MaryAnn’s quick take… Tepid teen romance turned implausible thriller is just about saved by a powerful, and unusually disturbing, performance from Bill Paxton (one of his last). I’m “biast” (pro): love Bill Paxton
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
Alas that the most interesting thing about Mean Dreams is that it is the second-to-last performance from Bill Paxton that we will ever get, and a doozy of a performance at that. (Paxton will also appear in The Circle, opening wide in the Us in April, which I have not yet seen; I don’t think any critics have.) Alas for Paxton fans (I am a huge one); alas for The Movies, which will no longer enjoy the understated appeal of his solid presence; and alas for this particular movie, that he makes the rest of it look just...
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
Alas that the most interesting thing about Mean Dreams is that it is the second-to-last performance from Bill Paxton that we will ever get, and a doozy of a performance at that. (Paxton will also appear in The Circle, opening wide in the Us in April, which I have not yet seen; I don’t think any critics have.) Alas for Paxton fans (I am a huge one); alas for The Movies, which will no longer enjoy the understated appeal of his solid presence; and alas for this particular movie, that he makes the rest of it look just...
- 3/19/2017
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
An aside: I find it to be a personal obligation to mention the untimely passing of Bill Paxton, whose consistently vivid performances will be sorely missed within the cinematic landscape for years to come and to whom I tip my hat. Fortunately, his hard-bit turn in Nathan Morlando’s slice of rural neo-noir, Mean Dreams, wonderfully encapsulates why he was so damn good. At the same time, I also feel it is my responsibility to look at the film around him, and objectively consider its craft and impact without the need to tiptoe.
Nathan Morlando’s second feature, penned by first-time writers Kevin Coughlin and Ryan Grassby, is a thriller both intimate in scale and raw in execution. Casey Caraway (Sophie Nélisse) has just moved into a farmhouse with her father, Wayne (Paxton), who has more bark and bite than their dog — and also happens to be a cop. She soon runs into her neighbor,...
Nathan Morlando’s second feature, penned by first-time writers Kevin Coughlin and Ryan Grassby, is a thriller both intimate in scale and raw in execution. Casey Caraway (Sophie Nélisse) has just moved into a farmhouse with her father, Wayne (Paxton), who has more bark and bite than their dog — and also happens to be a cop. She soon runs into her neighbor,...
- 3/16/2017
- by Mike Mazzanti
- The Film Stage
The new trailer for the upcoming thriller Mean Dreams carries the tragic burden of including one of the final roles completed by the late Bill Paxton. The actor, who recently passed away at the age of 61, is beloved by fans of blockbusters and independent film alike, having built a career that spanned four decades. He delivered memorable roles in every genre, but it seems as though this particular parting gift might well be one for the ages. Featuring a nuanced amplification of the kind of disturbing violence contained in his own directorial debut, Frailty, Bill Paxton looms over this promotional footage of Mean Dreams with a terrifying intensity.
Directed by Nathan Morlando (Gangster), and with a script that marks the feature length debut of writers Kevin Coughlin and Ryan Grassby, Mean Dreams centres on two teenagers and their attempts to escape their abusive domestic situations while falling in love in rural America.
Directed by Nathan Morlando (Gangster), and with a script that marks the feature length debut of writers Kevin Coughlin and Ryan Grassby, Mean Dreams centres on two teenagers and their attempts to escape their abusive domestic situations while falling in love in rural America.
- 3/2/2017
- by Sarah Myles
- We Got This Covered
Genre filmmaking and cinema as a whole lost an essential player recently with the devastating passing of Bill Paxton. A smart actor with a continual understanding of how to shift his performance depending on genre, Paxton has always been a delight to behold. Fortunately, more of his work is yet to come, as a new trailer for the indie thriller Mean Dreams demonstrates Paxton’s menace and endless watchability.
Penned by first-time writers Kevin Coughlin and Ryan Grassby, Mean Dreams — which premiered at the Directors’ Fortnight section at Cannes — is the second feature directed by Nathan Morlondo. The film follows two teenagers (Sophie Nélisse and Josh Wiggins) on the run from abusive homes and parents (including a ruthless Paxton), who find love and danger on the road to freedom. Ahead of a release later this month, see the trailer below, with a nod to First Showing, along with a poster and synopsis.
Penned by first-time writers Kevin Coughlin and Ryan Grassby, Mean Dreams — which premiered at the Directors’ Fortnight section at Cannes — is the second feature directed by Nathan Morlondo. The film follows two teenagers (Sophie Nélisse and Josh Wiggins) on the run from abusive homes and parents (including a ruthless Paxton), who find love and danger on the road to freedom. Ahead of a release later this month, see the trailer below, with a nod to First Showing, along with a poster and synopsis.
- 3/1/2017
- by Mike Mazzanti
- The Film Stage
How much does a dollar cost? A lot for Jonas (Josh Wiggins) and Casey (Sophie Nelisse) in Nathan Morlando's Mean Dreams. Also starring Bill Paxton and Colm Feore, Mean Dreams is slated for a theatrical and VOD release this March, and the film's official poster and trailer have now been revealed.
Directed by Nathan Morlando from a screenplay by Kevin Coughlin and Ryan Grassby, Mean Dreams stars Bill Paxton, Colm Feore, Sophie Nélisse, and Josh Wiggins. Vertical Entertainment will release Mean Dreams in theaters and on VOD beginning March 17th.
"Mean Dreams follows courageous local farm boy Jonas (Josh Wiggins) and the new girl next door, Casey (Sophie Nélisse), as they embark on a journey that will change their lives forever. As young love blossoms between the two fifteen-year-olds, Jonas also discovers that Casey’s abusive home life has reached a new level of danger, and Jonas takes the...
Directed by Nathan Morlando from a screenplay by Kevin Coughlin and Ryan Grassby, Mean Dreams stars Bill Paxton, Colm Feore, Sophie Nélisse, and Josh Wiggins. Vertical Entertainment will release Mean Dreams in theaters and on VOD beginning March 17th.
"Mean Dreams follows courageous local farm boy Jonas (Josh Wiggins) and the new girl next door, Casey (Sophie Nélisse), as they embark on a journey that will change their lives forever. As young love blossoms between the two fifteen-year-olds, Jonas also discovers that Casey’s abusive home life has reached a new level of danger, and Jonas takes the...
- 2/17/2017
- by Tamika Jones
- DailyDead
If American movies have taught us anything (this is Canadian, but still), it’s that there is no single more important event in anyone’s life or even in recorded history than the prom. Curing cancer? Killing Hitler? When was the last time you saw a character pursue any of these goals with the manic, all-consuming fervor with which well-dressed teenagers organize their prom? Life, however, teaches a different lesson. In truth, the prom is over in a couple of hours, plenty of people don’t even go, and it infrequently culminates in any sort of life lesson or coming of age experience, with most people agreeing afterward that the time and money might have been better spent elsewhere. As a result, things like Prom Wars are a bit hard to take. There probably are people who take the prom this seriously in reality, but those people aren’t really any easier to take,...
- 4/29/2010
- by Anders Nelson
- JustPressPlay.net
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.