These days, budgets can be pared down thanks to digital photography, letting producers focus more on cast and story, which often means we get some interesting takes on the standard genres. For example, a bungled robbery has been done time and again. But in the newly released Pawn, out today from Anchor Bay, we get an interesting set of characters.
A small group of would-be thieves hit a diner and are frustrated by discovering a dummy safe and decide to wait. Bit by bit, we learn more about the characters as the hours tick down to midnight when the time-locked safe, containing the diner’s cash, will open. We’re given some interesting narrative structure added by superb performances by a familiar cast led by Michael Chiklis. Chiklis is “The Brit”, who leads the gang and largely interacts with the diner’s owner
(Stephen Lang). They banter, the tension rises...
A small group of would-be thieves hit a diner and are frustrated by discovering a dummy safe and decide to wait. Bit by bit, we learn more about the characters as the hours tick down to midnight when the time-locked safe, containing the diner’s cash, will open. We’re given some interesting narrative structure added by superb performances by a familiar cast led by Michael Chiklis. Chiklis is “The Brit”, who leads the gang and largely interacts with the diner’s owner
(Stephen Lang). They banter, the tension rises...
- 4/24/2013
- by Robert Greenberger
- Comicmix.com
Cinelinx gets its money's worth out of the new Pawn Blu-ray!
This review covers the Blu-ray/DVD 2-pack
The Set-up
A simple robbery of a diner becomes more complicated as the back stories of all involved are revealed in this riveting crime drama.
Directed by David A. Armstrong
The Delivery
Never heard of the movie Pawn? Don't be surprised - it's a mostly straight-to-Blu-ray movie (with a small number of theater screenings) from first time director David A. Armstrong. owever, it's also one of the more surprisingly entertaining independent films I've seen in a while. Boasting a great cast and an unconventional script from Jerome Anthony White, Pawn is far better than you will expect, and the less you know about the film going in, the better.
Pawn might be easily described as a crime story told in non-linear fashion, but those are a dime a dozen these days after the success of Pulp Fiction.
This review covers the Blu-ray/DVD 2-pack
The Set-up
A simple robbery of a diner becomes more complicated as the back stories of all involved are revealed in this riveting crime drama.
Directed by David A. Armstrong
The Delivery
Never heard of the movie Pawn? Don't be surprised - it's a mostly straight-to-Blu-ray movie (with a small number of theater screenings) from first time director David A. Armstrong. owever, it's also one of the more surprisingly entertaining independent films I've seen in a while. Boasting a great cast and an unconventional script from Jerome Anthony White, Pawn is far better than you will expect, and the less you know about the film going in, the better.
Pawn might be easily described as a crime story told in non-linear fashion, but those are a dime a dozen these days after the success of Pulp Fiction.
- 4/23/2013
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (Victor Medina)
- Cinelinx
Pawn is an overplotted, low-expectations hostage drama that manages to work up a fair share of suspense despite some ridiculous plot holes. It opens with cop Forest Whitaker entering a diner just before midnight and quickly realizing all the employees and customers are on edge. Turns out he’s walked into the middle of a hostage situation. An armed robber named Derrick (Michael Chiklis) and his two accomplices are waiting until midnight when the time-locked safe can be opened. I won’t go into much more of the plot but I’ll say no one’s hands are clean and the story has enough double-crosses, ulterior motives, and conspiracies to make your head spin. The chief problem with The Pawn is its lack of originality; this is simply a story which is too familiar to be told in a straightforward manner…. and it’s not. Director David Armstrong and writer...
- 4/22/2013
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Good news for all action-fans out there: David A. Armstrong‘s crime thriller Pawn will hit Blu-ray/DVD on April 23rd, 2013! Another awesome news is that (after that great trailer) we finally have two new clips and a brand new poster for the whole thing, make sure you check it all out in the rest of this report. David A. Armstrong directed the movie from a script written by Jay Anthony White, and as we previously reported the story revolves around a group of gunmen who try and hold up a diner only to discover that the establishment is owned by the mob. The movie has...
Click to continue reading Don’t Miss: 2 New Clips & Poster For Pawn, Starring Ray Liotta And Forest Whitaker! on | FilmoFilia
Related posts: Trailer For Pawn, Starring Forest Whitaker & Ray Liotta! Forest Whitaker, Ray Liotta and Michael Chiklis In Pawn Crime Thriller 4 New Clips From A Dark Truth,...
Click to continue reading Don’t Miss: 2 New Clips & Poster For Pawn, Starring Ray Liotta And Forest Whitaker! on | FilmoFilia
Related posts: Trailer For Pawn, Starring Forest Whitaker & Ray Liotta! Forest Whitaker, Ray Liotta and Michael Chiklis In Pawn Crime Thriller 4 New Clips From A Dark Truth,...
- 4/8/2013
- by Jeanne Standal
- Filmofilia
A hostage situation gone wrong... I have a feeling that we’re all a little bit mysterious about the upcoming crime thriller Pawn. Don’t know why when this movie definitely deserves our full attention: an interesting story, an awesome cast, what else can you wish for? Trailer from the whole thing, perhaps? Ok then, check out the rest of this report to find the video…
Pawn script comes from Jay Anthony White and the movie comes from director David A. Armstrong. Unfortunately, there’s still nothing about an official release date, but as usual – we’ll keep you updated. In the meanwhile check out this video and take a first look at Armstrong’s crime thriller:
The story is about a group of gunmen who try and hold up a diner only to discover that the establishment is owned by the mob. The situation quickly escalates and cops, feds...
Pawn script comes from Jay Anthony White and the movie comes from director David A. Armstrong. Unfortunately, there’s still nothing about an official release date, but as usual – we’ll keep you updated. In the meanwhile check out this video and take a first look at Armstrong’s crime thriller:
The story is about a group of gunmen who try and hold up a diner only to discover that the establishment is owned by the mob. The situation quickly escalates and cops, feds...
- 12/12/2012
- by Jeanne Standal
- Filmofilia
The cast of Pawn is coming along real nicely. The movie already has The Shield alumni Michael Chiklis and Forrest Whitaker signed on, and they will be joined by Ray Liotta and Common. Now the movie has added some extra names. Jonathan Bennett, Marton Csokas, Sean Faris, Stephen Lang, Nikki Reed and Jessica Szohr are the latest names to join the cast of Pawn from Extravaganza Films, says a story at The Hollywood Reporter. The movie has involves an ex-con who is trapped in a situation involving hostages, the police, the FBI and the mob.
If there is anything Chiklis, Whitaker, and Liotta are familiar with, its their crime dramas, and I am sure Lang can deliver a commanding performance in Pawn. Reed can be seen in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part I, Csokas played Celeborn in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Bennett, meanwhile, had a supporting role...
If there is anything Chiklis, Whitaker, and Liotta are familiar with, its their crime dramas, and I am sure Lang can deliver a commanding performance in Pawn. Reed can be seen in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part I, Csokas played Celeborn in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Bennett, meanwhile, had a supporting role...
- 12/3/2011
- by Mike Lee
- FusedFilm
[1] Things are indeed shaping up quickly for David Dobkin's Arthur & Lancelot, which Warner Bros. fast-tracked [2] over the summer at the cost of Bryan Singer's Excalibur remake and Guy Ritchie's King Arthur film. Last month saw the casting of Game of Thrones star Kit Harrington [3] and The Killing star Joel Kinnaman [4] in the two title roles, and now WB favorite Marion Cotillard has been offered the part of Morgana, a powerful sorceress and Arthur's half-sister. The Arthur retelling, which was written by Dobkin, follows the rise of the legendary leader from his humble beginnings as an illegitimate son being raised by a poor knight, while Lancelot starts out as "a rebellious noble who distrusts the established government." Arthur & Lancelot will likely begin shooting in March. [Vulture [5]] After the jump, Friday Night Lights star Kyle Chandler lands another high-profile movie role, while several more actors join Michael Chiklis and Forest Whitaker...
- 12/3/2011
- by Angie Han
- Slash Film
Jonathan Bennett, Nikki Reed, Sean Faris, Stephen Lang, Marton Csokas and Jessica Szohr have all joined the cast of the indie crime thriller "Pawn" at Extravaganza Films says Risky Biz Blog.
Michael Chiklis, Forest Whitaker, Ray Liotta and Common lead the cast in the story of a botched hostage situation involving the mob.
David A. Armstrong directs from a screenplay by Jay Anthony White. Chiklis, Michael Becker, Jeff Most and Brad Luff will produce.
Michael Chiklis, Forest Whitaker, Ray Liotta and Common lead the cast in the story of a botched hostage situation involving the mob.
David A. Armstrong directs from a screenplay by Jay Anthony White. Chiklis, Michael Becker, Jeff Most and Brad Luff will produce.
- 12/2/2011
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
While we’re not sure Stephen Lang truly enjoyed chomping the scenery in Conan or whether he’s really having fun grumping it up as a sub-Colonel Quaritch-type colony leader on TV sci-fi show Terra Nova, we’re much happier to see him signing on to the cast of indie crime drama Pawn.We first reported on the movie a couple of days ago, when it already featured Michael Chiklis (who’s also producing the pic) and Forest Whitaker in the tale of a hostage situation that starts to go badly because the law enforcement types and mobsters using it as a twisted chess game make some terrible moves.The cast has exploded in size, with Lang, Nikki Reed, Sean Faris, Marton Csokas, Jessica Szohr and Jonathan Bennett all jumping aboard. David A Armstrong , a cinematographer who worked on several of the Saw franchise entries, is on to direct, working...
- 12/2/2011
- EmpireOnline
A couple days ago we reported that both Michael Chiklis and Forest Whitaker had signed on for a movie from first-time director David A. Armstrong called Pawn. Both actors are known for their powerhouse performances and they even squared off against each other for a season of FX's critically acclaimed drama The Shield. So naturally two of their co-stars will come from the worlds of Twilight and The Vampire Diaries. THR has learned that Nikki Reed, who recently came out with The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1, and Sean Faris, who did a three-episode stint on the supernatural CW program last year, have both signed on for parts in the upcoming crime drama along with Stephen Lang, Marton Csokas, Jessica Szohr and Jonathan Bennett. The story, based on a script by Jay Anthony White, is about a group of gunmen who try and hold up a diner only to discover...
- 12/1/2011
- cinemablend.com
Jonathan Bennett, Marton Csokas, Sean Faris, Stephen Lang, Nikki Reed and Jessica Szohr have all joined the cast of Extravaganza Films' Pawn , says a story at The Hollywood Reporter . Already set to star Michael Chiklis, Common, Ray Liotta and Forest Whitaker, the crime thriller arrives from screenwriter Jay Anthony White and director David A. Armstrong. The story involves an ex-con who is trapped in a situation involving hostages, the police, the FBI and the mob. Reed, best known for her role as Rosalie Hale in "The Twilight Saga," most recently appearing in Breaking Dawn - Part I . Faris played the lead in Never Back Down . Lang starred in Avatar and currently appears on Fox's "Terra Nova." Csokas played Celeborn in "The Lord of the Rings"...
- 12/1/2011
- Comingsoon.net
Michael Chiklis and Forest Whitaker brought new meaning to the word "intensity" when their characters squared off during one season of FX's excellent The Shield back in 2006. Now they're going to be sharing the big screen in a new movie from Chiklis' Extravaganza Films production company. Deadline reports that the two actors will co-star in the indie crime flick Pawn, alongside Common and Ray Liotta. Based on a script by Jay Anthony White, Pawn revolves around a hostage crisis that unfolds after several gunmen try to rob a diner that is -- oops -- a front for the mob. Soon the situation is at the center of a maelstrom of cops, feds, and goodfellas. White only has one produced feature credit listed on IMDb, a low-budget 2006 crime movie called Project 313, so he's something of an unknown quantity at this point. Regardless of the state of the script, Chiklis and...
- 11/29/2011
- cinemablend.com
"The Shield" co-stars Michael Chiklis and Forest Whitaker are set to re-team on David A. Armstrong’s indie crime thriller "Pawn" for Extravaganza Films reports Deadline.
Jay Anthony White wrote the script, in which an ex-con becomes entangled in a manipulative chess game between the Feds, local police and the mob during a hostage situation that has gone terribly wrong.
Common and Ray Liotta also star. Chiklis, Brad Luff, Jeff Most and Michael Becker will produce. Shooting kicks off December 1st.
Jay Anthony White wrote the script, in which an ex-con becomes entangled in a manipulative chess game between the Feds, local police and the mob during a hostage situation that has gone terribly wrong.
Common and Ray Liotta also star. Chiklis, Brad Luff, Jeff Most and Michael Becker will produce. Shooting kicks off December 1st.
- 11/29/2011
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Forest Whitaker and Michael Chiklis team up once more for 'Pawn'
Michael Chiklis is returning to his dark roots and is taking Forest Whitaker along with him. According to Collider, Chiklis and Whitaker, along with Ray Liotta and Common are all set to appear in Pawn. The crime thriller will be about a hostage situation gone wrong and an ex-con “becomes entangled in a manipulative chess game between the Feds, local police and the mob.”
ADeadline reports that Chiklis will be producing Pawn alongside Brad Luff, Jeff Most, and Michael Becker, with David A. Armstrong making his directorial debut. Jay Anthony White wrote the script for Pawn and production is set to begin production on December 1st.
Chiklis, who most recently starred alongside Jason Statham and Jennifer Lopez in Parker, was introduced to the project by Luff, who’s executive producer of Parker.
Michael Chiklis is returning to his dark roots and is taking Forest Whitaker along with him. According to Collider, Chiklis and Whitaker, along with Ray Liotta and Common are all set to appear in Pawn. The crime thriller will be about a hostage situation gone wrong and an ex-con “becomes entangled in a manipulative chess game between the Feds, local police and the mob.”
ADeadline reports that Chiklis will be producing Pawn alongside Brad Luff, Jeff Most, and Michael Becker, with David A. Armstrong making his directorial debut. Jay Anthony White wrote the script for Pawn and production is set to begin production on December 1st.
Chiklis, who most recently starred alongside Jason Statham and Jennifer Lopez in Parker, was introduced to the project by Luff, who’s executive producer of Parker.
- 11/29/2011
- by Mike Lee
- FusedFilm
Forest Whitaker clearly enjoyed butting heads with Michael Chiklis during his brief tenure spent on Us cop drama The Shield. Because the pair is teaming back up again for crime pic Pawn.
David A Armstrong - who has largely been a cinematographer or second unit director on films such as Dead Awake and Saw VI - is stepping up to the main chair for this one, which revolves around a hostage situation that quickly goes very badly wrong. Trapped in the middle is an ex-con who becomes part of a nasty game between the local police, federal authorities and the mob.
Jay Anthony White wrote the script, which has also attracted the likes of Common and Ray Liotta.
Chiklis, who is also producing the movie via his new company, was last seen in Eagle Eye and will next crop up in Parker. Whitaker was most recently in The Experiment and has Catch .44 coming up.
David A Armstrong - who has largely been a cinematographer or second unit director on films such as Dead Awake and Saw VI - is stepping up to the main chair for this one, which revolves around a hostage situation that quickly goes very badly wrong. Trapped in the middle is an ex-con who becomes part of a nasty game between the local police, federal authorities and the mob.
Jay Anthony White wrote the script, which has also attracted the likes of Common and Ray Liotta.
Chiklis, who is also producing the movie via his new company, was last seen in Eagle Eye and will next crop up in Parker. Whitaker was most recently in The Experiment and has Catch .44 coming up.
- 11/29/2011
- icelebz.com
Having never seen The Shield, this news only appeals to me on a film-based level — but I’m sure that fans of the show will be excited to hear Deadline‘s report that Michael Chiklis and Forest Whitaker will soon reunite for the crime drama Pawn. Set to be the directorial debut for Saw director of photography David A. Armstrong , the film — scripted by Jay Anthony White — follows “an ex-con [who] becomes entangled in a manipulative chess game between the Feds, local police and the mob.” It’s pointed out that things have “gone terribly wrong.” Wonder how he’ll get out of this one! The cast will also include Ray Liotta and Common, but there’s no indication as to who has what role. Even though he played a cop on The Shield for several seasons, I’m not throwing out the possibility that Chiklis will be the ex-con. When...
- 11/29/2011
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Shield co-stars Michael Chiklis and Forest Whitaker are joining forces for a new indie crime drama. Deadline reports that they will star in Pawn, which centers around a hostage situation that has gone terribly wrong. Common (Hell On Wheels) and Ray Liotta also star in the directorial debut of David A. Armstrong.
Chiklis’ production company Extravaganza Films is making it’s feature debut. The film will be produed by Chiklis along with The Story Department’s Brad Luff, Most Films’ Jeff Most and Imprint Entertainment’s Michael Becker. The script was penned by Jay Anthony White. The film tells the story of “an ex-con becomes entangled in a manipulative chess game between the Feds, local police and the mob.” Pawn starts production December 1.
This sounds like a cool story, one that Chiklis and Whitaker will be great in. What are your thoughts?...
Chiklis’ production company Extravaganza Films is making it’s feature debut. The film will be produed by Chiklis along with The Story Department’s Brad Luff, Most Films’ Jeff Most and Imprint Entertainment’s Michael Becker. The script was penned by Jay Anthony White. The film tells the story of “an ex-con becomes entangled in a manipulative chess game between the Feds, local police and the mob.” Pawn starts production December 1.
This sounds like a cool story, one that Chiklis and Whitaker will be great in. What are your thoughts?...
- 11/28/2011
- by Tiberius
- GeekTyrant
Forest Whitaker clearly enjoyed butting heads with Michael Chiklis during his brief tenure spent on Us cop drama The Shield, because the pair is teaming back up again for crime pic Pawn.David A Armstrong – who has largely been a cinematographer or second unit director on films such as Dead Awake and Saw VI – is stepping up to the main chair for this one, which revolves around a hostage situation that goes very badly wrong. Trapped in the middle is an ex-con who becomes part of a nasty game between the local police, federal authorities and the mob.Jay Anthony White wrote the script, which has also attracted the likes of Common and Ray Liotta.Chiklis, who is also producing the movie via his new company, was last seen in Eagle Eye and will next crop up in Parker. Whitaker was most recently in The Experiment and has Catch .44 coming up.
- 11/28/2011
- EmpireOnline
Briefly: Attention, fans of The Shield, there is a little mini-reunion of sorts brewing. Actors Michael Chiklis and Forest Whitaker have both been cast in an indie called Pawn. The movie is, as you might hope, a crime picture, and one that features "a hostage situation that has gone terribly wrong" in which "an ex-con becomes entangled in a manipulative chess game between the Feds, local police and the mob." Deadline [1] gets to announce the project, which will be the feature directorial debut of cinematographer David A. Armstrong, who shot the Saw series. He will be working from a script by Jay Anthony White. Common and Ray Liotta are also in the cast, which is already sounding like a pretty solid lineup for a good criminal potboiler. [1] http://www.slashfilm.com http://www.deadline.com/2011/11/shield-cohorts-michael-chiklis-and-forest-whitaker-team-for-indie-feature-pawn/...
- 11/28/2011
- by Russ Fischer
- Slash Film
Exclusive: Michael Chiklis is teaming with former The Shield co-star Forest Whitaker for Pawn, an independent crime film centered around a hostage situation that has gone terribly wrong. Also starring in the film will be Common (Hell On Wheels), and Ray Liotta. The film marks David A. Armstrong’s directorial debut, and the feature debut for Chiklis’ production company Extravaganza Films. Chiklis will produce with The Story Department’s Brad Luff, Most Films’ Jeff Most and Imprint Entertainment’s Michael Becker. Jay Anthony White wrote the script, in which an ex-con becomes entangled in a manipulative chess game between the Feds, local police and the mob. Chiklis, who most recently starred alongside Jason Statham and Jennifer Lopez in Parker, was introduced to the project by Luff, who’s executive producer of Parker. Pawn starts production December 1. Chiklis is repped by Wme and Management 360, Whitaker by Wme and Brillstein Entertainment Partners.
- 11/28/2011
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
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