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20 years ago, Saw made an indelible impact on the horror genre. Not only did it usher in the so-called “torture porn” subgenre that would become synonymous with the aughts, but it also launched the career of filmmaker James Wan, who has firmly cemented his place among the masters of horror with follow-ups like The Conjuring and Insidious.

In the two decades since, the lucrative franchise has spawned nine sequels — 2005’s Saw II, 2006’s Saw III, 2007’s Saw IV, 2008’s Saw V, 2009’s Saw VI, 2010’s Saw: The Final Chapter, 2017’s Jigsaw, 2021’s Spiral: From the Book of Saw, and 2023’s Saw X — with a worldwide box office total of over $1 billion.

Despite being often maligned by detractors for its mindless sadism, fans are just as much invested in the series’ soap opera-esque melodrama as the innovative death traps. Formulaic though the general plots may be, the non-linear storyline is deceptively...

All the Beauty and the Bloodshed Review — All the Beauty and the Bloodshed (2022) Film Review, a movie directed by Laura Poitras and starring Nan Goldin, David Armstrong, Marina Berio, Noemi Bonazzi, Harry Cullen, Megan Kapler, Patrick Radden Keefe, Cookie Mueller, Alex Pleus and Vittorio Scarpati. Laura Poitras’s terrific documentary, All the Beauty and [...]

Continue reading: Film Review: All The Beauty And The Bloodshed (2022): An Extraordinary Documentary About Activist and Photographer Nan Goldin...

This review was first published on Sept. 11, 2022, after the film’s premiere at the Venice Film Fesitval.

Less a biography than an act of communion, Laura Poitras’ “All the Beauty and the Bloodshed” sets for itself a difficult task: What more can you reveal about the most self-revealing of artists? What can a documentary portrait about Nan Goldin bring out that Goldin — a photographer who arguably revolutionized the artform with her candor — hasn’t already explored? To see the “Citizenfour” director wrestle and conquer those thorny questions is one of the many thrills of Poitras’ masterful, Venice Golden Lion–winning film.

As it surveys an individual narrative across a half-century of political, artistic and cultural heartache, “All the Beauty and the Bloodshed” is, in so many ways, the Great American Novel in documentary form. Split into seven chapters, the film could just as easily be split into as many genres:...

During the making of the 2004 psychological horror film Saw, Shawnee Smith, who played Jigsaw victim Amanda Young, had a real-life problem that contributed to the realism of the bear trap scene. In the movie, the Jigsaw Killer forces people to fight for their lives in gruesome traps to teach them not to waste their life. Amanda Young is a former heroin addict and the only known survivor of these traps. She had woken with a terrifying reverse bear trap locked onto her head, and in order to escape, she had to disembowel a man to retrieve a key to free herself.

When Shawnee Smith arrived at the set of the first of the Saw movies to play her scene, she was almost too sick to stand. She had a fever of 102, and at first, she attempted to back out of the gig. The crew assured her that they only needed...

There are several films in Hollywood's history that started their lives as original concepts, but were later incorporated into extant franchises. Briefly, some of the more famous examples include John McTiernan's "Die Hard With a Vengeance," which started as a thriller sans John McClane called "Simon Says." That film was meant to star Brandon Lee but was reworked after his death. Additionally, "Ocean's Twelve" was once meant to be a John Woo film about only two -- and not twelve -- rival thieves, but was repopulated to serve as a sequel to Steven Soderbergh's hit heist movie. And there is, of course, Russell Mulcahy's baffling sequel "Highlander 2: The Quickening," which, thanks to a quick repurposing of an original script, transformed a tale of magical immortals into a bizarre dystopian sci-fi film set in the future. 

The same is true of Darren Lynn Bousman's 2005 sequel "Saw II,...

Rock musicians infiltrating the horror industry is nothing new. Only recently, Guns'n'Roses' Slash announced himself as a film producer, and now Life Of Agony's Alan Robert is getting in on the action, via his other sideline as a comics writer. His Crawl To Me mini-series has been picked up for a movie adaptation, to be directed by Saw cinematographer David A. Armstrong.The story involves a young family moving into their first home, an isolated country pile, during a frozen winter. They quickly discover that the house goes bump in the night. And sings. And talks. And makes their pets disappear. And they have to confront their own relationships and beliefs in order to take on the entity they've awoken. Armstrong has a long history as a camera operator and cinematographer, and isn't new to horror, since he shot six of the seven Saws (and, er, Hellraiser: Revelations). Recently though,...

David A. Armstrong, cinematographer for the Saw franchise, is attached to direct a live-action adaptation of comic book series Crawl To Me for the big screen, reports Variety. Project's produced "Crawl" author Alan Robert, Jeff Mazzola and Chris White. The producers are seeking a writer to adapt "Crawl." The recently published Idw comic, which takes place in an isolated country town during the frigid winter months, centers on a young family as they cope with a series of disturbing events that force them to question their relationship, their faith and their very existence. Armstrong's currently directing the indie hostage drama Pawn, starring Michael Chiklis and Forest Whitaker. Idw announced Tuesday that the first printing of "Crawl to Me" has sold out within a week of its release and said that as a result, it's scheduling a second pressing.

A press release from Idw Publishing has revealed that David Armstrong has been attached to direct an adaptation of Crawl To Me, a horror-based comic book series published by Idw which follows a couple who have to face what's apparently an evil entity in their home. The comics are written by musician/writer Alan Robert (who is also producing the film adaptation). Armstrong previously worked on the cinematography for the Saw films, and Crawl To Me will be his second film as a director. A writer is currently being sought to pen the adaptation. The first printing of Alan Robert’s critically acclaimed horror graphic novel, Crawl to Me (Idw Publishing), has sold out within a week of its release. As a result, the award-winning publisher is currently scheduling a second pressing. In related news, director David A. Armstrong, cinematographer for the successful box-office hit franchise, Saw, is now attached...

[1] Things are indeed shaping up quickly for David Dobkin's Arthur & Lancelot, which Warner Bros. fast-tracked [2] over the summer at the cost of Bryan Singer's Excalibur remake and Guy Ritchie's King Arthur film. Last month saw the casting of Game of Thrones star Kit Harrington [3] and The Killing star Joel Kinnaman [4] in the two title roles, and now WB favorite Marion Cotillard has been offered the part of Morgana, a powerful sorceress and Arthur's half-sister. The Arthur retelling, which was written by Dobkin, follows the rise of the legendary leader from his humble beginnings as an illegitimate son being raised by a poor knight, while Lancelot starts out as "a rebellious noble who distrusts the established government." Arthur & Lancelot will likely begin shooting in March. [Vulture [5]] After the jump, Friday Night Lights star Kyle Chandler lands another high-profile movie role, while several more actors join Michael Chiklis and Forest Whitaker...

Jonathan Bennett, Nikki Reed, Sean Faris, Stephen Lang, Marton Csokas and Jessica Szohr have all joined the cast of the indie crime thriller "Pawn" at Extravaganza Films says Risky Biz Blog.

Michael Chiklis, Forest Whitaker, Ray Liotta and Common lead the cast in the story of a botched hostage situation involving the mob.

David A. Armstrong directs from a screenplay by Jay Anthony White. Chiklis, Michael Becker, Jeff Most and Brad Luff will produce.

While we’re not sure Stephen Lang truly enjoyed chomping the scenery in Conan or whether he’s really having fun grumping it up as a sub-Colonel Quaritch-type colony leader on TV sci-fi show Terra Nova, we’re much happier to see him signing on to the cast of indie crime drama Pawn.We first reported on the movie a couple of days ago, when it already featured Michael Chiklis (who’s also producing the pic) and Forest Whitaker in the tale of a hostage situation that starts to go badly because the law enforcement types and mobsters using it as a twisted chess game make some terrible moves.The cast has exploded in size, with Lang, Nikki Reed, Sean Faris, Marton Csokas, Jessica Szohr and Jonathan Bennett all jumping aboard. David A Armstrong , a cinematographer who worked on several of the Saw franchise entries, is on to direct, working...

A couple days ago we reported that both Michael Chiklis and Forest Whitaker had signed on for a movie from first-time director David A. Armstrong called Pawn. Both actors are known for their powerhouse performances and they even squared off against each other for a season of FX's critically acclaimed drama The Shield. So naturally two of their co-stars will come from the worlds of Twilight and The Vampire Diaries. THR has learned that Nikki Reed, who recently came out with The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1, and Sean Faris, who did a three-episode stint on the supernatural CW program last year, have both signed on for parts in the upcoming crime drama along with Stephen Lang, Marton Csokas, Jessica Szohr and Jonathan Bennett. The story, based on a script by Jay Anthony White, is about a group of gunmen who try and hold up a diner only to discover...

Jonathan Bennett, Marton Csokas, Sean Faris, Stephen Lang, Nikki Reed and Jessica Szohr have all joined the cast of Extravaganza Films' Pawn , says a story at The Hollywood Reporter . Already set to star Michael Chiklis, Common, Ray Liotta and Forest Whitaker, the crime thriller arrives from screenwriter Jay Anthony White and director David A. Armstrong. The story involves an ex-con who is trapped in a situation involving hostages, the police, the FBI and the mob. Reed, best known for her role as Rosalie Hale in "The Twilight Saga," most recently appearing in Breaking Dawn - Part I . Faris played the lead in Never Back Down . Lang starred in Avatar and currently appears on Fox's "Terra Nova." Csokas played Celeborn in "The Lord of the Rings"...

This project’s got direct-to-BluRay written all over it. The components include a boring cast: Michael Chiklis and Forest Whitaker (reteaming after both serving time on "The Shield"), Ray Liotta and Common, a first-time director (David A. Armstrong), and a title so generic, you’ll be convinced there’s another film in theatres/in a Walmart bargain bin right now with the exact same name (“Pawn”).

"The Shield" co-stars Michael Chiklis and Forest Whitaker are set to re-team on David A. Armstrong’s indie crime thriller "Pawn" for Extravaganza Films reports Deadline.

Jay Anthony White wrote the script, in which an ex-con becomes entangled in a manipulative chess game between the Feds, local police and the mob during a hostage situation that has gone terribly wrong.

Common and Ray Liotta also star. Chiklis, Brad Luff, Jeff Most and Michael Becker will produce. Shooting kicks off December 1st.

Two of the stars of one of the most bruising cop shows in television history are set to reunite on the big screen, with The Shield’s Michael Chiklis and Forest Whitaker signing on to star in crime thriller Pawn. The film will focus on a botched hostage situation, as an ex-con finds himself caught in a deadly stand-off between federal agents, local cops and mobbed-up gangsters. Pawn will be directed by first-time helmer David A. Armstrong , and will be the debut feature from Chiklis’ production company, Extravaganza Films. Chiklis...

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Forest Whitaker and Michael Chiklis team up once more for 'Pawn'

Michael Chiklis is returning to his dark roots and is taking Forest Whitaker along with him. According to Collider, Chiklis and Whitaker, along with Ray Liotta and Common are all set to appear in Pawn. The crime thriller will be about a hostage situation gone wrong and an ex-con “becomes entangled in a manipulative chess game between the Feds, local police and the mob.”

ADeadline reports that Chiklis will be producing Pawn alongside Brad Luff, Jeff Most, and Michael Becker, with David A. Armstrong making his directorial debut. Jay Anthony White wrote the script for Pawn and production is set to begin production on December 1st.

Chiklis, who most recently starred alongside Jason Statham and Jennifer Lopez in Parker, was introduced to the project by Luff, who’s executive producer of Parker.

Forest Whitaker clearly enjoyed butting heads with Michael Chiklis during his brief tenure spent on Us cop drama The Shield. Because the pair is teaming back up again for crime pic Pawn.

David A Armstrong - who has largely been a cinematographer or second unit director on films such as Dead Awake and Saw VI - is stepping up to the main chair for this one, which revolves around a hostage situation that quickly goes very badly wrong. Trapped in the middle is an ex-con who becomes part of a nasty game between the local police, federal authorities and the mob.

Jay Anthony White wrote the script, which has also attracted the likes of Common and Ray Liotta.

Chiklis, who is also producing the movie via his new company, was last seen in Eagle Eye and will next crop up in Parker. Whitaker was most recently in The Experiment and has Catch .44 coming up.

Having never seen The Shield, this news only appeals to me on a film-based level — but I’m sure that fans of the show will be excited to hear Deadline‘s report that Michael Chiklis and Forest Whitaker will soon reunite for the crime drama Pawn. Set to be the directorial debut for Saw director of photography David A. Armstrong , the film — scripted by Jay Anthony White — follows “an ex-con [who] becomes entangled in a manipulative chess game between the Feds, local police and the mob.” It’s pointed out that things have “gone terribly wrong.” Wonder how he’ll get out of this one! The cast will also include Ray Liotta and Common, but there’s no indication as to who has what role. Even though he played a cop on The Shield for several seasons, I’m not throwing out the possibility that Chiklis will be the ex-con. When...

Shield co-stars Michael Chiklis and Forest Whitaker are joining forces for a new indie crime drama. Deadline reports that they will star in Pawn, which centers around a hostage situation that has gone terribly wrong. Common (Hell On Wheels) and Ray Liotta also star in the directorial debut of David A. Armstrong.

Chiklis’ production company Extravaganza Films is making it’s feature debut. The film will be produed by Chiklis along with The Story Department’s Brad Luff, Most Films’ Jeff Most and Imprint Entertainment’s Michael Becker. The script was penned by Jay Anthony White. The film tells the story of “an ex-con becomes entangled in a manipulative chess game between the Feds, local police and the mob.” Pawn starts production December 1.

This sounds like a cool story, one that Chiklis and Whitaker will be great in. What are your thoughts?...

Forest Whitaker clearly enjoyed butting heads with Michael Chiklis during his brief tenure spent on Us cop drama The Shield, because the pair is teaming back up again for crime pic Pawn.David A Armstrong – who has largely been a cinematographer or second unit director on films such as Dead Awake and Saw VI – is stepping up to the main chair for this one, which revolves around a hostage situation that goes very badly wrong. Trapped in the middle is an ex-con who becomes part of a nasty game between the local police, federal authorities and the mob.Jay Anthony White wrote the script, which has also attracted the likes of Common and Ray Liotta.Chiklis, who is also producing the movie via his new company, was last seen in Eagle Eye and will next crop up in Parker. Whitaker was most recently in The Experiment and has Catch .44 coming up.

When you have a crime thriller then you better have an awesome cast on board as well. David A. Armstrong is making his feature directorial debut with the movie titled Pawn but it looks that he knows what he’s doing with it because Forest Whitaker, Michael Chiklis, Ray Liotta and Common are all attached to [...]

Continue reading Forest Whitaker, Ray Liotta and Michael Chiklis In Pawn Crime Thriller on FilmoFilia.

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Briefly: Attention, fans of The Shield, there is a little mini-reunion of sorts brewing. Actors Michael Chiklis and Forest Whitaker have both been cast in an indie called Pawn. The movie is, as you might hope, a crime picture, and one that features "a hostage situation that has gone terribly wrong" in which "an ex-con becomes entangled in a manipulative chess game between the Feds, local police and the mob." Deadline [1] gets to announce the project, which will be the feature directorial debut of cinematographer David A. Armstrong, who shot the Saw series. He will be working from a script by Jay Anthony White. Common and Ray Liotta are also in the cast, which is already sounding like a pretty solid lineup for a good criminal potboiler. [1] http://www.slashfilm.com http://www.deadline.com/2011/11/shield-cohorts-michael-chiklis-and-forest-whitaker-team-for-indie-feature-pawn/...

Exclusive: Michael Chiklis is teaming with former The Shield co-star Forest Whitaker for Pawn, an independent crime film centered around a hostage situation that has gone terribly wrong. Also starring in the film will be Common (Hell On Wheels), and Ray Liotta. The film marks David A. Armstrong’s directorial debut, and the feature debut for Chiklis’ production company Extravaganza Films. Chiklis will produce with The Story Department’s Brad Luff, Most Films’ Jeff Most and Imprint Entertainment’s Michael Becker. Jay Anthony White wrote the script, in which an ex-con becomes entangled in a manipulative chess game between the Feds, local police and the mob. Chiklis, who most recently starred alongside Jason Statham and Jennifer Lopez in Parker, was introduced to the project by Luff, who’s executive producer of Parker. Pawn starts production December 1. Chiklis is repped by Wme and Management 360, Whitaker by Wme and Brillstein Entertainment Partners.

Unlike the disturbingly mysterious original, “Saw III” is a neatly wrapped-up package that explains everything — including Jigsaw’s evil contraptions and the background of his crazed female assistant. This strategy hardly seems the best course to sustain a horror franchise, but, with nearly everybody dead at the end — despite the hint of another sequel — pic’s 3,150-screen Halloween weekend may prove to be a whopping farewell to a stunning moneymaker for Lionsgate.

With moralistic mastermind of torture Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) set free in dubious health in “Saw II,” the new edition returns to Donnie Wahlberg’s ill-fated cop Eric having to chop off his foot to free himself from chains and irons. This marks just one of several flashbacks that eventually hinder the movie, ratcheting down its tension and pace.

Another, even more dogged cop, Kerry (Dina Meyer), is back but not for too long, as she’s captured and...