One of the highlights we caught at Fantasia International Film Festival in 2021 now has a home and it’s arriving sooner than expected. Theodore Schaefer’s debut feature Giving Birth to a Butterfly has been picked up by Cinedigm, who will release it in select theaters beginning May 1 before premiering on Fandor on May 16. The Lynchian fantasy tale, shot on 16mm, follows Annie Parisse as a suburban mom whose identity gets stolen. She begins to bond with her son’s pregnant girlfriend (Gus Birney) when they take a dreamlike, visually immersive road-trip journey to track down the perpetrators. Ahead of the release, we’re pleased to exclusively debut the trailer.
“Tapping into a nervous dream logic that still resembles the mad world we exist in, Giving Birth to a Butterfly is one of the most cine-literate American debuts I’ve seen in a while,” said Aaron Hillis, Director of Programming for Cinedigm.
“Tapping into a nervous dream logic that still resembles the mad world we exist in, Giving Birth to a Butterfly is one of the most cine-literate American debuts I’ve seen in a while,” said Aaron Hillis, Director of Programming for Cinedigm.
- 4/13/2023
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Limited theatrical release planned for May.
Cinedigm has acquired North American rights to Fantasia International Film Festival road movie Giving Birth To A Butterfly, which marks the feature directorial debut of Theodore Schaefer who produced Berlinale selection The Adults.
Annie Parisse plays a woman whose identity gets stolen and bonds with her son’s pregnant girlfriend (Gus Birney) as they search for the perpetrators on a dreamlike road trip. Paul Sparks, Owen Campbell, Jessica Pimentel, and Judith Roberts round out the key cast.
Cinedigm plans a limited US theatrical release in May ahead of a digital release on its indie...
Cinedigm has acquired North American rights to Fantasia International Film Festival road movie Giving Birth To A Butterfly, which marks the feature directorial debut of Theodore Schaefer who produced Berlinale selection The Adults.
Annie Parisse plays a woman whose identity gets stolen and bonds with her son’s pregnant girlfriend (Gus Birney) as they search for the perpetrators on a dreamlike road trip. Paul Sparks, Owen Campbell, Jessica Pimentel, and Judith Roberts round out the key cast.
Cinedigm plans a limited US theatrical release in May ahead of a digital release on its indie...
- 4/11/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Cinedigm has picked up North American rights to the acclaimed French thriller Our Father, the Devil, marking the narrative feature debut of writer-director Ellie Foumbi, which this Saturday will contend for Best Feature as the Independent Spirit Awards. The indie will be released in theaters later this year, with an exclusive streaming release on the company’s indie discovery platform Fandor to follow.
Related Story Stephen King Documentary ‘King On Screen’ Acquired By Dark Star Pictures – EFM Related Story NFL And Cinedigm Extend Distribution Deal For Annual Super Bowl Championship Film Related Story Docuseries 'RoboDoc: The Creation of RoboCop' Gets Streaming Deal
Our Father, the Devil stars Babetida Sadjo as Marie, the head chef at a retirement home in small-town France. Her easy day-to-day life spent caring for residents, hanging out with her co-worker and best friend Nadia (Jennifer Tchiakpe), and teasing a potential new...
Related Story Stephen King Documentary ‘King On Screen’ Acquired By Dark Star Pictures – EFM Related Story NFL And Cinedigm Extend Distribution Deal For Annual Super Bowl Championship Film Related Story Docuseries 'RoboDoc: The Creation of RoboCop' Gets Streaming Deal
Our Father, the Devil stars Babetida Sadjo as Marie, the head chef at a retirement home in small-town France. Her easy day-to-day life spent caring for residents, hanging out with her co-worker and best friend Nadia (Jennifer Tchiakpe), and teasing a potential new...
- 3/1/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Cinedigm has snapped up North American rights to Country Gold, a surrealist country music film from director Mickey Reece (Alien, Climate of the Hunter).
Reece co-wrote Country Gold with John Selvidge and plays the lead, the up-and-coming country music star Troyal Brux. The offbeat comedy follows a fateful evening in 1994 when Troyal meets up with country legend George Jones (Ben Hall). Together, they embark on a wild night in Nashville, the eve before George plans to cryogenically freeze himself.
Reece describes the film as a surreal satire on American celebrity culture. “I wanted to explore a seminal moment in American music history,” said Reece. “Not to belabor the facts, but to rather play with some icons of this particular era and let their vibes take the audience to surprising places.”
Country Gold is Reece’s follow-up to 2017’s Alien, a reimagining of the early years of Elvis and Priscilla Presley’s marriage,...
Reece co-wrote Country Gold with John Selvidge and plays the lead, the up-and-coming country music star Troyal Brux. The offbeat comedy follows a fateful evening in 1994 when Troyal meets up with country legend George Jones (Ben Hall). Together, they embark on a wild night in Nashville, the eve before George plans to cryogenically freeze himself.
Reece describes the film as a surreal satire on American celebrity culture. “I wanted to explore a seminal moment in American music history,” said Reece. “Not to belabor the facts, but to rather play with some icons of this particular era and let their vibes take the audience to surprising places.”
Country Gold is Reece’s follow-up to 2017’s Alien, a reimagining of the early years of Elvis and Priscilla Presley’s marriage,...
- 2/17/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Cinedigm announced today the acquisition of North American rights to “Yelling Fire in an Empty Theater,” the feature debut of writer-director Justin Zuckerman. Starting Jan. 24, the film will be available for viewing exclusively on Fandor, Cinedigm’s official streaming platform.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Fandor and Cinedigm on the film, who are really building an incredible new home for independent film,” Zuckerman said. “When we made this film, we only had set out to prove to ourselves that we could make something fun and interesting with what we already had at our disposal. The support and encouragement from Fandor and elsewhere has meant the world, and we’re excited for more people to see the project.”
Zuckerman shot the 73-minute feature with a mini-dv on a budget that cost less than the monthly rent of the apartment he filmed in. Though the film’s minimal production value...
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Fandor and Cinedigm on the film, who are really building an incredible new home for independent film,” Zuckerman said. “When we made this film, we only had set out to prove to ourselves that we could make something fun and interesting with what we already had at our disposal. The support and encouragement from Fandor and elsewhere has meant the world, and we’re excited for more people to see the project.”
Zuckerman shot the 73-minute feature with a mini-dv on a budget that cost less than the monthly rent of the apartment he filmed in. Though the film’s minimal production value...
- 1/18/2023
- by Katie Reul
- Variety Film + TV
Cinedigm announced yet another major acquisition, the SXSW genre-bender Jethica, which will release in select theaters Friday, January 13, starting with a run in L.A. at the Lumiere Music Hall. It will then premiere on the company’s indie discovery platform Fandor on Tuesday, February 14, followed by an exclusive window on Cinedigm’s horror streaming service Screambox. It was acquired from New York’s Visit Films.
The news is accompanied by the official trailer, first shared by Variety, which hailed Jethica as an “ingenious, deadpan horror-satire that asks, ‘Can you ghost a ghost?’”
In this future cult classic, Jessica lives in fear of a man named Kevin who follows her everywhere she goes. While on a road trip in New Mexico, she reconnects with Elena—an old friend she hasn’t seen since high school—who has been hiding out at her deceased grandmother’s ranch. When Kevin mysteriously appears again,...
The news is accompanied by the official trailer, first shared by Variety, which hailed Jethica as an “ingenious, deadpan horror-satire that asks, ‘Can you ghost a ghost?’”
In this future cult classic, Jessica lives in fear of a man named Kevin who follows her everywhere she goes. While on a road trip in New Mexico, she reconnects with Elena—an old friend she hasn’t seen since high school—who has been hiding out at her deceased grandmother’s ranch. When Kevin mysteriously appears again,...
- 12/8/2022
- by Brad Miska
- bloody-disgusting.com
Cinedigm has acquired SXSW genre bender “Jethica” from New York’s Visit Films for U.S. release, Variety can reveal.
Pete Ohs’ offbeat movie — which premiered in Austin, Texas, earlier this year — follows Jessica, who lives in fear of a man named Kevin that follows her everywhere she goes. While on a road trip in New Mexico, she reconnects with old high school friend Elena who has been hiding out at her deceased grandmother’s ranch.
When Kevin mysteriously appears again, Jessica and Elena seek help from beyond the grave to get rid of him for good — but Kevin is different from other stalkers and won’t move on so easily.
“Jethica” has screened at festivals around the world including Busan, Overlook, Maryland, Filmfort, Germany’s B3 Biennial, and the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival, where it received a Special Jury Award.
The movie will hit select cinemas on Jan. 13, starting with a run in L.
Pete Ohs’ offbeat movie — which premiered in Austin, Texas, earlier this year — follows Jessica, who lives in fear of a man named Kevin that follows her everywhere she goes. While on a road trip in New Mexico, she reconnects with old high school friend Elena who has been hiding out at her deceased grandmother’s ranch.
When Kevin mysteriously appears again, Jessica and Elena seek help from beyond the grave to get rid of him for good — but Kevin is different from other stalkers and won’t move on so easily.
“Jethica” has screened at festivals around the world including Busan, Overlook, Maryland, Filmfort, Germany’s B3 Biennial, and the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival, where it received a Special Jury Award.
The movie will hit select cinemas on Jan. 13, starting with a run in L.
- 12/8/2022
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Robert Downey Jr. announced the death of his late father, Robert Downey Sr., director of the underground film “Putney Swope,” on Instagram Wednesday, calling him “a true maverick filmmaker.”
His son revealed “dad passed peacefully in his sleep after years of enduring the ravages of Parkinson’s” on Tuesday night. Downey Jr. noted that his father “remained remarkably optimistic throughout” his battle with Parkinson’s.
He went on to share a tribute to his step-mother, Rosemary Rodgers-Downey, who he called “a saint” and offered his thoughts and prayers.
“According to my stepmom’s calculations, they were happily married for just over 2000 years,” his son said.
American journalist Bilge Ebiri shared his tribute to Downey Sr. on Twitter, calling him a “pioneering underground filmmaker” and “a true original.”
Rip Robert Downey Senior. Fought hard. Cared about what matters. Created many works of art…including @RobertDowneyJr
— Christopher C. Cuomo (@ChrisCuomo) July 7, 2021
The great Robert Downey Sr.
His son revealed “dad passed peacefully in his sleep after years of enduring the ravages of Parkinson’s” on Tuesday night. Downey Jr. noted that his father “remained remarkably optimistic throughout” his battle with Parkinson’s.
He went on to share a tribute to his step-mother, Rosemary Rodgers-Downey, who he called “a saint” and offered his thoughts and prayers.
“According to my stepmom’s calculations, they were happily married for just over 2000 years,” his son said.
American journalist Bilge Ebiri shared his tribute to Downey Sr. on Twitter, calling him a “pioneering underground filmmaker” and “a true original.”
Rip Robert Downey Senior. Fought hard. Cared about what matters. Created many works of art…including @RobertDowneyJr
— Christopher C. Cuomo (@ChrisCuomo) July 7, 2021
The great Robert Downey Sr.
- 7/7/2021
- by Loree Seitz
- The Wrap
Shortly after the news broke on Wednesday that Robert Downey Sr., the director of the anti-establishment satirical classic Putney Swope had died, his son Robert Downey Jr., paid tribute to his father, calling him “a true maverick filmmaker.”
Downey Jr. went on to say that his father had suffered the ravages of Parkinson’s disease, but died in his sleep. He also added some levity in a tribute to his stepmother, Rosemary Rogers-Downey: “According to my stepmoms calculations, they were happily married for just over 2000 years. Rosemary Rogers-Downey, you are a saint, and our thoughts and prayers are with you.”
The Downey family scion also posted a black and white portrait of his father above the message.
Showbiz & Media Figures We’ve Lost In 2021 – Photo Gallery
Here is the full text of Rdj’s Instagram post:
Rip Bob D. Sr. 1936-2021…Last night, dad passed peacefully in his sleep...
Downey Jr. went on to say that his father had suffered the ravages of Parkinson’s disease, but died in his sleep. He also added some levity in a tribute to his stepmother, Rosemary Rogers-Downey: “According to my stepmoms calculations, they were happily married for just over 2000 years. Rosemary Rogers-Downey, you are a saint, and our thoughts and prayers are with you.”
The Downey family scion also posted a black and white portrait of his father above the message.
Showbiz & Media Figures We’ve Lost In 2021 – Photo Gallery
Here is the full text of Rdj’s Instagram post:
Rip Bob D. Sr. 1936-2021…Last night, dad passed peacefully in his sleep...
- 7/7/2021
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
Filmmaker Leah Shore — a 25 New Face who contributed an illustration to Joanne McNeil’s Speculations column last issue — has directed a music video for the band The Malpractice. With pink curtains, green shag wallpaper and cardboard broccoli, the video features Sarah Ellen Stephens, who stars in Shore’s recent short film, Puss, and film critic and programmer Aaron Hillis in a playfully menacing infantilism scenario that Shore shot entirely in her own apartment. Check it out above.
The post Watch: Leah Shore’s Music Video for The Malpractice, Get Father on the Phone first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post Watch: Leah Shore’s Music Video for The Malpractice, Get Father on the Phone first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 5/26/2021
- by Scott Macaulay
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Filmmaker Leah Shore — a 25 New Face who contributed an illustration to Joanne McNeil’s Speculations column last issue — has directed a music video for the band The Malpractice. With pink curtains, green shag wallpaper and cardboard broccoli, the video features Sarah Ellen Stephens, who stars in Shore’s recent short film, Puss, and film critic and programmer Aaron Hillis in a playfully menacing infantilism scenario that Shore shot entirely in her own apartment. Check it out above.
The post Watch: Leah Shore’s Music Video for The Malpractice, Get Father on the Phone first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post Watch: Leah Shore’s Music Video for The Malpractice, Get Father on the Phone first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 5/26/2021
- by Scott Macaulay
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Welcome back to the Weekend Warrior, your weekly look at the new movies hitting theaters this weekend, as well as other cool events and things to check out.
Two Very Different Movies Look to Divide Up the Weekend Box Office Business
With Disney’s Beauty and the Beast continuing to dominate at the box office with $90 million this past weekend, and Saban’s Power Rangers (Lionsgate) also doing exceedingly well with $40 million in second place, you wouldn’t think anyone would try to release a movie that might get overshadowed by those two blockbusters.
That said, what’s interesting about this weekend is the fact there are two very different movies that are competing very heavily for second place with DreamWorks Animation’s latest animated family film, The Boss Baby (20th Century Fox), taking on the live action English remake of Ghost In The Shell (Paramount), starring Scarlett Johansson. In most cases,...
Two Very Different Movies Look to Divide Up the Weekend Box Office Business
With Disney’s Beauty and the Beast continuing to dominate at the box office with $90 million this past weekend, and Saban’s Power Rangers (Lionsgate) also doing exceedingly well with $40 million in second place, you wouldn’t think anyone would try to release a movie that might get overshadowed by those two blockbusters.
That said, what’s interesting about this weekend is the fact there are two very different movies that are competing very heavily for second place with DreamWorks Animation’s latest animated family film, The Boss Baby (20th Century Fox), taking on the live action English remake of Ghost In The Shell (Paramount), starring Scarlett Johansson. In most cases,...
- 3/31/2017
- by Edward Douglas
- LRMonline.com
Editor’s Note: Aaron Hillis, co-owner and curator of Brooklyn’s home video store Video Free Brooklyn, has long looked for ways to make his brick-and-mortar outfit sustainable in the ever-changing world of both home media and the neighborhood it calls home. Nearly five years after taking over Vfb, Hillis is announcing an exciting new location — and direction — for the store at Brooklyn’s Alamo Drafthouse. Below, he explains the decision.
To our loyal customers, supporters and fans:
Video Free Brooklyn is moving out of 244 Smith Street at the end of 2016…
In early 2017, we will be at the Alamo Drafthouse Theater in downtown Brooklyn!
In the spring of 2012, I visited my local Cobble Hill video store and was unsurprised to learn they had immediate plans to shut down. It was always a peculiar holdout in a vanishing industry, partly due to a savvy customer base, a solid selection of DVDs...
To our loyal customers, supporters and fans:
Video Free Brooklyn is moving out of 244 Smith Street at the end of 2016…
In early 2017, we will be at the Alamo Drafthouse Theater in downtown Brooklyn!
In the spring of 2012, I visited my local Cobble Hill video store and was unsurprised to learn they had immediate plans to shut down. It was always a peculiar holdout in a vanishing industry, partly due to a savvy customer base, a solid selection of DVDs...
- 12/9/2016
- by Aaron Hillis
- Indiewire
Don’T Blink – Robert Frank Screens September 23rd – 25th at 7:30pm at Webster University’s Moore Auditorium (470 East Lockwood).
Robert Frank, now 91 years old, is among the most influential artists of the last half-century. His seminal volume, The Americans, published in 1958, records the Swiss-born photographer’s candid reactions to peculiarly American versions of poverty and racism. Today it is a classic work that helped define the off-the-cuff, idiosyncratic elegance that are hallmarks of Frank’s artistry. Director Laura Israel (Frank’s longtime film editor) and producer Melinda Shopsin were given unprecedented access to the notably irascible artist. The assembled portrait is not unlike Frank’s own movies – rough around the edges and brimming with surprises and insights – calling to mind Frank’s quintessential underground movie, the 1959 Beat short, Pull My Daisy (co-directed by Alfred Leslie). Don’t Blink includes clips from Frank’s rarely seen movies, among them Me and My Brother...
Robert Frank, now 91 years old, is among the most influential artists of the last half-century. His seminal volume, The Americans, published in 1958, records the Swiss-born photographer’s candid reactions to peculiarly American versions of poverty and racism. Today it is a classic work that helped define the off-the-cuff, idiosyncratic elegance that are hallmarks of Frank’s artistry. Director Laura Israel (Frank’s longtime film editor) and producer Melinda Shopsin were given unprecedented access to the notably irascible artist. The assembled portrait is not unlike Frank’s own movies – rough around the edges and brimming with surprises and insights – calling to mind Frank’s quintessential underground movie, the 1959 Beat short, Pull My Daisy (co-directed by Alfred Leslie). Don’t Blink includes clips from Frank’s rarely seen movies, among them Me and My Brother...
- 9/22/2016
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Keep up with the revolving door that is the film industry with our weekly Career Moves column that tracks all the comings and goings of the industry leaders that make Hollywood tick. Check out last week’s Career Moves to find out who went where, when and why.
– The independent production and distribution company D Street Media Group has tapped Ephraim Walker to serve as President of Production of D Street Pictures. He will oversee the company’s film projects and its production unit. Previously, Walker worked closely with “Fruitvale Station” filmmaker Ryan Coogler to develop the successful indie film based on the 2008 killing of Oscar Grant by an Oakland Bart police officer.
“We’re excited to have Ephraim join our team to oversee D Street’s exciting slate of films and work closely with the development department. His appointment comes at a time when the company continues to expand our international reach,...
– The independent production and distribution company D Street Media Group has tapped Ephraim Walker to serve as President of Production of D Street Pictures. He will oversee the company’s film projects and its production unit. Previously, Walker worked closely with “Fruitvale Station” filmmaker Ryan Coogler to develop the successful indie film based on the 2008 killing of Oscar Grant by an Oakland Bart police officer.
“We’re excited to have Ephraim join our team to oversee D Street’s exciting slate of films and work closely with the development department. His appointment comes at a time when the company continues to expand our international reach,...
- 6/24/2016
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Keep up with the revolving door that is the film industry with our weekly Career Moves column that tracks all the comings and goings of the industry leaders that make Hollywood tick. Check out last week's Career Moves to find out who went where, when and why. - The New York Times has hired Monica Castillo as film writer for their new film and television site and streaming newsletter, Watching. The recommendation-based site and newsletter is being overseen by television editor Gilbert Cruz. Castillo, who previously worked at International Business Times in addition to a number of freelance gigs at other outlets, just completed her USC Annenberg’s Masters in Arts Journalism program this week, where she was the school's first Sony Pictures Entertainment fellow. - Writer, critic, man about town and owner of Brooklyn's own Video Free Brooklyn, Aaron Hillis has somehow added another title to his list of cool gigs.
- 5/20/2016
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
The summer has arrived — at least if you’re going by Hollywood’s calendar. Our comprehensive preview for all four months will give you a hint as to what we most anticipate — but, for a more in-depth look, today we have our first monthly feature of the season. It should be noted that theatrical re-releases of the Jean-Luc Godard classic Band of Outsiders and Eiichi Yamamoto‘s animation, Belladonna of Sadness, both arriving on May 6th, as well as Fritz Lang‘s Destiny (on May 20th), are essential.
Getting to the new features, perhaps our most-anticipated studio release of the entire summer arrives, along with some of our festival favorites from the last year. To those lamenting the lack of superhero films: we figured it was best not to waste the space, as they are certainly already on your radar if you’re planning to buy a ticket. Check out...
Getting to the new features, perhaps our most-anticipated studio release of the entire summer arrives, along with some of our festival favorites from the last year. To those lamenting the lack of superhero films: we figured it was best not to waste the space, as they are certainly already on your radar if you’re planning to buy a ticket. Check out...
- 5/2/2016
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Unless there’s a surprise announcement, it looks like Cannes will once again be Terrence Malick-less, despite rumors that one of his upcoming features was going to premiere there. However, this summer, one of his executive-producing efforts, Almost Holy, a new documentary from Steve Hoover (Blood Brother), will see a release, and today the first trailer has landed.
Previously titled Crocodile Gennadiy, it follows a Ukrainian pastor, Gennadiy Mohknenko, who has stirred controversy in his attempt to fight child homelessness by abducting street kids to bring to his private rehabilitation center. As quoted on the poster, The Village Voice‘s Aaron Hillis called it “the best superhero vigilante movie of the year,” and Hoover’s picture — also produced by Nicolas Gonda and featuring a score from Atticus Ross — looks like a compelling watch.
Check out the trailer and poster below.
The fall of The Soviet Union left Ukraine in...
Previously titled Crocodile Gennadiy, it follows a Ukrainian pastor, Gennadiy Mohknenko, who has stirred controversy in his attempt to fight child homelessness by abducting street kids to bring to his private rehabilitation center. As quoted on the poster, The Village Voice‘s Aaron Hillis called it “the best superhero vigilante movie of the year,” and Hoover’s picture — also produced by Nicolas Gonda and featuring a score from Atticus Ross — looks like a compelling watch.
Check out the trailer and poster below.
The fall of The Soviet Union left Ukraine in...
- 4/19/2016
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Greek auteur Yorgos Lanthimos (Dogtooth, Alps) makes his English-language debut with the absurdist comedy The Lobster, which premiered at Cannes 2015. The satire stars Colin Farrell as a newly single architect looking for love. The newly released trailer depicts a bizarro world in which a seemingly ordinary hotel serves as a twisted dating service of sorts. Unless guests hook up with a mate within 45 days, they’ll be turned into an animal of their choice and released into the wild (Farrell’s character chooses a lobster, thus, the film’s title). In his report from Cannes 2015, Filmmaker‘s Aaron Hillis called the film a “wickedly laugh-out-loud, quasi-dystopian […]...
- 3/18/2016
- by Paula Bernstein
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
With a number of features in various states of production, 2016 may indeed be the year of Terrence Malick, but his directorial efforts aren’t the only projects that will soon see the light of day. This summer, one of his executive-producing efforts, Almost Holy, a new documentary from Steve Hoover (Blood Brother), will see a release, and we’re pleased to exclusively premiere the first poster.
Previously titled Crocodile Gennadiy, it follows a Ukrainian pastor, Gennadiy Mohknenko, who has stirred controversy in his attempt to fight child homelessness by abducting street kids to bring to his private rehabilitation center. As quoted on the poster, The Village Voice‘s Aaron Hillis called it “the best superhero vigilante movie of the year,” and Hoover’s picture — also produced by Nicolas Gonda and featuring a score from Atticus Ross — is certainly one we can’t wait to see.
Check out the poster and synopsis below,...
Previously titled Crocodile Gennadiy, it follows a Ukrainian pastor, Gennadiy Mohknenko, who has stirred controversy in his attempt to fight child homelessness by abducting street kids to bring to his private rehabilitation center. As quoted on the poster, The Village Voice‘s Aaron Hillis called it “the best superhero vigilante movie of the year,” and Hoover’s picture — also produced by Nicolas Gonda and featuring a score from Atticus Ross — is certainly one we can’t wait to see.
Check out the poster and synopsis below,...
- 3/16/2016
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Read More: Directors from Quentin Tarantino to Kevin Smith Remember the Video Store With the much-lamented shuttering of Blockbuster in 2014 came the realization that the once-thriving film culture of the video store had become a thing of the past. In tribute to this bygone era comes The New York Times author Tom Roston's "I Lost It At The Video Store: A Filmmakers' Oral History of a Vanisher Era," a loving collection of interviews with filmmakers like Joe Swanberg, Quentin Tarantino, and Darren Aronofsky on their relationship to the dying institution. Last night at Brooklyn's beloved bookstore Book Court, Zoe Kazan, Paul Dano, Tim Blake Nelson, Doug Liman and Video Free Brooklyn owner Aaron Hillis sat down with Roston to discuss his new book and the lasting culture of the film rental. Check out some of the highlights from the event below. On Roston's reason for writing the book "When...
- 9/25/2015
- by Aubrey Page
- Indiewire
Final grades were officially tallied up after the repeat screenings on Sunday, and while the 1-2-3-4 positions haven’t changed, Todd Haynes’ Carol further cemented it’s status as the best from the 2015 In Comp class with a final 3.9 grade.
We’d like to once again thank our group of sixteen: Nicholas Bell, Blake Williams and Yama Rahimi from Ioncinema.com were joined by Christophe Beney, Dave Calhoun, Per Juul Carlsen, Paola Casella, Mike D’Angelo, Jean-Philippe Guerand, Carlos F. Heredero, Aaron Hillis, Fabien Lemercier, Marc-André Lussier, Liu Min, Isabelle Regnier and Cédric Succivalli. We already look forward to next year with Haneke, Pedro, Dolan and the Dardennes in the mix. Click on the grid below for a larger version.
We’d like to once again thank our group of sixteen: Nicholas Bell, Blake Williams and Yama Rahimi from Ioncinema.com were joined by Christophe Beney, Dave Calhoun, Per Juul Carlsen, Paola Casella, Mike D’Angelo, Jean-Philippe Guerand, Carlos F. Heredero, Aaron Hillis, Fabien Lemercier, Marc-André Lussier, Liu Min, Isabelle Regnier and Cédric Succivalli. We already look forward to next year with Haneke, Pedro, Dolan and the Dardennes in the mix. Click on the grid below for a larger version.
- 5/26/2015
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
The race for the Palme d’Or officially begins today. It’s day 2 at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival which means the press core and as per usual, our Cannes Critics’ Panel are already in game mode. New this year to the our sweet sixteen group (you can follow them all on twitter) areMarc-André Lussier (La Presse), Jean-Philippe Guerand (Le Film Français), Aaron Hillis (the proprietor of Video Free Brooklyn who needs no introduction — penning for Filmmaker Magazine & Vice), and joining Ioncinema.com stalwarts Nicholas Bell and Blake Williams we find Yama Rahimi. Looks for grades on all nineteen Main Comp offerings plus as added bonus: Gaspar Noé’s Love.
The first film to uncork the ’15 edition is a filmmaker who is technically more synonymous with the Toronto Int. Film Festival than the French riviera. This nonetheless marks Hirokazu Kore-eda‘s fifth trip to Cannes with his last picture Like Father,...
The first film to uncork the ’15 edition is a filmmaker who is technically more synonymous with the Toronto Int. Film Festival than the French riviera. This nonetheless marks Hirokazu Kore-eda‘s fifth trip to Cannes with his last picture Like Father,...
- 5/14/2015
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
The American Pavilion has an amazing line up of panels this year at Cannes in the Roger Ebert Concert Center. Seating for all panels is first come, first served for Standard Members. Reserved seating is available for Red Carpet members which will be held until 10 minutes prior to start time, at which point they will be released.
Please arrive early!
Here is a detailed look at the events taking place ar the Pavilion starting Friday May 15.
Friday May 15
10:00–2:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
How Advanced Imaging Techniques Should Impact the 3D Movie Experience
Workshop and reception sponsored by 3D Stereo Media, with participation of the Advanced Imaging Society, and the support of UP3D and Xpand 3D.
Walk-ins accepted if seats are available.
2:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
The Casting Process
How can producers and directors collaborate with casting directors to secure the best possible cast?
-Nancy Bishop, "Snowpiercer," "Mission Impossible IV"
-Luci Lenox: "Traces of Sandalwood," "Vicky Christina Barcelona"
-Susan Shopmaker: Shortbus, "Martha Marcy May Marlene"
-Matthew Lessall: "Chronic"
Moderated by Keith Simanton, Senior Film Editor, IMDb/IMDb Pro
Saturday, May 16
2:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
State of the Industry
-Rena Ronson, UTA
-John Sloss, Cinetic Media
-Linda Lichter, Attorney
-Jean Prewitt, Independent Film & Television Alliance (Ifta)
-Tom Quinn, RADiUS-twc
Moderated by Matt Belloni, The Hollywood Reporter
3:00–4:00 Pm
TimeTalks:
Sony Pictures Classic's Tom Bernard & Michael Barker
The New York Times presents the co-presidents and co-founders of Sony Pictures Classics, Tom Bernard and Michael Barker in conversation with Times contributor Logan Hill. They will discuss Woody Allen’s new film “Irrational Man,” which screened at the festival, the importance of film festivals like Cannes and the state of the movie industry, on screen and behind the scene
Sunday, May 17
12:00 Pm
TimeTalks:
Salma Hayek
The New York Times presents Oscar-nominated actress-producer Salma Hayek - "Tale of Tales," "Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet" - in conversation with Times contributor Logan Hill.
1:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
American Producers at Cannes
Ram Bergman," A Tale of Love and Darkness," upcoming "Star Wars: Episode VIII" and IX, "Looper"
Justin Chan and Wilson Smith, "Krisha"
Carly Hugo, "Share," "Bachelorette"
Ryan Zacarias, "Mediterranea"
Moderated by Eric Kohn, Indiewire
3:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
What Does Empathy Looks Like on the Big Screen?
If, as Roger Ebert has said, movies are a giant machine that generates empathy, what does it look like on the big screen and how do you encourage it in emerging writers and filmmakers? What implications would this have for the filmmaking industry amid a sea change in production deals and distribution? How does it affect the critical writing about films? What influences will it have for society as a whole? And is it tilting at windmills or who has done it successfully?
Chaz Ebert from The Roger Ebert Center and RogerEbert.com joins Jeff Skoll of Participant Media, a leader in telling important stories that matter; Ann Thompson of Indiewire, Thompson on Hollywood; John Sloss of Cinetic Media and Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director of the Toronto International Film Festival in a discussion moderated by Nate Kohn, Vice President of the Peabody Awards, and Festival Director of Ebertfest.
-Chaz Ebert (The Roger Ebert Center)
-John Sloss (Cinetic Media)
- Cameron Bailey (Artistic Director, The Toronto International Film Festival)
-Anne Thompson (Indiewire)
Moderated by: Nate Kohn, Vice President, The Peabody Awards
4:30–6:30 Pm
Emerging Filmmaker Showcase/ Lgbtq Showcase
Presented by American Express
10:00 Pm
Queer Night
With guest DJ John Cameron Mitchell
Monday, May 18
10:00–12:30 Pm
Student Filmmaker Showcase
Presented by American Express
1:00–3:00 Pm
Emerging Filmmaker Showcase
Presented by American Express
Tuesday, May 19
10:00–11:00 Am
TimeTalks:
Disney• Pixar’s "Inside Out"
New York Times contributor Logan Hill interviews director Pete Docter, producer Jonas Rivera, and actors Amy Poehler, Mindy Kaling, Lewis Black and Phyllis Smith, who provide the voices of Joy, Disgust, Anger and Sadness in this original new movie.
11:00 Am
Industry in Focus:
Film Acquisitions
-Jeremy Boxer, Head of acquisitions at Vimeo On Demand
-Ben Browning, Co-President of Production and Acquisitions, FilmNation Entertainment
-Matt Brodlie, Evp Acquisitions, Relativity
-Bill Bromiley, Saban Films
Moderated by Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter
1:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
American Directors at Cannes
Pippa Bianco, "Share" - Cinéfondation Competition
Jeremy Saulnier, "Green Room" - Directors’ Fortnight
Trey Edward Shults, "Krisha" - Critics’ Week
Moderated by Aaron Hillis
4:00 Pm
TimeTalks:
John C. Reilly
The New York Times presents one of the most versatile actors in movies today - John C. Reilly, who appears in three films at the festival - "The Lobster," "Tale of Tales" and "Les Cowboys."
Wednesday, May 20
10:00 Am
Oculus Story Studio
Virtual Reality Filmmaking
-With filmmakers like Spike Jonze, Robert Stromberg and Guillermo Del Toro embracing virtual reality as a filmmaking medium, meet the founding team of Oculus’ own film studio - ‘Oculus Story Studio’. Having premiered their first Vr movie at Sundance 2015 they are at Cannes to talk about learnings on Vr storytelling.
-Saschka Unseld, Creative Director Oculus Story Studio (Director Pixar’s Blue Umbrella)
-Max Planck, Cto, Oculus Story Studio
-Edward Saatchi, Executive Producer, Oculus Story Studio
1:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
Genre Film
Jeremy Saulnier, Director, Green Room
Mette Marie Katz, Xyz Films
Tom Quinn, RADiUS-twc
Jenny Jacobi, Drafthouse Media
Moderated by Jarod Neece, SXSW
2:00 Pm
Film Panel:
"Krisha"
Hear from the "Krisha" filmmakers that won the 2015 SXSW Jury Award and playing in Critics Week. Director Trey Edward Shults, Krisha Fairchild and other key cast and crew
Moderated by Claudette Godfrey, SXSW
Thursday, May 21
2:00 Pm
Indiewire's Screen Talk Podcast Live from Cannes with Eric Kohn and Anne Thompson
4:30 Pm
Film Panel:
"Dope"
A 2015 Sundance favorite, and playing in Cannes Directors’ Fortnight. Director Rick Famuyiwa, producer Nina Yang Bongiovi and key cast Zoe Kravitz, Chanel Iman, Toni Revolori, Quincy Brown, Kiersey Clemens, Shameik Moore , A$AP Rocky
Moderated by Jada Yuan, New York Magazine
8:00 Pm
Karaoke Night...
Please arrive early!
Here is a detailed look at the events taking place ar the Pavilion starting Friday May 15.
Friday May 15
10:00–2:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
How Advanced Imaging Techniques Should Impact the 3D Movie Experience
Workshop and reception sponsored by 3D Stereo Media, with participation of the Advanced Imaging Society, and the support of UP3D and Xpand 3D.
Walk-ins accepted if seats are available.
2:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
The Casting Process
How can producers and directors collaborate with casting directors to secure the best possible cast?
-Nancy Bishop, "Snowpiercer," "Mission Impossible IV"
-Luci Lenox: "Traces of Sandalwood," "Vicky Christina Barcelona"
-Susan Shopmaker: Shortbus, "Martha Marcy May Marlene"
-Matthew Lessall: "Chronic"
Moderated by Keith Simanton, Senior Film Editor, IMDb/IMDb Pro
Saturday, May 16
2:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
State of the Industry
-Rena Ronson, UTA
-John Sloss, Cinetic Media
-Linda Lichter, Attorney
-Jean Prewitt, Independent Film & Television Alliance (Ifta)
-Tom Quinn, RADiUS-twc
Moderated by Matt Belloni, The Hollywood Reporter
3:00–4:00 Pm
TimeTalks:
Sony Pictures Classic's Tom Bernard & Michael Barker
The New York Times presents the co-presidents and co-founders of Sony Pictures Classics, Tom Bernard and Michael Barker in conversation with Times contributor Logan Hill. They will discuss Woody Allen’s new film “Irrational Man,” which screened at the festival, the importance of film festivals like Cannes and the state of the movie industry, on screen and behind the scene
Sunday, May 17
12:00 Pm
TimeTalks:
Salma Hayek
The New York Times presents Oscar-nominated actress-producer Salma Hayek - "Tale of Tales," "Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet" - in conversation with Times contributor Logan Hill.
1:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
American Producers at Cannes
Ram Bergman," A Tale of Love and Darkness," upcoming "Star Wars: Episode VIII" and IX, "Looper"
Justin Chan and Wilson Smith, "Krisha"
Carly Hugo, "Share," "Bachelorette"
Ryan Zacarias, "Mediterranea"
Moderated by Eric Kohn, Indiewire
3:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
What Does Empathy Looks Like on the Big Screen?
If, as Roger Ebert has said, movies are a giant machine that generates empathy, what does it look like on the big screen and how do you encourage it in emerging writers and filmmakers? What implications would this have for the filmmaking industry amid a sea change in production deals and distribution? How does it affect the critical writing about films? What influences will it have for society as a whole? And is it tilting at windmills or who has done it successfully?
Chaz Ebert from The Roger Ebert Center and RogerEbert.com joins Jeff Skoll of Participant Media, a leader in telling important stories that matter; Ann Thompson of Indiewire, Thompson on Hollywood; John Sloss of Cinetic Media and Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director of the Toronto International Film Festival in a discussion moderated by Nate Kohn, Vice President of the Peabody Awards, and Festival Director of Ebertfest.
-Chaz Ebert (The Roger Ebert Center)
-John Sloss (Cinetic Media)
- Cameron Bailey (Artistic Director, The Toronto International Film Festival)
-Anne Thompson (Indiewire)
Moderated by: Nate Kohn, Vice President, The Peabody Awards
4:30–6:30 Pm
Emerging Filmmaker Showcase/ Lgbtq Showcase
Presented by American Express
10:00 Pm
Queer Night
With guest DJ John Cameron Mitchell
Monday, May 18
10:00–12:30 Pm
Student Filmmaker Showcase
Presented by American Express
1:00–3:00 Pm
Emerging Filmmaker Showcase
Presented by American Express
Tuesday, May 19
10:00–11:00 Am
TimeTalks:
Disney• Pixar’s "Inside Out"
New York Times contributor Logan Hill interviews director Pete Docter, producer Jonas Rivera, and actors Amy Poehler, Mindy Kaling, Lewis Black and Phyllis Smith, who provide the voices of Joy, Disgust, Anger and Sadness in this original new movie.
11:00 Am
Industry in Focus:
Film Acquisitions
-Jeremy Boxer, Head of acquisitions at Vimeo On Demand
-Ben Browning, Co-President of Production and Acquisitions, FilmNation Entertainment
-Matt Brodlie, Evp Acquisitions, Relativity
-Bill Bromiley, Saban Films
Moderated by Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter
1:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
American Directors at Cannes
Pippa Bianco, "Share" - Cinéfondation Competition
Jeremy Saulnier, "Green Room" - Directors’ Fortnight
Trey Edward Shults, "Krisha" - Critics’ Week
Moderated by Aaron Hillis
4:00 Pm
TimeTalks:
John C. Reilly
The New York Times presents one of the most versatile actors in movies today - John C. Reilly, who appears in three films at the festival - "The Lobster," "Tale of Tales" and "Les Cowboys."
Wednesday, May 20
10:00 Am
Oculus Story Studio
Virtual Reality Filmmaking
-With filmmakers like Spike Jonze, Robert Stromberg and Guillermo Del Toro embracing virtual reality as a filmmaking medium, meet the founding team of Oculus’ own film studio - ‘Oculus Story Studio’. Having premiered their first Vr movie at Sundance 2015 they are at Cannes to talk about learnings on Vr storytelling.
-Saschka Unseld, Creative Director Oculus Story Studio (Director Pixar’s Blue Umbrella)
-Max Planck, Cto, Oculus Story Studio
-Edward Saatchi, Executive Producer, Oculus Story Studio
1:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
Genre Film
Jeremy Saulnier, Director, Green Room
Mette Marie Katz, Xyz Films
Tom Quinn, RADiUS-twc
Jenny Jacobi, Drafthouse Media
Moderated by Jarod Neece, SXSW
2:00 Pm
Film Panel:
"Krisha"
Hear from the "Krisha" filmmakers that won the 2015 SXSW Jury Award and playing in Critics Week. Director Trey Edward Shults, Krisha Fairchild and other key cast and crew
Moderated by Claudette Godfrey, SXSW
Thursday, May 21
2:00 Pm
Indiewire's Screen Talk Podcast Live from Cannes with Eric Kohn and Anne Thompson
4:30 Pm
Film Panel:
"Dope"
A 2015 Sundance favorite, and playing in Cannes Directors’ Fortnight. Director Rick Famuyiwa, producer Nina Yang Bongiovi and key cast Zoe Kravitz, Chanel Iman, Toni Revolori, Quincy Brown, Kiersey Clemens, Shameik Moore , A$AP Rocky
Moderated by Jada Yuan, New York Magazine
8:00 Pm
Karaoke Night...
- 5/13/2015
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
This past Wednesday, August 6th, saw the close of the 18th edition of Montreal's Fantasia Film Festival; and now that the dust has settled, we have the full list of this year's award winners plus the Fest's dates for 2015.
From the Press Release:
Returning to its home at Concordia University after the location’s massive 2013 renovations, the acclaimed Fantasia International Film Festival, North America’s longest-running genre film fest, benefited from having three theaters in which to screen its record 160+ films.
Among the numerous highlights that took place during the three-week festival were the crowd-pleasing, revelatory world premieres of Leo Gabriadze’s Cybernatural (review here), Sarah Adina Smith’s The Midnight Swim, and Bennett Jones’ I Am A Knife With Legs. Also of note were massively successful screenings of Richard Linklater’s Boyhood, James Gunn’s Guardians Of The Galaxy, Lee Su-jin’s Han Gong-ju, Keishi Otomo’s Rurouni Kenshin – Kyoto Inferno,...
From the Press Release:
Returning to its home at Concordia University after the location’s massive 2013 renovations, the acclaimed Fantasia International Film Festival, North America’s longest-running genre film fest, benefited from having three theaters in which to screen its record 160+ films.
Among the numerous highlights that took place during the three-week festival were the crowd-pleasing, revelatory world premieres of Leo Gabriadze’s Cybernatural (review here), Sarah Adina Smith’s The Midnight Swim, and Bennett Jones’ I Am A Knife With Legs. Also of note were massively successful screenings of Richard Linklater’s Boyhood, James Gunn’s Guardians Of The Galaxy, Lee Su-jin’s Han Gong-ju, Keishi Otomo’s Rurouni Kenshin – Kyoto Inferno,...
- 8/9/2014
- by Debi Moore
- DreadCentral.com
The 13th edition of the New York Asian Film Festival presents 60 features running "the gamut from tear-jerking dictionary-editing dramas to gonzo yakuza bloodbaths, sharing a common vibrancy no matter the subject matter," as R. Emmet Sweeney puts it in his overview for Film Comment. Aaron Hillis in the Voice: "Beginning July 10, Nyaff co-presents some of its Nipponese premieres with sister fest Japan Cuts, including Sion Sono's decadently loony ode to genre cinema, Why Don't You Play in Hell? and Kankuro Kudo's sweetly crude 'self-fellatio' comedy, Maruyama, the Middle Schooler." We'll be making note of all the highlights throughout the festival. » - David Hudson...
- 6/27/2014
- Keyframe
The 13th edition of the New York Asian Film Festival presents 60 features running "the gamut from tear-jerking dictionary-editing dramas to gonzo yakuza bloodbaths, sharing a common vibrancy no matter the subject matter," as R. Emmet Sweeney puts it in his overview for Film Comment. Aaron Hillis in the Voice: "Beginning July 10, Nyaff co-presents some of its Nipponese premieres with sister fest Japan Cuts, including Sion Sono's decadently loony ode to genre cinema, Why Don't You Play in Hell? and Kankuro Kudo's sweetly crude 'self-fellatio' comedy, Maruyama, the Middle Schooler." We'll be making note of all the highlights throughout the festival. » - David Hudson...
- 6/27/2014
- Fandor: Keyframe
(Aaron Hillis’ first two festival dispatches can be read here.) The past 11 days are mighty hazy. Double that number and you’ll not only know how many features I’ve seen at Cannes, but the quantity of cocktail mixers, dance-a-thons, karaoke get-togethers, and other costly promotional soirées littering the Croisette that I came into like a wrecking ball. Only two of them actually invited me, but I don’t get shut out of parties at Cannes. Sometimes cinema can wait. “You’re burning the candle at both ends,” chided one of my Cannes flatmates just now, an industrious journalist who sees more films […]...
- 5/30/2014
- by Aaron Hillis
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
(Aaron Hillis’ first two festival dispatches can be read here.) The past 11 days are mighty hazy. Double that number and you’ll not only know how many features I’ve seen at Cannes, but the quantity of cocktail mixers, dance-a-thons, karaoke get-togethers, and other costly promotional soirées littering the Croisette that I came into like a wrecking ball. Only two of them actually invited me, but I don’t get shut out of parties at Cannes. Sometimes cinema can wait. “You’re burning the candle at both ends,” chided one of my Cannes flatmates just now, an industrious journalist who sees more films […]...
- 5/30/2014
- by Aaron Hillis
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Beginning in 1969 and for the next three decades or so, Brooklyn-born artist and animator Al Jarnow created over 100 short films that have been seen by tens of millions of people worldwide... chances are you know his work, even if you didn't know his name. This Friday, February 12, an hour-long showcase of his films (plus a short documentary) will be screened at the 92Y Tribeca (NYC), and again February 19-20 at the Gene Siskel Film Center (Chicago). Additionally, The Numero Group will release Celestial Navigations—an impressively packaged, deluxe DVD of his films, transferred and remastered from the original 16mm prints—on February 23:
Curled up on our couches in the wee hours of the morning, in reruns, and nostalgic You Tube forwards, filmmaker Al Jarnow has touched our lives and changed the way we look at the world without us ever knowing. Beginning with his work for a certain public...
Curled up on our couches in the wee hours of the morning, in reruns, and nostalgic You Tube forwards, filmmaker Al Jarnow has touched our lives and changed the way we look at the world without us ever knowing. Beginning with his work for a certain public...
- 2/10/2010
- GreenCine Daily
by James Van Maanen
2009 was a decent year for finding good gay-themed films on DVD. While Milk might seem a shoo-in for the list, I would suggest instead renting the original documentary about Harvey Milk, which is superior to the Van Sant film in almost every way (except budget). My choices this year include one very fine lesbian movie; I wish there were more in this vein to recommend. Some of these are more subtle than others in the manner in which they address their gay themes, but each is worth seeing and thinking about. I’ve chosen my top 12, not on the basis of whether the main characters are gay, or whether the film in question is a "gay movie." Instead, I’ve tried to choose films in which gay characters and themes are used more richly and inventively. God knows there were a number of other movies not...
2009 was a decent year for finding good gay-themed films on DVD. While Milk might seem a shoo-in for the list, I would suggest instead renting the original documentary about Harvey Milk, which is superior to the Van Sant film in almost every way (except budget). My choices this year include one very fine lesbian movie; I wish there were more in this vein to recommend. Some of these are more subtle than others in the manner in which they address their gay themes, but each is worth seeing and thinking about. I’ve chosen my top 12, not on the basis of whether the main characters are gay, or whether the film in question is a "gay movie." Instead, I’ve tried to choose films in which gay characters and themes are used more richly and inventively. God knows there were a number of other movies not...
- 1/4/2010
- GreenCine Daily
My god, can we please put this recession-wrought year out of its (and our) misery? Not that 2009 didn't have its pleasures, especially when it came to film, as it was a fruitful year for the cinema. My own New Year's resolution for 2010—again, when it comes to film—is about the same as it was last year. I'm going to strive to be progressive, pragmatic and curatorial as a critic, innovative as a distributor, and motivated enough to write and direct a second feature. I thought it might be fun to ask fellow members of the film community to share their own pledges for 2010, and was excited that less than 24 hours' notice yielded responses from over 40 filmmakers, critics, distributors, publicists, and other noteworthy voices. Be safe tonight, friends... Nah, screw that. Get into some trouble, try something radical, and let's shake things up in the new year.
Continued reading New...
Continued reading New...
- 12/31/2009
- GreenCine Daily
Why thirty-two? Because that's how many Christmas Eves I've been alive, and not a day more. Rather than just link to my indieWIRE and Village Voice poll ballots (oops, just did), I've given in to birthday indulgences with a more visually dynamic presentation, alphabetically ordered and with my Top 10 notated. Merry whatever-you-celebrate, GreenCine readers!
Continued reading Best Of 2009: Aaron's Top 32 Films...
Comments (5)
Comments on this Entry:
(Kdr on Dec 28, 2009 8:25 Am) Year in, year out Aaron has one of the most interesting & varied lists...I bookmark these gems and make sure that I catch up on the ones I have managed to miss all year (or never made it out to the Mile High City!)...the one picture for each film is a great touch too. Thanks... Kdr
(gates! on Dec 28, 2009 6:51 Pm) Great list! Thank you!
(Frodon on Dec 29, 2009 11:54 Pm) Dear Aaron Though I like your list,...
Continued reading Best Of 2009: Aaron's Top 32 Films...
Comments (5)
Comments on this Entry:
(Kdr on Dec 28, 2009 8:25 Am) Year in, year out Aaron has one of the most interesting & varied lists...I bookmark these gems and make sure that I catch up on the ones I have managed to miss all year (or never made it out to the Mile High City!)...the one picture for each film is a great touch too. Thanks... Kdr
(gates! on Dec 28, 2009 6:51 Pm) Great list! Thank you!
(Frodon on Dec 29, 2009 11:54 Pm) Dear Aaron Though I like your list,...
- 12/24/2009
- GreenCine Daily
We never gave this decade a name.
The Oughts? The Naughties? The Zeroes? For all of the momentous things that happened in the past almost ten years -- and 2000, for many reasons, does seem like another faraway era -- nothing managed to stick by way of a label. And so, now, it seems a little strange to find ourselves rounding up a decade we couldn't even decide on a designation for.
In that spirit, instead of offering more best-of-the-'00s lists, we decided we'd look for the identity of the decade in what we know best -- the movies. We give you the Naughts Project, a two-week series of features arguing for the emblematic people, pairings, films and, because, we couldn't resist, television of the 2000s.
When we look back, thirty years from now, we expect these choices to stand in for all that's occurred in this first span of...
The Oughts? The Naughties? The Zeroes? For all of the momentous things that happened in the past almost ten years -- and 2000, for many reasons, does seem like another faraway era -- nothing managed to stick by way of a label. And so, now, it seems a little strange to find ourselves rounding up a decade we couldn't even decide on a designation for.
In that spirit, instead of offering more best-of-the-'00s lists, we decided we'd look for the identity of the decade in what we know best -- the movies. We give you the Naughts Project, a two-week series of features arguing for the emblematic people, pairings, films and, because, we couldn't resist, television of the 2000s.
When we look back, thirty years from now, we expect these choices to stand in for all that's occurred in this first span of...
- 12/7/2009
- by Alison Willmore
- ifc.com
If you know actor Michael Shannon by name, chances are it's because of his searing, Oscar-nominated performance as head-case John Givings in last year's Revolutionary Road. Yet the Kentucky-born Brooklynite has brought his towering presence and curious intensity to dozens of projects, most notably Bug, World Trade Center, Shotgun Stories, and Werner Herzog's upcoming My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done. (Click here for my podcast with Herzog for Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, in which Shannon has a small role.) The actor's latest, which premiered at Sundance this year, is the post-9/11 noir thriller The Missing Person: Writer/director Noah Buschel's third feature stars Michael Shannon as John Rosow, a private detective hired to tail a man, Harold Fullmer, on a train from Chicago to Los Angeles. Rosow gradually uncovers Harold’s identity as a missing person... [Plot spoiler redacted]. Persuaded by a large reward, Rosow...
- 11/22/2009
- GreenCine Daily
It may sound rather odd, but Woody Harrelson's name is being tossed around for an Oscar for his role as a Us Army captain in the Iraq war drama The Messenger (it opens in NYC on November 13).
What sounds even more odd is that in an interview with the Village Voice's Aaron Hillis, Harrelson politely declined an offer to get high.
You're the only interviewee I've ever thought to ask, but: Would you like to smoke a joint?
Oh! The problem is I have to do some more interviews. I honestly would love to, but I can't do interviews stoned. Sometimes, it can open you up to do great creative things, and sometimes, it's a situation . . . like, I can't act that way. It absolutely freezes me. I can't do a talk show because it goes into the paranoia side. Yeah, I better not. That's a generous offer, but I should be on my game.
What sounds even more odd is that in an interview with the Village Voice's Aaron Hillis, Harrelson politely declined an offer to get high.
You're the only interviewee I've ever thought to ask, but: Would you like to smoke a joint?
Oh! The problem is I have to do some more interviews. I honestly would love to, but I can't do interviews stoned. Sometimes, it can open you up to do great creative things, and sometimes, it's a situation . . . like, I can't act that way. It absolutely freezes me. I can't do a talk show because it goes into the paranoia side. Yeah, I better not. That's a generous offer, but I should be on my game.
- 11/5/2009
- by reelz reelz
- Reelzchannel.com
The reviews for this Paul Weitz-directed adaptation of the popular comic-goth novels are kind of sucking, shall we say. Does this signal the end of the vampire craze?
"...a harmless bit of fluff with a very cool look, but there's just never enough bite."
— Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times / AP
"...tests its viewers' patience even as it strives to build their loyalty."
— A. O. Scott, New York Times
"...includes good Vampires, evil Vampanese, a Wolf-Man, a Bearded Lady, a Monkey Girl with a long tail, a Snake Boy, a dwarf with a 4-foot forehead and a spider the size of your shoe, and they're all boring as hell."
— Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
"All you need to know is that the movie is a setup for sequels that I hope never come. Jammed with story threads that don't cohere, Cirque commits the cardinal sin for a vampire movie: It's bloodless.
"...a harmless bit of fluff with a very cool look, but there's just never enough bite."
— Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times / AP
"...tests its viewers' patience even as it strives to build their loyalty."
— A. O. Scott, New York Times
"...includes good Vampires, evil Vampanese, a Wolf-Man, a Bearded Lady, a Monkey Girl with a long tail, a Snake Boy, a dwarf with a 4-foot forehead and a spider the size of your shoe, and they're all boring as hell."
— Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
"All you need to know is that the movie is a setup for sequels that I hope never come. Jammed with story threads that don't cohere, Cirque commits the cardinal sin for a vampire movie: It's bloodless.
- 10/23/2009
- by reelz reelz
- Reelzchannel.com
Updated through 10/10.
"Following her 2003 debut The Forest for the Trees, 32-year-old German writer-director Maren Ade's trenchant, funny, and sensitive Everyone Else (Alle Anderen) cuts deeper than an Oscar season's worth of emotional turmoil," writes Aaron Hillis, introducing his interview with the director for the Voice. "It's not so much about a deteriorating relationship between young architect Chris (Lars Eidinger) and rock publicist Gitti (Birgit Minichmayr, who snagged the Best Actress Award at this year's Berlinale) as it is an exploration of their vibrant yet volatile mismatched union over the span of a Sardinian vacation."...
"Following her 2003 debut The Forest for the Trees, 32-year-old German writer-director Maren Ade's trenchant, funny, and sensitive Everyone Else (Alle Anderen) cuts deeper than an Oscar season's worth of emotional turmoil," writes Aaron Hillis, introducing his interview with the director for the Voice. "It's not so much about a deteriorating relationship between young architect Chris (Lars Eidinger) and rock publicist Gitti (Birgit Minichmayr, who snagged the Best Actress Award at this year's Berlinale) as it is an exploration of their vibrant yet volatile mismatched union over the span of a Sardinian vacation."...
- 10/10/2009
- MUBI
Is Welcome to the Dollhouse auteur Todd Solondz a misanthrope, or a humanist whose characters just happen to engage in ugly, perverse, cruel behavior? For me, the answer has been made clear with Life During Wartime (screening Saturday, Oct. 10 at 9pm), Solondz's quasi-sequel to 1998's Happiness, in which all of the characters are now played by different actors: Todd Solondz starts his latest and finest film to date by introducing us to Joy (Shirley Henderson), whose husband Allen (Michael Kenneth Williams) is not quite cured of his peculiar "affliction." Joy's sister Trish (Allison Janney) is hoping to stabilize her family life by marrying the recently divorced Harvey (Michael Lerner), but her soon-to-be bar-mitzvahed son Timmy (Dylan Riley Snyder) isn’t sure he wants another man in the house—especially as it seems his dead father, Bill (Ciarán Hinds), might not be dead after all. His portrait of these and several...
- 10/9/2009
- GreenCine Daily
Next Day Air
Directed by Benny Boom
2009, 84 minutes, USA
Summit Entertainment Scott Sanders' Black Dynamite (opening theatrically in the U.S. next month) meticulously spoofs the blaxploitation genre and all its pimps, dope pushers, martial artistry, noticeable boom mics, and funky bow-chicka-wowness, but while co-creator and star Michael Jai White's muscular comic charisma impresses, the film itself does not. The problem is that blaxploitation—unlike science-fiction, horror movies, and strangely for this argument, westerns—is so anchored to the music and mood of the grindhouse era that there's little place for reverent homage in 2009. That Black Dynamite deadpans like it came straight outta 1972 without addressing the flashback through contemporary hindsight, nor at any other time strives for the over-the-top giddiness of its climactic nunchaku showdown against Richard Nixon, underscores its irrelevance. We're better off watching Truck Turner again and appreciating that this kind of filmmaking back then was the real deal,...
Directed by Benny Boom
2009, 84 minutes, USA
Summit Entertainment Scott Sanders' Black Dynamite (opening theatrically in the U.S. next month) meticulously spoofs the blaxploitation genre and all its pimps, dope pushers, martial artistry, noticeable boom mics, and funky bow-chicka-wowness, but while co-creator and star Michael Jai White's muscular comic charisma impresses, the film itself does not. The problem is that blaxploitation—unlike science-fiction, horror movies, and strangely for this argument, westerns—is so anchored to the music and mood of the grindhouse era that there's little place for reverent homage in 2009. That Black Dynamite deadpans like it came straight outta 1972 without addressing the flashback through contemporary hindsight, nor at any other time strives for the over-the-top giddiness of its climactic nunchaku showdown against Richard Nixon, underscores its irrelevance. We're better off watching Truck Turner again and appreciating that this kind of filmmaking back then was the real deal,...
- 9/15/2009
- GreenCine Daily
Silent Light finally becomes available in the Us on DVD today. Here's what I wrote about it when it screened at Film Forum in January. "Tell me why I should go see a fucking movie that's in Mennonite!" -- Joshua Rothkopf. Consider the gauntlet thrown down. The above quote comes from a "pubcast" posted last week by Aaron Hillis on his first day as editor of GreenCine Daily. In this conversation between Hillis, Rothkopf, David Fear and Matt Zoller-Seitz, about where film criticism currently is and where they'd like to see it go, the verdict seemed to be that everyone would like to see more clear-headed advocacy, free of snark and academic flourish. The film implicitly ...
- 9/8/2009
- by Karina Longworth
- Spout
While GreenCine is bidding farewell in a sense to our longtime editor David Hudson, who is moving over to IFC in 2009 to carry on his impressive legacy of film blogging, we are excited to announce that Aaron Hillis will be taking on the role of editor/lead conspirator for our GreenCine Daily blog.
The long tradition of cutting a wide swath through the world of film withGreenCine.com's GreenCine Daily blog will continue in 2009 in the very capable hands of Hillis, a Brooklyn-based writer, filmmaker and film critic whose work has been published in the pages of the Village Voice, La Weekly, Variety, Spin, MovieMaker andPremiere Magazine, and online at IFC News, GreenCine Daily and The Reeler. Aaron is also the VP of Benten Films, an indie distribution label curated and run by critics. His first co-directed documentary feature, "Fish Kill Flea," premiered at SXSW 2007. ...
- 12/19/2008
- by underdog
- GreenCine
By Aaron Hillis
Beastie Boys founding member and filmmaker Adam Yauch (that's "McA" to you, sucka!) isn't giving up the studio and stage for a life in Hollywood, though he's certainly passionate about the medium. Besides directing many of his band's videos and the multi-camera Beasties concert doc "Awesome; I Fuckin' Shot That!", Yauch recently launched his own indie film label and sales company called Oscilloscope Pictures. Their first project? "Gunnin' For That #1 Spot," a doc helmed by Yauch himself, about the 24 high school b-ball prodigies who competed in 2006's first annual "Boost Mobile Elite 24 Hoops Classic," held in Harlem's Rucker Park. With a predictably well-curated soundtrack of hip-hop and break beats, the film chases eight of the competitors down the court and behind the scenes, as the media, shoe companies, money-eyed advisers and coaches line up to woo them with future NBA dreams. I passed the mic to Yauch,...
Beastie Boys founding member and filmmaker Adam Yauch (that's "McA" to you, sucka!) isn't giving up the studio and stage for a life in Hollywood, though he's certainly passionate about the medium. Besides directing many of his band's videos and the multi-camera Beasties concert doc "Awesome; I Fuckin' Shot That!", Yauch recently launched his own indie film label and sales company called Oscilloscope Pictures. Their first project? "Gunnin' For That #1 Spot," a doc helmed by Yauch himself, about the 24 high school b-ball prodigies who competed in 2006's first annual "Boost Mobile Elite 24 Hoops Classic," held in Harlem's Rucker Park. With a predictably well-curated soundtrack of hip-hop and break beats, the film chases eight of the competitors down the court and behind the scenes, as the media, shoe companies, money-eyed advisers and coaches line up to woo them with future NBA dreams. I passed the mic to Yauch,...
- 6/27/2008
- by Aaron Hillis
- ifc.com
By Aaron Hillis
British filmmaker Sarah Gavron began her career making documentaries and television projects. Her BBC drama "This Little Life" won two BAFTAs, she's been nominated for one more, and her shorts have racked up jury awards and acclaim on the festival circuit. Gavron's vibrant feature debut "Brick Lane" is an adaptation of Monica Ali's controversial bestselling novel about a Bangladeshi woman named Nazneen (Tannishtha Chatterjee, in a truly anchoring performance) who's forced into an arranged marriage at 17 to the much older Chanu (Satish Kaushik). Moved into the titular block of flats in London's East End, Nazneen tries to make sense of her new life while dutifully raising a family, but her unrealized passions are awakened when she meets and begins an affair with a politically confrontational young Muslim local named Karim (Christopher Simpson). Gavron and I chatted about adapting Ali's book and her surprising experiences within the Bangladeshi community.
British filmmaker Sarah Gavron began her career making documentaries and television projects. Her BBC drama "This Little Life" won two BAFTAs, she's been nominated for one more, and her shorts have racked up jury awards and acclaim on the festival circuit. Gavron's vibrant feature debut "Brick Lane" is an adaptation of Monica Ali's controversial bestselling novel about a Bangladeshi woman named Nazneen (Tannishtha Chatterjee, in a truly anchoring performance) who's forced into an arranged marriage at 17 to the much older Chanu (Satish Kaushik). Moved into the titular block of flats in London's East End, Nazneen tries to make sense of her new life while dutifully raising a family, but her unrealized passions are awakened when she meets and begins an affair with a politically confrontational young Muslim local named Karim (Christopher Simpson). Gavron and I chatted about adapting Ali's book and her surprising experiences within the Bangladeshi community.
- 6/18/2008
- by Aaron Hillis
- ifc.com
By Aaron Hillis
Fearless filmmaking legend Werner Herzog ("Rescue Dawn," "Grizzly Man") has survived everything from active volcanoes to angry natives, stray bullets during interviews and Klaus Kinski himself, but what about global devastation? Shot entirely in Antarctica on the National Science Foundation's dime, "Encounters at the End of the World" has an ominous double meaning in our age of climate crisis, but that theme would be too simplistic by half for a resilient cinematic visionary like Herr Herzog. A mirthful and meditative quest for beauty, profundity and magic amongst those rare human beings . many scientists or other esoteric specialists . who choose to live and work in this isolated locale, Herzog's latest finds new vital questions to ask the world (prostitution and homosexuality among penguins?) through a filter of vibrant personalities, lyrical juxtapositions between man and nature, and the auteur's distinctive deadpan wit. Though my chat with Herzog was far too brief this time around,...
Fearless filmmaking legend Werner Herzog ("Rescue Dawn," "Grizzly Man") has survived everything from active volcanoes to angry natives, stray bullets during interviews and Klaus Kinski himself, but what about global devastation? Shot entirely in Antarctica on the National Science Foundation's dime, "Encounters at the End of the World" has an ominous double meaning in our age of climate crisis, but that theme would be too simplistic by half for a resilient cinematic visionary like Herr Herzog. A mirthful and meditative quest for beauty, profundity and magic amongst those rare human beings . many scientists or other esoteric specialists . who choose to live and work in this isolated locale, Herzog's latest finds new vital questions to ask the world (prostitution and homosexuality among penguins?) through a filter of vibrant personalities, lyrical juxtapositions between man and nature, and the auteur's distinctive deadpan wit. Though my chat with Herzog was far too brief this time around,...
- 6/10/2008
- by Aaron Hillis
- ifc.com
By Aaron Hillis
Though cult filmmaker Stuart Gordon is most revered for his many screen adaptations of horror legend H. P. Lovecraft's work (including "Re-Animator" and "From Beyond"), his latest could be read as the final leg of an angry American trilogy that began with 2003's "King of the Ants" and continued with his 2005 adaptation of David Mamet's "Edmond." In just over an hour and a half, "Stuck" is at once a caustically funny economic drama, a moral thriller and a survival horror flick, all based on a bizarre but true story. Mena Suvari stars as Brandi, a nursing home caretaker who, after partying a little too hard one night, hits recently downsized sad-sack Tom (Stephen Rea) with her car. He doesn't die, but is slowly bleeding to death while half-embedded in her windshield, forcing a panicked Brandi to stupidly decide to leave him in the garage as she...
Though cult filmmaker Stuart Gordon is most revered for his many screen adaptations of horror legend H. P. Lovecraft's work (including "Re-Animator" and "From Beyond"), his latest could be read as the final leg of an angry American trilogy that began with 2003's "King of the Ants" and continued with his 2005 adaptation of David Mamet's "Edmond." In just over an hour and a half, "Stuck" is at once a caustically funny economic drama, a moral thriller and a survival horror flick, all based on a bizarre but true story. Mena Suvari stars as Brandi, a nursing home caretaker who, after partying a little too hard one night, hits recently downsized sad-sack Tom (Stephen Rea) with her car. He doesn't die, but is slowly bleeding to death while half-embedded in her windshield, forcing a panicked Brandi to stupidly decide to leave him in the garage as she...
- 5/28/2008
- by Aaron Hillis
- ifc.com
By Aaron Hillis
Cult author Mark Leyner hit his stride in the '90s with meta-fictional novels ("Et Tu, Babe," "The Tetherballs of Bougainville") and short story collections ("My Cousin, My Gastroenterologist," "Tooth Imprints on a Corn Dog"), all hilariously overstimulated, fantastical parodies of mass culture and ephemeral trends both highbrow and low. He created and voiced the audio series "Wiretap" (about a 19-year-old's conversations with pal Kim Jong Il), had columns in magazines like Esquire and George, and co-wrote two books of answers to unusual medical questions with Dr. Billy Goldberg ("Why Do Men Have Nipples?", "Why Do Men Fall Asleep After Sex?"). It was only a matter of time before Leyner's peculiar sensibilities wiggled their way into cinema.
Co-scripted by Leyner, John Cusack and "Bulworth" screenwriter Jeremy Pikser, "War, Inc" is an absurdist Iraq war satire set in the fake country of Turaqistan, where a privatized war has...
Cult author Mark Leyner hit his stride in the '90s with meta-fictional novels ("Et Tu, Babe," "The Tetherballs of Bougainville") and short story collections ("My Cousin, My Gastroenterologist," "Tooth Imprints on a Corn Dog"), all hilariously overstimulated, fantastical parodies of mass culture and ephemeral trends both highbrow and low. He created and voiced the audio series "Wiretap" (about a 19-year-old's conversations with pal Kim Jong Il), had columns in magazines like Esquire and George, and co-wrote two books of answers to unusual medical questions with Dr. Billy Goldberg ("Why Do Men Have Nipples?", "Why Do Men Fall Asleep After Sex?"). It was only a matter of time before Leyner's peculiar sensibilities wiggled their way into cinema.
Co-scripted by Leyner, John Cusack and "Bulworth" screenwriter Jeremy Pikser, "War, Inc" is an absurdist Iraq war satire set in the fake country of Turaqistan, where a privatized war has...
- 5/22/2008
- by Aaron Hillis
- ifc.com
By Aaron Hillis
Joachim Trier's mother was a documentarian, his father a sound department tech, his grandfather a Cannes-selected filmmaker, and his distant cousin Lars von Trier, so is it any surprise that the feature debut of this Copenhagen-born, Norwegian-based director has already turned out to be one of the year's best imports? An invigoratingly kinetic punk rock ode to young intellectual camaraderie that's as funny and sexy as it is haunting and sad, "Reprise" knocks chronology and narrative structure on their standardized asses to detail the friendship between twentysomething writers Erik (Espen Klouman-Høiner) and Phillip (Anders Danielsen Lie). Beginning with the two dreaming rebels standing at a mailbox about to ship their first novels to publishers, "Reprise" digressively dazzles in the moments long after, way before, and several hops in between as one becomes famous, the other hustles in his shadow, and the pressures of reality bring them...
Joachim Trier's mother was a documentarian, his father a sound department tech, his grandfather a Cannes-selected filmmaker, and his distant cousin Lars von Trier, so is it any surprise that the feature debut of this Copenhagen-born, Norwegian-based director has already turned out to be one of the year's best imports? An invigoratingly kinetic punk rock ode to young intellectual camaraderie that's as funny and sexy as it is haunting and sad, "Reprise" knocks chronology and narrative structure on their standardized asses to detail the friendship between twentysomething writers Erik (Espen Klouman-Høiner) and Phillip (Anders Danielsen Lie). Beginning with the two dreaming rebels standing at a mailbox about to ship their first novels to publishers, "Reprise" digressively dazzles in the moments long after, way before, and several hops in between as one becomes famous, the other hustles in his shadow, and the pressures of reality bring them...
- 5/14/2008
- by Aaron Hillis
- ifc.com
By Aaron Hillis
It was only a matter of time before renowned British documentarian Nick Broomfield ("Kurt & Courtney," "Biggie & Tupac," "Aileen Wuornos: Life and Death of a Serial Killer"), whose on-camera muckraking begat Michael Moore and Morgan Spurlock, would tackle the Iraq War. But what's surprising for a guy who's been developing his doc style since the early '70s is that "Battle for Haditha," based on a 2005 tragedy in which U.S. Marines slaughtered 24 Iraqi men, women and children as kneejerk retribution for an Ied attack, isn't a documentary at all. A progressive but blisteringly angry re-enactment that may be the first Iraq-themed narrative with any intelligent sense of the complexities at hand, Broomfield's drama casts real-life Iraqi civilians, insurgents and U.S. marines to depict the humanity from each side of the story. I sat with a no-nonsense Broomfield at Nyc's Film Forum to discuss the film,...
It was only a matter of time before renowned British documentarian Nick Broomfield ("Kurt & Courtney," "Biggie & Tupac," "Aileen Wuornos: Life and Death of a Serial Killer"), whose on-camera muckraking begat Michael Moore and Morgan Spurlock, would tackle the Iraq War. But what's surprising for a guy who's been developing his doc style since the early '70s is that "Battle for Haditha," based on a 2005 tragedy in which U.S. Marines slaughtered 24 Iraqi men, women and children as kneejerk retribution for an Ied attack, isn't a documentary at all. A progressive but blisteringly angry re-enactment that may be the first Iraq-themed narrative with any intelligent sense of the complexities at hand, Broomfield's drama casts real-life Iraqi civilians, insurgents and U.S. marines to depict the humanity from each side of the story. I sat with a no-nonsense Broomfield at Nyc's Film Forum to discuss the film,...
- 5/6/2008
- by Aaron Hillis
- ifc.com
By Aaron Hillis
Though he's the writer-director of the acclaimed 2003 dramedy "The Station Agent," Tom McCarthy is probably not the first face you associate with the film (Peter Dinklage was the bigger breakout, no pun intended). But that doesn't bother the New Jersey-born McCarthy, who has had his own share of on screen recognition (more on that later) since he began acting in film and television in the early '90s. (If his name still doesn't ring a bell, then you certainly didn't watch the brilliant final season of Hbo's "The Wire," in which he co-starred as the morally skewed Baltimore Sun reporter Scott Templeton.) McCarthy's second feature behind the camera is "The Visitor," a poignant and lightly funny drama about a widowed and utterly disillusioned economics professor named Walter Vale (Richard Jenkins, "Six Feet Under") who discovers, on a business trip from Connecticut, that a Syrian percussionist and...
Though he's the writer-director of the acclaimed 2003 dramedy "The Station Agent," Tom McCarthy is probably not the first face you associate with the film (Peter Dinklage was the bigger breakout, no pun intended). But that doesn't bother the New Jersey-born McCarthy, who has had his own share of on screen recognition (more on that later) since he began acting in film and television in the early '90s. (If his name still doesn't ring a bell, then you certainly didn't watch the brilliant final season of Hbo's "The Wire," in which he co-starred as the morally skewed Baltimore Sun reporter Scott Templeton.) McCarthy's second feature behind the camera is "The Visitor," a poignant and lightly funny drama about a widowed and utterly disillusioned economics professor named Walter Vale (Richard Jenkins, "Six Feet Under") who discovers, on a business trip from Connecticut, that a Syrian percussionist and...
- 4/11/2008
- by Aaron Hillis
- ifc.com
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