD entry “Let Him Go” leads at Spectrum, which counts by transactions; with a $19.99 price, that’s impressive. Revenue-based FandangoNow leads with “Honest Thief,” one of the top theatrical releases this fall. It has a mid-level PVOD price of $14.99, but as a new release this week it outpaced three more-expensive films.
Our four charts each have a different film at #1; another two titles made all four charts. Apple TV has “The Grinch” on top even after weeks of Netflix play. GooglePlay still ranks “The New Mutants” as #1. Premium VOD entry “Let Him Go” leads at Spectrum, which counts by transactions; with a $19.99 price, that’s impressive. Revenue-based FandangoNow leads with “Honest Thief,” one of the top theatrical releases this fall. It has a mid-level PVOD price of $14.99, but as a new release this week it outpaced three more-expensive films.
- 12/15/2020
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
Nerdly Out Loud is Nerdly’s very own podcast, bringing our website to your ears… Literally. Each episode host Kevin Haldon will be picking all the latest Movie, TV and Pop Culture reviews from the world of Nerdly and reading them out loud interjecting his own personal views of the ones he has seen. The main feature of these shows will be awesome interviews from directors, producers and people at all levels of the independent film world.
Nerdly Out Loud – Episode 7: Directors Ian & Eshom Nelms on ‘Fatman’ and guest host Jason Brigger from The History of Bad Ideas podcast
This time on Nerdly Out Loud I sat down to chat with Directors Ian and Eshom Nelms to chat about their Xmas flick starring Mel Gibson and Walton Goggins Fatman. A movie 14 years in the making and rapidly becoming the holiday movie of 2020. We chat up a storm about casting Mel,...
Nerdly Out Loud – Episode 7: Directors Ian & Eshom Nelms on ‘Fatman’ and guest host Jason Brigger from The History of Bad Ideas podcast
This time on Nerdly Out Loud I sat down to chat with Directors Ian and Eshom Nelms to chat about their Xmas flick starring Mel Gibson and Walton Goggins Fatman. A movie 14 years in the making and rapidly becoming the holiday movie of 2020. We chat up a storm about casting Mel,...
- 12/8/2020
- by Kevin Haldon
- Nerdly
The first week of December saw a lot of people watching holiday films at home. Makes sense; ’tis the season, even in this dreadful year. There’s also little in the way of new titles as competition — and the one major film to debut, timed to the awards season, failed to gain traction.
“Mank,” David Fincher’s Netflix biopic of screenwriter Herman Mankiewicz, is considered a leading Oscar contender but debuted to very little initial response. Available on Friday, it showed up at #10 Saturday (the first day it could chart), and has not reappeared since. The black-and-white film starring Gary Oldman and Amanda Seyfried didn’t gain the attention of other high-profile originals like “Da 5 Bloods,” “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” and “Hillbilly Elegy,” all of which debuted at first or second. Bumping “Mank” from 10th place was the 2000 Adam Sandler comedy “Little Nicky.”
On the four VOD charts we track,...
“Mank,” David Fincher’s Netflix biopic of screenwriter Herman Mankiewicz, is considered a leading Oscar contender but debuted to very little initial response. Available on Friday, it showed up at #10 Saturday (the first day it could chart), and has not reappeared since. The black-and-white film starring Gary Oldman and Amanda Seyfried didn’t gain the attention of other high-profile originals like “Da 5 Bloods,” “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” and “Hillbilly Elegy,” all of which debuted at first or second. Bumping “Mank” from 10th place was the 2000 Adam Sandler comedy “Little Nicky.”
On the four VOD charts we track,...
- 12/8/2020
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
It goes without saying that the domestic box office is struggling. That said, it feels that we are trying to find different ways of framing that story every week. At the end of the day, it’s a win to report any numbers at all considering the circumstances — especially for the specialty box office space where many titles are going straight to digital or debuting in a virtual cinema. That particular data is never readily available so all we have are the estimates for films that brave the pandemic and hit physical theaters across the country. With many states issuing closures and lockdowns during the third wave of Covid, the specialty space is almost a ghost town with the exception of some holdovers that are fueling the tank with what they have.
The Jackie Chan action pic Vanguard at Gravitas Ventures dropped its screen count from 800 theaters last week to 350. This weekend,...
The Jackie Chan action pic Vanguard at Gravitas Ventures dropped its screen count from 800 theaters last week to 350. This weekend,...
- 12/6/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Two recent films shared top honors this week on leading VOD charts. Of top significance is the early success of “Let Him Go” (Focus), one of several current releases from Universal and its specialty unit that is available for $19.99 only three weeks after its theatrical debut. “The New Mutants” (Disney), which was released in August and has a lower $5.99 cost placed #1 on two charts.
“Let Him Go,” a contemporary Western starring Kevin Costner and Diane Lane, soared on FandangoNow and Apple TV, two charts that provide the most immediate response. The former ranks by dollars paid; the latter lists by number of transactions. Placing ahead of films with much lower prices suggests very strong interest and hints that the Universal/Focus strategy could be working. The film also placed #6 at Google Play. With an earlier deadline, Spectrum usually lags behind the others; expect it to show up next week.
Also scoring well this week,...
“Let Him Go,” a contemporary Western starring Kevin Costner and Diane Lane, soared on FandangoNow and Apple TV, two charts that provide the most immediate response. The former ranks by dollars paid; the latter lists by number of transactions. Placing ahead of films with much lower prices suggests very strong interest and hints that the Universal/Focus strategy could be working. The film also placed #6 at Google Play. With an earlier deadline, Spectrum usually lags behind the others; expect it to show up next week.
Also scoring well this week,...
- 12/1/2020
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
Monday, Nov. 30 Hiroyuki Sanada Rounds Out ‘Bullet Train’ Cast
Japanese actor Hiroyuki Sanada will join Brad Pitt in Sony Pictures’ “Bullet Train,” based on the Japanese novel “Maria Beetle” in which a train in Tokyo is the setting for battles between criminals.
David Leitch is directing, with Kelly McCormick producing through 87North alongside Antoine Fuqua through Fuqua Films. Zak Olkewitz wrote the script. Michael Shannon, Mas Oka, Joey King, Aaron Taylor Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry and Zazie Beetz are also starring. Brittany Morrissey is the executive overseeing the project for Sony Pictures.
Sanada recently starred in Zack Snyder’s “Army of the Dead” for Netflix and just wrapped shooting the fantasy action film “Mortal Kombat.” He will next appear in Andrew Levitas’ “Minamata,” opposite Johnny Depp. His other credits include HBO’s “Westworld,” “Avengers: Endgame” and “The Twilight Samurai.” The news was first reported by Deadline Hollywood.
Israel Film Festival...
Japanese actor Hiroyuki Sanada will join Brad Pitt in Sony Pictures’ “Bullet Train,” based on the Japanese novel “Maria Beetle” in which a train in Tokyo is the setting for battles between criminals.
David Leitch is directing, with Kelly McCormick producing through 87North alongside Antoine Fuqua through Fuqua Films. Zak Olkewitz wrote the script. Michael Shannon, Mas Oka, Joey King, Aaron Taylor Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry and Zazie Beetz are also starring. Brittany Morrissey is the executive overseeing the project for Sony Pictures.
Sanada recently starred in Zack Snyder’s “Army of the Dead” for Netflix and just wrapped shooting the fantasy action film “Mortal Kombat.” He will next appear in Andrew Levitas’ “Minamata,” opposite Johnny Depp. His other credits include HBO’s “Westworld,” “Avengers: Endgame” and “The Twilight Samurai.” The news was first reported by Deadline Hollywood.
Israel Film Festival...
- 11/30/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
As states and cities start new stay-at-home orders — specifically Los Angeles county — it is only expected that box office will continue to struggle. This applies even more to the specialty box office.
This weekend we saw a trio of films about iconic figures in cultural history: the Gabriel Range-directed Stardust showed us the early evolution of David Bowie; Steven Bernstein’s Last Call put the spotlight on poet Dylan Thomas; and Alex Winter’s Zappa took a look at the experimental, trailblazing musician. All received theatrical releases, but the sobering figures reflected the number of people who are actually going to theaters during the pandemic.
IFC Films set a day and date release of Stardust with 44 runs in 25 markets. Of these, 70% of the runs were under $100 for Friday and Saturday combined. It was the same story for K Street Pictures’ Last Call which opened in 17 runs in seven markets.
This weekend we saw a trio of films about iconic figures in cultural history: the Gabriel Range-directed Stardust showed us the early evolution of David Bowie; Steven Bernstein’s Last Call put the spotlight on poet Dylan Thomas; and Alex Winter’s Zappa took a look at the experimental, trailblazing musician. All received theatrical releases, but the sobering figures reflected the number of people who are actually going to theaters during the pandemic.
IFC Films set a day and date release of Stardust with 44 runs in 25 markets. Of these, 70% of the runs were under $100 for Friday and Saturday combined. It was the same story for K Street Pictures’ Last Call which opened in 17 runs in seven markets.
- 11/29/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
This week brings the release of two very different Christmas movies with Santa Claus as the main character, although they do both star actors who played a series of iconic roles throughout the 1980s. Mel Gibson’s Fatman is a dark and R-rated spin on the holiday genre, while Kurt Russell‘s The Christmas Chronicles 2 is an altogether more whimsical and heartwarming tale.
In fact, the aforementioned sequel is guaranteed to be one of the most popular titles on Netflix throughout the festive season, and has already gone down a storm with subscribers. Not only is it the follow-up to a movie that brought in 20 million streams in the first week it was available two years ago, but co-writer and director Chris Columbus knows a thing or two about crafting Christmas classics after scripting Gremlins and helming Home Alone.
In a recent interview, though, the filmmaker dropped the bombshell...
In fact, the aforementioned sequel is guaranteed to be one of the most popular titles on Netflix throughout the festive season, and has already gone down a storm with subscribers. Not only is it the follow-up to a movie that brought in 20 million streams in the first week it was available two years ago, but co-writer and director Chris Columbus knows a thing or two about crafting Christmas classics after scripting Gremlins and helming Home Alone.
In a recent interview, though, the filmmaker dropped the bombshell...
- 11/28/2020
- by Scott Campbell
- We Got This Covered
As is the case every week, a slew of new titles have hit the VOD market, and business has been booming over the last few months, as movie fans desperately seek out the newest releases with the theatrical industry remaining in the doldrums.
Admittedly, there are less than half as many films as there was last week, when we saw everything from comic book dud The New Mutants to Russell Crowe putting on a fat suit to play a psychopath in Unhinged, while braver viewers also could have tackled the bizarre Chinese fantasy blockbuster Iron Mask that had action icons Arnold Schawarzenegger and Jackie Chan share the screen for the very first time.
This week’s marquee release is Fatman, the R-rated alternative Christmas thriller that sees Mel Gibson as a disgruntled and disillusioned Santa Claus, forced to fight for his life after a 12 year-old kid gets a lump of...
Admittedly, there are less than half as many films as there was last week, when we saw everything from comic book dud The New Mutants to Russell Crowe putting on a fat suit to play a psychopath in Unhinged, while braver viewers also could have tackled the bizarre Chinese fantasy blockbuster Iron Mask that had action icons Arnold Schawarzenegger and Jackie Chan share the screen for the very first time.
This week’s marquee release is Fatman, the R-rated alternative Christmas thriller that sees Mel Gibson as a disgruntled and disillusioned Santa Claus, forced to fight for his life after a 12 year-old kid gets a lump of...
- 11/28/2020
- by Scott Campbell
- We Got This Covered
It’s the holiday season again. Thank goodness. After what has been a particularly difficult year, a little seasonal cheer has never felt more comforting or needed, even if the smiles need to be hidden behind Christmas themed masks.
There’s never been a better time to curl up with a good Christmas movie on the streaming service of your choice. Of course that includes all of your favorite Christmas classics, which we’ve rounded up a schedule guide for here, but it also means a chance to try something new. Netflix has already gotten a hardy start to the holiday season, and yet more streaming carolers are headed for your door. So without further ado here is a guide to the new streaming presents waiting to be unwrapped.
Angela’s Christmas Wish
Available on Netflix on December 1
Certainly a Christmas movie meant for younger families, Netflix’s upcoming animated film,...
There’s never been a better time to curl up with a good Christmas movie on the streaming service of your choice. Of course that includes all of your favorite Christmas classics, which we’ve rounded up a schedule guide for here, but it also means a chance to try something new. Netflix has already gotten a hardy start to the holiday season, and yet more streaming carolers are headed for your door. So without further ado here is a guide to the new streaming presents waiting to be unwrapped.
Angela’s Christmas Wish
Available on Netflix on December 1
Certainly a Christmas movie meant for younger families, Netflix’s upcoming animated film,...
- 11/27/2020
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
Marathon session between Angela Merkel, state leaders extends partial lockdown.
Hopes that German cinemas could be back in business from December 1 were dashed on Wednesday (November 25) after a seven hour-plus video conference between Federal chancellor Angela Merkel and the prime ministers of the 16 regional states.
In a resolution announced late in the evening the politicians agreed to an extension of Germany’s current partial lockdown through the end of December.
The so-called “lockdown light” has been in force since November 4 and was due to expire on November 30.
Under the measure, doors have closed temporarily on cultural institutions such as theatres,...
Hopes that German cinemas could be back in business from December 1 were dashed on Wednesday (November 25) after a seven hour-plus video conference between Federal chancellor Angela Merkel and the prime ministers of the 16 regional states.
In a resolution announced late in the evening the politicians agreed to an extension of Germany’s current partial lockdown through the end of December.
The so-called “lockdown light” has been in force since November 4 and was due to expire on November 30.
Under the measure, doors have closed temporarily on cultural institutions such as theatres,...
- 11/25/2020
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
Stars: Mel Gibson, Walton Goggins, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Chance Hurstfield | Written and Directed by Ian Nelms, Eshom Nelms
I’ll be honest, if you said that I am not exactly a huge fan of Christmas movies you would be absolutely correct; with the few that I do like not exactly being your typical movies. I thought Bad Santa was decent and I like Jingle All The Way a lot but for the most part I’m not that fussed.
That was until 2020 came around and among all the real life crap this year threw at us, a trailer dropped for a new movie starring the criminally underrated and under-utilised Walton Goggins. I mean seriously how is this guy not in bloody everything? Even Marvel hires him for Ant-Man and the Wasp only to bury his role but the dude is insanely good. This trailer also featured what looked to be a...
I’ll be honest, if you said that I am not exactly a huge fan of Christmas movies you would be absolutely correct; with the few that I do like not exactly being your typical movies. I thought Bad Santa was decent and I like Jingle All The Way a lot but for the most part I’m not that fussed.
That was until 2020 came around and among all the real life crap this year threw at us, a trailer dropped for a new movie starring the criminally underrated and under-utilised Walton Goggins. I mean seriously how is this guy not in bloody everything? Even Marvel hires him for Ant-Man and the Wasp only to bury his role but the dude is insanely good. This trailer also featured what looked to be a...
- 11/25/2020
- by Kevin Haldon
- Nerdly
Mel Gibson cornered the market on playing grizzled and charismatic badasses with more than a hint of darkness behind the eyes over three decades ago, but the Lethal Weapon star is nowhere near the first name that comes to mind when you envision Santa Claus. In most Christmas movies, Jolly Old Saint Nick is a lovable character that embodies the festive season, but in Eshom and Ian Nelms’ subversive Fatman, Gibson’s Chris Cringle is running low on both enthusiasm and patience.
The sort of alternative holiday caper that’s destined for cult classic status, Fatman sees a 12 year-old kid hire a hitman to kill Santa after receiving a lump of coal in his stocking. That sort of high concept pitch could easily be played for laughs, but the pic incorporates elements of the action, thriller and Western genres to create a uniquely entertaining melting pot of influences.
Fatman Gallery...
The sort of alternative holiday caper that’s destined for cult classic status, Fatman sees a 12 year-old kid hire a hitman to kill Santa after receiving a lump of coal in his stocking. That sort of high concept pitch could easily be played for laughs, but the pic incorporates elements of the action, thriller and Western genres to create a uniquely entertaining melting pot of influences.
Fatman Gallery...
- 11/25/2020
- by Scott Campbell
- We Got This Covered
It’s almost a certainty that you’ve never seen a Christmas movie like Fatman. You know how they wanted to make all superhero films in that “gritty, realistic” style that Christopher Nolan turned into billions of dollars with the Dark Knight trilogy? In Fatman, writers/directors Ian and Eshom Nelms (Small Town Crime) take the greatest superhero of them all, Santa Claus, and transform him into a struggling, borderline alcoholic curmudgeon who may lose his business, and has a killer after him to boot.
That’s right: As played by a more grizzled than usual Mel Gibson, whose voice emanates from somewhere deep within the considerable beard he’s sporting, Chris Kringle is bitter and depressed over the state of the world. More and more kids are making bad choices, leaving him no option but to deliver them hunks of coal instead of toys. But that also creates a...
That’s right: As played by a more grizzled than usual Mel Gibson, whose voice emanates from somewhere deep within the considerable beard he’s sporting, Chris Kringle is bitter and depressed over the state of the world. More and more kids are making bad choices, leaving him no option but to deliver them hunks of coal instead of toys. But that also creates a...
- 11/23/2020
- by Don Kaye
- Den of Geek
Exclusive: Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Blindspot) has been tapped for a new series regular role opposite John Krasinski in the upcoming third season of Prime Video’s Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, a co-production of Amazon Studios, Paramount Television Studios and Skydance Television.
Jean-Baptiste will play Elizabeth Wright, the Chief of Station. There is no production start date yet; filming is expected to begin in 2021.
Jack Ryan is executive produced by Andrew Form, Krasinski, Allyson Seeger, Vaun Wilmott, Brad Fuller and Michael Bay alongside Clancy, Skydance’s David Ellison and Dana Goldberg, Marcy Ross and Mace Neufeld.
Jean-Baptiste, an Oscar nominee for Secrets and Lies, was recently seen in Peter Strickland’s feature film In Fabric and in series Soundtrack on Netflix and Homecoming on Amazon. She will next be seen in Eshom and Ian Nelms’ dark comedy, Fatman. Her TV series credits also include CBS’ Training Day and Without a Trace and NBC’s Blindspot.
Jean-Baptiste will play Elizabeth Wright, the Chief of Station. There is no production start date yet; filming is expected to begin in 2021.
Jack Ryan is executive produced by Andrew Form, Krasinski, Allyson Seeger, Vaun Wilmott, Brad Fuller and Michael Bay alongside Clancy, Skydance’s David Ellison and Dana Goldberg, Marcy Ross and Mace Neufeld.
Jean-Baptiste, an Oscar nominee for Secrets and Lies, was recently seen in Peter Strickland’s feature film In Fabric and in series Soundtrack on Netflix and Homecoming on Amazon. She will next be seen in Eshom and Ian Nelms’ dark comedy, Fatman. Her TV series credits also include CBS’ Training Day and Without a Trace and NBC’s Blindspot.
- 11/23/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Victorian cinemagoers have propelled Christopher Nolan’s Tenet back to the top of the local box office, with exhibitors in the state further encouraged by loosening of capacity restrictions from today.
The Warner Bros. title, now 13 weeks in release Australia-wide, brought in $512,954 from 139 screens, advancing to $13.5 million.
IMAX Melbourne reopened last Thursday with back-to-back screenings of the thriller, with Nolan having recorded an exclusive message for the cinema.
It is one of just 13 sites in the world to screen it on IMAX 1570 film; the majority of Tenet was shot with IMAX 15 perforation 70mm (1570) film cameras.
“All upcoming sessions of Tenet are largely sold out and we will be releasing more tickets this week to accommodate demand,” IMAX Melbourne Gm Richard Morrison tells If.
Tenet‘s result meant Australia was once again the second highest performing market for the film last weekend after the US. Globally, the title has now reached $US356 million.
The Warner Bros. title, now 13 weeks in release Australia-wide, brought in $512,954 from 139 screens, advancing to $13.5 million.
IMAX Melbourne reopened last Thursday with back-to-back screenings of the thriller, with Nolan having recorded an exclusive message for the cinema.
It is one of just 13 sites in the world to screen it on IMAX 1570 film; the majority of Tenet was shot with IMAX 15 perforation 70mm (1570) film cameras.
“All upcoming sessions of Tenet are largely sold out and we will be releasing more tickets this week to accommodate demand,” IMAX Melbourne Gm Richard Morrison tells If.
Tenet‘s result meant Australia was once again the second highest performing market for the film last weekend after the US. Globally, the title has now reached $US356 million.
- 11/23/2020
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
There aren’t any huge surprises in the specialty box office as we enter what is expected to be a very different Thanksgiving holiday week. Normally, this would be the time of year where people would be participating in post-Thanksgiving dinner moviegoing. But, as we know, theaters are shuttered. As the spike in Covid cases across the country continue, box office numbers won’t be seeing much action, as lockdowns and stay-at-home orders impact numbers.
As Anthony D’Alessandro reported, Sony’s WWII art forgery drama The Last Vermeer, starring Guy Pearce, opened in 912 theaters and is expected to earn an estimated $225,000 for the weekend, with a per-theater average of $247.
The Gravitas action pic Vanguard debuted in 1,375 theaters. The movie marked a reunion between martial arts icon Jackie Chan and director Stanley Tong, and earned an estimated $400,000 in its first weekend out.
Again, these numbers aren’t the greatest. But looking...
As Anthony D’Alessandro reported, Sony’s WWII art forgery drama The Last Vermeer, starring Guy Pearce, opened in 912 theaters and is expected to earn an estimated $225,000 for the weekend, with a per-theater average of $247.
The Gravitas action pic Vanguard debuted in 1,375 theaters. The movie marked a reunion between martial arts icon Jackie Chan and director Stanley Tong, and earned an estimated $400,000 in its first weekend out.
Again, these numbers aren’t the greatest. But looking...
- 11/22/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Welcome one, welcome all to this weeks’ fun-filled edition of The Playlist Podcast. This week, Charles, Mike, and Brian discuss the death of movie theaters (again), as well as two quality films, “Sound of Metal” and “The Nest,” while also being joined by director Sean Durkin.
Listen: ‘Freaky,’ ‘Fatman’ & David Fincher: The Good, The Bad & The Masterful [The Playlist Podcast]
First, the boys talk “Wonder Woman 1984” and the recent news the film is heading to theaters and HBO Max on Christmas Day.
Continue reading ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ Goes Streaming & Sean Durkin Talks ‘The Nest’ [The Playlist Podcast] at The Playlist.
Listen: ‘Freaky,’ ‘Fatman’ & David Fincher: The Good, The Bad & The Masterful [The Playlist Podcast]
First, the boys talk “Wonder Woman 1984” and the recent news the film is heading to theaters and HBO Max on Christmas Day.
Continue reading ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ Goes Streaming & Sean Durkin Talks ‘The Nest’ [The Playlist Podcast] at The Playlist.
- 11/19/2020
- by Charles Barfield
- The Playlist
We live in an era where the major Hollywood studios have found a way to weaponize nostalgia and make money out of it, and because of that, no popular franchise with a built-in fanbase is ever truly over. Over the last decade or so, countless dormant brands have been resurrected after a long absence for new outings, and despite the wildly inconsistent quality of the final product, the box office returns are usually enough to justify their existence.
The last installment may have arrived 22 years ago, but Lethal Weapon 5 has started gathering some serious momentum over the last little while. Mel Gibson and Danny Glover are set to reprise their iconic roles as Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh, with series director Richard Donner poised to step behind the camera for the first time since 2006’s Bruce Willis vehicle 16 Blocks.
Glover recently admitted that Lethal Weapon 5 has the potential to be something extraordinary,...
The last installment may have arrived 22 years ago, but Lethal Weapon 5 has started gathering some serious momentum over the last little while. Mel Gibson and Danny Glover are set to reprise their iconic roles as Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh, with series director Richard Donner poised to step behind the camera for the first time since 2006’s Bruce Willis vehicle 16 Blocks.
Glover recently admitted that Lethal Weapon 5 has the potential to be something extraordinary,...
- 11/17/2020
- by Scott Campbell
- We Got This Covered
It’s no secret that the box office space has been struggling to find life during the pandemic — and it seems to be even more difficult for the specialty box office space. As specialty films try to navigate the space by shifting to PVOD, digital, and virtual openings, some distributors continue to brave the landscape of shuttered theaters and strategize theatrical releases to keep the specialty box office afloat.
Neon’s buzzy Oscar offering Ammonite is the the most noticeable specialty box office title that was released in theaters this weekend. The period romance, written and directed by Francis Lee and starring Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan, debuted on 280 screens this weekend, earning an estimated cume of $85,000, with a per-screen average of $304.
The film sits at a 69% on Rotten Tomatoes, and earned the most on Saturday, with an estimated $32,000. Considering Covid-19 cases are spiking across the country, cinephiles are probably...
Neon’s buzzy Oscar offering Ammonite is the the most noticeable specialty box office title that was released in theaters this weekend. The period romance, written and directed by Francis Lee and starring Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan, debuted on 280 screens this weekend, earning an estimated cume of $85,000, with a per-screen average of $304.
The film sits at a 69% on Rotten Tomatoes, and earned the most on Saturday, with an estimated $32,000. Considering Covid-19 cases are spiking across the country, cinephiles are probably...
- 11/15/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Even as Covid-19 infections seem to reach new heights on a daily basis, theatrical grosses remained stable; the top 10 accounted for a little less than $11 million. By every other macrostatistic, however, the results remain unsustainable. Of the 3,000 complexes currently open, about half with eight or more auditoriums, the average weekend take is $5,000-$6,000. In normal times, the average would be around $50,000. Aggregate grosses are around 10 percent-15 percent of normal; this weekend last year saw a top 10 of $90,000.
The disappointments this weekend start with “Freaky.” Trying to predict what the Universal and Blumhouse Productions horror comedy would do was an inexact science; in recent weeks, $4 million has been the ceiling for a wide release. The hope was a more mainstream entry like this one could see $6 million or better.
At $3.7 million, it didn’t. Is it the increased resistance to going out? Awareness that it will be available on premium VOD in three weeks?...
The disappointments this weekend start with “Freaky.” Trying to predict what the Universal and Blumhouse Productions horror comedy would do was an inexact science; in recent weeks, $4 million has been the ceiling for a wide release. The hope was a more mainstream entry like this one could see $6 million or better.
At $3.7 million, it didn’t. Is it the increased resistance to going out? Awareness that it will be available on premium VOD in three weeks?...
- 11/15/2020
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
In Fatman, Mel Gibson stars as Chris—whose last name is yes, Kringle. Now, Gibson’s Santa is unlike any Claus that Hollywood history has ever produced.
That’s a good thing because a bratty kid Billy Wenan (Chance Hurstfield) has hired a hitman (Walton Goggins) to take him out for gifting him a lump of coal (it was so deserved).
All that shooting at empty cans that Chris does in the name of stress relief will come in handy. When Goggins’ so-called “Skinny Man” comes calling, armed for a small revolution, it’s a high-noon moment right out of the best Westerns.
Eshom Nelms and Ian Nelms directed the flick and also penned the screenplay. It is a film that never takes itself seriously. Yet all of its players do, and that works brilliantly for the tonal resonance of Fatman.
Even Marianne Jean-Baptiste’s Ruth, aka Mrs. Claus, is...
That’s a good thing because a bratty kid Billy Wenan (Chance Hurstfield) has hired a hitman (Walton Goggins) to take him out for gifting him a lump of coal (it was so deserved).
All that shooting at empty cans that Chris does in the name of stress relief will come in handy. When Goggins’ so-called “Skinny Man” comes calling, armed for a small revolution, it’s a high-noon moment right out of the best Westerns.
Eshom Nelms and Ian Nelms directed the flick and also penned the screenplay. It is a film that never takes itself seriously. Yet all of its players do, and that works brilliantly for the tonal resonance of Fatman.
Even Marianne Jean-Baptiste’s Ruth, aka Mrs. Claus, is...
- 11/14/2020
- by Joel Amos
- TVfanatic
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