“Pepper Ann” is coming to Disney Plus on Sept. 8.
The first three seasons of the fan-favorite ’90s animated series will be available to stream next month, with the release of Seasons 4 and 5 still unclear.
Created by Sue Rose, “Pepper Ann” follows the adventures of its titular redhead character and her friends and family. Known for its witty parodies and infectious theme song, the series tackled topics including body issues, school work and being raised in a divorced, single-parent household.
Kathleen Wilhoite is the voice of Pepper Ann, starring alongside Clea Lewis, Danny Cooksey, Pamella Segall, April Winchell, Cree Summer, Candi Milo, Don Adams, Kath Soucie, Tino Insana, Jeff Bennett and Jim Cummings. Rose executive produced with Nahnatchka Khan for Walt Disney Television Animation and Sunwoo Animation Co., Inc.
Also in today’s TV news roundup:
Dates
Disney Channel will premiere “Under Wraps,” a contemporary comedic remake of the 1997 Halloween classic...
The first three seasons of the fan-favorite ’90s animated series will be available to stream next month, with the release of Seasons 4 and 5 still unclear.
Created by Sue Rose, “Pepper Ann” follows the adventures of its titular redhead character and her friends and family. Known for its witty parodies and infectious theme song, the series tackled topics including body issues, school work and being raised in a divorced, single-parent household.
Kathleen Wilhoite is the voice of Pepper Ann, starring alongside Clea Lewis, Danny Cooksey, Pamella Segall, April Winchell, Cree Summer, Candi Milo, Don Adams, Kath Soucie, Tino Insana, Jeff Bennett and Jim Cummings. Rose executive produced with Nahnatchka Khan for Walt Disney Television Animation and Sunwoo Animation Co., Inc.
Also in today’s TV news roundup:
Dates
Disney Channel will premiere “Under Wraps,” a contemporary comedic remake of the 1997 Halloween classic...
- 8/18/2021
- by Ethan Shanfeld
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: The Good Wife alum Dallas Roberts, Clea Lewis (The Americans) and Nicole Chanel Williams (Boomerang) are set for recurring roles in Showtime drama series American Rust, starring Jeff Daniels and Maura Tierney. The series is scheduled to begin production in Pittsburgh in late March.
Based on Philipp Meyer’s debut novel American Rust, the family drama will explore the tattered American dream through the eyes of complicated and compromised chief of police Del Harris (Daniels) in a Rust Belt town in southwest Pennsylvania. When the woman he truly loves sees her son accused of murder, Harris is forced to decide what he’s willing to do to protect him.
In addition to Roberts and Tierney, American Rust also stars Bill Camp, David Alvarez, Alex Neustaedter and newcomer Julia Mayorga.
Roberts will play Jackson Berg, who is struggling to hang onto his own pharmacy through tough economic times and the rabid expansion of chain drugstores.
Based on Philipp Meyer’s debut novel American Rust, the family drama will explore the tattered American dream through the eyes of complicated and compromised chief of police Del Harris (Daniels) in a Rust Belt town in southwest Pennsylvania. When the woman he truly loves sees her son accused of murder, Harris is forced to decide what he’s willing to do to protect him.
In addition to Roberts and Tierney, American Rust also stars Bill Camp, David Alvarez, Alex Neustaedter and newcomer Julia Mayorga.
Roberts will play Jackson Berg, who is struggling to hang onto his own pharmacy through tough economic times and the rabid expansion of chain drugstores.
- 3/4/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
The Nacelle Company is teaming with Breaker’s Blockchain Entertainment Studio on the release of Antarctica, a romantic comedy written and directed by Keith Bearden. Starring Chloë Levine, Clea Lewis, Damian Young, and newcomer Kimmie Muroya, the pic will be released sometime later this year.
It’s a story of two life-long best friends that experience a tidal wave of adult pressures and problems as they face down their last year of high school in small-town USA. Will they crack under the societal pressures, or will they triumph over the metaphorical icy tundra they call their late teens?
The deal was negotiated by Anna Roberts of The Nacelle Company and Jake Craven of Breaker.
***
Dark Star Pictures has nabbed the North American distribution rights to Climate Of The Hunter, the Mickey Reece-helmed horror film which will screen at the Nightstream...
It’s a story of two life-long best friends that experience a tidal wave of adult pressures and problems as they face down their last year of high school in small-town USA. Will they crack under the societal pressures, or will they triumph over the metaphorical icy tundra they call their late teens?
The deal was negotiated by Anna Roberts of The Nacelle Company and Jake Craven of Breaker.
***
Dark Star Pictures has nabbed the North American distribution rights to Climate Of The Hunter, the Mickey Reece-helmed horror film which will screen at the Nightstream...
- 10/10/2020
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Wednesday, Oct. 11 marks National Coming Out Day, but this past April is when comedy doyenne Ellen DeGeneres celebrated the momentous 20th anniversary of coming out on her primetime ABC sitcom, “Ellen.” To properly commemorate the historic event, Hulu is streaming all five seasons of the series, including the revolutionary two-parter, “The Puppy Episode.”
“The Puppy Episode,” which aired April 30, 1997, features Ellen Morgan (played by DeGeneres) coming out as gay to potential love interest Susan, played by Laura Dern. This marked the first time a lead character had ever come out on TV, which has ultimately led to a more inclusive era of television. DeGeneres herself had followed suit in real life afterwards, creating her famous yet politely nonchalant Time magazine cover which read, “Yep, I’m gay.”
Read More:Ellen DeGeneres Explains Why She Won’t Have Trump on Her Show — Watch
Also appearing in the episode as Ellen’s therapist is Oprah Winfrey,...
“The Puppy Episode,” which aired April 30, 1997, features Ellen Morgan (played by DeGeneres) coming out as gay to potential love interest Susan, played by Laura Dern. This marked the first time a lead character had ever come out on TV, which has ultimately led to a more inclusive era of television. DeGeneres herself had followed suit in real life afterwards, creating her famous yet politely nonchalant Time magazine cover which read, “Yep, I’m gay.”
Read More:Ellen DeGeneres Explains Why She Won’t Have Trump on Her Show — Watch
Also appearing in the episode as Ellen’s therapist is Oprah Winfrey,...
- 10/11/2017
- by Raelyn Giansanti
- Indiewire
“I guess what I'm trying to say is...I did get the joke about the toaster oven.”
It’s been 20 years since Ellen Morgan, the former TV alter ego of Ellen DeGeneres, said that famous line in “The Puppy Episode,” when it first aired on April 30, 1997. Of course, this precluded her infamous declaration, “I’m gay,” to the people waiting to depart on flight 316 to Pittsburgh. In the hall of fame, alongside the Mash series finale and this year’s Oscars broadcast, sits an episode of Ellen we now remember as a groundbreaking risk with a lasting impact on TV diversity.
Before starting the show’s fourth season, DeGeneres decided the time was right for her character to come out. More than just a creative decision for the series, it was also to coincide with her own announcement to the public. On April 14, the longtime stand-up comedian gave an interview to Time, appearing on the...
It’s been 20 years since Ellen Morgan, the former TV alter ego of Ellen DeGeneres, said that famous line in “The Puppy Episode,” when it first aired on April 30, 1997. Of course, this precluded her infamous declaration, “I’m gay,” to the people waiting to depart on flight 316 to Pittsburgh. In the hall of fame, alongside the Mash series finale and this year’s Oscars broadcast, sits an episode of Ellen we now remember as a groundbreaking risk with a lasting impact on TV diversity.
Before starting the show’s fourth season, DeGeneres decided the time was right for her character to come out. More than just a creative decision for the series, it was also to coincide with her own announcement to the public. On April 14, the longtime stand-up comedian gave an interview to Time, appearing on the...
- 4/27/2017
- Entertainment Tonight
Ellen DeGeneres will commemorate the 20th anniversary of Ellen‘s iconic “Puppy Episode” — during which the then-sitcom star came out as gay on national television (by way of her fictional character) — with the help of a few friends.
PhotosBuffy, Lorelai, Olivia, Ellen, Murphy and 15 More Female TV Characters that Blazed a Powerful, Iconic Trail
The hour-long tribute, which is set to take place on DeGeneres’ daytime talker on Friday, April 28 (check your local listings), will reunite the comedian with former castmates Joely Fisher, Clea Lewis and David Anthony Higgins. Also on hand for the celebration: Oprah Winfrey — who played DeGeneres...
PhotosBuffy, Lorelai, Olivia, Ellen, Murphy and 15 More Female TV Characters that Blazed a Powerful, Iconic Trail
The hour-long tribute, which is set to take place on DeGeneres’ daytime talker on Friday, April 28 (check your local listings), will reunite the comedian with former castmates Joely Fisher, Clea Lewis and David Anthony Higgins. Also on hand for the celebration: Oprah Winfrey — who played DeGeneres...
- 4/26/2017
- TVLine.com
“A dark hero will rise,” touts a new promo for the return of Fox’s Gotham (on Monday, April 24 at 8/7c).
RelatedGotham Casts Big Bad Ra’s al Ghul With Deep Space Nine‘s Alexander Siddig
In the spring premiere, “Heroes Rise: How The Riddler Got His Name,” “Nygma convinces himself that he doesn’t need Penguin to succeed and begins to introduce himself to Gotham as The Riddler,” per the official description. Meanwhile, “Bullock and Lucius Fox get caught up in Nygma’s mind games, Gordon learns troubling news about his father’s death and the Court of Owls reveals its next move.
RelatedGotham Casts Big Bad Ra’s al Ghul With Deep Space Nine‘s Alexander Siddig
In the spring premiere, “Heroes Rise: How The Riddler Got His Name,” “Nygma convinces himself that he doesn’t need Penguin to succeed and begins to introduce himself to Gotham as The Riddler,” per the official description. Meanwhile, “Bullock and Lucius Fox get caught up in Nygma’s mind games, Gordon learns troubling news about his father’s death and the Court of Owls reveals its next move.
- 4/17/2017
- TVLine.com
Atlantic Theater Company presents the American premiere of Dying For It, by Moira Buffini, freely adapted from Nikolai Erdman's The Suicide, directed by Neil Pepe and featuring the celebrated ensemble cast of Mia Barron, Ben Beckley, Nathan Dame, Patch Darragh, Clea Lewis, Peter Maloney, Andrew Mayer, Mary Beth Peil, Jeanine Serralles, Joey Slotnick,Robert Stanton and C.J. Wilson.Dying For It officially opened last night, January 8, 2015 for a limited engagement through Sunday, January 18 Off Broadway at Atlantic Theater Company at The Linda Gross Theater 336 West 20th Street. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from opening night below...
- 1/9/2015
- by Jennifer Broski
- BroadwayWorld.com
Atlantic Theater Company Neil Pepe, Artistic Director Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director presents the American premiere of Dying For It by Moira Buffini, freely adapted from Nikolai Erdman's The Suicide. Directed by Neil Pepe, the production will feature Mia Barron, Ben Beckley,Nathan Dame, Patch Darragh, Clea Lewis, Peter Maloney, Andrew Mayer, Mary Beth Peil, Jeanine Serralles, Joey Slotnick, Robert Stanton and C.J. Wilson. BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the cast in action below...
- 12/19/2014
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Atlantic Theater Company Neil Pepe, Artistic Director Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director just announced complete casting for the American premiere of Dying For It, by Moira Buffini, freely adapted from Nikolai Erdman's The Suicide, directed by Neil Pepeand featuring the celebrated ensemble cast of Mia Barron, Ben Beckley, Nathan Dame, Patch Darragh, Clea Lewis, Peter Maloney, Andrew Mayer, Mary Beth Peil, Jeanine Serralles, Joey Slotnick, Robert Stanton and C.J. Wilson.
- 11/10/2014
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
DVD Release Date: Nov. 17 Creators: Conan O’Brien, Jonathan Groff Starring: Andy Richter, Tony Hale, Clea Lewis, Harve Presnell, Mashall Manesh Studio/Length: Shout! Factory, 132 mins. Short-lived detective spoof showed promise but never had time to develop Andy Barker, P.I. is all about what happens when you take clichéd murder-mystery investigations and make someone other than Sam Spade or Philip Marlowe the detective. The titular P.I., played to perfection by longtime Conan O’Brien sidekick Andy Richter, is fascinatingly boring—an accountant by trade, Barker is both highly unqualified and highly uninterested in solving crimes. In his heart, he’ll always prefer Form...
- 1/8/2010
- Pastemagazine.com
Chicago – Created by Conan O’Brien and Jonathan Groff, NBC’s “Andy Barker, P.I.” was barely given even the slightest chance to develop a following when it debuted a few years ago. Andy Richter had the worst luck as a sitcom lead, failing to find an audience for the brilliant-but-canceled “Andy Richter Controls the Universe” and then getting the axe again after only six episodes of the promising “Andy Barker, P.I.”. No wonder he returned to the loving embrace of Conan O’Brien when he went to “The Tonight Show”.
DVD Rating: 3.5/5.0
Richter’s last stab at sitcom glory was a clever comedy about a fish-out-of-water stuck in noir-esque action. The lovable sidekick played Cpa Andy Barker, a successful accountant who stumbles into the life of a private detective after he rents a storefront office that used to be occupied by someone more skilled at the seedy side of humanity.
DVD Rating: 3.5/5.0
Richter’s last stab at sitcom glory was a clever comedy about a fish-out-of-water stuck in noir-esque action. The lovable sidekick played Cpa Andy Barker, a successful accountant who stumbles into the life of a private detective after he rents a storefront office that used to be occupied by someone more skilled at the seedy side of humanity.
- 12/1/2009
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
If you never managed to catch Andy Barker, P.I. when it originally aired two years ago, try not to beat yourself up. Though the show had an impressive cast, led by Andy Richter as a Cpa-turned-private-investigator, and including Harve Presnell, Tony Hale, Marshall Manesh, and Clea Lewis. It was also created by Conan O'Brien and Jonathan Groff. But it only lasted six episodes, and didn't seem to get much push from NBC. Watching it on the newly released DVD, Andy Barker, P.I.: The Complete Series, it's hard not to feel the show could have had legs if given the chance.
All's well that ends well, though, and Richter is happier than ever, paired again with Conan O'Brien on The Tonight Show, getting to do what he calls a "silly little comedy show" without dealing with the backwards world of the sitcom. I spoke with Richter earlier this week...
All's well that ends well, though, and Richter is happier than ever, paired again with Conan O'Brien on The Tonight Show, getting to do what he calls a "silly little comedy show" without dealing with the backwards world of the sitcom. I spoke with Richter earlier this week...
- 11/23/2009
- by Nick Zaino
- Aol TV.
Rob Hunter loves movies. He also loves his job as a Cpa who occasionally finds a little mystery thrown his way. These two joys come together in the form of cash money payments that he receives every week and immediately uses to buy more DVDs. So join us each week as he takes a look at new DVD releases and gives his highly unqualified opinion as to which titles are worth BUYing, which are better off as RENTals, and which should be AVOIDed at all costs. Click on any of the titles below to magically head over to Amazon.com and pick up the DVD. And don't forget to check out Neil Miller's hilariously titled This Week In Blu-ray column for reviews on the latest high definition Blu-ray releases! Andy Barker P.I.: The Complete Series Pitch: The short-lived adventures of a late-night talk show sidekick who gets mistaken for a detective... Why...
- 11/18/2009
- by Rob Hunter
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Chicago – This 19-image slideshow contains the official press images for “Confessions of a Shopaholic,” which was directed by P.J. Hogan and features Isla Fisher, Hugh Dancy, Joan Cusack, John Goodman, John Lithgow, Kristin Scott Thomas, Leslie Bibb, Fred Armisen, Julie Hagerty, Krysten Ritter, Robert Stanton, Christine Ebersole, Clea Lewis, and Wendie Malick. The Touchstone Pictures release opens on Friday, February 13th, 2009.
Synopsis: “In the glamorous world of New York City, Rebecca Bloomwood is a fun-loving girl who is really good at shopping - a little too good, perhaps. She dreams of working for her favorite fashion magazine, but can’t quite get her foot in the door - until ironically, she snags a job as a columnist for a financial magazine published by the same company. As her dreams are finally coming true, she goes to ever more hilarious and extreme efforts to keep her past from ruining her future.
Synopsis: “In the glamorous world of New York City, Rebecca Bloomwood is a fun-loving girl who is really good at shopping - a little too good, perhaps. She dreams of working for her favorite fashion magazine, but can’t quite get her foot in the door - until ironically, she snags a job as a columnist for a financial magazine published by the same company. As her dreams are finally coming true, she goes to ever more hilarious and extreme efforts to keep her past from ruining her future.
- 2/4/2009
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – This 11-image slideshow contains official press images and schedule information for the recently announced slate of films to be released by Walt Disney Pictures in 2009 including new films starring Isla Fisher, Bruce Willis, Robin Williams, John Travolta, Ryan Reynolds, Josh Duhamel, and the newest Pixar film.
These 2009 Walt Disney Pictures include “Confessions of a Shopaholic,” “Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience,” “Race to Witch Mountain,” “Hannah Montana The Movie,” “earth,” “Up,” “The Proposal,” “G-Force,” “When in Rome,” “Surrogates,” “Toy Story in Disney Digital 3-D,” “Disney’s A Christmas Carol,” “Old Dogs,” and “The Princess and the Frog”. Not all films have images released, but release details and dates were announced for the entire 2009 slate.
The release dates, cast lists, and filmmaker information for these Walt Disney Pictures films can be found below in chronological order, followed by a slideshow of available images.
“Confessions of a Shopaholic”
Cast: Isla Fisher,...
These 2009 Walt Disney Pictures include “Confessions of a Shopaholic,” “Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience,” “Race to Witch Mountain,” “Hannah Montana The Movie,” “earth,” “Up,” “The Proposal,” “G-Force,” “When in Rome,” “Surrogates,” “Toy Story in Disney Digital 3-D,” “Disney’s A Christmas Carol,” “Old Dogs,” and “The Princess and the Frog”. Not all films have images released, but release details and dates were announced for the entire 2009 slate.
The release dates, cast lists, and filmmaker information for these Walt Disney Pictures films can be found below in chronological order, followed by a slideshow of available images.
“Confessions of a Shopaholic”
Cast: Isla Fisher,...
- 12/22/2008
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Confessions Of A Shopaholic Release Date: February 13, 2009 Cast: Isla Fisher, Hugh Dancy, Joan Cusack, John Goodman, John Lithgow, Kristin Scott Thomas, Leslie Bibb, Fred Armisen, Julie Hagerty, Krysten Ritter, Robert Stanton, Christine Ebersole, Clea Lewis, Wendie Malick, Stephanie March Director: P.J. Hogan In the glamorous world of New York City, Rebecca Bloomwood (Isla Fisher) is a fun-loving girl who is really good at shopping—a little too good, perhaps. She dreams of working for her favorite fashion magazine, but can’t quite get her foot in the door—until ironically, she snags a job as an advice columnist for a financial magazine published by the [...]...
- 12/21/2008
- by The Critic
- SmartCine.com
Walt Disney Pictures is the latest studio to drop off some new images and information regarding their 2009 slate of films and fortunately for me they have supplied very little in way of pictures, which makes my job much easier, however for you it means you aren't going to get as many goodies such as no images from G-Force, nothing new for Up and not even a preview image for A Christmas Carol. From what I can tell the most exciting thing is a scruffy pic of Bruse Willis in Surrogates, but how about you be the judge? Over the next three pages are all 14 of Disney's upcoming flicks with cast, director, synopsis and picture gallery links where they apply. Remember, the links open in a new browser window so just close the new window to return to this article and continue the preview. Enjoy! Confessions Of A Shopaholic Feb. 13, 2009 Photo:...
- 12/17/2008
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
The networks are getting faster and faster at pulling shows from the airwaves. Just when you think you've heard it all, they come up with something new. Well, how about pulling a show before it's even been aired?
Andy Barker P.I. is a new sitcom that's scheduled to debut this Thursday night at 9:30pm on NBC. The series stars comic actor Andy Richter and was created by Conan O'Brien and Jonathan Groff. The series premise is that Richter plays a struggling accountant who reluctantly becomes a detective after moving into office space formerly occupied by a private investigator. The series co-stars Tony Hale, Marshall Manesh, Harve Presnell, and Clea Lewis.
Richter's had a string of bad luck with sitcoms since he left Late Night with Conan O'Brien seven years ago. It sounds like this show might be good enough to break that run. But, has NBC already made...
Andy Barker P.I. is a new sitcom that's scheduled to debut this Thursday night at 9:30pm on NBC. The series stars comic actor Andy Richter and was created by Conan O'Brien and Jonathan Groff. The series premise is that Richter plays a struggling accountant who reluctantly becomes a detective after moving into office space formerly occupied by a private investigator. The series co-stars Tony Hale, Marshall Manesh, Harve Presnell, and Clea Lewis.
Richter's had a string of bad luck with sitcoms since he left Late Night with Conan O'Brien seven years ago. It sounds like this show might be good enough to break that run. But, has NBC already made...
- 3/13/2007
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Joe Mantegna, Miranda Otto and Aden Young have joined Debra Messing in the cast of USA Network's limited series The Starter Wife. Meanwhile, Clea Lewis has been tapped to co-star opposite Andy Richter on NBC's midseason comedy series Andy Barker, P.I. The six-hour Starter Wife, from NBC Universal Television Studio, centers on the quest of a divorced woman (Messing) to redefine herself after years of marriage to a Hollywood studio head. Mantegna will portray Lou, a studio executive and the boss to Messing's character's ex-husband. He also is one of the few people to remain friendly with her after her divorce. Otto will play Cricket, one of Messing's closest friends, but their relationship changes after the divorce. Young will portray Cricket's husband.
- 10/17/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The scotch calms the nerves while the milk soothes the stomach -- that's the odd balance in this scruffy, atmospheric film that should win admirers on the art house circuit. Equal parts "Barfly" and "Swingers", the mix doesn't always completely jell, but "Scotch and Milk" is a well-made story of lovelorn angst and fast-footed carousing that should appeal to noir fans and connoisseurs of off-center storytelling.
First-time filmmaker Adam Goldberg, already an accomplished story mixologist, has fashioned what one might blithely peg as a booze noir. In this offbeat refreshment, Goldberg also stars as Jim, a disconsolate fringer whose girlfriend Ilsa (Clea Lewis) has given him the heave-ho. Jim is a sensitive guy and, quite understandably, shell-shocked by his loss. But he is also a bit of an old-time romantic, and Jim manages to sublimate his depression into, well, self-destructive wallowing -- he takes to boozing, chasing inappropriate women and hanging out at grungy jazz joints. Blue turns to gray as the alcohol, women and sounds soothe Jim's love wounds.
Narratively, screenwriter-director Goldberg's swizzle stick sometimes lets the story line drift and coagulate into stagnant stretches, but overall the tonalities and asides are so amusing and atmospheric that we're always engaged and intrigued. Visually, "Scotch and Milk" is first-rate noir, drenched with gritty looks and emotionally charged compositions. Highest praise to Goldberg as director and cinematographer Mark Putnam for the accomplished chiaroscuro lighting that imbues the film with an aptly fractured tone, perfect for the main character's state of mind. Jeffrey Texas Schell's production design is also perfect, a blend of romantic artifacts washed over with a grimy texture.
As the despondent lover, Goldberg is credible in his wallowing and regenerative energies. His drifter, aimless friends are well-played: A round at the bar for Nicky Katt, Giovanni Ribisi, Cole Hauser, Rio Hackford and Phil Maturano. As a nice garnish, Jimmy Scott lends cheeky jazz sounds to the story, adding just the right buzz to this downbeat ditty.
SCOTCH AND MILK
Credits: Producers: Robert Bauer, Francesca Silvestri; Screenwriter-director: Adam Goldberg; Co-producer: Adrienne Gruben; Executive producers: Adam Goldberg, Nicky Katt, Earl Goldberg; Director of photography: Mark Putnam; Production designer: Jeffrey Texas Schell; Editors: Annette Davey, Adam Goldberg, Max Heller; Costume designer: Carol Katt; Casting: Mary Vernieu, Anne McCarthy; Co-executive producer: Thomas Haden Church; Associate producers: Mary Vernieu, Marty Cohen; Sound mixers: B.J. Lehn, Erik Magnus, Rich Wilkinson. Cast: Jim: Adam Goldberg; Ray: Nicky Katt. Ilsa: Clea Lewis; Marty: Giovanni Ribisi; Johnny: Cole Hauser; Stanley: Rio Hackford; Otto: Phil Maturano; Armand: Ajay Naidu; Val: Ricardo Richards; Jimmy Scott: Himself. Black & white/stereo. Running time --117 minutes.
First-time filmmaker Adam Goldberg, already an accomplished story mixologist, has fashioned what one might blithely peg as a booze noir. In this offbeat refreshment, Goldberg also stars as Jim, a disconsolate fringer whose girlfriend Ilsa (Clea Lewis) has given him the heave-ho. Jim is a sensitive guy and, quite understandably, shell-shocked by his loss. But he is also a bit of an old-time romantic, and Jim manages to sublimate his depression into, well, self-destructive wallowing -- he takes to boozing, chasing inappropriate women and hanging out at grungy jazz joints. Blue turns to gray as the alcohol, women and sounds soothe Jim's love wounds.
Narratively, screenwriter-director Goldberg's swizzle stick sometimes lets the story line drift and coagulate into stagnant stretches, but overall the tonalities and asides are so amusing and atmospheric that we're always engaged and intrigued. Visually, "Scotch and Milk" is first-rate noir, drenched with gritty looks and emotionally charged compositions. Highest praise to Goldberg as director and cinematographer Mark Putnam for the accomplished chiaroscuro lighting that imbues the film with an aptly fractured tone, perfect for the main character's state of mind. Jeffrey Texas Schell's production design is also perfect, a blend of romantic artifacts washed over with a grimy texture.
As the despondent lover, Goldberg is credible in his wallowing and regenerative energies. His drifter, aimless friends are well-played: A round at the bar for Nicky Katt, Giovanni Ribisi, Cole Hauser, Rio Hackford and Phil Maturano. As a nice garnish, Jimmy Scott lends cheeky jazz sounds to the story, adding just the right buzz to this downbeat ditty.
SCOTCH AND MILK
Credits: Producers: Robert Bauer, Francesca Silvestri; Screenwriter-director: Adam Goldberg; Co-producer: Adrienne Gruben; Executive producers: Adam Goldberg, Nicky Katt, Earl Goldberg; Director of photography: Mark Putnam; Production designer: Jeffrey Texas Schell; Editors: Annette Davey, Adam Goldberg, Max Heller; Costume designer: Carol Katt; Casting: Mary Vernieu, Anne McCarthy; Co-executive producer: Thomas Haden Church; Associate producers: Mary Vernieu, Marty Cohen; Sound mixers: B.J. Lehn, Erik Magnus, Rich Wilkinson. Cast: Jim: Adam Goldberg; Ray: Nicky Katt. Ilsa: Clea Lewis; Marty: Giovanni Ribisi; Johnny: Cole Hauser; Stanley: Rio Hackford; Otto: Phil Maturano; Armand: Ajay Naidu; Val: Ricardo Richards; Jimmy Scott: Himself. Black & white/stereo. Running time --117 minutes.
- 8/11/1998
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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