Starz has axed three existing drama series and one upcoming project.
The network has binned Heels, Run The World and Blindspotting as well as not moving forward with The Venery of Samantha Bird.
Heels, Run The World and Blindspotting all aired two seasons and The Venery of Samantha Bird paused production in May due to the strikes with two episodes left to film.
Heels revolves around the men and women who chase their dreams in the world of small-town pro wrestling. Set in a close-knit Georgia community, it follows a family-owned wrestling promotion as two brothers and rivals (Stephen Amell and Alexander Ludwig) war over their late father’s legacy. In the ring, somebody must play the good guy and somebody must play their nemesis, the heel. But in the real world, those characters can be hard to live up to — or hard to leave behind.
Alison Luff, Mary McCormack,...
The network has binned Heels, Run The World and Blindspotting as well as not moving forward with The Venery of Samantha Bird.
Heels, Run The World and Blindspotting all aired two seasons and The Venery of Samantha Bird paused production in May due to the strikes with two episodes left to film.
Heels revolves around the men and women who chase their dreams in the world of small-town pro wrestling. Set in a close-knit Georgia community, it follows a family-owned wrestling promotion as two brothers and rivals (Stephen Amell and Alexander Ludwig) war over their late father’s legacy. In the ring, somebody must play the good guy and somebody must play their nemesis, the heel. But in the real world, those characters can be hard to live up to — or hard to leave behind.
Alison Luff, Mary McCormack,...
- 9/25/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Starz’ The Venery of Samantha Bird has shut down production as a result of the writers strike.
Deadline understands that the drama series has paused filming with two episodes of its eight episode order left to shoot. The series shoots in Montreal.
It comes after Netflix’s Rob Lowe comedy series Unstable and HBO Max’s Hacks were shut down for similar reasons and writers rooms for shows such as Starz’ Power Book III: Raising Kanan, NBC’s Night Court, Netflix’s Cobra Kai, Showtime’s Yellowjackets and ABC’s Abbott Elementary also closed their writing rooms.
The series stars Katherine Langford in the title role and was created by Anna Moriarty.
It follows Samantha Bird, who, while visiting family in New England, Samantha Bird reconnects with her childhood sweetheart and falls headlong into a seemingly perfect storybook romance. But underneath their fever dream lurks a more unsettling interpretation of this affair.
Deadline understands that the drama series has paused filming with two episodes of its eight episode order left to shoot. The series shoots in Montreal.
It comes after Netflix’s Rob Lowe comedy series Unstable and HBO Max’s Hacks were shut down for similar reasons and writers rooms for shows such as Starz’ Power Book III: Raising Kanan, NBC’s Night Court, Netflix’s Cobra Kai, Showtime’s Yellowjackets and ABC’s Abbott Elementary also closed their writing rooms.
The series stars Katherine Langford in the title role and was created by Anna Moriarty.
It follows Samantha Bird, who, while visiting family in New England, Samantha Bird reconnects with her childhood sweetheart and falls headlong into a seemingly perfect storybook romance. But underneath their fever dream lurks a more unsettling interpretation of this affair.
- 5/5/2023
- by Peter White and Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Starz is filling out the cast of its drama series The Venery of Samantha Bird, starring Katherine Langford.
Seven actors — Finn Jones, Francesca Reale, Embeth Davidtz, Brenda Strong, Adam Faison, Shalini Bathina and Tyrone Marshall Brown — have joined 13 Reasons Why star Langford in the psychological thriller created by Anna Moriarty. Starz gave the project an eight-episode order in October.
Additionally, Larysa Kondracki (Better Call Saul, Power Book IV) has signed on to direct four episodes and will be an executive producer. Nicole Jefferson Asher (P-Valley) will be a co-exec producer.
The Venery of Samantha Bird follows the title character (Langford) as she visits family in New England. There she reconnects with her childhood sweetheart and falls headlong into a seemingly perfect storybook romance. But underneath their fever dream lurks a more unsettling interpretation of the affair.
Jones (Iron Fist) will play Jake Minot, the aforementioned childhood sweetheart. Fearless and charismatic,...
Seven actors — Finn Jones, Francesca Reale, Embeth Davidtz, Brenda Strong, Adam Faison, Shalini Bathina and Tyrone Marshall Brown — have joined 13 Reasons Why star Langford in the psychological thriller created by Anna Moriarty. Starz gave the project an eight-episode order in October.
Additionally, Larysa Kondracki (Better Call Saul, Power Book IV) has signed on to direct four episodes and will be an executive producer. Nicole Jefferson Asher (P-Valley) will be a co-exec producer.
The Venery of Samantha Bird follows the title character (Langford) as she visits family in New England. There she reconnects with her childhood sweetheart and falls headlong into a seemingly perfect storybook romance. But underneath their fever dream lurks a more unsettling interpretation of the affair.
Jones (Iron Fist) will play Jake Minot, the aforementioned childhood sweetheart. Fearless and charismatic,...
- 1/23/2023
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Starz has rounded out the series regular cast for The Venery of Samantha Bird, its upcoming drama series starring Katherine Langford. Finn Jones (Iron Fist), Embeth Davidtz (The Morning Show), Brenda Strong (13 Reasons Why), Adam Faison (Everything’s Gonna Be Ok), Shalini Bathina (Little Voice) and Tyrone Marshall Brown (Love Is) join Langford in the series created by Anna Moriarty. Additionally, Larysa Kondracki has been added as executive producer and will serve as director on four episodes, including the pilot, and Nicole Jefferson Asher has joined as co-executive producer. Starz also confirmed the casting of Francesca Reale, whom we previously reported.
Related: 2022-23 Starz Pilots & Series Orders
The eight-episode series revolves around Langford’s Samantha Bird, who, while visiting family in New England, reconnects with her childhood sweetheart (Jones) and falls headlong into a seemingly perfect storybook romance. But underneath their...
Related: 2022-23 Starz Pilots & Series Orders
The eight-episode series revolves around Langford’s Samantha Bird, who, while visiting family in New England, reconnects with her childhood sweetheart (Jones) and falls headlong into a seemingly perfect storybook romance. But underneath their...
- 1/23/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Starz has added seven more to the cast of its forthcoming drama, “The Venery of Samantha Bird,” including Finn Jones, Francesca Reale, Embeth Davidtz, Brenda Strong, Adam Faison, Tyrone Marshall Brown and Shalini Bathina.
The new batch of series regulars joins previously announced star Katherine Langford, who will portray the show’s titular character.
The eight-episode drama follows Samantha Bird (Langford) who, while visiting family in New England, reconnects with her childhood sweetheart and falls headlong into a seemingly perfect storybook romance. But the couple’s picture-perfect love story isn’t as sweet as it seems on the surface.
Jones will play Jake Minot, Samantha’s former childhood sweetheart. While it’s been some time since the two has seen each other, they still manage to pick up like no time has passed after they reconnect during her trip.
Reale (“Stranger Things”) will play Ellie Bird, Samantha’s confident, intelligent and pleasantly outspoken youngest sister.
The new batch of series regulars joins previously announced star Katherine Langford, who will portray the show’s titular character.
The eight-episode drama follows Samantha Bird (Langford) who, while visiting family in New England, reconnects with her childhood sweetheart and falls headlong into a seemingly perfect storybook romance. But the couple’s picture-perfect love story isn’t as sweet as it seems on the surface.
Jones will play Jake Minot, Samantha’s former childhood sweetheart. While it’s been some time since the two has seen each other, they still manage to pick up like no time has passed after they reconnect during her trip.
Reale (“Stranger Things”) will play Ellie Bird, Samantha’s confident, intelligent and pleasantly outspoken youngest sister.
- 1/23/2023
- by BreAnna Bell
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Francesca Reale (Stranger Things) has been cast opposite Katherine Langford in Starz drama series The Venery Of Samantha Bird, sources tell Deadline.
Created by Anna Moriarty, the eight-episode series revolves around Langford’s Samantha Bird, who, while visiting family in New England, Samantha Bird reconnects with her childhood sweetheart and falls headlong into a seemingly perfect storybook romance. But underneath their fever dream lurks a more unsettling interpretation of this affair. The series is described as a haunting portrayal of addictive love and the repercussions that a relationship has on the families in a small New England town.
Reale is believed to be playing Ellie Bird, Sam’s younger sister.
Moriarty also serves as executive producer. Salvatore Stabile (Waco) is showrunner and executive producer. Jessica Rhoades executive produces through her Pacesetter Productions shingle, with Rachel Polan serving as co-executive producer. Jessica Yu is consulting producer.
Created by Anna Moriarty, the eight-episode series revolves around Langford’s Samantha Bird, who, while visiting family in New England, Samantha Bird reconnects with her childhood sweetheart and falls headlong into a seemingly perfect storybook romance. But underneath their fever dream lurks a more unsettling interpretation of this affair. The series is described as a haunting portrayal of addictive love and the repercussions that a relationship has on the families in a small New England town.
Reale is believed to be playing Ellie Bird, Sam’s younger sister.
Moriarty also serves as executive producer. Salvatore Stabile (Waco) is showrunner and executive producer. Jessica Rhoades executive produces through her Pacesetter Productions shingle, with Rachel Polan serving as co-executive producer. Jessica Yu is consulting producer.
- 12/5/2022
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Katherine Langford is setting her TV return with Starz‘s upcoming drama series The Venery of Samantha Bird. The 13 Reasons Why and Knives Out actress will take on the lead role in the eight-episode series created by Anna Moriarty, who is executive producing alongside showrunner Salvatore Stabile and Jessica Rhoades. Rachel Polan is attached as a co-executive producer, and Jessica Yu is serving as a consulting producer. Langford with Dylan Minnette in 13 Reasons Why (Credit: Netflix) The newly-greenlit title centers around Samantha Bird, a woman visiting family in New England who reconnects with her childhood sweetheart and falls headlong into a seemingly perfect storybook romance. Underneath it all, though, lurks an unsettling interpretation of this affair as The Venery of Samantha Bird is described as a haunting portrayal of addictive love and the repercussions a relationship has on families. “The Venery of Samantha Bird is the perfect complement to our slate of provocative,...
- 10/6/2022
- TV Insider
Katherine Langford has booked her return to the small screen!
Starz has green-lit the drama series The Venery of Samantha Bird.
Langford will lead the eight-episode drama in the title role of Samantha.
The series is created by Anna Moriarty, who also serves as executive producer.
Salvatore Stabile (Waco) is showrunner and executive producer.
Jessica Rhoades executive produces through her Pacesetter Productions shingle, with Rachel Polan serving as co-executive producer.
Jessica Yu is consulting producer.
“’The Venery of Samantha Bird’ is the perfect complement to our slate of provocative, immersive storytelling that leans into the female gaze,” said Kathryn Busby, President of Original Programming, Starz.
“Katherine is an incredible talent who will bring this modern romance of addictive love to life.”
"Visiting family in New England, Samantha Bird reconnects with her childhood sweetheart and falls headlong into a seemingly perfect storybook romance," the logline reads.
"But underneath their fever dream...
Starz has green-lit the drama series The Venery of Samantha Bird.
Langford will lead the eight-episode drama in the title role of Samantha.
The series is created by Anna Moriarty, who also serves as executive producer.
Salvatore Stabile (Waco) is showrunner and executive producer.
Jessica Rhoades executive produces through her Pacesetter Productions shingle, with Rachel Polan serving as co-executive producer.
Jessica Yu is consulting producer.
“’The Venery of Samantha Bird’ is the perfect complement to our slate of provocative, immersive storytelling that leans into the female gaze,” said Kathryn Busby, President of Original Programming, Starz.
“Katherine is an incredible talent who will bring this modern romance of addictive love to life.”
"Visiting family in New England, Samantha Bird reconnects with her childhood sweetheart and falls headlong into a seemingly perfect storybook romance," the logline reads.
"But underneath their fever dream...
- 10/6/2022
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Starz has given a series order to drama The Venery of Samantha Bird, starring Katherine Langford in the title role.
Created by Anna Moriarty, the eight-episode series revolves around Langford’s Samantha Bird, who, while visiting family in New England, Samantha Bird reconnects with her childhood sweetheart and falls headlong into a seemingly perfect storybook romance. But underneath their fever dream lurks a more unsettling interpretation of this affair. The series is described as a haunting portrayal of addictive love and the repercussions that a relationship has on the families in a small New England town.
Moriarty also serves as executive producer. Salvatore Stabile (Waco) is showrunner and executive producer. Jessica Rhoades executive produces through her Pacesetter Productions shingle, with Rachel Polan serving as co-executive producer. Jessica Yu is consulting producer.
“The Venery of Samantha Bird is the perfect...
Created by Anna Moriarty, the eight-episode series revolves around Langford’s Samantha Bird, who, while visiting family in New England, Samantha Bird reconnects with her childhood sweetheart and falls headlong into a seemingly perfect storybook romance. But underneath their fever dream lurks a more unsettling interpretation of this affair. The series is described as a haunting portrayal of addictive love and the repercussions that a relationship has on the families in a small New England town.
Moriarty also serves as executive producer. Salvatore Stabile (Waco) is showrunner and executive producer. Jessica Rhoades executive produces through her Pacesetter Productions shingle, with Rachel Polan serving as co-executive producer. Jessica Yu is consulting producer.
“The Venery of Samantha Bird is the perfect...
- 10/6/2022
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Australian actress Katherine Langford will fill the title tole in The Venery of Samantha Bird, a psychological thriller that has received an eight-episode order at Starz.
Created by Anna Moriarty, who will serve as an executive producer alongside both showrunner Salvatore Stabile (Waco) and Jessica Rhoades, “The Venery of Samantha Bird is the perfect complement to our slate of provocative, immersive storytelling that leans into the female gaze,” Starz original programming chief Kathryn Busby said in a statement. “Katherine is an incredible talent who will bring this modern romance of addictive love to life.”
More from TVLineDangerous Liaisons Trailer: Love...
Created by Anna Moriarty, who will serve as an executive producer alongside both showrunner Salvatore Stabile (Waco) and Jessica Rhoades, “The Venery of Samantha Bird is the perfect complement to our slate of provocative, immersive storytelling that leans into the female gaze,” Starz original programming chief Kathryn Busby said in a statement. “Katherine is an incredible talent who will bring this modern romance of addictive love to life.”
More from TVLineDangerous Liaisons Trailer: Love...
- 10/6/2022
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
Click here to read the full article.
Starz has given a series order to a psychological thriller, The Venery of Samantha Bird, starring Katherine Langford.
The eight-episode drama comes from creator Anna Moriarty and is produced by Lionsgate Television and Paramount Television Studios. It centers on the title character (Langford, 13 Reasons Why, Knives Out), who while visiting family in New England reconnects with her childhood sweetheart and falls headlong into what seems like a storybook romance.
Underneath their fever dream, however, lurks a more unsettling interpretation of this affair. The series will explore addictive love and the repercussions that a relationship has on the families in a small New England town.
“The Venery of Samantha Bird is the perfect complement to our slate of provocative, immersive storytelling that leans into the female gaze,” said Kathryn Busby, president original programming at Starz. “Katherine is an incredible talent who will bring...
Starz has given a series order to a psychological thriller, The Venery of Samantha Bird, starring Katherine Langford.
The eight-episode drama comes from creator Anna Moriarty and is produced by Lionsgate Television and Paramount Television Studios. It centers on the title character (Langford, 13 Reasons Why, Knives Out), who while visiting family in New England reconnects with her childhood sweetheart and falls headlong into what seems like a storybook romance.
Underneath their fever dream, however, lurks a more unsettling interpretation of this affair. The series will explore addictive love and the repercussions that a relationship has on the families in a small New England town.
“The Venery of Samantha Bird is the perfect complement to our slate of provocative, immersive storytelling that leans into the female gaze,” said Kathryn Busby, president original programming at Starz. “Katherine is an incredible talent who will bring...
- 10/6/2022
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Starz has greenlit psychological thriller series “The Venery of Samantha Bird” and cast Katherine Langford in the title role.
The eight-episode drama follows Samantha Bird as she visits family in New England, reconnects with her childhood sweetheart and falls headlong into a seemingly perfect storybook romance. But underneath their fever dream lurks a more unsettling interpretation of this affair. “The Venery of Samantha Bird” portrays addictive love and the repercussions that a relationship has on the families in a small town.
Langford is best known for starring as Hannah Baker in “13 Reasons Why” on Netflix, with other prominent roles including Meg Thrombey in “Knives Out,” Leah Burke in “Love, Simon,” Mara Carlyle in “Spontaneous” and Nimue in “Cursed.”
Starz has green-lit the drama series “The Venery of Samantha Bird.” Katherine Langford will lead the eight-episode drama in the title role of Samantha.
Anna Moriarty serves as creator while Salvatore Stabile is showrunner.
The eight-episode drama follows Samantha Bird as she visits family in New England, reconnects with her childhood sweetheart and falls headlong into a seemingly perfect storybook romance. But underneath their fever dream lurks a more unsettling interpretation of this affair. “The Venery of Samantha Bird” portrays addictive love and the repercussions that a relationship has on the families in a small town.
Langford is best known for starring as Hannah Baker in “13 Reasons Why” on Netflix, with other prominent roles including Meg Thrombey in “Knives Out,” Leah Burke in “Love, Simon,” Mara Carlyle in “Spontaneous” and Nimue in “Cursed.”
Starz has green-lit the drama series “The Venery of Samantha Bird.” Katherine Langford will lead the eight-episode drama in the title role of Samantha.
Anna Moriarty serves as creator while Salvatore Stabile is showrunner.
- 10/6/2022
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
Almost Human's Michael Ealy has signed on for the lead role in A Civil Right.
Ealy will play Dr Gilbert Mason, a civil rights activist who takes non-violent action against segregation in the early 1960s, Deadline reports.
Mason's protests changed history with the first successful anti-discrimination suit filed against the state of Mississippi.
A Civil Right comes from Salvatore Stabile, who will serve as both writer and director of the biopic.
Casting for the Revolution Media-produced feature is still ongoing.
Ealy is best known for his role as Dorian in the Us version of Almost Human. The series was cancelled by Fox back in April.
Ealy will play Dr Gilbert Mason, a civil rights activist who takes non-violent action against segregation in the early 1960s, Deadline reports.
Mason's protests changed history with the first successful anti-discrimination suit filed against the state of Mississippi.
A Civil Right comes from Salvatore Stabile, who will serve as both writer and director of the biopic.
Casting for the Revolution Media-produced feature is still ongoing.
Ealy is best known for his role as Dorian in the Us version of Almost Human. The series was cancelled by Fox back in April.
- 9/15/2014
- Digital Spy
• Alec Baldwin and Danny Glover will lead the cast of Andron, a sci-fi/action film from writer/director Franceso Cinquemani. The movie follows a group of young men and women who wake up in a dark, claustrophobic maze and struggle to survive, while the rest of the world watches. Also entering the maze are Michelle Ryan (EastEnders), Skin (lead singer from the U.K. band Skunk Anansie), Jon Kortajarena (A Single Man), Gale Harold (Queer as Folk) and Leo Howard (G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra). [THR]
• Dane DeHaan and Rooney Mara are about to get Ziggy with it. The pair...
• Dane DeHaan and Rooney Mara are about to get Ziggy with it. The pair...
- 9/13/2014
- by Jake Perlman
- EW - Inside Movies
Exclusive: Golden Globe-nominated Michael Ealy (Think Like A Man Too, Sleeper Cell) will star as civil rights activist Dr. Gilbert Mason in biopic A Civil Right, the first feature from Michael Benaroya and Darryl Taja’s new Revolution Media shingle. The film tells the story of the Biloxi physician who led nonviolent “wade-ins” against segregation on Gulf Coast beaches between 1959 and 1963, protests that sparked violence from whites and resulted in the first successful anti-discrimination suit against the state of Mississippi. Mason’s activism landed him at #3 on the FBI’s civil rights agitators most-watched list, and he went on to successfully fight for school desegregation in the state and help form the Council of Federated Organizations (Cofo). He served as President of the Mississippi NAACP for three decades before his death in 2006.
Salvatore Stabile will direct from his own script. “Sal wrote an amazing script that I’ve wanted to make for two years,...
Salvatore Stabile will direct from his own script. “Sal wrote an amazing script that I’ve wanted to make for two years,...
- 9/12/2014
- by Jen Yamato
- Deadline
Exclusive: After establishing footprint in drama and reality programming, AMC is focusing on expanding into comedy next. The network’s upfront slate, which will be announced later today, is expected to feature a number of half-hour projects, including two starring, written and executive produced by John Leguizamo and former The Daily Show correspondent Wyatt Cenac. Drawing inspiration from Leguizamo’s real-life three best friends, the untitled John Leguizamo project follows a group of men in Queens, The Bronx and upper Manhattan wrestling with careers, relationships, family, ambition, and getting older. In addition to starring, Leguizamo is co-writing the script with Sal Stabile (Revenge). The two executive produce with Jeff Golenberg and Sam Maydew of Silver Lining Entertainment, which reps Leguizamo alongside UTA and Sloane, Offer. Recently seen in Ride Along, Leguizamo is attached to play Pablo Escobar in the Relativity feature and has his 5th HBO special, Ghetto Klown, coming up.
- 3/26/2014
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
E! has unveiled its robust upfront slate, featuring an original scripted miniseries based on Patricia Gucci's upcoming book, a new Kardashian spinoff as well as the second season of Rich Kids and a New York-set companion series. Weeks after E! announced it had ordered its first scripted drama to series with The Royals, the cable network home to the Kardashians has put into development Gucci, a miniseries turning the lens on the famous fashion family from sibling studio Universal Cable Productions, writer Sal Stabile (Revenge) and Ep Warren Littlefield. The slate also includes an unscripted docuseries following the lives
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- 3/26/2014
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Revenge, Season 2, Episode 3: “Betrayal”
Written by Salvatore Stabile
Directed by Matt Earl Beesley
Airs Sundays at 9 pm (Et) on ABC
The Grayson family are in seclusion this week as the press descends on their mansion after news of Victoria’s (Madeline Stowe) ‘kidnapping’ becomes public.
“Whatever you’re thinking, I’m not the enemy,” Aidan (Barry Sloane) tells Emily early in the episode. I’m still a little unsure of Aidan and the trouble he’s sure to bring Emily’s way but I’m also curious to see where the writers take him, especially when it comes to his relationship with Emily. When he finds Emily’s mother it’s clear that Aidan is more than a blast from Emily’s past, he’s smart and potentially very dangerous.
This episode also proves that while the White Haired Man is dead, his ghost is still hanging over Emily’s life.
Written by Salvatore Stabile
Directed by Matt Earl Beesley
Airs Sundays at 9 pm (Et) on ABC
The Grayson family are in seclusion this week as the press descends on their mansion after news of Victoria’s (Madeline Stowe) ‘kidnapping’ becomes public.
“Whatever you’re thinking, I’m not the enemy,” Aidan (Barry Sloane) tells Emily early in the episode. I’m still a little unsure of Aidan and the trouble he’s sure to bring Emily’s way but I’m also curious to see where the writers take him, especially when it comes to his relationship with Emily. When he finds Emily’s mother it’s clear that Aidan is more than a blast from Emily’s past, he’s smart and potentially very dangerous.
This episode also proves that while the White Haired Man is dead, his ghost is still hanging over Emily’s life.
- 10/15/2012
- by Tressa
- SoundOnSight
Revenge Review, Season 1, Episode 9, “Suspicion”
Written by Salvatore Stabile
Directed by Bethany Rooney
Airs Wednesdays at 10pm Et on ABC
Louis Godfrey: So, episode 9, “Suspicion”, was not the most eventful episode of the series so far – in fact, it felt like a bit of a place-holder after the tumultuousness of the previous episodes. But there are three big things worth talking about: 1) How, at the end of the episode, the show basically turned into Kill Bill. 2) The evolving bisexual love triangle between Nolan, Tyler and Ashley. 3) The fabulousness of Madeleine Stowe.
Let’s start with Stowe. Not only does she have by far the hardest role on the show –the chief villainess, cold, calculating, yet also vulnerable–but she brings such subtlety and depth to it. For instance, if you watch her in the party scene late in the episode, she does a tremendous amount of work with subtle eye...
Written by Salvatore Stabile
Directed by Bethany Rooney
Airs Wednesdays at 10pm Et on ABC
Louis Godfrey: So, episode 9, “Suspicion”, was not the most eventful episode of the series so far – in fact, it felt like a bit of a place-holder after the tumultuousness of the previous episodes. But there are three big things worth talking about: 1) How, at the end of the episode, the show basically turned into Kill Bill. 2) The evolving bisexual love triangle between Nolan, Tyler and Ashley. 3) The fabulousness of Madeleine Stowe.
Let’s start with Stowe. Not only does she have by far the hardest role on the show –the chief villainess, cold, calculating, yet also vulnerable–but she brings such subtlety and depth to it. For instance, if you watch her in the party scene late in the episode, she does a tremendous amount of work with subtle eye...
- 11/26/2011
- by Louis Godfrey
- SoundOnSight
The New York International Latino Film Festival, which runs from July 27 to Aug. 2, will kick off with Peter Bratt's "The Mission," starring Benjamin Bratt; include a tribute to John Leguizamo; and conclude with John Cotten's Mexican crime drama "La Linea" (The Line).
Celebrating its tenth anniversary, the fest will utilize a number of new venues in New York City like the Clearview Cinemas Chelsea 9 and the School of Visual Arts Theater.
"The Nyilff began as a dream to showcase our talent and to empower Latinos," fest exec director Calixto Chinchilla said. "We've been fortunate to have grown in size and stature. This year, we have everything; highly anticipated Hollywood premieres to independent films from filmmakers across the globe, industry forums, music showcases and free outdoor events for everyone."
"La Mission," the opening night film, is set in San Francisco's Mission District and stars Benjamin Bratt as a reformed inmate...
Celebrating its tenth anniversary, the fest will utilize a number of new venues in New York City like the Clearview Cinemas Chelsea 9 and the School of Visual Arts Theater.
"The Nyilff began as a dream to showcase our talent and to empower Latinos," fest exec director Calixto Chinchilla said. "We've been fortunate to have grown in size and stature. This year, we have everything; highly anticipated Hollywood premieres to independent films from filmmakers across the globe, industry forums, music showcases and free outdoor events for everyone."
"La Mission," the opening night film, is set in San Francisco's Mission District and stars Benjamin Bratt as a reformed inmate...
By Neil Pedley
Things really shift into high gear this week when a bumper crop of award season heavy-hitters and indies stream into theaters, as well as a cadre of movie stars doing what they do best - whether that's Keanu Reeves acting alien, Clint Eastwood brandishing his trademark scowl, or Benicio Del Toro doing his own brand of mumblecore while waging war against fascists.
"Adam Resurrected"
It's been a long, strange directorial career for Paul Schrader, who followed his work as
the unsung hero of some of Martin Scorsese's most celebrated masterpieces with successes like "American Gigolo" and oddities like "Dominion: The Prequel to the Exorcist." Yet the always daring Schrader is taking on the Holocaust in his latest film, an adaptation of Yoram Kaniuk's story about Adam Stein (Jeff Goldblum), a former circus entertainer who grudgingly succumbs to the role of grim court jester to a...
Things really shift into high gear this week when a bumper crop of award season heavy-hitters and indies stream into theaters, as well as a cadre of movie stars doing what they do best - whether that's Keanu Reeves acting alien, Clint Eastwood brandishing his trademark scowl, or Benicio Del Toro doing his own brand of mumblecore while waging war against fascists.
"Adam Resurrected"
It's been a long, strange directorial career for Paul Schrader, who followed his work as
the unsung hero of some of Martin Scorsese's most celebrated masterpieces with successes like "American Gigolo" and oddities like "Dominion: The Prequel to the Exorcist." Yet the always daring Schrader is taking on the Holocaust in his latest film, an adaptation of Yoram Kaniuk's story about Adam Stein (Jeff Goldblum), a former circus entertainer who grudgingly succumbs to the role of grim court jester to a...
- 12/8/2008
- by Neil Pedley
- ifc.com
New York -- IFC Films has acquired North American rights to the John Leguizamo-toplined drama "Where God Left His Shoes" from Paul Allen's Vulcan Prods.
Salvatore Stabile's sophomore film revolves around an ex-boxer (Leguizamo) and his wife (Leonor Varela) who are forced to move their family to a homeless shelter. On Christmas Eve, the father takes his 10-year-old stepson on a journey around New York to find a job qualifying them for a housing project apartment.
The film will be released theatrically and on VOD in December through the day-and-date IFC in Theaters program. It also will be distributed through IFC Entertainment's exclusive deal with Blockbuster.
After premiering at last year's Tribeca Film Festival, "Shoes" won the Humanitas screenwriting award for a film developed or shown at Sundance.
IFC's Arianna Bocco negotiated the deal with Vulcan's Michael Caldwell and Richard Hutton.
Salvatore Stabile's sophomore film revolves around an ex-boxer (Leguizamo) and his wife (Leonor Varela) who are forced to move their family to a homeless shelter. On Christmas Eve, the father takes his 10-year-old stepson on a journey around New York to find a job qualifying them for a housing project apartment.
The film will be released theatrically and on VOD in December through the day-and-date IFC in Theaters program. It also will be distributed through IFC Entertainment's exclusive deal with Blockbuster.
After premiering at last year's Tribeca Film Festival, "Shoes" won the Humanitas screenwriting award for a film developed or shown at Sundance.
IFC's Arianna Bocco negotiated the deal with Vulcan's Michael Caldwell and Richard Hutton.
- 8/21/2008
- by By Gregg Goldstein
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
MADRID -- Crossover artists from the TV world, complete unknowns and directors with just one feature under their belt are some of the 16 filmmakers competing for the €90,000 ($110,000) Altadis-New Directors Award at the 55th annual San Sebastian International Film Festival, organizers said Friday.
The Zabaltegi sidebar, which sports a hefty dose of English-language films this year, weaves together films from first-time directors, pearls from previous festivals and special documentary screenings that will be shown Sept. 20-29.
First- and second-time directors screening in the Official Section will be announced separately, though they also will be entitled to compete for the cash prize. Three Spanish films running in Zabaltegi and competing for the award previously were announced.
Threes Anna's family drama "The Bird Can't Fly", starring Barbara Hershey; Eric Nazarian's "The Blue Hour"; and Sarah Gavron's multiracial love story "Brick Lane", an adaptation of the Monica Ali novel "Seven Seas, Thirteen Rivers", represent three directorial debuts in the competition.
German helmer Felix Randau's "The Calling Game", which follows up on his "Northern Star"; Salvatore Stabile's second feature, the homeless drama "Where God Left His Shoes"; and "10+4," Mania Akbari's sequel to Abbas Kiarostami's "Ten", also will compete.
The Zabaltegi sidebar, which sports a hefty dose of English-language films this year, weaves together films from first-time directors, pearls from previous festivals and special documentary screenings that will be shown Sept. 20-29.
First- and second-time directors screening in the Official Section will be announced separately, though they also will be entitled to compete for the cash prize. Three Spanish films running in Zabaltegi and competing for the award previously were announced.
Threes Anna's family drama "The Bird Can't Fly", starring Barbara Hershey; Eric Nazarian's "The Blue Hour"; and Sarah Gavron's multiracial love story "Brick Lane", an adaptation of the Monica Ali novel "Seven Seas, Thirteen Rivers", represent three directorial debuts in the competition.
German helmer Felix Randau's "The Calling Game", which follows up on his "Northern Star"; Salvatore Stabile's second feature, the homeless drama "Where God Left His Shoes"; and "10+4," Mania Akbari's sequel to Abbas Kiarostami's "Ten", also will compete.
- 8/18/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Writers on the films Amazing Grace, Freedom Writers and Venus along with scribes on a trio of medical-themed TV series -- NBC's Scrubs and ER and Fox's House -- are among the finalists for the 33rd annual Humanitas Prize.
The prize, which rewards film and TV writers whose work "honestly explores the complexities of the human experience and sheds light on the positive values of life," is handed out in eight categories, each of which carries a monetary prize of varying amounts. Twenty-eight writers were named finalists this year.
In the feature-film category, which bestows a $25,000 prize, the finalists are Steven Knight for Samuel Goldwyn Films/Roadside Attractions' Amazing Grace; Richard LaGravenese, who wrote the screenplay for Paramount Pictures' Freedom Writers; and Hanif Kureishi for Miramax Films' Venus.
Finalists in the Sundance feature-film category, which offers a $10,000 prize, are Newton I. Aduaka & Alain-Michel Blanc (writers) and Newton I. Aduaka (story) for Ezra, Adrienne Shelly for Fox Searchlight Pictures' Waitress and Salvatore Stabile for Where God Left His Shoes.
The TV finalists in the 30-minute category, which carries a $10,000 prize, are Scrubs writer Bill Callahan, who will compete with Jennifer Crittenden, who wrote the Oh God, Yes episode of CBS' The New Adventures of Old Christine, and Rob Lotterstein, who wrote the Kenny Doesn't Live Here Anymore episode of Fox's The War at Home.
Cited in the 60-minute TV category, which bestows a $15,000 prize, were "ER" writers R.
The prize, which rewards film and TV writers whose work "honestly explores the complexities of the human experience and sheds light on the positive values of life," is handed out in eight categories, each of which carries a monetary prize of varying amounts. Twenty-eight writers were named finalists this year.
In the feature-film category, which bestows a $25,000 prize, the finalists are Steven Knight for Samuel Goldwyn Films/Roadside Attractions' Amazing Grace; Richard LaGravenese, who wrote the screenplay for Paramount Pictures' Freedom Writers; and Hanif Kureishi for Miramax Films' Venus.
Finalists in the Sundance feature-film category, which offers a $10,000 prize, are Newton I. Aduaka & Alain-Michel Blanc (writers) and Newton I. Aduaka (story) for Ezra, Adrienne Shelly for Fox Searchlight Pictures' Waitress and Salvatore Stabile for Where God Left His Shoes.
The TV finalists in the 30-minute category, which carries a $10,000 prize, are Scrubs writer Bill Callahan, who will compete with Jennifer Crittenden, who wrote the Oh God, Yes episode of CBS' The New Adventures of Old Christine, and Rob Lotterstein, who wrote the Kenny Doesn't Live Here Anymore episode of Fox's The War at Home.
Cited in the 60-minute TV category, which bestows a $15,000 prize, were "ER" writers R.
A fairly raw, dark comedy, "Gravesend" is the kind of a cocky, seat-of-the-pants enterprise that makes up in sheer moxie what it may lack in originality.
Writer-director Salvatore Stabile, who's already being hailed as a baby Scorsese or a teen Tarantino -- he was 19 when he began this shoestring shoot -- makes little effort to disguise those influences (plus a little Cassavetes thrown in for good measure), but there's unmistakably a unique voice somewhere in the mix.
As a first-time director, meanwhile, Stabile's impressive blend of 16mm and Hi-8 on a $5,000 budget has not only attracted the attention of Oliver Stone (who's presenting the picture) and Steven Spielberg (who has rewarded him with a two-picture DreamWorks SKG deal) but should serve as renewed inspiration for would-be independent filmmakers everywhere.
Kind of a mini-"Mean Streets", "Gravesend" tells the story of four more-or-less delinquent Brooklyn buddies, namely Zane (Tony Tucci), Ray (Michael Parducci), Chicken (Tom Malloy) and Mikey (Thomas Brandise), whose go-nowhere lives abruptly begin to spin out of control when they find themselves with a fresh body on their hands.
After hothead Zane fatally shoots Ray's Big Brother, the close-knit group decides to avoid the hassle of calling the cops and dispose of the body themselves with a little help from Zane's associate JoJo the Junkie (Macky Aquilino).
JoJo would be happy to oblige by burying the body in his brother's cemetery, provided the boys come up with "$500 and one thumb." Scraping together the cash part of the deal proves to be a challenge that will take up the rest of the picture and result in adding a couple of more bodies along the way.
Narrated by an unseen fifth buddy (the filmmaker himself), the vehicle is full of the kind of in-your-face dialogue and gesturing that is the hallmark of Stabile's predecessors, but he does have something original to say about the kinds of things that keep friends together, even when they essentially dislike each other. And, at least until the overly sober ending, he also demonstrates an acute wit that goes a long way in fleshing out potentially stock characters.
He's helped considerably in that end by an extremely capable cast led off by Tucci (both physically and emotionally the DeNiro of the bunch) as the resident Loose Cannon, while Parducci, Malloy and Brandise, as the sensitive Mikey, all have their moments. Best of all is Aquilino as the shrugging JoJo. A retired city contractor, Aquilino is a natural, and Stabile would be wise to find a role for him in his future films.
GRAVESEND
Manga Entertainment
Island Digital Media
Oliver Stone presents a film by Salvatore Stabile
Director-screenwriter Salvatore Stabile
Executive producers Toni Ross,
Mark Ross & Daniel Edelman
Producer Salvatore Stabile
Director of photography Joseph Dell'Olio
Editors Miranda Devin & Salvatore Stabile
Music Bill Laswell
Color/stereo
Cast:
Zane Tony Tucci
Ray Michael Parducci
Chicken Tom Malloy
Mikey Thomas Brandise
JoJo the Junkie Macky Aquilino
Running time -- 85 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
Writer-director Salvatore Stabile, who's already being hailed as a baby Scorsese or a teen Tarantino -- he was 19 when he began this shoestring shoot -- makes little effort to disguise those influences (plus a little Cassavetes thrown in for good measure), but there's unmistakably a unique voice somewhere in the mix.
As a first-time director, meanwhile, Stabile's impressive blend of 16mm and Hi-8 on a $5,000 budget has not only attracted the attention of Oliver Stone (who's presenting the picture) and Steven Spielberg (who has rewarded him with a two-picture DreamWorks SKG deal) but should serve as renewed inspiration for would-be independent filmmakers everywhere.
Kind of a mini-"Mean Streets", "Gravesend" tells the story of four more-or-less delinquent Brooklyn buddies, namely Zane (Tony Tucci), Ray (Michael Parducci), Chicken (Tom Malloy) and Mikey (Thomas Brandise), whose go-nowhere lives abruptly begin to spin out of control when they find themselves with a fresh body on their hands.
After hothead Zane fatally shoots Ray's Big Brother, the close-knit group decides to avoid the hassle of calling the cops and dispose of the body themselves with a little help from Zane's associate JoJo the Junkie (Macky Aquilino).
JoJo would be happy to oblige by burying the body in his brother's cemetery, provided the boys come up with "$500 and one thumb." Scraping together the cash part of the deal proves to be a challenge that will take up the rest of the picture and result in adding a couple of more bodies along the way.
Narrated by an unseen fifth buddy (the filmmaker himself), the vehicle is full of the kind of in-your-face dialogue and gesturing that is the hallmark of Stabile's predecessors, but he does have something original to say about the kinds of things that keep friends together, even when they essentially dislike each other. And, at least until the overly sober ending, he also demonstrates an acute wit that goes a long way in fleshing out potentially stock characters.
He's helped considerably in that end by an extremely capable cast led off by Tucci (both physically and emotionally the DeNiro of the bunch) as the resident Loose Cannon, while Parducci, Malloy and Brandise, as the sensitive Mikey, all have their moments. Best of all is Aquilino as the shrugging JoJo. A retired city contractor, Aquilino is a natural, and Stabile would be wise to find a role for him in his future films.
GRAVESEND
Manga Entertainment
Island Digital Media
Oliver Stone presents a film by Salvatore Stabile
Director-screenwriter Salvatore Stabile
Executive producers Toni Ross,
Mark Ross & Daniel Edelman
Producer Salvatore Stabile
Director of photography Joseph Dell'Olio
Editors Miranda Devin & Salvatore Stabile
Music Bill Laswell
Color/stereo
Cast:
Zane Tony Tucci
Ray Michael Parducci
Chicken Tom Malloy
Mikey Thomas Brandise
JoJo the Junkie Macky Aquilino
Running time -- 85 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
- 9/16/1997
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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