Film Independent’s annual Board Member Matching Campaign has been extended to September 29! To raise support for the next 30 years of filmmaker support, all donations make before or on the 29th will be doubled—dollar-for-dollar up to $100,000. To celebrate the campaign, we’re re-posting a few of our most popular blogs.
For those of us who have been here for a decade or two, it’s remarkable to consider both how much and how little the city of Los Angeles has changed over the years. There are still plenty of the old landmarks—the Hollywood Sign, Pink’s Hot Dogs, that dude who rollerblades around is white robes and plays guitar on the Venice boardwalk—while other, seemingly indestructible, institutions have tragically bitten the dust.
So! With local issues perpetually at the forefront of our mind this week, here now are ten films that remind us of life in Los...
For those of us who have been here for a decade or two, it’s remarkable to consider both how much and how little the city of Los Angeles has changed over the years. There are still plenty of the old landmarks—the Hollywood Sign, Pink’s Hot Dogs, that dude who rollerblades around is white robes and plays guitar on the Venice boardwalk—while other, seemingly indestructible, institutions have tragically bitten the dust.
So! With local issues perpetually at the forefront of our mind this week, here now are ten films that remind us of life in Los...
- 9/20/2023
- by Film Independent
- Film Independent News & More
For all of the murder and crime that occurs in Erotic Thrillers, more often than not, the police are barely present in the subgenre. If the protagonist isn’t a cop, there might be a detective on the margins or a beat cop taking a statement at a crime scene, but more often than not, law enforcement is typically absent.
Fatale upends this convention in part by fusing a stalker/infidelity storyline with a crooked cop plot wherein the jilted woman is also the film’s detective.
The film’s other novel twist, courtesy of screenwriter David Loughery, is that the central pairing is interracial. Loughery, who is white, is no stranger to exploring race in his screenplays: he co-wrote 2008’s Lakeview Terrace, in which Samuel L Jackson is a crooked cop who terrorizes neighbor Patrick Wilson, as well as 2009’s Obsessed, in which Beyonce must defend her marriage from obsessed white woman Ali Larter.
Fatale upends this convention in part by fusing a stalker/infidelity storyline with a crooked cop plot wherein the jilted woman is also the film’s detective.
The film’s other novel twist, courtesy of screenwriter David Loughery, is that the central pairing is interracial. Loughery, who is white, is no stranger to exploring race in his screenplays: he co-wrote 2008’s Lakeview Terrace, in which Samuel L Jackson is a crooked cop who terrorizes neighbor Patrick Wilson, as well as 2009’s Obsessed, in which Beyonce must defend her marriage from obsessed white woman Ali Larter.
- 8/10/2023
- by Joe Lipsett
- bloody-disgusting.com
If you didn’t Meet The Blacks in 2016, they’re back this weekend in Deon Taylor’s second horror-comedy installment.
The first film was a send-up of The Purge. This one – The House Next Door: Meet The Blacks 2 — goes gothic. Star Mike Epps returns as Carl Black, about to face off with a neighbor from hell, Dr. Mamuwalde (Katt Williams). He’s a pimp who may or may not be a vampire and Carl’s got to figure out what he’s up to in the middle of the night before it’s too late for him and his family.
“In 2016, I made this little movie that cost $900,000. We put it out there ourselves, independently, cut our own trailers, did our own marketing,” Taylor told Deadline. It made $9.1 million. His credits since include Fatale and Black and Blue, “but everywhere I would go, people would say, “Are you going...
The first film was a send-up of The Purge. This one – The House Next Door: Meet The Blacks 2 — goes gothic. Star Mike Epps returns as Carl Black, about to face off with a neighbor from hell, Dr. Mamuwalde (Katt Williams). He’s a pimp who may or may not be a vampire and Carl’s got to figure out what he’s up to in the middle of the night before it’s too late for him and his family.
“In 2016, I made this little movie that cost $900,000. We put it out there ourselves, independently, cut our own trailers, did our own marketing,” Taylor told Deadline. It made $9.1 million. His credits since include Fatale and Black and Blue, “but everywhere I would go, people would say, “Are you going...
- 6/11/2021
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Watch the Trailer for Censor: "Film censor Enid takes pride in her meticulous work, guarding unsuspecting audiences from the deleterious effects of watching the gore-filled decapitations and eye gougings she pores over. Her sense of duty to protect is amplified by guilt over her inability to recall details of the long-ago disappearance of her sister, recently declared dead in absentia. When Enid is assigned to review a disturbing film from the archive that echoes her hazy childhood memories, she begins to unravel how this eerie work might be tied to her past."
Directed by Prano Bailey-Bond
Written by Prano Bailey-Bond, Anthony Fletcher
Starring Niamh Algar
----------
Liquid Death - No Brainer Infomercial for Army Of The Dead: "Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead is coming to @Netflix on May 21st, so we partnered with the greatest minds in science and fashion to create this revolutionary cold temperature...
Directed by Prano Bailey-Bond
Written by Prano Bailey-Bond, Anthony Fletcher
Starring Niamh Algar
----------
Liquid Death - No Brainer Infomercial for Army Of The Dead: "Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead is coming to @Netflix on May 21st, so we partnered with the greatest minds in science and fashion to create this revolutionary cold temperature...
- 5/18/2021
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
(Welcome to The Quarantine Stream, a new series where the /Film team shares what they’ve been watching while social distancing during the Covid-19 pandemic.) The Movie: Michael Jordan’s Playground Where You Can Stream It: Amazon Prime Video The Pitch: A boy named Walt (Tyrin Turner) does not make it onto his high school basketball team. Disappointed in […]
The post The Quarantine Stream: Did You Know Zack Snyder’s First Movie Starred Michael Jordan? appeared first on /Film.
The post The Quarantine Stream: Did You Know Zack Snyder’s First Movie Starred Michael Jordan? appeared first on /Film.
- 3/22/2021
- by Ben Pearson
- Slash Film
"What did you get me into?" Faith Media Distribution has revealed an official trailer for a New Jersey crime drama titled Dutch, from filmmakers Preston A. Whitmore II & David Wolfgang. Dutch introduces a player who will use any means necessary to dominate the streets and beyond. For Bernard James, Jr. aka "Dutch", survival is the ultimate score and power is the deadliest high of all. There isn't an angle he can't work or a woman he can't seduce. Then when he gains control of an African drug lord's stolen heroin business, Dutch quickly makes it the most feared drug empire on the East Coast. Naturally, there are now plenty of enemies vowing to take him down, including a vengeful Mafia heir, an ambitious D.A., and a conscience-stricken former friend. The cast includes Lance Gross as Dutch, Jeremy Meeks, Macy Gray, Gunna, Natasha Marc, Tyrin Turner, Melissa Williams, Markice Moore,...
- 2/19/2021
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
You may enter this contest for your chance to receive a PVOD code from CinemaNerdz to watch the new film Fatale from the confines of your own home.
The film will be opening in the Detroit area on Friday, January 8, 2021 and we will be selecting the winners then. The codes will be valid throughout film’s run. But, hurry, because the contest ends soon and there are only a limited number of codes available!
As always, there is absolutely no purchase required to enter the contest!
About The Film
Fatale: After a wild one-night stand, Derrick (Michael Ealy), a successful sports agent, watches his perfect life slowly disappear when he discovers that the sexy and mysterious woman he risked everything for, is a determined police detective (Hilary Swank) who entangles him in her latest investigation. As he tries desperately to put the pieces together, he falls deeper into her trap,...
The film will be opening in the Detroit area on Friday, January 8, 2021 and we will be selecting the winners then. The codes will be valid throughout film’s run. But, hurry, because the contest ends soon and there are only a limited number of codes available!
As always, there is absolutely no purchase required to enter the contest!
About The Film
Fatale: After a wild one-night stand, Derrick (Michael Ealy), a successful sports agent, watches his perfect life slowly disappear when he discovers that the sexy and mysterious woman he risked everything for, is a determined police detective (Hilary Swank) who entangles him in her latest investigation. As he tries desperately to put the pieces together, he falls deeper into her trap,...
- 1/4/2021
- by Mike Tyrkus
- CinemaNerdz
Offering melodramatic thrills very much in the “Fatal Attraction” mode, “Fatale” presents Michael Ealy as a married L.A. sports agent whose first-time fall off the fidelity wagon unluckily proves to be with one hell of a “woman scorned.” Its appeal to African-American audiences furthered by villainess Hilary Swank’s character being a crooked cop, this is a glossy, formulaic exercise handled with enough finesse by director Deon Taylor to make for a diverting night’s watch, if not much more. While it won’t likely turn the Covid-era box office slump around in Lionsgate’s Dec. 18 release on 1,000-plus theatrical screens, the microwave popcorn should commence popping once it hits PVOD Jan. 8.
Derrick Tyler (Ealy) has it all, to a lifestyle-fantasy degree: Hanging out with star athletes he represents at the successful L.A. agency he founded with best friend Rafe (Mike Colter); living in a spectacular hillside house,...
Derrick Tyler (Ealy) has it all, to a lifestyle-fantasy degree: Hanging out with star athletes he represents at the successful L.A. agency he founded with best friend Rafe (Mike Colter); living in a spectacular hillside house,...
- 12/18/2020
- by Dennis Harvey
- Variety Film + TV
Filmmaker Deon Taylor has made a career out of genre-bending thrillers, and Fatale is an exclamation point on his recent output. Michael Ealy plays Derrick, a successful sports agent suspicious that his wife (Damaris Lewis) may be unfaithful. One night in Las Vegas with his pals––business partner and best friend Rafe (Mike Colter) included––he makes a mistake: he has a one night stand.
Days later, back at home, Derrick is forced to fight off an intruder in the middle of the night. When the cops respond to the break-in, who is the detective on the case? The woman he slept with in Vegas! And, of course, Detective Valerie Quinlan (Hilary Swank) has problems all her own. Things get crazier from there, moving at a brisk clip that has marked most of Taylor’s work. This kind of packed genre programmer feels more special now than ever. Watching talented...
Days later, back at home, Derrick is forced to fight off an intruder in the middle of the night. When the cops respond to the break-in, who is the detective on the case? The woman he slept with in Vegas! And, of course, Detective Valerie Quinlan (Hilary Swank) has problems all her own. Things get crazier from there, moving at a brisk clip that has marked most of Taylor’s work. This kind of packed genre programmer feels more special now than ever. Watching talented...
- 12/17/2020
- by Dan Mecca
- The Film Stage
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Part Four
Sabrina (Kiernan Shipka) has a magical birthday party – which is to be expected. Only, when her cake disappears, it’s not by the doings of the young witch. A darker magic is at play: The Eldritch Terrors, a group of evil entities. Together with both her coven and her mortal friends, Sabrina tries to save her town from the sinister invasion – while also navigating ex-boyfriends. (December 31st)
Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special
“‘Twas the night before Christmas and 2020 had been rough.” So begins Tiffany Haddish’s Christmastime narration.
Sabrina (Kiernan Shipka) has a magical birthday party – which is to be expected. Only, when her cake disappears, it’s not by the doings of the young witch. A darker magic is at play: The Eldritch Terrors, a group of evil entities. Together with both her coven and her mortal friends, Sabrina tries to save her town from the sinister invasion – while also navigating ex-boyfriends. (December 31st)
Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special
“‘Twas the night before Christmas and 2020 had been rough.” So begins Tiffany Haddish’s Christmastime narration.
- 12/5/2020
- by Natalli Amato
- Rollingstone.com
Fatale Trailer — Deon Taylor‘s Fatale (2020) movie trailer has been released by Lionsgate and stars Hilary Swank, Michael Ealy, Mike Colter, Damaris Lewis, Kali Hawk, Danny Pino, Tyrin Turner, David Hoflin, Juliana Donald, Tyrin Turner, Denise Dowse, Oakley Bull, María Birta, and Lexa Gluck. Crew David Loughery wrote the screenplay for Fatale. Geoff Zanelli created [...]
Continue reading: Fatale (2020) Movie Trailer: Deon Taylor’s Fatal Attraction-like thriller starring Hilary Swank & Michael Ealy...
Continue reading: Fatale (2020) Movie Trailer: Deon Taylor’s Fatal Attraction-like thriller starring Hilary Swank & Michael Ealy...
- 12/4/2020
- by Rollo Tomasi
- Film-Book
"Life is a road straight and narrow - stay on the road, and it will take you safely home. But make a wrong turn, and you will meet the darkness." Lionsgate has finally unveiled an official trailer for a psychological thriller titled Fatale, which is opening in theaters in 15 days. This is the first of any footage we've seen for this film, which was delayed from the summer and is now opening in theaters (whatever ones are open) this December. The film stars Michael Ealy as Derrick, a married man who is tricked into a murder scheme by a female police detective. Fatale is described as "a suspenseful and provocative psychological thriller and an unpredictable game of cat and mouse where one mistake can change your life." Also starring Hilary Swank with Ealy, joined by Mike Colter, Danny Pino, and Tyrin Turner. Be careful, friends. This looks super creepy and...
- 12/3/2020
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Albert Hughes takes us on a wild journey through the movies that made him, then explains why he’s not a cinephile (Spoiler: He is). Heads up – you’re going to hear some words you’ve never heard on our show before, and only one of them is Metropolis.
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Gremlins (1984)
A Christmas Story (1983)
The Candidate (1972)
Menace II Society (1993)
Die Hard (1988)
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Scarface (1983)
Goodfellas (1990)
Full Metal Jacket (1987)
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Midnight Cowboy (1969)
Raging Bull (1980)
Taxi Driver (1976)
Alpha (2018)
Battleship Potemkin (1925)
Metropolis (1927)
True Romance (1993)
Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988)
The Matrix (1999)
Man Bites Dog (1992)
Looney Tunes: Back In Action (2003)
A Serbian Film (2010)
Scarface (1932)
The Book of Eli (2010)
The Departed (2006)
Infernal Affairs (2002)
The Godfather (1972)
Casino (1995)
JFK (1991)
Dead Presidents (1996)
Eve’s Bayou (1997)
Basic Instinct (1992)
Psycho (1960)
The Cremator (1969)
The Firemen’s Ball (1967)
Halloween (2018)
From Hell (2001)
Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)
Hoffa (1992)
V For Vendetta (2005)
Spartacus (1960)
You Were Never Really Here...
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Gremlins (1984)
A Christmas Story (1983)
The Candidate (1972)
Menace II Society (1993)
Die Hard (1988)
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Scarface (1983)
Goodfellas (1990)
Full Metal Jacket (1987)
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Midnight Cowboy (1969)
Raging Bull (1980)
Taxi Driver (1976)
Alpha (2018)
Battleship Potemkin (1925)
Metropolis (1927)
True Romance (1993)
Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988)
The Matrix (1999)
Man Bites Dog (1992)
Looney Tunes: Back In Action (2003)
A Serbian Film (2010)
Scarface (1932)
The Book of Eli (2010)
The Departed (2006)
Infernal Affairs (2002)
The Godfather (1972)
Casino (1995)
JFK (1991)
Dead Presidents (1996)
Eve’s Bayou (1997)
Basic Instinct (1992)
Psycho (1960)
The Cremator (1969)
The Firemen’s Ball (1967)
Halloween (2018)
From Hell (2001)
Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)
Hoffa (1992)
V For Vendetta (2005)
Spartacus (1960)
You Were Never Really Here...
- 9/29/2020
- by Kris Millsap
- Trailers from Hell
‘Soul.’
The Us studios and independents have booked more than two dozen films for the Us summer season, starting with the launch of Disney/Pixar’s Soul on June 19.
While that date may be overly ambitious in view of the country’s soaring Covid-19 infection and death rates, Australian exhibitors and distributors see that as a positive sign for the revival of the theatrical business here and globally.
“The date moves have been very interesting to watch – we can only hope for a late June or July re-opening as well,” Majestic Cinemas CEO Kieren Dell tells If.
“I think we have to assume cinemas will be closed for six months at this stage, but hope it will end sooner. Even then, we will likely be subject to social distancing requirements and enhanced hygiene requirements; we might need the JobKeeper subsidies for casuals just to be able to pay for the extra cleaning.
The Us studios and independents have booked more than two dozen films for the Us summer season, starting with the launch of Disney/Pixar’s Soul on June 19.
While that date may be overly ambitious in view of the country’s soaring Covid-19 infection and death rates, Australian exhibitors and distributors see that as a positive sign for the revival of the theatrical business here and globally.
“The date moves have been very interesting to watch – we can only hope for a late June or July re-opening as well,” Majestic Cinemas CEO Kieren Dell tells If.
“I think we have to assume cinemas will be closed for six months at this stage, but hope it will end sooner. Even then, we will likely be subject to social distancing requirements and enhanced hygiene requirements; we might need the JobKeeper subsidies for casuals just to be able to pay for the extra cleaning.
- 4/5/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
In today’s film news roundup, August Maturo gets a starring role and “Death of Me” and “Fatale” find homes.
Casting
“Girl Meets World” star August Maturo has been cast as the lead character in the upcoming indie horror feature, “Slapface.”
Maturo will play a boy who deals with the loss of his mother by creating a relationship with a dangerous monster. Jeremiah Kipp will direct.
Maturo recently starred as Daniel in Warner Bros.’ 2018 horror thriller, “The Nun,” opposite Taissa Farmiga and Demián Bichir.
Acquisitions
Saban Films has acquired North American rights to Darren Lynn Bousman’s “Death of Me,” starring Maggie Q and Luke Hemsworth.
Bousman directed from a script penned by Ari Margolis & James Morley III and David Tish, which centers on a couple on an exotic holiday who awaken one morning with a hangover and no recollection of what transpired. When playing back the video of their previous night,...
Casting
“Girl Meets World” star August Maturo has been cast as the lead character in the upcoming indie horror feature, “Slapface.”
Maturo will play a boy who deals with the loss of his mother by creating a relationship with a dangerous monster. Jeremiah Kipp will direct.
Maturo recently starred as Daniel in Warner Bros.’ 2018 horror thriller, “The Nun,” opposite Taissa Farmiga and Demián Bichir.
Acquisitions
Saban Films has acquired North American rights to Darren Lynn Bousman’s “Death of Me,” starring Maggie Q and Luke Hemsworth.
Bousman directed from a script penned by Ari Margolis & James Morley III and David Tish, which centers on a couple on an exotic holiday who awaken one morning with a hangover and no recollection of what transpired. When playing back the video of their previous night,...
- 8/22/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Fatale stars Hilary Swank and Michael Ealy in a script by the writer of Intruder.
Lionsgate has acquired rights for North America, the UK and France to Fatale, a new thriller from director Deon Taylor, whose The Intruder was a surprise success at the Us box office earlier this year.
Fatale stars Hilary Swank, Michael Ealy, Mike Colter and Tyrin Turner and centres on a married man who is out-witted and morally manipulated by a mysterious woman with whom he had a one night stand.
Written by Intruder-writer David Loughery, Fatale is produced by Loughery and Taylor’s Hidden Empire...
Lionsgate has acquired rights for North America, the UK and France to Fatale, a new thriller from director Deon Taylor, whose The Intruder was a surprise success at the Us box office earlier this year.
Fatale stars Hilary Swank, Michael Ealy, Mike Colter and Tyrin Turner and centres on a married man who is out-witted and morally manipulated by a mysterious woman with whom he had a one night stand.
Written by Intruder-writer David Loughery, Fatale is produced by Loughery and Taylor’s Hidden Empire...
- 8/22/2019
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
Lionsgate has acquired North American and key foreign territories to Deon Taylor’s psychological thriller Fatale starring two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank, Michael Ealy, Mike Colter, and Tyrin Turner.
Fatale centers on a married man who finds himself living a nightmare as he is relentlessly compromised, out-witted and morally manipulated by a mysterious woman with whom he had a wild one-night stand. How far will he go to save his marriage from his mistake?
Written and produced by David Loughery, the film is produced by Taylor’s Hidden Empire Film Group partner Roxanne Taylor and is executive produced by partner Robert F. Smith. Time-time Oscar nominee Dante Spinotti served as Dp, marking his third collaboration with Taylor on Fatale. Deadline exclusively announced Fatale last August.
Taylor was behind this past summer’s The Intruder, which grossed $37M WW off an $8M net cost before P&a.
Fatale centers on a married man who finds himself living a nightmare as he is relentlessly compromised, out-witted and morally manipulated by a mysterious woman with whom he had a wild one-night stand. How far will he go to save his marriage from his mistake?
Written and produced by David Loughery, the film is produced by Taylor’s Hidden Empire Film Group partner Roxanne Taylor and is executive produced by partner Robert F. Smith. Time-time Oscar nominee Dante Spinotti served as Dp, marking his third collaboration with Taylor on Fatale. Deadline exclusively announced Fatale last August.
Taylor was behind this past summer’s The Intruder, which grossed $37M WW off an $8M net cost before P&a.
- 8/22/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Lionsgate has picked up the North American and key international rights to the psychological thriller “Fatale” starring Hilary Swank and Michael Ealy, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chairman Joe Drake announced Thursday.
Mike Colter and Tyrin Turner also star in the film directed by Deon Taylor, who most recently directed the summer sleeper hit “The Intruder.”
“Fatale” follows a married man who finds himself living in a nightmare as he is manipulated by a mysterious woman after having a one-night stand with her. David Loughery wrote and produced the film. Taylor’s Hidden Empire Film Group partner Roxanne Taylor also produced, while Robert F. Smith executive produced.
Also Read: Hilary Swank's 'I Am Mother' Lands at Netflix
“We previously acquired Deon’s thriller ‘Traffik,’ and when Damon Wolf came to Lionsgate on the heels of working with Deon, he mentioned we should keep our eye on ‘Fatale.’ He could not have been more right.
Mike Colter and Tyrin Turner also star in the film directed by Deon Taylor, who most recently directed the summer sleeper hit “The Intruder.”
“Fatale” follows a married man who finds himself living in a nightmare as he is manipulated by a mysterious woman after having a one-night stand with her. David Loughery wrote and produced the film. Taylor’s Hidden Empire Film Group partner Roxanne Taylor also produced, while Robert F. Smith executive produced.
Also Read: Hilary Swank's 'I Am Mother' Lands at Netflix
“We previously acquired Deon’s thriller ‘Traffik,’ and when Damon Wolf came to Lionsgate on the heels of working with Deon, he mentioned we should keep our eye on ‘Fatale.’ He could not have been more right.
- 8/22/2019
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
Former Cosby Show actor Geoffrey Owens has booked yet another role.
Owens will join Hilary Swank and Michael Ealy in Deon Taylor's noir thriller Fatale. Damaris Lewis, who recently starred in Spike Lee's BlacKkKlansman, has also joined the cast that includes Mike Colter and Tyrin Turner.
Fatale centers on a married man (Ealy) who is tricked into a murder scheme by a seductive female police detective (Swank). Lewis plays Ealy's character's wife, Traci, while Owens plays his attorney.
Taylor, who recently wrapped Meet the Blacks sequel The House Next Door, is directing from a script by David Loughery. Roxanne Avent and ...
Owens will join Hilary Swank and Michael Ealy in Deon Taylor's noir thriller Fatale. Damaris Lewis, who recently starred in Spike Lee's BlacKkKlansman, has also joined the cast that includes Mike Colter and Tyrin Turner.
Fatale centers on a married man (Ealy) who is tricked into a murder scheme by a seductive female police detective (Swank). Lewis plays Ealy's character's wife, Traci, while Owens plays his attorney.
Taylor, who recently wrapped Meet the Blacks sequel The House Next Door, is directing from a script by David Loughery. Roxanne Avent and ...
- 9/20/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Former Cosby Show actor Geoffrey Owens has booked yet another role.
Owens will join Hilary Swank and Michael Ealy in Deon Taylor's noir thriller Fatale. Damaris Lewis, who recently starred in Spike Lee's BlacKkKlansman, has also joined the cast that includes Mike Colter and Tyrin Turner.
Fatale centers on a married man (Ealy) who is tricked into a murder scheme by a seductive female police detective (Swank). Lewis plays Ealy's character's wife, Traci, while Owens plays his attorney.
Taylor, who recently wrapped Meet the Blacks sequel The House Next Door, is directing from a script by David Loughery. Roxanne Avent and ...
Owens will join Hilary Swank and Michael Ealy in Deon Taylor's noir thriller Fatale. Damaris Lewis, who recently starred in Spike Lee's BlacKkKlansman, has also joined the cast that includes Mike Colter and Tyrin Turner.
Fatale centers on a married man (Ealy) who is tricked into a murder scheme by a seductive female police detective (Swank). Lewis plays Ealy's character's wife, Traci, while Owens plays his attorney.
Taylor, who recently wrapped Meet the Blacks sequel The House Next Door, is directing from a script by David Loughery. Roxanne Avent and ...
- 9/20/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Michael Ealy (“The Perfect Guy”) and Mike Colter (“Luke Cage”) will star opposite Hilary Swank in Deon Taylor’s noir thriller “Fatale,” Variety has learned exclusively.
Ealy will portray a married man who is tricked into a murder scheme by a seductive female police detective, played by Swank. Colter plays Ealy’s best friend and business partner. Tyrin Turner (“Menace II Society”) has also been cast in a supporting role.
Taylor is directing “Fatale” from a script by David Loughery (“Lakeview Terrace”). He is also producing the film with his Hidden Empire Film Group partners Roxanne Avent and Robert F. Smith. Two-time Oscar nominee Dante Spinotti will be the director of photography.
The film begins shooting Monday in Los Angeles. Endeavor Content will handle worldwide sales of the film, and Avent is overseeing the production for Hidden Empire Film Group, which is fully financing the movie.
“Fatale” marks the second collaboration between Ealy and Taylor.
Ealy will portray a married man who is tricked into a murder scheme by a seductive female police detective, played by Swank. Colter plays Ealy’s best friend and business partner. Tyrin Turner (“Menace II Society”) has also been cast in a supporting role.
Taylor is directing “Fatale” from a script by David Loughery (“Lakeview Terrace”). He is also producing the film with his Hidden Empire Film Group partners Roxanne Avent and Robert F. Smith. Two-time Oscar nominee Dante Spinotti will be the director of photography.
The film begins shooting Monday in Los Angeles. Endeavor Content will handle worldwide sales of the film, and Avent is overseeing the production for Hidden Empire Film Group, which is fully financing the movie.
“Fatale” marks the second collaboration between Ealy and Taylor.
- 9/17/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Filmmaker Deon Taylor is set to direct Sony Screen Gems’ Exposure, off Peter A. Dowling’s spec which the label acquired a year ago, as Deadline reported exclusively.
Exposure follows a rookie Detroit African-American female cop who stumbles upon corrupt officers who are murdering a drug dealer, an incident captured by her body cam. They pursue her through the night in an attempt to destroy the footage, but to make matters worse, they’ve tipped off a criminal gang that she’s responsible for the dealer’s death.
Eric Paquette is overseeing the project for Screen Gems. In a major worldwide rights deal, Paquette also brought Taylor’s latest movie The Intruder into the studio. That psychological thriller stars Dennis Quaid, Meaghan Good, and Michael Ealy and follows a young married couple who after buying a huge Napa Valley estate are threatened by its previous owner.
Sean Sorensen is...
Exposure follows a rookie Detroit African-American female cop who stumbles upon corrupt officers who are murdering a drug dealer, an incident captured by her body cam. They pursue her through the night in an attempt to destroy the footage, but to make matters worse, they’ve tipped off a criminal gang that she’s responsible for the dealer’s death.
Eric Paquette is overseeing the project for Screen Gems. In a major worldwide rights deal, Paquette also brought Taylor’s latest movie The Intruder into the studio. That psychological thriller stars Dennis Quaid, Meaghan Good, and Michael Ealy and follows a young married couple who after buying a huge Napa Valley estate are threatened by its previous owner.
Sean Sorensen is...
- 8/28/2018
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank has been set to star in Deon Taylor’s noir thriller Fatale.
Fatale centers on a married man who is tricked into a murder scheme by a seductive female police detective. Swank plays the detective. Taylor, whose next film is the Screen Gems’ thriller The Intruder, is directing Fatale and producing with his Hidden Empire Film Group partners Roxanne Avent and Robert F. Smith. David Loughery (Lakeview Terrace and Obsessed) wrote the screenplay. Dante Spinotti will be the Dp, marking his third collaboration with Taylor.
Production begins in Los Angeles next month. Endeavor Content will handle worldwide sales. Roxanne Avent will oversee the production for Hidden Empire Film Group, which is fully financing the movie.
Said Taylor: “Getting tough, smart, beautiful, and perplexing all in one performance is daunting – until you get Hilary Swank, then you breathe easier and things get really exciting. We...
Fatale centers on a married man who is tricked into a murder scheme by a seductive female police detective. Swank plays the detective. Taylor, whose next film is the Screen Gems’ thriller The Intruder, is directing Fatale and producing with his Hidden Empire Film Group partners Roxanne Avent and Robert F. Smith. David Loughery (Lakeview Terrace and Obsessed) wrote the screenplay. Dante Spinotti will be the Dp, marking his third collaboration with Taylor.
Production begins in Los Angeles next month. Endeavor Content will handle worldwide sales. Roxanne Avent will oversee the production for Hidden Empire Film Group, which is fully financing the movie.
Said Taylor: “Getting tough, smart, beautiful, and perplexing all in one performance is daunting – until you get Hilary Swank, then you breathe easier and things get really exciting. We...
- 8/10/2018
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Wme has signed Deon Taylor, the writer, director and producer whose recently completed thriller Intruder was acquired for wide release in a world rights deal with Sony Screen Gems. Hidden Empire Film Group — which Taylor runs with Roxanne Avent and Robert F. Smith — enters into a strategic partnership with Endeavor Content, which is packaging Taylor’s next film, the noir thriller Fatale.
This comes after Endeavor Content negotiated the Screen Gems deal for Intruder, a psychological thriller about a young married couple who buy a beautiful Napa Valley home only to find that the seller (Dennis Quaid) is a lunatic who refuses to leave. Robert F. Smith financed the film.
Taylor and Hidden Empire next tackle Fatale. The psychological noir thriller was written by Intruder screenwriter David Loughery and centers on a married man who is tricked into a murder scheme by a seductive female police detective.
This comes after Endeavor Content negotiated the Screen Gems deal for Intruder, a psychological thriller about a young married couple who buy a beautiful Napa Valley home only to find that the seller (Dennis Quaid) is a lunatic who refuses to leave. Robert F. Smith financed the film.
Taylor and Hidden Empire next tackle Fatale. The psychological noir thriller was written by Intruder screenwriter David Loughery and centers on a married man who is tricked into a murder scheme by a seductive female police detective.
- 6/1/2018
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Machete star Danny Trejo and rapper Rick Ross have signed on to join the comedy film The House Next Door, the sequel to Meet The Blacks, which has Mike Epps reprising his starring role as well as Deon Taylor returning to direct. Katt Williams (Friday After Next) also stars in the pic along with returnees Bresha Webb (Marlon), Zulay Henao (Fighting), social media star Andrew Bachelor (a.k.a King Batch), and comedians Lil Duval, Michael Blackson and Tyrin Turner…...
- 11/8/2017
- Deadline
Stars: Danny Glover, Joe Anderson, Dawn Olivieri, Derek Luke, Evan Ross, Lela Rochon, Mahershala Ali, Julie Benz, Nick Chinlund, Robin Bobeau, Anson Mount, Alex Henderson, Jenica Bergere, Shaun Taylor-Corbett, Tyrin Turner | Written by Eric J. Adams | Directed by Deon Taylor
Apparently “inspired” by the true-life case of Robert Walter Scully, Jr. who killed a police officer in 1995 before taking a family hostage, Supremacy tells the story of Tully (Anderson) a white supremacist who just got paroled. But his first night out could be his last…
After being pulled over, Tully just killed the cop (Ali) and goes on the run. And no one’s going to listen to an ex-con with the Aryan Nation. Tully and his girlfriend (Olivieri) add home invasion and hostages to the body count. But no one counted on Mr. Walker (Glover), an ex-con himself, to fight back—using his understanding of the racist mind to...
Apparently “inspired” by the true-life case of Robert Walter Scully, Jr. who killed a police officer in 1995 before taking a family hostage, Supremacy tells the story of Tully (Anderson) a white supremacist who just got paroled. But his first night out could be his last…
After being pulled over, Tully just killed the cop (Ali) and goes on the run. And no one’s going to listen to an ex-con with the Aryan Nation. Tully and his girlfriend (Olivieri) add home invasion and hostages to the body count. But no one counted on Mr. Walker (Glover), an ex-con himself, to fight back—using his understanding of the racist mind to...
- 4/18/2015
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Yesterday I had the chance to sit down and talk to Academy Award® nominee Quvenzhané Wallis (Beasts of the Southern Wild) and Academy Award® winnerJamie Foxx about their upcoming film and new take on "Annie."
In the film Wallis stars as Annie, a young, happy foster kid who's also tough enough to make her way on the streets of New York in 2014. Originally left by her parents as a baby with the promise that they'd be back for her someday, it's been a hard knock life ever since with her mean foster mom Miss Hannigan (Cameron Diaz). But everything's about to change when the hard-nosed tycoon and New York mayoral candidate Will Stacks (Jamie Foxx) - advised by his brilliant VP, Grace (Rose Byrne) and his shrewd and scheming campaign advisor, Guy (Bobby Cannavale) - makes a thinly-veiled campaign move and takes her in. Stacks believes he's her guardian angel,...
In the film Wallis stars as Annie, a young, happy foster kid who's also tough enough to make her way on the streets of New York in 2014. Originally left by her parents as a baby with the promise that they'd be back for her someday, it's been a hard knock life ever since with her mean foster mom Miss Hannigan (Cameron Diaz). But everything's about to change when the hard-nosed tycoon and New York mayoral candidate Will Stacks (Jamie Foxx) - advised by his brilliant VP, Grace (Rose Byrne) and his shrewd and scheming campaign advisor, Guy (Bobby Cannavale) - makes a thinly-veiled campaign move and takes her in. Stacks believes he's her guardian angel,...
- 12/5/2014
- by Kellvin Chavez
- LRMonline.com
Jamie Foxx directed this really weird sci-fi short film called "And She Was My Eve." The film is part of Ron Howard and Canon's Project Imagination. The 15-minute short tells the story of a man "scarred early in life by unrequited love works to attain the perfect mate. In the end, he may get more then he bargains for." The short stars Tyrin Turner and Samantha Nagel, and it's not really like anything I've seen before. I'm not saying that's a good thing, I'm just saying it's very odd and different.
Via: Yahoo...
Via: Yahoo...
- 11/16/2013
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
While we.re still waiting for and wondering about the delayed horror/sci-fi anthology series that the multi-talented Jamie Foxx is developing for Syfy, we now have a pretty good look at what it might look like, as Foxx just dropped his directorial debut, the exceedingly strange short film And She Was My Eve. The short was made in collaboration with Ron Howard and camera giant Canon.s Project Imaginat10n, which takes fan-submitted photographs and works a film around them. In steps Foxx and his wacky ass sense of style, along with writer Allan Loeb (Rock of Ages), and this unique short somehow came together. Tyrin Turner (Menace II Society) plays a man whose ability to communicate with women was stunted as a child, when he embarrassed himself in front of his schoolmates. As an adult, he apparently thinks the only way that he.ll find love is if...
- 11/15/2013
- cinemablend.com
"My story is a tail of scientific intrigue." Jamie Foxx tries his hand at directing with a short titled And She Was My Eve part of Canon's Project Imagination. The 15-minute short is about a man who tries to build the "perfect mate", but ends up with more than he bargained for. Tyrin Turner & Samantha Nagel star. I can't say there's much to admire, but it is unlike anything I've ever seen. And She Was My Eve is about a man scarred early in life by an unrequited love who works to attain the perfect mate. An intrusive neighbor questions his mysterious lifestyle and the uncertainty of the outside world brings his dreams to a halt. Yep. Thanks to Yahoo (found via The Playlist) for the embedded version of And She Was My Eve. Synopsis for this short: "A man scarred early in life by unrequited love works to attain the perfect mate.
- 11/15/2013
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Earlier this year, Jamie Foxx got behind the camera in Brooklyn, NYC, to direct his Canon "Project Imaginat10n" short film, which we now know is called ...And She Was My Eve.The film stars Tyrin Turner (Menace II Society) and Foxx's Django Unchained co-cast member Nichole Galicia. Official synopsis reads:a man scarred early in life by unrequited love works to attain the perfect mate. In the end, he may get more then he bargains for.You'll recall the announcement made last fall that Canon U.S.A., Inc. had aligned with 5 selected directors to helm short films, based on winning photographs selected from...
- 11/4/2013
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
It’s ironic that I stumbled onto this recent Grantland article about Tyrin Turner, considering that, just a few weeks ago, I watched the Hughes Brothers’ Menace II Society for the first time in many years.It’s amazing as well that it’s been over 20 years since that film was made, and that, even today, it is, unfortunately, still as relevant as ever. Perhaps even more so. It is a grim experience watching that film and wondering how many young black men (and women) have ended up dead since that film came out.But what about those involved with the film? The Hughes brothers are still making films. Bill Duke and Larenz Tate are still around, and Samuel l. Jackson hasn’t been exactly...
- 6/18/2013
- by Sergio
- ShadowAndAct
This past Wednesday, RapFix Live celebrated the 20th anniversary of "Menace II Society" by inviting the actors behind Caine and O-Dog, Tyrin Turner and Larenz Tate, onto the program to reminisce about the street movie classic.
During his stay on the RapFix couch, Turner shared a story about a famous fan of the film, who left a major impression on him.
"We were in New York, and Leonardo DiCaprio, who is a friend — I just recently met him and we got close — recites all of the lines from 'Menace' at the club," Turner said. "He almost did them better than me."
According to Turner, the "Django Unchained" actor knew practically every line from the film.
Head over to the RapFix Blog for more breakouts from the "Menace II Society" tribute.
During his stay on the RapFix couch, Turner shared a story about a famous fan of the film, who left a major impression on him.
"We were in New York, and Leonardo DiCaprio, who is a friend — I just recently met him and we got close — recites all of the lines from 'Menace' at the club," Turner said. "He almost did them better than me."
According to Turner, the "Django Unchained" actor knew practically every line from the film.
Head over to the RapFix Blog for more breakouts from the "Menace II Society" tribute.
- 5/31/2013
- by Kevin P. Sullivan
- MTV Movies Blog
'Menace II Society' Directors Explain Why Tupac Shakur Got The Boot From Their Gangsta Drama Classic
Believe it or not, “Menace II Society” was released over twenty years ago. The film launched the careers of Albert and Allen Hughes (“From Hell”, “Book of Eli”), who made the film when they were just twenty years old. While the film proved to be a critical and commercial hit at the time, the production was not without its problems. Tupac Shakur was originally supposed to play a role in the film but was fired by Allen Hughes, apparently because Tupac was causing problems on the set. The firing lead to Tupac and Allen Hughes actually coming to blows and Tupac wound up being found guilty for assault and battery, as a result.The stars of “Menace II Society,” actors Tyrin Turner and Larenz Tate, recently dropped by MTV’s “RapFix Live” to celebrate the film’s 20th anniversary and they talked about Tupac’s brief involvement with the film.
- 5/31/2013
- by Ken Guidry
- The Playlist
This past Sunday (May 26) marked the 20th anniversary of the seminal film from the Hughes Brothers, "Menace II Society." To commemorate the occasion, the two stars of the film, Larenz Tate and Tyrin Turner, will be stopping by RapFix Live to sit down and talk with Sway about the film's influence, especially on rap culture, all of these years later.
RapFix Live begins today (5/29) at 4 p.m. Et, and that's when you'll be able to see our exclusive sit-down with Turner and Tate about the importance of "Menace II Society" and why it still matters today.
Check it all out in the video player above starting at 4 p.m. Et.
RapFix Live begins today (5/29) at 4 p.m. Et, and that's when you'll be able to see our exclusive sit-down with Turner and Tate about the importance of "Menace II Society" and why it still matters today.
Check it all out in the video player above starting at 4 p.m. Et.
- 5/29/2013
- by MTV Movies Team
- MTV Movies Blog
Jamie Foxx stepped behind the camera in Brooklyn, New York last week as Director for Canon’s “Project Imaginat10n.” Starring Tyrin Turner, a long-time friend and star of cult classic, Menace II Society and Nichole Galicia, from Django Unchained, Jamie was a hands-on director. And he had some great visitors on set – Ron Howard, his mentor on the project, David West from the Pacers and tons of fans including the Sanitation Department that was across the street on the last day of filming.
The other celebrity directors for Project Imaginat10n include Eva Longoria, James Murphy, Biz Stone and Georgina Chapman and consumers can now take part in the same creative experience.
Filmmakers of all skill levels can select from the same pool of 91 winning photos to showcase their creativity and storytelling abilities by taking a seat in the director’s chair. Submissions will begin on June 4, 2013 at imagination.
The other celebrity directors for Project Imaginat10n include Eva Longoria, James Murphy, Biz Stone and Georgina Chapman and consumers can now take part in the same creative experience.
Filmmakers of all skill levels can select from the same pool of 91 winning photos to showcase their creativity and storytelling abilities by taking a seat in the director’s chair. Submissions will begin on June 4, 2013 at imagination.
- 5/21/2013
- by Philip Sticco
- LRMonline.com
Jamie Foxx got behind the camera in Brooklyn, NYC last week, to direct his short film for Canon's "Project Imaginat10n." I only just learned that the film stars Tyrin Turner (Menace II Society) and Foxx's Django Unchained co-cast member Nichole Galicia. No word still on what exactly this film is about, but, recapping, you'll recall the announcement made last fall that Canon U.S.A., Inc. had aligned with 5 selected directors to direct short films under the watchful eye of producer/director Ron Howard. The five were/are Jamie Foxx, Eva Longoria, Biz Stone, Georgina Chapman and James...
- 5/20/2013
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Director Ron Howard and daughter/actress Bryce Dallas Howard have teamed up to jump on the user-generated content bandwagon with the new film contest for Canon, "Project Imaginat10n." A number of celebrity directors are getting involved in the project, including Eva Longoria, James Murphy, Georgina Chapman and Jamie Foxx, who recently starting shooting his short film in Brooklyn.The film stars Tyrin Turner, Foxx's longtime friend and the star of "Menace II Society," and Foxx's "Django Unchained" co-star Nichole Galicia. Howard, along with Foxx's mentor on the set, David West, paid on-set visits during shooting.Beginning June 4, filmmakers of all skill levels can submit up to five photographs per 10 storytelling prompts -- among them, "setting," "mood," "backstory" and "the unknown." Submissions close in the fall and after a judging panel selects finalists in mid-October, Ron Howard and a public vote will determine 91 winning photographs. Then, directors will choose 10 photos,...
- 5/20/2013
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Thompson on Hollywood
Brooklyn, New York was the scene of Jamie Foxx’s newest film. This film isn’t your standard Hollywood blockbuster, though; it’s a film for Canon’s “Project Imaginati0n.” Foxx was the director for the latest film in the Canon project. The film stars Tyrin Turner, one of Foxx’s long time-friends and star of the cult classic “Menace II Society,” along with “Django Unchained” actress Nichole Galicia. “Project Imaginati0n” mentor Ron Howard and visitors including David West from the Indiana Pacers and fans populated the set. You can take a look photos from the film set below the post. Other celebrity directors for Project Imaginat10n include Eva Longoria, James Murphy, Biz Stone and [ Read More ]
The post Jamie Foxx Directs Project Imaginati0n Film in Brooklyn appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Jamie Foxx Directs Project Imaginati0n Film in Brooklyn appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 5/20/2013
- by monique
- ShockYa
Here’s a list of some of the new DVD and Blu-ray releases this week. Plus, some old favorites coming out this week on Blu-Ray.
New Movies:
• Knowing ~ Nicolas Cage, Rose Byrne (DVD and Blu-ray)
• Push ~ Chris Evans, Dakota Fanning (DVD and Blu-ray)
• The Unborn ~ Odette Yustman (DVD and Blu-Ray)
• Night Train ~ Danny Glover, Leelee Sobieski, Steve Zahn (DVD and Blu-ray)
• Five Fingers ~ Laurence Fishburne, Colm Meaney, Antonie Kamerling, Saïd Taghmaoui (DVD and Blu-ray)
• A Day in the Life ~ Omar Epps, Faizon Love, Michael Rapaport, Tyrin Turner (DVD)
• Flying By ~ Billy Ray Cyrus, Heather Locklear, Olesya Rulin, Patricia Neal (DVD)
• Applause for Miss E ~ Vanessa Bell Calloway, Roger Guenveur Smith, Gina Torres (DVD)
• Power Rangers Rpm, Vol. 1: Start Your Engines ~ Eka Darville, Ari Boyland, Rose McIver, Milo Cawthorne (DVD)
• Flight 666 ~ Iron Maiden (Blu-ray)
Previously Released and Classic Movies:
• Lonely are the Brave ~ Kirk Douglas, Gena Rowlands, Walter Matthau, George Kennedy...
New Movies:
• Knowing ~ Nicolas Cage, Rose Byrne (DVD and Blu-ray)
• Push ~ Chris Evans, Dakota Fanning (DVD and Blu-ray)
• The Unborn ~ Odette Yustman (DVD and Blu-Ray)
• Night Train ~ Danny Glover, Leelee Sobieski, Steve Zahn (DVD and Blu-ray)
• Five Fingers ~ Laurence Fishburne, Colm Meaney, Antonie Kamerling, Saïd Taghmaoui (DVD and Blu-ray)
• A Day in the Life ~ Omar Epps, Faizon Love, Michael Rapaport, Tyrin Turner (DVD)
• Flying By ~ Billy Ray Cyrus, Heather Locklear, Olesya Rulin, Patricia Neal (DVD)
• Applause for Miss E ~ Vanessa Bell Calloway, Roger Guenveur Smith, Gina Torres (DVD)
• Power Rangers Rpm, Vol. 1: Start Your Engines ~ Eka Darville, Ari Boyland, Rose McIver, Milo Cawthorne (DVD)
• Flight 666 ~ Iron Maiden (Blu-ray)
Previously Released and Classic Movies:
• Lonely are the Brave ~ Kirk Douglas, Gena Rowlands, Walter Matthau, George Kennedy...
- 7/7/2009
- by Chris Ullrich
- The Flickcast
With his torso buffed and tanned and his hair clipped and dyed Nazi blond, John Savage is a convincing icon of brutality in "Little Boy Blue", a garish and sordid melodrama of abuse, incest and revenge set in dusty rural Texas.
The Savage character, Ray West, doesn't just have a short fuse, he seems to have no fuse at all. The second anything ticks him off, Ray's fury accelerates from zero straight to 60. Ray's behavior is too blunt and predictable to be deeply scary.
A central miscalculation is the way the character of Ray's oldest son Jimmy Ryan Phillippe) has been conceived. There's nothing in his personality as we see it to indicate that he's a product of grotesque abuse. For a kid who's been forced to make love to the maddeningly passive woman he believes to be his mother (Nastassja Kinski, as sinuous as ever) while his dad watches and gratifies himself, he's a remarkably alert and sweet-souled lad; sad and angry, perhaps, but otherwise unscarred.
Phillippe's performance is impressive, but the portrayal doesn't make a lick of sense in the overall context of the movie. Jimmy's sensitivity and his stubborn sense of duty are really just givens in "Little Boy Blue". Without them, his heroic decision to turn down a sports scholarship to stick around and protect his younger brothers (Devon Michael and Adam Burke) would be all but inexplicable. Jimmy's been arbitrarily dropped into a hellish situation that in real life could never give rise to anyone remotely like him.
"Little Boy Blue" is supposed to be a thriller, a dirt-road noir; Jim Thompson with a snootful of crystal meth. But director Antonio Tibaldi isn't a clear or a crafty enough storyteller to pull it off. Some crucial nuggets of information are withheld strategically to set up the big surprises. (Ray's past does finally catch up with him, and then Shirley Knight wades in as a gunslinging matronly avenger.) When even basic facts are so confusingly presented that its hard to tell which obscurities are intended and which are inadvertent, we're too busy scratching our heads to register much suspense.
LITTLE BOY BLUE
Castle Hill
Director: Antonio Tibaldi
Producer: Amedeo Ursini
Screenplay: Michael Boston
Executive producer: Virginia Giritlian
Director of photography: Ron Hagen
Editors: Antonio Tibaldi, Tobin Taylor
Music: Stuart Copeland
Production designer: John Frick
Costume designer: April Ferry
Color
Cast:
Ray West: John Savage
Jimmy West: Ryan Phillippe
Kate West: Nastassja Kinski
Doris Knight: Shirley Knight
Nate Carr: Tyrin Turner
Traci Conner: Jenny Lewis
Running time -- 107 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
The Savage character, Ray West, doesn't just have a short fuse, he seems to have no fuse at all. The second anything ticks him off, Ray's fury accelerates from zero straight to 60. Ray's behavior is too blunt and predictable to be deeply scary.
A central miscalculation is the way the character of Ray's oldest son Jimmy Ryan Phillippe) has been conceived. There's nothing in his personality as we see it to indicate that he's a product of grotesque abuse. For a kid who's been forced to make love to the maddeningly passive woman he believes to be his mother (Nastassja Kinski, as sinuous as ever) while his dad watches and gratifies himself, he's a remarkably alert and sweet-souled lad; sad and angry, perhaps, but otherwise unscarred.
Phillippe's performance is impressive, but the portrayal doesn't make a lick of sense in the overall context of the movie. Jimmy's sensitivity and his stubborn sense of duty are really just givens in "Little Boy Blue". Without them, his heroic decision to turn down a sports scholarship to stick around and protect his younger brothers (Devon Michael and Adam Burke) would be all but inexplicable. Jimmy's been arbitrarily dropped into a hellish situation that in real life could never give rise to anyone remotely like him.
"Little Boy Blue" is supposed to be a thriller, a dirt-road noir; Jim Thompson with a snootful of crystal meth. But director Antonio Tibaldi isn't a clear or a crafty enough storyteller to pull it off. Some crucial nuggets of information are withheld strategically to set up the big surprises. (Ray's past does finally catch up with him, and then Shirley Knight wades in as a gunslinging matronly avenger.) When even basic facts are so confusingly presented that its hard to tell which obscurities are intended and which are inadvertent, we're too busy scratching our heads to register much suspense.
LITTLE BOY BLUE
Castle Hill
Director: Antonio Tibaldi
Producer: Amedeo Ursini
Screenplay: Michael Boston
Executive producer: Virginia Giritlian
Director of photography: Ron Hagen
Editors: Antonio Tibaldi, Tobin Taylor
Music: Stuart Copeland
Production designer: John Frick
Costume designer: April Ferry
Color
Cast:
Ray West: John Savage
Jimmy West: Ryan Phillippe
Kate West: Nastassja Kinski
Doris Knight: Shirley Knight
Nate Carr: Tyrin Turner
Traci Conner: Jenny Lewis
Running time -- 107 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
- 5/28/1998
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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