ABC and Marvel Announce Agent’s of S.H.I.E.L.D Spin-off Series Starring Adrianne Palicki

agentsofshieldbobbi1280jpg-4447c5_1280wAfter publicly denouncing earlier this year that any spin-off show of “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D” was in development anymore, ABC seems to have had a change of heart and it appears we’re getting a Mockingbird show!

Titled “Marvel’s Most Wanted,” the drama will focus on popular “S.H.I.E.L.D” characters Adrianne Palicki‘s Bobbi Morse (also known as Mockingbird) and Nick Blood’s Lance Hunter. “S.H.I.E.L.D”  producers Jeffrey Bell and Paul Zbyszewski co-created the project for Marvel and ABC Studios and are co-writing the pilot. They will serve as showrunners and exec producers together with Marvel’s head of television Jeph Loeb who is also exec producing.

More as it becomes available

Trailer for the Horror-Comedy ‘The Final Girls’ is Here!

finalgirlscsStage 6 Films & Vertical Entertainment have released the trailer for the horror-comedy The Final Girls which hits theaters, On Demand, and Digital HD on October 9th, and we have it for you below!

Max Cartwright (Taissa Farmiga), a high school senior, is mysteriously transported with her friends into a 1980s horror film that starred Max’s mother, Amanda (Malin Åkerman), a celebrated scream queen. Trapped inside the movie, Max finds herself reunited with her mom, who she lost in real life. Together with Max’s friends, they must fend off the camp counselors’ raging hormones, battle a deranged machete-wielding killer, and find a way to escape the movie and make it back home.

The film also stars Alexander Ludwig, Nina Dobrev, Alia Shawkat, Thomas Middleditch, Adam DeVine, Angela Trimbur, Chloe Bridges and Tory N. Thompson and is directed by Todd Strauss-Schulson from a script by Joshua John Miller and M.A. Fortin.

Review: ‘THE MEND’ shoves a mirror up to adulthood.

 

The Mend posterWhat happens when two self destructing brothers come face to face in a small NYC apartment? Chaos and truth are forced into the light in John Magary‘s first full length feature, THE MEND. Josh Lucas and Stephen Plunkett play mind games with one another and themselves in this existential mid-life crisis. The Mend still Stephen and JoshAlan and girlfriend Farrah are on their way out of town but not before throwing an intimate get together as a send off for their travels. Freeloading brother (and oftentimes asshole of a human) Mat shows up after his girlfriend Andrea kicks him out. The two are clearly estranged for reasons that come to light in subtle and brilliant ways as the story progresses. Alan and Farrah leave the next morning and Mat takes it upon himself to squat in the apartment, eventually inviting Andrea and her son Ronnie to join them. The small space leads to confessions on all parts when Alan returns sans Farrah. Three adults and one child in a one bedroom in the city is a sure fire recipe for some serious self analysis and confrontation. Booze, drugs, rage, pity, blame all come into play as these people face the cynicism of adulthood and circumstance. The Men Josh LucasLucas nails this role. His brash, disgusting habits and frankly haggard outwardly appearance make this role extra juicy. He is both unapologetic and somehow down to earth all at once. Plunkett tries to play cool and steady but he is not so secretly a mess. The blatant similarities between the two brothers becomes a beautiful revelation. Lucy Owen as Andrea is an emotional volcano and I loved everything about her vulnerability. Ronnie is played by the spectacular Cory Nichols. Another refreshing performance following up from Tribeca’s KING JACK. What a natural. Magary‘s script and ability to make the familiar seem new is so intriguing. Small seemingly mundane scenes are anything but. The Mend has this throwback feeling to it. Something about the mix of music and watered down hipster mentality makes it quite the work of art. You can catch The Mend today in NYC and next Friday in L.A., with a national release throughout the fall.

Synopsis:

For anyone who’s ever loathed and loved a sibling in equal measure, The Mend is the wonderfully strange and acidic debut comedy from writer / director John Magary. Shot through with the wicked humor and anarchy of Bruce Robinson’s Withnail & I and Mike Leigh’s Naked , The Mend follows a mismatched yin-yang pair of NYC brothers, loose cannon Mat (Josh Lucas in a career-best performance) and put-upon Alan (Stephen Plunkett) as they stagger dimly towards some understanding of love, women, masculinity and what it truly means to be a brother.

Featuring a gorgeous, minimalist score by Michi Wiancko & Judd Greenstein and beautiful, fluid cinematography by Chris Teague (Obvious Child), the film unfolds as three stylistically distinct but interwoven acts, each with its own mesmerizing rhythm. With superb supporting performances by Mickey Sumner (Frances Ha) and Lucy Owen as the brothers’ sharp-tongued girlfriends.

Review: ‘LEARNING TO DRIVE’ rides right into your heart.

Learning to Drive-poster2Two very different people cross paths in a cab, changing both their lives forever. This is the basic outline for the charming new film LEARNING TO DRIVE. But, this movie is so much more than basic. Sir Ben Kingsley and Patricia Clarkson come together to explore love and life as they enter new stages and become each other’s teacher.

LTD_09-07-13_139_R_CROP Patricia Clarkson stars as Wendy in Broad Green Pictures upcoming release, LEARNING TO DRIVE. Credit: Linda Kallerus/Broad Green Pictures

Patricia Clarkson stars as Wendy in Broad Green Pictures upcoming release, LEARNING TO DRIVE.
Credit: Linda Kallerus/Broad Green Pictures

Clarkson plays successful writer, Wendy, whose marriage suddenly falls apart. In order to take control of her new found single life, she navigates selling her home, dating, and relinquishing her comfort behind the wheel. Kingsley becomes Wendy’s instructor after witnessing the intimate crumbling of her marriage in the back of his cab. As he returns some forgotten property to her home, the two become pupil and instructor during the day and dear friends as the film progresses. Kingsley’s Darwan battles some personal struggles of his own as a long time single man finally accepting an arranged marriage. He must learn to communicate with his new bride while letting go of control himself.

LTD_09-05-13_793_R_CROP (l to r) Sarita Choudhury stars as Jasleen and Ben Kingsley as Darwan in Broad Green Pictures upcoming release, LEARNING TO DRIVE. Credit: Linda Kallerus/Broad Green Pictures

(l to r) Sarita Choudhury stars as Jasleen and Ben Kingsley as Darwan in Broad Green Pictures upcoming release, LEARNING TO DRIVE.
Credit: Linda Kallerus/Broad Green Pictures

Ben Kingsley is brilliant as ever. Never missing a beat in a character that is so beautifully genuine. He is a treasure to watch. Patricia Clarkson is engrossing as always.Lovely and vulnerable, her journey through the film is relatable on all levels. Her accessibility as an actress is palpable. With solid performances from Jake Webber as Wendy’s ex and Grace Gummer as their daughter, this changing family dynamic is one we’ve all come across. Much applause to Sarita Choudhury as Darwan’s new wife Jasleen. This reminds me of how I felt when I moved to India in 2008. A little lost, confused, relying heavily on television to entertain me, and afraid to venture too far outside at first. She is a gem n everything she appears in. LEARNING TO DRIVE will certainly have an audience in the over 30 category. Director Isabel Coixet and screenwriter Sarah Kernochan make a truly cohesive team. I hope we see more from them as a pair in the future.

LEARNING TO DRIVE comes to theaters today

http://learningtodrivemovie.com

Running Time: 90 minutes      Rating: R

Review: ‘DIGGING FOR FIRE’ ignites the funny and poignant.

Digging For Fire_posterThey say curiosity killed the cat. In the new film DIGGING FOR FIRE, curiosity most definitely killed somebody… but who? Jake Johnson and Rosemarie DeWitt lead an all star cast in this dark new indie from Joe Swanberg. While house-sitting for a client, Lee and Tim find a bone and a gun in the backyard, sparking a mystery that must be solved. Digging for Fire-4Johnson plays gym teacher Tim and husband to Dewitt’s yoga instructor Lee. While the film appears to tackle the mystery aspect at full force, the screenplay veers off onto the topics of marriage, parenting, and losing one’s identity. As Tim and Lee part ways for the weekend, Tim throws an intimate get together at the house, encouraging his guests to participate in his sleuthing. Lee drops their son Jude (played adorably by Swanberg’s real life son) off with her parents to visit with friends and explore some alone time. As their days and nights progress, the two weave in and out of age and stage realizations and reveal subtle personality quirks that are all too relatable. Digging for Fire-8While I wasn’t the biggest fan of Swanberg‘s Happy Christmas last year, Digging for Fire feels more like Drinking Buddies in it’s organic camera work and down to earth quality. Jake Johnson is always funny as hell and this is no exception. His every-man approachability combined with his genuine comic timing is a real win. Rosemarie DeWitt has the same “making the audience feel at ease” way about her. Their chemistry with one another and the entire rest of the cast including, Judith Light, Sam Elliott, Melanie Lynskey, Mike Birbiglia, Jenny Slate, Anna Kendrick, Brie Larson, Orlando Bloom, Ron Livingston, and Sam Rockwell (to name a few) is refreshing and fun to watch. I am really digging, no pun intended, the screenplay pairing of Johnson and Swanberg. This is clearly a great team.

DIGGING FOR FIRE opens in theaters and VOD today

 

Review: ‘GUIDANCE’ is an underachiever’s playbook.

Guidance_posterFormer child star, alcoholic, narcissistic David is in desperate need of a job. Using the internet, his acting skills, and his ability to overachieve only when taking the path f least resistance, he gets hired as a high school counselor. Hilarity ensues in the form of lies, awkward social encounters, and a seemingly misguided sense of self redemption. Guidance_DavidBikingWriter/Director/Star Pat Mills‘ nonchalance and willingness to look like a total whack job makes each scene a joy to watch. He has an Adam Pally quality about his timbre and tone and comic timing, which is a huge compliment. Rule breaking and advice a playboy playmate might give are the driving fores behind the comedy. His connections with the kids are genuine and as a former high school substitute teacher and current actor/writer, this film resonates pretty personally (minus the scamming and alcoholism). Guidance_2Knowing that Mills has another film in the pipeline makes me excited. He clearly understands funny, situational comedy and structure. Sharp wit, keen observational skills, and the brilliant use of self motivational voice overs make Guidance a must see. GUIDANCE opens theatrically in NYC on August 21 (Village East) and LA on August 28 (Sundance Sunset Cinema) with a national release to follow.

Paramount Releases the First Trailer for ‘Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse’

Scouts

Paramount Pictures has released the trailer for the upcoming comedy horror film Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse and we have it for you below!

Three scouts and lifelong friends join forces with one badass cocktail waitress to become the world’s most unlikely team of heroes. When their peaceful town is ravaged by a zombie invasion, they’ll fight for the badge of a lifetime and put their scouting skills to the test to save mankind from the undead.

The movie stars Tye Sheridan, David Koechner, Cloris Leachman¸ Halston Sage, Logan Miller, Joey Morgan, and Sarah Dumont. The film is directed by Christopher Landon (Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones).

Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse is set to be released on October 30, 2015.

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Official Website: http://www.scoutsandzombiesmovie.com

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#ScoutsVsZombies

Former Philadelphia Eagles Linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Stars in ‘The North Star’ Red Carpet Premiere September 17th in Philadelphia

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LuckPig Studios’ The North Star, a Thomas K. Phillips feature film based on true events, will celebrate its theatrical release with a Philadelphia Red Carpet Premiere at the Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday, September 17th before the local theatrical release on Friday, September 18thThe North Star, starring former Philadelphia Eagles Linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, was filmed in Bucks County, PA over 24 days during the summer of 2012.

Red carpet attendees will include Jeremiah Trotter, Doylestown, PA native Writer and Director Thomas K. Phillips, and Producer and former Executive Director of the NAACP, Dr. Benjamin Chavis Jr., along with key members of the cast.  Tickets for the 5:30 PM screening and 8:00 PM red carpet premiere start at $12.99 and are available at kimmelcenter.org.

The North Star has been acquired by RLJ Entertainment (NASDAQ: RLJE) for all rights, excluding theatrical, in the US and Canada.  The film will be featured on RLJE’s proprietary digital channel UMC – Urban Movie Channel, a premium subscription-based video streaming service created by Robert L. Johnson, chairman of RLJ Entertainment and founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET), and released on DVD and Digital HD in early 2016.

The North Star is the story of BENJAMIN “BIG BEN” JONES (Jeremiah Trotter) and MOSES HOPKINS (Thomas C. Bartley Jr.), two slaves who escaped from a Virginia plantation and made their way to freedom in Buckingham, Pennsylvania in 1849.  The North Star is the first film from Doylestown, PA native Thomas K. Phillips.  It tells an uplifting story of people from different races and backgrounds coming together to triumph over slavery in this piece of local history.

In addition to Trotter and Bartley, cast members for The North Star include Clifton Powell (Ray, Norbit, Rush Hour, Friday After Next) Lynn Whitfield (HBO’s Josephine Baker Story), John Diehl (Stripes, Pearl Harbor, Jurassic Park III), Keith David (Platoon, Crash, The Thing, ATL),  Christopher Mann (“The Wire”, Bourne Legacy, Michael Clayton) and April Woodall (Broadway actress and vocalist).

Director Thomas K. Philips notes, “My wish is that The North Star will resonate positively with its audience and show the good of humanity at such a dark time in American history. One of my goals is to shed light on the thousands of courageous individuals that took the perilous journey to freedom, leaving the only life known to them; a life of forced servitude and inhumane treatment, for a better life for themselves and future generations. In addition and most important to me, I hope that The North Star will create a dialog with its audience about how people came together for the cause of abolishing slavery; people of different ethnic and religious backgrounds who heard the word of God in their hearts and risked a great deal by their actions. I believe it is still relevant in solving some of today’s issues.”

The North Star original score was composed and performed by Grammy Award winner Ramsey Lewis with his son Frayne Lewis.   American Idol finalist Jermaine Jones is featured on two tracks.  A young adult novel adaptation of The North Star will be published this fall.

THE NORTH STAR will open at the County Theater and Penn Cinema in Wilmington on Friday, September 18th and will expand to theaters in NY, LA, Miami, Washington, DC and Chicago later this fall.

NorthStar

Dwayne Johnson Boards Disney’s ‘The Jungle Cruise’

WDW Jungle Cruise 1

Get ready to ride the Jungle Cruise with The Rock! The Hollywood Reporter brings news that Dwayne Johnson is teaming up with Disney to bring a live-action film based on their popular theme park attraction, Jungle Cruise to theaters! Writer-director pair John Requa and Glenn Ficarra (Focus) will write the script for the film.

“[Disney production president] Sean Bailey and Disney have been awesome partners and now the fun part begins,” Johnson said. “We’re starting to put in the work with Requa and Ficarra and our creative team. Fired up about this one. Here we go.”

Disney has tried several times to bring a live action version of the Jungle Cruise to theaters, most recently in 2011 with Tom Hanks and Tim Allen to star, but it was Johnson that finally pushed this one to the finish line.

No release date has been set, but check back for more updates

 

Arc Entertainment Acquires ‘Garm Wars: The Last Druid’

garmARC Entertainment has acquired US rights to the action-sci-fi thriller GARM WARS: THE LAST DRUID.  Directed by Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell) and co-written by Geoffrey Gunn (Siren), the film stars newcomer Melanie St-Pierre (Barney’s Version), Kevin Durand (X-Men Origins: Wolverine) and Lance Henriksen (Aliens).  ARC Entertainment will be releasing the film in-theaters and on VOD on October 2, 2015.  The deal was announced today by ARC Entertainment’s Head of Acquisitions Scott Moesta.

Mamoru Oshii’s creative vision shines brilliantly throughout this film, with remarkable action and special effects from beginning to end,” said Moesta.  “We’re excited to bring this unique story to the big screen for audiences, and especially genre fans to enjoy across the U.S.”

Visionary director Mamoru Oshii is best known for his seminal film Ghost in the Shell, a work famously cited by the Wachowskis as a direct influence behind their iconic film The Matrix. 15 years in the making, GARM WARS: THE LAST DRUID is a live action/CGI hybrid about a world on the brink of total collapse. The planet Annwn, inhabited by the Garm, is engaged in perpetual warfare among three tribes.  One Columba fighter pilot, Khara (St-Pierre), embarks on a quest with an unlikely trio: Kumtak tribal elder Wydd (Henriksen), a sacred dog Gula, and one of the last remaining mystical Druids from a long forgotten time. A Briga soldier, Skellig (Durand), accompanies the small band after forging an uneasy truce with Khara. As they struggle across the land in the search for answers to their existence, they encounter raging storms, fierce giants, and mechanical mayhem. They survive these trials only to meet their most difficult challenge yet, a desperate battle against impossible odds for the truth they seek.

Joining forces with his longtime collaborator, composer Kenji Kawai (The Ring), and three-time Oscar Nominated Sound Designer Tom Myers (Up, Toy Story) of Skywalker Sound, Palme D’Or Nominee Mamoru Oshii delivers a feast for the eyes and ears. Lending their VFX artistry is acclaimed Toronto company Intelligent Creatures (“Orphan Black”). GARM WARS: THE LAST DRUID is produced by Makoto Asanuma (Gundam Wing), Tetsu Fujimura (Tekken), Mitsuhisa Ishikawa (Ghost in the Shell, Attack on Titan), and Lyse Lafontaine (On the Road).

D23 Coverage: Pixar Announces Lineup Including ‘Toy Story 4’, ‘Incredibles 2’ and More!

pixarlineupWalt Disney Pictures Animation and Pixar Animation panel, hosted by Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter, announced the upcoming slate of movies coming from the studio including Toy Story 4, Incredibles 2, Cars 3, along with already announced Finding Dory, The Good Dinosaur and previously untitled Coco.

John Lasseter also finally confirmed the plot for Pixar’s much-anticipated Toy Story 4, which he will return to direct alongside Josh Cooley. Here’s what he had to say:

“It’s a love story with Woody and—and this is news—Bo Peep,” said Lasseter. “At Pixar and at Disney, we only make sequels if we come up with a story that’s as good or better than the original. That’s our rule. We don’t do things just to print money.”

Previously untitled film is now officially called Coco, and will be directed by Lee Unkrich. The director was on hand with producer Darla K. Anderson, reuniting the team from the Oscar-winning Toy Story 3. They showed some of the test animation for the movie that’s based around a 12-year-old Mexican boy named Miguel. The film is set for release in the Fall 2017.

The major letdown of the day was that there was no mention of release dates for The Incredibles 2 or Cars 2 despite being placed on the above poster. We will just have to wait a bit longer for those annoucements I suppose.

D23 Coverage: ‘Moana’ Rocks D23!

MOANA_LOGO_BlackBGDwayne Johnson (San Andreas, Furious 7, HBO’s “Ballers”), who lends his voice to the mighty demi-god Maui in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana, hit the stage at D23 EXPO 2015 yesterday. Renowned directors John Musker and Ron Clements (The Little Mermaid, The Princess and the Frog, Aladdin), and producer Osnat Shurer (Oscar®-nominated Pixar shorts “One Man Band,” “Boundin’”) shared dazzling early test footage and revealed plans for the film’s inspired music and the extraordinary team behind it.

Tony®-winner Lin-Manuel Miranda (Broadway’s hottest new hit “Hamilton,” Tony-winning “In the Heights”), Grammy®-winning composer Mark Mancina (Speed, Tarzan, The Lion King) and Opetaia Foa’i (founder and lead singer of the world music award-winning band Te Vaka) blend their diverse and dynamic talents to help tell the tale of a spirited teenager who sets out to prove herself a master wayfinder. Foa’i capped the presentation with a show-stopping performance illustrating the magic of the movie’s music.

Moana introduces a spirited teenager who sails out on a daring mission to fulfill her ancestors’ unfinished quest. She meets the once-mighty demi-god Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson), and together, they traverse the open ocean on an action-packed voyage.

Moana sails into theaters on November 23, 2016.

moanaheader

D23 Coverage: ‘Riley’s First Date?’ Will Feed Your ‘Inside Out’ Addiction

Rileys-First-Date_-d975_10cs.pub16.180-2Pixar Animation Studios heads back inside the mind with an all-new short. “Riley’s First Date?” made its world premiere this afternoon at D23 EXPO 2015. Director Josh Cooley, along with Inside Out filmmakers Pete Docter (Up, Monsters, Inc.) and Jonas Rivera (Up), introduced the short, which revisits Riley, now 12, who is hanging out with her parents at home when potential trouble comes knocking. Mom’s and Dad’s Emotions find themselves forced to deal with “Riley’s First Date?”

The short will be included as a bonus feature in the digital HD & Blu-ray releases of Disney·Pixar’s Inside Out, which will be available digitally Oct. 13 and on Blu-ray Nov. 3, 2015.

Rileys-First-Date_-d975_60cs.pub16.113 Rileys-First-Date_-d975_77Dcs.pub16.115-2

D23 Coverage: Disney Animation Announces ‘Gigantic’!

GiganticThings are looking up at Walt Disney Animation Studios – way up. Gigantic, Disney’s unique take on Jack and the Beanstalk, will feature music from Oscar®-winning songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, who greeted D23 EXPO fans in signature style, in song, alongside director Nathan Greno (Tangled) and producer Dorothy McKim (“Get A Horse!”).

Set in Spain during the Age of Exploration, Disney’s Gigantic follows adventure-seeker Jack as he discovers a world of giants hidden within the clouds. He hatches a grand plan with Inma, a 60-foot-tall, 11-year-old girl, and agrees to help her find her way home. But he doesn’t account for her super-sized personality—and who knew giants were so down to earth?

Gigantic hits theaters in 2018.

Review: “PEOPLE PLACES THINGS” will charm the pants off you.

People Places Things poster1PEOPLE PLACES THINGS tells the story of Will Henry (Jemaine Clement), a newly single graphic novelist father balancing single-parenting his young twin daughters, writers block, a classroom full students, all the while exploring and navigating the rich complexities of new love and letting go of the woman who left him.People Places Things 1

Clement‘s asurbic brand of wit and delivery is the driving force behind the entire film… a million thanks, of course, to writer/director Jim C. Strouse for the script and casting Jemaine. Genius move for this piece of writing. Clement has you laughing out loud from the very first scene. Charming and genuine, the character of Will struggles to balance fatherhood, personal romantic, and career satisfaction. His affection for two of our wee leading ladies, Aundrea and Gia Gadsby, radiates off the screen. These kids are real naturals and their chemistry with Clement is a pure delight. Stephanie Allynne as Charlie (Will’s ex) does a fantastic job as one giant, narcissistic mess of a woman. She makes this character easy to loathe. Regina Hall is Diane. A strong, intelligent mother whose walls are understandably pretty high up. Clement and Hall make a lovely comic pair. Their witty, rapid fire back and forth is super relatable. Jessica Williams, who I am most familiar from her hilarious corespondent spot on The Daily show, plays Kat (One of Will’s students and Diane’s daughter). Her performance is down to earth and refreshing. I look forward to seeing more of her on the big screen. People Places Things 2During the scenes where Will teaches his class, there is a wonderfully cathartic flow, not only through the use of dialogue but Will’s graphic novel panels. The visuals speak volumes where words become useless. The music is a fun addition and lends to the perfect pace. Jim C Strouse has given us one hell of a gem. People Places Things is a pure joy from start to finish. With a superb cast and a clearly skilled writing and directing style, I strongly recommend you seek out this film.

PEOPLE PLACES THINGS opens in theaters Friday, August 14th

Review: “10,000 Saints” will rock you gently.

10K Saints poster 10,000 Saints follows three screwed up young people and their equally screwed up parents in the age of CBGB’s, yuppies and the tinderbox of gentrification that exploded into the Tompkins Square Park Riots in New York’s East Village in the 1980s. This film is essentially the story of how small life connections become the ties that bind a group of estranged friends and family. It’s quite extraordinary and a brilliant translation of Eleanor Henderson‘s New York Times best-selling novel. After the loss of his best friend Teddy, Jude is sent to live his absentee father, Les. Reconnecting with Les’ girlfriend’s daughter, Eliza and straight edge punk singer and brother of Teddy, Johnny, the three embark on a path that was thrust upon them. 10K Saints Asa EthanEthan Hawke, who I am convinced is a Timelord at this point, gives a flawless performance. His loose lipped, nonchalance is the perfect foil to quietly angsty and gentle Asa Butterfield as Jude. Les’ storyline of fatherly redemption is pretty poetic. Jude’s search for his soul is much more pensive but just as stunning with Butterfield’s innate ability to live the screenplay’s emotional highs and lows. Hailee Steinfeld‘s natural performance as wild child turned guilt ridden and lost pregnant teen is one that should be noted. Emile Hirsh‘s Johnny is a beautifully zen enigma. With a truly talented cast rounded out by Juilanne Nicholson, Avan Jogia, and Emily Mortimer10,000 Saints is one hell of an ensemble film. 10K Saints Emile HaileeThis coming of age tale is deals with guilt, unrequited love, self realization, parenting and death, all in delicate yet fully  meaningful ways. The music is most defintiely its own character, with a soundtrack featuring The Replacements, The Cure, REM, Social Distortion, The Stone Roses, and Johnny’s band Army of One. Directors Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini are gifted storytellers and you bet I will be going out and grabbing Henderson’s novel soon. 10,000 Saints will not disappoint your eyes, ears or heart. 10,000 Saints comes to theaters, iTunes and other VOD platforms Friday, August 14th

Review: “Fort Tilden” is a generational face palm.

fort tilden posterIt’s a generation that makes you want to punch them. Millennials aren’t  all bad, that’s definitely not what I’m saying, but we all know a few bad apples… or orchards that give us the feeling of arson. I’m sure that 10 years ago, when I was 25, someone wanted to strangle me over whatever drama seemed life threatening at the moment. Let’s be serious though, it’s a running joke that we have a real problem with a generation that we just have to urge to physically shake until their bobble heads fall off… but we don’t… because sometimes it’s such delicious fodder that sitting back and watching is much less stressful and way more entertaining, as long as they don’t disrupt your way of living, of course. Enter onto the scene, festival favorite Fort Tilden.fort tilden 5The entire plot of the film ( Harper and Allie try all day to get to the beach) is pretty much the perfect metaphor for their reality. Fort Tilden is bravely tongue in cheek but also unapologetically the truth. Shiny objects distract, social media owns them, money might as well be made exclusively by Monopoly, and yet someway, somehow they make their way through this world and promptly demand a cookie. They have balls and you have to respect that. Bridey Elliott‘s performance as Harper, daughter of a CEO and self proclaimed “artist” is brash, rude, and does not care what you think. Elliott is hilarious in her sincerity. Clare McNulty as manic and failed overachiever Allie, is sweet and high strung and equally as genuine in her performance as Elliot. The two are a fantastic match with a genius give and take. Their ability to whine, complain, ignore everyone and make it both endearing and horrendous should earn them attention and applause.fort tilden 1The quarter life crisis now seems much longer and much more ridiculous that ever before. One the flip side of the coin, Fort Tilden is also ans awesome commentary on the lack of parenting going on today. Virtual high fives to writer/directors Sarah-Violet Bliss and Charles Rogers for throwing the millennial cliche in out faces so damn well.  Fort Tilden makes it way to theaters and VOD Friday, August 14. Get There.

‘Ice Age 5’ Gets a Title!

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20th Century Fox and Blue Sky Studios have released the name of the upcoming fifth installment into the Ice Age franchise which is titled Ice Age: Collision Course. Also announced is that the film will be moving back a week to July 22, 2016 as to not have to face off with Sony’s Ghostbusters.

Ice Age: Collision Course will instead go up against Guy Ritchie’s Knights of the Round Table: King Arthur starring Charlie Hunnan, a feature film version of the classic Sir Lancelot story.

Ice Age: Collision Course will feature the voices of John Leguizamo, Ray Romano, Denis Leary and Queen Latifah voicing their characters of Sid, Manny, Diego and Ellie and joining the cast will be Keke Palmer, Wanda Sykes and Jay Leno in yet to be announced roles.

Stay tuned for more Ice Age: Collision Course news here at RND.

‘The Devil in the White City’ Coming with Scorsese and DiCaprio

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The big screen adaptation of Erik Larson’s best-selling true crime tale The Devil in the White City is on its way! Deadline is reporting that Paramount Pictures has picked up the rights to the novel with the plan being for a big screen adaptation with Leonardo DiCaprio and director Martin Scorsese. This would be the sixth movie that DiCaprio and Scorsese have made together. Academy Award nominee Billy Ray (Captain Phillips) will adapted the screenplay.

Published in 2003, The Devil in the White City is officially described by Crown Publishing as follows:

Their fates were linked by the magical Chicago World’s Fair of 1893, nicknamed the “White City” for its majestic beauty. Architect Daniel Burnham built it; serial killer Dr. H. H. Holmes used it to lure victims to his World’s Fair Hotel, designed for murder. Both men left behind them a powerful legacy, one of brilliance and energy, the other of sorrow and darkness.

Here, then, is your ticket to the greatest fair in history—a place where incredible dreams came to life alongside darkest nightmares.

DiCaprio will play the part of the serial killer Mr. Holmes.

No word on release date as of yet but stay tuned for more updates.

Back to the Future Documentary ‘Back in Time’ Coming This October

Back-in-Time-Poster

Gravitas Ventures has announced the acquisition of all North American rights to Back in Time, directed by Jason Aron, featuring interviews with Michael J. Fox, Robert Zemeckis, Steven Spielberg, Bob Gale, Lea Thompson and Christopher Lloyd. Back in Time looks at both the making of the original film and the fan culture that has developed over the years. It will be available on VOD, DVD/Bluray and select theaters on the very day Marty McFly (Fox) arrived in Back to the Future 2 – on “Future Day,” October 21, 2015.

In Back in Time, cast, crew, and fans explore the classic time-travel trilogy’s resonance throughout pop culture. As the project evolved it took them from the joyous nostalgia at a massive London fan event to the living rooms of Michael J. Fox, Robert Zemeckis, Steven Spielberg, Bob Gale, Lea Thompson and Christopher Lloyd as well as Huey Lewis, James Tolkan (“Mr. Strickland”) Claudia Wells (“Jennifer Parker”) and more. Nothing is overlooked as they explore everything from Eric Stoltz’s casting to the invention of the hoverboard. Travelling throughout the world and leaving no stone unturned brings unparalleled behind-the-scenes access to the “BTTF” lexicon.

“Iconic documentaries, like a bolt of lightning, only come around so often,” said Nolan Gallagher, Founder and CEO of Gravitas Ventures, “we are honored to be a part of the ‘Back to the Future’ mythology and bring this must-have film to the millions of fans who have loved the trilogy all these years.”

Filmmakers Jason Aron and Lee Leshen add:

“As both fans of the trilogy and filmmakers, it was extremely important for us to have this documentary seen by as many people as possible. We knew within minutes of meeting Nolan that the team at Gravitas would make that dream a possibility.”

In addition to original cast and crew support, Back in Time was directed by Jason Aron, who also served as Executive Producer with Louis Krubich, Akrum Sheikh and Ronald Ferguson. Adam F. Goldberg (“The Goldbergs”) served as Co-Executive Producer. Lee Leshen produced.