Based on Bryan Stevenson’s 2014 autobiography, much of the film “Just Mercy” takes place in prisons and courtrooms.
Michael B. Jordan plays Stevenson, the attorney who dedicated his life to defending minorities in the criminal justice system. Stevenson challenged over 125 cases, with the movie focusing on the Walter McMillian (played by Jamie Foxx) trial, about a man wrongfully convicted of murder.
For production designer Sharon Seymour, her job was to break down the script and decide what parts would be shot on location and what required new sets.
“I made lists and started doing research through the internet,” Seymour explains. “Director and writer Destin Daniel Cretton had a Dropbox of images.”
In addition to Cretton’s researched images, Seymour and her team looked at the archive photos provided by the Equal Justice Initiative and started building visual research boards. The one set Seymour knew she would have to build was Holman Prison.
Michael B. Jordan plays Stevenson, the attorney who dedicated his life to defending minorities in the criminal justice system. Stevenson challenged over 125 cases, with the movie focusing on the Walter McMillian (played by Jamie Foxx) trial, about a man wrongfully convicted of murder.
For production designer Sharon Seymour, her job was to break down the script and decide what parts would be shot on location and what required new sets.
“I made lists and started doing research through the internet,” Seymour explains. “Director and writer Destin Daniel Cretton had a Dropbox of images.”
In addition to Cretton’s researched images, Seymour and her team looked at the archive photos provided by the Equal Justice Initiative and started building visual research boards. The one set Seymour knew she would have to build was Holman Prison.
- 12/24/2019
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Satirizing a genre as you’re fully embracing it isn’t the easiest feat and is perhaps impossible. It’s true that every good satire is also in some way a love letter to its source material, but love it a little too much, and the Valentine’s card becomes onion-thin with the prim bite of a paper cut. Todd Strauss-Schulson’s rom-com sendup “Isn’t It Romantic” is one of those satires that wants to have its Valentine’s chocolates and eat them too.
This story, about a woman who hits her head and is thrown into a rom-com world of cliché and improbability, may abide by the rules of the genre too closely to function as a critique, and it’s a shame, because it’s almost there. Writers Erin Cardillo, Dana Fox (“How to Be Single”) and Katie Silberman (“Set It Up”) hold back from really making a statement,...
This story, about a woman who hits her head and is thrown into a rom-com world of cliché and improbability, may abide by the rules of the genre too closely to function as a critique, and it’s a shame, because it’s almost there. Writers Erin Cardillo, Dana Fox (“How to Be Single”) and Katie Silberman (“Set It Up”) hold back from really making a statement,...
- 2/12/2019
- by April Wolfe
- The Wrap
Liam Neeson is having a great weekend. His latest film, Taken 3, is number one at the Us box office this weekend with an estimated $40.4M – worldwide $81.4M.
Now the Oscar nominated actor reteams with Non-stop director Jaume Collet-Serra in this first trailer to the action thriller Run All Night.
The upcoming movie also stars Joel Kinnaman, Vincent D’Onofrio, Bruce McGill, Genesis Rodriguez, Boyd Holbrook, Holt McCallany, with Common and Oscar nominee Ed Harris.
Brooklyn mobster and prolific hit man Jimmy Conlon (Neeson), once known as The Gravedigger, has seen better days. Longtime best friend of mob boss Shawn Maguire (Harris), Jimmy, now 55, is haunted by the sins of his past—as well as a dogged police detective (D’Onofrio) who’s been one step behind Jimmy for 30 years. Lately, it seems Jimmy’s only solace can be found at the bottom of a whiskey glass.
But when Jimmy’s estranged son,...
Now the Oscar nominated actor reteams with Non-stop director Jaume Collet-Serra in this first trailer to the action thriller Run All Night.
The upcoming movie also stars Joel Kinnaman, Vincent D’Onofrio, Bruce McGill, Genesis Rodriguez, Boyd Holbrook, Holt McCallany, with Common and Oscar nominee Ed Harris.
Brooklyn mobster and prolific hit man Jimmy Conlon (Neeson), once known as The Gravedigger, has seen better days. Longtime best friend of mob boss Shawn Maguire (Harris), Jimmy, now 55, is haunted by the sins of his past—as well as a dogged police detective (D’Onofrio) who’s been one step behind Jimmy for 30 years. Lately, it seems Jimmy’s only solace can be found at the bottom of a whiskey glass.
But when Jimmy’s estranged son,...
- 1/11/2015
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Principal photography has begun on Warner Bros. Pictures’ Run All Night, starring Oscar nominees Liam Neeson (“Schindler’s List,” “Taken”) and Ed Harris (“Pollock,” “The Hours”), as well as Joel Kinnaman (“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”), under the direction of Jaume Collet-Serra (“Unknown”).
Brooklyn mobster and prolific hit man Jimmy Conlon (Neeson), once known as The Gravedigger, has seen better days. Longtime best friend of mob boss Shawn Maguire (Harris), Jimmy, now 55, is haunted by the sins of his past—as well as a dogged police detective who’s been one step behind Jimmy for 30 years. Lately, it seems Jimmy’s only solace can be found at the bottom of a whiskey glass.
But when Jimmy’s estranged son, Mike (Kinnaman), becomes a target, Jimmy must make a choice between the crime family he chose and the real family he abandoned long ago. With Mike on the run, Jimmy...
Brooklyn mobster and prolific hit man Jimmy Conlon (Neeson), once known as The Gravedigger, has seen better days. Longtime best friend of mob boss Shawn Maguire (Harris), Jimmy, now 55, is haunted by the sins of his past—as well as a dogged police detective who’s been one step behind Jimmy for 30 years. Lately, it seems Jimmy’s only solace can be found at the bottom of a whiskey glass.
But when Jimmy’s estranged son, Mike (Kinnaman), becomes a target, Jimmy must make a choice between the crime family he chose and the real family he abandoned long ago. With Mike on the run, Jimmy...
- 10/3/2013
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
My current 2013 Oscar predictions for Best Production Design have Anna Karenina winning with Life of Pi the runner up and if the 2013 Art Directors Guild Award winners have anything to suggest about these predictions it would seem I'm on to something as both films were awarded in the Period and Fantasy categories respectively along with a win for Skyfall in the Contemporary category. Skyfall, however, is not up for an Oscar. You can check out my predictions for the category here, and I have included the winners below in bold, red text along with the nominees in each category. I also added all three winners to my Oscar Overture, which is slowly beginning to fill up. Next up are the Ves Awards tomorrow, February 5. Movies (Period Film) Anna Karenina Production Designer: Sarah Greenwood Argo Production Designer: Sharon Seymour Django Unchained Production Designer: J. Michael Riva Les Miserables Production Designer: Eve Stewart...
- 2/4/2013
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Bond, Pi, and Anna Karenina were the big winners at the 17th Annual Excellence in Production Design Awards given by the Art Directors Guild. "Skyfall" won the Contemporary category, "Life of Pi" under Fantasy, and "Anna Karenina" for the Period title.
Here's the complete list of winners/nominees; for winners/nominees of other award-giving bodies, click here:
17th Annual Excellence In Production Design Awards
Period Film
(winner) Anna Karenina
Production Designer: Sarah Greenwood
Argo
Production Designer: Sharon Seymour
Django Unchained
Production Designer: J. Michael Riva
Les MISÉRABLES
Production Designer: Eve Stewart
Lincoln
Production Designer: Rick Carter
Fantasy Film
Cloud Atlas
Production Designer: Uli Hanisch, Hugh Bateup
(winner) Life Of Pi
Production Designer: David Gropman
Prometheus
Production Designer: Arthur Max
The Dark Knight Rises
Production Designers: Nathan Crowley, Kevin Kavanaugh
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Production Designer: Dan Hannah
Contemporary Film
Flight
Production Designer: Nelson Coates
(winner) Skyfall
Production Designer: Dennis Gassner...
Here's the complete list of winners/nominees; for winners/nominees of other award-giving bodies, click here:
17th Annual Excellence In Production Design Awards
Period Film
(winner) Anna Karenina
Production Designer: Sarah Greenwood
Argo
Production Designer: Sharon Seymour
Django Unchained
Production Designer: J. Michael Riva
Les MISÉRABLES
Production Designer: Eve Stewart
Lincoln
Production Designer: Rick Carter
Fantasy Film
Cloud Atlas
Production Designer: Uli Hanisch, Hugh Bateup
(winner) Life Of Pi
Production Designer: David Gropman
Prometheus
Production Designer: Arthur Max
The Dark Knight Rises
Production Designers: Nathan Crowley, Kevin Kavanaugh
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Production Designer: Dan Hannah
Contemporary Film
Flight
Production Designer: Nelson Coates
(winner) Skyfall
Production Designer: Dennis Gassner...
- 2/3/2013
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
They're not the Oscars, but it's still good that there are awards for the people who make our television and film experiences so visually stunning. The Art Directors Guild has just announced the nominees for its 2012 awards.
The Guild honors production designers in television, film and advertising, dividing each medium into distinct categories. The result is that some productions not used to getting a lot of awards love do in fact get mentioned.
Take "Community" for example. While you'd be hard-pressed to find a TV critic who doesn't think this is one of TV's best comedies, the show gets nominated for virtually zero awards. The Art Directors Guild, however, took notice when appropriate -- the bizarre, visually interesting and incredible "Pillows and Blankets" episode (a Zap2It pick for one of the best episodes of the year) is nominated.
Of course, lots of the usual suspects make the list as...
The Guild honors production designers in television, film and advertising, dividing each medium into distinct categories. The result is that some productions not used to getting a lot of awards love do in fact get mentioned.
Take "Community" for example. While you'd be hard-pressed to find a TV critic who doesn't think this is one of TV's best comedies, the show gets nominated for virtually zero awards. The Art Directors Guild, however, took notice when appropriate -- the bizarre, visually interesting and incredible "Pillows and Blankets" episode (a Zap2It pick for one of the best episodes of the year) is nominated.
Of course, lots of the usual suspects make the list as...
- 1/4/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
The Art Directors Guild has announced the nominees for the 17th Annual Art Directors Guild Excellence in Production Design Awards. Winners will be announced on February 2nd at the Beverly Hilton.
Here's the complete list of nominees including television; for winners/nominees of other award-giving bodies, click here:
Nominees For Excellence In Production Design For A Feature Film In 2012
Period Film
Anna Karenina
Production Designer: Sarah Greenwood
Argo
Production Designer: Sharon Seymour
Django Unchained
Production Designer: J. Michael Riva
Les MISÉRABLES
Production Designer: Eve Stewart
Lincoln
Production Designer: Rick Carter
Fantasy Film
Cloud Atlas
Production Designer: Uli Hanisch, Hugh Bateup
Life Of Pi
Production Designer: David Gropman
Prometheus
Production Designer: Arthur Max
The Dark Knight Rises
Production Designers: Nathan Crowley, Kevin Kavanaugh
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Production Designer: Dan Hannah
Contemporary Film
Flight
Production Designer: Nelson Coates
Skyfall
Production Designer: Dennis Gassner
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Production Designer:...
Here's the complete list of nominees including television; for winners/nominees of other award-giving bodies, click here:
Nominees For Excellence In Production Design For A Feature Film In 2012
Period Film
Anna Karenina
Production Designer: Sarah Greenwood
Argo
Production Designer: Sharon Seymour
Django Unchained
Production Designer: J. Michael Riva
Les MISÉRABLES
Production Designer: Eve Stewart
Lincoln
Production Designer: Rick Carter
Fantasy Film
Cloud Atlas
Production Designer: Uli Hanisch, Hugh Bateup
Life Of Pi
Production Designer: David Gropman
Prometheus
Production Designer: Arthur Max
The Dark Knight Rises
Production Designers: Nathan Crowley, Kevin Kavanaugh
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Production Designer: Dan Hannah
Contemporary Film
Flight
Production Designer: Nelson Coates
Skyfall
Production Designer: Dennis Gassner
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Production Designer:...
- 1/3/2013
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
I never thought I would be so bothered when it comes to technical awards at the Oscars, but I am already preparing myself for what I expect will be three snubs for a certain film. The Art Directors Guild has all but confirmed one of them will be Moonrise Kingdom's absence from the Production Design nominees by not nominating Adam Stockhausen and Gerald Sullivan's profoundly excellent work. I expect the same to happen at the Oscars and I'm sure Moonrise will be overlooked for Cinematography and Costumes as well, even though everything I'm describing went into what makes it such a great movie. So what did get nominated? Well, in the Contemporary Film category you have Flight, Skyfall, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, The Impossible and Zero Dark Thirty. Of that group The Impossible and Zero Dark Thirty sound about right. Skyfall is a bit of a stretch,...
- 1/3/2013
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Nominees For Excellence In Production Design For A Feature Film In 2012: Period Film Anna Karenina Production Designer: Sarah Greenwood Argo Production Designer: Sharon Seymour Django Unchained Production Designer: J. Michael Riva...
- 1/3/2013
- by Sasha Stone
- AwardsDaily.com
The Art Directors Guild (Adg) today announced nominations in nine categories of Production Design for theatrical motion pictures, television, commercials and music videos competing in the Adg’s 17th Annual Excellence in Production Design Awards Presented by BMW for 2012. The nominations were announced by Adg Council Chair John Shaffner and Awards co-producers Greg Grande and Raf Lydon. Deadline for final voting, which is done online, is January 31. The black-tie ceremony announcing winners will take place Saturday, February 2, 2013, from the International Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills with Paula Poundstone serving as host for the fourth consecutive year. Production Designer Herman Zimmerman will be the recipient of the Guild’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Hall of Fame inductees are Preston Ames, Richard MacDonald, and Edward S. Stephenson. The Production Designers behind the James Bond franchise, Sir Ken Adam, Allan Cameron, Dennis Gassner, and Peter Lamont will be honored for Outstanding Contribution to Cinematic Imagery.
- 1/3/2013
- by vmblog@hollywoodnews.com (Vitale Morum)
- Hollywoodnews.com
The Art Directors Guild (Adg) today announced nominations in nine categories of Production Design for theatrical motion pictures, television, commercials and music videos competing in the Adg’s 17th Annual Excellence in Production Design Awards Presented by BMW for 2012. The nominations were announced by Adg Council Chair John Shaffner and Awards co-producers Greg Grande and Raf Lyndon. Deadline for final voting, which is done online, is January 31. The black-tie ceremony announcing winners will take place Saturday, February 2, 2013, from the International Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills with Paula Poundstone serving as host for the fourth consecutive year. Production Designer Herman Zimmerman will be the recipient of the Guild’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Hall of Fame inductees are Preston Ames, Richard MacDonald, and Edward S. Stephenson. The Production Designers behind the James Bond franchise, Sir Ken Adam, Allan Cameron, Dennis Gassner, and Peter Lamont will be honored for Outstanding Contribution to Cinematic Imagery.
- 1/3/2013
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
The San Diego Film Critics Society picked Ben Affleck's "Argo" as the Best Picture winner of their annual awards. "Argo" also won Best Director for Affleck, adapted screenplay, and editing awards.
It is interesting to note that the San Diego Film Critics also showered the underrated "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" giving the Best Supporting Actress honor to Emma Watson and best ensemble for the cast.
Here's the full list of nominations and winners (highlighted):
Best Film .
*** Argo
Django Unchained
Silver Linings Playbook
The Master
Zero Dark Thirty
Best Director .
Ang Lee, Life Of Pi
*** Ben Affleck, Argo
David O. Russell, Silver Linings Playbook
Kathryn Bigelow, Zero Dark Thirty
Paul Thomas Anderson, The Master
Best Actress .
Helen Hunt, The Sessions
Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook
Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty
*** Michelle Williams, Take This Waltz
Naomi Watts, The Impossible
Best Actor .
Bradley Cooper, Silver Linings Playbook
*** Daniel Day-Lewis,...
It is interesting to note that the San Diego Film Critics also showered the underrated "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" giving the Best Supporting Actress honor to Emma Watson and best ensemble for the cast.
Here's the full list of nominations and winners (highlighted):
Best Film .
*** Argo
Django Unchained
Silver Linings Playbook
The Master
Zero Dark Thirty
Best Director .
Ang Lee, Life Of Pi
*** Ben Affleck, Argo
David O. Russell, Silver Linings Playbook
Kathryn Bigelow, Zero Dark Thirty
Paul Thomas Anderson, The Master
Best Actress .
Helen Hunt, The Sessions
Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook
Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty
*** Michelle Williams, Take This Waltz
Naomi Watts, The Impossible
Best Actor .
Bradley Cooper, Silver Linings Playbook
*** Daniel Day-Lewis,...
- 12/12/2012
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
The San Diego Film Critics Society has announced the nominations for their annual awards and Paul Thomas Anderson's "The Master" led the pack with 9 nominations including best picture, best director and acting nods for Joaquin Phoenix (best actor), Amy Adams (best supporting actress), and Philip Seymour Hoffman (best supporting actor). "The Master" will compete against "Argo," "Django Unchained," "Silver Linings Playbook," and "Zero Dark Thirty" for the best picture category.
Here's the complete list of nominees, final voting will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 11th:
Best Film .
Argo
Django Unchained
Silver Linings Playbook
The Master
Zero Dark Thirty
Best Director .
Ang Lee, Life Of Pi
Ben Affleck, Argo
David O. Russell, Silver Linings Playbook
Kathryn Bigelow, Zero Dark Thirty
Paul Thomas Anderson, The Master
Best Actress .
Helen Hunt, The Sessions
Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook
Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty
Michelle Williams, Take This Waltz
Naomi Watts, The Impossible
Best Actor .
Bradley Cooper,...
Here's the complete list of nominees, final voting will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 11th:
Best Film .
Argo
Django Unchained
Silver Linings Playbook
The Master
Zero Dark Thirty
Best Director .
Ang Lee, Life Of Pi
Ben Affleck, Argo
David O. Russell, Silver Linings Playbook
Kathryn Bigelow, Zero Dark Thirty
Paul Thomas Anderson, The Master
Best Actress .
Helen Hunt, The Sessions
Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook
Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty
Michelle Williams, Take This Waltz
Naomi Watts, The Impossible
Best Actor .
Bradley Cooper,...
- 12/11/2012
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
Ben Affleck's latest film as a director is a memorable dramatisation of the CIA's rescue of six diplomats from Iran
In the early 20th century Baroness Orczy created Sir Percy Blakeney, the British aristocrat who, as that intrepid master of disguise the Scarlet Pimpernel, whisked noble folk away from the guillotine during the French revolution. The 1934 film version was a big success for Leslie Howard, who seven years later updated the story to the outbreak of the second world war as Pimpernel Smith, with himself as a mild-mannered Cambridge archaeologist rescuing anti-Nazi intellectuals from Hitler's Germany.
The film made him a personal target of Joseph Goebbels, and shortly thereafter the young diplomat Raoul Wallenberg saw the film at the British embassy in Stockholm and was inspired to save thousands of Hungarian Jews from Adolf Eichmann by issuing them with Swedish documents. In 1945 he was arrested by the Soviet army...
In the early 20th century Baroness Orczy created Sir Percy Blakeney, the British aristocrat who, as that intrepid master of disguise the Scarlet Pimpernel, whisked noble folk away from the guillotine during the French revolution. The 1934 film version was a big success for Leslie Howard, who seven years later updated the story to the outbreak of the second world war as Pimpernel Smith, with himself as a mild-mannered Cambridge archaeologist rescuing anti-Nazi intellectuals from Hitler's Germany.
The film made him a personal target of Joseph Goebbels, and shortly thereafter the young diplomat Raoul Wallenberg saw the film at the British embassy in Stockholm and was inspired to save thousands of Hungarian Jews from Adolf Eichmann by issuing them with Swedish documents. In 1945 he was arrested by the Soviet army...
- 11/12/2012
- by Philip French
- The Guardian - Film News
Viral video by ebuzzing
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Argo continues the career reinvention of Ben Affleck from a likeable, gifted actor with questionable judgement into a shrewd director of muscular, thinking-man’s cinema, and after two certifiable home-runs (Gone Baby Gone, The Town), this knock-out third effort, easily his best, is bound to have awards circles singing his praises well beyond year’s end. This is a studiously directed, nerve-shreddingly urgent thriller that’s also a wryly savvy send-up of the inner corridors of Hollywood.
Relative newcomer Chris Terrio writes a script mature beyond his years, an opening summary succinctly detailing the 1979 Iranian Revolution for the uninitiated, where Tehran’s U.S. embassy is besieged in retaliation for the country’s support of a deposed Shah. With six delegates evading capture and holing up at a Canadian ambassador’s residence, the suits back home enlist CIA exfiltration expert Tony Mendez...
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Argo continues the career reinvention of Ben Affleck from a likeable, gifted actor with questionable judgement into a shrewd director of muscular, thinking-man’s cinema, and after two certifiable home-runs (Gone Baby Gone, The Town), this knock-out third effort, easily his best, is bound to have awards circles singing his praises well beyond year’s end. This is a studiously directed, nerve-shreddingly urgent thriller that’s also a wryly savvy send-up of the inner corridors of Hollywood.
Relative newcomer Chris Terrio writes a script mature beyond his years, an opening summary succinctly detailing the 1979 Iranian Revolution for the uninitiated, where Tehran’s U.S. embassy is besieged in retaliation for the country’s support of a deposed Shah. With six delegates evading capture and holing up at a Canadian ambassador’s residence, the suits back home enlist CIA exfiltration expert Tony Mendez...
- 10/23/2012
- by Shaun Munro
- Obsessed with Film
Ben Affleck’s excellent thriller Argo does what all films based upon ‘true stories’ should: Find a historical tale very few are familiar with, and tell it with the gusto of great fiction.
I imagine inspiration was not hard to come by, for this particular story could not be any more cinematic if it were fictitious. At the outset of the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis, six Americans escape and take refuge at the Canadian ambassador’s home in Tehran. CIA operatives must race against the clock to pull these diplomats out before the revolutionary guard finds out who and where they are. On short notice and in the midst of the Iranian revolution, options are severely limited. The Department of State suggests sending the diplomats bikes and letting them ride to the border. CIA extraction specialist Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck) has a better idea: Pretend the diplomats are members of a movie crew,...
I imagine inspiration was not hard to come by, for this particular story could not be any more cinematic if it were fictitious. At the outset of the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis, six Americans escape and take refuge at the Canadian ambassador’s home in Tehran. CIA operatives must race against the clock to pull these diplomats out before the revolutionary guard finds out who and where they are. On short notice and in the midst of the Iranian revolution, options are severely limited. The Department of State suggests sending the diplomats bikes and letting them ride to the border. CIA extraction specialist Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck) has a better idea: Pretend the diplomats are members of a movie crew,...
- 10/12/2012
- by Jonathan R. Lack
- We Got This Covered
Critic Roger Ebert proclaimed, “The winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture will be Ben Affleck’s tense new thriller Argo.”
Based on true events, Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Gk Films’ dramatic thriller Argo chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis – the truth of which was unknown by the public for decades. Academy Award® winner Ben Affleck (“The Town,” “Good Will Hunting”) directs and stars in the film, which is being produced by Academy Award® winner George Clooney (“Syriana”.), Oscar® nominee Grant Heslov (“Good Night, and Good Luck.”.) and Affleck. Argo will be in theaters on October 12.
On November 4, 1979, as the Iranian revolution reaches its boiling point, militants storm the U.S. embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage. But, in the midst of the chaos, six Americans manage to slip away and find refuge in the home of the Canadian ambassador.
Based on true events, Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Gk Films’ dramatic thriller Argo chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis – the truth of which was unknown by the public for decades. Academy Award® winner Ben Affleck (“The Town,” “Good Will Hunting”) directs and stars in the film, which is being produced by Academy Award® winner George Clooney (“Syriana”.), Oscar® nominee Grant Heslov (“Good Night, and Good Luck.”.) and Affleck. Argo will be in theaters on October 12.
On November 4, 1979, as the Iranian revolution reaches its boiling point, militants storm the U.S. embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage. But, in the midst of the chaos, six Americans manage to slip away and find refuge in the home of the Canadian ambassador.
- 9/26/2012
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
With a month to go until the premiere at the London Film Festival, here’s the new poster for the film everyone was talking about at Toronto, Argo. Can’t you picture this one-sheet framed in some cinema in the early 1970′s? With the official release date of October 12th, Argo is directed by and stars Ben Affleck as well as being produced by Academy Award® winner George Clooney, Oscar® nominee Grant Heslov and Ben Affleck. Warner Bros. Pictures will release the film in the UK on November 7th.
After seeing the movie at the Telluride FIlm Festival, Sasha Stone over at Awards Daily said, “I think it is one of those rare perfect films that give you a satisfying cinematic experience. It.s funny, suspenseful and ultimately moving. It is filled with great dialogue and performances. It.s, to my mind, perfect.”
Roger Ebert has already called the race:...
After seeing the movie at the Telluride FIlm Festival, Sasha Stone over at Awards Daily said, “I think it is one of those rare perfect films that give you a satisfying cinematic experience. It.s funny, suspenseful and ultimately moving. It is filled with great dialogue and performances. It.s, to my mind, perfect.”
Roger Ebert has already called the race:...
- 9/18/2012
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences brings you the Oscars (yep, that's why they're called Academy Awards), and on Friday, the organization announced that it was prepared to invite 176 new folks to its fold.
In a list posted on its website, the Academy deemed Matthew McConaughey, Jean Dujardin, Terrence Malick, Jonah Hill, Berenice Bejo, Jessica Chastain, Octavia Spencer and a host of other film luminaries worthy of inclusion in its nearly 6,000-member army.
The Academy has drawn the ire of critics who bemoan its overwhelmingly male, white population. A Los Angeles Times investigation found that of all Academy members, 94 percent are Caucasian and 77 percent are male. A mere 2 percent are black, with Latinos constituting an even smaller portion. Only 14 percent of members are under the age of 50.
Full members of the Academy select and vote on Oscars nominees. The organization was started in 1927 and is now governed by a 43-person board.
In a list posted on its website, the Academy deemed Matthew McConaughey, Jean Dujardin, Terrence Malick, Jonah Hill, Berenice Bejo, Jessica Chastain, Octavia Spencer and a host of other film luminaries worthy of inclusion in its nearly 6,000-member army.
The Academy has drawn the ire of critics who bemoan its overwhelmingly male, white population. A Los Angeles Times investigation found that of all Academy members, 94 percent are Caucasian and 77 percent are male. A mere 2 percent are black, with Latinos constituting an even smaller portion. Only 14 percent of members are under the age of 50.
Full members of the Academy select and vote on Oscars nominees. The organization was started in 1927 and is now governed by a 43-person board.
- 6/29/2012
- by The Huffington Post
- Huffington Post
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is extending invitations to join the organization to 176 artists and executives who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to theatrical motion pictures. Those who accept the invitation will be the only additions in 2012 to the Academy.s roster of members.
.These film professionals represent some of the most talented, most passionate contributors to our industry,. said Academy President Tom Sherak. .I.m glad to recognize that by calling each of them a fellow Academy member..
Voting membership in the organization has now held steady at just under 6,000 members since 2003.
The 2012 invitees are:
Actors
Simon Baker . .Margin Call,. .L.A. Confidential.
Sean Bean . .Flightplan,. .The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Bérénice Bejo . .The Artist,. .Oss 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies.
Tom Berenger . .Inception,. .Platoon.
Demián Bichir . .A Better Life,. .Che.
Jessica Chastain . .The Help,. .The Tree of Life.
Clifton Collins,...
.These film professionals represent some of the most talented, most passionate contributors to our industry,. said Academy President Tom Sherak. .I.m glad to recognize that by calling each of them a fellow Academy member..
Voting membership in the organization has now held steady at just under 6,000 members since 2003.
The 2012 invitees are:
Actors
Simon Baker . .Margin Call,. .L.A. Confidential.
Sean Bean . .Flightplan,. .The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Bérénice Bejo . .The Artist,. .Oss 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies.
Tom Berenger . .Inception,. .Platoon.
Demián Bichir . .A Better Life,. .Che.
Jessica Chastain . .The Help,. .The Tree of Life.
Clifton Collins,...
- 6/29/2012
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences extended their 2012 membership invitations today to 176 lucky actors, directors, cinematographers, and other members of the filmmaking industry.
Terrence Malick, who somehow wasn’t already a member, received an invitation, as did fellow directors Rodrigo Garcia and Asghar Farhadi.
For actors, Melissa McCarthy’s invitation continues her incredible post-Bridesmaids rise. In addition, actors Jonah Hill, Matthew McConaughey, Andy Serkis, Jessica Chastain, and Octavia Spencer were all invited to be members, among others.
Voting membership in the organization has now held steady at just under 6,000 members since 2003, according to the Academy’s website.
Terrence Malick, who somehow wasn’t already a member, received an invitation, as did fellow directors Rodrigo Garcia and Asghar Farhadi.
For actors, Melissa McCarthy’s invitation continues her incredible post-Bridesmaids rise. In addition, actors Jonah Hill, Matthew McConaughey, Andy Serkis, Jessica Chastain, and Octavia Spencer were all invited to be members, among others.
Voting membership in the organization has now held steady at just under 6,000 members since 2003, according to the Academy’s website.
- 6/29/2012
- by Erin Strecker
- EW - Inside Movies
HollywoodNews.com: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is extending invitations to join the organization to 176 artists and executives who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to theatrical motion pictures. Those who accept the invitation will be the only additions in 2012 to the Academy’s roster of members.
“These film professionals represent some of the most talented, most passionate contributors to our industry,” said Academy President Tom Sherak. “I’m glad to recognize that by calling each of them a fellow Academy member.”
Voting membership in the organization has now held steady at just under 6,000 members since 2003.
The 2012 invitees are:
Actors
Simon Baker – “Margin Call,” “L.A. Confidential”
Sean Bean – “Flightplan,” “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring”
Bérénice Bejo – “The Artist,” “Oss 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies”
Tom Berenger – “Inception,” “Platoon”
Demián Bichir – “A Better Life,” “Che”
Jessica Chastain – “The Help,” “The Tree of Life”
Clifton Collins,...
“These film professionals represent some of the most talented, most passionate contributors to our industry,” said Academy President Tom Sherak. “I’m glad to recognize that by calling each of them a fellow Academy member.”
Voting membership in the organization has now held steady at just under 6,000 members since 2003.
The 2012 invitees are:
Actors
Simon Baker – “Margin Call,” “L.A. Confidential”
Sean Bean – “Flightplan,” “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring”
Bérénice Bejo – “The Artist,” “Oss 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies”
Tom Berenger – “Inception,” “Platoon”
Demián Bichir – “A Better Life,” “Che”
Jessica Chastain – “The Help,” “The Tree of Life”
Clifton Collins,...
- 6/29/2012
- by Josh Abraham
- Hollywoodnews.com
Photo by Claire Folger
Here’s your first look at Warner Bros. Pictures. and Gk Films. dramatic thriller Argo, directed by and starring Academy Award winner Ben Affleck (.The Town,. .Good Will Hunting.). The film is being produced by Academy Award winner George Clooney (.Syriana.), Oscar nominee Grant Heslov (.Good Night, and Good Luck..) and Affleck.
Based on true events, Argo chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis.the truth of which was unknown by the public for decades. On November 4, 1979, as the Iranian revolution reaches its boiling point, militants storm the U.S. embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage. But, in the midst of the chaos, six Americans manage to slip away and find refuge in the home of the Canadian ambassador. Knowing it is only a matter of time before the six are found out and likely killed,...
Here’s your first look at Warner Bros. Pictures. and Gk Films. dramatic thriller Argo, directed by and starring Academy Award winner Ben Affleck (.The Town,. .Good Will Hunting.). The film is being produced by Academy Award winner George Clooney (.Syriana.), Oscar nominee Grant Heslov (.Good Night, and Good Luck..) and Affleck.
Based on true events, Argo chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis.the truth of which was unknown by the public for decades. On November 4, 1979, as the Iranian revolution reaches its boiling point, militants storm the U.S. embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage. But, in the midst of the chaos, six Americans manage to slip away and find refuge in the home of the Canadian ambassador. Knowing it is only a matter of time before the six are found out and likely killed,...
- 5/8/2012
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Ben Affleck has begun commanding a dangerous mission deep into the heart of an extremely hostile enemy. Luckily, he'll get to boss the bad guys around, too.
Principal photography on the star's third directorial effort, "Argo," began on Thursday, with Warner Bros. sending out a press release detailing both the star-studded behind-the-scenes team (see: Clooney, George, for example) and the first official synopsis of the based-on-a-true-story film.
In a quick summary of the synopsis, the film is about six Us hostages that have escaped the grasp of their Iranian hostage takers during the famous 1979 crisis. They make their way to the home of a Canadian ambassador, but require an extreme plan to make it out of the country. Enter a preposterous, movie production scheme and some guts of steel, and you have one of the wildest stories in recent covert history (or, so we know).
In addition to directing, Affleck will star in the film,...
Principal photography on the star's third directorial effort, "Argo," began on Thursday, with Warner Bros. sending out a press release detailing both the star-studded behind-the-scenes team (see: Clooney, George, for example) and the first official synopsis of the based-on-a-true-story film.
In a quick summary of the synopsis, the film is about six Us hostages that have escaped the grasp of their Iranian hostage takers during the famous 1979 crisis. They make their way to the home of a Canadian ambassador, but require an extreme plan to make it out of the country. Enter a preposterous, movie production scheme and some guts of steel, and you have one of the wildest stories in recent covert history (or, so we know).
In addition to directing, Affleck will star in the film,...
- 9/2/2011
- by Jordan Zakarin
- Huffington Post
With production beginning today on Ben Affleck‘s hostage thriller Argo, Warner Bros. lets us know of a few new players added to the cast. We’ve already got Affleck starring alongside Alan Arkin, Bryan Cranston, John Goodman, Kerry Bishé, Kyle Chandler, Rory Cochrane, Christopher Denham, Tate Donovan, Clea DuVall, Victor Garber, Zeljko Ivanek, Scoot McNairy and Taylor Schilling. Three names stood out for me as new additions though in the press release.
Richard Kind (A Serious Man), Chris Messina (Away We Go) and Michael Parks (who is in Kevin Smith‘s Red State, on VOD today), round out the rest of the major actors. There is no word on what specific roles they play, but these are three of my favorite character actors and it is nice to see Affleck make these additions. After mostly enjoying The Town and loving Gone Baby Gone, I’m looking forward to this one.
Richard Kind (A Serious Man), Chris Messina (Away We Go) and Michael Parks (who is in Kevin Smith‘s Red State, on VOD today), round out the rest of the major actors. There is no word on what specific roles they play, but these are three of my favorite character actors and it is nice to see Affleck make these additions. After mostly enjoying The Town and loving Gone Baby Gone, I’m looking forward to this one.
- 9/1/2011
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Principal photography has begun on Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Gk Films’ dramatic thriller “Argo,” directed by and starring Academy Award® winner Ben Affleck (“The Town,” “Good Will Hunting”). The film is being produced by Academy Award® winner George Clooney (“Syriana”), Oscar® nominee Grant Heslov (“Good Night, and Good Luck.”) and Affleck. Based on true events, “Argo” chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis — the truth of which was unknown by the public for decades. On November 4, 1979, as the Iranian revolution reaches its boiling point, militants storm the U.S. embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage. But, in the midst of the chaos, six Americans manage to slip away and find refuge in the home of the Canadian ambassador. Knowing it is only a matter of time before the six are found out and likely killed, a CIA “exfiltration...
- 9/1/2011
- LRMonline.com
Ben Affleck directs and stars in the fact-based thriller.
Burbank, CA, August 31, 2011 - Principal photography has begun on Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Gk Films’ dramatic thriller Argo, directed by and starring Academy Award® winner Ben Affleck (“The Town,” “Good Will Hunting”). The film is being produced by Academy Award® winner George Clooney (“Syriana”), Oscar® nominee Grant Heslov (“Good Night, and Good Luck.”) and Affleck.
Based on true events, Argo chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis.the truth of which was unknown by the public for decades.
On November 4, 1979, as the Iranian revolution reaches its boiling point, militants storm the U.S. embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage. But, in the midst of the chaos, six Americans manage to slip away and find refuge in the home of the Canadian ambassador. Knowing it is only a matter of...
Burbank, CA, August 31, 2011 - Principal photography has begun on Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Gk Films’ dramatic thriller Argo, directed by and starring Academy Award® winner Ben Affleck (“The Town,” “Good Will Hunting”). The film is being produced by Academy Award® winner George Clooney (“Syriana”), Oscar® nominee Grant Heslov (“Good Night, and Good Luck.”) and Affleck.
Based on true events, Argo chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis.the truth of which was unknown by the public for decades.
On November 4, 1979, as the Iranian revolution reaches its boiling point, militants storm the U.S. embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage. But, in the midst of the chaos, six Americans manage to slip away and find refuge in the home of the Canadian ambassador. Knowing it is only a matter of...
- 8/31/2011
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Tom Hooper's "The King's Speech," Christopher Nolan's "Inception," and Darren Aronofsky's "Black Swan" were the big winners of the Art Directors Guild's 15th annual Excellent in Production Design Awards.
"The King's Speech" took home the Period Film prize, "Inception" received the Fantasy Film trophy, and "Black Swan" danced to the top of Contemporary Film category.
Here's the complete list of winners (bolded) and nominees of the Art Directors Guild's 15th annual Excellence in Production Design Awards (Check out my Awards Avenue for your complete pre-Oscar preparations)
Period Film
True Grit -- Jess Gonchor
The King's Speech -- Eve Stewart
Shutter Island -- Dante Ferretti
Robin Hood -- Arthur Max
Get Low -- Geoffrey Kirkland
Fantasy Film
Alice In Wonderland -- Robert Stromberg
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1 -- Stuart Craig
Inception -- Guy Hendrix Dyas
Tron: Legacy -- Darren Gilford
The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader...
"The King's Speech" took home the Period Film prize, "Inception" received the Fantasy Film trophy, and "Black Swan" danced to the top of Contemporary Film category.
Here's the complete list of winners (bolded) and nominees of the Art Directors Guild's 15th annual Excellence in Production Design Awards (Check out my Awards Avenue for your complete pre-Oscar preparations)
Period Film
True Grit -- Jess Gonchor
The King's Speech -- Eve Stewart
Shutter Island -- Dante Ferretti
Robin Hood -- Arthur Max
Get Low -- Geoffrey Kirkland
Fantasy Film
Alice In Wonderland -- Robert Stromberg
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1 -- Stuart Craig
Inception -- Guy Hendrix Dyas
Tron: Legacy -- Darren Gilford
The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader...
- 2/7/2011
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
The Art Directors Guild has announced nominees for its 15th Annual Excellence in Production Design Awards! Winners will be revealed on Feb. 5.
Here's the complete list of nominees (Check our Awards Avenue for complete winners/nominees for all award-giving bodies):
Nominees For Excellence In Production Design For A Feature Film In 2010
Period Film
True Grit -- Jess Gonchor
The King's Speech -- Eve Stewart
Shutter Island -- Dante Ferretti
Robin Hood -- Arthur Max
Get Low -- Geoffrey Kirkland
Fantasy Film
Alice In Wonderland -- Robert Stromberg
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1 -- Stuart Craig
Inception -- Guy Hendrix Dyas
Tron: Legacy -- Darren Gilford
The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader -- Barry Robison
Contemporary Film
Black Swan -- Therese DePrez
The Social Network -- Donald Graham Burt
The Fighter -- Judy Becker
The Town -- Sharon Seymour
127 Hours -- Suttirat Larlarb
Nominees...
Here's the complete list of nominees (Check our Awards Avenue for complete winners/nominees for all award-giving bodies):
Nominees For Excellence In Production Design For A Feature Film In 2010
Period Film
True Grit -- Jess Gonchor
The King's Speech -- Eve Stewart
Shutter Island -- Dante Ferretti
Robin Hood -- Arthur Max
Get Low -- Geoffrey Kirkland
Fantasy Film
Alice In Wonderland -- Robert Stromberg
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1 -- Stuart Craig
Inception -- Guy Hendrix Dyas
Tron: Legacy -- Darren Gilford
The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader -- Barry Robison
Contemporary Film
Black Swan -- Therese DePrez
The Social Network -- Donald Graham Burt
The Fighter -- Judy Becker
The Town -- Sharon Seymour
127 Hours -- Suttirat Larlarb
Nominees...
- 1/6/2011
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
The power of eye candy at the movies is greatly underestimated. Whole star turns can be elevated with the right costuming choices and entire films can be propped up with meaning, beauty, authenticity or imagination with the right production design decisions and set creation and decoration.
love the dilapidated dioramas of The King's Speech
So congratulations to the nominees. The Adg chooses them in three separate categories.
Period
Jess Gonchor for True Grit
Eve Stewart for The King's Speech
Dante Ferretti for Shutter Island
Arthur Max for Robin Hood
Geoffrey Kirkland for Get Low
Most of these will probably show up on Oscar's list. They don't have separate categories so they tend to favor period work.
Disappointed to see Eugenio Caballero's fine work on the 70s rock biopic The Runaways (pictured left) snubbed here. We knew it wouldn't figure in (see griping at the end of this post for why) but still.
love the dilapidated dioramas of The King's Speech
So congratulations to the nominees. The Adg chooses them in three separate categories.
Period
Jess Gonchor for True Grit
Eve Stewart for The King's Speech
Dante Ferretti for Shutter Island
Arthur Max for Robin Hood
Geoffrey Kirkland for Get Low
Most of these will probably show up on Oscar's list. They don't have separate categories so they tend to favor period work.
Disappointed to see Eugenio Caballero's fine work on the 70s rock biopic The Runaways (pictured left) snubbed here. We knew it wouldn't figure in (see griping at the end of this post for why) but still.
- 1/5/2011
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
hollywoodnews.com: The Art Directors Guild (Adg) today announced nominations in nine categories of Production Design for theatrical motion pictures, television, commercials and music videos competing in the Adg’s 15th Annual Excellence in Production Design Awards for 2010. The nominations were announced by Adg Council President Tom Walsh and Awards co-producers Dawn Snyder and Tom Wilkins. Deadline for final voting, which is done online, is February 3. The black-tie ceremony announcing winners will take place Saturday, February 5, 2010 from the International Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills with Paula Poundstone serving as host for the second consecutive year.
Theme of this year’s awards ceremony is “Designs on Film” as a tribute to Cathy Whitlock’s new HarperCollins book that traces 100 years of Hollywood Art Direction. Walsh will introduce the event,
A Lifetime Achievement Award will go to Academy Award® winning Production Designer Patricia Norris with director David Lynch set to present to her.
Theme of this year’s awards ceremony is “Designs on Film” as a tribute to Cathy Whitlock’s new HarperCollins book that traces 100 years of Hollywood Art Direction. Walsh will introduce the event,
A Lifetime Achievement Award will go to Academy Award® winning Production Designer Patricia Norris with director David Lynch set to present to her.
- 1/5/2011
- by HollywoodNews.com
- Hollywoodnews.com
Mia Wasikowska in Alice in Wonderland; Production Designer: Robert Stromberg
Photo: Walt Disney Pictures Now we start getting into a few of the more interesting guild nominations rather than those where we pretty much know exactly what films will be nominated. This morning the Art Directors Guild (Adg) announced nominations for the Adg'?s 15th Annual Excellence in Production Design Awards for 2010.
The guild breaks out their noms distinguishing films as Period, Fantasy or Contemporary.
Of the nominees all five of my current Oscar predictions for the Art Direction category found their way into the mix, which includes the work done on Alice in Wonderland, Inception, True Grit, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 and The King's Speech. However, a couple of my bubble predictions didn't make the Adg's cut, including The Wolfman and Secretariat, but then again, only five films can be nominated in the period category...
Photo: Walt Disney Pictures Now we start getting into a few of the more interesting guild nominations rather than those where we pretty much know exactly what films will be nominated. This morning the Art Directors Guild (Adg) announced nominations for the Adg'?s 15th Annual Excellence in Production Design Awards for 2010.
The guild breaks out their noms distinguishing films as Period, Fantasy or Contemporary.
Of the nominees all five of my current Oscar predictions for the Art Direction category found their way into the mix, which includes the work done on Alice in Wonderland, Inception, True Grit, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 and The King's Speech. However, a couple of my bubble predictions didn't make the Adg's cut, including The Wolfman and Secretariat, but then again, only five films can be nominated in the period category...
- 1/5/2011
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Mark Ruffalo, Leonardo DiCaprio in Martin Scorsese's Shutter Island Nominees For Excellence In Production Design For A Feature Film In 2010: Period Film True Grit Production Designer: Jess Gonchor The King's Speech Production Designer: Eve Stewart Shutter Island Production Designer: Dante Ferretti Robin Hood Production Designer: Arthur Max Get Low Production Designer: Geoffrey Kirkland Fantasy Film Alice In Wonderland Production Designer: Robert Stromberg Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1 Production Designer: Stuart Craig Inception Production Designer: Guy Hendrix Dyas Tron: Legacy Production Designer: Darren Gilford The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader Production Designer: Barry Robison Contemporary Film Black Swan Production Designer: Therese DePrez The Social Network Production Designer: Donald Graham Burt The Fighter Production Designer: Judy Becker The Town Production Desinger: Sharon Seymour 127 Hours Production Designer: Suttirat Larlarb Nominees For Excellence In Production Design In Television For 2010: Single Camera Television Series [...]...
- 1/5/2011
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
The Town is Ben Affleck’s follow-up directorial effort to his critically acclaimed film “Gone Baby Gone.” We now have some awesome giveaways for you to feel like you robbing banks in South Boston with some great T-shirts, beer coasters, and to get the hell out of Dodge or hide your cash stash, a cool Town-inspired duffel bag. All that and more in this great giveaway presented by FusedFilm.com.
The Giveaway (See Photos Above)
1 Port Authority Men’s Jacket – Arv $90
2 24″ x 15″ x 13″ Black Heavyweight Duffle Bag – Arv $49
3 Men’s Charleston Townie T-shirt – Arv $18
3 Ladies’ Black “Irish Pub” Long Sleeve T-shirt – Arv $20
3 Reversible Beanie – Arv $15
3 Sets of 4 “The Town” Coasters – Arv $5
How to Enter
There are 2 steps to enter and win this contest.
1.) “Like” us on our Facebook page (Click Here)
2.) Fill out the form below with all your correct information. Just fill in the form below and the winner...
The Giveaway (See Photos Above)
1 Port Authority Men’s Jacket – Arv $90
2 24″ x 15″ x 13″ Black Heavyweight Duffle Bag – Arv $49
3 Men’s Charleston Townie T-shirt – Arv $18
3 Ladies’ Black “Irish Pub” Long Sleeve T-shirt – Arv $20
3 Reversible Beanie – Arv $15
3 Sets of 4 “The Town” Coasters – Arv $5
How to Enter
There are 2 steps to enter and win this contest.
1.) “Like” us on our Facebook page (Click Here)
2.) Fill out the form below with all your correct information. Just fill in the form below and the winner...
- 9/7/2010
- by Kevin Coll
- FusedFilm
This review was written for the theatrical release of "Because I Said So". Like the architectural-wonder cakes Diane Keaton's character constructs in "Because I Said So", the film is a stylishly gooey piece of work that demands to be oohed and aahed over. With its magazine-spread interiors and pretty dresses, this romantic comedy about a meddling mom and her unlucky-in-love youngest daughter might get what it wants. Using a recipe overloaded with adorable, too reliant on slapstick and spiced up with "modern" ideas about sex, the movie is as predictable as a crowd-pleaser can get. But crowds are likely to be pleased nonetheless, especially women who connect with its pat observations about the mother-daughter bond.
It's dispiriting to see a great actress like Keaton buying into this nonsense with such gusto. Still, as Daphne, the control-freak cake entrepreneur nearing her 60th birthday, she's the closest thing to a three-dimensional person in the film. Mandy Moore is an appealing performer, but ultimately she can't turn Milly, the object of Daphne's pathological concern, into more than a collection of comely pouts and tantrums.
The script by Karen Leigh Hopkins and Jessie Nelson, two of the writers of 1998's "Stepmom", is a compendium of cliches. Chief among these is the montage of comical interviewees -- that overused shorthand for L-O-S-E-R that parades across the screen for our condescending enjoyment, a succession of inadequate candidates for a job or a date. In this case, the would-be boyfriends are interviewed not by their potential mate but by her mother. Having placed an online ad, "Mother looking for life partner for daughter" (have more menacing words ever been printed?), Daphne holds court in a hotel lobby bar, driven to drink by the bad and the ugly. The good arrive, too. Jason, Tom Everett Scott) is an architect -- the movie occupation du jour, signaling financially successful and creative -- and Daphne couldn't be more thrilled. There's also bystander Johnny (Gabriel Macht), a musician working in the bar. He observes Daphne with interest, and for a moment it seems this might turn into a younger man/older woman romance. But against Daphne's wishes, the faux bohemian guitarist (he wears a fedora and vest) pursues Milly, a caterer with a snorting laugh not unlike Annie Hall's. After an inventive meet-cute with Johnny involving static cling, Milly finds herself dating both him and Jason.
Who Milly will end up with is as obvious as the contrasts between the two men. Johnny's the single father of a precocious boy (Ty Panitz), and they live with his single dad (Stephen Collins) in a fashionably cluttered house on the Venice canals. Against all that humanity, Jason lives in minimalist splendor and takes Milly to sleek downtown eateries. The dream-date deck is stacked. When Milly accidentally breaks one of Jason's family heirlooms, he gets a bit testy, the brute. But Johnny is all hugs and forgiveness after the accident-prone caterer shatters a plate that he probably got on sale at Pier 1.
Still, they're both decent guys, and what's a girl to do but sleep with both of them? The film pushes a cheery attitude toward sex, complete with cell-phone conference calls about uncircumcised penises between Daphne, Milly and her two married sisters. The sole characteristic of middle sis Mae (Piper Perabo) is her love of sex. It's clear from the get-go that Daphne's sense of urgency over Milly's love life is really about her own regrets as a single woman, but the script milks the notion for all its cheap, orgasm-centric psychology.
Director Michael Lehmann ("Heathers"), who keeps the story moving if not believable, isn't above using Daphne's pet dog for frequent reaction shots. Director of photography Julio Macat showcases L.A. dream locales -- not counting a woeful Korean spa scene -- while the creations of production designer Sharon Seymour and costume designer Shay Cunliffe have pizzazz but never feel lived-in. David Kitay's music score aids and abets the script in pushing emotional buttons.
Amongst the cardboard-cutout supporting characters, Lauren Graham brings a welcome deadpan sensibility to the overeager proceedings as oldest sibling Maggie, a wry psychologist.
BECAUSE I SAID SO
Universal Pictures
A Universal Pictures and Gold Circle Films presentation
Credits:
Director: Michael Lehmann
Screenwriters: Karen Leigh Hopkins, Jessie Nelson
Producers: Paul Brooks, Jessie Nelson
Executive producers: Scott Niemeyer, Norm Waitt, Michael Flynn
Director of photography: Julio Macat
Production designer: Sharon Seymour
Music: David Kitay
Co-producer: Wendy Rhoads
Costume designer: Shay Cunliffe
Editors: Paul Seydor, Troy Takaki
Cast:
Daphne: Diane Keaton
Milly: Mandy Moore
Johnny: Gabriel Macht
Jason: Tom Everett Scott
Maggie: Lauren Graham
Mae: Piper Perabo
Joe: Stephen Collins
Lionel: Ty Panitz
Running time -- 101 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
It's dispiriting to see a great actress like Keaton buying into this nonsense with such gusto. Still, as Daphne, the control-freak cake entrepreneur nearing her 60th birthday, she's the closest thing to a three-dimensional person in the film. Mandy Moore is an appealing performer, but ultimately she can't turn Milly, the object of Daphne's pathological concern, into more than a collection of comely pouts and tantrums.
The script by Karen Leigh Hopkins and Jessie Nelson, two of the writers of 1998's "Stepmom", is a compendium of cliches. Chief among these is the montage of comical interviewees -- that overused shorthand for L-O-S-E-R that parades across the screen for our condescending enjoyment, a succession of inadequate candidates for a job or a date. In this case, the would-be boyfriends are interviewed not by their potential mate but by her mother. Having placed an online ad, "Mother looking for life partner for daughter" (have more menacing words ever been printed?), Daphne holds court in a hotel lobby bar, driven to drink by the bad and the ugly. The good arrive, too. Jason, Tom Everett Scott) is an architect -- the movie occupation du jour, signaling financially successful and creative -- and Daphne couldn't be more thrilled. There's also bystander Johnny (Gabriel Macht), a musician working in the bar. He observes Daphne with interest, and for a moment it seems this might turn into a younger man/older woman romance. But against Daphne's wishes, the faux bohemian guitarist (he wears a fedora and vest) pursues Milly, a caterer with a snorting laugh not unlike Annie Hall's. After an inventive meet-cute with Johnny involving static cling, Milly finds herself dating both him and Jason.
Who Milly will end up with is as obvious as the contrasts between the two men. Johnny's the single father of a precocious boy (Ty Panitz), and they live with his single dad (Stephen Collins) in a fashionably cluttered house on the Venice canals. Against all that humanity, Jason lives in minimalist splendor and takes Milly to sleek downtown eateries. The dream-date deck is stacked. When Milly accidentally breaks one of Jason's family heirlooms, he gets a bit testy, the brute. But Johnny is all hugs and forgiveness after the accident-prone caterer shatters a plate that he probably got on sale at Pier 1.
Still, they're both decent guys, and what's a girl to do but sleep with both of them? The film pushes a cheery attitude toward sex, complete with cell-phone conference calls about uncircumcised penises between Daphne, Milly and her two married sisters. The sole characteristic of middle sis Mae (Piper Perabo) is her love of sex. It's clear from the get-go that Daphne's sense of urgency over Milly's love life is really about her own regrets as a single woman, but the script milks the notion for all its cheap, orgasm-centric psychology.
Director Michael Lehmann ("Heathers"), who keeps the story moving if not believable, isn't above using Daphne's pet dog for frequent reaction shots. Director of photography Julio Macat showcases L.A. dream locales -- not counting a woeful Korean spa scene -- while the creations of production designer Sharon Seymour and costume designer Shay Cunliffe have pizzazz but never feel lived-in. David Kitay's music score aids and abets the script in pushing emotional buttons.
Amongst the cardboard-cutout supporting characters, Lauren Graham brings a welcome deadpan sensibility to the overeager proceedings as oldest sibling Maggie, a wry psychologist.
BECAUSE I SAID SO
Universal Pictures
A Universal Pictures and Gold Circle Films presentation
Credits:
Director: Michael Lehmann
Screenwriters: Karen Leigh Hopkins, Jessie Nelson
Producers: Paul Brooks, Jessie Nelson
Executive producers: Scott Niemeyer, Norm Waitt, Michael Flynn
Director of photography: Julio Macat
Production designer: Sharon Seymour
Music: David Kitay
Co-producer: Wendy Rhoads
Costume designer: Shay Cunliffe
Editors: Paul Seydor, Troy Takaki
Cast:
Daphne: Diane Keaton
Milly: Mandy Moore
Johnny: Gabriel Macht
Jason: Tom Everett Scott
Maggie: Lauren Graham
Mae: Piper Perabo
Joe: Stephen Collins
Lionel: Ty Panitz
Running time -- 101 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
Like the architectural-wonder cakes Diane Keaton's character constructs in "Because I Said So", the film is a stylishly gooey piece of work that demands to be oohed and aahed over. With its magazine-spread interiors and pretty dresses, this romantic comedy about a meddling mom and her unlucky-in-love youngest daughter might get what it wants. Using a recipe overloaded with adorable, too reliant on slapstick and spiced up with "modern" ideas about sex, the movie is as predictable as a crowd-pleaser can get. But crowds are likely to be pleased nonetheless, especially women who connect with its pat observations about the mother-daughter bond.
It's dispiriting to see a great actress like Keaton buying into this nonsense with such gusto. Still, as Daphne, the control-freak cake entrepreneur nearing her 60th birthday, she's the closest thing to a three-dimensional person in the film. Mandy Moore is an appealing performer, but ultimately she can't turn Milly, the object of Daphne's pathological concern, into more than a collection of comely pouts and tantrums.
The script by Karen Leigh Hopkins and Jessie Nelson, two of the writers of 1998's "Stepmom", is a compendium of cliches. Chief among these is the montage of comical interviewees -- that overused shorthand for L-O-S-E-R that parades across the screen for our condescending enjoyment, a succession of inadequate candidates for a job or a date. In this case, the would-be boyfriends are interviewed not by their potential mate but by her mother. Having placed an online ad, "Mother looking for life partner for daughter" (have more menacing words ever been printed?), Daphne holds court in a hotel lobby bar, driven to drink by the bad and the ugly.The good arrive, too. Jason, Tom Everett Scott) is an architect -- the movie occupation du jour, signaling financially successful and creative -- and Daphne couldn't be more thrilled. There's also bystander Johnny (Gabriel Macht), a musician working in the bar. He observes Daphne with interest, and for a moment it seems this might turn into a younger man/older woman romance. But against Daphne's wishes, the faux bohemian guitarist (he wears a fedora and vest) pursues Milly, a caterer with a snorting laugh not unlike Annie Hall's. After an inventive meet-cute with Johnny involving static cling, Milly finds herself dating both him and Jason.
Who Milly will end up with is as obvious as the contrasts between the two men. Johnny's the single father of a precocious boy (Ty Panitz), and they live with his single dad (Stephen Collins) in a fashionably cluttered house on the Venice canals. Against all that humanity, Jason lives in minimalist splendor and takes Milly to sleek downtown eateries. The dream-date deck is stacked. When Milly accidentally breaks one of Jason's family heirlooms, he gets a bit testy, the brute. But Johnny is all hugs and forgiveness after the accident-prone caterer shatters a plate that he probably got on sale at Pier 1.
Still, they're both decent guys, and what's a girl to do but sleep with both of them? The film pushes a cheery attitude toward sex, complete with cell-phone conference calls about uncircumcised penises between Daphne, Milly and her two married sisters. The sole characteristic of middle sis Mae (Piper Perabo) is her love of sex. It's clear from the get-go that Daphne's sense of urgency over Milly's love life is really about her own regrets as a single woman, but the script milks the notion for all its cheap, orgasm-centric psychology.
Director Michael Lehmann ("Heathers"), who keeps the story moving if not believable, isn't above using Daphne's pet dog for frequent reaction shots. Director of photography Julio Macat showcases L.A. dream locales -- not counting a woeful Korean spa scene -- while the creations of production designer Sharon Seymour and costume designer Shay Cunliffe have pizzazz but never feel lived-in. David Kitay's music score aids and abets the script in pushing emotional buttons.
Amongst the cardboard-cutout supporting characters, Lauren Graham brings a welcome deadpan sensibility to the overeager proceedings as oldest sibling Maggie, a wry psychologist.
BECAUSE I SAID SO
Universal Pictures
A Universal Pictures and Gold Circle Films presentation
Credits:
Director: Michael Lehmann
Screenwriters: Karen Leigh Hopkins, Jessie Nelson
Producers: Paul Brooks, Jessie Nelson
Executive producers: Scott Niemeyer, Norm Waitt, Michael Flynn
Director of photography: Julio Macat
Production designer: Sharon Seymour
Music: David Kitay
Co-producer: Wendy Rhoads
Costume designer: Shay Cunliffe
Editors: Paul Seydor, Troy Takaki
Cast:
Daphne: Diane Keaton
Milly: Mandy Moore
Johnny: Gabriel Macht
Jason: Tom Everett Scott
Maggie: Lauren Graham
Mae: Piper Perabo
Joe: Stephen Collins
Lionel: Ty Panitz
Running time -- 101 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
It's dispiriting to see a great actress like Keaton buying into this nonsense with such gusto. Still, as Daphne, the control-freak cake entrepreneur nearing her 60th birthday, she's the closest thing to a three-dimensional person in the film. Mandy Moore is an appealing performer, but ultimately she can't turn Milly, the object of Daphne's pathological concern, into more than a collection of comely pouts and tantrums.
The script by Karen Leigh Hopkins and Jessie Nelson, two of the writers of 1998's "Stepmom", is a compendium of cliches. Chief among these is the montage of comical interviewees -- that overused shorthand for L-O-S-E-R that parades across the screen for our condescending enjoyment, a succession of inadequate candidates for a job or a date. In this case, the would-be boyfriends are interviewed not by their potential mate but by her mother. Having placed an online ad, "Mother looking for life partner for daughter" (have more menacing words ever been printed?), Daphne holds court in a hotel lobby bar, driven to drink by the bad and the ugly.The good arrive, too. Jason, Tom Everett Scott) is an architect -- the movie occupation du jour, signaling financially successful and creative -- and Daphne couldn't be more thrilled. There's also bystander Johnny (Gabriel Macht), a musician working in the bar. He observes Daphne with interest, and for a moment it seems this might turn into a younger man/older woman romance. But against Daphne's wishes, the faux bohemian guitarist (he wears a fedora and vest) pursues Milly, a caterer with a snorting laugh not unlike Annie Hall's. After an inventive meet-cute with Johnny involving static cling, Milly finds herself dating both him and Jason.
Who Milly will end up with is as obvious as the contrasts between the two men. Johnny's the single father of a precocious boy (Ty Panitz), and they live with his single dad (Stephen Collins) in a fashionably cluttered house on the Venice canals. Against all that humanity, Jason lives in minimalist splendor and takes Milly to sleek downtown eateries. The dream-date deck is stacked. When Milly accidentally breaks one of Jason's family heirlooms, he gets a bit testy, the brute. But Johnny is all hugs and forgiveness after the accident-prone caterer shatters a plate that he probably got on sale at Pier 1.
Still, they're both decent guys, and what's a girl to do but sleep with both of them? The film pushes a cheery attitude toward sex, complete with cell-phone conference calls about uncircumcised penises between Daphne, Milly and her two married sisters. The sole characteristic of middle sis Mae (Piper Perabo) is her love of sex. It's clear from the get-go that Daphne's sense of urgency over Milly's love life is really about her own regrets as a single woman, but the script milks the notion for all its cheap, orgasm-centric psychology.
Director Michael Lehmann ("Heathers"), who keeps the story moving if not believable, isn't above using Daphne's pet dog for frequent reaction shots. Director of photography Julio Macat showcases L.A. dream locales -- not counting a woeful Korean spa scene -- while the creations of production designer Sharon Seymour and costume designer Shay Cunliffe have pizzazz but never feel lived-in. David Kitay's music score aids and abets the script in pushing emotional buttons.
Amongst the cardboard-cutout supporting characters, Lauren Graham brings a welcome deadpan sensibility to the overeager proceedings as oldest sibling Maggie, a wry psychologist.
BECAUSE I SAID SO
Universal Pictures
A Universal Pictures and Gold Circle Films presentation
Credits:
Director: Michael Lehmann
Screenwriters: Karen Leigh Hopkins, Jessie Nelson
Producers: Paul Brooks, Jessie Nelson
Executive producers: Scott Niemeyer, Norm Waitt, Michael Flynn
Director of photography: Julio Macat
Production designer: Sharon Seymour
Music: David Kitay
Co-producer: Wendy Rhoads
Costume designer: Shay Cunliffe
Editors: Paul Seydor, Troy Takaki
Cast:
Daphne: Diane Keaton
Milly: Mandy Moore
Johnny: Gabriel Macht
Jason: Tom Everett Scott
Maggie: Lauren Graham
Mae: Piper Perabo
Joe: Stephen Collins
Lionel: Ty Panitz
Running time -- 101 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
Opens
Nov. 26
If "Elf" proved too nice for the naughty set, "Bad Santa" should handily fit the bill.
Quite likely the most subversive Santa movie ever made, this twisted take on conventional holiday fare stars Billy Bob Thornton as a defiantly slovenly man in the red suit -- a perpetually soused department store Kris Kringle who likes kids only slightly better than he cares for his own miserable life.
While that less-than-cheery tone shouldn't exactly come as a surprise given that it was directed by Terry Zwigoff ("Ghost World", "Crumb") and based on a one-line concept by the Coen brothers, not everybody's going to be prepared for the kind of unmistakably R-rated brand of take-no-prisoners comedy that would have made Scrooge blush.
Fortunately, it also happens to be extremely funny -- at times sidesplittingly so -- thanks to Zwigoff's way with raw irreverence and Thornton's perfectly pitched, ready-for-anything performance.
But even with Zwigoff's following, Dimension's marketing department has a tough job to do. "Bad Santa" is the kind of film that's going to rely heavily on positive word-of-mouth to build its audience, not to mention the fact that, aside from maybe the successful "Bad Boys" and "Bad News Bears" movies, having the word "bad" in your title isn't usually a good idea.
Displaying a deviously mean-spirited streak that they didn't exactly hint at in "Cats & Dogs" and "Looney Tunes: Back in Action", the screenwriting team of John Requa and Glenn Ficarra have cooked up a clever little bit of business here.
Each holiday season, safecracker Willie T. Stokes (Thornton) partially emerges from a hazy, booze-induced hibernation to team up with 3-foot-tall mastermind Marcus (Tony Cox) and, under the benevolent cover of Santa and Elf, clean out the particular department store in which they happen to be employed.
But this year, Marcus has more to contend with than the distinct possibility of Willie either being passed out cold behind the fake snow or giving female customers an early present in the fitting rooms.
First of all, there's the nosy highly methodical store manager (John Ritter in his last role) who reports his suspicious findings to his intrepid mall detective (Bernie Mac).
Meanwhile, Willie becomes distracted by the perky Sue (Lauren Graham), who has a major Santa fixation (she makes him do it while keeping his hat on), and, unwittingly, by a pudgy, snot-nosed 8-year-old (played by natural-born scene-stealer Brett Kelly), who invites the unpleasant Santa to live with him and his grandmother (Cloris Leachman) in their big, empty house.
It is to Zwigoff's credit that, despite all the shocking bits, he manages to pull off key moments of syrup-free pathos where they count, but the casting is what makes "Bad Santa" sing.
Summoning up the late, great curmudgeonly Wallace Beery (or at least Beery unencumbered by the Hays Code), Thornton's Willie T. Stokes is a comic blast, especially when he lets loose with the ennui-dripping sarcasm.
Even more potent are his interactions with Cox as his abusive partner in crime and, especially, newcomer Kelly, who willingly endures all of Thornton's profane diatribes without the slightest blink of an eye.
Production values reflect the desired dispirited tone, from Sharon Seymour's humbly tacky production design and costume designer Wendy Chuck's sad-looking, understuffed Santa suit to David Kitay's quirky, not-exactly-festive score.
Bad Santa
Dimension Films
Dimension Films presents a Triptych Pictures productionA Terry Zwigoff film
Credits:
Director: Terry Zwigoff
Screenwriters: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
Producers: John Cameron, Sarah Aubrey, Bob Weinstein
Executive producers: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Director of photography: Jamie Anderson
Production designer: Sharon Seymour
Editor: Robert Hoffman
Costume designer: Wendy Chuck
Music: David Kitay
Casting: Mary Vernieu, Felicia Farsano
Cast:
Willie T. Stokes: Billy Bob Thornton
Bob Chipeska: John Ritter
Gin Slagel: Bernie Mac
Marcus: Tony Cox
Sue: Lauren Graham
Grandmother: Cloris Leachman
The Kid: Brett Kelly
Lois: Lauren Tom
Running time -- 94 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
Nov. 26
If "Elf" proved too nice for the naughty set, "Bad Santa" should handily fit the bill.
Quite likely the most subversive Santa movie ever made, this twisted take on conventional holiday fare stars Billy Bob Thornton as a defiantly slovenly man in the red suit -- a perpetually soused department store Kris Kringle who likes kids only slightly better than he cares for his own miserable life.
While that less-than-cheery tone shouldn't exactly come as a surprise given that it was directed by Terry Zwigoff ("Ghost World", "Crumb") and based on a one-line concept by the Coen brothers, not everybody's going to be prepared for the kind of unmistakably R-rated brand of take-no-prisoners comedy that would have made Scrooge blush.
Fortunately, it also happens to be extremely funny -- at times sidesplittingly so -- thanks to Zwigoff's way with raw irreverence and Thornton's perfectly pitched, ready-for-anything performance.
But even with Zwigoff's following, Dimension's marketing department has a tough job to do. "Bad Santa" is the kind of film that's going to rely heavily on positive word-of-mouth to build its audience, not to mention the fact that, aside from maybe the successful "Bad Boys" and "Bad News Bears" movies, having the word "bad" in your title isn't usually a good idea.
Displaying a deviously mean-spirited streak that they didn't exactly hint at in "Cats & Dogs" and "Looney Tunes: Back in Action", the screenwriting team of John Requa and Glenn Ficarra have cooked up a clever little bit of business here.
Each holiday season, safecracker Willie T. Stokes (Thornton) partially emerges from a hazy, booze-induced hibernation to team up with 3-foot-tall mastermind Marcus (Tony Cox) and, under the benevolent cover of Santa and Elf, clean out the particular department store in which they happen to be employed.
But this year, Marcus has more to contend with than the distinct possibility of Willie either being passed out cold behind the fake snow or giving female customers an early present in the fitting rooms.
First of all, there's the nosy highly methodical store manager (John Ritter in his last role) who reports his suspicious findings to his intrepid mall detective (Bernie Mac).
Meanwhile, Willie becomes distracted by the perky Sue (Lauren Graham), who has a major Santa fixation (she makes him do it while keeping his hat on), and, unwittingly, by a pudgy, snot-nosed 8-year-old (played by natural-born scene-stealer Brett Kelly), who invites the unpleasant Santa to live with him and his grandmother (Cloris Leachman) in their big, empty house.
It is to Zwigoff's credit that, despite all the shocking bits, he manages to pull off key moments of syrup-free pathos where they count, but the casting is what makes "Bad Santa" sing.
Summoning up the late, great curmudgeonly Wallace Beery (or at least Beery unencumbered by the Hays Code), Thornton's Willie T. Stokes is a comic blast, especially when he lets loose with the ennui-dripping sarcasm.
Even more potent are his interactions with Cox as his abusive partner in crime and, especially, newcomer Kelly, who willingly endures all of Thornton's profane diatribes without the slightest blink of an eye.
Production values reflect the desired dispirited tone, from Sharon Seymour's humbly tacky production design and costume designer Wendy Chuck's sad-looking, understuffed Santa suit to David Kitay's quirky, not-exactly-festive score.
Bad Santa
Dimension Films
Dimension Films presents a Triptych Pictures productionA Terry Zwigoff film
Credits:
Director: Terry Zwigoff
Screenwriters: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
Producers: John Cameron, Sarah Aubrey, Bob Weinstein
Executive producers: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Director of photography: Jamie Anderson
Production designer: Sharon Seymour
Editor: Robert Hoffman
Costume designer: Wendy Chuck
Music: David Kitay
Casting: Mary Vernieu, Felicia Farsano
Cast:
Willie T. Stokes: Billy Bob Thornton
Bob Chipeska: John Ritter
Gin Slagel: Bernie Mac
Marcus: Tony Cox
Sue: Lauren Graham
Grandmother: Cloris Leachman
The Kid: Brett Kelly
Lois: Lauren Tom
Running time -- 94 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
- 12/8/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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