Nazi is as Nazi does.
After kicking off spooky season with a look at Tim Burton’s ode to Hammer Horror in Sleepy Hollow and tackling another Friday the 13th with one of its best entries in Friday the 13th Part 2, we’re getting serious for a minute with a discussion of Bryan Singer‘s 1998 Stephen King adaptation Apt Pupil.
Apt Pupil sees high school student Todd Bowden (Brad Renfro) discover a fugitive Nazi war criminal, Kurt Dussander (Ian McKellen), living in his neighborhood under a pseudonym. Bowden, obsessed with Nazism and the Holocaust, blackmails Dussander into sharing his horror stories, and their relationship stirs malice in each of them.
Be sure to subscribe to the podcast to get a new episode every Wednesday. You can subscribe on iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, TuneIn, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, and RSS.
Episode 252: Apt Pupil (1998)
Keep the cat away...
After kicking off spooky season with a look at Tim Burton’s ode to Hammer Horror in Sleepy Hollow and tackling another Friday the 13th with one of its best entries in Friday the 13th Part 2, we’re getting serious for a minute with a discussion of Bryan Singer‘s 1998 Stephen King adaptation Apt Pupil.
Apt Pupil sees high school student Todd Bowden (Brad Renfro) discover a fugitive Nazi war criminal, Kurt Dussander (Ian McKellen), living in his neighborhood under a pseudonym. Bowden, obsessed with Nazism and the Holocaust, blackmails Dussander into sharing his horror stories, and their relationship stirs malice in each of them.
Be sure to subscribe to the podcast to get a new episode every Wednesday. You can subscribe on iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, TuneIn, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, and RSS.
Episode 252: Apt Pupil (1998)
Keep the cat away...
- 10/23/2023
- by Trace Thurman
- bloody-disgusting.com
You want to have awards’ success? Get your legal briefs in order. A slew of movies with trials at their center have been Oscar contenders, racking up multiple wins and nominations. And for good reason. The genre is rich with emotions, betrayals, manipulations, love, hate, violence and redemption. This season, there is a lot of Oscar buzz for Aaron Sorkin’s well-received legal drama “The Trial of the Chicago 7.”
The 2002 musical extravaganza “Chicago” won six Oscars including Best Picture and Supporting Actress (Catherine Zeta-Jones). Five years later Tilda Swinton won a supporting actress Oscar for the acclaimed “Michael Clayton.” Tony Gilroy’s smart legal thriller earned a lucky seven bids, including film, screenplay and director for Gilroy and actor for George Clooney.
Let’s take a look back at 10 other films that were able to turn Oscar buzz into Academy Award nominations and wins:
“The Verdict” (1982)
Twenty-five years after...
The 2002 musical extravaganza “Chicago” won six Oscars including Best Picture and Supporting Actress (Catherine Zeta-Jones). Five years later Tilda Swinton won a supporting actress Oscar for the acclaimed “Michael Clayton.” Tony Gilroy’s smart legal thriller earned a lucky seven bids, including film, screenplay and director for Gilroy and actor for George Clooney.
Let’s take a look back at 10 other films that were able to turn Oscar buzz into Academy Award nominations and wins:
“The Verdict” (1982)
Twenty-five years after...
- 11/19/2020
- by Susan King
- Gold Derby
Stephen King’s latest bestselling four novella collection If It Bleeds has quickly garnered three option deals, with a fourth in the offing because it involves a preexisting character who just starred in an HBO series adaptation. For those who know that King extends options for $1, that’s an extra $4 in the prolific author’s pocket, with a lot more coming when they get made.
Netflix, Blumhouse and Ryan Murphy have teamed to option the book’s first tale, Mr. Harrigan’s Phone, which John Lee Hancock will adapt and direct. Jason Blum, Murphy and Carla Hacken will produce the feature.
Rat has been optioned to Ben Stiller, who intends to product, direct and star in the feature.
And Darren Aronofsky’s Protozoa has optioned The Life Of Chuck. At this point, Aronofsky is just aboard as producer.
The fourth installment, Let It Bleed, might have found a deal of its own,...
Netflix, Blumhouse and Ryan Murphy have teamed to option the book’s first tale, Mr. Harrigan’s Phone, which John Lee Hancock will adapt and direct. Jason Blum, Murphy and Carla Hacken will produce the feature.
Rat has been optioned to Ben Stiller, who intends to product, direct and star in the feature.
And Darren Aronofsky’s Protozoa has optioned The Life Of Chuck. At this point, Aronofsky is just aboard as producer.
The fourth installment, Let It Bleed, might have found a deal of its own,...
- 7/10/2020
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
To a certain generation of moviegoers, Joel Schumacher, who passed away this week, will be forever remembered as the man that introduced the world to Bat-nipples.
But that assessment belies the legacy of a director who, for all his faults, wasn’t afraid to take risks and rarely regretted anything he brought to the big screen.
The Batman & Robin filmmaker even remained philosophical on the subject of those distractingly erect rubber appendages.
“Maybe I was just naive but I’m still glad we did it,” he later reflected.
Indeed, Schumacher once declared: “I’m not embarrassed about anything I’ve done.”
And, Arnold Schwarzenegger ice puns aside, he had no reason to be.
A costume designer turned director, Schumacher’s flair for visuals and keen eye for casting set him on a course for a string of major hits.
Read more Movies How Batman & Robin Helped Bring About...
But that assessment belies the legacy of a director who, for all his faults, wasn’t afraid to take risks and rarely regretted anything he brought to the big screen.
The Batman & Robin filmmaker even remained philosophical on the subject of those distractingly erect rubber appendages.
“Maybe I was just naive but I’m still glad we did it,” he later reflected.
Indeed, Schumacher once declared: “I’m not embarrassed about anything I’ve done.”
And, Arnold Schwarzenegger ice puns aside, he had no reason to be.
A costume designer turned director, Schumacher’s flair for visuals and keen eye for casting set him on a course for a string of major hits.
Read more Movies How Batman & Robin Helped Bring About...
- 6/26/2020
- by Rosie Fletcher
- Den of Geek
Joel Schumacher, director of films like “St. Elmo’s Fire,” “The Client” and “A Time to Kill” has died from a year-long battle with cancer, his spokesperson told TheWrap. He was 80 years old.
His films “Falling Down” (1993) and “8mm” (1999) competed for Palme d’Or and Golden Bear, respectively. His other credits include “Flatliners,” “The Lost Boys,” “Tigerland,” “Batman Forever” and “Batman & Robin.”
Schumacher developed a reputation for spotting young talent, casting stars like Colin Farrell, Kiefer Sutherland, Matthew McConaughey and Brad Renfro in their first major screen roles.
Also Read: Iconic 'Batman' Writer Denny O'Neil Dies at 81
More to come…
Read original story Joel Schumacher, Director of ‘St Elmo’s Fire’ and ‘The Lost Boys,’ Dies at 80 At TheWrap...
His films “Falling Down” (1993) and “8mm” (1999) competed for Palme d’Or and Golden Bear, respectively. His other credits include “Flatliners,” “The Lost Boys,” “Tigerland,” “Batman Forever” and “Batman & Robin.”
Schumacher developed a reputation for spotting young talent, casting stars like Colin Farrell, Kiefer Sutherland, Matthew McConaughey and Brad Renfro in their first major screen roles.
Also Read: Iconic 'Batman' Writer Denny O'Neil Dies at 81
More to come…
Read original story Joel Schumacher, Director of ‘St Elmo’s Fire’ and ‘The Lost Boys,’ Dies at 80 At TheWrap...
- 6/22/2020
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
Joel Schumacher, costume designer-turned-director of films including “St. Elmo’s Fire,” “The Lost Boys” and “Falling Down,” as well as two “Batman” films, died in New York City on Monday morning after a year-long battle with cancer. He was 80.
Schumacher brought his fashion background to directing a run of stylish films throughout the 1980s and 1990s that were not always critically acclaimed, but continue to be well-loved by audiences for capturing the feel of the era.
Schumacher was handed the reins of the “Batman” franchise when Tim Burton exited Warner Bros.’ Caped Crusader series after two enormously successful films. The first movie by Schumacher, “Batman Forever,” starring Val Kilmer, Tommy Lee Jones, Jim Carrey and Nicole Kidman, grossed more than $300 million worldwide.
Schumacher’s second and last film in the franchise was 1997’s “Batman and Robin,” with George Clooney as Batman and Arnold Schwarzenegger as villain Mr. Freeze. For “Batman Forever,...
Schumacher brought his fashion background to directing a run of stylish films throughout the 1980s and 1990s that were not always critically acclaimed, but continue to be well-loved by audiences for capturing the feel of the era.
Schumacher was handed the reins of the “Batman” franchise when Tim Burton exited Warner Bros.’ Caped Crusader series after two enormously successful films. The first movie by Schumacher, “Batman Forever,” starring Val Kilmer, Tommy Lee Jones, Jim Carrey and Nicole Kidman, grossed more than $300 million worldwide.
Schumacher’s second and last film in the franchise was 1997’s “Batman and Robin,” with George Clooney as Batman and Arnold Schwarzenegger as villain Mr. Freeze. For “Batman Forever,...
- 6/22/2020
- by Carmel Dagan
- Variety Film + TV
With readers turning to their home viewing options more than ever, this daily feature provides one new movie each day worth checking out on a major streaming platform.
In “Ghost World,” everybody wants out, yet no one knows how to work the door. Nor do they want to. They’re more content to study the padding in the cell than to even consider an exit. That includes unapologetic and misunderstood loner Enid (Thora Birch) and her less tortured but still moody best friend Rebecca (Scarlett Johansson). Two characters in search of an exit. And then there’s Norman, the man sitting on a bench waiting for the bus that doesn’t come. Until it does, pulling Enid’s world out from under her.
More from IndieWireWhat's New on Disney+: 'The Straight Story' Is David Lynch's Healing of America's DividesStreaming Wars: Indie Streamers Are Getting Nimble in...
In “Ghost World,” everybody wants out, yet no one knows how to work the door. Nor do they want to. They’re more content to study the padding in the cell than to even consider an exit. That includes unapologetic and misunderstood loner Enid (Thora Birch) and her less tortured but still moody best friend Rebecca (Scarlett Johansson). Two characters in search of an exit. And then there’s Norman, the man sitting on a bench waiting for the bus that doesn’t come. Until it does, pulling Enid’s world out from under her.
More from IndieWireWhat's New on Disney+: 'The Straight Story' Is David Lynch's Healing of America's DividesStreaming Wars: Indie Streamers Are Getting Nimble in...
- 4/3/2020
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Variety has hired seasoned journalist Adam B. Vary as senior entertainment writer to cover the business of genre storytelling and fandom across movies, television and streaming platforms.
Vary will write a weekly column as well as produce cover stories and inside features, break news on Variety.com, and contribute to Variety’s new video studio.
He will join Variety’s Los Angeles headquarters on Dec. 2.
“I could not be more excited to join Variety, and to work with Claudia Eller and her incredible team covering a time of extraordinary change in the entertainment industry,” Vary said.
For nearly seven years, Vary worked as a senior film reporter at BuzzFeed News, breaking news, writing business and investigative features on industry figures such as Kevin Spacey and Brad Renfro, longform profiles that included Chris Pratt, Joss Whedon, James Gunn, and Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, retrospective stories on films like “Clue” and “A Christmas Story,...
Vary will write a weekly column as well as produce cover stories and inside features, break news on Variety.com, and contribute to Variety’s new video studio.
He will join Variety’s Los Angeles headquarters on Dec. 2.
“I could not be more excited to join Variety, and to work with Claudia Eller and her incredible team covering a time of extraordinary change in the entertainment industry,” Vary said.
For nearly seven years, Vary worked as a senior film reporter at BuzzFeed News, breaking news, writing business and investigative features on industry figures such as Kevin Spacey and Brad Renfro, longform profiles that included Chris Pratt, Joss Whedon, James Gunn, and Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, retrospective stories on films like “Clue” and “A Christmas Story,...
- 11/12/2019
- by Variety Staff
- Variety Film + TV
It’s been nearly a decade since the tragic death of former child actor Brad Renfro. During his too-short career he made over 20 movies, the last one being 2008’s The Informers, where he starred alongside Billy Bob Thornton and Winona Ryder. The Apt Pupil star was a gifted actor who battled several off-screen demons, which ultimately ended the life of the 25-year-old.
A Star on the Rise
The Knoxville, Tennessee native was only 10-years-old when he was discovered by director Joel Schumacher to play Mark Sway, a young witness in a Mafia case, in his 1994 movie The Client. In the film,...
A Star on the Rise
The Knoxville, Tennessee native was only 10-years-old when he was discovered by director Joel Schumacher to play Mark Sway, a young witness in a Mafia case, in his 1994 movie The Client. In the film,...
- 11/17/2017
- by Caroline Redmond
- PEOPLE.com
Update (November 13): Bijou Phillips has issued the following apology to TMZ: “I want to write to address what Daniel has said. I don’t remember that time well, those years are a blur. I was a teenager and reckless in my behavior. I know Daniel to be a trustworthy and honest person, and to find out through social media that I was not the friend I thought I was to him made me so sad. I am so mortified by this behavior and have contacted Daniel and apologized to him privately. I am not and never have been homophobic. I have nothing but love for the Lgbtq community and Daniel.”
Earlier: Daniel Franzese, best known for playing Damian Leigh in “Mean Girls,” has published a lengthy statement on his Facebook page in which he reveals he suffered homophobic and physical abuse from actress Bijou Phillips during the production of Larry Clark’s “Bully.
Earlier: Daniel Franzese, best known for playing Damian Leigh in “Mean Girls,” has published a lengthy statement on his Facebook page in which he reveals he suffered homophobic and physical abuse from actress Bijou Phillips during the production of Larry Clark’s “Bully.
- 11/13/2017
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
By Todd Garbarini
High school friends Enid Coleslaw (Thora Birch) and Rebecca Doppelmeyer (Scarlett Johansson) absolutely cannot wait to be free of the prison of school, defiantly flipping the bird and squashing their mortarboards following their graduation. Enid isn’t off the hook just yet: her “diploma” is instead a note informing her that she must “take some stupid art class” (her words) if she hopes to graduate. Their fellow classmates are caricatures of everyone we all knew during our adolescence. Melora (Debra Azar) is inhumanly happy all the time and oblivious to Enid and Rebecca’s sense of ennui and contempt. Todd (T.J. Thyne) is ultra-nervous to talk with the insouciant Rebecca at the punchbowl. Another bespectacled student sits off by himself. Enid and Rebecca are at both an intellectual and emotional crossroads. They want to share an apartment; however, they seem unaware of the amount of money they...
High school friends Enid Coleslaw (Thora Birch) and Rebecca Doppelmeyer (Scarlett Johansson) absolutely cannot wait to be free of the prison of school, defiantly flipping the bird and squashing their mortarboards following their graduation. Enid isn’t off the hook just yet: her “diploma” is instead a note informing her that she must “take some stupid art class” (her words) if she hopes to graduate. Their fellow classmates are caricatures of everyone we all knew during our adolescence. Melora (Debra Azar) is inhumanly happy all the time and oblivious to Enid and Rebecca’s sense of ennui and contempt. Todd (T.J. Thyne) is ultra-nervous to talk with the insouciant Rebecca at the punchbowl. Another bespectacled student sits off by himself. Enid and Rebecca are at both an intellectual and emotional crossroads. They want to share an apartment; however, they seem unaware of the amount of money they...
- 8/7/2017
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Daniel Clowes’ comics creation receives an A-Plus film adaptation through the directorial filter of Terry Zwigoff. The show has more going for it than the bleak alienation of disaffected quasi- gen-Xers — the script offers a depth of character revealing the insecure, hopes and fears behind all the insulting attitudes and behaviors. It’s caustic, funny and also strongly affecting.
Ghost World
Blu-ray
The Criterion Collection 872
2001 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 111 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date May 30, 2017 / 39.95
Starring: Thora Birch, Scarlett Johansson, Steve Buscemi, Brad Renfro, Illeana Douglas, Bob Balaban, Stacey Travis, Teri Garr.
Cinematography: Affonso Beato
Production Designer: Edward T. McAvoy
Art Direction: Alan E. Muraoka
Film Editors: Carole Kravetz, Michael R. Miller
Original Music: David Kitay
Writing credits: Daniel Clowes & Terry Zwigoff from the comics by Daniel Clowes
Produced by Pippa Cross, Janette Day, Lianne Halfon, Barbara A. Hall,
John Malkovich, Russell Smith
Directed by Terry Zwigoff
Enid:...
Ghost World
Blu-ray
The Criterion Collection 872
2001 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 111 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date May 30, 2017 / 39.95
Starring: Thora Birch, Scarlett Johansson, Steve Buscemi, Brad Renfro, Illeana Douglas, Bob Balaban, Stacey Travis, Teri Garr.
Cinematography: Affonso Beato
Production Designer: Edward T. McAvoy
Art Direction: Alan E. Muraoka
Film Editors: Carole Kravetz, Michael R. Miller
Original Music: David Kitay
Writing credits: Daniel Clowes & Terry Zwigoff from the comics by Daniel Clowes
Produced by Pippa Cross, Janette Day, Lianne Halfon, Barbara A. Hall,
John Malkovich, Russell Smith
Directed by Terry Zwigoff
Enid:...
- 5/26/2017
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Mali Finn was an American casting director and former English and drama teacher. She cast numerous actors in successful films, including Edward Furlong, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Russell Crowe. She already had a handful of casting credits on her résumé, including The Untouchables (1987), when she established her own firm, Mali Finn Casting, in ’89. She boosted Leonardo DiCaprio’s career by casting him in the James Cameron film Titanic (1997); she also cast Russell Crowe in L.A. Confidential (1997). Finn discovered actor Brad Renfro when he was ten years old and cast him in Joel Schumacher’s The Client (1994). Recently a
Audition Polaroids Of Actors From The 1980s from Casting Director Mali Finn...
Audition Polaroids Of Actors From The 1980s from Casting Director Mali Finn...
- 3/2/2017
- by Nat Berman
- TVovermind.com
Charlie Lyne's documentary Beyond Clueless harks back to the classic teen movies that shaped the '90s.
Featuring narration from The Craft's Fairuza Balk (and with clips of Robin Tunney, Devon Sawa and co), it made us feel a sudden pang of nostalgia and sent us on our own trip down memory lane to find out where they - and the rest of the '90s teen movie crew - are now.
So, here are 11 stars from some of our favourite '90s teen movies, and what they've gone on to do since:
1. Devon Sawa - Idle Hands (1999)
Dreamy Devon Sawa starred as lazy stoner Anton Tobias - who turns mass murderer after his hand becomes possessed - in the horror comedy Idle Hands.
He went on to play teenage prophet of doom Alex Browning in Final Destination (2000), and appeared as similarly unstable Stan in Eminem's controversial music...
Featuring narration from The Craft's Fairuza Balk (and with clips of Robin Tunney, Devon Sawa and co), it made us feel a sudden pang of nostalgia and sent us on our own trip down memory lane to find out where they - and the rest of the '90s teen movie crew - are now.
So, here are 11 stars from some of our favourite '90s teen movies, and what they've gone on to do since:
1. Devon Sawa - Idle Hands (1999)
Dreamy Devon Sawa starred as lazy stoner Anton Tobias - who turns mass murderer after his hand becomes possessed - in the horror comedy Idle Hands.
He went on to play teenage prophet of doom Alex Browning in Final Destination (2000), and appeared as similarly unstable Stan in Eminem's controversial music...
- 1/24/2015
- Digital Spy
The end has arrived for the Twitch presented Kingdom Of Fear Stephen King retrospective at the Tiff Bell Lightbox in Toronto. We wrap things up tomorrow with a 10pm screening of Bryan Singer's adaptation of King's Apt Pupil with Ian McKellen and Brad Renfro.Once again, we've got two pairs of tickets to give away for lucky Twitch readers and we're going to make it easy for you. For your chance to win simply email me here and name your favorite performance by the great McKellen. Winners will be drawn at random....
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 4/4/2014
- Screen Anarchy
Scott Kalvert, best known for directing 1995's "The Basketball Diaries," died Wednesday. He was found in his home in Woodland Hills and pronounced dead at 1:55 pm. The L.A. Coroner's Office is investigating the death as a possible suicide. He was only 49 years old. In addition to his work with Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Wahlberg in "Basketball Diaries," Kalvert was known for directing music videos such as DJ Jazzy Jeff and Will Smith's "Parents Just Don't Understand," Salt-n-Pepa's "Shoop" and Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch's "Good Vibrations." He also directed the 2002 feature "Deuces Wild," starring Stephen Dorff and Brad Renfro. His most recent credit was for the 2009 made-for-tv Nickelodeon musical "School Gyrls," on which he served as an executive producer. Donnie Wahlberg, whom Kalvert directed in New Kids on the Block's 1993 video "Dirty Dawg," remembered the director in a series of tweets Friday. "Rip to a dear friend; Scott Kalvert.
- 3/8/2014
- WorstPreviews.com
Scott Kalvert has been found dead at the age of 49.
The director was found at his home in Woodland Hills, California on Wednesday (March 5) and pronounced dead at the scene. His death is currently being investigated as a suspected suicide.
Kalvert is best known for directing the 1995 movie The Basketball Diaries. After working with Mark Wahlberg in the video for 'Good Vibrations' with his former band Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, the director cast him in the film alongside Leonardo DiCaprio.
The film was an adaption of Jim Carroll's juvenile diaries and chronicled his decline from promising basketball player, to heroin addict.
He also directed the 2002 crime film Deuces Wild which starred Stephen Dorff and Brad Renfro. Elsewhere, Kalvert took on the role of executive producer for 2009 Nickelodeon film School Gyrls, featuring Justin Bieber and Soulja Boy as themselves.
In his career, Kalvert also worked on...
The director was found at his home in Woodland Hills, California on Wednesday (March 5) and pronounced dead at the scene. His death is currently being investigated as a suspected suicide.
Kalvert is best known for directing the 1995 movie The Basketball Diaries. After working with Mark Wahlberg in the video for 'Good Vibrations' with his former band Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, the director cast him in the film alongside Leonardo DiCaprio.
The film was an adaption of Jim Carroll's juvenile diaries and chronicled his decline from promising basketball player, to heroin addict.
He also directed the 2002 crime film Deuces Wild which starred Stephen Dorff and Brad Renfro. Elsewhere, Kalvert took on the role of executive producer for 2009 Nickelodeon film School Gyrls, featuring Justin Bieber and Soulja Boy as themselves.
In his career, Kalvert also worked on...
- 3/8/2014
- Digital Spy
Scott Kalvert, the director best known for his work with Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Wahlberg on 1995′s Basketball Diaries, was found dead Wednesday at his Woodland Hills, California, home. He was 49 years old.
His death is being investigated as a suicide by the L.A. Coroner’s Office, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Before Basketball Diaries, Kalvert was best known for his music videos, directing Salt-n-Pepa’s “Shoop,” Taylor Dayne’s “Tell It to My Heart,” and Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch’s “Good Vibrations,” as well as teaming up with Wahlberg on a 1993 workout video. The last project...
His death is being investigated as a suicide by the L.A. Coroner’s Office, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Before Basketball Diaries, Kalvert was best known for his music videos, directing Salt-n-Pepa’s “Shoop,” Taylor Dayne’s “Tell It to My Heart,” and Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch’s “Good Vibrations,” as well as teaming up with Wahlberg on a 1993 workout video. The last project...
- 3/8/2014
- by Katie Atkinson
- EW - Inside Movies
You may not be able to call up Lena Dunham to meet for drinks, but you can have that smart, candid conversation with her that you've been dreaming of - vicariously, anyway. In a recent sit-down interview with Grantland, Lena opens up about her Brad Renfro crush, loving women's tennis, dealing with backlash, and what it was like to learn that her boyfriend, Jack Antonoff, used to date Scarlett Johansson. Lena also hilariously shares which Girls character she's most like in real life according to a recent BuzzFeed quiz, and spoiler alert: it isn't Hannah. Watch the full interview above, and check out some of the best quotes below. On her musical preferences: "That's like my genre - women with guitars and pianos of the 1990s. That's where my true musical passion lies, and everything else kind of springs forth from that." On her sports career: "I took lessons until...
- 2/21/2014
- by Laura Marie Meyers
- Popsugar.com
Lena Dunham is on today's "B.S. Report," where she talks about her obsession with the Old Loves Tumblr (join the club), a deep enduring love for Brad Renfro (join the club), and a few of her dream projects. She says she'd love to direct one of Espn's "30 for 30" docs, perhaps about women's tennis, since she's a fan. Bill Simmons pitched her Monica Seles's stabbing, or maybe the relationship between Chris Evert and Jimmy Connors, either of which could be great, though Seles seems more intriguing, because there's already an Evert-Navratilova installment. Dunham also says she dreams of guest-starring on other shows. "My life's great passion is the idea of being a guest star on Scandal," she says. "I want to be like, a senator who did something wrong." She admits that she's probably not "technically allowed to" be on another show, but surely there's a way to get around that.
- 2/20/2014
- by Margaret Lyons
- Vulture
Two weeks before he died, Philip Seymour Hoffman reportedly introduced himself to a stranger at the Sundance Film Festival as “a heroin addict.” Hoffman’s battle with heroin has inspired that same level of candor in others, who are slowly beginning to share their stories of experiences with addiction, both first-hand and as observers. “Slc Punk!” director James Merendino took to Facebook late Monday night to share a story about his deceased friend Brad Renfro (below, left), “an actor who had been injecting heroin at 12 years old.” Also read: Philip Seymour Hoffman ‘Seemed High,’ Took Out $1,200 From Supermarket Atm Before Death,...
- 2/4/2014
- by Greg Gilman
- The Wrap
8: Jack the Giant Slayer
Although most of the story follows a predictable trajectory, there are some things to like. It’s enthusiastically acted and at times fun, but Jack the Giant Slayer also feels like it was made by a committee. It’s fast paced, energetic but also overwhelmed by digital effects. And it could be a great recommendation for children under the age of ten, only the CGI-heavy battle scenes, landed it with a PG-13 rating. Ultimately it’s an entertaining diversion but not something you’ll revisit ever again.
- Ricky D
7: Public Access
Playing with the A Face in the Crowd formula (including a sly “naming names” reference), Public Access is the film that started the Bryan Singer-Christopher McQuarrie collaboration. The Sundance splash follows Whiley Pritcher (Ron Marquette) as a preppy drifter who shows up in the idyllic town of Brewster to start...
Although most of the story follows a predictable trajectory, there are some things to like. It’s enthusiastically acted and at times fun, but Jack the Giant Slayer also feels like it was made by a committee. It’s fast paced, energetic but also overwhelmed by digital effects. And it could be a great recommendation for children under the age of ten, only the CGI-heavy battle scenes, landed it with a PG-13 rating. Ultimately it’s an entertaining diversion but not something you’ll revisit ever again.
- Ricky D
7: Public Access
Playing with the A Face in the Crowd formula (including a sly “naming names” reference), Public Access is the film that started the Bryan Singer-Christopher McQuarrie collaboration. The Sundance splash follows Whiley Pritcher (Ron Marquette) as a preppy drifter who shows up in the idyllic town of Brewster to start...
- 9/2/2013
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
It's a horror story that any movie fan can relate to, Twi-Hard or not: You're watching TV and you see the name of your favorite movie listed on your channel guide, only to flip over and discover that the "Twilight" they're showing doesn't have Edward and Jacob battling for the love of Bella — but instead Gene Hackman and Paul Newman fighting over Susan Sarandon.
You were just punked by Same Name Syndrome. (Hey, at least it also includes a topless Reese Witherspoon.)
It happens often. In fact, just this week, "The Butler" hits theaters ... except it's officially titled "Lee Daniels' The Butler," 'cause the rights to the title "The Butler" belong to a 1916 silent short film that no one's ever seen (yes, really). Read all about that silly saga here.
Anyway, here's our guide on How to Differentiate Movies With the Same Title (That Are Not Remakes).
'Savages' (2012) vs.
You were just punked by Same Name Syndrome. (Hey, at least it also includes a topless Reese Witherspoon.)
It happens often. In fact, just this week, "The Butler" hits theaters ... except it's officially titled "Lee Daniels' The Butler," 'cause the rights to the title "The Butler" belong to a 1916 silent short film that no one's ever seen (yes, really). Read all about that silly saga here.
Anyway, here's our guide on How to Differentiate Movies With the Same Title (That Are Not Remakes).
'Savages' (2012) vs.
- 8/12/2013
- by Scott Harris
- NextMovie
Every generation has its death and for many teenagers the death of a celebrity is how they learn about mortality
The night before it was announced that Cory Monteith, the 31-year-old star of the hugely popular and very fun TV show Glee, was found alone and dead in a hotel room in Vancouver, I was thinking about River Phoenix. This October, it will be 20 years since Phoenix, then 23, died on a sidewalk in La while his sister Rainbow and girlfriend Samantha Mathis stood helplessly by and his little brother frantically called 911. Those of a younger generation may need reminding that River was Joaquin's older brother. Those of my generation and older will doubtless be reeling at the realisation it has been two decades since Phoenix went from being one of the world's most famously promising actors to one of its infamously dead.
Hollywood loves recycling plotlines, and one plotline that...
The night before it was announced that Cory Monteith, the 31-year-old star of the hugely popular and very fun TV show Glee, was found alone and dead in a hotel room in Vancouver, I was thinking about River Phoenix. This October, it will be 20 years since Phoenix, then 23, died on a sidewalk in La while his sister Rainbow and girlfriend Samantha Mathis stood helplessly by and his little brother frantically called 911. Those of a younger generation may need reminding that River was Joaquin's older brother. Those of my generation and older will doubtless be reeling at the realisation it has been two decades since Phoenix went from being one of the world's most famously promising actors to one of its infamously dead.
Hollywood loves recycling plotlines, and one plotline that...
- 7/16/2013
- by Hadley Freeman
- The Guardian - Film News
George A. Romero's career as a director has spanned well over 40 years now, with 16 feature films to his credit (plus one O.J. Simpson documentary!). Though mostly known as the father of the modern day zombie movie, and of course the director of the three best zombie movies ever made, Romero has also strayed away from the undead to direct a handful of non-zombie flicks over the years, including films like Creepshow and Martin, and even the non-horror films Knightriders and There's Always Vanilla.
But what about the projects Romero was attached to that never quite got off the ground? The filmmaking business is a fickle one, and any director that has been in the game as long as Romero has is bound to have a handful of projects that died before they ever had a chance to live. Things just don't always work out as planned in Hollywood, and...
- 7/8/2013
- by John Squires
- FEARnet
Child stars are a very peculiar phenomenon in all their forms, be it in music, movies or TV. We’re quick to flock to them when they’re cute and entertaining, but as they get older, life often doesn’t tend to be so kind to them.
This can be the result of a number of factors – a failure to adapt on their part, the influence of drugs and alcohol in the high-flying Hollywood circles, or the sheer fact that having the world’s eyes on them at such a young age essentially deprives them of a proper childhood.
Whatever the reason, these child stars – all actors, mostly in film – took a long leap off the deep end. Some were able to come back even stronger, while some regrettably never managed to return from the brink.
Here are 10 child stars who spectacularly self-destructed…
10. Brad Renfro
Brad Renfro proved himself an...
This can be the result of a number of factors – a failure to adapt on their part, the influence of drugs and alcohol in the high-flying Hollywood circles, or the sheer fact that having the world’s eyes on them at such a young age essentially deprives them of a proper childhood.
Whatever the reason, these child stars – all actors, mostly in film – took a long leap off the deep end. Some were able to come back even stronger, while some regrettably never managed to return from the brink.
Here are 10 child stars who spectacularly self-destructed…
10. Brad Renfro
Brad Renfro proved himself an...
- 3/20/2013
- by Shaun Munro
- Obsessed with Film
New York Times' reporter Michael Cieply pulls the lid off the In Memoriam segment of the Academy Awards telecast in a new article ("On Oscar night everyone is dying -- sometimes literally -- to win something," reads the first sentence), which explains how awards-season campaigning even extends to remembering the deceased.
According to Cieply, a group of Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Science members get together to determine which stars make the cut on Oscar night. “Of all the committees, it’s the hardest one to do,” Tom Sherak, who was president of the AMPAS until last year, told the Times. As with everything else in the cloak-and-dagger world of Oscar voting, the group is never outed or discussed in public. “The committee’s names are never mentioned, ever,” said Sherak.
The In Memoriam segment, an obituary in montage form that honors members of the Hollywood filmmaking community lost over the last year,...
According to Cieply, a group of Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Science members get together to determine which stars make the cut on Oscar night. “Of all the committees, it’s the hardest one to do,” Tom Sherak, who was president of the AMPAS until last year, told the Times. As with everything else in the cloak-and-dagger world of Oscar voting, the group is never outed or discussed in public. “The committee’s names are never mentioned, ever,” said Sherak.
The In Memoriam segment, an obituary in montage form that honors members of the Hollywood filmmaking community lost over the last year,...
- 2/8/2013
- by Christopher Rosen
- Huffington Post
James Franco directed the R.E.M. music video for Blue, which also stars Lindsay Lohan, and has a theory on why the embattled starlet just can't seem to stop getting into trouble.
Franco tells MTV in a new interview that he's known Lindsay for "a while" and that he's actually written two poems about her.
Video: Lindsay Stars in James Franco-Directed Music Video
"I had been writing some poems about the Chateau Marmont and one or two of the poems involved Lindsay," he reveals. "And for the Blue video, the original concept was to make it about two sides of L.A., the idea of L.A. as a place where people's dreams can come true, but also L.A. as a place that eats its young. It's something I've been interested in a lot. I've done a few projects about actors that have died young -- James Dean, River Phoenix and [link...
Franco tells MTV in a new interview that he's known Lindsay for "a while" and that he's actually written two poems about her.
Video: Lindsay Stars in James Franco-Directed Music Video
"I had been writing some poems about the Chateau Marmont and one or two of the poems involved Lindsay," he reveals. "And for the Blue video, the original concept was to make it about two sides of L.A., the idea of L.A. as a place where people's dreams can come true, but also L.A. as a place that eats its young. It's something I've been interested in a lot. I've done a few projects about actors that have died young -- James Dean, River Phoenix and [link...
- 12/20/2012
- TheInsider.com
There's a ton of great movies where one character is shared by two different actors. For example, in the upcoming Rian Johsnon-directed sci-fi action thriller Looper the main character Joe is played by both Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis. In anticipation of this amazing looking movie Complex has created a Top 10 list of best performances by actors that share a role.
I've included five of the ten entries below, so make sure to head on over to Complex to see the complete top 10 list, and let us know if you can think of any other performances in which two actors played the same character!
Star Trek: Leonard Nimoy and Zachary Quinto
There was a lot of pressure on the 2009 reboot of Star Trek, with rabid Trekkies on one end ready to pounce at any transgression over the franchise's folklore, and nerd-bashers on the other simply ready to dismiss the...
I've included five of the ten entries below, so make sure to head on over to Complex to see the complete top 10 list, and let us know if you can think of any other performances in which two actors played the same character!
Star Trek: Leonard Nimoy and Zachary Quinto
There was a lot of pressure on the 2009 reboot of Star Trek, with rabid Trekkies on one end ready to pounce at any transgression over the franchise's folklore, and nerd-bashers on the other simply ready to dismiss the...
- 9/19/2012
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
We scour the interwebs for the coolest movie news and more so you don't have to ...
"Batman Beyond" starring Jake Gyllenhaal? "Legends of the Dark Knight" starring Ryan Gosling? Moviefone lets its inner fanboy run wild with a look at seven possible approaches to the next cinematic wave of the Caped Crusader.
Want access to classified files regarding "The Bourne Legacy"? Head over to iTunes Movie Trailers and get briefed by the new behind-the-scenes featurette that sheds some light on rogue agent Aaron Cross (Jeremy Renner).
Did your summer vacation not go exactly as planned? Hey, at least you didn't end up in a Thailand prison like Claire Danes and Kate Beckinsale. BuzzSugar makes an argument for staying home with a look at 13 movie vacations gone horribly wrong.
How well do you know the guy who's helping Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn and Jonah Hill protect the 'hood from alien invasion?...
"Batman Beyond" starring Jake Gyllenhaal? "Legends of the Dark Knight" starring Ryan Gosling? Moviefone lets its inner fanboy run wild with a look at seven possible approaches to the next cinematic wave of the Caped Crusader.
Want access to classified files regarding "The Bourne Legacy"? Head over to iTunes Movie Trailers and get briefed by the new behind-the-scenes featurette that sheds some light on rogue agent Aaron Cross (Jeremy Renner).
Did your summer vacation not go exactly as planned? Hey, at least you didn't end up in a Thailand prison like Claire Danes and Kate Beckinsale. BuzzSugar makes an argument for staying home with a look at 13 movie vacations gone horribly wrong.
How well do you know the guy who's helping Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn and Jonah Hill protect the 'hood from alien invasion?...
- 7/25/2012
- by Bryan Enk
- NextMovie
You can not escape James Franco, so don't even try. The actor has done just about everything -- from Oscar-winning films like "Milk" to the upcoming "Spring Breakers," which isn't exactly going to appear in For Your Consideration ads. He's done daytime television, performance art, art installations, internet shorts, video games, bizarre body-modification tributes to Brad Renfro... the list goes on, and on, and on.
We're not sure the word "no" is in his vocabulary.
Franco's latest endeavor marks his first significant prime-time TV since "Freaks and Geeks" (not counting a brief appearance on "The X-Files" in 2001 and his TV movie "James Dean"). This Friday, June 29, he'll make his debut on Nick at Nite's nightly soap opera "Hollywood Heights."
The show is about an 18-year-old girl, Loren, who heads from high school to Hollywood, seeking fame (and the love of her rock idol). Franco plays Osborne "Oz" Silver, described as...
We're not sure the word "no" is in his vocabulary.
Franco's latest endeavor marks his first significant prime-time TV since "Freaks and Geeks" (not counting a brief appearance on "The X-Files" in 2001 and his TV movie "James Dean"). This Friday, June 29, he'll make his debut on Nick at Nite's nightly soap opera "Hollywood Heights."
The show is about an 18-year-old girl, Loren, who heads from high school to Hollywood, seeking fame (and the love of her rock idol). Franco plays Osborne "Oz" Silver, described as...
- 6/27/2012
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
For every successful actor who found fame as a child, such as Jodie Foster, there are 10 more whose lives were rife with pain, drama, legal trouble and sometimes even death.
The tragic stories of former child stars who met their end too soon, such as River Phoenix, Brad Renfro, Cory Haim, Dana Plato and Judy Garland, somehow haven't prevented a new generation of stars from living life in the fast lane.
In recent years, celebrities who found fame in their youth have encountered a variety of troubles. From Lindsay Lohan's constant vehicular mishaps to Britney Spears' mental breakdown, here are some child stars whose downfalls range from mild to wild.
The tragic stories of former child stars who met their end too soon, such as River Phoenix, Brad Renfro, Cory Haim, Dana Plato and Judy Garland, somehow haven't prevented a new generation of stars from living life in the fast lane.
In recent years, celebrities who found fame in their youth have encountered a variety of troubles. From Lindsay Lohan's constant vehicular mishaps to Britney Spears' mental breakdown, here are some child stars whose downfalls range from mild to wild.
- 6/22/2012
- by Stephanie Marcus
- Huffington Post
For every successful actor who found fame as a child, such as Jodie Foster, there are 10 more whose lives were rife with pain, drama, legal trouble and sometimes even death.
The tragic stories of former child stars who met their end too soon, such as River Phoenix, Brad Renfro, Cory Haim, Dana Plato and Judy Garland, somehow haven't prevented a new generation of stars from living life in the fast lane.
In recent years, celebrities who found fame in their youth have encountered a variety of troubles. From Lindsay Lohan's constant vehicular mishaps to Britney Spears' mental breakdown, here are some child stars whose downfalls range from mild to wild.
The tragic stories of former child stars who met their end too soon, such as River Phoenix, Brad Renfro, Cory Haim, Dana Plato and Judy Garland, somehow haven't prevented a new generation of stars from living life in the fast lane.
In recent years, celebrities who found fame in their youth have encountered a variety of troubles. From Lindsay Lohan's constant vehicular mishaps to Britney Spears' mental breakdown, here are some child stars whose downfalls range from mild to wild.
- 6/22/2012
- by Stephanie Marcus
- Aol TV.
This past weekend, James Franco showed his short film, titled, "Brad Renfro Forever" to a packed audience in the basement of the New Museum. The event, which was hosted by Artspace.com and The Thing Quarterly, was to pay tribute to Brad Renfro, the actor who passed away in early 2008 from a heroin overdose. The original plan was to include a psychic, presumably to contact his friend's spirit, but during the Q+A after the film screening Franco said he ultimately scrapped the idea because it didn't seem right.
The New Museum event marked the release of a limited edition switchblade with "Brad Renfro" in rainbow letters across the side and "Forever" in caps across the blade. The object d'art is a playful reference to "Deuces Wild," the boy gang film that Franco and Renfro starred in together a decade ago. In Franco's tribute film, "Brad Renfro Forever," we see...
The New Museum event marked the release of a limited edition switchblade with "Brad Renfro" in rainbow letters across the side and "Forever" in caps across the blade. The object d'art is a playful reference to "Deuces Wild," the boy gang film that Franco and Renfro starred in together a decade ago. In Franco's tribute film, "Brad Renfro Forever," we see...
- 6/11/2012
- by The Huffington Post
- Huffington Post
James Franco has designed a limited edition switchblade in memory of Brad Renfro, the late actor who beat him to a lead role in 2002 movie Deuces Wild.
The 127 Hours star created the flick knife as "a metaphor for people that don't have control over their lives" following Renfro's death from an accidental heroin overdose in 2008.
Franco unveiled the $850 (£530) blade on Saturday at New York City's The New Museum, where he also screened his short film Brad Renfro Forever.
In the art-house movie, tattooist Mark Mahoney uses one of the special blades to etch 'Brad' into Franco's flesh, causing him to wince in agony and beg for a break in the middle of the session.
Franco tells the New York Daily News, "I didn't tell him (Mahoney) to hold back at all... I wish he'd gone deeper (because the carving is) pretty light."
Franco was particularly moved by the tragic star's death, telling Playboy magazine last year, "Heath Ledger died a week after Brad, and I feel Brad has been forgotten already. They didn't even mention his death at the Oscars that year."...
The 127 Hours star created the flick knife as "a metaphor for people that don't have control over their lives" following Renfro's death from an accidental heroin overdose in 2008.
Franco unveiled the $850 (£530) blade on Saturday at New York City's The New Museum, where he also screened his short film Brad Renfro Forever.
In the art-house movie, tattooist Mark Mahoney uses one of the special blades to etch 'Brad' into Franco's flesh, causing him to wince in agony and beg for a break in the middle of the session.
Franco tells the New York Daily News, "I didn't tell him (Mahoney) to hold back at all... I wish he'd gone deeper (because the carving is) pretty light."
Franco was particularly moved by the tragic star's death, telling Playboy magazine last year, "Heath Ledger died a week after Brad, and I feel Brad has been forgotten already. They didn't even mention his death at the Oscars that year."...
- 6/11/2012
- WENN
In his most recent film, Nick Stahl plays a man looking for his missing wife. In a bizarre real-life parallel, Stahl is now missing. While police continue their search for the 32-year-old actor, who was last seen on May 9, the director of 388 Arletta Avenue says he saw no signs of trouble when he shot the thriller with Stahl in Toronto a year and a half ago. "He was fantastic - not a single problem," director Randall Cole tells People. "He was a total professional and knew his lines. There was no diva behavior at all." Nor was there any hint...
- 5/16/2012
- by Michelle Tauber and Howard Breuer
- PEOPLE.com
Nick Stahl has gone missing, according to various online sources citing a police report filed by his wife. Stahl’s wife hasn’t heard from her estranged husband in five days. She says Stahl, 32, was last seen in the vicinity of downtown Los Angeles’ Skid Row on May 9. Stahl, who reportedly has serious drug issues, has suffered a series of setbacks in the recent past. For starters, Fox passed on the Mark Romanek-directed Locke & Key in spring 2011. After refusing to pay for a cab ride, Stahl spent a night in jail last January. That same month, he and his wife separated. She later requested to the court that his visits to their two-year-old daughter be monitored, and that Stahl be tested for drug use 24 hours before seeing the infant. Among Nick Stahl’s most important film roles are those in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, with Arnold Schwarzenegger...
- 5/16/2012
- by Anna Robinson
- Alt Film Guide
DVD Playhouse – May 2012
By Allen Gardner
Shame (20th Century Fox) Director Steve McQueen’s harrowing portrait of a Manhattan sex addict (Michael Fassbender, in the year’s most riveting performance) whose psyche goes into overload when his equally-troubled sister (Carey Mulligan) visits unexpectedly. Exquisitely-made on every level, save for the screenplay, which makes its point after about thirty minutes. While it tries hard to be a modern-day Last Tango in Paris, this fatal flaw makes it fall somewhat short. The much- ballyhooed sex scenes and frontal nudity are the least-interesting things about the film, incidentally, which is still a must-see for discriminating adults who seek out challenging material. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Featurettes. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-hd 5.1 surround.
Being John Malkovich (Criterion) Spike Jonze’s madcap film of Charlie Kaufman’s script, regarding a socially-disenfranchised puppeteer (John Cusack) who finds a portal into the mind of actor...
By Allen Gardner
Shame (20th Century Fox) Director Steve McQueen’s harrowing portrait of a Manhattan sex addict (Michael Fassbender, in the year’s most riveting performance) whose psyche goes into overload when his equally-troubled sister (Carey Mulligan) visits unexpectedly. Exquisitely-made on every level, save for the screenplay, which makes its point after about thirty minutes. While it tries hard to be a modern-day Last Tango in Paris, this fatal flaw makes it fall somewhat short. The much- ballyhooed sex scenes and frontal nudity are the least-interesting things about the film, incidentally, which is still a must-see for discriminating adults who seek out challenging material. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Featurettes. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-hd 5.1 surround.
Being John Malkovich (Criterion) Spike Jonze’s madcap film of Charlie Kaufman’s script, regarding a socially-disenfranchised puppeteer (John Cusack) who finds a portal into the mind of actor...
- 5/7/2012
- by The Hollywood Interview.com
- The Hollywood Interview
"My name is Anne Wilkes. And I am..." "I know," he said. "You're my number-one fan." "Yes," she said, smiling. "That's just what I am."
How many times had Stephen King heard that from his millions of number-one fans before he finally turned the obsessive love of his Constant Readers into the subject of one of his most memorable, horrific and claustrophobic works, Misery? Before taking a short break to honor Debbie Rochon and The Blair Witch Project with Tips of the Scalpel for Indie Horror Month, we brought you Stephen King, Part 1. Now we're back to continue the story with Doctor Gash's Tip of the Scalpel: Stephen King, Part 2: The 80's.
The start of King's career was prolific, beginning with Carrie, Salem's Lot and The Shining, but the incredible amount of legendary horror that King produced throughout his life is simply mind-boggling. King created nearly two-dozen stories that...
How many times had Stephen King heard that from his millions of number-one fans before he finally turned the obsessive love of his Constant Readers into the subject of one of his most memorable, horrific and claustrophobic works, Misery? Before taking a short break to honor Debbie Rochon and The Blair Witch Project with Tips of the Scalpel for Indie Horror Month, we brought you Stephen King, Part 1. Now we're back to continue the story with Doctor Gash's Tip of the Scalpel: Stephen King, Part 2: The 80's.
The start of King's career was prolific, beginning with Carrie, Salem's Lot and The Shining, but the incredible amount of legendary horror that King produced throughout his life is simply mind-boggling. King created nearly two-dozen stories that...
- 4/6/2012
- by Doctor Gash
- DreadCentral.com
Paramount Pictures has picked up a script by Andy Burg (Bedtime Stories, The Sorcerer's Apprentice) titled "Huck," which revolves around the characters created by author Mark Twain, appearing in his 1876 novel "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and three additional books. The storyline is being kept under wraps, but the project is described as a re-imagining in the vein of "Snow White and the Huntsman," focusing on Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn as adults. There also are supernatural elements in the script. Twain's book have had several film and TV adaptation, from 1918's "Huck and Tom" to Disney's 1995 version "Tom and Huck," starring Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Brad Renfro. The new movie is produced by Peter Chernin and Dylan Clark (Rise of the Planet of the Apes).
- 3/22/2012
- WorstPreviews.com
Paramount Pictures has acquired a spec script from Andrew Burg (Bedtime Stories, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice) called Huck and Finn. The studio is planning to take Mark Twain's two classic literary characters, and give them a 21st century modern day makeover, which seems ridiculous, but could end up being cool. You never know with these kinds of films.
The only information we have to go off of is that it's a reimagining of these classic characters in the vein of Snow White and the Huntsman, and it will focus on the pair as adults. THR also says that there are supernatural elements in the story as well.
I love these 19th century characters that were created by Twain. Growing up I would read those books over and over again. It was amazing fun reading about the adventures that they lived in these novels. I related more to Huck Finn than I did Tom Sawyer,...
The only information we have to go off of is that it's a reimagining of these classic characters in the vein of Snow White and the Huntsman, and it will focus on the pair as adults. THR also says that there are supernatural elements in the story as well.
I love these 19th century characters that were created by Twain. Growing up I would read those books over and over again. It was amazing fun reading about the adventures that they lived in these novels. I related more to Huck Finn than I did Tom Sawyer,...
- 3/21/2012
- by Venkman
- GeekTyrant
Over time, Mark Twain’s characters Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn have proven to be two of the most enduring in the entire history of American literature. And by enduring, I mean that they keep getting dug back up for new adaptations and interpretations. Though it was largely agreed by all that Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Brad Renfro had finally given us the quintessential versions of the rapscallions with Disney’s 1995 film, Tom and Huck, Paramount has decided that it isn’t too late for them to get into the game themselves. To that end they’ve picked up a spec script written by Andrew Burg that goes by the name of…Huck and Tom. There isn’t much creativity going on out there with these Mark Twain adaptations is there? Snarkiness aside, Paramount’s new vision of the trouble-making duo does sound like it’s going to be taking the traditional Huck and Tom story in...
- 3/21/2012
- by Nathan Adams
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
With the Academy Awards now just a week away, large doses of scrutiny are being shoved down the collective throats of the twinkling stars standing in line and hoping for their very own statuette.
Odds are that when the nominations are announced every year, there will be at least one somewhat surprising contender, whether he/she be an unknown, or simply dwells in an artistically shunned corner of the film world…no names mentioned, Jonah.
What is more of a startling occurrence is when said unfancied also-ran is announced as the victor, with their Celebrity Square suddenly expanding, and their face contorted with disbelief and unguarded astonishment in front of millions of amazed viewers.
But just how often is the wild card winner the champion of the future? Is the bookie-breaking hero of the night getting the ultimate kick start into superstardom and legend, an easily carried poisoned chalice, or...
Odds are that when the nominations are announced every year, there will be at least one somewhat surprising contender, whether he/she be an unknown, or simply dwells in an artistically shunned corner of the film world…no names mentioned, Jonah.
What is more of a startling occurrence is when said unfancied also-ran is announced as the victor, with their Celebrity Square suddenly expanding, and their face contorted with disbelief and unguarded astonishment in front of millions of amazed viewers.
But just how often is the wild card winner the champion of the future? Is the bookie-breaking hero of the night getting the ultimate kick start into superstardom and legend, an easily carried poisoned chalice, or...
- 2/20/2012
- by Scott Patterson
- SoundOnSight
Last year Resident Evil: Afterlife made almost $300 million worldwide, which is pretty insane for the fourth installment in a movie series based on a video game franchise. That's more than twice what any of the previous Re films made, and it quickly prompted Sony to greenlight a fifth Resident Evil film. Now this week we have confirmation that it will be called Resident Evil: Retribution and director Paul W.S. Anderson will not only write it but also direct it as well. Oh, and his lovely wife Milla Jovovich will reprise her role as Alice... or a clone of Alice... or something. None of this is much of a surprise, but apparently the character Jill Valentine, who was played by Sienna Guillory in the last film and also Resident Evil: Apocalypse, is going to be recast. Tough break for her, but somehow I doubt it will have much bearing on the film.
- 8/12/2011
- by Sean
- FilmJunk
Robert Pattinson turned down a role in James Franco's tribute to Brad Renfro saying he 'didn't see the point'. Franco, "127 Hours" star, who was recently slammed for a lack luster hosting role at the Oscars, will debut his movie "Rebel" at the Venice Biennale art festival in Italy. The movie is a tribute to Brad Renfro, the young actor who beat Franco to a lead role in the movies "Deuces Wild" in 2002. He died from an accidental heroin overdose, in January 2008. Franco, who carved the name 'Brad' into his shoulder' told Playboy magazine " Heath Ledger died a week after Brad, and I feel Brad has been forgotten already. They didn't even mention his death at the Oscars that year." ---------------- Read More: Visit Robert Pattinson's profile page for stories, photos and his bio Robert Pattinson as a funny man? Robert Pattinson’s top ten movies - Videos ----------------...
- 7/19/2011
- IrishCentral
Daniel Clowes’ cult comic about a pair of quirky teenagers teetering on the brink of adulthood made the transition to the silver screen ten years ago. Sarah looks back at Ghost World…
Ghost World is ten years old this week, and yet, somehow, it doesn't seem to have aged at all. Enid (Thora Birch) and Rebecca's (Scarlett Johansson) self-consciously weird outfits wouldn't look out of place on your average hipster fashion blog, and their separate struggles to navigate the tricky transition from high school to real life feel as fresh and relevant as ever.
I first saw Ghost World when I was at exactly the right point in my life to be most susceptible to its charms, around 17 or 18, trying to decide whether or not to go to university, worrying about moving out of home, trying to figure out who I was and who I wanted to be. Back then,...
Ghost World is ten years old this week, and yet, somehow, it doesn't seem to have aged at all. Enid (Thora Birch) and Rebecca's (Scarlett Johansson) self-consciously weird outfits wouldn't look out of place on your average hipster fashion blog, and their separate struggles to navigate the tricky transition from high school to real life feel as fresh and relevant as ever.
I first saw Ghost World when I was at exactly the right point in my life to be most susceptible to its charms, around 17 or 18, trying to decide whether or not to go to university, worrying about moving out of home, trying to figure out who I was and who I wanted to be. Back then,...
- 7/19/2011
- Den of Geek
Movie star James Franco is making an arthouse film tribute to the late actor who beat him to a lead role in 2002 movie Deuces Wild.
The 127 Hours star will debut his movie Rebel - about Brad Renfro - at the upcoming Venice Biennale art festival in Italy, and he hopes the project will remind film fans of how great the tragic star was.
Franco, who carved the name 'Brad' into his shoulder, tells Playboy magazine, "Heath Ledger died a week after Brad, and I feel Brad has been forgotten already. They didn't even mention his death at the Oscars that year."
And Franco admits he had hoped that Twilight star Robert Pattinson would agree to be a part of the arty tribute piece.
He adds, "Some of the best contemporary artists alive - Paul McCarthy, Douglas Gordon, Ed Ruscha, Harmony Korine - worked on different sections.
"I wanted Robert Pattinson to be in the project, but when Harmony contacted him and told him the concept, Rob said, 'I don't get the point!'"
Renfro died from an accidental heroin overdose in January, 2008.
The 127 Hours star will debut his movie Rebel - about Brad Renfro - at the upcoming Venice Biennale art festival in Italy, and he hopes the project will remind film fans of how great the tragic star was.
Franco, who carved the name 'Brad' into his shoulder, tells Playboy magazine, "Heath Ledger died a week after Brad, and I feel Brad has been forgotten already. They didn't even mention his death at the Oscars that year."
And Franco admits he had hoped that Twilight star Robert Pattinson would agree to be a part of the arty tribute piece.
He adds, "Some of the best contemporary artists alive - Paul McCarthy, Douglas Gordon, Ed Ruscha, Harmony Korine - worked on different sections.
"I wanted Robert Pattinson to be in the project, but when Harmony contacted him and told him the concept, Rob said, 'I don't get the point!'"
Renfro died from an accidental heroin overdose in January, 2008.
- 7/19/2011
- WENN
Whether he's carving Brad Renfro's name into his arm, editing a 12-hour documentary on the making of "My Own Private Idaho," or hosting the Oscars, James Franco is always doing something weird that he probably shouldn't. Does that stop him? Hell no.
And that's why we love him.
Now Franco's done the inevitable and thrown his hat into the music ring, although in the most inexplicable way possible. Drag performance artist Kalup Linzy has teamed with the "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" star to concoct one of the most eerie, ethereal, and outsider-art-esque music videos we've witnessed in many a moon for "Rising," the single off the Ep "Turn It Up."
Throughout the video Linzy is having fun wearing some kind of bluescreen cloth which makes him blend in with the background, but unfortunately gives him a vagina-shaped face most of the time. Incidentally, "Vagina-Shaped Face" should...
And that's why we love him.
Now Franco's done the inevitable and thrown his hat into the music ring, although in the most inexplicable way possible. Drag performance artist Kalup Linzy has teamed with the "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" star to concoct one of the most eerie, ethereal, and outsider-art-esque music videos we've witnessed in many a moon for "Rising," the single off the Ep "Turn It Up."
Throughout the video Linzy is having fun wearing some kind of bluescreen cloth which makes him blend in with the background, but unfortunately gives him a vagina-shaped face most of the time. Incidentally, "Vagina-Shaped Face" should...
- 6/29/2011
- by Max Evry
- NextMovie
[1] Scarlett Johansson may seem like an unlikely lead for a Judd Apatow film, but in this context her casting actually makes a lot of sense. Johansson has signed on to star in Can a Song Save Your Life?, which will be written and directed by John Carney (Once) and produced by Apatow. The film follows “a washed-up A&R man who forms a passionate bond with a young singer-songwriter (Johansson) from out of town.” The project calls for Johansson to sing, which shouldn't be a problem for the actress. Johansson is in fact a professional singer, having released an album of Tom Waits covers titled Anywhere I Lay My Head back in 2008 and a collaboration with Pete Yorn called Break Up in 2009. Though the male lead has yet to be cast, Mark Ruffalo and Jim Carrey have been rumored as possibilities. (Fwiw, I vote Ruffalo.) Shooting on the film will...
- 6/29/2011
- by Angie Han
- Slash Film
Just last week we learned that breakout Super 8 star Joel Courtney would follow his star-making turn in J.J. Abrams sci-fi flick with a journey into the past for an adaptation of Mark Twain's classic adventures of Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry Finn. Courtney is playing Sawyer and now Variety reports "Wizards of Waverly Place" and Hotel for Dogs star Jake T. Austin is closing a deal to play Huckleberry Finn. Though the two leads have been cast, and we know Jo Kastner is directing the film, we're still not sure exactly what kind of mischief the infamous protagonists will find themselves in this time around. Read on! The last time Tom and Huck got together it was in the aptly named Disney feature Tom and Huck with Jonathan Taylor Thomas and the late Brad Renfro playing the two troublemakers respectively. In that film, the two witness a graveyard murder and...
- 6/28/2011
- by Ethan Anderton
- firstshowing.net
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