The century-old Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado is the inspiration behind Stephen King’s classic horror novel “The Shining,” and we’ve learned that Blumhouse aims to create a “true horror destination” within the iconic setting. Read on for everything we know.
Governor Jared Polis and the Colorado Office of Film, Television and Media, a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (Oedit), announced that Blumhouse, the driving force in horror, will exclusively curate a 10,000+ square-foot Stanley Film Center exhibit space.
“Here’s Blumhouse! This iconic Colorado hotel will now have a new element of fun and fright for Coloradans and visitors across the world to enjoy, driving tourism and strengthening our economy. I look forward to seeing the exhibit and am happy that our administration can help make this possible,” said Governor Polis.
Blumhouse produces horror films as well as scripted/unscripted television series and games,...
Governor Jared Polis and the Colorado Office of Film, Television and Media, a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (Oedit), announced that Blumhouse, the driving force in horror, will exclusively curate a 10,000+ square-foot Stanley Film Center exhibit space.
“Here’s Blumhouse! This iconic Colorado hotel will now have a new element of fun and fright for Coloradans and visitors across the world to enjoy, driving tourism and strengthening our economy. I look forward to seeing the exhibit and am happy that our administration can help make this possible,” said Governor Polis.
Blumhouse produces horror films as well as scripted/unscripted television series and games,...
- 1/29/2024
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Despite plans of completely scrapping his "The Hateful Eight" film, Quentin Tarantino eventually decided to move forward with rumors that he'll begin shooting early 2015. But according to the Colorado film office, "The Hateful Eight" will go into production on December 8th in Colorado. "The whole movie's going to be shot here, exteriors and interiors," said Colorado film commissioner Donald Zuckerman. "They're going to build it on a ranch." The state was competing to acquire the project against Utah and Wyoming. Colorado ended up offering $5 million in tax credits, which was enough to convince Tarantino and the rest of the filmmakers. And at $44 million, "The Hateful Eight" will be the biggest production in the state since the original 1969 "True Grit." Set in snowy Wyoming a few years after the Civil War, the film focuses on the tension among a group of people trapped after a blizzard diverts a stagecoach from its route.
- 9/28/2014
- WorstPreviews.com
Quentin Tarantino is set to bring his soon to film western "The Hateful Eight" to Colorado.
Colorado film commissioner Donald Zuckerman tells The Denver Post: "The whole movie's going to be shot here, exteriors and interiors. They're going to build it on a ranch."
Set in a blizzard-engulfed Wyoming after the Civil War, the story follows a group of dangerous people trapped in a saloon after a blizzard diverts a stagecoach from its route.
The project sports a $44 million budget and was granted a $5 million incentive package by the state. It's also the biggest production to film in Colorado since the original "True Grit" in 1969.
Pre-production is already underway ahead of filming beginning on December 8th. The project will take a break over the holiday, then resume production in 2015.
Colorado film commissioner Donald Zuckerman tells The Denver Post: "The whole movie's going to be shot here, exteriors and interiors. They're going to build it on a ranch."
Set in a blizzard-engulfed Wyoming after the Civil War, the story follows a group of dangerous people trapped in a saloon after a blizzard diverts a stagecoach from its route.
The project sports a $44 million budget and was granted a $5 million incentive package by the state. It's also the biggest production to film in Colorado since the original "True Grit" in 1969.
Pre-production is already underway ahead of filming beginning on December 8th. The project will take a break over the holiday, then resume production in 2015.
- 9/26/2014
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Cannes (May 23, 2012) – Entertainment One (“eOne”) announced today from the 2012 Cannes Film Festival that the company is acquiring all North American rights to director Charlie Matthau’s homage to 1970s filmmaking, Freaky Deaky. Matthau also penned the screenplay, which is based on Elmore Leonard’s 1988 novel of the same name. The film stars Crispin Glover, Billy Burke, Michael Jai White, Christian Slater, Andy Dick, Breanne Racano and Sabina Gadecki. Matthau andJudd Rubin produced the project, with George Eyde, Louis Eyde, Nathaniel Eyde, Robert Cantrell, Steven Berez, Donald Zuckerman, and Lee Greenberg executive producing. Freaky Deaky had its world premiere earlier this year at the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival. In Freaky Deaky, Chris Mankowski’s (Burke) first day on the sex crimes unit of the Detroit Police Department does not go well. Not only does he fall for the first person to report an assault to him, he’s suspended for investigating the rich,...
- 5/23/2012
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
Although his upcoming adaptation of Elmore Leonard‘s Freaky Deaky is set to hit the Tribeca Film Festival this weekend, director Charlie Matthau has already lined up his next project. Deadline has informed us that the director will be helming the comedy The Sugar Shack, written by Kevin Fleming and Rob Janas.
The story is intriguing, as it follows “the most popular male stripper in Racine, Wisconsin as he fends off a young rival while saving the town from a corrupt politician.” Talk about a multi-talented stripper. The project has been described as a “cross between The Full Monty and The Hangover“, if that gives you any consolation on the type of film it’s going to be. Apparently the story was inspired by some female acquaintances of Second City alumni Fleming and Janas, who frequented the Racine joint.
I’m also getting a little Steven Soderbergh vibe, only because his upcoming film,...
The story is intriguing, as it follows “the most popular male stripper in Racine, Wisconsin as he fends off a young rival while saving the town from a corrupt politician.” Talk about a multi-talented stripper. The project has been described as a “cross between The Full Monty and The Hangover“, if that gives you any consolation on the type of film it’s going to be. Apparently the story was inspired by some female acquaintances of Second City alumni Fleming and Janas, who frequented the Racine joint.
I’m also getting a little Steven Soderbergh vibe, only because his upcoming film,...
- 4/18/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Exclusive: As he gears up for Sunday’s Tribeca Film Festival premiere of his adaption of Elmore Leonard’s Freaky Deaky, director Charlie Matthau has set his next film. It will be The Sugar Shack, a farcicial comedy written by Kevin Fleming and Rob Janas. The storyline follows the most popular male stripper in Racine, Wisconsin as he fends off a young rival while saving the town from a corrupt politician. The film will shoot in September. The story, described by Matthau as a cross between The Full Monty and The Hangover, was inspired by female acquaintances of Second City alumni Fleming and Janas, who were known to make frequent trips to the Racine establishment. It remains one of the only uncensored male venues in the world. Matthau will produce Judd Rubin and Donald Zuckerman. Nathaniel Eyde, George Eyde, Lou Eyde and Robert Cantrell of Eyde Studios will be exec...
- 4/17/2012
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
Matt Dillon, Brendan Fraser, William H. Macy and Craig Robinson are in talks to star in Freaky Deaky, the Charlie Matthau-directed adaptation of the Elmore Leonard novel. Shooting starts June 27 in Detroit. The novel has caught the eye of numerous filmmakers over the years including Quentin Tarantino, but the premise -- about 60s radicals who try to use their bomb-making skills to become capitalists in the 70s -- was a bit of a problem because the book was set in the late 80s. Matthau wrote the script, and had a breakthrough when Leonard suggested setting it right at the time the bombers decided to turn their skills to make money, which meant putting the drama in 1974. Dillon plays Chris Mankowski, a Vietnam vet who is on the Detroit police bomb squad; Fraser plays Skip, the former 60s radical who becomes a Hollywood demolition guy; Macy (who signed on late...
- 6/2/2011
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
Director Charles Matthau (son of the late actor Walter Matthau) began to round out his cast for his adaptation of the Elmore Leonard novel Freaky Deaky. According to the Playlist blog at indieWire, British actress Sienna Miller joined the Arclight Film production as Robin, a former radical who partners with her bomb-making ex named Woody (William H. Macy) for a job worth millions. Matthau also wrote the adapted screenplay of the classic Elmore Leonard novel about former radicals trying to get on with their counter-culture lives in ‘70s Detroit. Miller also joined the project as a producer along with Donald Zuckerman, Matthau and Michael Meltzer.
- 5/27/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Director Charles Matthau (son of the late actor Walter Matthau) began to round out his cast for his adaptation of the Elmore Leonard novel Freaky Deaky. According to the Playlist blog at indieWire, British actress Sienna Miller joined the Arclight Film production as Robin, a former radical who partners with her bomb-making ex named Woody (William H. Macy) for a job worth millions. Matthau also wrote the adapted screenplay of the classic Elmore Leonard novel about former radicals trying to get on with their counter-culture lives in ‘70s Detroit. Miller also joined the project as a producer along with Donald Zuckerman, Matthau and Michael Meltzer.
- 5/27/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Director Charles Matthau (son of the late actor Walter Matthau) began to round out his cast for his adaptation of the Elmore Leonard novel Freaky Deaky. According to the Playlist blog at indieWire, British actress Sienna Miller joined the Arclight Film production as Robin, a former radical who partners with her bomb-making ex named Woody (William H. Macy) for a job worth millions. Matthau also wrote the adapted screenplay of the classic Elmore Leonard novel about former radicals trying to get on with their counter-culture lives in ‘70s Detroit. Miller also joined the project as a producer along with Donald Zuckerman, Matthau and Michael Meltzer.
- 5/27/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Kevin Spacey has been nominated twice for an Oscar for American Beauty in 1999 and before that for his role as Roger 'Verbal' Kint in Bryan Singer's The Usual Suspects. Oh, and he also won the Oscar both of those times. However, it's now been over ten years since Spacey was nominated for an Oscar and as far as 2010 goes he's only got one opportunity, his role as Jack Abramoff in the recently deceased George Hickenlooper's Casino Jack, which finally hits theaters in New York and Los Angeles this coming Friday. Does he stand a chance at earning one of those precious five Best Actor slots? Today I've got an exclusive red band clip to help you decide.
Right now I have Spacey in the #12 slot in my Best Actor predictions and I'm willing to say two slots are currently up for grabs as Colin Firth (The King's Speech...
Right now I have Spacey in the #12 slot in my Best Actor predictions and I'm willing to say two slots are currently up for grabs as Colin Firth (The King's Speech...
- 12/13/2010
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Family and friends of George Hickenlooper have scheduled a memorial service for the acclaimed director on Dec. 8, 2010, from 3-5 p.m. Suzanne Hickenlooper, Donald Zuckerman and Michael Beugg will host the service at the DGA, 7920 Sunset Blvd. "Join George Hickenlooper's family and friends to pay tribute to a great artist and mentor," an evite reads. Hickenlooper died Oct. 30 while in Denver for the premiere of his latest film, "Casino Jack," starring Kevin Spacey. His death was ruled an accidental overdose of ethanol and oxymorphone. He was 47. Hickenlooper is best known...
- 12/3/2010
- by Brent Lang
- The Wrap
Producers Keisha Whitaker and Donald Zuckerman are joining in John Travolta and Kelly Preston's celebration of newborn Benjamin Travolta, born Nov. 23. People reports: "We are completely overjoyed about the birth of Benjamin," says producer pal Keisha Whitaker, who along with her husband, actor Forest Whitaker, has been close with Preston and Travolta for years. "We love them so much. This feels like full circle." Despite a recent PR nightmare stemming from an interview between Robert Randolph and Gawker (see story), family and friends remain ecstatic for Travolta and Preston. "It's absolutely wonderful that Kelly gave birth to such a big strapping boy," said producer Donald Zuckerman, who worked with Preston on both the upcoming movie Casino Jack, and 2006's Broken Bridges. "His birthday will be [around] Thanksgiving Day, which is wonderful and very fitting after the ordeal that they went through," he added, referring to the loss of the couple's...
- 11/28/2010
- by Alexis James-Whitehead
- BuzzFocus.com
While no one is happier about the arrival of Benjamin Travolta, born Nov. 23, than parents Kelly Preston and John Travolta (with the possible exception of "ecstatic" big sister Ella Bleu), friends of the famous family are also reveling in the news. "We are completely overjoyed about the birth of Benjamin," says producer pal Keisha Whitaker, who along with her husband, actor Forest Whitaker, has been close with Preston and Travolta for years. "We love them so much. This feels like full circle." Benjamin certainly inherited a great sense of timing from his movie star parents. "It's absolutely wonderful that Kelly...
- 11/27/2010
- by Suzanne Zuckerman
- PEOPLE.com
We have the full-length trailer, a "show me the money" clip as well as fresh pics from Ato Pictures' comedy "Casino Jack." George Hickenlooper ("Factory Girl," "The Man from Elusian Fields") directs the comedy focusing on the wild excesses and escapades of Jack Abramoff. Starring are Kevin Spacey, Barry Pepper, Kelly Preston, Jon Lovitz, Rachelle Lefevre, Conrad Pla, Christian Campbell, Yannick Bisson, Spencer Garrett, Hannah Endicott-Douglas and David Fraser. The film is produced by Gary Howsam, Bill Marks and George Vitetzakis from an original screenplay by Norman Snider. Executive Producers are Richard Rionda Del Castro, Lewin Webb, Donald Zuckerman, Dana Brunetti, Patricia Eberle, Warren Nimchuk, Angelo Paletta and Domenic Serafino.
- 10/22/2010
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Ato Pictures has acquired the U.S. theatrical rights to the Kevin Spacey-starrer "Casino Jack" ahead of its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
CAA earlier sold the U.S. rights to the true-life drama about convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff on behalf of Rollercoaster Entertainment to James Schramm's Metropolitan Inc., but that deal fell through a month ago.
The George Hickenlooper indie pic also stars Barry Pepper, Kelly Preston, Jon Lovitz and Rachelle Lefevre.
Ato is targeting a late December release.
The film was produced by Gary Howsam, Bill Marks and George Zakk from an original screenplay by Norman Snider.
Executive Producers are Richard Rionda Del Castro, Lewin Webb, Donald Zuckerman, Dana Brunetti, Patricia Eberle, Warren Nimchuk, Angelo Paletta and Domenic Serafino. The Associate Producer is Rick Chad.
Hickenlooper and the cast will be in Toronto for a Sept. 16 gala premiere of "Casino Jack" at Roy Thomson Hall.
CAA earlier sold the U.S. rights to the true-life drama about convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff on behalf of Rollercoaster Entertainment to James Schramm's Metropolitan Inc., but that deal fell through a month ago.
The George Hickenlooper indie pic also stars Barry Pepper, Kelly Preston, Jon Lovitz and Rachelle Lefevre.
Ato is targeting a late December release.
The film was produced by Gary Howsam, Bill Marks and George Zakk from an original screenplay by Norman Snider.
Executive Producers are Richard Rionda Del Castro, Lewin Webb, Donald Zuckerman, Dana Brunetti, Patricia Eberle, Warren Nimchuk, Angelo Paletta and Domenic Serafino. The Associate Producer is Rick Chad.
Hickenlooper and the cast will be in Toronto for a Sept. 16 gala premiere of "Casino Jack" at Roy Thomson Hall.
- 9/9/2010
- by By Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Toronto -- In what is shaping up as one of the best acquisition title fields at the Toronto International Film Festival in years, CAA will be shopping George Hickenlooper's "Casino Jack," starring Kevin Spacey, in two weeks' time.
CAA earlier sold the U.S. rights to the true-life drama about convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff on behalf of Rollercoaster Entertainment to James Schramm's Metropolitan Inc., but that deal fell through a few weeks ago.
So the U.S. theatrical distribution rights are back on the table, and Rollercoaster's Gary Howsam says the film's producer, Hannibal Pictures, and CAA plan a full-court press in Toronto.
"We produced the film in Toronto. We hoped to have the world premiere here, and we got that," Howsam said.
Spacey will be in Toronto on the first weekend to do a press junket for the U.S. and foreign press.
And the film's producers...
CAA earlier sold the U.S. rights to the true-life drama about convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff on behalf of Rollercoaster Entertainment to James Schramm's Metropolitan Inc., but that deal fell through a few weeks ago.
So the U.S. theatrical distribution rights are back on the table, and Rollercoaster's Gary Howsam says the film's producer, Hannibal Pictures, and CAA plan a full-court press in Toronto.
"We produced the film in Toronto. We hoped to have the world premiere here, and we got that," Howsam said.
Spacey will be in Toronto on the first weekend to do a press junket for the U.S. and foreign press.
And the film's producers...
- 8/31/2010
- by By Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Metropolitan, Inc. has acquired the U.S. theatrical rights to the feature film “Casino Jack” by Rollercoaster Entertainment, Inc. The film is slated to hit theaters sometime in fall 2010. The project is based on the true story of disgraced Washington power broker Jack Abramoff eventually found guilty of bribery and corruption charges. “Casino Jack” was directed by George Hickenlooper (”Factory Girl”) based on the screenplay by Norman Snider. Gary Howsam, Bill Marks and George Vitetzakis produced the film. Richard Rionda Del Castro, Donald Zuckerman, Lewin Webb, Dana Brunetti, Patricia Eberle, Warren Nimchuk, Angelo Paletta and Domenic Serafino are executive producers, and Rick Chad is an associate producer. Kevin Spacey, [...]...
- 3/30/2010
- by Costa Koutsoutis
- ShockYa
Political biopic "Casino Jack" has been acquired for domestic distribution by Metropolitan. The film will apparently open this fall, Variety reports. Metropolitan, led by James Schramm, made the announcement Monday. The film stars Kevin Spacey, Kelly Preston, Jon Lovitz, Barry Pepper, Conrad Pla, Christian Campbell, Yannick Bisson, Spencer Garrett, Hannah Endicott-Douglas and David Fraser. Kevin Spacey plays Jack Abramoff, a disgraced Washington power broker who was once a high-powered lobbyist. However, his bribery schemes as well as fraudulent dealings with Indian casinos eventually found him serving a prison sentence. Gary Howsam, Bill Marks and George Vitetzakis produced. Richard Rionda Del Castro, Donald Zuckerman, Lewin Webb, Dana Brunetti, Patricia Eberle, Warren Nimchuk, Angelo Paletta and Domenic Serafino served as executive producers.
- 3/30/2010
- Upcoming-Movies.com
James Schramm's Metropolitan, Inc. has acquired U.S. theatrical distribution rights to the feature film "Casino Jack" from Rollercoaster Entertainment, Inc. The company plans a fall release.
Based on the true story of disgraced Washington power broker Jack Abramoff, "Casino Jack" was directed by George Hickenlooper ("Factory Girl") from an original screenplay by Norman Snider. Kevin Spacey, Barry Pepper, Kelly Preston, Jon Lovitz, Spencer Garrett and Rachelle Lafevre star.
Gary Howsam, Bill Marks and George Vitetzakis produced the film, with Richard Rionda Del Castro, Donald Zuckerman, Lewin Webb, Dana Brunetti, Patricia Eberle, Warren Nimchuk, Angelo Paletta and Domenic Serafino serving as executive producers. Rick Chad is an associate producer.
"This was a golden opportunity to make a film about white collar thuggery in Washington," said Hickenlooper. "It's 'Wall Street' and 'GoodFellas' in our nation's capitol, which cinematically feels more relevant now than ever."
CAA and Cassian Elwes brokered the deal on behalf of Rollercoaster.
Based on the true story of disgraced Washington power broker Jack Abramoff, "Casino Jack" was directed by George Hickenlooper ("Factory Girl") from an original screenplay by Norman Snider. Kevin Spacey, Barry Pepper, Kelly Preston, Jon Lovitz, Spencer Garrett and Rachelle Lafevre star.
Gary Howsam, Bill Marks and George Vitetzakis produced the film, with Richard Rionda Del Castro, Donald Zuckerman, Lewin Webb, Dana Brunetti, Patricia Eberle, Warren Nimchuk, Angelo Paletta and Domenic Serafino serving as executive producers. Rick Chad is an associate producer.
"This was a golden opportunity to make a film about white collar thuggery in Washington," said Hickenlooper. "It's 'Wall Street' and 'GoodFellas' in our nation's capitol, which cinematically feels more relevant now than ever."
CAA and Cassian Elwes brokered the deal on behalf of Rollercoaster.
- 3/29/2010
- by By Jay A. Fernandez
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Kevin Spacey will play disgraced Washington power broker Jack Abramoff in the true story-based thriller Casino Jack , directed by George Hickenlooper from an original screenplay by Norman Snider. Variety says the film, formerly titled "Bagman," stars Spacey as the once high-powered lobbyist whose bribery schemes and fraudulent dealings with Indian casinos ultimately landed him in prison. Gary Howsam, Bill Marks and George Vitezakis are producing the film, which will begin shooting in Toronto this month. Richard Rionda Del Castro, Donald Zuckerman, Patricia Eberle and Lewin Webb are executive producing alongside Dana Brunetti for Spacey's Trigger Street Productions.
- 5/13/2009
- Comingsoon.net
ComingSoon.net is reporting that Mamma Mia! The Movie lead Amanda Seyfried will star in Myriad Pictures' adaptation of Oscar Wilde's comedy A Woman of No Importance opposite Annette Bening and Sean Bean. Seyfried will play an American who finds herself falling in love with the womanizing Lord Illingworth (Bean) in the English countryside until his mother (Bening) throws a wrench in his plans. Donald Zuckerman will produce and Bruce Beresford will be directing from a script by Howard Himelstein.
- 1/29/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
Amanda Seyfried ( Mamma Mia! ) will topline Myriad Pictures' adaptation of Oscar Wilde's comedy A Woman of No Importance opposite Annette Bening and Sean Bean. Seyfried will play an American who finds herself falling in love with the womanizing Lord Illingworth (Bean) in the English countryside until his mother (Bening) throws a wrench in his plans. Donald Zuckerman's producing and Bruce Beresford's directing from Howard Himelstein's script.
- 1/29/2009
- Comingsoon.net
NEW YORK -- "The Devil Wears Prada" star Simon Baker has been cast in the lead role of Dror Soref's indie psychological thriller "Not Forgotten".
Baker will play a bank manager in a U.S.-Mexico border town haunted by the disappearance of his daughter. He and his wife approach a Latina soothsayer to find out what happened to the girl, but the old woman's visions threaten to dredge up secrets from their tortured pasts.
Soref wrote the original screenplay with Tomas Romero and will produce the film with Donald Zuckerman. Myriad Pictures CEO Kirk D'Amico, Michelle Seward and Dennis Stuart Murphy will executive produce.
The feature is set to begin principal photography in January in New Mexico. Myriad will rep presales on the project at the upcoming American Film Market in Santa Monica.
Said Zuckerman, "The key points in this film -- the love of a family, Latino culture, spirituality -- are interpreted in a way we rarely ever see in the movies."
Added D'Amico: "I've been wanting for some time to make a film exploring this culture, and I eagerly anticipate (Soref's) interpretation of the material."
Australian actor Baker starred in the title role of the CBS series "The Guardian" for three years.
Baker will play a bank manager in a U.S.-Mexico border town haunted by the disappearance of his daughter. He and his wife approach a Latina soothsayer to find out what happened to the girl, but the old woman's visions threaten to dredge up secrets from their tortured pasts.
Soref wrote the original screenplay with Tomas Romero and will produce the film with Donald Zuckerman. Myriad Pictures CEO Kirk D'Amico, Michelle Seward and Dennis Stuart Murphy will executive produce.
The feature is set to begin principal photography in January in New Mexico. Myriad will rep presales on the project at the upcoming American Film Market in Santa Monica.
Said Zuckerman, "The key points in this film -- the love of a family, Latino culture, spirituality -- are interpreted in a way we rarely ever see in the movies."
Added D'Amico: "I've been wanting for some time to make a film exploring this culture, and I eagerly anticipate (Soref's) interpretation of the material."
Australian actor Baker starred in the title role of the CBS series "The Guardian" for three years.
- 10/18/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
NEW YORK -- The Devil Wears Prada star Simon Baker has been cast in the lead role of Dror Soref's indie psychological thriller Not Forgotten.
Baker will play a bank manager in a U.S.-Mexico border town haunted by the death of his daughter. He and his wife approach a Latina soothsayer to find out what happened to the girl, but the old woman's visions threaten to dredge up secrets from their tortured pasts.
Soref wrote the original screenplay with Tomas Romero and will produce the film with Donald Zuckerman. Myriad Pictures CEO Kirk D'Amico, Michelle Seward and Dennis Stuart Murphy will executive produce.
The feature is set to begin principal photography in January in New Mexico. Myriad will rep presales on the project at the upcoming American Film Market in Santa Monica.
Said Zuckerman, "The key points in this film -- the love of a family, Latino culture, spirituality -- are interpreted in a way we rarely ever see in the movies."
Added D'Amico: "I've been wanting for some time to make a film exploring this culture, and I eagerly anticipate (Soref's) interpretation of the material."
Australian actor Baker starred in the title role of the CBS series The Guardian for three years.
Baker will play a bank manager in a U.S.-Mexico border town haunted by the death of his daughter. He and his wife approach a Latina soothsayer to find out what happened to the girl, but the old woman's visions threaten to dredge up secrets from their tortured pasts.
Soref wrote the original screenplay with Tomas Romero and will produce the film with Donald Zuckerman. Myriad Pictures CEO Kirk D'Amico, Michelle Seward and Dennis Stuart Murphy will executive produce.
The feature is set to begin principal photography in January in New Mexico. Myriad will rep presales on the project at the upcoming American Film Market in Santa Monica.
Said Zuckerman, "The key points in this film -- the love of a family, Latino culture, spirituality -- are interpreted in a way we rarely ever see in the movies."
Added D'Amico: "I've been wanting for some time to make a film exploring this culture, and I eagerly anticipate (Soref's) interpretation of the material."
Australian actor Baker starred in the title role of the CBS series The Guardian for three years.
- 10/18/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
South by Southwest
AUSTIN -- An aesthete with high ideals and mediocre talents stumbles into a bit of inspiration in Suffering Man's Charity, a darkly comic revenge fantasy offering star Alan Cumming a chance to go over the top. Boxoffice potential is limited by an arch tone and familiar premise, though on the small screen it might have some campy cult appeal.
Cumming plays John Vandermark, a prissy classical music tutor who fancies himself a composer and has a weakness for hunky hustlers like Sebastian (David Boreanaz), a lady killer who evidently led John to believe he would sleep with him in return for room and board. Instead, Sebastian has spent his nights picking up women and his days "working on his novel" and racking up a serious long-distance bill.
When John finally works up the nerve to confront him, the discussion quickly grows violent. To the surprise of everyone involved, scrawny John gets the upper hand and knocks the big lug out. He tapes old blankets over all the house's windows, ties Sebastian to a dining chair with a string of Christmas lights, dresses him in women's underwear and proceeds to make him pay for being such a bad houseguest.
The setup and the script's frequent high-art allusions scream "stage play," and theater vet Cumming is happy to go that way, with an extravagantly angry, sarcastic performance that has him slapping Boreanaz around with a violin bow and taking pleasure yanking off and reapplying the duct tape over his mouth. Directing the film as well, Cumming enjoys framing his rants in tracking shots so the viewer doesn't miss a sneer. The staging -- with shafts of bright, flaring light poking through holes in the window coverings -- also highlights the limitations of the picture's high-def photography, making its look lean toward that of a made-for-cable horror flick.
One bright moment is a cameo by Karen Black, who even compared to Cumming is the only actor ready to abandon all self-respect in service of a script that needs its characters to come unhinged. As the falling-down drunk tramp Sebastian meets on his last night of boozing, she makes it easy to see why a band would name itself The Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black.
The tale ends with a longish sequence that perhaps should have been a quick ironic epilogue, as we already understand that whatever comes after this festival of abuse and shame-wallowing can't possibly be good.
SUFFERING MAN'S CHARITY
NOW Pictures / Donald Zuckerman / Sixth Way
Credits:
Director: Alan Cumming
Writer: Thomas Gallagher
Producers: D.J. Paul, Craig Snider, Donald Zuckerman
Executive producers: Alan Cumming, Ken Adelberg, David Matthews
Director of photography: Alexander Vendler
Production designer: Michael Krantz
Costume designer: Christopher Lawrence
Music: Paul Cantelon
Co-producers: Thomas Gallagher, David Gorder, Jeremy Rubin
Editor: Keith Reamer
Cast:
John Vandermark: Alan Cumming
Sebastian St. Germain: David Boreanaz
Helen: Anne Heche
Eric: Henry Thomas
Renee: Karen Black
Photographer: Jane Lynch
Reporter: Carrie Fisher
Running time -- 92 minutes
No MPAA rating...
AUSTIN -- An aesthete with high ideals and mediocre talents stumbles into a bit of inspiration in Suffering Man's Charity, a darkly comic revenge fantasy offering star Alan Cumming a chance to go over the top. Boxoffice potential is limited by an arch tone and familiar premise, though on the small screen it might have some campy cult appeal.
Cumming plays John Vandermark, a prissy classical music tutor who fancies himself a composer and has a weakness for hunky hustlers like Sebastian (David Boreanaz), a lady killer who evidently led John to believe he would sleep with him in return for room and board. Instead, Sebastian has spent his nights picking up women and his days "working on his novel" and racking up a serious long-distance bill.
When John finally works up the nerve to confront him, the discussion quickly grows violent. To the surprise of everyone involved, scrawny John gets the upper hand and knocks the big lug out. He tapes old blankets over all the house's windows, ties Sebastian to a dining chair with a string of Christmas lights, dresses him in women's underwear and proceeds to make him pay for being such a bad houseguest.
The setup and the script's frequent high-art allusions scream "stage play," and theater vet Cumming is happy to go that way, with an extravagantly angry, sarcastic performance that has him slapping Boreanaz around with a violin bow and taking pleasure yanking off and reapplying the duct tape over his mouth. Directing the film as well, Cumming enjoys framing his rants in tracking shots so the viewer doesn't miss a sneer. The staging -- with shafts of bright, flaring light poking through holes in the window coverings -- also highlights the limitations of the picture's high-def photography, making its look lean toward that of a made-for-cable horror flick.
One bright moment is a cameo by Karen Black, who even compared to Cumming is the only actor ready to abandon all self-respect in service of a script that needs its characters to come unhinged. As the falling-down drunk tramp Sebastian meets on his last night of boozing, she makes it easy to see why a band would name itself The Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black.
The tale ends with a longish sequence that perhaps should have been a quick ironic epilogue, as we already understand that whatever comes after this festival of abuse and shame-wallowing can't possibly be good.
SUFFERING MAN'S CHARITY
NOW Pictures / Donald Zuckerman / Sixth Way
Credits:
Director: Alan Cumming
Writer: Thomas Gallagher
Producers: D.J. Paul, Craig Snider, Donald Zuckerman
Executive producers: Alan Cumming, Ken Adelberg, David Matthews
Director of photography: Alexander Vendler
Production designer: Michael Krantz
Costume designer: Christopher Lawrence
Music: Paul Cantelon
Co-producers: Thomas Gallagher, David Gorder, Jeremy Rubin
Editor: Keith Reamer
Cast:
John Vandermark: Alan Cumming
Sebastian St. Germain: David Boreanaz
Helen: Anne Heche
Eric: Henry Thomas
Renee: Karen Black
Photographer: Jane Lynch
Reporter: Carrie Fisher
Running time -- 92 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 6/15/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Claire Forlani has signed to join Elijah Wood and Charlie Hunnam in Odd Lot Entertainment's Hooligans. Also set to team on director Lexi Alexander's soccer-themed project are Marc Warren, Leo Gregory and Terence Jay. Set to start shooting this weekend in London, Hooligans centers on a Harvard undergraduate (Wood) who moves to London after he is wrongfully expelled from the Ivy League school. Once there, he meets up with a young man (Hunnam) who introduces him to the violent underworld of soccer hooliganism. Forlani will play the married sister of Wood's character. Warren plays her husband, with Gregory as the best mate of Hunnam's character and Jay as a golden boy at Harvard who sets off the destructive spiral of Wood's character. Alexander teamed with Dougie Brimson to develop the story, and the duo then took it to scribe Josh Shelov to flesh it out to a full screenplay. Odd Lot's Gigi Pritzker, Deborah Del Prete and Donald Zuckerman are producing. Senator International repped worldwide sales rights for Odd Lot. Forlani is repped by WMA and attorney Robert Offer. Warren is repped by Paradigm and Gilly Sanguinetti. Gregory is repped by CAA. Jay is repped by Talentworks and the Marshak/Zachary Co.
- 3/25/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
PARK CITY, Utah -- "Thick as Thieves" is a nifty genre piece of the Elmore Leonard caliber. Starring Alec Baldwin and Andre Braugher as a pair of professional criminals, it proved an entertaining piece at the Sundance Film Festival.
Admittedly, "Thieves" is decidedly thin in the plotting but its easygoing charms should nonetheless make it appealing to general audiences.
Basically, "Thick as Thieves" is a revenge story: professional thief Mackin (Baldwin) has been burned by some Detroit hoods and set up for some dirty cops -- and all over a measly $20 grand. To say the least, such treatment irks the normally easygoing Mackin and he wastes no time in extracting revenge.
Things quickly get out of hand as the boys from Detroit, in this case some on-the-rise black mobsters, take serious exception to Mackin's payback methods. Plotwise, there's not too much to "Thieves", but its the coloring that makes it click. In particular, the Mackin character is intriguing: he's a jazz aficionado and like Nick Charles, he dotes on his terrier. The film's subplot, involving Mackin's affection for the pooch, is at once entertaining and touching.
While the narrative blasts around the friction between the old-style Chicago mobsters, which Mackin allies with, and the young thugs from Detroit, whose style and hair-trigger tendencies go against the niceties of professional protocol among criminals, the film delivers with its character etchings.
Screenwriter and director Scott Sanders demonstrates a cool hand with the actors, especially. Unfortunately, some of the dialogue, particularly in the film's comic thrusts, is downright clanky and overwritten. Still, the storytelling is appealing and engaging overall.
The acting is the film's high point, with Alec Baldwin delivering an especially well-fleshed performance. Baldwin's precise performance nicely limns a meticulous but very driven man, a man with vast contradictions between his personal and professional life.
Andre Braugher is dead-on terrific as the pragmatic Detroit hood with the unlikely moniker of Dink. Braugher's cool swagger and ice-cold glare, reminiscent somewhat of his former "Homicide" character, clue us to his character's ambition and menace. Rebecca De Mornay is solid as an intrepid detective whose professional savvy is sometimes thwarted by her personal inclinations.
Under Sanders' tight directorial hand, the technical contributions are solid. Befitting the film's modern-day noir sensibility, Christopher Walling's cinematography sizzles with menacing colors and tightly-packed action. Production designer Denize Pizzini's look captures perfectly the clash of styles and sensibilities, as well as the honor and dishonor among these "Thieves".
THICK AS THIEVES
October Films
Producers: Donald Zuckerman, Glenn Zoller, John Steingart
Screenwriter/director: Scott Sanders
Executive producer: Andrew Pfeffer
Director of photography: Christopher Walling
Production designer: Denise Pizzini
Color/stereo
Cast:
Macklin: Alec Baldwin
Dink : Andre Braugher
Detective: Rebecca De Mornay
Pointy Williams: Ricky Harris
Running time -- 93 minutes
MPAA Rating: R...
Admittedly, "Thieves" is decidedly thin in the plotting but its easygoing charms should nonetheless make it appealing to general audiences.
Basically, "Thick as Thieves" is a revenge story: professional thief Mackin (Baldwin) has been burned by some Detroit hoods and set up for some dirty cops -- and all over a measly $20 grand. To say the least, such treatment irks the normally easygoing Mackin and he wastes no time in extracting revenge.
Things quickly get out of hand as the boys from Detroit, in this case some on-the-rise black mobsters, take serious exception to Mackin's payback methods. Plotwise, there's not too much to "Thieves", but its the coloring that makes it click. In particular, the Mackin character is intriguing: he's a jazz aficionado and like Nick Charles, he dotes on his terrier. The film's subplot, involving Mackin's affection for the pooch, is at once entertaining and touching.
While the narrative blasts around the friction between the old-style Chicago mobsters, which Mackin allies with, and the young thugs from Detroit, whose style and hair-trigger tendencies go against the niceties of professional protocol among criminals, the film delivers with its character etchings.
Screenwriter and director Scott Sanders demonstrates a cool hand with the actors, especially. Unfortunately, some of the dialogue, particularly in the film's comic thrusts, is downright clanky and overwritten. Still, the storytelling is appealing and engaging overall.
The acting is the film's high point, with Alec Baldwin delivering an especially well-fleshed performance. Baldwin's precise performance nicely limns a meticulous but very driven man, a man with vast contradictions between his personal and professional life.
Andre Braugher is dead-on terrific as the pragmatic Detroit hood with the unlikely moniker of Dink. Braugher's cool swagger and ice-cold glare, reminiscent somewhat of his former "Homicide" character, clue us to his character's ambition and menace. Rebecca De Mornay is solid as an intrepid detective whose professional savvy is sometimes thwarted by her personal inclinations.
Under Sanders' tight directorial hand, the technical contributions are solid. Befitting the film's modern-day noir sensibility, Christopher Walling's cinematography sizzles with menacing colors and tightly-packed action. Production designer Denize Pizzini's look captures perfectly the clash of styles and sensibilities, as well as the honor and dishonor among these "Thieves".
THICK AS THIEVES
October Films
Producers: Donald Zuckerman, Glenn Zoller, John Steingart
Screenwriter/director: Scott Sanders
Executive producer: Andrew Pfeffer
Director of photography: Christopher Walling
Production designer: Denise Pizzini
Color/stereo
Cast:
Macklin: Alec Baldwin
Dink : Andre Braugher
Detective: Rebecca De Mornay
Pointy Williams: Ricky Harris
Running time -- 93 minutes
MPAA Rating: R...
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