With the New Year upon us, it’s time for our annual tradition of looking at the cinematic horizon. Having highlighted 30 films we guarantee are worth seeing this year and those we hope get U.S. distribution, we now venture into the unknown. We dug deep to chart the 100 films we’re most looking forward to, from debuts to documentaries to the return of some of our most-beloved auteurs, along with a small batch of studio films worth giving attention.
Though the majority lack a set release––let alone a confirmed festival premiere––most have wrapped production and will likely debut at some point in 2024. Be sure to check back for updates over the next twelve months (and beyond).
100. Civil War (Alex Garland; April 26)
A storm brewed across social media with the trailer for Alex Garland’s Civil War. Garland, who last invigorated and disgusted audiences with Men, still boasts...
Though the majority lack a set release––let alone a confirmed festival premiere––most have wrapped production and will likely debut at some point in 2024. Be sure to check back for updates over the next twelve months (and beyond).
100. Civil War (Alex Garland; April 26)
A storm brewed across social media with the trailer for Alex Garland’s Civil War. Garland, who last invigorated and disgusted audiences with Men, still boasts...
- 1/8/2024
- by The Film Stage
- The Film Stage
With a six-year-long stint in horror recently culminating in one of the very worst films of the century, David Gordon Green’s recent creative stretch has left those who have appreciated his more character-driven work of George Washington, All the Real Girls, Snow Angels, Joe, and even Pineapple Express more than a bit disappointed (though his work on The Righteous Gemstones is certainly worth of praise). The director is now finally returning to his dramatic roots with a new film that’s already in production in Ohio.
Deadline reports Gordon Green is directing Ben Stiller in the actor’s first leading role since 2017’s Brad’s Status and The Meyerowitz Stories––serendipitously the same year as Gordon Green’s last non-horror feature, Stronger––in Nutcrackers. Scripted by Leland Douglas (Call of the Wild), see the synopsis below.
Nutcrackers follows the work-obsessed Mike (Stiller), who must reluctantly travel to rural Ohio to...
Deadline reports Gordon Green is directing Ben Stiller in the actor’s first leading role since 2017’s Brad’s Status and The Meyerowitz Stories––serendipitously the same year as Gordon Green’s last non-horror feature, Stronger––in Nutcrackers. Scripted by Leland Douglas (Call of the Wild), see the synopsis below.
Nutcrackers follows the work-obsessed Mike (Stiller), who must reluctantly travel to rural Ohio to...
- 12/20/2023
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Artist Abigail Jill Harding makes her longform writing debut with the limited comic book series Parliament of Rooks, "a gothic love story told in 5 chapters over the course of the four seasons—Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter—and culminating in an epic conclusion." The first issue of Parliament of Rooks debuts on November 14th from Amazon’s Comixology Originals, and we have all the details, along with an exclusive preview you can read right now!
Parliament of Rooks is a tale of dark fantasy, forbidden romance, menacing forces, and enchanting characters, inspired by the striking, gregarious, black-feathered bird, known as a rook.
"Parliament of Rooks is my homage to stories I grew up loving by fellow Brits like Neil Gaiman's Sandman and Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights,” says Abigail Jill Harding. "This is the first series I've written and drawn myself. It's very ambitious and I'm excited for people to read it.
Parliament of Rooks is a tale of dark fantasy, forbidden romance, menacing forces, and enchanting characters, inspired by the striking, gregarious, black-feathered bird, known as a rook.
"Parliament of Rooks is my homage to stories I grew up loving by fellow Brits like Neil Gaiman's Sandman and Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights,” says Abigail Jill Harding. "This is the first series I've written and drawn myself. It's very ambitious and I'm excited for people to read it.
- 11/9/2023
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
One of the most exciting comic book industry announcements this year has been the formation of Dstlry, a new creator-owned publisher where the creators own part of the company, including writers and artists such as James Tynion IV, Scott Snyder, Jock, and more. Taking its name after the whiskey aging process, the debut publication is cleverly titled The Devil's Cut, and is a collection of 11 short stories, eight of which lead into full series.
One of those teams creating a full series is James Tynion and Christian Ward, who have been working on a haunted house epic titled Spectregraph, which is also the first story in the collection. We're thrilled to exclusively reveal a new direct-to-consumer variant cover for The Devil's Cut from Christian Ward for "Spectregraph" available only through www.dstlry.co, along with some incredible concept art!
Take a look at the full cover & concept art below and...
One of those teams creating a full series is James Tynion and Christian Ward, who have been working on a haunted house epic titled Spectregraph, which is also the first story in the collection. We're thrilled to exclusively reveal a new direct-to-consumer variant cover for The Devil's Cut from Christian Ward for "Spectregraph" available only through www.dstlry.co, along with some incredible concept art!
Take a look at the full cover & concept art below and...
- 8/30/2023
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
English actor Kate Beckinsale has steadily been appearing on the silver screen since 1991, starring in everything from independent British dramas to big-budget Hollywood blockbusters. Bringing an understated sense of elegance and grace to her roles, "The Underworld" film franchise star has proved to be just as adept at handling sharply written monologues as diving headfirst into tightly choreographed action set pieces. Whenever Beckinsale appears on-screen, all attention turns to turn her performance. She exudes natural magnetism -- regardless if she's playing the protagonist or a memorable supporting role.
With a career spanning over 30 years, Beckinsale imbues her characters with quiet confidence and sharp wit. While her numerous roles have run the gamut of her immense talent. Here are the 12 best Kate Beckinsale movies, from the start of her career adapting the works of William Shakespeare and Jane Austen to the action-driven movies that showcase her impressive physicality.
Underworld: Evolution
Of...
With a career spanning over 30 years, Beckinsale imbues her characters with quiet confidence and sharp wit. While her numerous roles have run the gamut of her immense talent. Here are the 12 best Kate Beckinsale movies, from the start of her career adapting the works of William Shakespeare and Jane Austen to the action-driven movies that showcase her impressive physicality.
Underworld: Evolution
Of...
- 4/8/2023
- by Samuel Stone
- Slash Film
From composers John Carpenter, Cody Carpenter, and Daniel Davies, the Halloween Ends Original Motion Picture Soundtrack has been officially announced this morning.
Billed by Carpenter as being the “soundtrack to the final showdown,” the Halloween Ends Original Motion Picture Soundtrack will release Digitally on October 14, 2022.
The soundtrack will later release physically on January 20, 2023.
“After 45 years, the most acclaimed, revered horror franchise in film history is set to reach its epic, terrifying conclusion as Laurie Strode faces off for the last time against the embodiment of evil, Michael Myers, in a final confrontation where only one of them will survive. When the franchise relaunched in 2018, Halloween shattered box office records, becoming the franchise’s highest-grossing chapter and setting a new record for the biggest opening weekend for a horror film starring a woman. In 2021, Halloween Kills earned the biggest opening weekend for any horror film in the pandemic era and simultaneously...
Billed by Carpenter as being the “soundtrack to the final showdown,” the Halloween Ends Original Motion Picture Soundtrack will release Digitally on October 14, 2022.
The soundtrack will later release physically on January 20, 2023.
“After 45 years, the most acclaimed, revered horror franchise in film history is set to reach its epic, terrifying conclusion as Laurie Strode faces off for the last time against the embodiment of evil, Michael Myers, in a final confrontation where only one of them will survive. When the franchise relaunched in 2018, Halloween shattered box office records, becoming the franchise’s highest-grossing chapter and setting a new record for the biggest opening weekend for a horror film starring a woman. In 2021, Halloween Kills earned the biggest opening weekend for any horror film in the pandemic era and simultaneously...
- 9/13/2022
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
"Underworld" actress Kate Beckinsale, star of the upcoming feature "Canary Black", poses for the latest digital issue of "Flaunt" magazine, wearing Max Mara, Hermès and Dundas, photographed by Frederic Auerbach:
Beckinsale made her film debut in "Much Ado About Nothing" (1993) while a student at the University of Oxford. She then appeared in Brit 'costume dramas' including "Prince of Jutland" (1994), "Cold Comfort Farm" (1995), "Emma" (1996) and "The Golden Bowl" (2000).
In the US she appeared in indie dramas "The Last Days of Disco" (1998) and "Brokedown Palace" (1999), followed by starring roles in "Pearl Harbor" (2001), "Serendipity" (2003), "Tiptoes" (2003), "The Aviator" (2004) and "Click" (2006).
Since being cast as 'Selene' in the "Underworld" film series (2003–2016), Beckinsale has become known primarily for her work in action films...
...including "Van Helsing" (2004), "Whiteout" (2009), "Contraband" (2012) and "Total Recall" (2012).
Beckinsale continues to work in film including "Snow Angels" (2007), "Nothing but the Truth" (2008), "Everybody's Fine" (2009), "Love & Friendship" (2016), "Underworld: Blood Wars" (2016)...
..."The Only Living Boy in New York...
Beckinsale made her film debut in "Much Ado About Nothing" (1993) while a student at the University of Oxford. She then appeared in Brit 'costume dramas' including "Prince of Jutland" (1994), "Cold Comfort Farm" (1995), "Emma" (1996) and "The Golden Bowl" (2000).
In the US she appeared in indie dramas "The Last Days of Disco" (1998) and "Brokedown Palace" (1999), followed by starring roles in "Pearl Harbor" (2001), "Serendipity" (2003), "Tiptoes" (2003), "The Aviator" (2004) and "Click" (2006).
Since being cast as 'Selene' in the "Underworld" film series (2003–2016), Beckinsale has become known primarily for her work in action films...
...including "Van Helsing" (2004), "Whiteout" (2009), "Contraband" (2012) and "Total Recall" (2012).
Beckinsale continues to work in film including "Snow Angels" (2007), "Nothing but the Truth" (2008), "Everybody's Fine" (2009), "Love & Friendship" (2016), "Underworld: Blood Wars" (2016)...
..."The Only Living Boy in New York...
- 8/21/2022
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
A daring character-driven crime drama about motherhood, “Snow Angels” is one of the highlights of this year’s Berlinale Series selection. Set in wintertime Stockholm, the gripping story follows three women — a mother, a policewoman and a child nurse — whose fates become intertwined following the disappearance of a 5-week-old infant.
The series is headlined by Josefin Asplund (“Vikings”), Eva Melander (“Border”), Maria Rossing (“Splitting Up Together”) and Ardalan Esmaili (“The Charmer”). Produced by Sweden’s Yellow Bird and Denmark’s Happy Ending Film, the six-part show is being represented in international markets by REinvent which unveiled a sale to Germany’s Ard Degeto at the start of market.
Variety talked to the strong female duo behind the gripping drama, the creator and writer Mette Heeno (“Splitting Up Together”), and the director Anna Zackrisson.
What’s the genesis of “Snow Angels”?
Mette Heeno: I wanted to explore the theme of motherhood...
The series is headlined by Josefin Asplund (“Vikings”), Eva Melander (“Border”), Maria Rossing (“Splitting Up Together”) and Ardalan Esmaili (“The Charmer”). Produced by Sweden’s Yellow Bird and Denmark’s Happy Ending Film, the six-part show is being represented in international markets by REinvent which unveiled a sale to Germany’s Ard Degeto at the start of market.
Variety talked to the strong female duo behind the gripping drama, the creator and writer Mette Heeno (“Splitting Up Together”), and the director Anna Zackrisson.
What’s the genesis of “Snow Angels”?
Mette Heeno: I wanted to explore the theme of motherhood...
- 3/4/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Other deals include for Erik Poppe’s The Emigrants and Bille August’s The Pact.
Rikke Ennis’ Danish outfit REinvent has closed a string of deals on its slate of upcoming films at the EFM.
They include Aku Louhimies’ Finnish action thriller Omerta 6/12, which has sold to Spain (A Contracorriente). Filming is underway on the feature, which will be delivered by the end of the year, while a four-part series version of the project is also being readied for mid-2022.
The story is based on Ilkka Remes’ best-selling novel 6/12, about a hostage crisis that occurs on Finland’s Independence Day.
Rikke Ennis’ Danish outfit REinvent has closed a string of deals on its slate of upcoming films at the EFM.
They include Aku Louhimies’ Finnish action thriller Omerta 6/12, which has sold to Spain (A Contracorriente). Filming is underway on the feature, which will be delivered by the end of the year, while a four-part series version of the project is also being readied for mid-2022.
The story is based on Ilkka Remes’ best-selling novel 6/12, about a hostage crisis that occurs on Finland’s Independence Day.
- 3/3/2021
- by Wendy Mitchell
- ScreenDaily
Year by year, the Berlin Film Festival’s drama series strand and market movers closer to center-stage. As in so many ways, Covid-19 may merely accelerate that process. The Zoo Palast Berlinale Series showcase no longer screen a time-consuming 20-minute taxi ride from the festival center, but online, its titles as accessible as festival movies.
For industry attendees movies — first arthouse and documentaries, later studio-style indie tentpoles — were the name of the game at Berlin. Now many producers who go to Berlin to talk movies are looking for a future with TV. After canvassing marketgoers, five takeaways about Berlin’s drama series lineup and Berlinale Series Market, which celebrates March 2 its Co-Pro Series pitching sessions, emerge:
The Biz So Far
In early industry news, Keshet Intl. has swooped in on sales rights to Norway’s “Suck It Up,” a drama produced by Monster Scripted for Viaplay and a reported standout...
For industry attendees movies — first arthouse and documentaries, later studio-style indie tentpoles — were the name of the game at Berlin. Now many producers who go to Berlin to talk movies are looking for a future with TV. After canvassing marketgoers, five takeaways about Berlin’s drama series lineup and Berlinale Series Market, which celebrates March 2 its Co-Pro Series pitching sessions, emerge:
The Biz So Far
In early industry news, Keshet Intl. has swooped in on sales rights to Norway’s “Suck It Up,” a drama produced by Monster Scripted for Viaplay and a reported standout...
- 3/2/2021
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
The character-driven, six-part crime drama is created and written by Mette Heeno.
REinvent has sold its Berlinale Series selection Snow Angels (Snöänglar) to Ard Degeto for Germany.
The character-driven, six-part crime drama is created and written by Mette Heeno (Splitting Up Together), directed by Anna Zackrisson and produced by Georgie Mathew for Sweden’s Yellow Bird and Denmark’s Happy Ending Film.
The story, set during a cold winter in Stockholm, is about three women — a mother, a policewoman and a child nurse — connected to the case of a missing infant. The cast is led by Josefin Asplund (Vikings), Eva Melander...
REinvent has sold its Berlinale Series selection Snow Angels (Snöänglar) to Ard Degeto for Germany.
The character-driven, six-part crime drama is created and written by Mette Heeno (Splitting Up Together), directed by Anna Zackrisson and produced by Georgie Mathew for Sweden’s Yellow Bird and Denmark’s Happy Ending Film.
The story, set during a cold winter in Stockholm, is about three women — a mother, a policewoman and a child nurse — connected to the case of a missing infant. The cast is led by Josefin Asplund (Vikings), Eva Melander...
- 3/2/2021
- by Wendy Mitchell
- ScreenDaily
The festival has announced the selection of series from Europe, South America and the USA, plus a standalone online platform for press screenings. Berlinale Series has revealed its 2020 line-up, which includes six TV shows from Europe, South America and the USA. The selection includes Sky's Me and the Others, an Austrian-German co-production created and directed by David Schalko; Russell T Davies' UK show It's a Sin, currently broadcast on Channel 4 and HBO Max with All3Media International; and the Swedish-Danish co-production Snow Angels, created by Mette Heeno for Svt and Dr. For the first time ever, two South American series are also part of the selection: the Argentinian HBO production Amongst Men and The Last Days of Gilda from Brazil. Moreover, Philly D.A., a US production by Oscar-nominated duo Josh Penn and Michael Gottwald, is the first documentary series to be invited into the programme. Meanwhile, Screendaily reports that.
The Berlin Film Festival has unveiled the six titles that will take part in the latest edition of Berlinale Series. The shows will screen online during the first week of March when the European Film Market runs, and the team are currently discussing plans for presenting some of the shows during the festival’s planned summer event.
The line-up includes Philly D.A., the strand’s first docuseries, which follows the most controversial District Attorney in the U.S. and will arrive from its premiere at Sundance. Deadline recently revealed that Dogwoof has boarded the project, which comes from Oscar-nominated duo Josh Penn and Michael Gottwald.
Latin American TV will be represented for the first time with two titles: Amongst Men (Entre Hombres), an Argentinian HBO production, and The Last Days of Gilda (Os últimos dias de Gilda) from Canal Brazil.
Russell T Davies’ drama set during the AIDS crisis,...
The line-up includes Philly D.A., the strand’s first docuseries, which follows the most controversial District Attorney in the U.S. and will arrive from its premiere at Sundance. Deadline recently revealed that Dogwoof has boarded the project, which comes from Oscar-nominated duo Josh Penn and Michael Gottwald.
Latin American TV will be represented for the first time with two titles: Amongst Men (Entre Hombres), an Argentinian HBO production, and The Last Days of Gilda (Os últimos dias de Gilda) from Canal Brazil.
Russell T Davies’ drama set during the AIDS crisis,...
- 1/26/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
While Hollywood has struggled to marry its affection for bombastic big-budget franchises and its audience’s hunger for the mid-budget romantic comedies that fell out of box-office fashion long ago, Netflix picked up the slack and ran with it. But bulking up its robust library of originals with a litany of rom-com offerings — a good thing! — doesn’t always equal with quality, even for a filmmaker-friendly streamer like Netflix. For every tender, funny hit like “To All the Boys,” there’s a retrograde entry like “The Kissing Booth.” For every clever “Always Be My Maybe,” there’s a forgettable waste of a good idea like “Love Wedding Repeat.” For every crowdpleaser like “Set It Up,” there’s a “Hey, what movie was that?” like “The Last Summer.”
Now there’s “Desperados,” which plays out like a needlessly gross-out version of the incredibly similarly themed “Ibiza,” an overlooked Netflix rom-com that...
Now there’s “Desperados,” which plays out like a needlessly gross-out version of the incredibly similarly themed “Ibiza,” an overlooked Netflix rom-com that...
- 7/3/2020
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
"Underworld" actress Kate Beckinsale poses for the January/February 2020 issue of "Women's Health" magazine, wearing Fila, Heroine Sport and Koral, photographed by Ben Watts:
Beckinsale made her film debut in "Much Ado About Nothing" (1993) while a student at the University of Oxford. She then appeared in Brit 'costume dramas' including "Prince of Jutland" (1994), "Cold Comfort Farm" (1995), "Emma" (1996) and "The Golden Bowl" (2000).
In the Us she appeared in indie dramas "The Last Days of Disco" (1998) and "Brokedown Palace" (1999), followed by starring roles in "Pearl Harbor" (2001), "Serendipity" (2003), "Tiptoes" (2003), "The Aviator" (2004) and "Click" (2006).
Since being cast as 'Selene' in the "Underworld" film series (2003–2016), Beckinsale has become known primarily for her work in action films...
...including "Van Helsing" (2004), "Whiteout" (2009), "Contraband" (2012) and "Total Recall" (2012).
Beckinsale continues to work in film including "Snow Angels" (2007), "Nothing but the Truth" (2008), "Everybody's Fine" (2009), "Love & Friendship" (2016), "Underworld: Blood Wars" (2016)...
..."The Only Living Boy in New York" (2017) and the ITV...
Beckinsale made her film debut in "Much Ado About Nothing" (1993) while a student at the University of Oxford. She then appeared in Brit 'costume dramas' including "Prince of Jutland" (1994), "Cold Comfort Farm" (1995), "Emma" (1996) and "The Golden Bowl" (2000).
In the Us she appeared in indie dramas "The Last Days of Disco" (1998) and "Brokedown Palace" (1999), followed by starring roles in "Pearl Harbor" (2001), "Serendipity" (2003), "Tiptoes" (2003), "The Aviator" (2004) and "Click" (2006).
Since being cast as 'Selene' in the "Underworld" film series (2003–2016), Beckinsale has become known primarily for her work in action films...
...including "Van Helsing" (2004), "Whiteout" (2009), "Contraband" (2012) and "Total Recall" (2012).
Beckinsale continues to work in film including "Snow Angels" (2007), "Nothing but the Truth" (2008), "Everybody's Fine" (2009), "Love & Friendship" (2016), "Underworld: Blood Wars" (2016)...
..."The Only Living Boy in New York" (2017) and the ITV...
- 2/19/2020
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
"Underworld" actress Kate Beckinsale poses for the January/February 2020 issue of "Women's Health" magazine, wearing Fila, Heroine Sport and Koral, photographed by Ben Watts:
Beckinsale made her film debut in "Much Ado About Nothing" (1993) while a student at the University of Oxford. She then appeared in Brit 'costume dramas' including "Prince of Jutland" (1994), "Cold Comfort Farm" (1995), "Emma" (1996) and "The Golden Bowl" (2000).
In the Us she appeared in indie dramas "The Last Days of Disco" (1998) and "Brokedown Palace" (1999), followed by starring roles in "Pearl Harbor" (2001), "Serendipity" (2003), "Tiptoes" (2003), "The Aviator" (2004) and "Click" (2006).
Since being cast as 'Selene' in the "Underworld" film series (2003–2016), Beckinsale has become known primarily for her work in action films...
...including "Van Helsing" (2004), "Whiteout" (2009), "Contraband" (2012) and "Total Recall" (2012).
Beckinsale continues to work in film including "Snow Angels" (2007), "Nothing but the Truth" (2008), "Everybody's Fine" (2009), "Love & Friendship" (2016), "Underworld: Blood Wars" (2016)...
..."The Only Living Boy in New York" (2017) and the ITV...
Beckinsale made her film debut in "Much Ado About Nothing" (1993) while a student at the University of Oxford. She then appeared in Brit 'costume dramas' including "Prince of Jutland" (1994), "Cold Comfort Farm" (1995), "Emma" (1996) and "The Golden Bowl" (2000).
In the Us she appeared in indie dramas "The Last Days of Disco" (1998) and "Brokedown Palace" (1999), followed by starring roles in "Pearl Harbor" (2001), "Serendipity" (2003), "Tiptoes" (2003), "The Aviator" (2004) and "Click" (2006).
Since being cast as 'Selene' in the "Underworld" film series (2003–2016), Beckinsale has become known primarily for her work in action films...
...including "Van Helsing" (2004), "Whiteout" (2009), "Contraband" (2012) and "Total Recall" (2012).
Beckinsale continues to work in film including "Snow Angels" (2007), "Nothing but the Truth" (2008), "Everybody's Fine" (2009), "Love & Friendship" (2016), "Underworld: Blood Wars" (2016)...
..."The Only Living Boy in New York" (2017) and the ITV...
- 12/20/2019
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
The crime-drama, commissioned by Nordic pubcasters Svt and Dr, is set to premiere in 2021. Stockholm-born helmer Anna Zackrisson will start filming a new Nordic TV series in February 2020. The project, entitled Snow Angels, follows her recent outings directing the Swedish television dramas Vår tid är nu (2018-2019) and Piratskattens hemlighet (2014). The six-episode crime-drama, penned by Mette Heeno and commissioned by public broadcasters Dr and Svt, is set the night before Christmas Eve, as Sweden is paralysed by heavy snowstorms. Meanwhile, five-week-old baby Lukas inexplicably disappears from his home in a Stockholm suburb, and his young parents are in shock. Veteran police officer Alice believes that something is not quite right with their stories and becomes obsessed with the case. Moreover, other people become suspicious of Lukas’ mother, Jenni, who took sleeping pills that night and doesn’t remember a thing,...
For composer David Wingo, “The Report” was “the kind of movie I’ve always wanted to work on,” something that’s “in the vein of ’70s paranoia thrillers” like “All the President’s Men” (1976) and “Three Days of the Condor” (1975). “I feel like those kinds of movies aren’t getting made that much anymore, and those are some of my favorite films and some of my favorite scores.” The composer spoke at length about his score for the film while appearing at Gold Derby’s Meet the Experts panel, hosted by managing editor Chris Beachum. Watch our exclusive video interview with Wingo above.
SEEOscar predictions: Top 10 frontrunners for Best Actor include Adam Driver, Leonardo DiCaprio, Joaquin Phoenix and …
Wingo has long been attracted to films that are essentially about “people exchanging information to one another, and it’s mostly talking,” which is something that doesn’t happen a lot in the titles he works on.
SEEOscar predictions: Top 10 frontrunners for Best Actor include Adam Driver, Leonardo DiCaprio, Joaquin Phoenix and …
Wingo has long been attracted to films that are essentially about “people exchanging information to one another, and it’s mostly talking,” which is something that doesn’t happen a lot in the titles he works on.
- 10/25/2019
- by Zach Laws and Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
While we've all grown to love Jack Pearson (Milo Ventimiglia) on This Is Us, we saw a whole different side of him through his relationship with his younger brother this past season. During season three, Michael Angarano won fans over with his incredible and heartbreaking portrayal of Nicky. Now, the talented star has received his first Emmy nomination for his incredible guest-role on the series. While Michael has received critical acclaim for his role on This Is Us, this certainly isn't his first brush with the spotlight. Get to know more about the charming actor ahead.
He's 31 years old. Michael was born on Dec. 3, 1987, in Brooklyn, NY. He's been acting since he was a kid. Michael first got into acting when he was only 5 years old. In 2000, he had a small role in Almost Famous, but his first major film role was in 2001's Little Secrets with Evan Rachel Wood and David Gallagher.
He's 31 years old. Michael was born on Dec. 3, 1987, in Brooklyn, NY. He's been acting since he was a kid. Michael first got into acting when he was only 5 years old. In 2000, he had a small role in Almost Famous, but his first major film role was in 2001's Little Secrets with Evan Rachel Wood and David Gallagher.
- 9/24/2019
- by Kelsie Gibson
- Popsugar.com
Guest actor casting in today’s increasingly rich landscape of television has evolved far beyond the days of glorified cameos, slumming stars or celebrities doing friendly favors. And the myriad ways that series and actors — from rising stars to A-listers — come together can result in moments of pure gold, on screen and at awards ceremonies.
Ann-Margret took a guest role on Netflix’s “The Kominsky Method” to shake off the grief she felt after the passing of her husband. “All of a sudden I get this call from [Alan] Arkin and he said, ‘You’ve got to get back to work!’” the screen icon recalls. Arkin pitched her to series creator Chuck Lorre to play the woman pursuing his recently widowed character, and they were soon sharing scenes together. “At the very end I said to him, ‘You were right.’”
Casting director Jen Euston, who’s found talent for Jenji Kohan...
Ann-Margret took a guest role on Netflix’s “The Kominsky Method” to shake off the grief she felt after the passing of her husband. “All of a sudden I get this call from [Alan] Arkin and he said, ‘You’ve got to get back to work!’” the screen icon recalls. Arkin pitched her to series creator Chuck Lorre to play the woman pursuing his recently widowed character, and they were soon sharing scenes together. “At the very end I said to him, ‘You were right.’”
Casting director Jen Euston, who’s found talent for Jenji Kohan...
- 6/7/2019
- by Scott Huver
- Variety Film + TV
Summer is here, and you know what that means — time to sit inside and watch TV in the dark. For those with HBO subscriptions looking to fill the void left by “Game of Thrones,” here is all the brand new content coming to the service in June.
Perhaps the most anticipated addition of the month is Season 2 of “Big Little Lies” coming June 9, now starring Meryl Streep alongside Zoë Kravitz, Reese Witherspoon, Shailene Woodley, Nicole Kidman, and Laura Dern.
Season one of Zendaya’s new Drake-produced high school drama series “Eurphoria” is also coming, and you can watch a teaser for it here. Fred Armisen’s comedy series “Los Espookys” arrives June 14.
Also Read: Lgbtq Hollywood: 18 Stars Who've Come Out Since Last Year's Pride (Photos)
October 2018’s retro-thriller “Bad Times at the El Royale” is also being added June 1, and it stars the magnificent Jeff Bridges alongside Jon Hamm, Dakota Johnson...
Perhaps the most anticipated addition of the month is Season 2 of “Big Little Lies” coming June 9, now starring Meryl Streep alongside Zoë Kravitz, Reese Witherspoon, Shailene Woodley, Nicole Kidman, and Laura Dern.
Season one of Zendaya’s new Drake-produced high school drama series “Eurphoria” is also coming, and you can watch a teaser for it here. Fred Armisen’s comedy series “Los Espookys” arrives June 14.
Also Read: Lgbtq Hollywood: 18 Stars Who've Come Out Since Last Year's Pride (Photos)
October 2018’s retro-thriller “Bad Times at the El Royale” is also being added June 1, and it stars the magnificent Jeff Bridges alongside Jon Hamm, Dakota Johnson...
- 6/2/2019
- by Margeaux Sippell
- The Wrap
"Days like today, and meeting you - that's happiness, my friend." Gravitas Ventures has debuted an official trailer for an indie drama titled Avenues, which marks the feature directorial debut of Brooklyn-born actor Michael Angarano. This premiered at a festival back in 2017 but is just now getting a VOD release almost two years later. Set in New York City, Angarano also stars in this film as Max. On his birthday following the suicide of his brother, Max and his friend Peter wander the wintry streets (or the "avenues") of Manhattan contemplating life, livelihood, and what it means to be an adult. Like most indie dramas. Also starring Ari Graynor, Adelaide Clemens, John Robinson, and Greg Vrotsos. It might be a worthwhile little film. Here's the first official trailer (+ poster) for Michael Angarano's Avenues, direct from YouTube: On his 25th birthday, Max attempts to distance himself ...
- 2/26/2019
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
This Is Us shocked fans when they revealed that Jack's younger brother, Nicky, didn't actually die in Vietnam, but perhaps what was more shocking was that Michael Angarano wouldn't continue playing the character in present day. While in the past, the actors have put on old-age makeup to portray their character in different eras, the show made the unexpected move to cast Griffin Dunne as an older Nicky.
So, what was the show's reasoning behind casting two different actors to play Nicky? Well, simply put, Angarano just had too much of "a baby face" to pull off a 70-year-old man. "Michael is an incredible actor, and I thought he gave an amazing performance when he's playing Nicky in his 40s. But at a certain point, he has such a baby face, it just breaks, and hair and makeup can only do so much," executive producer Issac Aptaker told Entertainment Weekly.
So, what was the show's reasoning behind casting two different actors to play Nicky? Well, simply put, Angarano just had too much of "a baby face" to pull off a 70-year-old man. "Michael is an incredible actor, and I thought he gave an amazing performance when he's playing Nicky in his 40s. But at a certain point, he has such a baby face, it just breaks, and hair and makeup can only do so much," executive producer Issac Aptaker told Entertainment Weekly.
- 2/2/2019
- by Kelsie Gibson
- Popsugar.com
Image Source: Getty / Monica Schipper
This Is Us has had a few new additions to the Pearson family this season. As we've learned more about Jack's time in Vietnam, we've also gotten to know more about his younger brother, Nicky. Even though Jack initially says his brother died during the war, we've come to learn that Nicky is actually alive and well. While Michael Angarano plays the character during flashbacks, Griffin Dunne will be playing the present-day version of the character in coming episodes.
During episode 11, we finally get to meet Dunne's Nicky, and we have to say, the similarities between the actors are pretty striking. Shortly after the episode, Angarano shared a photo of him and Dunne on set, and it made us do a double take. Not only do they look alike, but they also act alike. Interestingly enough, this isn't the first time the two have shared the screen together.
This Is Us has had a few new additions to the Pearson family this season. As we've learned more about Jack's time in Vietnam, we've also gotten to know more about his younger brother, Nicky. Even though Jack initially says his brother died during the war, we've come to learn that Nicky is actually alive and well. While Michael Angarano plays the character during flashbacks, Griffin Dunne will be playing the present-day version of the character in coming episodes.
During episode 11, we finally get to meet Dunne's Nicky, and we have to say, the similarities between the actors are pretty striking. Shortly after the episode, Angarano shared a photo of him and Dunne on set, and it made us do a double take. Not only do they look alike, but they also act alike. Interestingly enough, this isn't the first time the two have shared the screen together.
- 1/26/2019
- by Kelsie Gibson
- Popsugar.com
Michael Angarano is in a unique position on “This Is Us.” Although his character, Nicky Pearson, is one of the adult characters on the show — and one of the ones who is alive in the multiple time periods the series covers — he does not portray the role at every age. Instead, Griffin Dunne portrays the present-day Nicky, in a move that Angarano feels was “really, really right.”
“I think it benefits the show and the part to have an older actor playing the older version of Nicky. You’re playing a man who’s seen a lot, who’s lived a really hard life, and I think it’s really appropriate to have an actor with the appropriate amount of life experience to play the part,” he tells Variety.
After hearing of the role, Angarano got on a call with series co-showrunner Isaac Aptaker, he says, who laid out Nicky...
“I think it benefits the show and the part to have an older actor playing the older version of Nicky. You’re playing a man who’s seen a lot, who’s lived a really hard life, and I think it’s really appropriate to have an actor with the appropriate amount of life experience to play the part,” he tells Variety.
After hearing of the role, Angarano got on a call with series co-showrunner Isaac Aptaker, he says, who laid out Nicky...
- 1/23/2019
- by Danielle Turchiano
- Variety Film + TV
If any band is hardwired for tapping into a youthful holiday spirit, it’s the Old 97’s. The Texas cowpunks’ bratty insouciance could speak to the heart of any kid on Christmas morning, but their new LP Love the Holidays only happened because of the persistence of frontman Rhett Miller.
“The idea had been in the back of my mind for a few years, but the band was really uncomfortable with the idea of me trying to write songs for it,” says Miller, who defended his idea with his fellow 97’s last January.
“The idea had been in the back of my mind for a few years, but the band was really uncomfortable with the idea of me trying to write songs for it,” says Miller, who defended his idea with his fellow 97’s last January.
- 12/12/2018
- by Jeff Gage
- Rollingstone.com
Old 97’s leader Rhett Miller is at his most messed up best on the new hard luck song “Total Disaster,” the first track to be released from his upcoming solo LP, The Messenger.
Miller, who celebrated his 48th birthday earlier this month, finds himself in a familiar predicament on “Total Disaster,” mulling over of his Irish whiskey-induced hardships and wondering when he’ll ever grow up. Aided, perhaps, by the intoxicating thump on the lean, lunging backbeat, he manages to look on the bright side of things, telling himself, “There...
Miller, who celebrated his 48th birthday earlier this month, finds himself in a familiar predicament on “Total Disaster,” mulling over of his Irish whiskey-induced hardships and wondering when he’ll ever grow up. Aided, perhaps, by the intoxicating thump on the lean, lunging backbeat, he manages to look on the bright side of things, telling himself, “There...
- 9/19/2018
- by Jeff Gage
- Rollingstone.com
Gravitas Ventures has acquired all U.S. rights to Tye Sheridan’s coming-of -age film “All Summers End” for a June 1 release.
Written and directed by Kyle Wilamowski (“Snow Angels”), the film also stars Kaitlyn Dever, Pablo Schreiber, Austin Abrams, Annabeth Gish, Ryan Lee, Paula Malcomson and Bill Sage.
Sheridan, the lead in Steven Spielberg’s “Ready Player One,” portrays a teenage boy who falls in love while grappling with his guilty conscience over a prank that’s gone awry. The film, formerly titled “Grass Stains,” premiered last year at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
“Powerful performances from leads Tye Sheridan and Kaitlyn Dever tell the story of first love and first loss that will resonate with all audiences,” Laura Florence, VP of sales and marketing for Gravitas, said. “It’s a very relatable tale of those emotional awakenings that can be razor sharp and unforgettable.”
Producers are Steven Olivera of Deckplate Films,...
Written and directed by Kyle Wilamowski (“Snow Angels”), the film also stars Kaitlyn Dever, Pablo Schreiber, Austin Abrams, Annabeth Gish, Ryan Lee, Paula Malcomson and Bill Sage.
Sheridan, the lead in Steven Spielberg’s “Ready Player One,” portrays a teenage boy who falls in love while grappling with his guilty conscience over a prank that’s gone awry. The film, formerly titled “Grass Stains,” premiered last year at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
“Powerful performances from leads Tye Sheridan and Kaitlyn Dever tell the story of first love and first loss that will resonate with all audiences,” Laura Florence, VP of sales and marketing for Gravitas, said. “It’s a very relatable tale of those emotional awakenings that can be razor sharp and unforgettable.”
Producers are Steven Olivera of Deckplate Films,...
- 4/4/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Casualties of Class War: Colangelo’s Well Performed, Soporific Debut
The directorial debut of Sara Colangelo, Little Accidents, finds a filmmaker afforded the possibility to expand an intriguing short film into a feature length endeavor only to end up with a curiously hollow, naggingly underwhelming result. That’s not to say this is generally the case or to place this title within any sort of overarching trend in American independent cinema, but short film formatting doesn’t always allow or necessitate for more in depth analysis. Featuring several performances worth lauding, Colangelo’s script congeals into a mush of predictable beats and rhythms once it establishes the zenith of its dramatic tension early on, meant to catalyze a series of intersecting ripples careening throughout the numbed lives of its rural denizens, where the haves and have-nots are equally hardnosed, everyone equipped with blinders as to the needs, thoughts, or feelings of their fellow citizens.
The directorial debut of Sara Colangelo, Little Accidents, finds a filmmaker afforded the possibility to expand an intriguing short film into a feature length endeavor only to end up with a curiously hollow, naggingly underwhelming result. That’s not to say this is generally the case or to place this title within any sort of overarching trend in American independent cinema, but short film formatting doesn’t always allow or necessitate for more in depth analysis. Featuring several performances worth lauding, Colangelo’s script congeals into a mush of predictable beats and rhythms once it establishes the zenith of its dramatic tension early on, meant to catalyze a series of intersecting ripples careening throughout the numbed lives of its rural denizens, where the haves and have-nots are equally hardnosed, everyone equipped with blinders as to the needs, thoughts, or feelings of their fellow citizens.
- 1/16/2015
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
When you think of Sam Rockwell, the word "subdued" isn't necessarily the first thing to come to mind. Manic maybe, or hyper. An unexpectedly good dancer. But seeing him play a world-weary single dad in the upcoming romantic comedy "Laggies" opposite Keira Knightley feels like a bit of a departure for the actor.
According to Rockwell, his character Craig comes a lot closer to his actual demeanour than the "psychos" and "anarchists" that he's played in the past. In the film, the latest from "Your Sister's Sister" director Lynn Shelton, he plays a lawyer and dad to a high school student (Chloë Grace Moretz) who befriends a 28-year-old slacker with a serious case of arrested development (Knightley) looking to hide out from her future and fiancé for a week.
With the unconventional romantic comedy out this Friday, Moviefone Canada sat down with Rockwell during the Toronto International Film Festival to...
According to Rockwell, his character Craig comes a lot closer to his actual demeanour than the "psychos" and "anarchists" that he's played in the past. In the film, the latest from "Your Sister's Sister" director Lynn Shelton, he plays a lawyer and dad to a high school student (Chloë Grace Moretz) who befriends a 28-year-old slacker with a serious case of arrested development (Knightley) looking to hide out from her future and fiancé for a week.
With the unconventional romantic comedy out this Friday, Moviefone Canada sat down with Rockwell during the Toronto International Film Festival to...
- 10/23/2014
- by Rick Mele
- Moviefone
Stars: Nicolas Cage, Tye Sheridan, Gary Poulter, Ronnie Gene Blevins, Adriene Mishler, Brian Mays, Aj Wilson McPhaul, Sue Rock, Heather Kafka, Brenda Isaacs Booth, Anna Niemtschk, Elbert Hill III | Written by Gary Hawkins | Directed by David Gordon Green
The pairing of director David Gordon Green and actor Nicholas Cage is an intriguing one. Green was once an indie darling winning critical praise for films like George Washington, All the Real Girls and Snow Angels. Once big Hollywood got a hold of him many argued he lost his touch as the quality of his films dropped. When films like The Sitter and Your Highness failed critically and financially most figured he was the latest example of wasted potential. Last year he went back to basics with Prince Avalanche and saw some of that praise return. That praise will no doubt continue with his latest film Joe.
Nicolas Cage’s demise has been well documented.
The pairing of director David Gordon Green and actor Nicholas Cage is an intriguing one. Green was once an indie darling winning critical praise for films like George Washington, All the Real Girls and Snow Angels. Once big Hollywood got a hold of him many argued he lost his touch as the quality of his films dropped. When films like The Sitter and Your Highness failed critically and financially most figured he was the latest example of wasted potential. Last year he went back to basics with Prince Avalanche and saw some of that praise return. That praise will no doubt continue with his latest film Joe.
Nicolas Cage’s demise has been well documented.
- 9/30/2014
- by Dan Clark
- Nerdly
Honoring the best and brightest of the media industry, the 25th GLAAD Media Awards took over the Waldorf Astoria in New York City on Saturday (May 3).
Emmy Rossum showed up at the fancy fete in a rose pink fit-and-flare dress with plenty of beads and sequins as she posed up a storm for the shutterbugs before heading inside to catch all the action.
Meanwhile, Naomi Watts also opted for a pink pastel ensemble including a strapless top with cropped trousers and black strappy sandals.
Providing plenty more eye candy were beautiful singing sirens such as Kacey Musgraves and Kylie Minogue.
The 25th GLAAD Media Awards handed out their first round of trophies at the NYC shindig, with another ceremony planned for the West Coast later this month.
And the winners are:
Outstanding Film - Wide Release: "Philomena"
Outstanding Film - Limited Release: "Concussion"
Outstanding Documentary: (tie) "Bridegroom," "Call Me Kuchu...
Emmy Rossum showed up at the fancy fete in a rose pink fit-and-flare dress with plenty of beads and sequins as she posed up a storm for the shutterbugs before heading inside to catch all the action.
Meanwhile, Naomi Watts also opted for a pink pastel ensemble including a strapless top with cropped trousers and black strappy sandals.
Providing plenty more eye candy were beautiful singing sirens such as Kacey Musgraves and Kylie Minogue.
The 25th GLAAD Media Awards handed out their first round of trophies at the NYC shindig, with another ceremony planned for the West Coast later this month.
And the winners are:
Outstanding Film - Wide Release: "Philomena"
Outstanding Film - Limited Release: "Concussion"
Outstanding Documentary: (tie) "Bridegroom," "Call Me Kuchu...
- 5/5/2014
- GossipCenter
Somewhat oddly, the GLAAD Media Awards split their awards across two ceremonies, three weeks apart, on opposite coasts. On Saturday, the second of these took place in New York, as a range of films, TV shows and media outlets were honored for commendable coverage of Lgbt issues. Included in the second ceremony were the two chief film awards. Best Picture Oscar nominee "Philomena" took the prize for best film in wide release, beating out the likes of "Blue is the Warmest Color" and three-time Oscar winner "Dallas Buyers Club." In the limited release section, I'm pleased to see that Stacie Passon's excellent but neglected lesbian drama "Concussion" was recognized. At the earlier ceremony, "Bridegroom" and "Call Me Kuchu" had tied for the documentary award, while "Behind the Candelabra," already lavishly rewarded, took the TV film/miniseries prize. On the TV front, Netflix's "Orange is the New Black" was named...
- 5/5/2014
- by Guy Lodge
- Hitfix
Orange Is the New Black and Philomena were among the winners at last night's (May 3) GLAAD Media Awards in New York.
The annual awards, now in its 25th year, recognises media for fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the Lgbt community.
Orange Is the New Black, starring Taylor Schilling and Laura Prepon, took home Outstanding Comedy Series, beating Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Glee, Modern Family and Please Like Me.
Philomena, with Steve Coogan and Dame Judi Dench, won Outstanding Film - Wide Release, triumphing over Blue Is the Warmest Colour, Dallas Buyers Club, Kill Your Darlings and The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.
Meanwhile, Elementary episode 'Snow Angels' earned Outstanding Individual Episode and Concussion was awarded Outstanding Film - Limited Release.
George Takei received the Vito Russo Award for making a significant difference in promoting equality for the Lgbt community.
Previous Vito Russo honorees include Anderson Cooper, Ricky Martin, Rosie O'Donnell,...
The annual awards, now in its 25th year, recognises media for fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the Lgbt community.
Orange Is the New Black, starring Taylor Schilling and Laura Prepon, took home Outstanding Comedy Series, beating Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Glee, Modern Family and Please Like Me.
Philomena, with Steve Coogan and Dame Judi Dench, won Outstanding Film - Wide Release, triumphing over Blue Is the Warmest Colour, Dallas Buyers Club, Kill Your Darlings and The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.
Meanwhile, Elementary episode 'Snow Angels' earned Outstanding Individual Episode and Concussion was awarded Outstanding Film - Limited Release.
George Takei received the Vito Russo Award for making a significant difference in promoting equality for the Lgbt community.
Previous Vito Russo honorees include Anderson Cooper, Ricky Martin, Rosie O'Donnell,...
- 5/4/2014
- Digital Spy
Stars: Nicolas Cage, Tye Sheridan, Gary Poulter, Ronnie Gene Blevins, Adriene Mishler, Brian Mays, Aj Wilson McPhaul, Sue Rock, Heather Kafka, Brenda Isaacs Booth, Anna Niemtschk, Elbert Hill III | Written by Gary Hawkins | Directed by David Gordon Green
The pairing of director David Gordon Green and actor Nicholas Cage is an intriguing one. Green was once an indie darling winning critical praise for films like George Washington, All the Real Girls and Snow Angels. Once big Hollywood got a hold of him many argued he lost his touch as the quality of his films dropped. When films like The Sitter and Your Highness failed critically and financially most figured he was the latest example of wasted potential. Last year he went back to basics with Prince Avalanche and saw some of that praise return. That praise will no doubt continue with his latest film Joe.
Nicolas Cage’s demise has been well documented.
The pairing of director David Gordon Green and actor Nicholas Cage is an intriguing one. Green was once an indie darling winning critical praise for films like George Washington, All the Real Girls and Snow Angels. Once big Hollywood got a hold of him many argued he lost his touch as the quality of his films dropped. When films like The Sitter and Your Highness failed critically and financially most figured he was the latest example of wasted potential. Last year he went back to basics with Prince Avalanche and saw some of that praise return. That praise will no doubt continue with his latest film Joe.
Nicolas Cage’s demise has been well documented.
- 4/20/2014
- by Dan Clark
- Nerdly
Today I have another series for you all, basically a spinoff of the Spotlight on the Stars series. As a quick refresher, each week I’ll look at an actor/actress/filmmaker that I’d like to celebrate in some kind of way. It could be due to something of theirs coming out that weekend (like in many of the cases so far) or just because I feel they deserve to have a moment in the sun all their own, but each time it’ll be a bit of positivity about someone who I’d like to pay tribute to. Here though, I’m going to look at more of an under the radar individual. For this week’s piece, I wanted to take a look at our first filmmaker getting this kind of treatment…David Gordon Green. Honestly, most don’t seem to know what to do with this...
- 4/15/2014
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
Director David Gordon Green has collaborated with cinematographer Tim Orr since they were classmates at North Carolina School of the Arts. (Their first film was a documentary on the artificial insemination of cattle.) Orr shot Green's feature debut "George Washington" in 2000, launching both men on successful careers. Since then the pair has collaborated on "Undertow," "All the Real Girls," "Pineapple Express" and "Snow Angels," among other projects. In "Joe," about one tormented man (Nicolas Cage) who struggles to be good -- and finds redemption in a paternal relationship with a troubled teenager (Tye Sheridan). We recently caught up with Orr to talk about his collaboration with Green and how he managed to find glimmers of beauty in the darkness of "Joe." How did you get your start in the business? David Gordon Green and I went to school together and we were in the same class, but we didn't work together that much in school.
- 4/12/2014
- by Paula Bernstein
- Indiewire
Joe was originally reviewed as part of JoBlo.com's Tiff 2013 coverage. Plot: An ex-con (Nicolas Cage) living a rough and tumble life in the south becomes the unlikely father figure for a teenager (Tye Sheridan) with an abusive, alcoholic bum father. Review: With Prince Avalanche, director David Gordon Green seemed to be inching back towards his earlier, indie roots. Joe, arguably his finest film since Snow Angels (maybe even earlier) continues that transition, bringing him back...
- 4/11/2014
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Chicago – When traveling on a Nicolas Cage trip, it’s best to buckle up. Director David Gordon Green collaborated with Cage on the new film, “Joe,” and actor Tye Sheridan (“Tree of Life,” “Mud”) was Cage’s teenage co-star. Cage portrays the title character, a reformed hellraiser who can’t help but have sympathy for a lost soul.
Sheridan portrays Gary, a itinerant teen whose family life is pretty much destroyed. His father Wade (Gary Poulter) is an unapologetic drunk, and Gary turns to Joe to both get some employment and some guidance. The result from David Gordon Green (“George Washington,” “Snow Angels”) is a gritty story of accidental mentorship, contained in a simmering context that only Nicolas Cage can generate.
Tye Sheridan and Nicolas Cage in David Gordon Green’s ‘Joe’
Photo credit: Roseside Attractions
Both Green and Tye Sheridan came to Chicago for a press tour, and talked...
Sheridan portrays Gary, a itinerant teen whose family life is pretty much destroyed. His father Wade (Gary Poulter) is an unapologetic drunk, and Gary turns to Joe to both get some employment and some guidance. The result from David Gordon Green (“George Washington,” “Snow Angels”) is a gritty story of accidental mentorship, contained in a simmering context that only Nicolas Cage can generate.
Tye Sheridan and Nicolas Cage in David Gordon Green’s ‘Joe’
Photo credit: Roseside Attractions
Both Green and Tye Sheridan came to Chicago for a press tour, and talked...
- 4/11/2014
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Occasionally, when eclectic director David Gordon Green is not working on a studio film, which severely limits his creative input, he turns to middle-of-nowhere America to tell stories about regular Joes -no pun intended- and their singular experiences (Undertow, George Washington, Snow Angels). Visually, he is inclined to take advantage of the vast landscapes and wooded areas the countryside has to offer. There, he places characters that more often than not include young men searching for a role model and the older fellows who either provide guidance or become terrible influences. Most recently, Emile Hirsch's manchild behavior clashed with Paul Rudd's self-absorbed comedic masculinity in Prince Avalanche, a charming and minimalist tale of two men working in the forest.
In his latest work, Joe, this recurring premise takes on greater stylistic proportions and it allows the director to elicit top-notch performances from his two leads. Better than he has been in many years, Nicolas Cage plays the eponymous title role, a rugged anti-hero who will not brag about all the good he does in spite of his violent past. Joe runs a small operation that involves spraying a chemical solution to eradicate unwanted trees in the area. His team, conformed only of African American men, is loyal to the core. They know Joe is a man of his word and values honesty above all else. In this Southern town, it is also well known that, though he doesn’t look for it, Joe is not afraid of getting in trouble should the situation call for it.
Wandering around the broken down road, Gary (Tye Sheridan), a 15-year-old tough boy, soon runs across Joe and his men and immediately asks for a job. Perhaps seeing himself in the boy, or perhaps out of pity, Joe agrees. The kid is a hard worker; he is willing to struggle to earn his pay. The problem is his abusive alcoholic father Wade (Gary Poulter), a selfish parasite whose single priority in life is figure out the source of his next swig. After purposelessly giving the old man a chance and witnessing the vicious treatment the boy must endure, Joe takes him under his wing. Gary looks up to him, and quickly finds a reinvigorating hope simpley from having someone who sincerely cares for him. The generational gap between the two creates a compelling connection, not quiet a father/son dynamic, but a heartfelt friendship.
An alcoholic himself, Joe has issues of his own, which range from selflessly helping everyone around him, to keeping his dog from attacking visitors, and dealing with Willie (Ronnie Gene Blevins), an annoying maniac who has a pending feud with him. Joe’s no-nonsense convictions are undeniably virtuous, but sometimes such degree of righteousness can prove to be a dangerous liability. Cage undoubtedly deserves praise for playing such a silent character with unpretentious honesty.
Drinking beer, smoking cigarets, and beating up cops who, according to him, unjustifiably harass him is what Joe does, but there is kindness underneath the rough skin, and the Hollywood star brings it all out convincingly. This is definitely a redeeming work for an actor who seemed to have lost his way in a senseless pursuit of meaningless roles.
Opposite Cage is the young Tye Sheridan, whose similar role in last year’s Mud placed him under the independent film industry's spotlight. The young actor is even more marvelous here. Seeing the darkness in people from an early age has definitely shaped Gary’s life. Self-sufficient, driven, and brave, he wants nothing more than to have a chance at becoming a good man, and his only shot at it is by Joe’s side. Adding another great performance to his short, but impressive resume, Sheridan is on his way to becoming an important young figure in the medium.
Adapted for the screen by Gary Hawkins from the novel of the same name by Larry Brown, Gordon Green certainly wasn’t able to reinvent the genre or craft a story that shines for its uniqueness, but he is in top form here. At times gritty, others ironically funny, the film works on all levels and even gives the filmmaker a chance to experiment with interesting narrative devices, such as several music and voice over driven expressionist montages.
Yet, if one looks to single out the best quality of this outstandingly entertaining film, it would have to be the naturalistic acting the filmmaker managed to get out of every single person on screen. From the shopkeeper, to Joe’s workers, to the evil Poulter, who is a real life homeless man, and all of the locals, there is not one that feels fabricated. That alone elevates a familiar story to something incredibly memorable. A rebirth for both actor and director, Joe is a powerful slice of Americana painted with sophisticated brush, and it shows that, like Joe himself, Cage and Gordon Green’s talent is a fierce dog with many scars, but at least it’s still alive.
Joe Opens in Select Theaters, VOD and on iTunes Friday, April 11...
In his latest work, Joe, this recurring premise takes on greater stylistic proportions and it allows the director to elicit top-notch performances from his two leads. Better than he has been in many years, Nicolas Cage plays the eponymous title role, a rugged anti-hero who will not brag about all the good he does in spite of his violent past. Joe runs a small operation that involves spraying a chemical solution to eradicate unwanted trees in the area. His team, conformed only of African American men, is loyal to the core. They know Joe is a man of his word and values honesty above all else. In this Southern town, it is also well known that, though he doesn’t look for it, Joe is not afraid of getting in trouble should the situation call for it.
Wandering around the broken down road, Gary (Tye Sheridan), a 15-year-old tough boy, soon runs across Joe and his men and immediately asks for a job. Perhaps seeing himself in the boy, or perhaps out of pity, Joe agrees. The kid is a hard worker; he is willing to struggle to earn his pay. The problem is his abusive alcoholic father Wade (Gary Poulter), a selfish parasite whose single priority in life is figure out the source of his next swig. After purposelessly giving the old man a chance and witnessing the vicious treatment the boy must endure, Joe takes him under his wing. Gary looks up to him, and quickly finds a reinvigorating hope simpley from having someone who sincerely cares for him. The generational gap between the two creates a compelling connection, not quiet a father/son dynamic, but a heartfelt friendship.
An alcoholic himself, Joe has issues of his own, which range from selflessly helping everyone around him, to keeping his dog from attacking visitors, and dealing with Willie (Ronnie Gene Blevins), an annoying maniac who has a pending feud with him. Joe’s no-nonsense convictions are undeniably virtuous, but sometimes such degree of righteousness can prove to be a dangerous liability. Cage undoubtedly deserves praise for playing such a silent character with unpretentious honesty.
Drinking beer, smoking cigarets, and beating up cops who, according to him, unjustifiably harass him is what Joe does, but there is kindness underneath the rough skin, and the Hollywood star brings it all out convincingly. This is definitely a redeeming work for an actor who seemed to have lost his way in a senseless pursuit of meaningless roles.
Opposite Cage is the young Tye Sheridan, whose similar role in last year’s Mud placed him under the independent film industry's spotlight. The young actor is even more marvelous here. Seeing the darkness in people from an early age has definitely shaped Gary’s life. Self-sufficient, driven, and brave, he wants nothing more than to have a chance at becoming a good man, and his only shot at it is by Joe’s side. Adding another great performance to his short, but impressive resume, Sheridan is on his way to becoming an important young figure in the medium.
Adapted for the screen by Gary Hawkins from the novel of the same name by Larry Brown, Gordon Green certainly wasn’t able to reinvent the genre or craft a story that shines for its uniqueness, but he is in top form here. At times gritty, others ironically funny, the film works on all levels and even gives the filmmaker a chance to experiment with interesting narrative devices, such as several music and voice over driven expressionist montages.
Yet, if one looks to single out the best quality of this outstandingly entertaining film, it would have to be the naturalistic acting the filmmaker managed to get out of every single person on screen. From the shopkeeper, to Joe’s workers, to the evil Poulter, who is a real life homeless man, and all of the locals, there is not one that feels fabricated. That alone elevates a familiar story to something incredibly memorable. A rebirth for both actor and director, Joe is a powerful slice of Americana painted with sophisticated brush, and it shows that, like Joe himself, Cage and Gordon Green’s talent is a fierce dog with many scars, but at least it’s still alive.
Joe Opens in Select Theaters, VOD and on iTunes Friday, April 11...
- 4/10/2014
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Sydney's Buzz
David Wingo and David Gordon Green roll pretty deep. The composer scored the director's first feature, "George Washington," and the pair have collaborated numerous times over the years on "All the Real Girls," "Snow Angels," "The Sitter" and last year's "Prince Avalanche." Their working relationship continues with the forthcoming "Joe," and before you see the movie this weekend, you can treat your ears to the music. The folks over at Paste have unveiled a full listen to the soundtrack, and you can click below to hear it for yourself. Starring Nicolas Cage and Tye Sheridan, the film follows an ex-con and troubled teen who form a bond in this Southern drama/thriller. Wingo composed the score with Jeff McILlwain, and they nicely set the tone for the story, one with punch, tension and dread all given fair weight across the fifteen tracks (plus songs by Explosions In The Sky and...
- 4/7/2014
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
Chicago – Before “Snow Angels”, “Prince Avalanche”, or even “The Sitter”, director David Gordon Green flexed his film school muscles in his unabashed inauguration, “George Washington”. Eying its body, the 2000 film shares qualities other first-timers huff when trying to be taken seriously by the arthouse crowd. Especially with the films that were assuredly motivated by Green’s work like 2012’s “Beasts of the Southern Wild”, “George Washington” celebrates storytelling instruments like whimsical young voiceover, shots that are equally distinct & questionable, and the raw potential of non-actors.
With crime becoming a famous trend for first-time directors hungry for authorship, (Tarantino, Anderson, R. Johnson, Malle, and Godard among others), Green chose the other option, to make an obscure film where the story is background to a thickly atmospheric foreground. (Oddly enough, Malick did both).
Rating: 4.5/5.0
But what makes “George Washington” more exceptional than its comparisons is its soul, which can be seen past...
With crime becoming a famous trend for first-time directors hungry for authorship, (Tarantino, Anderson, R. Johnson, Malle, and Godard among others), Green chose the other option, to make an obscure film where the story is background to a thickly atmospheric foreground. (Oddly enough, Malick did both).
Rating: 4.5/5.0
But what makes “George Washington” more exceptional than its comparisons is its soul, which can be seen past...
- 3/13/2014
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
You'd be hard pressed to single out a contemporary filmmaker who took a detour more surprising than the one David Gordon Green did. After drawing comparisons to the work of Terrence Malick for poetically capturing southern life via the small-scaled indies "George Washington," "All the Real Girls" and "Snow Angels," Green opted to go mainstream with the gross-out comedies "Pineapple Express," "Your Highness" and "The Sitter." He surprised last year by opening his best received film in years, "Prince Avalanche," a unique blend of his lyrical qualities paired with his mainstream comedic ones. And this year he looks to continue his indie comeback with the hard-hitting drama "Joe," based on the gritty novel by Larry Brown. The film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last year where it was swiftly acquired by Roadside Attractions, stars Nicolas Cage as an ex-con who develops an unlikely bond with a 15 year-old ("Mud" star Tye.
- 2/13/2014
- by Nigel M Smith
- Indiewire
Nicolas Cage seems to be on his game with his latest flick, Joe, which comes from director David Gordon Green (Snow Angels, Prince Avalanche). The film was shown at Tiff last year and garnered some great reviews (our's here) and trumpeted Cage's performance as one of the best of his career. Gordon Green also seems to be jumping on the "back to form" bandwagon as he has broken from comedies like Your Highness and Pineapple Express to do smaller indies like Joe and Prince Avalanche,...
- 2/13/2014
- by Paul Shirey
- JoBlo.com
The 2014 GLAAD Media Awards nominations have been announced, celebrating TV shows, movies, music artists and journalism that puts forth fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and the issues that affect their lives.
The awards are given our in two ceremonies, April 12 in Los Angeles and May 3 in New York. The nominees are as follows:
Outstanding Drama Series
"The Fosters"
"Grey's Anatomy"
"Orphan Black"
"Pretty Little Liars"
"Shameless"
Outstanding Comedy Series
"Brooklyn Nine-Nine"
"Glee"
"Modern Family"
"Orange is the New Black"
"Please Like Me"
Outstanding Individual Episode (in a series without a regular Lgbt character)
"Bride and Prejudice," "The Soul Man"
"Larp and the Real Girl," "Supernatural"
"Secret Lives," "Drop Dead Diva"
"Snow Angels," "Elementary"
"There's the Door," "Necessary Roughness"
Outstanding TV Movie or Miniseries
"Behind the Candelabra"
"In the Flesh"
Outstanding Documentary
"Bridegroom"
"Call Me Kuchu"
"God Loves Uganda"
"The New Black"
"Valentine Road...
The awards are given our in two ceremonies, April 12 in Los Angeles and May 3 in New York. The nominees are as follows:
Outstanding Drama Series
"The Fosters"
"Grey's Anatomy"
"Orphan Black"
"Pretty Little Liars"
"Shameless"
Outstanding Comedy Series
"Brooklyn Nine-Nine"
"Glee"
"Modern Family"
"Orange is the New Black"
"Please Like Me"
Outstanding Individual Episode (in a series without a regular Lgbt character)
"Bride and Prejudice," "The Soul Man"
"Larp and the Real Girl," "Supernatural"
"Secret Lives," "Drop Dead Diva"
"Snow Angels," "Elementary"
"There's the Door," "Necessary Roughness"
Outstanding TV Movie or Miniseries
"Behind the Candelabra"
"In the Flesh"
Outstanding Documentary
"Bridegroom"
"Call Me Kuchu"
"God Loves Uganda"
"The New Black"
"Valentine Road...
- 1/30/2014
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
With two big ceremonies coming up (April 12th in Los Angeles and May 3rd in New York City), the 2014 GLAAD Media Awards has a ton of great nominees all vying for a trophy.
On the film end of things, “Dallas Buyers Club” and “Blue is the Warmest Color” both received nods, and “Orange is the New Black” and “Pretty Little Liars” lead the way for television.
The GLAAD Media Awards honors the biggest and brightest stars in entertainment, journalism and real-life Lgbt movements.
The nominees for the 2014 GLAAD Media Awards are:
Outstanding Film – Wide Release
Blue Is the Warmest Color (Sundance Selects)
Dallas Buyers Club (Focus Features)
Kill Your Darlings (Sony Pictures Classics)
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Philomena (The Weinstein Company)
Outstanding Film – Limited Release
Concussion (RADiUS-The Weinstein Company)
Geography Club (Breaking Glass Pictures)
Out in the Dark (Breaking Glass Pictures)
Reaching for the Moon...
On the film end of things, “Dallas Buyers Club” and “Blue is the Warmest Color” both received nods, and “Orange is the New Black” and “Pretty Little Liars” lead the way for television.
The GLAAD Media Awards honors the biggest and brightest stars in entertainment, journalism and real-life Lgbt movements.
The nominees for the 2014 GLAAD Media Awards are:
Outstanding Film – Wide Release
Blue Is the Warmest Color (Sundance Selects)
Dallas Buyers Club (Focus Features)
Kill Your Darlings (Sony Pictures Classics)
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Philomena (The Weinstein Company)
Outstanding Film – Limited Release
Concussion (RADiUS-The Weinstein Company)
Geography Club (Breaking Glass Pictures)
Out in the Dark (Breaking Glass Pictures)
Reaching for the Moon...
- 1/30/2014
- GossipCenter
This morning the national Lgbt media advocacy organization GLAAD announced nominees for the 25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards. According to GLAAD President Sarah Kate Ellis, the year “has brought momentous progress for Lgbt people and families – and our nominees have created images and stories that continue to challenge misconceptions, shatter stereotypes, and change hearts and minds of millions all across the globe.”
There are 130 nominees in 29 categories but a few notable honorees include wide release films Dallas Buyers Club, Philomena and Kill Your Darlings, all of which were previously reviewed here on TheBacklot.
In the limited release category, Geography Club scored a nod. (The film is based on the classic Ya novel by AfterElton alum Brent Hartinger.)
In the outstanding TV drama category, ABC Family scored 2 nominees: The Fosters and Pretty Little Liars.
In the TV comedy category, perennial nominees Modern Family and Glee were joined by Brooklyn Nine-Nine and...
There are 130 nominees in 29 categories but a few notable honorees include wide release films Dallas Buyers Club, Philomena and Kill Your Darlings, all of which were previously reviewed here on TheBacklot.
In the limited release category, Geography Club scored a nod. (The film is based on the classic Ya novel by AfterElton alum Brent Hartinger.)
In the outstanding TV drama category, ABC Family scored 2 nominees: The Fosters and Pretty Little Liars.
In the TV comedy category, perennial nominees Modern Family and Glee were joined by Brooklyn Nine-Nine and...
- 1/30/2014
- by Dennis Ayers
- The Backlot
We love Nicolas Cage very much! And we even love him even though he's been making run-of-the-mill movies geared towards paying his mortgage. But then, recently, the Oscar winner has been foregoing crappy flicks in favor of good stories like the recent "Frozen Ground" with Vanessa Hudgens and John Cusack. And then, at last year's Toronto International Film Festival and Venice Film Festival, the actor regaled us with his upcoming movie called "Joe." It's an adaptation of a 1991 Larry Brown novel and directed by David Gordon Green ("Pineapple Express," "George Washington," "All the Real Girls," "Snow Angels").
And you know what? "Joe" is being praised because of Cage's acting, something that the actor hasn't heard of in a while!
Roadside Attractions will release the movie this year, but here's the European trailer of "Joe."...
And you know what? "Joe" is being praised because of Cage's acting, something that the actor hasn't heard of in a while!
Roadside Attractions will release the movie this year, but here's the European trailer of "Joe."...
- 1/29/2014
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
You'd be hard pressed to single out a contemporary filmmaker who took a detour more surprising than the one David Gordon Green did. After drawing comparisons to the work of Terrence Malick for poetically capturing southern life via the small-scaled indies "George Washington," "All the Real Girls" and "Snow Angels," Green opted to go mainstream with the gross-out comedies "Pineapple Express," "Your Highness" and "The Sitter." He surprised last year by opening his best received film in years, "Prince Avalanche," a unique blend of his lyrical qualities paired with his mainstream comedic ones. And this year he looks to continue his indie comeback with the hard-hitting drama "Joe," based on the gritty novel by Larry Brown. The film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last year where it was swiftly acquired by Roadside Attractions, stars Nicolas Cage as an ex-con who develops an unlikely bond with a 15 year-old...
- 1/28/2014
- by Nigel M Smith
- Indiewire
Director David Gordon Green (Snow Angels, Pineapple Express, Prince Avalanche) has had a mixed bag of a career, going from indie fare to high concept comedy and then back again to the indie world. He's had success in both genres, however, and with his newest entry, Joe, it looks like he'll have another check in the block for the independents. Starring Nicolas Cage as an ex-con with a "rage" problem that helps out a young boy in need of guidance, the film debuted at Tiff last year...
- 1/28/2014
- by Paul Shirey
- JoBlo.com
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