Jack Axelrod, the actor who played the role of Victor Jerome on General Hospital, has died. He was 93.
Multiple reports indicate that Axelrod died on Nov. 28 of natural causes in Los Angeles.
Axelrod was featured on the ABC soap for 40 episodes between 1987 and 1989. He had previously made guest appearances in Kojak (1977), Hill Street Blues (1984), Dallas (1983), The Judge (1986), Dynasty (1987), Outlaws (1987) and Night Court (1989).
“I had the pleasure of spending a lot of time with him in his last years, as he had no immediate family,” representative Jennifer Garland said in a statement to EW. “We spent much time outdoors, where Jack loved to sketch, read news articles, and recite Shakespearean sonnets.”
Following his stint on General Hospital, Axelrod went on to play Arnie Zimmer on three episodes of Knots Landing between 1989 and 1990. Guest appearances would follow on shows like Murphy Brown (1992), Everybody Loves Raymond (1999), Boys Meets World (1999), Good vs Evil (1999), Jack & Jill...
Multiple reports indicate that Axelrod died on Nov. 28 of natural causes in Los Angeles.
Axelrod was featured on the ABC soap for 40 episodes between 1987 and 1989. He had previously made guest appearances in Kojak (1977), Hill Street Blues (1984), Dallas (1983), The Judge (1986), Dynasty (1987), Outlaws (1987) and Night Court (1989).
“I had the pleasure of spending a lot of time with him in his last years, as he had no immediate family,” representative Jennifer Garland said in a statement to EW. “We spent much time outdoors, where Jack loved to sketch, read news articles, and recite Shakespearean sonnets.”
Following his stint on General Hospital, Axelrod went on to play Arnie Zimmer on three episodes of Knots Landing between 1989 and 1990. Guest appearances would follow on shows like Murphy Brown (1992), Everybody Loves Raymond (1999), Boys Meets World (1999), Good vs Evil (1999), Jack & Jill...
- 12/17/2023
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
"Do you want to know the secret to a divorce...?" "Yes, yes I do." Gravitas Ventures has released an official trailer for an indie romantic comedy titled Bad Therapy, arriving straight-to-vod coming up in April. Set in Los Angeles, the film is about a struggling married couple who decide to see a marriage counselor named Judy Small. But it turns out this seemingly competent therapist is more than meets the eye, when her own conflicting impulses are brought to light through this couple's problems. Sounds like yet another perfectly cliche Los Angeles film. Alicia Silverstone & Rob Corddry star as the couple, with Michaela Watkins as the therapist, and a cast including Anna Pniowsky, Aisha Tyler, Sarah Shahi, Haley Joel Osment, Dichen Lachman, Sunkrish Bala, and Ginger Gonzaga. Not sure if anyone needs this kind of therapy. Here's the first official trailer (+ poster) for William Teitler's Bad Therapy, direct from...
- 3/20/2020
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Sony’s Jumanji: The Next Level opens early in 18 overseas markets this week, beginning today in France and including Netherlands, some of South East Asia and, notably, China, through Friday. This is a different rollout pattern to 2017’s reboot, Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle, which went day-and-date with domestic in 53 offshore markets, landing No. 1 in 28 of those for a $49.5M bow at historical rates.
In the like-for-like markets going this week, Welcome To The Jungle did $54.8M at today’s international box office rates. Industry projections for The Next Level are coming in at the $60M+ mark. About $40M of that is expected in China where star Dwayne Johnson has a solid base. His last pictures in the Middle Kingdom have done robust business including Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw ($201M), Rampage ($156.3M), San Andreas ($103M) and Skyscraper ($98.4M).
Ultimately, the top hubs for Welcome To The Jungle last time around were China,...
In the like-for-like markets going this week, Welcome To The Jungle did $54.8M at today’s international box office rates. Industry projections for The Next Level are coming in at the $60M+ mark. About $40M of that is expected in China where star Dwayne Johnson has a solid base. His last pictures in the Middle Kingdom have done robust business including Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw ($201M), Rampage ($156.3M), San Andreas ($103M) and Skyscraper ($98.4M).
Ultimately, the top hubs for Welcome To The Jungle last time around were China,...
- 12/4/2019
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle producer William Teitler directs.
Roman Kopelevich’s Red Sea Media has picked up international sales rights to Judy Small starring Michaela Watkins, Rob Corddry and Alicia Silverstone and launches sales at the Afm on the completed comic thriller.
Michaela Watkins, Rob Corddry and Alicia Silverstone star in the story of a couple who seek the help of a marriage counsellor who is more than she seems.
The key cast includes Aisha Tyler, Sarah Shahi, Haley Joel Osment, Dichen Lachman and Anna Pniowsky.
William Teitler, producer on Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle, directed Judy Small from a screenplay by Nancy Doyne.
Roman Kopelevich’s Red Sea Media has picked up international sales rights to Judy Small starring Michaela Watkins, Rob Corddry and Alicia Silverstone and launches sales at the Afm on the completed comic thriller.
Michaela Watkins, Rob Corddry and Alicia Silverstone star in the story of a couple who seek the help of a marriage counsellor who is more than she seems.
The key cast includes Aisha Tyler, Sarah Shahi, Haley Joel Osment, Dichen Lachman and Anna Pniowsky.
William Teitler, producer on Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle, directed Judy Small from a screenplay by Nancy Doyne.
- 11/6/2019
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
The official title of “Jumanji 3” was announced on Monday morning as Columbia Pictures released the first trailer for “Jumanji: The Next Level.”
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is once again dropped in a remote jungle with Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan and Jack Black, but a lot has changed since we last saw them together.
Danny Glover, Danny DeVito, Nick Jonas, Awkwafina, Ser’Darius Blain, Madison Iseman, Morgan Turner and Alex Wolff also star in the movie set for release on Dec. 13.
Also Read: Here's Everything 'Sonic the Hedgehog' Is Being Compared to, From 'Cat in the Hat' to 'Jumanji'
While our favorite lead characters all look the same … they’re very different on the inside because “the game is busted.” On the plus side, Johnson’s hips are more flexible, and no, they are not dead or in hell.
As the trailer promises, everything you know about Jumanji is about to change.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is once again dropped in a remote jungle with Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan and Jack Black, but a lot has changed since we last saw them together.
Danny Glover, Danny DeVito, Nick Jonas, Awkwafina, Ser’Darius Blain, Madison Iseman, Morgan Turner and Alex Wolff also star in the movie set for release on Dec. 13.
Also Read: Here's Everything 'Sonic the Hedgehog' Is Being Compared to, From 'Cat in the Hat' to 'Jumanji'
While our favorite lead characters all look the same … they’re very different on the inside because “the game is busted.” On the plus side, Johnson’s hips are more flexible, and no, they are not dead or in hell.
As the trailer promises, everything you know about Jumanji is about to change.
- 7/1/2019
- by Debbie Emery
- The Wrap
In today’s film news roundup, up-and-comer Anna Pniowsky books another role, Jonathan Demme’s archive is donated and “Rachel Hollis Presents: Made For More” generates strong grosses.
Casting
Anna Pniowsky has been cast in a lead role in the independent comedy “Judy Small” opposite Rob Corddry, Alicia Silverstone, Haley Joel Osment, and Michaela Watkins.
She will play the daughter of Silverstone’s character, who persuades her husband to see a marriage counselor, the titular Judy Small, played by Watkins. The daughter is the first to distrust the manipulative Small.
William Teitler is producing and directing from a script based on the novel by Nancy Doyle. Gina Resnick is also producing.
Pniowsky will be seen next as the lead opposite Casey Affleck in “Light of My Life,” in which their characters are trapped in the woods after a deadly pandemic. Teddy Schwarzman is producing and financing through his Black Bear Pictures banner.
Casting
Anna Pniowsky has been cast in a lead role in the independent comedy “Judy Small” opposite Rob Corddry, Alicia Silverstone, Haley Joel Osment, and Michaela Watkins.
She will play the daughter of Silverstone’s character, who persuades her husband to see a marriage counselor, the titular Judy Small, played by Watkins. The daughter is the first to distrust the manipulative Small.
William Teitler is producing and directing from a script based on the novel by Nancy Doyle. Gina Resnick is also producing.
Pniowsky will be seen next as the lead opposite Casey Affleck in “Light of My Life,” in which their characters are trapped in the woods after a deadly pandemic. Teddy Schwarzman is producing and financing through his Black Bear Pictures banner.
- 8/4/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Paul Feig is attached to direct a movie version of the children’s story “The Sweetest Fig,” based on the illustrated book by Chris Van Allsburg.
Producers are Van Allsburg, William Teitler, Mike Weber, Ted Field, and Feigco’s Jessie Henderson. Van Allsburg wrote the original children’s books that served as the basis for “Jumanji” and “The Polar Express.”
“The Sweetest Fig” was published in 1993 and takes place in Paris, centered on a wealthy dentist who lives alone in an apartment with his dog, who he mistreats. The dentist is given two magical figs from an old woman as payment for removing a tooth — and after eating one, discovers that his dreams have come true and plots to become France’s wealthiest man. But his dog eats the second fig, which transforms the dentist into the dog and the dog into the dentist.
Feig’s most recent attachment came...
Producers are Van Allsburg, William Teitler, Mike Weber, Ted Field, and Feigco’s Jessie Henderson. Van Allsburg wrote the original children’s books that served as the basis for “Jumanji” and “The Polar Express.”
“The Sweetest Fig” was published in 1993 and takes place in Paris, centered on a wealthy dentist who lives alone in an apartment with his dog, who he mistreats. The dentist is given two magical figs from an old woman as payment for removing a tooth — and after eating one, discovers that his dreams have come true and plots to become France’s wealthiest man. But his dog eats the second fig, which transforms the dentist into the dog and the dog into the dentist.
Feig’s most recent attachment came...
- 8/1/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Paul Feig, best known for R-rated comedies from Bridesmaids to Spy and The Heat, will bring those sensibilities to a venerable children’s book. He’s attached to direct and is part of a Fox package to turn The Sweetest Fig into a film. That is the illustrated kid book by Chris Van Allsburg, whose works have been previously transformed into the Sony hit Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle, as well as Polar Express.
It’s the first acquisition since Fox made an overall deal with Van Allsburg and partners William Teitler, Mike Weber and Ted Field, who’ll produce with Feigco’s Jessie Henderson.
Published in 1993, the story takes place in Paris and focuses on Monsieur Bibot, a wealthy dentist who lives alone in a fancy apartment with his dog Marcel, whom he often mistreats. After Bibot removes the rotting tooth of an impoverished old woman with a...
It’s the first acquisition since Fox made an overall deal with Van Allsburg and partners William Teitler, Mike Weber and Ted Field, who’ll produce with Feigco’s Jessie Henderson.
Published in 1993, the story takes place in Paris and focuses on Monsieur Bibot, a wealthy dentist who lives alone in a fancy apartment with his dog Marcel, whom he often mistreats. After Bibot removes the rotting tooth of an impoverished old woman with a...
- 8/1/2018
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Actress Sarah Shahi stars in tonight’s premiere of Reverie on NBC, but she is already making moves towards the big screen. Shahi is set to star as the lead in the indie drama Language Arts and will star in the indie comedy Judy Small.
Directed by Cornelia Moore (Dark Horse) and produced by Larry Estes, Language Arts follows Allison Forche-Marlow (Shahi), a beautiful, bright, determined, and organized, who never gives up trying to heal her autistic son, whom she fiercely loves, no matter what it demands of everyone.
In the deadpan comedy Judy Small, Shahi stars opposite Rob Corddry (Ballers). The William Teitler-directed film is based on the book by Nancy Doyne (who also adapted the film). The story follows Bob and Susan Howard, who decide to see a marriage counselor named Judy Small who appears trustworthy but harbors dark and conflicted impulses, which cause her to manipulate Susan and Bob,...
Directed by Cornelia Moore (Dark Horse) and produced by Larry Estes, Language Arts follows Allison Forche-Marlow (Shahi), a beautiful, bright, determined, and organized, who never gives up trying to heal her autistic son, whom she fiercely loves, no matter what it demands of everyone.
In the deadpan comedy Judy Small, Shahi stars opposite Rob Corddry (Ballers). The William Teitler-directed film is based on the book by Nancy Doyne (who also adapted the film). The story follows Bob and Susan Howard, who decide to see a marriage counselor named Judy Small who appears trustworthy but harbors dark and conflicted impulses, which cause her to manipulate Susan and Bob,...
- 5/30/2018
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Move over “Spider-Man,” “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” just became Sony Pictures’ high-grossing film of all time.
The hit, starring Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Gillan, reached $403.714 million at the domestic box office on Tuesday, breaking the record at Sony, which has been held by “Spider-Man,” with Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker, since 2002.
Directed by Jake Kasdan, and produced by Matt Tolmach and William Teitler, “Jumanji” is also the top-earning Sony-owned film at the global box office, having reeled in $950 million worldwide, and the second-highest-grossing film ever released by the studio, behind “Skyfall.” The movie is the highest-earning one on Johnson, Black, and Hart’s resumes as well.
“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” which was not expected to be the blockbuster it has become, was No. 1 at the box office for four consecutive weeks following its Dec. 20 release. A continuation of 1995’s “Jumanji,” the movie follows four...
The hit, starring Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Gillan, reached $403.714 million at the domestic box office on Tuesday, breaking the record at Sony, which has been held by “Spider-Man,” with Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker, since 2002.
Directed by Jake Kasdan, and produced by Matt Tolmach and William Teitler, “Jumanji” is also the top-earning Sony-owned film at the global box office, having reeled in $950 million worldwide, and the second-highest-grossing film ever released by the studio, behind “Skyfall.” The movie is the highest-earning one on Johnson, Black, and Hart’s resumes as well.
“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” which was not expected to be the blockbuster it has become, was No. 1 at the box office for four consecutive weeks following its Dec. 20 release. A continuation of 1995’s “Jumanji,” the movie follows four...
- 4/11/2018
- by Kirsten Chuba
- Variety Film + TV
Dwayne Johnson’s “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” crossed $403.7 million at the domestic box office on Tuesday night, making it Sony Pictures’ highest grossing film of all time domestically.
That means it surpassed the studio’s 2002 hit “Spider-Man.” “Jumanji,” also starring Jack Black, Kevin Hart and Karen Gillan, has grossed $950 million worldwide.
Domestically, “Jumanji” is also the highest-grossing film ever in the careers of Johnson, Hart and Black. Directed by Jake Kasdan, it is also the biggest Sony-owned release of all time at the global box office, as well as the second-highest grossing film ever released by the studio, just behind “Skyfall,” which is owned by MGM.
That means it surpassed the studio’s 2002 hit “Spider-Man.” “Jumanji,” also starring Jack Black, Kevin Hart and Karen Gillan, has grossed $950 million worldwide.
Domestically, “Jumanji” is also the highest-grossing film ever in the careers of Johnson, Hart and Black. Directed by Jake Kasdan, it is also the biggest Sony-owned release of all time at the global box office, as well as the second-highest grossing film ever released by the studio, just behind “Skyfall,” which is owned by MGM.
- 4/11/2018
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
Exclusive: On the heels of the breakout success of Jumanji: Welcome to The Jungle, children's book author Chris Van Allsburg and his producing partners William Teitler, Ted Field and Mike Weber have been staked to a production deal by 20th Century Fox. The aim is to generate new tent poles based on Van Allsburg’s titles, his future books and ideas currently in the works. Aside from Jumanji, which spawned the 1995 hit that was just successfully resuscitated by Sony and is…...
- 2/1/2018
- Deadline
Jack Black is in talks to star alongside Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart in the big-budget "Jumanji" reboot at Sony Pictures. Johnson confirmed the casting in an enthusiastic Instagram post which you can see below.
Jake Kasdan is directing this new adaptation of Chris Van Allsburg's 1981 book with Matt Tolmach and William Teitler set to produce. Scott Rosenberg and Jeff Pinkner penned the script based on a draft by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers.
Van Allsburg, Ted Field and Mike Weber will executive produce. Shooting kicks off in August in Hawaii ahead of a July 28th 2017 release.
It's Official: An ol' friend is ready to play in the world of #Jumanji... Jack (mf'n) Black. Been a big fan of his work over the years. A brilliant actor who I'm confident will turn in a performance of a lifetime for Jumanji. (when we reveal his character you'll understand;). In our...
Jake Kasdan is directing this new adaptation of Chris Van Allsburg's 1981 book with Matt Tolmach and William Teitler set to produce. Scott Rosenberg and Jeff Pinkner penned the script based on a draft by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers.
Van Allsburg, Ted Field and Mike Weber will executive produce. Shooting kicks off in August in Hawaii ahead of a July 28th 2017 release.
It's Official: An ol' friend is ready to play in the world of #Jumanji... Jack (mf'n) Black. Been a big fan of his work over the years. A brilliant actor who I'm confident will turn in a performance of a lifetime for Jumanji. (when we reveal his character you'll understand;). In our...
- 5/11/2016
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Jack Black is in talks to star alongside Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart in Sony’s “Jumanji” reboot, TheWrap has learned. Jake Kasdan is directing the big-budget adaptation of Chris Van Allsburg’s 1981 book, which is being produced by Matt Tolmach and William Teitler. Van Allsburg will serve as an executive producer along with Johnson, Dany Garcia, Ted Field and Mike Weber. The reboot was written by Scott Rosenberg and Jeff Pinkner, based on a draft by the original writers Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers. Also Read: Jack Black Is Scary Good in 'Goosebumps' Rap (Video) Production is...
- 5/11/2016
- by Jeff Sneider
- The Wrap
They team this year on the action comedy "Central Intelligence," now Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart look to be pairing up again on the big screen for a whole different property.
Both Johnson and Hart are in early talks to star in the adaptation of Chris Van Allsburg's 1981 adventure book "Jumanji" at Sony Pictures. Schedules are still being worked out, but "things are moving toward a deal".
If it goes forward Johnson would shoot "Jumanji" this Fall after he wraps "Fast 8" but before getting to work on the third season of "Ballers". Hart is committed to shoot "The Intouchables" remake this Summer and it's his schedule that's proving tricky.
Previously adapted into the 1995 film starring Robin Williams, the story centers on a twelve-year-old boy who becomes trapped in a board game in 1969 and is released twenty-six years later.
Jake Kasdan is on board to direct with Matt Tolmach...
Both Johnson and Hart are in early talks to star in the adaptation of Chris Van Allsburg's 1981 adventure book "Jumanji" at Sony Pictures. Schedules are still being worked out, but "things are moving toward a deal".
If it goes forward Johnson would shoot "Jumanji" this Fall after he wraps "Fast 8" but before getting to work on the third season of "Ballers". Hart is committed to shoot "The Intouchables" remake this Summer and it's his schedule that's proving tricky.
Previously adapted into the 1995 film starring Robin Williams, the story centers on a twelve-year-old boy who becomes trapped in a board game in 1969 and is released twenty-six years later.
Jake Kasdan is on board to direct with Matt Tolmach...
- 4/16/2016
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Exclusive: The Book Thief star Nelisse to lead cast, April 9 start of shoot.
Rising star Sophie Nelisse (The Book Thief, Monsieur Lazhar) is to play the title role in director Stephen Herek’s feature The Great Gilly Hopkins, alongside Glenn Close, Kathy Bates, Danny Glover and Octavia Spencer.
Co-financed by William Kay and Peyton Kay of Gemmill Media (Rob the Mob, Future Weather) in association with William Teitler, the film is due to start shoot on April 9.
WestEnd Films is representing the film for international sales at the Efm while Bob Berney will be distributing in North America through his newly re-vamped Picturehouse.
Gilly is David Paterson’s adaptation of Katherine Paterson’s young adult novel about a wisecracking, gum-chewing 12-year old (Nelisse) who is moved from foster home to foster home, outwitting them all, until she meets her match in the shape of Maime Trotter (Bates).
Paterson will produce alongside Teitler and John Paterson. Executive producers...
Rising star Sophie Nelisse (The Book Thief, Monsieur Lazhar) is to play the title role in director Stephen Herek’s feature The Great Gilly Hopkins, alongside Glenn Close, Kathy Bates, Danny Glover and Octavia Spencer.
Co-financed by William Kay and Peyton Kay of Gemmill Media (Rob the Mob, Future Weather) in association with William Teitler, the film is due to start shoot on April 9.
WestEnd Films is representing the film for international sales at the Efm while Bob Berney will be distributing in North America through his newly re-vamped Picturehouse.
Gilly is David Paterson’s adaptation of Katherine Paterson’s young adult novel about a wisecracking, gum-chewing 12-year old (Nelisse) who is moved from foster home to foster home, outwitting them all, until she meets her match in the shape of Maime Trotter (Bates).
Paterson will produce alongside Teitler and John Paterson. Executive producers...
- 2/6/2014
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: The Book Thief star Nelisse to lead cast, April 9 start of shoot.
Rising star Sophie Nelisse (The Book Thief, Monsieur Lazhar) is to play the title role in director Stephen Herek’s feature The Great Gilly Hopkins, alongside Glenn Close, Kathy Bates, Danny Glover and Octavia Spencer.
Co-financed by William Kay and Peyton Kay of Gemmill Media (Rob the Mob, Future Weather) in association with William Teitler, the film is due to start shoot on April 9.
WestEnd Films is representing the film for international sales at the Efm while Bob Berney will be distributing in North America through his newly re-vamped Picturehouse.
Gilly is David Paterson’s adaptation of Katherine Paterson’s young adult novel about a wisecracking, gum-chewing 12-year old (Nelisse) who is moved from foster home to foster home, outwitting them all, until she meets her match in the shape of Maime Trotter (Bates).
Paterson will produce alongside Teitler and John Paterson. Executive producers...
Rising star Sophie Nelisse (The Book Thief, Monsieur Lazhar) is to play the title role in director Stephen Herek’s feature The Great Gilly Hopkins, alongside Glenn Close, Kathy Bates, Danny Glover and Octavia Spencer.
Co-financed by William Kay and Peyton Kay of Gemmill Media (Rob the Mob, Future Weather) in association with William Teitler, the film is due to start shoot on April 9.
WestEnd Films is representing the film for international sales at the Efm while Bob Berney will be distributing in North America through his newly re-vamped Picturehouse.
Gilly is David Paterson’s adaptation of Katherine Paterson’s young adult novel about a wisecracking, gum-chewing 12-year old (Nelisse) who is moved from foster home to foster home, outwitting them all, until she meets her match in the shape of Maime Trotter (Bates).
Paterson will produce alongside Teitler and John Paterson. Executive producers...
- 2/6/2014
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Update: Zach Helm, the scribe behind Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium and the Will Ferrell-starrer Stranger than Fiction, will write the Jumanji remake. If you read Cole the Kid Critic's review of those movies, however, there's not too much to be excited about. Helm recently did a rewrite on the upcoming Ben Stiller movie, another remake, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.
August 1, 2012 - With all the toys and board games getting movies made about them, it shouldn't be a surprise that a movie about a fictional board game is getting a reboot. Jumanji, the 1995 kids classic, is getting remade by The Amazing Spider-Man producer Matt Tolmach. The Robin Williams-starrer is about two kids (one of whom is Kirsten Dunst and the other is the voice of Chip in Beauty and the Beast) who play an old magical board game (called Jumanji) that brings dangerous elements to life with...
August 1, 2012 - With all the toys and board games getting movies made about them, it shouldn't be a surprise that a movie about a fictional board game is getting a reboot. Jumanji, the 1995 kids classic, is getting remade by The Amazing Spider-Man producer Matt Tolmach. The Robin Williams-starrer is about two kids (one of whom is Kirsten Dunst and the other is the voice of Chip in Beauty and the Beast) who play an old magical board game (called Jumanji) that brings dangerous elements to life with...
- 12/7/2012
- by tara@kidspickflicks.com (Tara the Mom)
- kidspickflicks
Update: Zach Helm, the scribe behind Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium and the Will Ferrell-starrer Stranger than Fiction, will write the Jumanji remake. If you read Cole the Kid Critic's review of those movies, however, there's not too much to be excited about. Helm recently did a rewrite on the upcoming Ben Stiller movie, another remake, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.
August 1, 2012 - With all the toys and board games getting movies made about them, it shouldn't be a surprise that a movie about a fictional board game is getting a reboot. Jumanji, the 1995 kids classic, is getting remade by The Amazing Spider-Man producer Matt Tolmach. The Robin Williams-starrer is about two kids (one of whom is Kirsten Dunst and the other is the voice of Chip in Beauty and the Beast) who play an old magical board game (called Jumanji) that brings dangerous elements to life with...
August 1, 2012 - With all the toys and board games getting movies made about them, it shouldn't be a surprise that a movie about a fictional board game is getting a reboot. Jumanji, the 1995 kids classic, is getting remade by The Amazing Spider-Man producer Matt Tolmach. The Robin Williams-starrer is about two kids (one of whom is Kirsten Dunst and the other is the voice of Chip in Beauty and the Beast) who play an old magical board game (called Jumanji) that brings dangerous elements to life with...
- 12/7/2012
- by tara@kidspickflicks.com (Tara the Mom)
- kidspickflicks
"What Maisie Knew," directed by Scott McGehee and David Siegel ("Bee Season," "Uncertainty"), has gone to Millennium Entertainment for Us distribution. Starring Julianne Moore, Alexander Skarsgård and Steve Coogan, the film is a contemporary adaptation of Henry James' 1897 novel, about a young girl stuck between the drama of her divorcing parents. "What Maisie Knew" debuted at Toronto. Here are early reviews from THR, Indiewire and The Guardian. The screenplay was adapted by Carroll Cartwright and Nancy Doyne; Daniela Taplin Lundberg, Daniel Crown, William Teitler and Charles Weinstock produced.
- 9/12/2012
- by Sophia Savage
- Thompson on Hollywood
In the latest pick-up of a popping Toronto market, Millennium Entertainment has acquired U.S. rights to “What Maisie Knew,” starring Julianne Moore, Alexander Skarsgård and Steve Coogan. The contemporary version of the Henry James novel, directed by Scott McGehee and David Siegel, had its world premiere Friday at the Toronto International Film Festival. “Maisie” tells the story of a young girl trapped in the drama of her distracted, divorcing parents and the new partners they bring into her life. Carroll Cartwright and Nancy Doyne adapted the screenplay. Read More: Tiff Capsule Review: 'What Maisie Knew' Daniela Taplin Lundberg, Daniel Crown, William Teitler and Charles Weinstock produced; Riva Marker is an executive producer. Millennium acquisitions exec Tristen Tuckfield negotiated the deal with Wme Global, which repped the filmmakers. Since its launch in 2010, Millennium has acquired and released “Little...
- 9/12/2012
- by Jay A. Fernandez
- Indiewire
Back in 1995, a young Kirsten Dunst, Robin Williams and Bonnie Hunt starred in Jumanji. The film, directed by Joe Johnston (Captain America: The First Avenger) was based on a 1981 children’s book penned by Chris Van Allsburg, and centers on two kids who play an old magic board-game only to release a man who has been trapped in it for decades, along with a host of creatures that invade their quiet American suburb that can only be stopped by finishing the game.
Now, Variety says that Sony Pictures is looking to remake the film, with Matt Tolmach (The Amazing Spider-Man) set to produce, alongside original producer William Teitler.
The trade reports that the decision to update Jumanji “reflects the studio’s mandate to increase the focus on films for family audiences, as Sony has found great success with its “Smurfs” franchise and the animated pic “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs,...
Now, Variety says that Sony Pictures is looking to remake the film, with Matt Tolmach (The Amazing Spider-Man) set to produce, alongside original producer William Teitler.
The trade reports that the decision to update Jumanji “reflects the studio’s mandate to increase the focus on films for family audiences, as Sony has found great success with its “Smurfs” franchise and the animated pic “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs,...
- 8/3/2012
- by Jason Moore
- ScifiMafia
I’m joking, keep doing what you’re doing, this is awful news. Sony Pictures is looking to remake Jumanji, that movie you liked as a kid but could only watch now if you had a laptop with you on the couch. The movie did well with a domestic total of $100M and international total of $162M, there have been many rumors about a sequel in the past but nothing came to be.
The Amazing Spider-Man producer, Matt Tolmach is said to be attached to movie the reboot along with original producers, William Teitler and Ted Field. I guess they think it’s been too long to do a sequel and get original fans back in the seats, but seriously, it would be so much better than a reboot. Kirsten Dunst and Robin Williams reunite, oh and the little boy, Bradley Pierce. IMDb tells me he’s doing a lot of voice work,...
The Amazing Spider-Man producer, Matt Tolmach is said to be attached to movie the reboot along with original producers, William Teitler and Ted Field. I guess they think it’s been too long to do a sequel and get original fans back in the seats, but seriously, it would be so much better than a reboot. Kirsten Dunst and Robin Williams reunite, oh and the little boy, Bradley Pierce. IMDb tells me he’s doing a lot of voice work,...
- 8/2/2012
- by Graham McMorrow
- City of Films
Plans for a Jumanji reboot were just revealed a few weeks ago, but the pieces are already beginning to fall into place. Variety reports that Producer Matt Tolmach is set to join Jumanji alongside one of the original film’s producers, William Teitler.
Tolmach has recently shown a knack for potentially premature reboots as he experienced massive success with The Amazing Spider-Man. Now Sony is rolling the dice and hoping that he can help do it again.
Considering the success of The Smurfs and Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs, Sony’s decision to make another family film makes sense, but I have a feeling that older audiences, mainly children of the 90′s, may not give this version a warm reception.
I know reboots are doing very well right now, and that prompts studios to look for more films to update, but Jumanji? Come on. Is nothing sacred? Granted, the CGI could be improved,...
Tolmach has recently shown a knack for potentially premature reboots as he experienced massive success with The Amazing Spider-Man. Now Sony is rolling the dice and hoping that he can help do it again.
Considering the success of The Smurfs and Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs, Sony’s decision to make another family film makes sense, but I have a feeling that older audiences, mainly children of the 90′s, may not give this version a warm reception.
I know reboots are doing very well right now, and that prompts studios to look for more films to update, but Jumanji? Come on. Is nothing sacred? Granted, the CGI could be improved,...
- 8/2/2012
- by Alex Lowe
- We Got This Covered
Sony is very much putting itself in the remake business, having scored a major success with this summer's premature reboot The Amazing Spider-Man. They recently put major plans into development to remake Jumanji, the 1995 children's adventure film boasting early CGI effects that don't pass muster today. And now, to make that remake possible, they've brought in the guy who knows how to do it better than anyone: the producer of The Amazing Spider-Man. Amazing how that works, eh? Variety reports that Matt Tolmach has been set to produce the "remaining," along with original producer William Teitler, who was also behind kid adventures like Zathura and The Polar Express. Given that the reboot was just revealed a few weeks ago, it's not surprising that there aren't any more details, but Tolmach and Teitler are presumably putting their heads together and figuring out a way to give the story a new sheen...
- 8/2/2012
- cinemablend.com
You may have thought it was all some sort of joke, but it’s really happening folks. A Jumanji reboot is likely to exist before our very eyes in the very near feature. After an update last month that Columbia was considering a reboot of the film, things are moving fast over at the studio, with The Amazing Spider-Man producer Matt Tolmach hired to take on the project. [Variety]
As a fan, albeit in my childhood, of the Joe Johnston 1995 family flick and the sort of wacky Robin Williams-led fun it brought, it actually doesn’t seem like the oddest of properties to get a reboot. The boardgame side of the story is popular (just look at Battleship and the upcoming Ouija), effects have improved and children are in need of some fare with a bit of a scary edge — don’t tell me you weren’t terrified each new...
As a fan, albeit in my childhood, of the Joe Johnston 1995 family flick and the sort of wacky Robin Williams-led fun it brought, it actually doesn’t seem like the oddest of properties to get a reboot. The boardgame side of the story is popular (just look at Battleship and the upcoming Ouija), effects have improved and children are in need of some fare with a bit of a scary edge — don’t tell me you weren’t terrified each new...
- 8/2/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
"The Amazing Spider-Man" producer Matt Tolmach is set to produce the reboot of "Jumanji" in the works at Sony Pictures says Variety.
Joe Johnston's 1995 feature, based on Chris Van Allsburg's book, followed two kids who play an old magic boardgame and release a man (Robin Williams) as well as many dangers that can be stopped only by finishing the game.
The new film is expected to update the premise for contemporary times (will Jumani be an Mmorpg?). William Teitler, who produced the original, will also produce this.
Joe Johnston's 1995 feature, based on Chris Van Allsburg's book, followed two kids who play an old magic boardgame and release a man (Robin Williams) as well as many dangers that can be stopped only by finishing the game.
The new film is expected to update the premise for contemporary times (will Jumani be an Mmorpg?). William Teitler, who produced the original, will also produce this.
- 8/2/2012
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
First announced last month , Sony Pictures is moving forward with a big screen reboot of the 1995 Joe Johnston family adventure Jumanji . Today, Variety reports that Matt Tolmach, whose credits include the recent The Amazing Spider-Man , has come aboard to produce alongside William Teitler with Tedd Field and Mike Weber executive producing. The original Jumanji starred Robin Williams, Bonnie Hunt, Kirsten Dunst and Bradley Pierce and was based on the 1981 children's book by Chris Van Allsburg. In it, a magical board game causes jungle plants and creatures to invade a quiet American suburb. The Amazing Spider-Man , released on July 3rd, has currently grossed $657 million worldwide.
- 8/1/2012
- Comingsoon.net
#62. What Maisie Knew Director: Scott McGehee and David SiegelWriter(s): Carroll Cartwright and Nancy Doyne Producers: Daniela Taplin Lundberg, William Teitler and Charles WeinstockDistributor: Rights Available The Gist: The film which is an adaptation of the Henry James novel is about Maisie, a six-year-old girl enmeshed in the bitter divorce of her mother (Moore), a rock and roll icon, and her father (Coogan), a charming but distracted art dealer. Skarsgård will play Moore's new husband...(more) Cast: Alexander Skarsgård, Julianne Moore and Steve Coogan List Worthy Reasons...: I haven't been big on the Scott McGehee and David Siegel pairing since certain elements in 2001's The Deep End, but this triage drama via the eyes of a seven year-old protagonist might do the trick - we still have faith in Julianne Moore and we're of course curious to see how the core of a Henry James novel might still be relevant 100 years after publication.
- 1/6/2012
- IONCINEMA.com
#75. What Maisie Knew - Scott McGehee and David Siegel Scott McGehee and David Siegel got their career starts at the festival with Suture (1993) followe by The Deep End (2001), but they haven't been back in a good decade. With a higher profile project - an adaption of a Henry James novel starring Alexander Skarsgård, Julianne Moore and Steve Coogan with Onata Aprile (from Cassevetes' Yellow) they have a valid reason to return. Filming on What Maisie Knew finished rather late in the year --- so this is perhaps a weak prediction guess but a welcomed one when you consider producer Daniela Taplin Lundberg's great relationship with the fest. Gist: Scripted by Nancy Doyne and Carroll Cartwright, the film which is an adaptation of the Henry James novel is about Maisie, a six-year-old girl enmeshed in the bitter divorce of her mother (Moore), a rock and roll icon, and her father...
- 11/14/2011
- IONCINEMA.com
Title: Ins Greetings from Tim Buckley Director: Dan Algrant Screenwriter: David Brendel, Emma Sheanshang Producer(s): Smuggler Films' John Hart and Patrick Milling Smith, Frederick Zollo Cast: Penn Badgley and Imogen Poots Filming in: New York City Comments: Ins Imogene Directors: Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini Screenwriter: Michelle Morgan Producer(s): Anonymous Content's Alix Madigan, Maven Pictures's Celine Rattray and Trudie Styler Cast: Kristen Wiig, Darren Criss and Annette Bening Filming in: New Jersey Comments: Ins Only God Forgives Director/Screenwriter: Nicholas Winding Refn Producer(s): Lene Børglum - (Executive Producer on Valhalla Rising) Cast: Ryan Gosling, Kristin Scott Thomas, Yayaying, Vithaya Pansringarm Filming in: Thailand Comments: Cannes' Drive What Maisie Knew Directors: Scott MeGehee and David Siegel Screenwriters: Carroll Cartwright and Nancy Doyne Producers: William Teitler, Charles Weinstock and Red Crown Prod.'s Daniela Taplin LundbergCast: Alexander Skarsgård, Julianne Moore, Steve CooganFilming...
- 8/15/2011
- IONCINEMA.com
Title: Ins Greetings from Tim Buckley Director: Dan Algrant Screenwriter: David Brendel, Emma Sheanshang Producer(s): Smuggler Films' John Hart and Patrick Milling Smith, Frederick Zollo Cast: Penn Badgley and Imogen Poots Filming in: New York City Comments: Ins Imogene Directors: Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini Screenwriter: Michelle Morgan Producer(s): Anonymous Content's Alix Madigan, Maven Pictures's Celine Rattray and Trudie Styler Cast: Kristen Wiig, Darren Criss and Annette Bening Filming in: New Jersey Comments: Ins Only God Forgives Director/Screenwriter: Nicholas Winding Refn Producer(s): Lene Børglum - (Executive Producer on Valhalla Rising) Cast: Ryan Gosling, Kristin Scott Thomas, Yayaying, Vithaya Pansringarm Filming in: Thailand Comments: Cannes' Drive What Maisie Knew Directors: Scott MeGehee and David Siegel Screenwriters: Carroll Cartwright and Nancy Doyne Producers: William Teitler, Charles Weinstock and Red Crown Prod.'s Daniela Taplin LundbergCast: Alexander Skarsgård, Julianne Moore, Steve CooganFilming...
- 8/14/2011
- IONCINEMA.com
SEOUL -- Veteran Hollywood producer William Teitler has signed on to executive produce South Korea's entry in the giant robot genre, "Robot Taekwon V".
Directed by Won Shin-yeon ("A Bloody Aria"), "Taekwon V" will be a live-action film with extensive computer graphics and special effects and will be produced by veteran Korean producer Shin Chul and Robot Taekwon V Co. on a budget of about $20 million.
The story of a 184-foot-tall giant fighting robot, "Robot Taekwon V" made its debut in 1976 as an animated feature, directed by Kim Cheong-gi, and was later distributed in the U.S. as "Voltar the Invincible".
The new feature is a sequel to the original movie, beginning 32 years after that story. The hero of the original, a young boy named Kim Hoon, is now a down-at-the-heels businessman who is in a bad marriage and has a terrible boss. The movie is the story of Hoon's return to the giant robot and his search for redemption.
The story is based on a five-volume comic book series that was published in April and was commissioned by Shin.
Directed by Won Shin-yeon ("A Bloody Aria"), "Taekwon V" will be a live-action film with extensive computer graphics and special effects and will be produced by veteran Korean producer Shin Chul and Robot Taekwon V Co. on a budget of about $20 million.
The story of a 184-foot-tall giant fighting robot, "Robot Taekwon V" made its debut in 1976 as an animated feature, directed by Kim Cheong-gi, and was later distributed in the U.S. as "Voltar the Invincible".
The new feature is a sequel to the original movie, beginning 32 years after that story. The hero of the original, a young boy named Kim Hoon, is now a down-at-the-heels businessman who is in a bad marriage and has a terrible boss. The movie is the story of Hoon's return to the giant robot and his search for redemption.
The story is based on a five-volume comic book series that was published in April and was commissioned by Shin.
- 5/28/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
"The Hurricane" is the most profound movie of Norman Jewison's 36-year career. Yes, it's uneven and too long and maybe overly ambitious, but Jewison has given us a remarkable story of the human spirit and its triumph in the face of overwhelming despair.
Opening for Oscar consideration Dec. 29 and going wide Jan. 14, "The Hurricane" will be much discussed in upcoming weeks and should ride a wave of warm reviews and word-of-mouth to a solid boxoffice performance.
The story of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter is anything but obscure. His plight was memorialized by a Bob Dylan song and attracted the concern of celebrities and politicians throughout his 20-year fight for justice. But when the rallies and crowds drifted away, it remained for one young man, whose life was forever transformed by Carter, to fight for and eventually gain the man's freedom.
Carter, played by Denzel Washington in the performance of his still young career, is a boxer from Paterson, N.J., whose dreams of a middleweight championship are dashed when he is falsely accused and imprisoned for the murder of three people in a bar in 1966.
Framed by a racist cop (Dan Hedaya), Carter realizes he will survive prison only by withdrawing from the outer world and living solely in his mind and spirit. After studying everything from the law to philosophy, he writes his autobiography, "The Sixteenth Round".
Seven years after it was published, Lesra Martin Vicellous Reon Shannon), a black youth from Brooklyn living with three white social activists in Toronto, buys a copy of the book for 25 cents, the first book he has ever purchased.
Reading the book gives Lesra a sense of purpose, and he begins a correspondence with Carter. Eventually, he prevails upon the three activists Deborah Kara Unger, John Hannah, Liev Schreiber) to move to New Jersey and go over every legal brief and scrap of evidence related to Carter's case in search of new evidence. Incredibly, this tiny army of believers take Carter's case to federal court, where a sympathetic judge (Rod Steiger in a powerful supporting role) orders him released in 1985.
The film's first hour represents filmmaking at its finest. With essentially three stories to tell, Jewison and his writers, Armyan Bernstein and Dan Gordon, beautifully juggle and juxtapose each story line. Carter's boxing career and run-ins with racist white authorities, his inner struggle to survive prison and the youth's campaign to win his freedom all play off one another as we essentially view Carter's story through Lesra's eyes.
Some sequences of breathtaking artistry emerge. To cite one example, when Carter is locked up in solitary for 90 days, he starts to talk to himself. Jewison cuts from one day to the next, creating a kind of dialogue Carter has with his alter ego. In this way, the prisoner wills himself to stay sane.
Taking his character from impetuous youth to a middle-aged prison guru, Washington makes Carter a heroic figure, but one that is recognizably human. We sense the precarious balance of his life between anger and acceptance and between love and hatred.
Shannon captures the naivete, curiosity, grit and determination of a young man who totally commits himself to a cause he believes to be just.
Among the other outstanding performances are Hedaya's riveting portrait of pure, unambiguous evil and Clancy Brown's warm and sympathetic prison guard.
The film's major drawback is its inability to explain the selfless actions of the three white activists. Despite considerable screen time, we never get to know them or fully understand what drives them to abandon their lives for the sake of this one man.
The second half of the movie also drags at times. The meticulous, painstaking re-examination of a dusty old case involves much footwork and fact-checking -- not the most cinematic of material. A few trims probably would have helped. But Jewison is aiming for the kind of accumulation of detail and emotional highs and lows that only time will provide.
Ultimately, "The Hurricane" celebrates the tenacity and inner resources of the human spirit and makes one glad that these filmmakers persisted for so many years in their determination to put Carter's story on film.
THE HURRICANE
Universal Pictures
Beacon Pictures
Producers:Armyan Bernstein, John Ketcham, Norman Jewison
Director:Norman Jewison
Screenwriters:Armyan Bernstein, Dan Gordon
Based on:"The Sixteenth Round" by Rubin "Hurricane" Carter and "Lazarus and the Hurricane" by Sam Chaiton and Terry Swinton
Executive producers:Irving Azoff, Tom Rosenberg, William Teitler, Rudy Langlais, Thomas A. Bliss, Marc Abraham
Director of photography:Roger Deakins
Production designer:Philip Rosenberg
Music:Christopher Young
Co-producers:Suzann Ellis, Michael Jewison, Jon Jashni
Costume designer:Aggie Guerard Rodgers
Editor:Stephen Rivkin
Color/stereo
Cast:
Rubin "Hurricane" Carter:Denzel Washington
Lesra Martin:Vicellous Reon Shannon
Lisa Peters:Deborah Kara Unger
Terry Swinton:John Hannah
Sam Chaiton:Liev Schreiber
Vincent Della Pesca:Dan Hedaya
Myron Beldock:David Paymer
Judge Sarokin:Rod Steiger
Lt. Jimmy Williams:Clancy Brown
Leon Friedman:Harris Yulin
Mae Thelma:Debbi Morgan
Running time -- 146 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
Opening for Oscar consideration Dec. 29 and going wide Jan. 14, "The Hurricane" will be much discussed in upcoming weeks and should ride a wave of warm reviews and word-of-mouth to a solid boxoffice performance.
The story of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter is anything but obscure. His plight was memorialized by a Bob Dylan song and attracted the concern of celebrities and politicians throughout his 20-year fight for justice. But when the rallies and crowds drifted away, it remained for one young man, whose life was forever transformed by Carter, to fight for and eventually gain the man's freedom.
Carter, played by Denzel Washington in the performance of his still young career, is a boxer from Paterson, N.J., whose dreams of a middleweight championship are dashed when he is falsely accused and imprisoned for the murder of three people in a bar in 1966.
Framed by a racist cop (Dan Hedaya), Carter realizes he will survive prison only by withdrawing from the outer world and living solely in his mind and spirit. After studying everything from the law to philosophy, he writes his autobiography, "The Sixteenth Round".
Seven years after it was published, Lesra Martin Vicellous Reon Shannon), a black youth from Brooklyn living with three white social activists in Toronto, buys a copy of the book for 25 cents, the first book he has ever purchased.
Reading the book gives Lesra a sense of purpose, and he begins a correspondence with Carter. Eventually, he prevails upon the three activists Deborah Kara Unger, John Hannah, Liev Schreiber) to move to New Jersey and go over every legal brief and scrap of evidence related to Carter's case in search of new evidence. Incredibly, this tiny army of believers take Carter's case to federal court, where a sympathetic judge (Rod Steiger in a powerful supporting role) orders him released in 1985.
The film's first hour represents filmmaking at its finest. With essentially three stories to tell, Jewison and his writers, Armyan Bernstein and Dan Gordon, beautifully juggle and juxtapose each story line. Carter's boxing career and run-ins with racist white authorities, his inner struggle to survive prison and the youth's campaign to win his freedom all play off one another as we essentially view Carter's story through Lesra's eyes.
Some sequences of breathtaking artistry emerge. To cite one example, when Carter is locked up in solitary for 90 days, he starts to talk to himself. Jewison cuts from one day to the next, creating a kind of dialogue Carter has with his alter ego. In this way, the prisoner wills himself to stay sane.
Taking his character from impetuous youth to a middle-aged prison guru, Washington makes Carter a heroic figure, but one that is recognizably human. We sense the precarious balance of his life between anger and acceptance and between love and hatred.
Shannon captures the naivete, curiosity, grit and determination of a young man who totally commits himself to a cause he believes to be just.
Among the other outstanding performances are Hedaya's riveting portrait of pure, unambiguous evil and Clancy Brown's warm and sympathetic prison guard.
The film's major drawback is its inability to explain the selfless actions of the three white activists. Despite considerable screen time, we never get to know them or fully understand what drives them to abandon their lives for the sake of this one man.
The second half of the movie also drags at times. The meticulous, painstaking re-examination of a dusty old case involves much footwork and fact-checking -- not the most cinematic of material. A few trims probably would have helped. But Jewison is aiming for the kind of accumulation of detail and emotional highs and lows that only time will provide.
Ultimately, "The Hurricane" celebrates the tenacity and inner resources of the human spirit and makes one glad that these filmmakers persisted for so many years in their determination to put Carter's story on film.
THE HURRICANE
Universal Pictures
Beacon Pictures
Producers:Armyan Bernstein, John Ketcham, Norman Jewison
Director:Norman Jewison
Screenwriters:Armyan Bernstein, Dan Gordon
Based on:"The Sixteenth Round" by Rubin "Hurricane" Carter and "Lazarus and the Hurricane" by Sam Chaiton and Terry Swinton
Executive producers:Irving Azoff, Tom Rosenberg, William Teitler, Rudy Langlais, Thomas A. Bliss, Marc Abraham
Director of photography:Roger Deakins
Production designer:Philip Rosenberg
Music:Christopher Young
Co-producers:Suzann Ellis, Michael Jewison, Jon Jashni
Costume designer:Aggie Guerard Rodgers
Editor:Stephen Rivkin
Color/stereo
Cast:
Rubin "Hurricane" Carter:Denzel Washington
Lesra Martin:Vicellous Reon Shannon
Lisa Peters:Deborah Kara Unger
Terry Swinton:John Hannah
Sam Chaiton:Liev Schreiber
Vincent Della Pesca:Dan Hedaya
Myron Beldock:David Paymer
Judge Sarokin:Rod Steiger
Lt. Jimmy Williams:Clancy Brown
Leon Friedman:Harris Yulin
Mae Thelma:Debbi Morgan
Running time -- 146 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
- 12/20/1999
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A movie misnomer if there ever was one, "Picture Perfect" is a textbook example of how not to make a romantic comedy.
Sure, it's got all the trappings -- an unlucky-in-love female lead (Jennifer Aniston), a supportive best friend (Illeana Douglas), a wrong guy she takes for Mr. Right (Kevin Bacon), a right guy but she doesn't know it yet (Jay Mohr), a couple of wedding sequences and a generous selection of standards on the soundtrack. But director Glenn Gordon Caron and writers Arleen Sorkin & Paul Slansky have made one disastrous slip-up: They've neglected to make their protagonist sympathetic.
Despite Aniston's considerable comic charm, her Herculean efforts here just aren't enough to overcome her character's tragic flaw, not to mention the plodding comic pacing and nonsensical plotting.
At the boxoffice, it's not going to be a pretty picture.
A talented ad executive, Aniston's Kate Mosely finds her professional life interfering with her personal life when she discovers her boss, Mr. Mercer (Kevin Dunn), won't consider her for a promotion because she's (a) unattached and (b) doesn't own property. Hence, with no tangible responsibilities, there's nothing to stop her from picking up and leaving the firm anytime she feels like it!
Buying into Mercer's logic (and with the filmmakers expecting viewers to do likewise), Kate, with much prodding from colleague Darcy O'Neal (Douglas), fabricates a fiance, offering as evidence a Polaroid taken of her with Nick (Mohr), the nice young videographer at her friend's wedding.
Kate gets her promotion, but when her boss wants to take her and her beau out for dinner, she has to track down Nick and strike a deal with him to play the part -- and then to stage a breakup with her in front of her employer. Meanwhile, Kate has been going hot and heavy with co-worker Sam Mayfair (Bacon), a rogue playboy who's only attracted to unavailable women.
Of course, nothing goes as planned, but after the dust settles, Kate learns what's truly important in life. Or something like that.
The cast certainly does what it can with the material. Aside from Aniston's noble attempts, Bacon plays the part of the swaggering cad with just the right amount of smarm, and Olympia Dukakis pours it on thick as Kate's smothering mother.
Mohr, last seen as Tom Cruise's two-fisted cell phone-calling rival in "Jerry Maguire", is fine as the nice guy with an agenda, but, as written, he comes across more as a plot contrivance than an actual character. The much-needed chemistry between the two is never convincingly generated.
On the other side of the camera, the production values are all certainly serviceable.
PICTURE PERFECT
20th Century Fox
A 3 Arts production
A Glenn Gordon Caron film
Director Glenn Gordon Caron
Screenwriters Arleen Sorkin & Paul Slansky
and Glenn Gordon Caron
Story Arleen Sorkin & Paul Slansky
& May Quigley
Producer Erwin Stoff
Executive producers William Teitler,
Molly Madden
Director of photography Paul Sarossy
Production designer Larry Fulton
Editor Robert Reitano
Costume designer Jane Robinson
Music Carter Burwell
Casting Mary Colquhoun
Color/stereo
Cast:
Kate Jennifer Aniston
Nick Jay Mohr
Sam Kevin Bacon
Rita Olympia Dukakis
Darcy Illeana Douglas
Mr. Mercer Kevin Dunn
Sela Anne Twomey
Mrs. Mercer Faith Prince
Running time -- 100 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
Sure, it's got all the trappings -- an unlucky-in-love female lead (Jennifer Aniston), a supportive best friend (Illeana Douglas), a wrong guy she takes for Mr. Right (Kevin Bacon), a right guy but she doesn't know it yet (Jay Mohr), a couple of wedding sequences and a generous selection of standards on the soundtrack. But director Glenn Gordon Caron and writers Arleen Sorkin & Paul Slansky have made one disastrous slip-up: They've neglected to make their protagonist sympathetic.
Despite Aniston's considerable comic charm, her Herculean efforts here just aren't enough to overcome her character's tragic flaw, not to mention the plodding comic pacing and nonsensical plotting.
At the boxoffice, it's not going to be a pretty picture.
A talented ad executive, Aniston's Kate Mosely finds her professional life interfering with her personal life when she discovers her boss, Mr. Mercer (Kevin Dunn), won't consider her for a promotion because she's (a) unattached and (b) doesn't own property. Hence, with no tangible responsibilities, there's nothing to stop her from picking up and leaving the firm anytime she feels like it!
Buying into Mercer's logic (and with the filmmakers expecting viewers to do likewise), Kate, with much prodding from colleague Darcy O'Neal (Douglas), fabricates a fiance, offering as evidence a Polaroid taken of her with Nick (Mohr), the nice young videographer at her friend's wedding.
Kate gets her promotion, but when her boss wants to take her and her beau out for dinner, she has to track down Nick and strike a deal with him to play the part -- and then to stage a breakup with her in front of her employer. Meanwhile, Kate has been going hot and heavy with co-worker Sam Mayfair (Bacon), a rogue playboy who's only attracted to unavailable women.
Of course, nothing goes as planned, but after the dust settles, Kate learns what's truly important in life. Or something like that.
The cast certainly does what it can with the material. Aside from Aniston's noble attempts, Bacon plays the part of the swaggering cad with just the right amount of smarm, and Olympia Dukakis pours it on thick as Kate's smothering mother.
Mohr, last seen as Tom Cruise's two-fisted cell phone-calling rival in "Jerry Maguire", is fine as the nice guy with an agenda, but, as written, he comes across more as a plot contrivance than an actual character. The much-needed chemistry between the two is never convincingly generated.
On the other side of the camera, the production values are all certainly serviceable.
PICTURE PERFECT
20th Century Fox
A 3 Arts production
A Glenn Gordon Caron film
Director Glenn Gordon Caron
Screenwriters Arleen Sorkin & Paul Slansky
and Glenn Gordon Caron
Story Arleen Sorkin & Paul Slansky
& May Quigley
Producer Erwin Stoff
Executive producers William Teitler,
Molly Madden
Director of photography Paul Sarossy
Production designer Larry Fulton
Editor Robert Reitano
Costume designer Jane Robinson
Music Carter Burwell
Casting Mary Colquhoun
Color/stereo
Cast:
Kate Jennifer Aniston
Nick Jay Mohr
Sam Kevin Bacon
Rita Olympia Dukakis
Darcy Illeana Douglas
Mr. Mercer Kevin Dunn
Sela Anne Twomey
Mrs. Mercer Faith Prince
Running time -- 100 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
- 7/28/1997
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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