“So what’s the deal with Evites?” Stand up Paul (Alex Karpovsky) is bombing — at life. Dumped by his fiancée, working a dead end temp job, and flogging the same tired stand up routine at open mics around town, he’s going nowhere until an old friend invites him on a ride. The old friend is Jason Black (Wyatt Russell) a folk musician with a cult following who brings Paul on tour as an opening act to get his “mojo” back. “Folk Hero & Funny Guy” writer/director Jeff Grace is an actor (“It’s a Disaster”) and stand-up comic, and mines his own experiences for his directorial debut in this appealing road trip flick. The film hews closely to the road movie format, and calls to mind films like “The Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best” and even Karpovsky’s own film “Red Flag,” which share themes about finding inspiration and...
- 4/18/2016
- by Katie Walsh
- The Playlist
by Terry Keefe
Hi folks: I'm not usually one for blatant self-promotion, but a feature I co-produced and helped develop over a number of years is premiering at the Montreal World Film Festival in August, and I'm very proud of it so you're getting a post. It's called The Red Robin and stars Judd Hirsch (Taxi, Damages, Maron, Independence Day), C.S. Lee (Dexter), Ryan O'Nan (The Iceman, the Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best), Jaime Ray Newman (Red Widow, Supernatural), Caroline Lagerfelt (Gossip Girl), and Joseph Lyle Taylor. It was written and directed by an old friend and creative collaborator, Michael Z. Wechsler. The story is a psychological thriller which can be best be described as The Celebration meets The Manchurian Candidate, about a dying, famed psychiatrist (Hirsch), who also did mysterious work for the CIA during the Cold War. On his deathbed, his youngest adopted son (O'Nan) accuses his father...
Hi folks: I'm not usually one for blatant self-promotion, but a feature I co-produced and helped develop over a number of years is premiering at the Montreal World Film Festival in August, and I'm very proud of it so you're getting a post. It's called The Red Robin and stars Judd Hirsch (Taxi, Damages, Maron, Independence Day), C.S. Lee (Dexter), Ryan O'Nan (The Iceman, the Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best), Jaime Ray Newman (Red Widow, Supernatural), Caroline Lagerfelt (Gossip Girl), and Joseph Lyle Taylor. It was written and directed by an old friend and creative collaborator, Michael Z. Wechsler. The story is a psychological thriller which can be best be described as The Celebration meets The Manchurian Candidate, about a dying, famed psychiatrist (Hirsch), who also did mysterious work for the CIA during the Cold War. On his deathbed, his youngest adopted son (O'Nan) accuses his father...
- 7/10/2013
- by The Hollywood Interview.com
- The Hollywood Interview
Musical comedies are so tough to pull off that hardly anyone tries anymore. Part of the reason "The Blues Brothers" has maintained its appeal over the years is that it fuses numerous successful ingredients into a satisfying whole: It hits the right comedic beats along with musical ones, often simultaneously. Such an outlandishly entertaining package hardly correlates with rigid studio formulas, which is why the musical comedy has migrated to the indie sector. Last fall, "Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best" followed a trio of musicians on an inoffensively familiar road trip, but "The History of Future Folk" (which opens in Los Angeles this week, but has already been released in New York and various digital platforms) does a greater service to this under-appreciated form by taking it to a new level of innovation. It's the first feel-good hipster alien invasion musical comedy. "The History of Future Folk," a microbudget Brooklyn-set...
- 6/6/2013
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
Lightning Entertainment, the Santa Monica-based sales, production and distribution company, has acquired international rights to the hit South by Southwest Film Festival comedy, Gus, starring Michelle Monaghan (Source Code, Gone Baby Gone) Radha Mitchell (Olympus Has Fallen, Silent Hill) and Michael Weston (Fox’s “House,” HBO’s “Six Feet Under”), it was announced today by Robert Beaumont, President of Lightning.
The film, which premiered at the South by Southwest Film Festival to rave reviews in March, marks the feature film debut of Jessie McCormack, who directed from her own script.
McCormack is also a producer alongside Kathryn Himoff, Kevin Fitzmaurice Comer and Erik Van Wyck. The film is executive produced by Richard N. Gladstein (Finding Neverland, The Cider House Rules, The Bourne Identity). The deal was negotiated by Lightning Entertainment’s Joseph Dickstein and ICM Partners on behalf of the filmmakers. ICM Partners represents Monaghan and Mitchell and is also...
The film, which premiered at the South by Southwest Film Festival to rave reviews in March, marks the feature film debut of Jessie McCormack, who directed from her own script.
McCormack is also a producer alongside Kathryn Himoff, Kevin Fitzmaurice Comer and Erik Van Wyck. The film is executive produced by Richard N. Gladstein (Finding Neverland, The Cider House Rules, The Bourne Identity). The deal was negotiated by Lightning Entertainment’s Joseph Dickstein and ICM Partners on behalf of the filmmakers. ICM Partners represents Monaghan and Mitchell and is also...
- 5/1/2013
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Feature Ivan Radford 25 Feb 2013 - 07:00
In the wake of the Oscars, Ivan looks at the year's nominees, and argues that it's time the Academy changed its music categories...
It’s February. People are talking about John Williams. It must be Oscar season again. And this year, it’s a fairly traditional bunch: Alexandre Desplat, John Williams, Thomas Newman and Dario Marianelli are all familiar faces on the ballot sheet, with only Mychael Danna offering a relative shot of fresh blood.
So, is it time the Academy Awards introduced a few more changes to its music categories?
Back in the 1930s, Best Music (Scoring) was the award composers coveted, a gong given out to pre-existing musicals and brand new work alike. In 1938, the music prize was split into two: Original Score and Scoring, allowing new work (Korngold's The Adventures Of Robin Hood) to be rewarded while still celebrating the wealth...
In the wake of the Oscars, Ivan looks at the year's nominees, and argues that it's time the Academy changed its music categories...
It’s February. People are talking about John Williams. It must be Oscar season again. And this year, it’s a fairly traditional bunch: Alexandre Desplat, John Williams, Thomas Newman and Dario Marianelli are all familiar faces on the ballot sheet, with only Mychael Danna offering a relative shot of fresh blood.
So, is it time the Academy Awards introduced a few more changes to its music categories?
Back in the 1930s, Best Music (Scoring) was the award composers coveted, a gong given out to pre-existing musicals and brand new work alike. In 1938, the music prize was split into two: Original Score and Scoring, allowing new work (Korngold's The Adventures Of Robin Hood) to be rewarded while still celebrating the wealth...
- 2/22/2013
- by ryanlambie
- Den of Geek
Chicago – Amiable charm compensates for scattershot laughs in Ryan O’Nan’s directorial debut, “Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best.” There’s an undercurrent of tangible warmth that reverberates beneath O’Nan’s awkward assemblage of quirky gags and self-consciously clever dialogue. Though I spent much of the film on the fence, it eventually won me over.
There are few things more thrilling to watch in a film than two strangers connecting through their shared passion for music. That’s what happened in John Carney’s 2006 masterpiece, “Once,” as Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová brilliantly portrayed the spontaneity of an unrehearsed musical performance—allowing the Oscar-winning tune, “Falling Slowly,” to organically unfold before the audience like a blooming flower.
DVD Rating: 3.5/5.0
A similar sort of magic occurs about a half-hour into “Brooklyn Brothers,” as mismatched duo Alex (O’Nan) and Jim (Michael Weston) start to perform a tune while driving to their next gig.
There are few things more thrilling to watch in a film than two strangers connecting through their shared passion for music. That’s what happened in John Carney’s 2006 masterpiece, “Once,” as Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová brilliantly portrayed the spontaneity of an unrehearsed musical performance—allowing the Oscar-winning tune, “Falling Slowly,” to organically unfold before the audience like a blooming flower.
DVD Rating: 3.5/5.0
A similar sort of magic occurs about a half-hour into “Brooklyn Brothers,” as mismatched duo Alex (O’Nan) and Jim (Michael Weston) start to perform a tune while driving to their next gig.
- 1/23/2013
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Welcome back to This Week In Discs! As always, if you see something you like, click on the image to buy it. Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best Alex (Ryan O’Nan) is booted from his band, dumped by his girlfriend and fired from his job singing songs dressed like a dayglo moose, and he has no idea what to do next. Luckily, a stranger named Jim (Michael Weston) does, and soon the two set out on a multi-city tour singing original songs backed by a selection of children’s musical instruments/toys and learning the value of friendship and being true to yourself. O’Nan also wrote and directed this low-fi gem, and the result is a sweet and funny look at lives in flux. It also features a handful of incredibly catchy songs that may have you checking Amazon or iTunes for availability. (Yes, there is an album.) You’ll find yourself smiling through most of...
- 1/7/2013
- by Rob Hunter
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Ryan O'Nan is taking a page from Lena Dunham's book in his personal indie drama Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best. As writer, director, and star of the film, O'Nan depicts the lives of the unmotivated twenty-something losers that have begun to define a generation (similar to those Girls on Dunham's show). O'Nan plays Alex, a self-proclaimed loser, who loses his two jobs and his latest band gig, which is enough to make anyone want to give up.
But inspiration arrives in the form of Jim (Michael Weston) who is a fan of Alex's musical talents and convinces him to go on a cross-country road trip. He has gigs lined up across the country, ending with a big battle of the bands-style competition in California. Alex's mellow personality is the perfect foil for Jim's zany one, and the quick addition of the charming Cassidy (Arielle Kebbel) gives the gang enough...
But inspiration arrives in the form of Jim (Michael Weston) who is a fan of Alex's musical talents and convinces him to go on a cross-country road trip. He has gigs lined up across the country, ending with a big battle of the bands-style competition in California. Alex's mellow personality is the perfect foil for Jim's zany one, and the quick addition of the charming Cassidy (Arielle Kebbel) gives the gang enough...
- 1/4/2013
- by John Keith
- JustPressPlay.net
The Oscars are almost upon us, and the past few weeks have treated us to the shortlists competing in a number of categories, including Best Animated Feature, Best Visual Effects, Best Documentary, and Best Original Score.
With the nominations announcement creeping ever closer at the start of next month, the Academy have now announced a seventy-five-long list of songs that are eligible in the Best Original Song category.
The list features some absolutely stellar songs that have debuted on the big screen this year, including Adele’s impressive Bond theme, Skyfall.
Tom Hooper’s highly anticipated Les Misérables is also in the running with Suddenly, composed specifically for the film, and it should be great to see how it’s received both by audiences and the Academy in the coming weeks.
We’ve got plenty of choices from animated films in the mix – the animated ones are often the strongest...
With the nominations announcement creeping ever closer at the start of next month, the Academy have now announced a seventy-five-long list of songs that are eligible in the Best Original Song category.
The list features some absolutely stellar songs that have debuted on the big screen this year, including Adele’s impressive Bond theme, Skyfall.
Tom Hooper’s highly anticipated Les Misérables is also in the running with Suddenly, composed specifically for the film, and it should be great to see how it’s received both by audiences and the Academy in the coming weeks.
We’ve got plenty of choices from animated films in the mix – the animated ones are often the strongest...
- 12/13/2012
- by Kenji Lloyd
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Seventy-five songs from eligible feature-length motion pictures released in 2012 are in contention for nominations in the Original Song category for the 85th Academy Awards®, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today. The original songs, along with the motion picture in which each song is featured, are listed below in alphabetical order by film and song title: “For You” from “Act of Valor” “Metaphorical Blanket” from “Any Day Now” “Let It Rain” from “Being Flynn” “Learn Me Right” from “Brave” “Touch the Sky” from “Brave” “Airport” from “Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best” “Come on Girl” from “Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best” “Someday” from “Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best” “Protect the King” from “Brooklyn Castle” “California Solo” from “California Solo” “Casa De Mi Padre” from “Casa De Mi Padre” “Del Cielo” from “Casa De Mi Padre” “Yo No Se” from “Casa De Mi Padre” “No Other Plans” from “Celeste and Jesse Forever...
- 12/12/2012
- by aablog@hollywoodnews.com (Josh Abraham)
- Hollywoodnews.com
In what might be a bit of an over-correction from last year’s two-song race, The Academy has released the largest list of Oscar-eligible original songs in years, topping out at 75 tunes from the movies of the year. Naturally, the big names are there — Adele with “Skyfall” and Arcade Fire with their work on The Hunger Games — but there are also some far out choices like work featured in Death By China and Saint Dracula. With that many songs in the mix, it was bound to be an eclectic group, but even though it’ll be whittled down for the final nominee list announced January 10th, it’s nice for the time being to see “Ladies of Tampa” from Magic Mike right next to “Love Always Comes as a Surprise” from Madagascar 3. Here’s the complete list with a few examples for your listening pleasure: “For You” from Act of Valor “Metaphorical Blanket” from Any Day Now “Let It Rain...
- 12/12/2012
- by Scott Beggs
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Seventy-five songs from eligible feature-length motion pictures released in 2012 are in contention for nominations in the Original Song category for the 85th Academy Awards®, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today.
The original songs, along with the motion picture in which each song is featured, are listed below in alphabetical order by film and song title:
”For You” from “Act of Valor”
“Metaphorical Blanket” from “Any Day Now”
“Let It Rain” from “Being Flynn”
“Learn Me Right” from “Brave”
“Touch the Sky” from “Brave”
“Airport” from “Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best”
“Come on Girl” from “Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best”
“Someday” from “Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best”
“Protect the King” from “Brooklyn Castle”
“California Solo” from “California Solo”
“Casa De Mi Padre” from “Casa De Mi Padre”
“Del Cielo” from “Casa De Mi Padre”
“Yo No Se” from “Casa De Mi Padre”
“No Other Plans” from “Celeste and Jesse Forever...
The original songs, along with the motion picture in which each song is featured, are listed below in alphabetical order by film and song title:
”For You” from “Act of Valor”
“Metaphorical Blanket” from “Any Day Now”
“Let It Rain” from “Being Flynn”
“Learn Me Right” from “Brave”
“Touch the Sky” from “Brave”
“Airport” from “Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best”
“Come on Girl” from “Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best”
“Someday” from “Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best”
“Protect the King” from “Brooklyn Castle”
“California Solo” from “California Solo”
“Casa De Mi Padre” from “Casa De Mi Padre”
“Del Cielo” from “Casa De Mi Padre”
“Yo No Se” from “Casa De Mi Padre”
“No Other Plans” from “Celeste and Jesse Forever...
- 12/11/2012
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
There are 75 original songs that qualify for the Oscar this year, but really everyone has been waiting to hear about one.
Adele’s title theme to Skyfall surged to #1 on iTunes just days after debuting in October, but some feared the number by her and Paul Epworth would be ruled ineligible for the Oscar because it incorporates elements of the classic 007 theme, which of course is not original.
But the music branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences decided it was not a significant enough problem to boot it from the potential nominees, and included it without...
Adele’s title theme to Skyfall surged to #1 on iTunes just days after debuting in October, but some feared the number by her and Paul Epworth would be ruled ineligible for the Oscar because it incorporates elements of the classic 007 theme, which of course is not original.
But the music branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences decided it was not a significant enough problem to boot it from the potential nominees, and included it without...
- 12/11/2012
- by Anthony Breznican
- EW - Inside Movies
We are one step closer to a Matthew McConaughey Oscar striptease, friends, because — as hoped and prayed for — Magic Mike's "Ladies in Tampa" has been declared eligible for Best Original Song. Also on the Academy's go-list: "Skyfall," which will probably ensure a post-baby comeback performance from Adele; Rick Ross's "100 Black Coffins," from Django Unchained; the new Les Miserables song; Fiona Apple's ferocious, not-so-censor-friendly "Dull Tool," from This Is 40; and, strangely, Katy Perry's "Wide Awake." Start mailing in your thongs or coffins or whatever a dull tool is to the Academy; the Save the Best Song Performances campaign starts now.Full list: "For You" from "Act of Valor""Metaphorical Blanket" from "Any Day Now""Let It Rain" from "Being Flynn""Learn Me Right" from "Brave""Touch the Sky" from "Brave""Airport" from "Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best""Come on Girl" from "Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best...
- 12/11/2012
- by Amanda Dobbins
- Vulture
I mentioned on today's podcast that my three nominees for Best Original Song for the 2013 Critics' Choice Awards were "100 Black Coffins" from Django Unchained, "Skyfall" from Skyfall and "Ladies of Tampa" from Magic Mike. Of my nominees only "Skyfall" made the official list of nominees, but hopefully the Academy will right a couple of wrongs as both "100 Black Coffins" and Matthew McConaughey's "Ladies of Tampa" are among the 75 songs listed as in contention for a nomination at the 2013 Oscars. The Academy just released the following list of which all voting members of the Music Branch will receive a Reminder List of works submitted in the category and a DVD copy of the song clips. Members will be asked to watch the clips and then vote in the order of their preference for not more than five achievements in the category. The five achievements receiving the highest number of votes...
- 12/11/2012
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
75 songs from eligible feature-length motion pictures released in 2012 are in contention for nominations in the Original Song category for the 85th Academy Awards®, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today. The original songs, along with the motion picture in which each song is featured, are listed below in alphabetical order by film and song title: "For You" from "Act of Valor" "Metaphorical Blanket" from "Any Day Now" "Let It Rain" from "Being Flynn" "Learn Me Right" from "Brave" "Touch the Sky" from "Brave" "Airport" from "Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best" "Come on Girl"...
- 12/11/2012
- Comingsoon.net
It’s Monday, so we all know what that means! Yes, it’s time for another rundown of DVDs and Blu-ray’s hitting stores online and offline this week. It’s a jam-packed week, with plenty of movies waiting to take you money, so let us breakdown the new releases and highlight what you should – and shouldn’t – be buying from today, October 29th 2012.
Pick Of The Week
The Five-Year Engagement (DVD/Blu-ray)
Judd Apatow-produced romantic comedy starring Emily Blunt and Jason Segel. Anglo-American couple Violet (Blunt) and Tom (Segel) fall in love and soon after decide to get married. But the wedding is repeatedly delayed by the various intricate and perplexing circumstances in which they find themselves, to the point where both parties – and their families – start to wonder if they are doing the right thing after all. The Five-Year Engagement Review
And the rest…
Brake (DVD/Blu-ray...
Pick Of The Week
The Five-Year Engagement (DVD/Blu-ray)
Judd Apatow-produced romantic comedy starring Emily Blunt and Jason Segel. Anglo-American couple Violet (Blunt) and Tom (Segel) fall in love and soon after decide to get married. But the wedding is repeatedly delayed by the various intricate and perplexing circumstances in which they find themselves, to the point where both parties – and their families – start to wonder if they are doing the right thing after all. The Five-Year Engagement Review
And the rest…
Brake (DVD/Blu-ray...
- 10/29/2012
- by Phil
- Nerdly
Santa Barbara International Film Festival executive director Roger Durling is making a Call for Entries for the fest's second annual Acquisitions Program. The weekend event providing buyers with direct access to showcased films debuted last year and resulted in a number of distribution deals, including "Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best," "Otter 501," "Samsara," "Sassy Pants" and the fest's 2012 Audience Choice winner, 'Starbuck." This year the acquisitions program will run during the first weekend of the festival, January 24-27, 2013, again in association with La production and sales company Traction Media. The Sbiff will accept submissions via Withoutabox until the drop deadline December 7. “We are thrilled with the success of last year’s Acquisitions weekend,” said Doug Stone, President of the Sbiff Board and a principal of Traction Media. “Sbiff continues with its commitment to nurturing...
- 10/23/2012
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
No plans for tonight? That’s strange because there’s, like, a billion things to do in our glorious age. Fortunately one of those things is seeing an indie movie for free. Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best stars writer/director Ryan O’Nan and Michael Weston as two musicians getting Bromantic in very Once-by-way-of-i-Love-You-Man kind of way. You can check out the trailer below, but you and a friend can also see the movie tonight for no money. How? All you have to do is email us with the subject title: I Want to Beat the Best. We’ll randomly choose two (2) winners from La and 2 winners from NYC. Then you can take your boyfriend or girlfriend or grandma or whomever you’d like.
- 9/28/2012
- by Cole Abaius
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Title: Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best Director: Ryan O’Nan Starring: Ryan O’Nan, Michael Weston, Arielle Kebbel, Andrew McCarthy, Christopher McDonald, Jason Ritter, Wilmer Valderrama, Kate Baldwin, Charles Chu, Gregg Edelman, Melissa Leo, Jake Miller An offbeat, hipster-inflected road movie that almost steadfastly refuses to conform to expectation and sense, multi-hyphenate Ryan O’Nan’s “Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best” is a to-scale victory of quirky charm and feeling over sagacity. If that sounds like a backhanded compliment, which it kind of is, it’s also one certainly fitting for its protagonists. The tale of two struggling musicians trying to find their place in the world, ”Brooklyn Brothers” is a film with a restless soul. It likely wouldn’t [ Read More ]
The post Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 9/27/2012
- by bsimon
- ShockYa
In a week with such a dearth of new films for superhero-phobes to choose from, it's ironic that two of the alternatives should be so similar. Lola Versus and The Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best have so much in common that, at any moment, the characters from one film might turn a corner and bump into characters from the other.
- 7/21/2012
- The Independent - Film
The Dark Knight Rises (12A)
(Christopher Nolan, 2012, Us/UK) Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Gary Oldman, Marion Cotillard, Michael Caine. 164 mins
As big and dark and serious as The Avengers was big and light and fun, the climax to Nolan's Batman trilogy ticks most of the boxes it was demanded to – which is quite an achievement. There's an Occupy-style theme to baddy Bane's Gotham City lockdown, which forces Bruce Wayne to consider his 1% financial status and Batman to revive his punching and growling skills (prompted by Hathaway's slinky cat burglar). Some cheesy cliches (and questionable politics) are needed to tie it all together, but it's still the solid, epic finale you'd hoped for.
Something From Nothing: The Art Of Rap (15)
(Ice-t, Andy Baybutt, 2012, UK/Us) 111 mins
The well-connected director calls on the biggest names in rap (Eminem, Q-Tip, Melle Mel, Snoop Dogg, etc), asks them a...
(Christopher Nolan, 2012, Us/UK) Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Gary Oldman, Marion Cotillard, Michael Caine. 164 mins
As big and dark and serious as The Avengers was big and light and fun, the climax to Nolan's Batman trilogy ticks most of the boxes it was demanded to – which is quite an achievement. There's an Occupy-style theme to baddy Bane's Gotham City lockdown, which forces Bruce Wayne to consider his 1% financial status and Batman to revive his punching and growling skills (prompted by Hathaway's slinky cat burglar). Some cheesy cliches (and questionable politics) are needed to tie it all together, but it's still the solid, epic finale you'd hoped for.
Something From Nothing: The Art Of Rap (15)
(Ice-t, Andy Baybutt, 2012, UK/Us) 111 mins
The well-connected director calls on the biggest names in rap (Eminem, Q-Tip, Melle Mel, Snoop Dogg, etc), asks them a...
- 7/20/2012
- by Steve Rose
- The Guardian - Film News
It’s perhaps not that surprising that Ice Age 4 shot straight back up to the top of the Box Office chart theatrical release this week, but the sheer volume by which it eclipsed The Amazing Spider Man is really quite something. Spidey took in a still respectable £4mllion but this was dwarfed by Ice Age’s epic £10 million haul. I guess one should never underestimate the all-round family appeal of these Ice Age movies, and it looks set to be one of the highest grossing movies of the year. If the figures keep looking this good, it won’t be much of a surprise when Ice Age 5 : The Neanderthal Strikes Back gets green lit in a few years’ time.
This week of course, that £10million take by Ice Age could appear like pocket change as The Dark Knight Rises finally arrives on the big screen. After months of trailers,...
This week of course, that £10million take by Ice Age could appear like pocket change as The Dark Knight Rises finally arrives on the big screen. After months of trailers,...
- 7/20/2012
- by Rob Keeling
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
★★☆☆☆ Written and directed by Ryan O'Nan (who also stars as hapless lead Alex), The Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best (2011) is a twee and ultimately redundant American indie that aims for a Flight of the Conchords-style blend of music, pathos and humour - minus the ingenuity and laughs. Taking a fairly rudimentary road movie structure, we follow the rags-to-partial riches-to-rags tale of a twenty-something, struggling musician with aspirations frankly above his station.
Read more »...
Read more »...
- 7/19/2012
- by CineVue
- CineVue
Unfortunately bundled into the same week of release as that small, obscure arthouse feature starring Christian Bale and Tom Hardy, The Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best will probably have to wait to be discovered on the small screen. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing however, because it’s that type of film which usually catches those less discernible viewers by sweet surprise with its winning mix of charm and whimsy.
Hapless, down on his luck musician Alex (Ryan O’Nan) can’t seem to catch a break. During the film’s opening, his truly awful singing partner wants to call it a day after a disastrous open mic evening. He is then sacked from his office job the following day when he gets into an argument about a gig he has to leave work early for. This turns out to be for an audience of mentally-challenged adults, one of...
Hapless, down on his luck musician Alex (Ryan O’Nan) can’t seem to catch a break. During the film’s opening, his truly awful singing partner wants to call it a day after a disastrous open mic evening. He is then sacked from his office job the following day when he gets into an argument about a gig he has to leave work early for. This turns out to be for an audience of mentally-challenged adults, one of...
- 7/18/2012
- by Adam Lowes
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Fancy a change from the blockbusting, superhero, deliberately mainstream enterprise that is The Dark Knight Rises juggernaut this week? Could do worse than the independent comedy The Brooklyn Brothers Beat The Best.
Alex and Jim get ready for the road
To mark the film's release this Friday, we have an exclusive clip - see above. Fans of buddy road movies can sit back and relax as this pair tread familiar, musical ground - and look out for a cameo from Eighties bratpacker Andrew McCarthy.
Here's the official blurb...
Recently dumped by his girlfriend and his band, perpetual underachiever Alex (Ryan O'Nan) toils away at a comically depressing real estate office, picking up solo gigs wherever he can. After an altercation with a colleague (Wilmer Valderrama), he also finds himself jobless and without purpose. When hearing one of Alex's sets, eccentric and self-proclaimed musical revolutionist Jim (Michael Weston) comes up with...
Alex and Jim get ready for the road
To mark the film's release this Friday, we have an exclusive clip - see above. Fans of buddy road movies can sit back and relax as this pair tread familiar, musical ground - and look out for a cameo from Eighties bratpacker Andrew McCarthy.
Here's the official blurb...
Recently dumped by his girlfriend and his band, perpetual underachiever Alex (Ryan O'Nan) toils away at a comically depressing real estate office, picking up solo gigs wherever he can. After an altercation with a colleague (Wilmer Valderrama), he also finds himself jobless and without purpose. When hearing one of Alex's sets, eccentric and self-proclaimed musical revolutionist Jim (Michael Weston) comes up with...
- 7/17/2012
- by The Huffington Post UK
- Huffington Post
Magic Mike (15)
(Steven Soderbergh, 2012, Us) Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Cody Horn, Matthew McConaughey, Olivia Munn. 110 mins
The roles are reversed but the themes are familiar in this rise-and-fall tale of male strippers, making and losing their way in a (sort of) woman's world. It's like a cross between The Full Monty, Boogie Nights and Showgirls, sketching a landscape of exploitation and desperation – even as it participates in it by serving up the barely clad Tatum and other beef products.
Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World (15)
(Lorene Scafaria, 2012, Us) Steve Carell, Keira Knightley, Patton Oswalt. 101 mins
Do passion and the apocalypse mix? Or Carell and Knightley? This faltering effort tries anyway.
Detachment (15)
(Tony Kaye, 2011, Us) Adrien Brody, Marcia Gay Harden. 98 mins
No provocation left behind in this scathing schoolroom drama with a starry cast.
Ice Age 4: Continental Drift (U)
(Steve Martino, Mark Thurmeier, 2012, Us) Ray Romano, Denis Leary.
(Steven Soderbergh, 2012, Us) Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Cody Horn, Matthew McConaughey, Olivia Munn. 110 mins
The roles are reversed but the themes are familiar in this rise-and-fall tale of male strippers, making and losing their way in a (sort of) woman's world. It's like a cross between The Full Monty, Boogie Nights and Showgirls, sketching a landscape of exploitation and desperation – even as it participates in it by serving up the barely clad Tatum and other beef products.
Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World (15)
(Lorene Scafaria, 2012, Us) Steve Carell, Keira Knightley, Patton Oswalt. 101 mins
Do passion and the apocalypse mix? Or Carell and Knightley? This faltering effort tries anyway.
Detachment (15)
(Tony Kaye, 2011, Us) Adrien Brody, Marcia Gay Harden. 98 mins
No provocation left behind in this scathing schoolroom drama with a starry cast.
Ice Age 4: Continental Drift (U)
(Steve Martino, Mark Thurmeier, 2012, Us) Ray Romano, Denis Leary.
- 7/13/2012
- by Steve Rose
- The Guardian - Film News
Signature Entertainment, purveyor of such great DVD and Blu-ray releases as Hirokin, Osombie, Swamp Shark, Alien Infiltration and the real-life doc Superheroes, are making the movie into cinema distribution with The Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best, a new music-based comedy starring Michael Weston, Arielle Kebbel, 80’s Brat Pack icon Andrew McCarthy and Ryan O’Nan, who also wrote and directed the film.
Signature have been kind enough to give us three exclusive images from the film to debut, you can check them out after the synopsis.
Recently dumped by his girlfriend and his band, perpetual underachiever Alex (Ryan O’Nan) toils away at a comically depressing real estate office, picking up solo gigs wherever he can. After an altercation with a colleague (Wilmer Valderrama), he also finds himself jobless and without purpose.
When hearing one of Alex’s sets, eccentric and self-proclaimed musical revolutionist Jim (Michael Weston) comes up with...
Signature have been kind enough to give us three exclusive images from the film to debut, you can check them out after the synopsis.
Recently dumped by his girlfriend and his band, perpetual underachiever Alex (Ryan O’Nan) toils away at a comically depressing real estate office, picking up solo gigs wherever he can. After an altercation with a colleague (Wilmer Valderrama), he also finds himself jobless and without purpose.
When hearing one of Alex’s sets, eccentric and self-proclaimed musical revolutionist Jim (Michael Weston) comes up with...
- 7/9/2012
- by Phil
- Nerdly
The Brooklyn Brothers Beat The Best
Review by LondonFilmFan
Stars: Ryan O’Nan, Michael Weston, Arielle Kebbel, Andrew McCarthy, Jason Ritter, Wilmer Valderrama, Christopher McDonald, Melissa Leo | Written and Directed by Ryan O’Nan
The world has changed a lot over the past five years. International economic woes can be felt everywhere and it’s easy to see how the landscape of our future has been distorted. With less investment and fewer companies willing to take a chance on unproven commodities, big dreams now seem even more unlikely. How, then, does a society respond to such an outlook? One way is to alter its perspective. Ryan O’Nan’s directorial debut The Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best illustrates just such a concept taking hold. On the surface, it’s an enjoyable indie road trip flick, but the moral of the story is reflective of the road western society is currently on.
Review by LondonFilmFan
Stars: Ryan O’Nan, Michael Weston, Arielle Kebbel, Andrew McCarthy, Jason Ritter, Wilmer Valderrama, Christopher McDonald, Melissa Leo | Written and Directed by Ryan O’Nan
The world has changed a lot over the past five years. International economic woes can be felt everywhere and it’s easy to see how the landscape of our future has been distorted. With less investment and fewer companies willing to take a chance on unproven commodities, big dreams now seem even more unlikely. How, then, does a society respond to such an outlook? One way is to alter its perspective. Ryan O’Nan’s directorial debut The Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best illustrates just such a concept taking hold. On the surface, it’s an enjoyable indie road trip flick, but the moral of the story is reflective of the road western society is currently on.
- 6/26/2012
- by Guest
- Nerdly
A number of our favorite independent films of the year are screening this week at the Northside Festival, a Brooklyn-based film and music event that gathers a number of film organizations, includuing Filmmaker, to guest curate some of its programming. Filmmaker‘s night is Wednesday, when we screen in its New York premiere Andrew Neel’s wickedly funny King Kelly (pictured) and Jeremiah Zagar & Nathan Caswell’s haunting short, Remains, but there are a number of other favorites dotted throughout the schedule. For example, tonight there’s one of the best documentaries of the year, Ashley Sabin and David Redmon’s Girl Model (presented by Pov) as well Ryan O’Nan’s warm and spirited Ifp Lab project, The Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best (presented by Oscilloscope and Rooftop Films). Also tonight is the Cuban artist doc Unfinished Spaces, which you’ll read about in the next issue of the magazine,...
- 6/18/2012
- by Scott Macaulay
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Today, Ifp in conjunction with Rbc (the Royal Bank of Canada) announced the winners of the 2011 Rbc Emerging Visions Program. The Emerging Visions Director Prize went to Adam Bowers (New Low) who received a cash prize and the chance to shoot an advertising campaign for Rbc. The runner-up, Ryan O’Nan (The Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best), was also awarded a cash prize. The two filmmakers were among 25 writers and directors who participated in the 2011 Rbc Emerging Visions Program, a day-long event intended to bring filmmakers together to network with industry professionals and each other. In order to enter the program, each individual was required to prepare a professional proposal for a Rbc campaign.
“We are grateful to Rbc for giving us the opportunity to support emerging talents in such a direct and meaningful way,” said Ifp’s Executive Director, Joana Vicente. “Not only is it important for these filmmakers...
“We are grateful to Rbc for giving us the opportunity to support emerging talents in such a direct and meaningful way,” said Ifp’s Executive Director, Joana Vicente. “Not only is it important for these filmmakers...
- 6/13/2012
- by Byron Camacho
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Signature Entertainment, purveyor of such great DVD and Blu-ray releases as Hirokin, Osombie, Swamp Shark, Alien Infiltration and the real-life doc Superheroes, are making the movie into cinema distribution with The Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best, a new music-based comedy starring Michael Weston, Arielle Kebbel, 80’s Brat Pack icon Andrew McCarthy and Ryan O’Nan, who also wrote and directed the film.
We have the first look at the film, including the one sheet poster, full synopsis and official UK trailer for The Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best – check them all out below:
Recently dumped by his girlfriend and his band, perpetual underachiever Alex (Ryan O’Nan) toils away at a comically depressing real estate office, picking up solo gigs wherever he can. After an altercation with a colleague (Wilmer Valderrama), he also finds himself jobless and without purpose.
When hearing one of Alex’s sets, eccentric and self-proclaimed musical...
We have the first look at the film, including the one sheet poster, full synopsis and official UK trailer for The Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best – check them all out below:
Recently dumped by his girlfriend and his band, perpetual underachiever Alex (Ryan O’Nan) toils away at a comically depressing real estate office, picking up solo gigs wherever he can. After an altercation with a colleague (Wilmer Valderrama), he also finds himself jobless and without purpose.
When hearing one of Alex’s sets, eccentric and self-proclaimed musical...
- 6/8/2012
- by Phil
- Nerdly
Fresh from pipping Martha Marcy May Marlene to the hastily-invented 'Most Alliterative Movie Title Of 2012' award, The Brooklyn Brothers Beat The Best is making a strong bid to redefine the term 'lo-fi'. The story of two brothers from - you guessed it - New York, it's a road movie with a gentle heart and a plectrum in hand. The new trailer gives a flavour of what to expect. Big kudos to that David Bowie line. That said, sounding like a six year-old Thin White Duke probably isn't the worst diss in the book. Another slam unleashed on the duo's music in the film - "kind of a Shins-meets-Sesame Street thing" - takes those honours.The not-actually-real-brothers are failing realtor and soloist Alex (writer-director Ryan O'Nan) and self-proclaimed musical revolutionary Jim (Michael Weston), who combine forces to form a band and tour the country - or at least, the...
- 6/6/2012
- EmpireOnline
We've been talking about John Wildman's horror flick Stripped for about two years now, and we are extremely happy to report that the little indie flick that's home to some stunning eye candy is finally gettin' cookin'!
From the Press Release
Wildworks Productions announced that the horror thriller Stripped, initially set to film two years ago in 2010, will begin principal photography in Dallas, Texas this June. Directed by John Wildman from a script co-penned by Wildman and Justina Walford, the film will star the previously announced trio of popular horror film scream queen Tiffany Shepis (pictured below; The Violent Kind, Night Of The Demons), adult film icon Michelle “Belladonna” Sinclair, who will make her mainstream feature film debut, and internationally accomplished actor Samrat Chakrabarti (The Waiting City, Kissing Cousins). The film also stars Michael Guarnera (“Desperate Housewives”, “NCIS”).
The effort to get the film before cameras is headed by executive producers Ruth Mutch,...
From the Press Release
Wildworks Productions announced that the horror thriller Stripped, initially set to film two years ago in 2010, will begin principal photography in Dallas, Texas this June. Directed by John Wildman from a script co-penned by Wildman and Justina Walford, the film will star the previously announced trio of popular horror film scream queen Tiffany Shepis (pictured below; The Violent Kind, Night Of The Demons), adult film icon Michelle “Belladonna” Sinclair, who will make her mainstream feature film debut, and internationally accomplished actor Samrat Chakrabarti (The Waiting City, Kissing Cousins). The film also stars Michael Guarnera (“Desperate Housewives”, “NCIS”).
The effort to get the film before cameras is headed by executive producers Ruth Mutch,...
- 5/4/2012
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Oscilloscope Laboratories has acquired all North American rights to The Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best, the debut feature from writer-director Ryan O'Nan. The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and will be released in theaters later this year in concert with a live tour by the title band. Photos: Toronto Film Fest's Top Ten Fashion Statements In the film, a brokenhearted underachiever takes off on a road trip with an eccentric friend on which they play children's instruments during a series of strange shows. A soundtrack album on Rhino Records is planned for the Brooklyn Brothers (O’Nan
read more...
read more...
- 2/8/2012
- by Jay A. Fernandez
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Oscilloscope Laboratories has acquired North American rights to "The Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best," which had its U.S. premiere last week at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival after debuting at last year's Toronto International Film Festival. The film marks the debut feature from writer/director/star Ryan O'Nan. Oscilloscope is planning on a multi-city theatrical release accompanied by a number of live performances by The Brooklyn Brothers, the band created for the film. A digital and DVD release will folow. Full release below: Oscilloscope Laboratories Gets In Bed With The Brooklyn Brothers, Plays With Children’s Instruments New York, NY (February 8, 2012)—Oscilloscope Laboratories announced today that it has acquired all North American rights to The Brooklyn Brothers Beat The Best, the debut feature from writer/director/star Ryan O’Nan, which had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film...
- 2/8/2012
- Indiewire
Actor C.S. Lee. Actress Jaime Ray Newman and writer-director Michael Z. Wechsler.
by Terry Keefe
Photos by Stefan Baumann and Meg Urbani
Here's another day of our visit to the set of The Red Robin feature film, written and directed by Michael Z. Wechsler, and starring Judd Hirsch (Taxi, Damages, The Muppets), Ryan O'Nan (The Brooklyn Brothers Beat The Best, The Frozen Ground), C.S Lee (Dexter), Caroline Lagerfelt (Gossip Girl), Jaime Ray Newman (Eureka, Eastwick), and Joseph Lyle Taylor (Seven Psychopaths).
The film centers around a family reunion that goes awry when the youngest son of the fictional Shellner family accuses his famed psychiatrist father (played by Judd Hirsch) of adopting his family for the purposes of experiments in mind control for the government.
They have their own very cool Making-of blog here.
The cast says goodbye to young actor Jake Miller on his last day of shooting.
Michael Z. Wechsler and Ryan O'Nan.
by Terry Keefe
Photos by Stefan Baumann and Meg Urbani
Here's another day of our visit to the set of The Red Robin feature film, written and directed by Michael Z. Wechsler, and starring Judd Hirsch (Taxi, Damages, The Muppets), Ryan O'Nan (The Brooklyn Brothers Beat The Best, The Frozen Ground), C.S Lee (Dexter), Caroline Lagerfelt (Gossip Girl), Jaime Ray Newman (Eureka, Eastwick), and Joseph Lyle Taylor (Seven Psychopaths).
The film centers around a family reunion that goes awry when the youngest son of the fictional Shellner family accuses his famed psychiatrist father (played by Judd Hirsch) of adopting his family for the purposes of experiments in mind control for the government.
They have their own very cool Making-of blog here.
The cast says goodbye to young actor Jake Miller on his last day of shooting.
Michael Z. Wechsler and Ryan O'Nan.
- 12/23/2011
- by The Hollywood Interview.com
- The Hollywood Interview
Actor C.S. Lee, above, on the set of The Red Robin. By Terry Keefe, Photos by Stefan Baumann and Meg Urbani
We've been visiting the set of The Red Robin feature film, written and directed by Michael Z. Wechsler, and starring Judd Hirsch (Taxi, Damages, The Muppets), Ryan O'Nan (The Brooklyn Brothers Beat The Best, The Frozen Ground), C.S. Lee (Dexter), Jaime Ray Newman (Eureka, Drop Dead Diva, Eastwick), Caroline Lagerfelt (Gossip Girl), and Joseph Lyle Taylor (Seven Psychopaths).
Check out their website here: http://themakingofthefeaturefilmtheredrobin.blogspot.com/
Ryan O'Nan, above. Director Michael Z. Wechsler and actor Ryan O'Nan.
Ryan O'Nan, above.
Production outside the fictional Shellner House.
1st Assistant Director Michael Meador and Director of Photography Adrian Correia, from left.
Outside the Shellner House, and the coolest tree in the world. Joseph Lyle Taylor.
Production Designer Dave Barnes.
Director Michael Z. Wechsler.
C. S. Lee.
Judd Hirsch and Caroline Lagerfelt.
We've been visiting the set of The Red Robin feature film, written and directed by Michael Z. Wechsler, and starring Judd Hirsch (Taxi, Damages, The Muppets), Ryan O'Nan (The Brooklyn Brothers Beat The Best, The Frozen Ground), C.S. Lee (Dexter), Jaime Ray Newman (Eureka, Drop Dead Diva, Eastwick), Caroline Lagerfelt (Gossip Girl), and Joseph Lyle Taylor (Seven Psychopaths).
Check out their website here: http://themakingofthefeaturefilmtheredrobin.blogspot.com/
Ryan O'Nan, above. Director Michael Z. Wechsler and actor Ryan O'Nan.
Ryan O'Nan, above.
Production outside the fictional Shellner House.
1st Assistant Director Michael Meador and Director of Photography Adrian Correia, from left.
Outside the Shellner House, and the coolest tree in the world. Joseph Lyle Taylor.
Production Designer Dave Barnes.
Director Michael Z. Wechsler.
C. S. Lee.
Judd Hirsch and Caroline Lagerfelt.
- 12/19/2011
- by The Hollywood Interview.com
- The Hollywood Interview
Dir. Sheldon Candis and actor Michael Rainey Jr
Writer/director Sheldon Candis and producer Jason Berman talk with Josh Welsh, Film Independent’s Director of Artist Development, about their feature film Luv, which tells the story of William “Woody” Watson, a shy 11-year old boy who is forced to face the unpleasant truth about his only father figure during one harrowing day on the mean streets of Baltimore. Luv will have its world premiere in the narrative competition at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.
First off, congratulations on finishing Luv, and of course for getting into Sundance! Sheldon, what’s your background and how did you get into film?
Sheldon Candis: I was born in Baltimore. Half of my childhood was there and the other half in Statesville, Nc. My love for movies came from two places: One, my father would religiously take my mom and me to see movies...
Writer/director Sheldon Candis and producer Jason Berman talk with Josh Welsh, Film Independent’s Director of Artist Development, about their feature film Luv, which tells the story of William “Woody” Watson, a shy 11-year old boy who is forced to face the unpleasant truth about his only father figure during one harrowing day on the mean streets of Baltimore. Luv will have its world premiere in the narrative competition at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.
First off, congratulations on finishing Luv, and of course for getting into Sundance! Sheldon, what’s your background and how did you get into film?
Sheldon Candis: I was born in Baltimore. Half of my childhood was there and the other half in Statesville, Nc. My love for movies came from two places: One, my father would religiously take my mom and me to see movies...
- 12/1/2011
- by Film Independent
- Film Independent
The Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best premiered in Toronto last night, and while there’s no distribution deal to report yet, writer/director and star Ryan O’Nan and Michael Weston have scored a contract that turns their fictional band into a real thing. The duo plays The Brooklyn Brothers in the film, and now O’Nan and Weston have signed a record contract to record under that band name for Rhino Entertainment. It’s an extension of a deal Rhino made to release the soundtrack of a film that also stars Arielle Kebbel, Melissa Leo, Andrew McCarthy, Christopher McDonald, Jason Ritter, and Wilmer Valderrama. O’Nan, who wrote most of the movie’s songs, plays a musician who is on the verge of quitting after a painful breakup with his girlfriend. Then he meets a self-appointed music revolutionary (Weston). After an initial violent clash, the guys form a band,...
- 9/10/2011
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
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