Writer-director Danny Buday tries to have it both ways with his new thriller about a Ptsd-afflicted war veteran who becomes entangled with underworld figures. And like many who attempt to balance social drama with crime melodrama, the filmmaker doesn’t succeed. Featuring that most hackneyed of settings, a strip club, Battle Scars is neither sensitive nor gripping enough to be taken seriously.
The central character, Luke (Zane Holtz), has recently returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan in which he suffered a devastating injury from an Ied. Suffering a strained relationship with his wife (Amy Davidson) who can’t take his...
The central character, Luke (Zane Holtz), has recently returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan in which he suffered a devastating injury from an Ied. Suffering a strained relationship with his wife (Amy Davidson) who can’t take his...
- 7/17/2017
- by Frank Scheck
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
"True valor does not require recognition." Gravitas Ventures has debuted a trailer for a drama titled Battle Scars, yet another movie about a soldier with Ptsd returning home to America. The description says this "examines the war experience as well as the wrenching change many veterans face upon returning home." I hate to say it, but these kind of Ptsd movies with this exact pitch are a dime a dozen these days. There's nothing creative or unique or interesting about them anymore. But maybe that's just me. Battle Scars stars Zane Holtz (seen on "From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series"), Heather McComb, Ryan Eggold, Fairuza Balk, and David James Elliot. This does not look like it's worth your time, but the trailer is free to watch. Here's the first official trailer (+ poster) for Danny Buday's Battle Scars, direct from YouTube: Luke Stephens (Zane Holtz) shows up on his brother...
- 6/14/2017
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Los Angeles-Based TriCoast Worldwide has acquired worldwide sales rights to Virtu* Entertainment’s Battle Scars and is selling here at Afm.
Danny Buday directs from his screenplay about an Afghanistan veteran who returns to his Us homestead where he gets sucked into a violent world as dangerous as the battlefield.
Zane Holtz, Heather McComb, Fairuza Balk, David James Elliot and Ryan Eggold star and McComb also serves as producer alongside George Young Warner.
The producers said Battle Scars has earned an endorsement from The Wounded Warrior Project and will attend a press conference to promote the film at the Loews on November 8.
“We’re thrilled to be undertaking worldwide sales for the film,” said TriCoast CEO Strathford Hamilton. “In the 27 years I’ve been doing this, this is one of the films we’re most proud of, and think it will have a big impact on American culture and society.”
Hamilton and [link...
Danny Buday directs from his screenplay about an Afghanistan veteran who returns to his Us homestead where he gets sucked into a violent world as dangerous as the battlefield.
Zane Holtz, Heather McComb, Fairuza Balk, David James Elliot and Ryan Eggold star and McComb also serves as producer alongside George Young Warner.
The producers said Battle Scars has earned an endorsement from The Wounded Warrior Project and will attend a press conference to promote the film at the Loews on November 8.
“We’re thrilled to be undertaking worldwide sales for the film,” said TriCoast CEO Strathford Hamilton. “In the 27 years I’ve been doing this, this is one of the films we’re most proud of, and think it will have a big impact on American culture and society.”
Hamilton and [link...
- 11/7/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
5 Star Day writer-director Danny Buday 5 Star Day Writer-Director Danny Buday Interview Pt.1 The casting of Cam Gigandet and Jena Malone. How did that come about? What was it like working with actors whose resumes include some very well-known movie credits? When I first met with [casting director] Shannon Makhanian, Joel Mendoza and Mike Robertson, Cam was at the top of her list. She had seen him in Never Back Down and after reading the script for 5 Star Day, she thought it’d be an interesting change for him to play a nice guy character as a dramatic lead. I was really looking for an actor who could be vulnerable enough to dig into the subtext of the story and bring a heart to Jake’s journey. We got Cam the script while he was in the UK promoting Twilight, and had lunch with him as soon as he got back into town.
- 11/4/2011
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Cam Gigandet, 5 Star Day Directed by Danny Buday (photo), and starring Twilight's Cam Gigandet and Sucker Punch's Jena Malone, the psychological drama 5 Star Day opened via Breaking Glass Pictures on Wednesday in select theaters (in the Los Angeles area: the Laemmle Sunset 5 in West Hollywood and the Playhouse 7 in Pasadena). [Watch the trailer. Official website.] Writer-director Buday's first feature film, 5 Star Day tells the story of Jake Gibson (Gigandet), whose horoscope "forecasts a flawless day the morning of his birthday." Instead, Jake's "entire world is about to be turned upside down as everything that could go wrong — does." Jake then sets out to disprove "the theory of Astrology." During his journey, he meets three people born at the same time and place as himself: a single mother with a dark past (Jena Malone), an overworked nurse (Brooklyn Sudano) and an struggling jazz singer (Max Hartman). Buday is a graduate student of the American Film Institute (AFI) masters directing program.
- 11/4/2011
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
As indie filmmakers continue to try new ways to get their films out--with or without conventional distribution--Five Star Day, an astrology-themed feature that overemphasizes the significance of place and time, premiered Wednesday November 2 day-and-date in movie theaters and Facebook. Gravitas Ventures and Breaking Glass Pictures claim that it's the first film to open simultaneously on both silver and laptop screens. At the same time that the film is available on Facebook--$7 gets you access to the film for 48 hours--it will continue to roll out in theaters across the country. One month ago, the low-budget horror film The Perfect House premiered on the social network, but after a thirty-city tour. The Five Star Day trailer is below. Danny Buday's debut film, Five Star Day ...
- 11/3/2011
- Thompson on Hollywood
Breaking Glass Pictures has acquired all U.S. rights to Danny Buday’s debut feature film 5 Star Day, starring Twilight's Cam Gigandet (right) and Sucker Punch's Jena Malone. The film is slated to open through Check Entertainment in New York, Los Angeles (Laemmle Sunset 5 in West Hollywood and the Playhouse 7 in Pasadena), and a handful of other U.S. cities on November 2. As per the press release, 5 Star Day features Cam Gigandet as Jake Gibson, whose horoscope "forecasts a flawless day the morning of his birthday. Little does he realize, his entire world is about to be turned upside down as everything that could go wrong — does. "Now, determined to disprove the theory of Astrology, Jake embarks on a journey to find the three people born the same time and place as himself: a single mom haunted by her past (Jena Malone), an overworked nurse (Brooklyn Sudano) and an...
- 10/15/2011
- by Anna Robinson
- Alt Film Guide
The Beverly Hills Film, TV & New Media Festival line-up of star-studded red carpet premieres, panels and honorary award recipients have been announced by Festival Director Donna Spangler. After an exceptional debut last year, this international event continues to be a true celebration of established and emerging talent and technologies in film, television and new media running from October 20-27, 2011.
The Opening Night Honorary Awards Ceremony will take place Thursday, Oct. 20 at the Roosevelt Hotel (7000 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood) benefiting The Finaza Foundation. Celebrity honorees and attendees include Cam Gigandet (Twilight), Kristin Bauer (True Blood), Drew Powell (Straw Dogs), Aldis Hodge (Leverage), Isabel Lucas (Transformers), Jena Malone (Sucker Punch), Josh Lawson (The Wedding Party), Missi Pyle, Maurice Benard, Michael Caulfield, Jon Lovitz, Morgan Fairchild, Tom Arnold, Janice Dickinson, Amber Benson, Martyn Lawrence-Bullard, Kelly Osborne and Ru Paul.
Red carpet arrivals will begin at 8 p.m. on a GoGreenSolar-litcarpet, with the Honorary Awards Ceremony at 9 p.
The Opening Night Honorary Awards Ceremony will take place Thursday, Oct. 20 at the Roosevelt Hotel (7000 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood) benefiting The Finaza Foundation. Celebrity honorees and attendees include Cam Gigandet (Twilight), Kristin Bauer (True Blood), Drew Powell (Straw Dogs), Aldis Hodge (Leverage), Isabel Lucas (Transformers), Jena Malone (Sucker Punch), Josh Lawson (The Wedding Party), Missi Pyle, Maurice Benard, Michael Caulfield, Jon Lovitz, Morgan Fairchild, Tom Arnold, Janice Dickinson, Amber Benson, Martyn Lawrence-Bullard, Kelly Osborne and Ru Paul.
Red carpet arrivals will begin at 8 p.m. on a GoGreenSolar-litcarpet, with the Honorary Awards Ceremony at 9 p.
- 10/10/2011
- by Melissa Howland
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Breaking Glass Pictures has acquired the American distribution rights to "5 Star Day," from first-time director Danny Buday. In the film, Cam Gigandet (Easy A, Burlesque) plays Jake Gibson, a man bent on disproving Astrology after his horoscope proves to be horribly disproved. Among the people Gibson meets to help confirm his suspicions is a single mom played by Jena Malone (Saved!, Donnie Darko). "5 Star Day" is slated to ...
- 9/28/2011
- Indiewire
You can brand them as peddlers of Brad Pitt, as U.S based Inferno Entertainment have got some highly anticipated titles in their sales line-up and one matches Pitt with Andrew Dominik in Cogan's Trade (they worked together on Jesse James) and James Gray should be rolling out the cameras one of these days for The Lost City of Z with Pitt attached in the lead. Joe Carnahan's The Grey is on the map as well. Killer Elite by Gary McKendry - Post-Production The Grey by Joe Carnahan - Post-Production Cogan's Trade by Andrew Dominik - Post-Production The Entitled by Aaron Woodley - Completed Arabian Nights by Chuck Russell - Pre-Production Cane Toads: The Conquest by Mark Lewis - Completed Five Star Day by Danny Buday - Completed Hachiko: A Dog's Story by Lasse HALLSTRÖM - Completed Happy Tears by Mitchell Lichtenstein - Completed How To Make Love Like...
- 5/13/2011
- IONCINEMA.com
The 15th annual Stony Brook Film Festival (Sbff) completed its ten-day run this past Saturday with an awards reception where the festival's winners were awarded, and the East Coast premiere of Bruce Beresford's "Mao's Last Dancer." The night's big winner at the ceremony, held on the Staller Center Main Stage at Stony Brook University, was "Five Star Day," written and directed by Danny Buday, which won the Best Feature Jury Award. ...
- 8/2/2010
- Indiewire
The 2010 Newport Beach Film Festival will kick off its 11th anniversary with the World Premiere of “Five Star Day” on April 22. The screening takes place at Edwards Big Newport (300 Newport Center Dr.). The festival closes with an advance screening of “Letters to Juliet” on April 29 at Regency Lido Theatre (3459 Via Lido Dr.).
“Five Star Day,” starring Cam Gigandet and Jena Malone, marks the feature directorial debut for Orange County native Danny Buday, who is also the film’s producer and screenwriter.
Following the red carpet screening, the festival, in partnership with Esquire magazine, will host an Opening Night Gala at the Bloomingdale’s Courtyard in Fashion Island (401 Newport Center Dr.), featuring culinary creations from 25 Newport Beach area restaurants, a fashion show presented by Fashion Island and a special performance of “Mystère” by Cirque du Soleil.
Directed by Gary Winick and written by Oscar-nominated writer Jose Rivera, “Letters to Juliet” stars Amanda Seyfried,...
“Five Star Day,” starring Cam Gigandet and Jena Malone, marks the feature directorial debut for Orange County native Danny Buday, who is also the film’s producer and screenwriter.
Following the red carpet screening, the festival, in partnership with Esquire magazine, will host an Opening Night Gala at the Bloomingdale’s Courtyard in Fashion Island (401 Newport Center Dr.), featuring culinary creations from 25 Newport Beach area restaurants, a fashion show presented by Fashion Island and a special performance of “Mystère” by Cirque du Soleil.
Directed by Gary Winick and written by Oscar-nominated writer Jose Rivera, “Letters to Juliet” stars Amanda Seyfried,...
- 4/1/2010
- Moving Pictures Magazine
The world premiere of "Five Star Day", starring "Twilight"'s Cam Gigandet will open the 11th Newport Beach Film Festival and the event will close with early showing of director Gary Winik's ("13 Going on 30") "Letters to Juliet" with Amanda Seyfried ("Dear John"). Nbff takes place in the Orange County, CA seaside community April 22 - 29. Danny Buday's "Five Star Day" follows Jake Gibson on the morning of his birthday. ...
- 4/1/2010
- Indiewire
The 2010 Newport Beach Film Festival, which runs from April 22-29, will kick off with the world premiere of Danny Buday’s "Five Star Day," starring Cam Gigandet and Jena Malone.
The closing night film is Gary Winnick’s "Letter to Juliet," starring Amanda Seyfriend, Gael Garcia Bernal and Vanessa Redrave.
The festival will showcase more than 350 films from 47 countries.
The closing night film is Gary Winnick’s "Letter to Juliet," starring Amanda Seyfriend, Gael Garcia Bernal and Vanessa Redrave.
The festival will showcase more than 350 films from 47 countries.
- 3/31/2010
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
"Twilight" actor Cam Gigandet and Jena Malone have signed on to star in Danny Buday's indie drama "Five Star Day."
Variety reports Gigandet stars as a young man who embarks on a journey of self-discovery after he loses everything he has and decides it's time to find out what's most important in his life.
Malone is on board playing his girlfriend, while Will Yun Lee stars as Gigandet's reasonable friend.
Gigandet most recently starred in "Never Back Down." He will next be seen as James in "Twilight," which opens this weekend. The actor will also appear in David S. Goyer's "The Unborn" and Christian Alvart's "Pandorum."
As for Jena Malone, whose known for her roles in "Donnie Darko" and "Saved!," she recently starred in "Into the Wild" and "The Ruins." Lee's credits include "Die Another Day" and "Bionic Woman."...
Variety reports Gigandet stars as a young man who embarks on a journey of self-discovery after he loses everything he has and decides it's time to find out what's most important in his life.
Malone is on board playing his girlfriend, while Will Yun Lee stars as Gigandet's reasonable friend.
Gigandet most recently starred in "Never Back Down." He will next be seen as James in "Twilight," which opens this weekend. The actor will also appear in David S. Goyer's "The Unborn" and Christian Alvart's "Pandorum."
As for Jena Malone, whose known for her roles in "Donnie Darko" and "Saved!," she recently starred in "Into the Wild" and "The Ruins." Lee's credits include "Die Another Day" and "Bionic Woman."...
- 11/17/2008
- by Franck Tabouring
- screeninglog.com
Cam Gigandet and Jena Malone have signed up for a Five Star Day, an indie film from writer-director Danny Buday, about a guy obsessed with 80s pop group 5 Star- wait, what? It's actually a journey of self-discovery? Oh well.Yes, rather than stalking British family popsters, the film sees Gigandet's character lose everything, forcing him to "come to terms with what's important in life". Malone plays his girlfriend, and Will Yun Lee (Bionic Woman, Die Another Day) has signed on as his best friend, who provides the voice of reason as Gigandet's life goes off the rails.Gigandet's currently vamping it up in the forthcoming Twilight, but will already be familiar to Oc fans as Volchok and seems poised on the verge of stardom. Buday, meanwhile, is making his feature directorial and writing debut on this one, after winning several awards for his short film Dependency, which he made as...
- 11/17/2008
- EmpireOnline
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