Exclusive: Just ahead of the 20th anniversary of Elephant, the Palme d’Or-winning Gus Van Sant pic that marked his breakout role, actor Alex Frost has signed with Brave Artists Management for representation. He’ll be repped by Luna Wise, who came over to Bam at the start of the year.
In Van Sant’s critically acclaimed psychological thriller released in October 2003, Frost portrayed teenage pianist and sketch artist Alex, who with his friend Eric (Eric Deulen), moves to orchestrate a school shooting. He’s otherwise perhaps best known for starring alongside Owen Wilson, Josh Peck and more in the Steven Brill-helmed coming-of-age comedy Drillbit Taylor, which Paramount released in 2008. Kristofor Brown and Seth Rogen scripted that title, which hailed from Judd Apatow’s Apatow Productions.
Frost has also been seen over the years in such notable features as Kimberly Peirce’s Iraq War drama Stop-Loss, Lee Toland Krieger...
In Van Sant’s critically acclaimed psychological thriller released in October 2003, Frost portrayed teenage pianist and sketch artist Alex, who with his friend Eric (Eric Deulen), moves to orchestrate a school shooting. He’s otherwise perhaps best known for starring alongside Owen Wilson, Josh Peck and more in the Steven Brill-helmed coming-of-age comedy Drillbit Taylor, which Paramount released in 2008. Kristofor Brown and Seth Rogen scripted that title, which hailed from Judd Apatow’s Apatow Productions.
Frost has also been seen over the years in such notable features as Kimberly Peirce’s Iraq War drama Stop-Loss, Lee Toland Krieger...
- 9/27/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
“Shazam: Fury of the Gods” actor Adam Brody said on Wednesday that Hollywood “has been due for a reckoning in terms of our depictions of gun use and violence.”
Brody was joined by two dozen Hollywood actors, directors, creators and showrunners as a part of Brady’s “Show Your Safety” campaign taking part in a roundtable discussion at the White House about the role Hollywood can play in combating the gun violence epidemic. “True Lies” creator and showrunner Matt Nix, actor D.B. Woodside, “Evil” and “The Good Fight” creators Robert and Michelle King and “Yellowstone” star Piper Perabo were among those on the press call following the roundtable.
“Movies and television shape our culture very much and that is reflected back to us,” Brody continued. “I’m all for any version of elevated conversation and consciousness when it comes to the depiction of guns or lack thereof.”
While depictions of...
Brody was joined by two dozen Hollywood actors, directors, creators and showrunners as a part of Brady’s “Show Your Safety” campaign taking part in a roundtable discussion at the White House about the role Hollywood can play in combating the gun violence epidemic. “True Lies” creator and showrunner Matt Nix, actor D.B. Woodside, “Evil” and “The Good Fight” creators Robert and Michelle King and “Yellowstone” star Piper Perabo were among those on the press call following the roundtable.
“Movies and television shape our culture very much and that is reflected back to us,” Brody continued. “I’m all for any version of elevated conversation and consciousness when it comes to the depiction of guns or lack thereof.”
While depictions of...
- 4/26/2023
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Jacob Bertrand is headed to Disney Xd‘s primetime. The channel aimed at boys 6-11 has picked up one of the two pilots starring the 13-year-old actor that it ordered in August. Disney Xd has greenlighted Kirby Buckets, a single-camera animation/live-action hybrid from Horizon Productions about a kid who dreams of being the biggest animator in the world. Bertrand stars as the title character, who sees his drawings take shape as he and his best friends, Fish (Mekai Curtis) and Eli (Cade Sutton), go on outrageous adventures. Olivia Stuck and Tiffany Espensen co-star in the project, directed by Walt Becker (Wild Hogs).”We know that our Disney Xd audience has a strong affinity for animated programming, so we are looking forward to presenting a live-action series told through the eyes of a boy that shares that same passion,” said Adam Bonnett, Evp, Original Programming, Disney Channel. Related: Disney Xd...
- 2/11/2014
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
John Hughes left us way too soon a few years ago at the age of 59. The once prolific writer/director created some of the most memorable films of the ‘80s and then suddenly retreated from the public eye in 1994. His untimely death put to rest the hope that he would one day return to the director’s chair. Nevertheless, his work shall continue to live on, albeit in the hands of another writer. “The Grigsbys Go Broke,” one of the last screenplays ever written by John Hughes, will be re-written by “Ice Age: The Meltdown” co-scribe Jim Hecht for Paramount. 'The Grigsbys' tells the story of “a family whose greed takes them from a contented life to move to Mulletville, selling all their possessions to do it. Stripped of their wealth, they have to start all over.” Re-writing a John Hughes script is not exactly a recipe for success. Seth Rogen...
- 2/7/2013
- by Ken Guidry
- The Playlist
Death Valley Episode 109 "Tick Tick Boom" Written By: Kristofor Brown Directed By: Jordan Vogt-Roberts Original Airdate: 31 October 2011 In This Episode... Carla brings her girlfriend, Julia, to breakfast with John-John. John-John is delighted to learn that Carla is gay, and even more delighted to learn Julia is bi. The flirting gets a little out of hand and Julia insists Carla and John-John kiss. They do; no big deal. But then Julia and John-John kiss, and Carla is seething with jealousy. Kirsten is back from a conference, but is only in town a few hours before she is kidnapped by Rico, who knows she is a cop. He lets her go, and Kirsten goes straight to...
- 11/1/2011
- FEARnet
Death Valley Episode 103 "Blood Vessels" Written By: Kristofor Brown Directed By: Drew Daywalt Original Airdate: 12 September 2011 In This Episode... It's blood donor month in the Valley, and you know what that means: easy pickings for vampires. The Utf mobilizes. Carla and John-John commandeer one bloodmobile while Billy and Stubeck take another. Carla and John-John find that their bloodmobile is overrun with zombies, of all things, and John-John misses his zombie bat. He misses it even more when they run out of ammo. Meanwhile Billy and Stubeck only have a couple vampires to deal with. They head over to Carla and John-John, but not before the zombies tip the...
- 9/13/2011
- FEARnet
"Undeclared" is now airing on IFC, and we thought we'd take this opportunity to revisit the show that further cemented broadcast television's inability to recognize the genius of Judd Apatow. Every week, Matt Singer and Alison Willmore will be offering their thoughts on two more episodes.
Episode 15
The Perfect Date
Written by Judd Apatow & Brent Forrester
Directed by Greg Mottola
Episode 16
Hal and Hillary
Written by Kristofor Brown
Directed by Jay Chandrasekhar
"Intercourse you!" -- Kikuki
We're rapidly approaching the end of "Undeclared," with just one week and one episode left after this column. As "Freaks and Geeks" neared its premature conclusion it reinvested in narrative, bringing Sam Weir and Cindy Sanders' storyline to a head and throwing Lindsay into an existential crisis about what she was going to do with her summer and, by extension, her life. "Undeclared," in contrast, appears to intentionally avoid anything resembling a wrap up.
Episode 15
The Perfect Date
Written by Judd Apatow & Brent Forrester
Directed by Greg Mottola
Episode 16
Hal and Hillary
Written by Kristofor Brown
Directed by Jay Chandrasekhar
"Intercourse you!" -- Kikuki
We're rapidly approaching the end of "Undeclared," with just one week and one episode left after this column. As "Freaks and Geeks" neared its premature conclusion it reinvested in narrative, bringing Sam Weir and Cindy Sanders' storyline to a head and throwing Lindsay into an existential crisis about what she was going to do with her summer and, by extension, her life. "Undeclared," in contrast, appears to intentionally avoid anything resembling a wrap up.
- 12/22/2010
- by Matt Singer
- ifc.com
"Undeclared" is now airing on IFC, and we thought we'd take this opportunity to revisit the show that further cemented broadcast television's inability to recognize the genius of Judd Apatow. Every week, Matt Singer and Alison Willmore will be offering their thoughts on two more episodes.
Episode 11
Rush and Pledge
Written by Kristofor Brown
Directed by Jay Chandrasekhar
Episode 12
Hell Week
Written by Joel Madison & Seth Rogen
Directed by Jay Chandrasekhar
"All you ever do is worship these guys. It's so silly." -- Lizzie
We've got an "Undeclared" two-parter this week, as Steven and Lizzie wade into the pickle juice soaked waters of Greek life on campus. Steven pledges Theta Delta Zeta, where Hal's a legacy member and something of a local legend (he's even got his own cutesy frat nickname: The Halcoholic). Lizzie joins the Theta Delta Zeta sisters, which is not quite a sorority and more like a collection of Theta groupies,...
Episode 11
Rush and Pledge
Written by Kristofor Brown
Directed by Jay Chandrasekhar
Episode 12
Hell Week
Written by Joel Madison & Seth Rogen
Directed by Jay Chandrasekhar
"All you ever do is worship these guys. It's so silly." -- Lizzie
We've got an "Undeclared" two-parter this week, as Steven and Lizzie wade into the pickle juice soaked waters of Greek life on campus. Steven pledges Theta Delta Zeta, where Hal's a legacy member and something of a local legend (he's even got his own cutesy frat nickname: The Halcoholic). Lizzie joins the Theta Delta Zeta sisters, which is not quite a sorority and more like a collection of Theta groupies,...
- 12/10/2010
- by Matt Singer
- ifc.com
"Undeclared" is now airing on IFC, and we thought we'd take this opportunity to revisit the show that further cemented broadcast television's inability to recognize the genius of Judd Apatow. Every week, Matt Singer and Alison Willmore will be offering their thoughts on that night's episode.
Episode 1
"Prototype"
Written by Judd Apatow
Directed by Jake Kasdan
Episode 2
"Oh, So You Have a Boyfriend?"
Written by Kristofor Brown
Directed by Paul Feig
"When I'm lecturing, I expect you to listen. This is not high school." -- Professor Duggan
No, it's certainly not. And Judd Apatow's short-lived college series "Undeclared" wasn't his short-lived high-school series "Freaks and Geeks," either. It was made for a different network (Fox instead of NBC), a contemporary story instead of a period piece, and just a half-hour each week instead of "Freaks"'s full hour. Maybe most importantly, with that change of format came a change...
Episode 1
"Prototype"
Written by Judd Apatow
Directed by Jake Kasdan
Episode 2
"Oh, So You Have a Boyfriend?"
Written by Kristofor Brown
Directed by Paul Feig
"When I'm lecturing, I expect you to listen. This is not high school." -- Professor Duggan
No, it's certainly not. And Judd Apatow's short-lived college series "Undeclared" wasn't his short-lived high-school series "Freaks and Geeks," either. It was made for a different network (Fox instead of NBC), a contemporary story instead of a period piece, and just a half-hour each week instead of "Freaks"'s full hour. Maybe most importantly, with that change of format came a change...
- 11/5/2010
- by Matt Singer
- ifc.com
He passed away in August, but the film legacy of John Hughes may not be over.
The late writer-director -- who was given an Oscar tribute Sunday -- has an unproduced screenplay, "Grisbys Go Broke," floating around the industry ether. Word crept out Friday that Paramount, which has a long history with Hughes, was picking up the script with hope of turning it into a family comedy with Joe Roth ("Alice in Wonderland") producing.
However, the studio told THR that it is not negotiating to purchase the screenplay, which follows a wealthy Chicago family that loses everything and is forced to move to the sticks. But Paramount certainly has no problem with digging back into Hughes material.
Hughes' last feature was Paramount's 2008 Owen Wilson comedy "Drillbit Taylor," which began as a Hughes original but was rewritten by Seth Rogen and Kristofor Brown (Hughes' story credit appeared under the pseudonym Edmond...
The late writer-director -- who was given an Oscar tribute Sunday -- has an unproduced screenplay, "Grisbys Go Broke," floating around the industry ether. Word crept out Friday that Paramount, which has a long history with Hughes, was picking up the script with hope of turning it into a family comedy with Joe Roth ("Alice in Wonderland") producing.
However, the studio told THR that it is not negotiating to purchase the screenplay, which follows a wealthy Chicago family that loses everything and is forced to move to the sticks. But Paramount certainly has no problem with digging back into Hughes material.
Hughes' last feature was Paramount's 2008 Owen Wilson comedy "Drillbit Taylor," which began as a Hughes original but was rewritten by Seth Rogen and Kristofor Brown (Hughes' story credit appeared under the pseudonym Edmond...
- 3/8/2010
- by By Borys Kit and Jay A. Fernandez
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
We just discovered from our source that comedian and actor Tracy Morgan is about to sign on another comedy film titled ID Theft, which is a comedy that casts him as a cash-strapped father who sees a shortcut out of his struggles when the credit card of a suburban dad lands in his lap.
The script is being written by Colin Jost and Rob Klein, from an original pitch by Kristofor Brown. Morgan has given his own notes to the screenwriters, and 3 Arts and American Work are producing.
But that’s not all for Morgan; we hear that Paramount Studios separately has Morgan set to star with actor Tj Miller in a new film titled Freshman Roommates, and we hear they are also making plans to line up Another film right after that for Morgan. No word yet on what that film will be.
As you know by now, Morgan...
The script is being written by Colin Jost and Rob Klein, from an original pitch by Kristofor Brown. Morgan has given his own notes to the screenwriters, and 3 Arts and American Work are producing.
But that’s not all for Morgan; we hear that Paramount Studios separately has Morgan set to star with actor Tj Miller in a new film titled Freshman Roommates, and we hear they are also making plans to line up Another film right after that for Morgan. No word yet on what that film will be.
As you know by now, Morgan...
- 3/6/2010
- by noreply@blogger.com (The Humor Mill Magazine)
- Humor Mill Magazine
HBO's "Rome" is Heading to the Big Screen: A big-screen sequel to HBO's "Rome" is rumored to be heading to the big screen. "Rome" creator/executive Bruno Heller penned the script and show stars Kevin McKidd (Lucius Vorenus) and Ray Stevenson (Titus Pullo) will likely sign onto the movie, which picks up in Germany four years after the series ended. "Rome" aired from 2005-07 and took place during Ancient Rome, beginning with Caesar's invasion of Gaul and continuing with the rise of the first Emperor Augustus. The series centered on soldiers Pullo and Vorenus, who appeared to die at the end of the series. [EW]
Nichols to Play Conan Love Interest: Rachel Nichols (G.I. Joe) will play Tamara in Marcus Nispel's Conan. Mickey Rourke has also dropped out of the film as a result of accepting a role in Tarsem Singh's War of the Gods. [Latino Review]
Gosling Boards Carell...
Nichols to Play Conan Love Interest: Rachel Nichols (G.I. Joe) will play Tamara in Marcus Nispel's Conan. Mickey Rourke has also dropped out of the film as a result of accepting a role in Tarsem Singh's War of the Gods. [Latino Review]
Gosling Boards Carell...
- 3/5/2010
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Exclusive: Warner Bros want to be on a long laugh track with its Cop Out star, Tracy Morgan. The 30 Rock co-star has just made a deal to star in ID Theft, a comedy that casts him as a cash-strapped father who sees a shortcut out of his struggles when the credit card of a suburban dad lands in his lap. The script is being written by Colin Jost and Rob Klein, from an original pitch by Kristofor Brown. Morgan has given his own notes to the screenwriters, and 3 Arts and American Work are producing. Paramount separately has Morgan set [...]...
- 3/5/2010
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline Hollywood
Drillbit Taylor, the latest comedy from the Judd Apatow laugh factory, is a relatively lame exercise that never achieves comic traction. Revolving around a trio of uber-geeks and a high school bully, the movie unfolds in fits and starts, never sure what the joke is.
But this might not matter. The Apatow brand and marquee name of Owen Wilson ensure a good opening. The performances are likable and in some instances possess enough charm to cause undemanding viewers to overlook script deficiencies. Business should hit the middle range or above for teen comedies.
The Apatow formula -- the veteran team of Susan Arnold and Donna Arkoff Roth also is aboard as producers -- leans heavily on extreme situations. A guy can't just be a virgin; he must be a 40-year-old virgin. So in Drillbit Taylor, the bully can't just be a guy going through adolescent sadism; he must be a certifiable psychopath. And the geeks can't just be geeks; they must be corpulent, skinny or tiny.
On Day 1 of their high school career, scrawny, bespectacled Wade (Nate Hartley), chubby Ryan (Troy Gentile) and peewee Emmit (David Dorfman) run afoul of fearsome Filkins (Alex Frost, who has now polished the role of homicidal teen he launched in Gus Van Sant's Elephant). Things crescendo to where the trio must interview personal bodyguards. The one they settle on -- the only one they can afford -- is Drillbit (Wilson).
Drillbit is a complete phony, a homeless bum whose only expertise consists in begging and scamming for money. He figures these kids are good for a few hundred bucks, but his fellow tramps -- who unaccountably hang out in a cafe in the trendy Santa Monica Mall -- urge him to milk this gig for all its worth. This assures that he and his diminutive charges link up often enough to become sentimental buddies.
One problem in the script by frequent Apatow collaborators Kristofor Brown and Seth Rogen is that Drillbit -- an AWOL Army vet with psychological and motivational problems who seemingly couldn't protect even himself -- never fits comfortably into the comic setting. Where's the joke here? Wilson goofs his way through an illogical role, where one minute he showers naked on the beach and the next he masquerades as a substitute teacher, taking over a different classroom each day and romancing a lonesome fellow teacher (Leslie Mann). For that matter, all adults -- the unconcerned principal, clueless parents and Drillbit's fellow bums -- are ill-conceived cartoons.
The film never allows its young heroes to show any cleverness. Aren't geeks supposed to think their way out of their dilemmas? A climactic fight is simply absurd. When a samurai sword gets introduced into the rumble, the film's tenuous grasp of any sort of reality comes undone.
Steven Brill's direction serves only to emphasize the uncertain, implausible nature of the sitcom. And happy endings seldom feel as false as this one. The lesson here is that every factory turns out "seconds," including the Apatow one.
DRILLBIT TAYLOR
Paramount
An Apatow and Roth/Arnold production
Credits: Director: Steven Brill
Screenwriters: Kristofor Brown, Seth Rogen
Story: Edmond Dantes, Kristofor Brown, Seth Rogen
Producers: Judd Apatow, Susan Arnold, Donna Arkoff Roth
Executive producer: Richard Vane
Director of photography: Fred Murphy
Production designer: Jackson De Govia
Music: Christophe Beck
Co-producer: Kristofor Brown
Costume designer: Karen Patch
Editor: Thomas J. Nordberg
Cast:
Drillbit Taylor: Owen Wilson
Lisa: Leslie Mann
Emmit: David Dorfman
Don: Danny McBride
Ronnie: Josh Peck
Ryan: Troy Gentile
Wade: Nate Hartley
Filkins: Alex Frost
Running time -- 102 minutes
MPAA rating PG-13...
But this might not matter. The Apatow brand and marquee name of Owen Wilson ensure a good opening. The performances are likable and in some instances possess enough charm to cause undemanding viewers to overlook script deficiencies. Business should hit the middle range or above for teen comedies.
The Apatow formula -- the veteran team of Susan Arnold and Donna Arkoff Roth also is aboard as producers -- leans heavily on extreme situations. A guy can't just be a virgin; he must be a 40-year-old virgin. So in Drillbit Taylor, the bully can't just be a guy going through adolescent sadism; he must be a certifiable psychopath. And the geeks can't just be geeks; they must be corpulent, skinny or tiny.
On Day 1 of their high school career, scrawny, bespectacled Wade (Nate Hartley), chubby Ryan (Troy Gentile) and peewee Emmit (David Dorfman) run afoul of fearsome Filkins (Alex Frost, who has now polished the role of homicidal teen he launched in Gus Van Sant's Elephant). Things crescendo to where the trio must interview personal bodyguards. The one they settle on -- the only one they can afford -- is Drillbit (Wilson).
Drillbit is a complete phony, a homeless bum whose only expertise consists in begging and scamming for money. He figures these kids are good for a few hundred bucks, but his fellow tramps -- who unaccountably hang out in a cafe in the trendy Santa Monica Mall -- urge him to milk this gig for all its worth. This assures that he and his diminutive charges link up often enough to become sentimental buddies.
One problem in the script by frequent Apatow collaborators Kristofor Brown and Seth Rogen is that Drillbit -- an AWOL Army vet with psychological and motivational problems who seemingly couldn't protect even himself -- never fits comfortably into the comic setting. Where's the joke here? Wilson goofs his way through an illogical role, where one minute he showers naked on the beach and the next he masquerades as a substitute teacher, taking over a different classroom each day and romancing a lonesome fellow teacher (Leslie Mann). For that matter, all adults -- the unconcerned principal, clueless parents and Drillbit's fellow bums -- are ill-conceived cartoons.
The film never allows its young heroes to show any cleverness. Aren't geeks supposed to think their way out of their dilemmas? A climactic fight is simply absurd. When a samurai sword gets introduced into the rumble, the film's tenuous grasp of any sort of reality comes undone.
Steven Brill's direction serves only to emphasize the uncertain, implausible nature of the sitcom. And happy endings seldom feel as false as this one. The lesson here is that every factory turns out "seconds," including the Apatow one.
DRILLBIT TAYLOR
Paramount
An Apatow and Roth/Arnold production
Credits: Director: Steven Brill
Screenwriters: Kristofor Brown, Seth Rogen
Story: Edmond Dantes, Kristofor Brown, Seth Rogen
Producers: Judd Apatow, Susan Arnold, Donna Arkoff Roth
Executive producer: Richard Vane
Director of photography: Fred Murphy
Production designer: Jackson De Govia
Music: Christophe Beck
Co-producer: Kristofor Brown
Costume designer: Karen Patch
Editor: Thomas J. Nordberg
Cast:
Drillbit Taylor: Owen Wilson
Lisa: Leslie Mann
Emmit: David Dorfman
Don: Danny McBride
Ronnie: Josh Peck
Ryan: Troy Gentile
Wade: Nate Hartley
Filkins: Alex Frost
Running time -- 102 minutes
MPAA rating PG-13...
- 3/20/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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