Following his 2011 debut The Guard and his moody 2014 sophomore feature Calvary, British filmmaker John Michael McDonaugh hits a false note with his first Us set feature, War on Everyone.
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- 3/21/2017
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
Chicago – When interviewing the Chicago monologist John Michael, it’s best to hear it straight from the source. HollywoodChicago.com presents a podcast interview with John Michael, whose current one-man show is “Meatball Seance.” The show has a Thursday night slot at Mary’s Attic in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood through April 6, 2017. Details are below.
John Michael Conjures the Spirit in ‘Meatball Seance’
Photo credit: JohnMichaelPlays.com
Podcast Intro: John Michael is a 27-year-old, Texas-born performer whose specialty is the one-man show. His spin is audience participation, as he tells his life stories in his one-of-a-kind whirling dervish style. He hit Chicago with a show he developed in his native Dallas, “Harry Potter and the Order of the Penix,” about Michael negotiating his dating life. His follow-up, which was developed in Chicago, was “Dementia Me” – a chronicle of his two-year period keeping up with dementia patients as he worked at a Dallas care facility.
John Michael Conjures the Spirit in ‘Meatball Seance’
Photo credit: JohnMichaelPlays.com
Podcast Intro: John Michael is a 27-year-old, Texas-born performer whose specialty is the one-man show. His spin is audience participation, as he tells his life stories in his one-of-a-kind whirling dervish style. He hit Chicago with a show he developed in his native Dallas, “Harry Potter and the Order of the Penix,” about Michael negotiating his dating life. His follow-up, which was developed in Chicago, was “Dementia Me” – a chronicle of his two-year period keeping up with dementia patients as he worked at a Dallas care facility.
- 3/16/2017
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – Currently, one of the best monologists in Chicago – and certainly one of the nuttiest – is John Michael. After notorious and successful runs of his last two one-man shows, “Harry Potter and the Order of the Penix” and “Dementia Me,’ Michael is taking on his dating life once again in the fun and hilarious “Meatball Seance.” The show has a Thursday night slot at Mary’s Attic in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood through April 6th, 2017. Click here for more details, including ticket information.
Play Rating: 5.0/5.0
John Michael keeps his shows fluid by using crowd participation, and his latest one-man story time has members of the audience on stage with him for about 90% of the time. It is a perfect way to illustrate his up-and-down dating life, told in uproarious detail by Michael, wearing an apron, socks and designer underwear. The show barely takes a breath as it centers on a...
Play Rating: 5.0/5.0
John Michael keeps his shows fluid by using crowd participation, and his latest one-man story time has members of the audience on stage with him for about 90% of the time. It is a perfect way to illustrate his up-and-down dating life, told in uproarious detail by Michael, wearing an apron, socks and designer underwear. The show barely takes a breath as it centers on a...
- 3/6/2017
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Irish cinema is having a bit of a moment. On the one hand, you have the McDonagh brothers, Martin and John Michael, who’ve had big hits at home and abroad with their often violent dark comedies “In Bruges,” “The Guard” and “Calvary.” On another, you have John Carney, whose warm musical comedies “Once” and “Sing Street” have won hearts all over the shop.
Continue reading Hit Irish Comedy ‘The Young Offenders’ Is A Scrappy, Likeable Crowd Pleaser [BFI London Film Fest Review] at The Playlist.
Continue reading Hit Irish Comedy ‘The Young Offenders’ Is A Scrappy, Likeable Crowd Pleaser [BFI London Film Fest Review] at The Playlist.
- 10/9/2016
- by Oliver Lyttelton
- The Playlist
Chicago – No one would call talented one-man-show artist John Michael conventional, at least if they are in their right mind. So ironically, after tackling sexually transmitted disease in his last solo performance, he takes on the vagrancies of old age and caring for elderly patients in his truly heartfelt “Dementia Me.”
“Dementia Me” will run at the Den Theatre within the Wicker Park neighborhood in Chicago from August 15th through September 12th, 2016, on consecutive Mondays at 8pm (details below). This solo performance is a tour de force, using mostly balloons and party favors for props – Michael even invites everyone to a “birthday party” for one of the patients before the show. The emotions in the show will affect anyone who has known the heartbreak of seeing loved ones become less of themselves as they age (which is practically everybody), and how that state of being leads the main character himself to other revelations.
“Dementia Me” will run at the Den Theatre within the Wicker Park neighborhood in Chicago from August 15th through September 12th, 2016, on consecutive Mondays at 8pm (details below). This solo performance is a tour de force, using mostly balloons and party favors for props – Michael even invites everyone to a “birthday party” for one of the patients before the show. The emotions in the show will affect anyone who has known the heartbreak of seeing loved ones become less of themselves as they age (which is practically everybody), and how that state of being leads the main character himself to other revelations.
- 8/15/2016
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Hillary Clinton's competition just got pitch-slapped. Elizabeth Banks led dozens of stars in harmonizing for Hillary in a new campaign anthem video, which made its debut Tuesday night at the Democratic convention. "My friends and I, we believe in this idea of 'Stronger Together,' we believe in Hillary Clinton. So we made something for her," Banks told the convention crowd. A dizzying array of stars like Connie Britton, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Ian Somerhalder and Mandy Moore - even Jane Fonda makes a cameo, however croaky - all sang their support for Clinton to Rachel Platten's "Fight Song...
- 7/27/2016
- by Tierney McAfee, @tierneymcafee
- PEOPLE.com
Hillary Clinton's competition just got pitch-slapped. Elizabeth Banks led dozens of stars in harmonizing for Hillary in a new campaign anthem video, which made its debut Tuesday night at the Democratic convention. "My friends and I, we believe in this idea of 'Stronger Together,' we believe in Hillary Clinton. So we made something for her," Banks told the convention crowd. A dizzying array of stars like Connie Britton, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Ian Somerhalder and Mandy Moore - even Jane Fonda makes a cameo, however croaky - all sang their support for Clinton to Rachel Platten's "Fight Song...
- 7/27/2016
- by Tierney McAfee, @tierneymcafee
- PEOPLE.com
Alexander Hamilton's incredible life story is the subject of this year's hottest Broadway musical, Hamilton, which earned a historic 16 nominations for Sunday's Tony Awards. The play's creator and star, Lin-Manuel Miranda, recounts the Founding Father's amazing journey from orphan to presidential candidate through a hip-hop-inspired score that make the history fun and accessible. But if you haven't been able to score tickets to the sold-out show, and you mostly know Hamilton from his recently reaffirmed position on the $10 bill, here are a few facts about the lawyer, soldier, statesman and first Secretary of the Treasury. An Orphan on an IslandOf all the Founding Fathers,...
- 6/10/2016
- by Michael Miller, @write_miller
- PEOPLE.com
Alexander Hamilton's incredible life story is the subject of this year's hottest Broadway musical, Hamilton, which earned a historic 16 nominations for Sunday's Tony Awards. The play's creator and star, Lin-Manuel Miranda, recounts the Founding Father's amazing journey from orphan to presidential candidate through a hip-hop-inspired score that make the history fun and accessible. But if you haven't been able to score tickets to the sold-out show, and you mostly know Hamilton from his recently reaffirmed position on the $10 bill, here are a few facts about the lawyer, soldier, statesman and first Secretary of the Treasury. An Orphan on an IslandOf all the Founding Fathers,...
- 6/10/2016
- by Michael Miller, @write_miller
- PEOPLE.com
“If it ain’t broke, break it.” Ugh, can I motion to get a new McDonagh movie at least once a year?!
War On Everyone, or, as I call it, “A Very McDonagh Nihilism Tale,” is more of the John Michael McDonagh we’ve come to know and shield our loved ones from. No one is safe. Not the usual suspects (racial targets like Asians, African Americans, The Irish), nor innocent bystanders (pudgy Mexican horse caretakers, Icelandic folk, Sommeliers), which is fine, because the McDonaghs (both John Michael and his brother Martin) have a way of remaining acceptably entertaining in their sharp-tongued skewering. John Michael knows his cinematic strengths, so it’s no surprise that War On Everyone – aptly titled for its braggadocios’ ambition – doesn’t deviate from the McDonaghs’ highly entertaining, heroically off-color barrage of ef-you’s one iota. Better for us, worse for humanity.
Alexander Skarsgård and Michael Peña...
War On Everyone, or, as I call it, “A Very McDonagh Nihilism Tale,” is more of the John Michael McDonagh we’ve come to know and shield our loved ones from. No one is safe. Not the usual suspects (racial targets like Asians, African Americans, The Irish), nor innocent bystanders (pudgy Mexican horse caretakers, Icelandic folk, Sommeliers), which is fine, because the McDonaghs (both John Michael and his brother Martin) have a way of remaining acceptably entertaining in their sharp-tongued skewering. John Michael knows his cinematic strengths, so it’s no surprise that War On Everyone – aptly titled for its braggadocios’ ambition – doesn’t deviate from the McDonaghs’ highly entertaining, heroically off-color barrage of ef-you’s one iota. Better for us, worse for humanity.
Alexander Skarsgård and Michael Peña...
- 3/18/2016
- by Matt Donato
- We Got This Covered
War on Everyone
Director: John Michael McDonaugh
Writer: John Michael McDonaugh
The McDonaugh brothers have been showcasing their particular penchant for dark comedy over the past decade, beginning with Martin McDonaugh’s 2008 film In Bruges. John Michael McDonaugh followed with his 2010 debut The Guest, and 2014’s exceptional Cavalry, both premiering at Sundance to great acclaim, followed by international premieres in Berlin. He’s back with his first Us set feature, War on Everyone, another comedic thriller concerning immoral police officers. An intriguing cast promises to expand McDonaugh’s appeal stateside.
Cast: Michael Pena, Alexander Skarsgard, Theo James, Stephanie Sigman, Tessa Thompson, Caleb Landry Jones, Paul Reiser
Production Co./Producers: Reprise Films’ Chris Clark and Flora Fernandez-Marengo (Calvalry), Bankside Films’ Phil Hunt and Compton Ross (Freeheld).
U.S. Distributor: Rights Available. Tbd (domestic) StudioCanal (international).
Release Date: War on Everyone is McDonaugh’s first title to bypass Sundance, recently announcing its...
Director: John Michael McDonaugh
Writer: John Michael McDonaugh
The McDonaugh brothers have been showcasing their particular penchant for dark comedy over the past decade, beginning with Martin McDonaugh’s 2008 film In Bruges. John Michael McDonaugh followed with his 2010 debut The Guest, and 2014’s exceptional Cavalry, both premiering at Sundance to great acclaim, followed by international premieres in Berlin. He’s back with his first Us set feature, War on Everyone, another comedic thriller concerning immoral police officers. An intriguing cast promises to expand McDonaugh’s appeal stateside.
Cast: Michael Pena, Alexander Skarsgard, Theo James, Stephanie Sigman, Tessa Thompson, Caleb Landry Jones, Paul Reiser
Production Co./Producers: Reprise Films’ Chris Clark and Flora Fernandez-Marengo (Calvalry), Bankside Films’ Phil Hunt and Compton Ross (Freeheld).
U.S. Distributor: Rights Available. Tbd (domestic) StudioCanal (international).
Release Date: War on Everyone is McDonaugh’s first title to bypass Sundance, recently announcing its...
- 1/7/2016
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
Chicago – Occasionally we can be surprised through true wonder and serendipity. In August of 2015, John Michael – a Texas native and one-man-show artist – crushed out the funny at the Abbie Hoffman Died for Our Sins theater festival, by making his Chicago debut with “John Michael & the Order of the Penix.” For two consecutive upcoming Saturdays – Dec. 5th and 12th – he returns to the scene of his debut, the Mary-Arrchie Theater at Angel Island in Chicago, to perform the show once again.
The “Order of the Penix” was formulated in Michael’s hometown of Dallas, Texas, in 2013. The show came from the author’s own experience in the dating world, using the elements of Harry Potter – in a side-splitting mix of physical and emotional comedy – to explore both the shame and the stigma of testing for STDs. Michael’s worldview is a hysterical whirlwind, but he also portrays true conflict and feelings in his journey.
The “Order of the Penix” was formulated in Michael’s hometown of Dallas, Texas, in 2013. The show came from the author’s own experience in the dating world, using the elements of Harry Potter – in a side-splitting mix of physical and emotional comedy – to explore both the shame and the stigma of testing for STDs. Michael’s worldview is a hysterical whirlwind, but he also portrays true conflict and feelings in his journey.
- 12/4/2015
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
A rookie cop faces the creepy supernatural remnants of a malevolent cult in Anthony Diblasi's Last Shift. With Diblasi's latest film hitting Blu-ray and DVD on October 6th from Magnolia Home Entertainment, we caught up with the director in our latest Q&A feature.
Thanks for taking the time to converse with us today, Anthony. How did you and co-writer Scott Poiley come up with the story for Last Shift?
Anthony Diblasi: I went to Scott with an idea to tell a really contained story set around a police station dispatcher in a small town—all alone and trapped in the station. I really wanted to push the boundaries of what we could convey with sound design and I felt like the dispatcher angle was an excellent way into that kind of storytelling. From there we continued to develop the story, bounce ideas back and forth, and it...
Thanks for taking the time to converse with us today, Anthony. How did you and co-writer Scott Poiley come up with the story for Last Shift?
Anthony Diblasi: I went to Scott with an idea to tell a really contained story set around a police station dispatcher in a small town—all alone and trapped in the station. I really wanted to push the boundaries of what we could convey with sound design and I felt like the dispatcher angle was an excellent way into that kind of storytelling. From there we continued to develop the story, bounce ideas back and forth, and it...
- 9/29/2015
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
When the real world meets "Jurassic World." While filming the highly-anticipated sequel to Steven Spielberg's 1993 classic "Jurassic Park" was an incredibly fun ride for stars Bryce Dallas Howard, Chris Pratt, Ty Simpkins and director Colin Trevorrow, there was one day on set that stands out above the rest. Only one animatronic dinosaur was created for the new film, so Bryce and Chris could film an especially intimate and emotional scene with an apatosaurus. "It was an unbelievable experience because ... you can go to exhibits and see animatronic dinosaurs, it was nothing like this, it was really real" Howard tells toofab. But that wasn't the only reason why that day was so special. It was also the day "Jurassic World" writer Michael Crichton's widow and son visited the set. Sadly, Crichton died suddenly at the age of 66 in 2008, after a private battle with cancer. His wife, Sherri Alexander, was...
- 6/9/2015
- by tooFab Staff
- TooFab
The FrightFest All-Nighter 14 returns to its spiritual home, The Prince Charles Cinema, on Saturday October 25th, with five killer titles, including the world premiere of Anthony Diblasi’s Last Shift.
The evening kicks off with a special preview of The Vicious Brothers Extraterrestrial, a fine blend of Close Encounters and Communion with “some of the most extraordinary special effects and camerawork you’ll see in 2015″. Next up, The ABC’s of Death 2 needs no introduction. The first was a huge draw at FrightFest Glasgow and now attendees can scream along to 26 more deaths by 26 handpicked filmmakers. This is followed by the world premiere of Anthony Diblasi’s demonic horror Last Shift, which had to be dropped from the August line-up because of altered release and completion dates as did the next film – the highly anticipated sequel The Pact II, which has its UK premiere. And Giallo fans will not want...
The evening kicks off with a special preview of The Vicious Brothers Extraterrestrial, a fine blend of Close Encounters and Communion with “some of the most extraordinary special effects and camerawork you’ll see in 2015″. Next up, The ABC’s of Death 2 needs no introduction. The first was a huge draw at FrightFest Glasgow and now attendees can scream along to 26 more deaths by 26 handpicked filmmakers. This is followed by the world premiere of Anthony Diblasi’s demonic horror Last Shift, which had to be dropped from the August line-up because of altered release and completion dates as did the next film – the highly anticipated sequel The Pact II, which has its UK premiere. And Giallo fans will not want...
- 10/6/2014
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
The Riot Club, ‘71 and The Goob among titles in the running.
The Dinard British Film Festival (Oct 8-12) has revealed its competition and Avant-Premieres titles ahead of its 25th edition.
A jury led by French film star Catherine Deneuve will award the Golden Hitchcock to one of the following:
‘71, Yann DemangeCatch Me Daddy, Daniel WolfeFrank, Lenny AbrahamsonThe Goob, Guy MyhillLilting, Hong KhaouThe Riot Club, Lone Scherfig
The festival’s Avant-Premieres strand will include:
Calvary, John Michael McDonaghGod Help the Girl, Stuart MurdochHyena, Gérard JohnsonKeeping Rosy, Steve ReevesNoble, Stephen BradleyOne Chance, David FrankelPanic, Sean SpencerQueen and Country, John BoormanSnow in Paradise, Andrew HulmeStill Life, Uberto PasoliniSunshine on Leith, Dexter FletcherTea & Sangria, Peter DomankiewiczThe Trip to Italy, Michael WinterbottomX + Y, Morgan Matthews...
The Dinard British Film Festival (Oct 8-12) has revealed its competition and Avant-Premieres titles ahead of its 25th edition.
A jury led by French film star Catherine Deneuve will award the Golden Hitchcock to one of the following:
‘71, Yann DemangeCatch Me Daddy, Daniel WolfeFrank, Lenny AbrahamsonThe Goob, Guy MyhillLilting, Hong KhaouThe Riot Club, Lone Scherfig
The festival’s Avant-Premieres strand will include:
Calvary, John Michael McDonaghGod Help the Girl, Stuart MurdochHyena, Gérard JohnsonKeeping Rosy, Steve ReevesNoble, Stephen BradleyOne Chance, David FrankelPanic, Sean SpencerQueen and Country, John BoormanSnow in Paradise, Andrew HulmeStill Life, Uberto PasoliniSunshine on Leith, Dexter FletcherTea & Sangria, Peter DomankiewiczThe Trip to Italy, Michael WinterbottomX + Y, Morgan Matthews...
- 9/3/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
The Riot Club, ‘71 and The Goob among titles in the running.
The Dinard British Film Festival (Oct 8-12) has revealed its competition and Avant-Premieres titles ahead of its 25th edition.
A jury led by French film star Catherine Deneuve will award the Golden Hitchcock to one of the following:
‘71, Yann DemangeCatch Me Daddy, Daniel WolfeFrank, Lenny AbrahamsonThe Goob, Guy MyhillLilting, Hong KhaouThe Riot Club, Lone Scherfig
The festival’s Avant-Premieres strand will include:
Calvary, John Michael McDonaghGod Help the Girl, Stuart MurdochHyena, Gérard JohnsonKeeping Rosy, Steve ReevesNoble, Stephen BradleyOne Chance, David FrankelPanic, Sean SpencerQueen and Country, John BoormanSnow in Paradise, Andrew HulmeStill Life, Uberto PasoliniSunshine on Leith, Dexter FletcherTea & Sangria, Peter DomankiewiczThe Trip to Italy, Michael WinterbottomX + Y, Morgan Matthews...
The Dinard British Film Festival (Oct 8-12) has revealed its competition and Avant-Premieres titles ahead of its 25th edition.
A jury led by French film star Catherine Deneuve will award the Golden Hitchcock to one of the following:
‘71, Yann DemangeCatch Me Daddy, Daniel WolfeFrank, Lenny AbrahamsonThe Goob, Guy MyhillLilting, Hong KhaouThe Riot Club, Lone Scherfig
The festival’s Avant-Premieres strand will include:
Calvary, John Michael McDonaghGod Help the Girl, Stuart MurdochHyena, Gérard JohnsonKeeping Rosy, Steve ReevesNoble, Stephen BradleyOne Chance, David FrankelPanic, Sean SpencerQueen and Country, John BoormanSnow in Paradise, Andrew HulmeStill Life, Uberto PasoliniSunshine on Leith, Dexter FletcherTea & Sangria, Peter DomankiewiczThe Trip to Italy, Michael WinterbottomX + Y, Morgan Matthews...
- 9/3/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Calvary
Written and directed by John Michael McDonagh
Ireland/UK, 2014
Director John Michael McDonagh wastes no time in establishing the stakes of Calvary. In a darkened confessional, Father James Lavelle (Brendan Gleeson) is told that he is going to die in a week. The man planning to kill the priest explains it is exactly because Father Lavelle has done nothing wrong that he is going to die. Of the two McDonagh brothers, John Michael is known for his irreverent comedy The Guard, but with this latest release he joins the ranks of the most fatalistic of Irish artists.
With the seven days allotted to the father, he seeks to sort out his affairs while attending to his parish. The locals in question are made up of Chris O’Dowd, Aidan Gillen, Dylan Moran, M. Emmet Walsh and Isaach De Bankolé all existing at varying levels of disillusionment with the church...
Written and directed by John Michael McDonagh
Ireland/UK, 2014
Director John Michael McDonagh wastes no time in establishing the stakes of Calvary. In a darkened confessional, Father James Lavelle (Brendan Gleeson) is told that he is going to die in a week. The man planning to kill the priest explains it is exactly because Father Lavelle has done nothing wrong that he is going to die. Of the two McDonagh brothers, John Michael is known for his irreverent comedy The Guard, but with this latest release he joins the ranks of the most fatalistic of Irish artists.
With the seven days allotted to the father, he seeks to sort out his affairs while attending to his parish. The locals in question are made up of Chris O’Dowd, Aidan Gillen, Dylan Moran, M. Emmet Walsh and Isaach De Bankolé all existing at varying levels of disillusionment with the church...
- 8/25/2014
- by Colin Biggs
- SoundOnSight
While most people are likely familiar with Martin McDonagh, the British director behind brilliant dark comedies like In Bruges and Seven Psychopaths, his brother John Michael, is perhaps less well known. He made his directorial debut in 2011 with The Guard, an excellent comedy/thriller starring Don Cheadle and Brendan Gleeson. Now, he’s gearing up to release his second effort, Calvary, which once again sees him teaming up with the Irish actor.
In the film, Gleeson plays Father James, a good-natured priest who is one day threatened during confession and finds his eyes opening to forces of darkness all around him. It’s an intriguing premise that proves to be ripe for McDonagh’s distinctive touch. With strong performances from the entire cast and a compelling story, Calvary is a nice break from the typical summer fare that’s been hitting theatres and it should definitely be on your watch list.
In the film, Gleeson plays Father James, a good-natured priest who is one day threatened during confession and finds his eyes opening to forces of darkness all around him. It’s an intriguing premise that proves to be ripe for McDonagh’s distinctive touch. With strong performances from the entire cast and a compelling story, Calvary is a nice break from the typical summer fare that’s been hitting theatres and it should definitely be on your watch list.
- 8/7/2014
- by Justine Browning
- We Got This Covered
It’s hard not to view the works of John Michael McDonagh in the context of his younger brother Martin. Both of their debut features rejoiced in anti-pc humour and swearisms, and both heavily featured the stoic, ham-faced charm of Brendan Gleeson. John Michael’s The Guard managed to hold its own in the end, with its clever take on the Old Hat buddy cop sub-genre distancing itself from the younger McDonagh’s purgatorious masterpiece In Bruges. Calvary is a different story, though, and the older McDonagh’s difficult second film treads very close indeed to the theater work of his younger sibling, but never quite manages to match it.
Gleeson is back once more, this time as Father James Lavelle, a Catholic priest in a rural Irish village. Things aren’t going too well for the Father, and the film kicks off with a member of his congregation threatening to murder him mid-Confession.
Gleeson is back once more, this time as Father James Lavelle, a Catholic priest in a rural Irish village. Things aren’t going too well for the Father, and the film kicks off with a member of his congregation threatening to murder him mid-Confession.
- 4/27/2014
- by Dominic Mill
- We Got This Covered
Park City - From the first line of dialogue in John Michael McDonaugh's second feature "Calvary," it's clear we're in for a very compromised comedy indeed: as rural Irish priest Father James Lavelle (Brendan Gleeson) sits impassively in his dim confession booth, an unseen male parishioner bluntly says, "I first tasted semen when I was seven years old." The words are so ugly, so out of step with their serene surroundings, that a large proportion of the Sundance audience responded with a queasy laugh, as if it were a dirty joke cracked at a funeral. But it's no joke at a holy...
- 1/21/2014
- by Guy Lodge
- Hitfix
After making a big splash during last year’s Sundance with the acquisition of The Way, Way Back, the indie arm of Twentieth Century Fox is back with two significant buys out of this year’s festival. In the past two days Fox Searchlight acquired worldwide rights to the existential drama I Origins from writer/director Mike Cahill and U.S. rights to John Michael McDonaugh’s black comedic drama Calvary.
I Origins, which debuted on the first weekend, stars Michael Pitt as a molecular biologist with an eye obsession. He co-stars with Brit Marling and Astrid Berges-Frisbey.
“Mike Cahill...
I Origins, which debuted on the first weekend, stars Michael Pitt as a molecular biologist with an eye obsession. He co-stars with Brit Marling and Astrid Berges-Frisbey.
“Mike Cahill...
- 1/21/2014
- by Nicole Sperling
- EW - Inside Movies
After years of erudite movie mob bosses and Camus-quoting killers, Woody Harrelson has singlehandedly revived the good, old-fashioned thug
In the very first scene in the harrowing new film Out of the Furnace, Woody Harrelson swings opens the car door, tumbles out of the driver's seat and pukes his guts out. He then forces his gabby consort to swallow whole what appears to be a revolting hot dog, beats senseless a well-meaning but overmatched Sir Galahad who unwisely comes to her rescue, and spends the rest of the movie doing violent, horrible things, many of which result in other people's deaths. Not once does he say anything witty or incisive or clever, much less pithy. Not once does he say anything that could be construed as ironic. Not once does he engage his Jurassic associates in lighthearted banter. No, in Out of the Furnace, Harrelson plays a good, old-fashioned thug.
In the very first scene in the harrowing new film Out of the Furnace, Woody Harrelson swings opens the car door, tumbles out of the driver's seat and pukes his guts out. He then forces his gabby consort to swallow whole what appears to be a revolting hot dog, beats senseless a well-meaning but overmatched Sir Galahad who unwisely comes to her rescue, and spends the rest of the movie doing violent, horrible things, many of which result in other people's deaths. Not once does he say anything witty or incisive or clever, much less pithy. Not once does he say anything that could be construed as ironic. Not once does he engage his Jurassic associates in lighthearted banter. No, in Out of the Furnace, Harrelson plays a good, old-fashioned thug.
- 12/27/2013
- by Joe Queenan
- The Guardian - Film News
Stars and casts from the current Broadway line-up have been busy in the studio, recording for the 2013 Broadway's Carols for a Cure, Volume 15. Singing traditional and original holiday songs, this annual holiday music CD benefits Broadway CaresEquity Fights AIDS Bcefa, one of the nation's leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you exclusive photos from Newsies' recording session for 'Take Me to Manhattan in December' with castmembers Hogan Fulton, Tommy Martinez, Stuart Marland, Andy Richardson, Iain Young, John Michael Fiumara, Evan Kasprzak, Mark Aldrick, Joshua Colley, Luca Padovan, Joshua Colley, Luca Padovan, Liana Hunt, Kara Lindsay, Vanessa Brown and Julie Foldesi.
- 11/23/2013
- by Genevieve Rafter Keddy
- BroadwayWorld.com
Dread helmer Anthony Diblasi is in post-production on his latest film, Paymon, and we've scored an exclusive Gif image from the supernatural thriller.
The image, we're told, is of Kitty, Dorthea, and John Michael Paymon who were captured after kidnapping and slaughtering girls. They hung themselves with their own bed sheets in their cell.
In Paymon, officer Jessica Loren has the last shift at a transitioning police station, assigned to wait for a hazmat crew who’s coming to pick up bio-hazard waste from the armory. But unbeknownst to Jessica, it’s more than just an old station. Cult leader John Michael Paymon has haunted the department ever since he and two of his followers committed suicide on the night they were captured. And now Jessica is about to find out how dangerous they can really be when she’s left all alone on this grave-yard shift.
Read more...
The image, we're told, is of Kitty, Dorthea, and John Michael Paymon who were captured after kidnapping and slaughtering girls. They hung themselves with their own bed sheets in their cell.
In Paymon, officer Jessica Loren has the last shift at a transitioning police station, assigned to wait for a hazmat crew who’s coming to pick up bio-hazard waste from the armory. But unbeknownst to Jessica, it’s more than just an old station. Cult leader John Michael Paymon has haunted the department ever since he and two of his followers committed suicide on the night they were captured. And now Jessica is about to find out how dangerous they can really be when she’s left all alone on this grave-yard shift.
Read more...
- 9/15/2013
- shocktillyoudrop.com
If you're curious as to what exactly 'Paymon' is, all you need know is it's the latest film project from filmmaker Anthony Diblasi, which means it's one to look out for. Diblasi served as producer on several Clive Barker projects such as 'Midnight Meat Train' and 'Book Of Blood,' then made his directorial debut with 'Dread,' one of the few great adaptations of Barker's works from his infamous Books Of Blood series. His 2nd feature 'Cassadaga' is due out later this year, as is 'Missionary,' but that hasn't stopped him from tackling his fourth full length feature 'Paymon,' a Charles Manson-inspired horror flick which is currently shooting.
In 'Paymon,' officer Jessica Loren has the last shift at a transitioning police station, assigned to wait for a hazmat crew who’s coming to pick up bio-hazard waste from the armory.
In 'Paymon,' officer Jessica Loren has the last shift at a transitioning police station, assigned to wait for a hazmat crew who’s coming to pick up bio-hazard waste from the armory.
- 7/9/2013
- by Rob Galluzzo
- FEARnet
Kathryn Kilger has been snapped in her role as Dorthea Paymon in the latest character poster from writer/director Anthony Diblasi's ('Dread') new horror 'Paymon'. This third teaser poster follows on from the two previous ones we posted up yesterday featuring her fellow Paymon's Kitty and John Michael played by Sarah Sculco ('Cassadaga') and Joshua Mikel respectively. 'Paymon' also stars Juliana Harkavy, J. Larose, Erica Lea Shelton and Natalie Victoria ('Deadheads'). Check out the new poster below....
- 7/9/2013
- Horror Asylum
On tap right now are the first official one-sheets for Anthony (Cassadaga, Missionary) Diblasi's next feature, Paymon, which gives us an introduction to John along with Kitty and Dorethea!
Diblasi directs from a script he wrote with Scott Poiley, who also serves as producer along with Mary Poiley. Juliana Harkavy stars.
Synopsis
Officer Jessica Loren (Harkavy) has the last shift at a transitioning police station, assigned to wait for a hazmat crew who’s coming to pick up bio-hazard waste from the armory. But unbeknownst to Jessica, it’s more than just an old station. Cult leader John Michael Paymon has haunted the department ever since he and two of his followers committed suicide on the night they were captured. And now Jessica is about to find out how dangerous they can really be when she’s left all alone on this graveyard shift.
Thanks to Bloody Disgusting and Shock...
Diblasi directs from a script he wrote with Scott Poiley, who also serves as producer along with Mary Poiley. Juliana Harkavy stars.
Synopsis
Officer Jessica Loren (Harkavy) has the last shift at a transitioning police station, assigned to wait for a hazmat crew who’s coming to pick up bio-hazard waste from the armory. But unbeknownst to Jessica, it’s more than just an old station. Cult leader John Michael Paymon has haunted the department ever since he and two of his followers committed suicide on the night they were captured. And now Jessica is about to find out how dangerous they can really be when she’s left all alone on this graveyard shift.
Thanks to Bloody Disgusting and Shock...
- 7/8/2013
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
ShockTillYouDrop.com has received an exclusive look at a one-sheet for Paymon, the new film from Anthony Diblasi (Dread, Missionary).
In Paymon, officer Jessica Loren has the last shift at a transitioning police station, assigned to wait for a hazmat crew who’s coming to pick up bio-hazard waste from the armory. But unbeknownst to Jessica, it’s more than just an old station. Cult leader John Michael Paymon has haunted the department ever since he and two of his followers committed suicide on the night they were captured. And now Jessica is about to find out how dangerous they can really be when she’s left all alone on this grave-yard shift.
Head inside for a look at the poster and meet Kitty...
Read more...
In Paymon, officer Jessica Loren has the last shift at a transitioning police station, assigned to wait for a hazmat crew who’s coming to pick up bio-hazard waste from the armory. But unbeknownst to Jessica, it’s more than just an old station. Cult leader John Michael Paymon has haunted the department ever since he and two of his followers committed suicide on the night they were captured. And now Jessica is about to find out how dangerous they can really be when she’s left all alone on this grave-yard shift.
Head inside for a look at the poster and meet Kitty...
Read more...
- 7/8/2013
- shocktillyoudrop.com
On tap right now is the latest image from Anthony (Cassadaga, Missionary) Diblasi's next feature, Paymon, and we've got every pixel of it right here for ya! Dig it!
Diblasi directs from a script he wrote with Scott Poiley, who also serves as producer along with Mary Poiley. Juliana Harkavy stars.
Synopsis
Officer Jessica Loren (Harkavy) has the last shift at a transitioning police station, assigned to wait for a hazmat crew who’s coming to pick up bio-hazard waste from the armory. But unbeknownst to Jessica, it’s more than just an old station. Cult leader John Michael Paymon has haunted the department ever since he and two of his followers committed suicide on the night they were captured. And now Jessica is about to find out how dangerous they can really be when she’s left all alone on this graveyard shift.
Visit The Evilshop @ Amazon!
Got news?...
Diblasi directs from a script he wrote with Scott Poiley, who also serves as producer along with Mary Poiley. Juliana Harkavy stars.
Synopsis
Officer Jessica Loren (Harkavy) has the last shift at a transitioning police station, assigned to wait for a hazmat crew who’s coming to pick up bio-hazard waste from the armory. But unbeknownst to Jessica, it’s more than just an old station. Cult leader John Michael Paymon has haunted the department ever since he and two of his followers committed suicide on the night they were captured. And now Jessica is about to find out how dangerous they can really be when she’s left all alone on this graveyard shift.
Visit The Evilshop @ Amazon!
Got news?...
- 6/25/2013
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Director Anthony Diblasi released the first official still from his latest film, Paymon, via his Facebook and Twitter pages. He previously helmed Clive Barker's Dread and the forthcoming Cassadaga and The Missionary (both awaiting release).
In Paymon, officer Jessica Loren has the last shift at a transitioning police station, assigned to wait for a hazmat crew who’s coming to pick up bio-hazard waste from the armory. But unbeknownst to Jessica, it’s more than just an old station. Cult leader John Michael Paymon has haunted the department ever since he and two of his followers committed suicide on the night they were captured. And now Jessica is about to find out how dangerous they can really be when she’s left all alone on this grave-yard shift.
Head inside for a look at the pic!
Read more...
In Paymon, officer Jessica Loren has the last shift at a transitioning police station, assigned to wait for a hazmat crew who’s coming to pick up bio-hazard waste from the armory. But unbeknownst to Jessica, it’s more than just an old station. Cult leader John Michael Paymon has haunted the department ever since he and two of his followers committed suicide on the night they were captured. And now Jessica is about to find out how dangerous they can really be when she’s left all alone on this grave-yard shift.
Head inside for a look at the pic!
Read more...
- 6/25/2013
- shocktillyoudrop.com
On tap right now is an exclusive image from Anthony (Cassadaga, Missionary) Diblasi's next feature, Paymon, and we've got it in all its gory glory and more! Dig it!
Diblasi directs from a script he wrote with Scott Poiley, who also serves as producer along with Mary Poiley. Juliana Harkavy stars.
Synopsis
Officer Jessica Loren (Harkavy) has the last shift at a transitioning police station, assigned to wait for a hazmat crew who’s coming to pick up bio-hazard waste from the armory. But unbeknownst to Jessica, it’s more than just an old station. Cult leader John Michael Paymon has haunted the department ever since he and two of his followers committed suicide on the night they were captured. And now Jessica is about to find out how dangerous they can really be when she’s left all alone on this graveyard shift.
Visit The Evilshop @ Amazon!
Got news?...
Diblasi directs from a script he wrote with Scott Poiley, who also serves as producer along with Mary Poiley. Juliana Harkavy stars.
Synopsis
Officer Jessica Loren (Harkavy) has the last shift at a transitioning police station, assigned to wait for a hazmat crew who’s coming to pick up bio-hazard waste from the armory. But unbeknownst to Jessica, it’s more than just an old station. Cult leader John Michael Paymon has haunted the department ever since he and two of his followers committed suicide on the night they were captured. And now Jessica is about to find out how dangerous they can really be when she’s left all alone on this graveyard shift.
Visit The Evilshop @ Amazon!
Got news?...
- 6/14/2013
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
While we wait for Anthony Diblasi's Cassadaga and Missionary to get released here Stateside, the director is already hard at work on his next feature, Paymon, and we've got the first details and more!
Diblasi directs from a script he wrote with Scott Poiley, who also serves as producer along with Mary Poiley. Juliana Harkavy stars.
Synopsis
Officer Jessica Loren (Harkavy) has the last shift at a transitioning police station, assigned to wait for a hazmat crew who’s coming to pick up bio-hazard waste from the armory. But unbeknownst to Jessica, it’s more than just an old station. Cult leader John Michael Paymon has haunted the department ever since he and two of his followers committed suicide on the night they were captured. And now Jessica is about to find out how dangerous they can really be when she’s left all alone on this graveyard shift.
Diblasi directs from a script he wrote with Scott Poiley, who also serves as producer along with Mary Poiley. Juliana Harkavy stars.
Synopsis
Officer Jessica Loren (Harkavy) has the last shift at a transitioning police station, assigned to wait for a hazmat crew who’s coming to pick up bio-hazard waste from the armory. But unbeknownst to Jessica, it’s more than just an old station. Cult leader John Michael Paymon has haunted the department ever since he and two of his followers committed suicide on the night they were captured. And now Jessica is about to find out how dangerous they can really be when she’s left all alone on this graveyard shift.
- 6/5/2013
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Short Starts typically presents a weekly short film from the start of a filmmaker or actor’s career. This week we present short films from the start of Irish cinema. While St. Patrick’s Day is technically specifically a holiday to honor St. Patrick, because he’s the patron saint of Ireland the occasion has become a time for celebrating all things Irish. For many of us, that means wearing green, drinking Guinness and/or Jameson (and/or Harp, Kilkinney, Bulmer’s, Smithwick’s, Bailey’s, Old Bushmills … alcohol in general) and blasting Dropkick Murphys while drunkenly attempting to/mocking stepdance. For a few of us, it’s also a moment to recognize Irish cinema, and by that I don’t just mean Darby O’Gill and a bunch of Ira/”Troubles” dramas (though many of these are great). Maybe it means something by one of the McDonagh brothers (like Martin’s foreign-set In Bruges or John Michael...
- 3/17/2013
- by Christopher Campbell
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Indie horror/comedy flick 'Little Reaper' (formerly 'The Naughty Little Reaper') from director Peter Dukes has moved into post-production and a new teaser poster from the project has arrived. The new teaser features teen actress Athena Baumeister as 'Little Reaper', the difficult teenage daughter of the Grim Reaper (played by John Paul Ouvrier), perfectly summing up her teenage angst with a well placed bird flip. Katharine Stapleton, Sorsha Morava, Katy Townsend, John Michael and Allisyn Ashley Arm all co-star. Dukes helms under his company Dream Seekers Productions with Colin Mehigan, Shane Mehigan and Melissa S. Cottingham on board as associate producers. Head below for the new artwork provided by Amy Texter...
- 2/19/2013
- Horror Asylum
Oh, this just keeps getting better.John Michael McDonagh's The Guard was a great favorite last year - a comedy loaded with rich characters, villainous villains, and Brendan Gleeson spouting the mostly glibly, misanthropically hilarious one liners seen on screen in recent years. Though John Michael was largely viewed as 'the other McDonagh' before the film came out - his brother, Martin, is responsible for In Bruges and Seven Psychopaths - that tune had well and thoroughly changed once people got a look at his debut.So word that McDonagh and Gleeson were reuniting for round two with the now in production Calvary was already cause for celebration. As was word that Gleeson's son Domhnall, comic Chris O'Dowd and Isaach De Bankoléwere also included in the talented...
- 10/3/2012
- Screen Anarchy
This may blow some people's minds, but did you know that it's possible to have two talented filmmakers born into the same family? It's not only possible, it happened to the McDonaghs, whose Martin and John Michael are two of the more interesting filmmakers working today. Martin started as a playwright but debuted his filmmaking skills with the Academy Award-winning short "Six Shooter" before moving on to the 2008 dark comedy "In Bruges" and the upcoming "Seven Psychopaths." John Michael, meanwhile, is starting production on "Calvary," the follow-up to his 2011 black comedy "The Guard." Once again teaming with actor Brendan Gleeson (who also appeared in Martin's "In Bruges"), "Calvary" follows a good priest (Gleeson) who is tormented by his community. Last year, McDonagh described the film as being "in the same darkly comedic vein as 'The Guard,' but with a much more serious...
- 10/3/2012
- by Ryan Gowland
- The Playlist
Blu-ray Release Date: Sept. 25, 2012
Price: Blu-ray $299.98
Studio: Universal Studios Home Entertainment
North By Northwest
Universal’s Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection includes 15 of the filmmaker’s movies in Blu-ray.
Not the first multi-film set to get that moniker, this Masterpiece Collection is the first on the high-definition format, and it contains one more movie than its DVD counterpart.
Thirteen of the movies in the Blu-ray Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection haven’t been on high-definition before, but you only get them in this mega-set for now.
Already on Blu-ray are Psycho and North By Northwest. Also in the set and on Blu-ray for the first time are: Saboteur, Shadow of a Doubt, Rope, Rear Window, The Trouble With Harry, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Vertigo, The Birds, Marnie, Torn Curtain, Topaz, Frenzy and Family Plot.
True classic thrillers starring the likes of Cary Grant, James Stewart, Grace Kelly,...
Price: Blu-ray $299.98
Studio: Universal Studios Home Entertainment
North By Northwest
Universal’s Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection includes 15 of the filmmaker’s movies in Blu-ray.
Not the first multi-film set to get that moniker, this Masterpiece Collection is the first on the high-definition format, and it contains one more movie than its DVD counterpart.
Thirteen of the movies in the Blu-ray Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection haven’t been on high-definition before, but you only get them in this mega-set for now.
Already on Blu-ray are Psycho and North By Northwest. Also in the set and on Blu-ray for the first time are: Saboteur, Shadow of a Doubt, Rope, Rear Window, The Trouble With Harry, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Vertigo, The Birds, Marnie, Torn Curtain, Topaz, Frenzy and Family Plot.
True classic thrillers starring the likes of Cary Grant, James Stewart, Grace Kelly,...
- 6/21/2012
- by Sam
- Disc Dish
John Michael Higgins on Happily Divorced (with Nathan Anderson)
Whether it’s his film work on those hilarious Christopher Guest productions like Best In Show, television work as David Letterman in the bio-pic The Late Show or The Good Wife or originating the title role in the off-Broadway production of Paul Rudnick’s Jeffrey, John Michael Higgins is one of those actors you’ve seen in just about every medium imaginable and, more times than not, he’s playing a gay character.
In the TV Land sitcom, Happily Divorced, Higgins again plays gay, this time as character Peter Lovett, who figures out he’s gay while married to his wife, Fran, played by Fran Drescher. The setup? The couple divorce only to remain in each other’s lives. Mirroring Drescher’s real-life experience with her ex, Peter Marc Jacobson, the closeness between the two is the heart of the series.
Whether it’s his film work on those hilarious Christopher Guest productions like Best In Show, television work as David Letterman in the bio-pic The Late Show or The Good Wife or originating the title role in the off-Broadway production of Paul Rudnick’s Jeffrey, John Michael Higgins is one of those actors you’ve seen in just about every medium imaginable and, more times than not, he’s playing a gay character.
In the TV Land sitcom, Happily Divorced, Higgins again plays gay, this time as character Peter Lovett, who figures out he’s gay while married to his wife, Fran, played by Fran Drescher. The setup? The couple divorce only to remain in each other’s lives. Mirroring Drescher’s real-life experience with her ex, Peter Marc Jacobson, the closeness between the two is the heart of the series.
- 3/7/2012
- by nyjimmy67
- The Backlot
This live feed for the 2012 BAFTA Awards red carpet (please scroll down) seems to be working. So, you should be able to watch at least the BAFTA 2012 red carpet arrivals online. If you're in the United Kingdom, you might also want to check out BBC3 at 7:30 p.m. London time for the red carpet arrivals (featuring Miss Piggy), and BBC1 at 9:00 p.m. London time for the actual BAFTA ceremony at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. [BAFTA 2012 winners.] Presenters at the 2012 BAFTAs include Slumdog Millionaire's Anil Kapoor, Skyfall's Bérénice Marlohe and Naomie Harris, Sling Blade's Billy Bob Thornton, Bridesmaids' Chris O'Dowd, Bel Ami's Christina Ricci and Holliday Grainger, The King's Speech/A Single Man's Colin Firth, and Red Tails/Jerry Maguire' Cuba Gooding Jr. Also, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2/The Woman in Black's Daniel Radcliffe, Johnny English Reborn...
- 2/12/2012
- by D. Zhea
- Alt Film Guide
How to watch the 2012 BAFTA Awards live-streaming online? Well, if you're in the United Kingdom, you might want to check out BBC3 at 7:30 p.m. London time for the red carpet arrivals (featuring a Louis Vuitton-clad Miss Piggy), and BBC1 at 9:00 p.m. London time for the actual BAFTA ceremony at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. If you're elsewhere, things get more complicated. [Addendum: The BAFTA ceremony can be watched here right now. Watch BAFTA 2012 online live-streaming red carpet arrivals here, and later check out BAFTA 2012 winners.] There's also the BAFTA Awards online YouTube channel, though it's unclear whether they'll provide live coverage of the red carpet/awards ceremony or if clips will be posted there (however shortly) after the fact. Right now, all the BAFTA YouTube page says is the following: "The Orange British Academy Film Awards are on 12 February 2012. Watch our exclusive coverage right here, in the build up and on the night." Additionally, Stephen Fry provides some added tips on the video clip below (please scroll down). [Addendum: No live coverage at either site so far, as the red carpet arrivals have already begun.] Else,...
- 2/12/2012
- by D. Zhea
- Alt Film Guide
'Horribly funny' Irish movie debut by John Michael McDonagh beats Submarine and Attack the Block
A debut film that became the most successful independently funded Irish movie ever has won the Guardian First Film Award. The Guard, directed by John Michael McDonagh, is a black comedy about a cynical, boozy policeman played by Brendan Gleeson, who takes on three drug dealers. Gleeson was nominated for a Golden Globe for the role.
Guardian film critic Peter Bradshaw, one of the judges, said it was a work of "originality and wit … horribly funny, deliciously incorrect, with an unexpectedly stirring, old-fashioned friendship between two lawmen."
In a strong year for film debuts, The Guard beat the Tyrannosaur, Submarine, and Attack the Block to win the prize. McDonagh, who was born in London but made his film in Ireland, described his win as terrific. "I read over the long list and thought there were...
A debut film that became the most successful independently funded Irish movie ever has won the Guardian First Film Award. The Guard, directed by John Michael McDonagh, is a black comedy about a cynical, boozy policeman played by Brendan Gleeson, who takes on three drug dealers. Gleeson was nominated for a Golden Globe for the role.
Guardian film critic Peter Bradshaw, one of the judges, said it was a work of "originality and wit … horribly funny, deliciously incorrect, with an unexpectedly stirring, old-fashioned friendship between two lawmen."
In a strong year for film debuts, The Guard beat the Tyrannosaur, Submarine, and Attack the Block to win the prize. McDonagh, who was born in London but made his film in Ireland, described his win as terrific. "I read over the long list and thought there were...
- 2/10/2012
- by Alex Needham
- The Guardian - Film News
We salute 50 of the finest contemporary films with budgets of less than $10million. Did your favourite make the list…?
In this age of multi-million dollar blockbusters and eye-watering fees paid to some actors, you may forget we’re in an age of austerity. However, for the vast majority of the film industry, there is no huge vat of money, nor has there ever been. But this hasn’t stopped some of the finest films of recent years being made on a relative shoe-string, and in some cases, quite literally with a shoe-string.
I reckon filmmaking thrives at the sharp end, and low budgets mean more creative ideas, and as a result, more engaging films. To prove this, here is a list of what I consider to be the finest 50 contemporary films made for under $10 million. There is a breathtaking array of recognisable genre pictures in here, too, with budgets rangin...
In this age of multi-million dollar blockbusters and eye-watering fees paid to some actors, you may forget we’re in an age of austerity. However, for the vast majority of the film industry, there is no huge vat of money, nor has there ever been. But this hasn’t stopped some of the finest films of recent years being made on a relative shoe-string, and in some cases, quite literally with a shoe-string.
I reckon filmmaking thrives at the sharp end, and low budgets mean more creative ideas, and as a result, more engaging films. To prove this, here is a list of what I consider to be the finest 50 contemporary films made for under $10 million. There is a breathtaking array of recognisable genre pictures in here, too, with budgets rangin...
- 2/2/2012
- Den of Geek
Ireland's answer to Gérard Depardieu on Hogwarts fame and working with Spielberg and the McDonagh brothers
You worked with Martin McDonagh on In Bruges, and now you're working with his brother John Michael, also a writer-director, on The Guard. Both films are violent, gleefully obscene and packed with movie references; both feature amoral Irishmen in the leads. What sets the brothers' work apart?
There is a similar palate in terms of humour, but their sensibilities are very different. You can't imagine one brother's character in the other's world. With Martin, you never hate anyone, even if his characters do the most appalling things, whereas John cares less whether you love his characters or not.
How would you describe The Guard?
It's a comedy, I think. People are calling it a "comedy-thriller" but I'm not sure about the thriller end of it. It's not a question of whether my character [Sergeant Gerry Boyle] will catch the baddie,...
You worked with Martin McDonagh on In Bruges, and now you're working with his brother John Michael, also a writer-director, on The Guard. Both films are violent, gleefully obscene and packed with movie references; both feature amoral Irishmen in the leads. What sets the brothers' work apart?
There is a similar palate in terms of humour, but their sensibilities are very different. You can't imagine one brother's character in the other's world. With Martin, you never hate anyone, even if his characters do the most appalling things, whereas John cares less whether you love his characters or not.
How would you describe The Guard?
It's a comedy, I think. People are calling it a "comedy-thriller" but I'm not sure about the thriller end of it. It's not a question of whether my character [Sergeant Gerry Boyle] will catch the baddie,...
- 8/13/2011
- by Killian Fox
- The Guardian - Film News
“Clever” is the best way to describe John Michael McDonagh‘s directorial debut, The Guard. In dialog, structure, the characters, and so forth, it all has a sense of cleverness. The playwright has made a dark comedic western built around (mostly) ignorant characters set in the mysterious and strange land of Ireland. Ever heard of it? Me neither. Many will be pointing out the similarities between John Michael McDonagh’s The Guard and his brother, Martin McDonagh‘s beloved film In Bruges, but there are distinct differences, and that’s clearly an important fact to John Michael. Outside of a specific similarity I mentioned to McDongah, The Guard is its own dark comedy with a could-be-iconic lead, Sergeant Gerry Boyle (played by Brendan Gleeson). Here’s what writer/director John Michael McDonagh had to say about his writing process, the button pushing ways of Sergeant Gerry Boyle, and twisting conventions: Note: This interview contains spoilers. The...
- 8/12/2011
- by Jack Giroux
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Back in 2008, actor Brendan Gleeson teamed up with Oscar-winning writer/director Martin McDonagh for a film called In Bruges. A brilliant dark comedy featuring incredible performances by its two leads, the film has since gained cult status and ended up winning numerous awards. Now Gleeson is back working with a McDonagh, but this time it.s with Martin.s brother John Michael who has crafted the amazingly funny The Guard. A few weeks back I had the opportunity to sit in on a roundtable with Gleeson to discuss the new film, which comes out this Friday. Check out the interview below in which the Irish actor discusses his time working with Don Cheadle, compares and contrasts the McDonagh filmmakers, and opens up about his next project with The Guard filmmaker. This part seems so perfect for you but it was not specifically written for you. Were you able to put...
- 7/28/2011
- cinemablend.com
We’ve been following filmmaker John Michael Elfer’s Kiss Before the Slaughter since its down and dirty desert shoot earlier this year, and now we are proud to offer you, our Dread Central readers, an early look at the project's high-octane trailer! Read on!
Voted onto the ‘Blood List’ of 2010 (an industry insider list of the top not-yet-produced horror scripts in Hollywood), Kiss Before the Slaughter follows the exploits of ex-paramours Bradley and Raquel (actors Chandler Maness and Natalie Pero, respectively), who journey to Mexico for a black-market lung transplant for the latter, only to discover an underground organization who butcher the unsuspecting ‘donors’ on which Raquel had relied. Struggling with both their mortality and morality, Raquel asks Bradley - in an effort to save the group of complete strangers which the organization have ensnared as ‘donors’ - that instead he let her die. Needless to say, all hell breaks loose.
Voted onto the ‘Blood List’ of 2010 (an industry insider list of the top not-yet-produced horror scripts in Hollywood), Kiss Before the Slaughter follows the exploits of ex-paramours Bradley and Raquel (actors Chandler Maness and Natalie Pero, respectively), who journey to Mexico for a black-market lung transplant for the latter, only to discover an underground organization who butcher the unsuspecting ‘donors’ on which Raquel had relied. Struggling with both their mortality and morality, Raquel asks Bradley - in an effort to save the group of complete strangers which the organization have ensnared as ‘donors’ - that instead he let her die. Needless to say, all hell breaks loose.
- 6/28/2011
- by SeanD.
- DreadCentral.com
Writer-director John Michael Donagh (brother of In Bruges’ Martin McDonagh) makes his feature length directorial debut with action-comedy The Guard – a welcome variation on the typical buddy-cop format. The film centres on Gerry Boyle (Brendan Gleeson): a drug-taking, prostitute-loving and socially unorthodox Irish cop who – when an international drug-smuggling gang decides to start using the small town as a hub for their illegal deliveries – is teamed up with FBI agent Wendell Everett (Don Cheadle) to investigate.
What ensues follows a fairly typical action-comedy structure, and it doesn’t deviate much throughout the majority of the film. However, rather than focusing heavily on forgettable plot strands, McDonagh admirably shifts the attention to Boyle’s character, and occasionally to his peculiar relationship with Everett. He lets the subplots arise from and fall back into the background in equal measure. At times, the narrative wavers enough for viewers to begin to question...
What ensues follows a fairly typical action-comedy structure, and it doesn’t deviate much throughout the majority of the film. However, rather than focusing heavily on forgettable plot strands, McDonagh admirably shifts the attention to Boyle’s character, and occasionally to his peculiar relationship with Everett. He lets the subplots arise from and fall back into the background in equal measure. At times, the narrative wavers enough for viewers to begin to question...
- 6/15/2011
- by Jamie Neish
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Waking up at 7am to catch a train before running half way across a city isn’t the way I would choose to start my Tuesday, but this year the wise heads at the Film Festival have moved the Press Office from its convenient spot near the Festival cinemas to the University, half way across town. After queuing for my press pass there was no way I was going to miss The Guard, which opens the festival Wednesday night, so I ran. It was, pretty much, worth it: the film is pretty decent, and kicked off a trifecta of pretty decent, though far for great, movies.
The Guard is a safe bet for an opening night film. It has a reasonably well-liked star in Brendan Gleeson, has a lot of dark humour and is neither too subversive nor too populist to annoy people. The 1500 seats of the Festival Theatre will...
The Guard is a safe bet for an opening night film. It has a reasonably well-liked star in Brendan Gleeson, has a lot of dark humour and is neither too subversive nor too populist to annoy people. The 1500 seats of the Festival Theatre will...
- 6/14/2011
- by Adam Whyte
- Obsessed with Film
One of the bigger hits of this year’s Sundance Film Festival was John Michael McDonagh‘s police comedy, The Guard. Starring Brendan Gleeson and Don Cheadle, the Irish film has already earned comparisons to movies like Edgar Wright‘s Hot Fuzz. When I consider that Wright‘s masterpiece is one of my favorite comedies of the past ten years, that comes across as a pretty high compliment.
Now, the first trailer has arrived at Rte Ten (via Twitch), and it certainly looks promising. The mix of comedy and action feels right, almost reminding me of In Bruges; maybe not so coincidentally, that happened to be written and directed by John Michael‘s brother, Martin. This made our list of 20 limited releases to look forward to this summer, and I”m happy to say that it appears to have earned it. Click the image below to see it for yourself.
Now, the first trailer has arrived at Rte Ten (via Twitch), and it certainly looks promising. The mix of comedy and action feels right, almost reminding me of In Bruges; maybe not so coincidentally, that happened to be written and directed by John Michael‘s brother, Martin. This made our list of 20 limited releases to look forward to this summer, and I”m happy to say that it appears to have earned it. Click the image below to see it for yourself.
- 5/21/2011
- by Nick Newman
- The Film Stage
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