Review: ‘THE CONFIRMATION’ tackles faith, family, and forgiveness.

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presents

In Select Theaters and On Demand Friday, March 18th 

The Confirmation poster

Clive Owen shines in this irresistible comedy as Walt, a down-on-his luck carpenter tasked with entertaining his eight-year-old son Anthony while Anthony’s mom (Maria Bello) and her new husband are away. But when Walt’s prized toolbox is stolen, a quiet father-and-son weekend turns into an adventure of a lifetime. Aided by an oddball drywall repairman (Patton Oswalt), Walt and Anthony go on a wildly funny search for the thieves—and find something they never imagined: a true family connection. Also featuring performances by Matthew Modine, Robert Forster, Stephen Tobolowsky, and Tim Blake Nelson.

clive owen and jeadan LieberherOn the heels of his beautiful script for Nebraska, writer/director Bob Nelson brings heart and levity to what might otherwise seem to be a mundane scenario. The estrangement of an alcoholic father and his young son is nothing new, but by adding a religious element to the mix, it makes for a funny and honest look into the innocence of a child’s mind. Clive Owen‘s portrayal of Walt is raw and real. You empathize with his struggle to do right by his son. Speaking of Anthony, St. Vincent prodigy Jaeden Lieberher is, once again, a star. His purity in presence and intention glow as a young boy thrust into religion by his Mother. Caught in between parents of opposite end spectrum, he is an old soul, yet is constantly discovering when it is okay to push social boundaries. Owen and Lieberher are a perfect pairing. Nelson’s script allows both actors to take the reins as the story progresses. Each character has the opportunity to emotionally care for the other in a truly lovely dynamic.

LOL_0537The subtlety of the film is what makes it so successful. In an era of overblown CGI fare, Bob Nelson gives us an honest to goodness family story. The Confirmation is a joy.

The Confirmation Trailer from Saban Films on Vimeo.

In Select Theaters and On Demand Friday, March 18th 

ABOUT WRITER/DIRECTOR, BOB NELSON

BOB NELSON is a screenwriter, director, and producer, whose script “Nebraska” was produced in 2013 for Paramount Pictures and directed by Alexander Payne.  The film starred Bruce Dern, Will Forte, June Squibb, and Stacy Keach.  It was nominated for six Academy Awards including Best Original Screenplay, and received the Best First Screenplay award at the Independent Spirit Awards.

 In 2016 Saban Films is releasing Nelson’s directorial debut from his original screenplay, The Confirmation,” starring Clive Owen, Maria Bello, Patton Oswalt, Matthew Modine, Tim Blake Nelson, Robert Forster, and Stephen Tobolowsky.

The TV pilot he wrote and executed produced for Amazon, “Highston,” has been picked up for a full season and will premiere in 2017.  It’s directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, and stars Lewis Pullman, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Chris Parnell, and Curtis Armstrong.

Before screenwriting, Nelson was a journalist, talk radio producer, and wrote for Comedy Central, Fox Television, VH-1, and Bill Nye the Science Guy.  Nelson was a performer in the original Bill Nye PBS series, “Bill Nye the Science Guy” and a writer and performer for “Eyes of Nye.”

In the 1990s, Nelson was a cast member, writer, director, and segment producer for the iconic Seattle sketch show, “Almost Live!” on the NBC affiliate KING-TV.  The program was named the best local program in the United States for several years and won over 100 Emmys.  Nelson received five Emmys for writing and one for performing.  Besides a two year run on Comedy Central, “Almost Live!” was twice syndicated nationally.

Nelson was born in Yankton, South Dakota and grew up in the Seattle, Washington area.  He currently lives on Whidbey Island, north of Seattle, with his wife Valerie.

 

Review: ‘NASTY BABY’ is a labor of love.

PRESENTS

NASTY BABY posterAs someone who tried to get pregnant for 8 months, I understand the frustration reading “Not Pregnant” on the test screen each month and the angst that follows. For some women, 8 months is nothing. I understand that, but at 34, time was of the essence. I am lucky enough to have a wonderful and supportive husband, and now at 35, we’re expecting a baby boy in January (or December, the pool is growing). What happens when you’re unattached and reaching an age where it might be now or never? Who do you turn to if you want to build a family? A sperm bank? Or perhaps, you approach someone you love and ask for the ultimate favor. Building a family is not the easiest thing in the world. In NASTY BABY, Kristen Wiig walks through hell and back for the lives of the ones she loves.Nasty Baby 2 Director/screenewriter Sebastián Silva brings this heartfelt and bizarre tale to the screen, also starring as Kristen’s best friend in the film, Freddy. Freddy and Mo are partners. When Freddy’s sperm count comes back low, Polly (Wiig) approaches Mo to step in as potential daddy alternative. The decision is not one anyone takes lightly. Opinions fly at the three friends left and right as the clock winds down the drama heightens. The film is really about a relationship between three people. People who are accessible emotionally and completely terrified to face the realities of their choices. Nasty Baby 1The script takes an unexpected turn near the end, really throwing the viewer for a loop. This didn’t deter me from loving it. In fact, for me, it got me even more involved with these people. I thought, “What would I have done?!” Wiig, once again, bouncing from mainstream comedy to brilliant indie, is flawless. I encourage you to seek out her work in films like The Diary of a Teenage Girl, Welcome To Me, and The Skeleton Twins. Wiig’s range will blow you away. Silva as Freddy and Tunde Adebimpe as Mo might as well be a real couple living in NYC. The performances are entirely organic and totally believable. We know these people. Other notable and important performances come from Reg. E Cathey and Mark Margolis. Nasty Baby tackles issues like mental illness, homophobia, crossing personal boundaries, and what it is that makes a family. With handheld camera work making you feel like a fly on the wall, Nasty Baby is funny, charming, chilling and wonderful. 

NASTY BABY is available on VOD today!! Check it out.
Synopsis:
An award-winning festival favorite by Sebastián Silva (“The Maid”),
NASTY BABY centers on Freddy (Silva), a Brooklyn-based artist who, with his boyfriend, Mo (Tunde Adebimpe), and their best friend, Polly (Kristen Wiig), is trying to have a baby.  As this trio deals with the complications of conception and creating the “new normal” family, their bliss is clouded by a series of confrontations with an annoying neighbor who just might be a madman.