Savvas D. Michael’s 2023 action-comedy Hitmen is an attempt to force humor into a gangster plot and hope that the audience finds the marital discontent between a bumbling couple hilarious. Unfortunately, it’s the opposite, and the lead characters, Luke (Daniel Caltagirone) and Lauren (Lois Brabin-Platt) Loveday, end up becoming an insufferable duo quite quickly. While Eric Roberts tries his best as the dangerous Michael Hero, a lot of other talent is simply wasted because of poor direction and a lack of clarity about what to do with the script. After adding a bunch of characters and with a massive runtime to fill, the director lets the story run amok, and soon enough, Hitmen becomes a jumbled mess. Here’s what happens in the flea market version of British gangster comedy that we’re used to seeing.
Spoilers Ahead
How Does Trouble Start In The Lovedays’ Lives?
In a café in England,...
Spoilers Ahead
How Does Trouble Start In The Lovedays’ Lives?
In a café in England,...
- 8/7/2023
- by Indrayudh Talukdar
- Film Fugitives
Stars: Daniel Caltagirone, Adam Deacon, Lois Brabin-Platt, Max Lohan, Eric Roberts, Marco Leonardi, Georges St-Pierre, Lucas Aurelio, Elijah Rowen, Bentley Kalu | Written and Directed by Savvas D. Michael
Twenty-five years on from Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels the British gangster revival is still going strong. Case in point Hitmen, the new film from writer/director Savvas D. Michael who has already made several contributions to the genre including The Bezonians, Smoking Guns and Original Gangster.
Luke and Lauren are having marital issues. But that doesn’t mean she’s thrilled when Jackie starts hitting on her and when she mocks him, hitting her. This leads to a beating which in turn leads to Jackie’s death.
That would be bad enough, but Jackie’s grandfather Michael is a wealthy CEO with some rather shady connections. When they’re acquitted by reason of self-defense he puts a million-dollar contract on the couple.
Twenty-five years on from Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels the British gangster revival is still going strong. Case in point Hitmen, the new film from writer/director Savvas D. Michael who has already made several contributions to the genre including The Bezonians, Smoking Guns and Original Gangster.
Luke and Lauren are having marital issues. But that doesn’t mean she’s thrilled when Jackie starts hitting on her and when she mocks him, hitting her. This leads to a beating which in turn leads to Jackie’s death.
That would be bad enough, but Jackie’s grandfather Michael is a wealthy CEO with some rather shady connections. When they’re acquitted by reason of self-defense he puts a million-dollar contract on the couple.
- 5/30/2023
- by Jim Morazzini
- Nerdly
Couple who kill a man for harassing them in the pub are pursued by an army of his father’s goons. A few sparky performances can’t redeem this cartoonish thriller
One might start to wonder if the career of British writer-director Savvas D Michael (previously responsible for The Bezonians) may be propelled, like the scam in The Producers, by a deliberate intention to make crap movies for an investment write-off. Anything is possible in the wild and wonderful world of the film business. The only other explanation is that Michael thinks the laddish, nihilistically violent and yet not in the slightest bit amusing quasi-cartoon world he’s created in Hitman is entertaining. Could anyone be that deluded?
Hitmen’s inciting incident occurs when a bickering couple, office administrator Luke (Daniel Caltagirone) and estate agent Lauren are harassed in a pub by a drunken visiting American (Max Lohan) who is trying pick up Lauren.
One might start to wonder if the career of British writer-director Savvas D Michael (previously responsible for The Bezonians) may be propelled, like the scam in The Producers, by a deliberate intention to make crap movies for an investment write-off. Anything is possible in the wild and wonderful world of the film business. The only other explanation is that Michael thinks the laddish, nihilistically violent and yet not in the slightest bit amusing quasi-cartoon world he’s created in Hitman is entertaining. Could anyone be that deluded?
Hitmen’s inciting incident occurs when a bickering couple, office administrator Luke (Daniel Caltagirone) and estate agent Lauren are harassed in a pub by a drunken visiting American (Max Lohan) who is trying pick up Lauren.
- 5/29/2023
- by Leslie Felperin
- The Guardian - Film News
To mark the release of Hitmen available on DVD & Digital Platforms from 5th June, we have 3 DVDs to give away!
After accidentally killing the grandson of powerful CEO, Michael Hero (Eric Roberts), a married couple (Danny Caltagirone and Lois Braben-Platt) are forced to fight or flee for their lives when the vengeful businessman enlists the help of a mob boss (Marco Leonardi) to take them down. With a $1 million bounty placed on their heads, the chase begins as they attract the attention of the world’s deadliest assassins, who will stop at nothing to claim their prize.
Hitmen is the darkly comic British action-thriller from Savvas D. Michael, director of multi-award winning The Bezonians. Shot in London, and featuring exotic story locations from New York to Sorrento, the cast includes Academy Award nominee Eric Roberts, BAFTA-winner Adam Deacon (Anuvahood), legendary UFC champion Georges St-Pierre (Captain America: The Winter Soldier) and Italian star Marco Leonardi.
After accidentally killing the grandson of powerful CEO, Michael Hero (Eric Roberts), a married couple (Danny Caltagirone and Lois Braben-Platt) are forced to fight or flee for their lives when the vengeful businessman enlists the help of a mob boss (Marco Leonardi) to take them down. With a $1 million bounty placed on their heads, the chase begins as they attract the attention of the world’s deadliest assassins, who will stop at nothing to claim their prize.
Hitmen is the darkly comic British action-thriller from Savvas D. Michael, director of multi-award winning The Bezonians. Shot in London, and featuring exotic story locations from New York to Sorrento, the cast includes Academy Award nominee Eric Roberts, BAFTA-winner Adam Deacon (Anuvahood), legendary UFC champion Georges St-Pierre (Captain America: The Winter Soldier) and Italian star Marco Leonardi.
- 5/28/2023
- by Competitions
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
To mark the release of The Bezonians, out now, we’ve been given 1 copy to give away on DVD.
Meet big boss man Plato (Andreas Karras), he’s a family man with old fashioned values and questionable beliefs who runs the Bezonians Social Club, where a colourful bunch – from Greek immigrants to a merry mix of lonely locals – have spent much of their lives. Gambling away their savings, drinking away their sorrows deep into the night while putting the world to rights – over the years they have become his second family.
When Plato makes the mistake of playing poker with scheming bombshell Lola (Lois Brabin-Platt) it’s not long before things go terribly wrong… When Lola wins big, Plato is put in a tough bind, made all the worse when her sadistic boyfriend, Willard Greb (Vinnie Jones) gives him just 24-hours to come up the cash, putting everything and everyone he knows at risk.
Meet big boss man Plato (Andreas Karras), he’s a family man with old fashioned values and questionable beliefs who runs the Bezonians Social Club, where a colourful bunch – from Greek immigrants to a merry mix of lonely locals – have spent much of their lives. Gambling away their savings, drinking away their sorrows deep into the night while putting the world to rights – over the years they have become his second family.
When Plato makes the mistake of playing poker with scheming bombshell Lola (Lois Brabin-Platt) it’s not long before things go terribly wrong… When Lola wins big, Plato is put in a tough bind, made all the worse when her sadistic boyfriend, Willard Greb (Vinnie Jones) gives him just 24-hours to come up the cash, putting everything and everyone he knows at risk.
- 5/2/2022
- by Competitions
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
French action movie “Roads of Fear” heads the Cannes market slate for Vienna-based sales agency Fizz-e-Motion.
Emmanuel Saez’s film follows Elon Coretti, the only son of Sauveur Coretti, one of the mafia bosses in the South of France. While the Coretti clan reigns supreme across its patch, small Albanian dealers are increasingly involved in drug trafficking and other criminal activities in its territory. Sauveur decides to make an example by organizing an almost military assault on the Albanians’ site, but there is a price to pay.
The cast is led by Adrien Stoclet, Vanessa Aiffe and Vincent Andres. The production company is Indeprod.
Also on the slate is Etienne Constantinesco’s thriller “Ultimate Chance,” set in the north-east of France. Éric, a penniless man who lives in his car, rejects his 10-year-old autistic son Esteban, who is living in the care of his uncle. Because of the carelessness of his father,...
Emmanuel Saez’s film follows Elon Coretti, the only son of Sauveur Coretti, one of the mafia bosses in the South of France. While the Coretti clan reigns supreme across its patch, small Albanian dealers are increasingly involved in drug trafficking and other criminal activities in its territory. Sauveur decides to make an example by organizing an almost military assault on the Albanians’ site, but there is a price to pay.
The cast is led by Adrien Stoclet, Vanessa Aiffe and Vincent Andres. The production company is Indeprod.
Also on the slate is Etienne Constantinesco’s thriller “Ultimate Chance,” set in the north-east of France. Éric, a penniless man who lives in his car, rejects his 10-year-old autistic son Esteban, who is living in the care of his uncle. Because of the carelessness of his father,...
- 5/2/2022
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Cast has been set on Heroes & Villains, the action-comedy written and helmed by filmmaker Savvas D. Michael (Original Gangster).
Starring will be Eric Roberts (The Dark Knight), Daniel Caltagirone (Original Gangster), and Mma fighter Georges St-Pierre (The Falcon and Winter Soldier). The project is now shooting in London.
The film follows Michael Hero, a powerful CEO seeking vengeance for the murder of his grandson by offering a 1M bounty for the assassination of his grandson’s killers, which attracts the world’s leading assassins to the fierce opportunity.
Producers are Steve Lee Jones (You Don’t Know Jack) under his Bee Holder Productions banner and John Pavlakos for Saints & Savages. The companies are also now in post-production on The Abomination with writer-director Savvas, which stars Tom Arnold (True Lies), Jack Parr (Peaky Blinders) and Illeana Douglass (Unleashed).
Concourse Media is representing worldwide rights on both films and will be presenting...
Starring will be Eric Roberts (The Dark Knight), Daniel Caltagirone (Original Gangster), and Mma fighter Georges St-Pierre (The Falcon and Winter Soldier). The project is now shooting in London.
The film follows Michael Hero, a powerful CEO seeking vengeance for the murder of his grandson by offering a 1M bounty for the assassination of his grandson’s killers, which attracts the world’s leading assassins to the fierce opportunity.
Producers are Steve Lee Jones (You Don’t Know Jack) under his Bee Holder Productions banner and John Pavlakos for Saints & Savages. The companies are also now in post-production on The Abomination with writer-director Savvas, which stars Tom Arnold (True Lies), Jack Parr (Peaky Blinders) and Illeana Douglass (Unleashed).
Concourse Media is representing worldwide rights on both films and will be presenting...
- 4/6/2022
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Full programme revealed for this year’s East End Film Festival.
Hellboy star Ron Perlman and Suffragette director Sarah Gavron have joined the jury of the 15th East End Film Festival (June 23 – July 3).
It marks a return to the East End for Us star Perlman, who attended Eeff in 2014 when Dermaphoria - in which he starred - opened the festival.
Ivy director Tolga Karaçelik, who won best feature at last year’s festival, returns as the 2016 director in residence and jury chair alongside Perlman and Gavron.
Also awarding the Best Feature prize will be film writer and producer Kaleem Aftab and Bangladeshi film-maker Mostofa Sarwar (Television).
This year’s country focus will be Turkey, with screenings including the UK premiere of Emin Alper’s Turkey-France-Qatar co-pro Frenzy.
Opening film
The festival will open with the world premiere of Ian Bonhote’s Alleycats, with a cast that includes Screen Stars of Tomorrow Eleanor Tomlinson (Poldark) and Sam Keeley ([link...
Hellboy star Ron Perlman and Suffragette director Sarah Gavron have joined the jury of the 15th East End Film Festival (June 23 – July 3).
It marks a return to the East End for Us star Perlman, who attended Eeff in 2014 when Dermaphoria - in which he starred - opened the festival.
Ivy director Tolga Karaçelik, who won best feature at last year’s festival, returns as the 2016 director in residence and jury chair alongside Perlman and Gavron.
Also awarding the Best Feature prize will be film writer and producer Kaleem Aftab and Bangladeshi film-maker Mostofa Sarwar (Television).
This year’s country focus will be Turkey, with screenings including the UK premiere of Emin Alper’s Turkey-France-Qatar co-pro Frenzy.
Opening film
The festival will open with the world premiere of Ian Bonhote’s Alleycats, with a cast that includes Screen Stars of Tomorrow Eleanor Tomlinson (Poldark) and Sam Keeley ([link...
- 5/26/2016
- ScreenDaily
From RedBand.Ca, take a look @ the restricted 'red band' trailer supporting the crime comedy feature "A Punters Prayer", written and directed by Savvas D. Michael, starring Tommy O'Neill, Daniel Caltagirone and Andreas Karras, opening April 2016:
"...on a Friday afternoon in North London, 'Jack' decides to bet on three horses, potentially netting him and his pals a small fortune...
"Filming took place at Palmers Green in August 2014, unknown to many of the local residents and shopkeepers, so various locations and details are completely authentic and realistically capture multicultural London as it is..."
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "A Punters Prayer"...
"...on a Friday afternoon in North London, 'Jack' decides to bet on three horses, potentially netting him and his pals a small fortune...
"Filming took place at Palmers Green in August 2014, unknown to many of the local residents and shopkeepers, so various locations and details are completely authentic and realistically capture multicultural London as it is..."
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "A Punters Prayer"...
- 2/24/2016
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Exclusive: Sales deal for UK comedy crime-drama with Dexter Fletcher among cast.
London-based genre sales outfit One Eyed Films has picked up world sales rights to Savvas D. Michael’s debut feature A Punters Prayer.
Tommy O’Neill (Nightmare Hunters) stars alongside actor-director Dexter Fletcher (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels), Daniel Caltagirone (The Pianist) and Mem Ferda (Revolver) in the story of a London man whose bet stands to net him and his friends a fortune.
“We are delighted to be working with the team behind the film,” said One Eyed Films MD Betina Goldman.
“The director’s obvious talent, the film’s setting and all round likeable characters will delight its audience.”
Katerina Georgiou, John Pavlakos and Andrew Neophytou of Liontari Pictures produce the film.
London-based genre sales outfit One Eyed Films has picked up world sales rights to Savvas D. Michael’s debut feature A Punters Prayer.
Tommy O’Neill (Nightmare Hunters) stars alongside actor-director Dexter Fletcher (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels), Daniel Caltagirone (The Pianist) and Mem Ferda (Revolver) in the story of a London man whose bet stands to net him and his friends a fortune.
“We are delighted to be working with the team behind the film,” said One Eyed Films MD Betina Goldman.
“The director’s obvious talent, the film’s setting and all round likeable characters will delight its audience.”
Katerina Georgiou, John Pavlakos and Andrew Neophytou of Liontari Pictures produce the film.
- 6/26/2015
- ScreenDaily
Mem Ferda (Gunned Down, Hyena, Pusher, The Devil's Double) has signed to feature in 'A Punters Prayer' the debut feature by Savvas D. Michael. Set in Palmers Green, London, 'A Punters Prayer' is an intense story about a group of friends who meet habitually at the local betting office to indulge in their favorite pastime of laddish banter, lamenting about life and family, but most critically, satisfying their addiction to gambling. Written and directed by first timer, Savvas D. Michael, it also stars; Dexter Fletcher (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels) and Daniel Caltagirone (The Pianist)....
- 4/23/2015
- Horror Asylum
Award winning Mem Ferda (A Life Of Violence,The Devil’s Double, Hyena) has signed to feature in Cypriot Indie film ‘A Punters Prayer’, the debut feature by Savvas D. Michael.
Set in Palmers Green, London, ‘A Punters Prayer’ is an intense story about a group of friends who meet habitually at the local betting office to indulge in their favorite pastime of laddish banter, lamenting about life and family, but most critically, satisfying their addiction to gambling.
Written and directed by first timer, Savvas D. Michael, it also stars; Dexter Fletcher (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels) and Daniel Caltagirone (The Pianist).
In a recent interview, Mem Ferda, who plays Bektash Ali, the local Turkish Mafia Boss, commented,“it’s an intriguing, smart, urban satire, bursting with authentic and intriguing characters and should do extremely well’’. Mem who has recently wrapped on Mark McQueen’s powerful action film ‘A...
Set in Palmers Green, London, ‘A Punters Prayer’ is an intense story about a group of friends who meet habitually at the local betting office to indulge in their favorite pastime of laddish banter, lamenting about life and family, but most critically, satisfying their addiction to gambling.
Written and directed by first timer, Savvas D. Michael, it also stars; Dexter Fletcher (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels) and Daniel Caltagirone (The Pianist).
In a recent interview, Mem Ferda, who plays Bektash Ali, the local Turkish Mafia Boss, commented,“it’s an intriguing, smart, urban satire, bursting with authentic and intriguing characters and should do extremely well’’. Mem who has recently wrapped on Mark McQueen’s powerful action film ‘A...
- 4/23/2015
- by admin
- MoreHorror
Actor Mem Ferda (Gunned Down) is set to star in the upcoming thriller A Punter's Prayer. The film takes a look at ladish culture, in Palmers Green, London. Here, the locals bet and gather in this huge gambling world. The film also stars Dexter Fletcher (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels), Daniel Caltagirone (The Pianist) and Andreas Karras (The Kidnap Diaries). with Savvas D. Michael the director. A preview for the film is hosted here. Actor Ferda has something to say of the film. He talks about the diversity of the characters, in this upcoming title: "it’s a remarkable examination of the multicultural society that is prevalent in London today. The film is bursting with authentic and intriguing characters and should do extremely well." The film has already been shot in this bustling metropolis, with a release date and trailer coming soon. Release Date: Tba. Director/writer: Savvas D. Michael.
- 4/23/2015
- by noreply@blogger.com (Michael Allen)
- 28 Days Later Analysis
London born film star Mem Ferda (A Life of Violence, Breakdown) has signed to feature in a new gambling thriller called A Punter's Prayer. It will be the debut feature of director Savvas D. Michael.
Set in Palmers Green, London, A Punters Prayer is set to be an intense story about a group of friends who meet habitually at the local betting office to indulge in their favorite pastime of laddish banter, lamenting about life and family, but most critically, satisfying their addiction to gambling.
Written and directed by first timer, Savvas D. Michael, it also stars; Dexter Fletcher (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels) and Daniel Caltagirone (The Pianist). Other cast members include Jamie Crew, Tommy O’Neill and Ewen MacIntosh. [Continued ...]...
Set in Palmers Green, London, A Punters Prayer is set to be an intense story about a group of friends who meet habitually at the local betting office to indulge in their favorite pastime of laddish banter, lamenting about life and family, but most critically, satisfying their addiction to gambling.
Written and directed by first timer, Savvas D. Michael, it also stars; Dexter Fletcher (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels) and Daniel Caltagirone (The Pianist). Other cast members include Jamie Crew, Tommy O’Neill and Ewen MacIntosh. [Continued ...]...
- 4/22/2015
- QuietEarth.us
London born screen star Mem Ferda (A Life of Violence, Hyena, Pusher) has signed to feature in ‘A Punters Prayer’ the debut feature by Savvas D. Michael. Set in Palmers Green, London, ‘A Punters Prayer’ is an intense story about a group of friends who meet habitually at the local betting office to indulge in their favorite pastime of laddish banter, lamenting about life and family, but most critically, satisfying their addiction to gambling. Written and directed by first timer, Savvas D. Michael, it also stars; Dexter Fletcher (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels) and Daniel Caltagirone (The Pianist). In a recent interview, Mem Ferda, who plays Bektash Ali, the [ Read More ]
The post Mem Ferda heads up the cast for A Punters Prayer appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Mem Ferda heads up the cast for A Punters Prayer appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 4/22/2015
- by contributor
- ShockYa
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