The ReFrame coalition has awarded 26 feature films released in 2019 with its ReFrame Stamp, which recognizes the top 100-grossing gender-balanced narrative and animated features. The list, which grew from 20 total films that earned the stamp a year ago, includes Booksmart, Captain Marvel, Harriet, Hustlers and Oscar Best Picture nominee Little Women.
This reflects gains for women in the important roles of director, department heads, and women of color leads and co-leads. With an aim to increase the number of women of all backgrounds working in film, TV, and media, the ReFrame Stamp, which is showcased in end credits and appears on IMDb, serves as a mark of distinction for projects that have demonstrated success in gender-balanced hiring. Additional points are awarded to content that has women of color in key positions.
This year’s list included 12 women directors (12 percent) in the top 100 films at the box office compared to 4 in 2018, with...
This reflects gains for women in the important roles of director, department heads, and women of color leads and co-leads. With an aim to increase the number of women of all backgrounds working in film, TV, and media, the ReFrame Stamp, which is showcased in end credits and appears on IMDb, serves as a mark of distinction for projects that have demonstrated success in gender-balanced hiring. Additional points are awarded to content that has women of color in key positions.
This year’s list included 12 women directors (12 percent) in the top 100 films at the box office compared to 4 in 2018, with...
- 2/26/2020
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
In January 2015, 14-year-old John Smith was playing with two friends on the frozen surface of Lake St Charles, Missouri when all three of them fell through the ice and almost drowned. Although the other boys were recovered having suffered very minor injuries, John remained submerged underwater for 15 minutes before being rescued by emergency services.
After spending an agonising 45 minutes working to revive him, John was eventually declared unresponsive by a team of doctors and nurses at the local hospital. However a few minutes later, the teenager appeared to come back to life seemingly thanks to audible prayers of his deeply devout mother Joyce.
In Breakthrough, director Roxann Dawson tells the story of John Smith and his “miraculous” recovery in this rather schmaltzy and religiously charged adaptation of a book written by the teenager’s own mother about her experiences.
Starring Chrissy Metz (This Is Us) as the boy’s mother Joyce Smith,...
After spending an agonising 45 minutes working to revive him, John was eventually declared unresponsive by a team of doctors and nurses at the local hospital. However a few minutes later, the teenager appeared to come back to life seemingly thanks to audible prayers of his deeply devout mother Joyce.
In Breakthrough, director Roxann Dawson tells the story of John Smith and his “miraculous” recovery in this rather schmaltzy and religiously charged adaptation of a book written by the teenager’s own mother about her experiences.
Starring Chrissy Metz (This Is Us) as the boy’s mother Joyce Smith,...
- 5/16/2019
- by Linda Marric
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Breakthrough, the Christian drama film is based on the Christian book The Impossible, an account of true events written by Joyce Smith with Ginger Kolbaba, and is directed by Roxann Dawson and written by Grant Nieporte. The film tells the story of a St. Louis teenager who slipped through an icy lake in January 2015 and was underwater for 15 minutes before resuscitative efforts were started.
The film stars Topher Grace, Chrissy Metz, Josh Lucas, Mike Colter, Marcel Ruiz, Sam Trammel, and Dennis Haysbert. DaniElle DeLaite sat down with Chrissy Metz, John Smith, Marcel Ruiz, Mike Colter, Dennis Haysbert, Producer DeVon Franklin and Director Roxann Dawson to talk about the film.
The film is out in the UK on the 17th of May.
Breakthrough Cast Interviews
Synopsis
When he was 14, Smith drowned in Lake Saint Louis and was dead for nearly an hour. According to reports at the time, CPR was performed 27 minutes to no avail.
The film stars Topher Grace, Chrissy Metz, Josh Lucas, Mike Colter, Marcel Ruiz, Sam Trammel, and Dennis Haysbert. DaniElle DeLaite sat down with Chrissy Metz, John Smith, Marcel Ruiz, Mike Colter, Dennis Haysbert, Producer DeVon Franklin and Director Roxann Dawson to talk about the film.
The film is out in the UK on the 17th of May.
Breakthrough Cast Interviews
Synopsis
When he was 14, Smith drowned in Lake Saint Louis and was dead for nearly an hour. According to reports at the time, CPR was performed 27 minutes to no avail.
- 5/13/2019
- by Jon Lyus
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
For the first time since 2014, Easter won’t have a huge multi-quadrant event film opening and dominating this weekend, and as we explained last week, that’s due to Disney dating Avengers: Endgame on the calendar next Friday.
The Russo Brothers-directed Marvel film is expected to be one of the five highest grossing pictures of all-time, not adjusted for inflation, and as such rival studios have opted to hold back any tentpoles over this lucrative holiday weekend when kids are off from school, and not play in front of Endgame. Instead studios are pushing out non event titles, geared at one or two demos. This despite the fact that the theatrical marketplace has demonstrated many times that two event pictures can perform simultaneously, even outside of summer. According to ComScore 74% K-12 schools and 29% colleges are on break Good Friday, moving respectively to 37% and 8% by Monday.
New Line will wind up...
The Russo Brothers-directed Marvel film is expected to be one of the five highest grossing pictures of all-time, not adjusted for inflation, and as such rival studios have opted to hold back any tentpoles over this lucrative holiday weekend when kids are off from school, and not play in front of Endgame. Instead studios are pushing out non event titles, geared at one or two demos. This despite the fact that the theatrical marketplace has demonstrated many times that two event pictures can perform simultaneously, even outside of summer. According to ComScore 74% K-12 schools and 29% colleges are on break Good Friday, moving respectively to 37% and 8% by Monday.
New Line will wind up...
- 4/16/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
In journalism, there’s a term called “burying the lede” in which the writer stresses a secondary story and postpones the more essential facts and narrative. Sometimes it can work to the article’s favor, but it’s pretty rare. Roxann Dawson’s feature directorial debut “Breakthrough” buries the lede so much that it sacrifices the potential of reaching non-believers in favor of a narrative that is shallow and, despite being based on a true story, woefully uninspiring.
John Smith is a regular 14-year-old: He’s a star on his basketball team, listens to pop music, crushes on a girl in his Missouri small town and goofs off with his friends. He is deeply loved at home but is plagued with feelings of being unwanted by his birth parents, no matter how much his adoptive mother, Joyce (Chrissy Metz), and father, Brian (Josh Lucas), shower him with affection.
Joyce is...
John Smith is a regular 14-year-old: He’s a star on his basketball team, listens to pop music, crushes on a girl in his Missouri small town and goofs off with his friends. He is deeply loved at home but is plagued with feelings of being unwanted by his birth parents, no matter how much his adoptive mother, Joyce (Chrissy Metz), and father, Brian (Josh Lucas), shower him with affection.
Joyce is...
- 4/16/2019
- by Yolanda Machado
- The Wrap
There’s not much that’s subtle about the first image of Roxann Dawson’s “Breakthrough,” which opens with a shot of one of the film’s central characters peacefully sinking through a large body of water, arms outstretched, approximating Jesus so closely that the film may as well be called “Resurrection.” But Dawson, a former actress with a substantial body of television directing and producing gigs under her belt, eschews further overt imagery for a modern story of faith designed to appeal to the devout and the secular alike.
While the film arrives in theaters stamped with the Walt Disney Pictures logo, it’s also one of the last productions to come out of the forward-thinking Fox 2000 label, pre-studio merger. It’s a strange pick for an imprint best known for films like “Life of Pi” and “Hidden Figures” — “Breakthrough” is an unabashedly faith-based film that relies more on...
While the film arrives in theaters stamped with the Walt Disney Pictures logo, it’s also one of the last productions to come out of the forward-thinking Fox 2000 label, pre-studio merger. It’s a strange pick for an imprint best known for films like “Life of Pi” and “Hidden Figures” — “Breakthrough” is an unabashedly faith-based film that relies more on...
- 4/8/2019
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
20th Century Fox has released the trailer for ‘Breakthrough’, a film based on an inspirational true story of one mother’s will to save her son from death via faith.
Based on the novel, The Impossible: The Miraculous Story of a Mother’s Faith and Her Child’s Resurrection by Joyce Smith, the film is directed by Roxann Dawson.
The cast includes Chrissy Metz, Josh Lucas, Topher Grace, Mike Colter, Marcel Ruiz, Sam Trammell and Dennis Haysbert.
Also in trailers – James Purefoy and Daniel Mays star in first trailer for ‘Fisherman’s Friends’
The film is released in 2019.
Breakthrough Official Synopsis
Based on the inspirational true story of one mother’s unfaltering love in the face of impossible odds. When Joyce Smith’s adopted son John falls through an icy Missouri lake, all hope seems lost. But as John lies lifeless, Joyce refuses to give up. Her steadfast belief inspires...
Based on the novel, The Impossible: The Miraculous Story of a Mother’s Faith and Her Child’s Resurrection by Joyce Smith, the film is directed by Roxann Dawson.
The cast includes Chrissy Metz, Josh Lucas, Topher Grace, Mike Colter, Marcel Ruiz, Sam Trammell and Dennis Haysbert.
Also in trailers – James Purefoy and Daniel Mays star in first trailer for ‘Fisherman’s Friends’
The film is released in 2019.
Breakthrough Official Synopsis
Based on the inspirational true story of one mother’s unfaltering love in the face of impossible odds. When Joyce Smith’s adopted son John falls through an icy Missouri lake, all hope seems lost. But as John lies lifeless, Joyce refuses to give up. Her steadfast belief inspires...
- 12/6/2018
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
“He’s been underwater for more than 15 minutes,” one first responder says. “This is gonna be a recovery, not a rescue,” another frets. But then they find him.
Joyce (Chrissy Metz) gets the kind of call every parent dreads in the first trailer for Breakthrough, a faith-based drama formerly titled The Impossible. Her basketball-star adopted son John (Marcel Ruiz) has fallen through thin ice, and a doctor tells her, “We’ve done everything medically possible — there’s nothing more we can do.” The boy is lifeless. Crucial time passes. All hope seems lost, but Joyce refuses to give up. Her steadfast belief inspires those around her to continue to pray for John’s recovery, even in the face of every case history and scientific prediction.
Josh Lucas, Topher Grace, Mike Colter, Sam Trammell and Dennis Haysbert also star in the film based on the real-life Joyce Smith’s book The...
Joyce (Chrissy Metz) gets the kind of call every parent dreads in the first trailer for Breakthrough, a faith-based drama formerly titled The Impossible. Her basketball-star adopted son John (Marcel Ruiz) has fallen through thin ice, and a doctor tells her, “We’ve done everything medically possible — there’s nothing more we can do.” The boy is lifeless. Crucial time passes. All hope seems lost, but Joyce refuses to give up. Her steadfast belief inspires those around her to continue to pray for John’s recovery, even in the face of every case history and scientific prediction.
Josh Lucas, Topher Grace, Mike Colter, Sam Trammell and Dennis Haysbert also star in the film based on the real-life Joyce Smith’s book The...
- 12/5/2018
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Here’s your first look at “This Is Us” actress Chrissy Metz in one of her first movie starring roles, playing a mother who prays to save her son’s life after he falls through the ice of a frozen lake.
Metz leads the cast of “Breakthrough,” for which 20th Century Fox just released the first trailer. In the faith-based drama, she plays Joyce Smith whose adopted son John falls through an icy Missouri lake and is trapped there underwater for over 15 minutes. But when all hope seems lost, Joyce refuses to give up and her steadfast belief inspires those around her to continue to pray for John’s recovery.
“Whatever you have for me, for Brian, for Joe, I surrender,” Metz says in a tearful prayer to close out the trailer.
Also Read: 'This Is Us' Star Chrissy Metz on Overcoming Body Shamers: 'Hurt People Hurt People'...
Metz leads the cast of “Breakthrough,” for which 20th Century Fox just released the first trailer. In the faith-based drama, she plays Joyce Smith whose adopted son John falls through an icy Missouri lake and is trapped there underwater for over 15 minutes. But when all hope seems lost, Joyce refuses to give up and her steadfast belief inspires those around her to continue to pray for John’s recovery.
“Whatever you have for me, for Brian, for Joe, I surrender,” Metz says in a tearful prayer to close out the trailer.
Also Read: 'This Is Us' Star Chrissy Metz on Overcoming Body Shamers: 'Hurt People Hurt People'...
- 12/5/2018
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Dennis Haysbert has been cast in Fox 2000’s Breakthrough (previously titled The Impossible), the faith-based drama based on the true story of Joyce Smith’s account of her son’s miraculous recovery detailed in her novel The Impossible: The Miraculous Story of a Mother’s Faith and Her Child’s Resurrection. Roxann Dawson is directing.
Haysbert joins Chrissy Metz, Topher Grace, Josh Lucas, Mike Colter, Marcel Ruiz, Isaac Kragten, Ali Skovbye and Taylor Mosby in the film that follows Smith and her 14-year-old son John, who fell through a frozen lake in Missouri one winter; he stayed in the water for 15 minutes before being pulled out. Through prayer and against impossible odds, Joyce asked God for help by her son’s ER bedside until his heart started to beat again. She was saying loudly, “Holy God, please send your Holy Spirit to save my son.”
The film is being...
Haysbert joins Chrissy Metz, Topher Grace, Josh Lucas, Mike Colter, Marcel Ruiz, Isaac Kragten, Ali Skovbye and Taylor Mosby in the film that follows Smith and her 14-year-old son John, who fell through a frozen lake in Missouri one winter; he stayed in the water for 15 minutes before being pulled out. Through prayer and against impossible odds, Joyce asked God for help by her son’s ER bedside until his heart started to beat again. She was saying loudly, “Holy God, please send your Holy Spirit to save my son.”
The film is being...
- 4/25/2018
- by Anita Busch
- Deadline Film + TV
True Blood alum Sam Trammell is on the call sheet for Fox 2000’s Roxann Dawson-directed film, The Impossible, a faith-based true story of Joyce Smith’s account of how her faith and prayer led to her son’s recovery after he was proclaimed lifeless. Chrissy Metz stars as Smith, along with Josh Lucas, Mike Colter, and Topher Grace co-star. The pic is based on Smith’s book The Impossible: The Miraculous Story of a Mother’s Faith and Her Child’s Resurrection, which was adapted for the screen by Grant Nieporte. Trammell will play Dr. Kurt Sutterer, an eyewitness to how Joyce’s prayers for John manifest. DeVon Franklin is producing the pic, which is in production in Canada. Trammell, who recently had a guest arc on NBC’s ratings juggernaut, This Is Us, is repped by Innovative and Luber Roklin Entertainment.
The African American Film Critics Association...
The African American Film Critics Association...
- 4/6/2018
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Grant Nieporte, best known as the scribe of Will Smith's film Seven Pounds, has signed with Verve. Nieporte is currently writing The Impossible for 2oth Century Fox and Miracles From Heaven producer DeVon Franklin. The pic tells the miraculous, true story of 14-year-old John Smith, who drowned in Lake St. Louis (outside of St. Charles, Mo) and was dead for nearly an hour. CPR was performed 27 minutes to no avail. Then Smith’s mother, Joyce, entered the room…...
- 8/15/2017
- Deadline
Among some of the noteworthy items on the 2006 Black List that received the least number of votes (or wasn't read by enough prod co. insiders) we find Martin McDonagh's In Bruges which received 7 votes and picking up a pair of votes we have: Lewis Colick's The Fighter which I imagine is the same project as the one that is receiving it's Oscar bid release next week --- it has gone through many rewrites and writers. We also have the first screenplay version for Life of Pi which was penned by Jean-Pierre Jeunet & Guillame Laurent, Peter Morgan's Frost/Nixon which I imagine not many folks had the chance to read and Ron Harwood's Diving Bell & The Butterfly. Here are picks 10 thru 6. 10. Himmelfarb (Votes: 11) Writers: Andrew Mogel & Jarrod Paul Status: In Development While rom com Himmelfarb is still being kept warm by Warner Bros, writing team Andrew Mogel & Jarrod...
- 12/2/2010
- IONCINEMA.com
Twilight is a “film of vision” … um, really? Average reviews, and it didn’t explode at the box office, with a lot of staying power. I’m not saying the film doesn’t have a huge following but doesn’t that come down to two things … the novel (a fun read) and Robert Pattison (from what I here, he’s a looker). As always, awards are nice, and those who made the film should feel honored, but let’s hope The Twilight Saga: New Moon steps it up a notch. Here’s the news release.
“Twilight” will be hailed as a “film of vision” at the 36th annual Vision Awards, to be held June 27 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills.
The event also will honor such entertainment figures as Lawrence Bender, Jim Walton, Matthew Weiner, Ian Sander, Kim Moses, Diane Ladd, Shonda Rimes, Jillian Michaels and Stephen Nemeth.
“Twilight” will be hailed as a “film of vision” at the 36th annual Vision Awards, to be held June 27 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills.
The event also will honor such entertainment figures as Lawrence Bender, Jim Walton, Matthew Weiner, Ian Sander, Kim Moses, Diane Ladd, Shonda Rimes, Jillian Michaels and Stephen Nemeth.
- 6/11/2009
- by Jeff Bayer
- The Scorecard Review
The vampire romance film "Twilight" is being considered as one of the best and brightest. The flick, starring Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, is one of the movies being honored at the 36th Annual Vision Awards to be held on June 27 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.
Here's the complete press release, and for the Vision Awards website, click here.
Los Angeles, CA, June 5, 2009 - Many of Hollywood.s best and brightest in film, television and music will descend upon the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, on Saturday, June 27 for the star-studded, 36th Annual Vision Awards .. The gala fundraising event, which has become an annual Hollywood tradition, honors entertainment and business luminaries as well as medical professionals who have exhibited exceptional gifts of sight, foresight and insight in the creative arts, related technologies and medical research.
Presented by Rp International, the nation.s leading non-profit fighting Retinitis Pigmentosa and other blinding eye diseases,...
Here's the complete press release, and for the Vision Awards website, click here.
Los Angeles, CA, June 5, 2009 - Many of Hollywood.s best and brightest in film, television and music will descend upon the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, on Saturday, June 27 for the star-studded, 36th Annual Vision Awards .. The gala fundraising event, which has become an annual Hollywood tradition, honors entertainment and business luminaries as well as medical professionals who have exhibited exceptional gifts of sight, foresight and insight in the creative arts, related technologies and medical research.
Presented by Rp International, the nation.s leading non-profit fighting Retinitis Pigmentosa and other blinding eye diseases,...
- 6/10/2009
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
"Twilight" will be hailed as a "film of vision" at the 36th annual Vision Awards, to be held June 27 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills
The event also will honor such entertainment figures as Lawrence Bender, Jim Walton, Matthew Weiner, Ian Sander, Kim Moses, Diane Ladd, Shonda Rimes, Jillian Michaels and Stephen Nemeth.
The event is presented by Rp International, the non-profit organization, which fights Retinitis Pigmentosa and other blinding eye diseases,
Hosted by Daily Variety columnist Army Archerd, the event will feature a presentation by Larry King; former U.S. Congressman from Iowa Berkley Bedell; and a musical performance by Taryn Manning.
Honorees include Leader of Vision, Jim Walton, president of CNN Worldwide; Film Artist of Vision: Diane Ladd; Film Producer of Vision: Lawrence Bender; Producer of Vision -- Documentary: Stephen Nemeth; Producers of Vision -- Television: Ian Sander and Kim Moses and Matthew Weiner; Woman of...
The event also will honor such entertainment figures as Lawrence Bender, Jim Walton, Matthew Weiner, Ian Sander, Kim Moses, Diane Ladd, Shonda Rimes, Jillian Michaels and Stephen Nemeth.
The event is presented by Rp International, the non-profit organization, which fights Retinitis Pigmentosa and other blinding eye diseases,
Hosted by Daily Variety columnist Army Archerd, the event will feature a presentation by Larry King; former U.S. Congressman from Iowa Berkley Bedell; and a musical performance by Taryn Manning.
Honorees include Leader of Vision, Jim Walton, president of CNN Worldwide; Film Artist of Vision: Diane Ladd; Film Producer of Vision: Lawrence Bender; Producer of Vision -- Documentary: Stephen Nemeth; Producers of Vision -- Television: Ian Sander and Kim Moses and Matthew Weiner; Woman of...
- 6/10/2009
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Blu-Ray Rating: 2.5/5.0 Chicago – There’s arguably no bigger star on Earth than Will Smith but even the greats need a misfire to bring them crashing to the ground. “Seven Pounds” is a mess, a film of conflicting tones and arguably offensive themes, a movie that moves beyond traditional melodrama in just the first few minutes and keeps flying into the over-the-top stratosphere. The Sony Blu-Ray release is impressive, but the movie itself is not.
If you focus solely on the excellent work by Rosario Dawson and are impressed by gorgeous HD picture quality, there may be enough weight in “Seven Pounds” to warrant a rental, but most people will be shocked by this somber melodrama that somehow also tries to be a crowd-pleaser.
Seven Pounds was released on Blu-Ray on March 31st, 2009.
Photo credit: Sony
Ben Thomas (Smith) opens the film by calling 911 and announcing that he needs an ambulance for his own suicide.
If you focus solely on the excellent work by Rosario Dawson and are impressed by gorgeous HD picture quality, there may be enough weight in “Seven Pounds” to warrant a rental, but most people will be shocked by this somber melodrama that somehow also tries to be a crowd-pleaser.
Seven Pounds was released on Blu-Ray on March 31st, 2009.
Photo credit: Sony
Ben Thomas (Smith) opens the film by calling 911 and announcing that he needs an ambulance for his own suicide.
- 4/2/2009
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Note: I wanted to let you know you can also follow my predictions over at the Los Angeles Times in their Buzzmeter section as I join a large crew of Oscar prognosticators in predicting this year's Oscar nominees. Now, to the predictions... Well, I hope you all had a Happy Holidays and were able to get through the snow and into the theaters, at least here in the States I believe there was a point that 50% of the country was covered in snow, which I am sure made it tough for some to justify driving to the cinema. Either way, all of the major contenders have hit theaters at this point with the December 31 release of Defiance and Good marking the final installments for 2008, but neither of them are vying too hard for any of the top categories outside of what I hope will be a score nomination for James Newton Howard...
- 12/26/2008
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Seven Pounds (2008) Directed by Gabriele Muccino Written by Grant Nieporte Starring Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson and Michael Ealy Rated PG-13 for thematic material, some disturbing content and a scene of sensuality Story: Ben Thomas (Will Smith) is an IRS agent with a nasty secret in his past. And in an attempt to ...
- 12/22/2008
- by Neil Miller
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
With "Seven Pounds" finishing in second position this box office weekend, Will Smith is by far the most popular celebrity on MovieJungle.com. "Seven Pounds" registered an estimated $16 million behind Jim Carrey starrer "Yes Man" which opened with $18.1 million. Philadelphia, Pa born Smith is one of Hollywood's most beloved actors, pulling in fans from multiple genres be it comedy, romance, action, science fiction, drama and more. In "Seven Pounds," Smith reunites with Gabriele Muccino to bring the story by Grant Nieporte to the screen; a dramatically challenging role and one which has received much praise from viewers and critics alike. He's come a long way from his "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" days...from "Bad Boys"...
- 12/22/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
With "Seven Pounds" finishing in second position this box office weekend, Will Smith is by far the most popular celebrity on MovieJungle.com. "Seven Pounds" registered an estimated $16 million behind Jim Carrey starrer "Yes Man" which opened with $18.1 million. Philadelphia, Pa born Smith is one of Hollywood's most beloved actors, pulling in fans from multiple genres be it comedy, romance, action, science fiction, drama and more. In "Seven Pounds," Smith reunites with Gabriele Muccino to bring the story by Grant Nieporte to the screen; a dramatically challenging role and one which has received much praise from viewers and critics alike. He's come a long way from his "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" days...from "Bad Boys"...
- 12/22/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
With "Seven Pounds" finishing in second position this box office weekend, Will Smith is by far the most popular celebrity on MovieJungle.com. "Seven Pounds" registered an estimated $16 million behind Jim Carrey starrer "Yes Man" which opened with $18.1 million. Philadelphia, Pa born Smith is one of Hollywood's most beloved actors, pulling in fans from multiple genres be it comedy, romance, action, science fiction, drama and more. In "Seven Pounds," Smith reunites with Gabriele Muccino to bring the story by Grant Nieporte to the screen; a dramatically challenging role and one which has received much praise from viewers and critics alike. He's come a long way from his "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" days...from "Bad Boys," "Independence Day," "Men in Black" all the way to lending his voice as the main character in "Shark Tale," fixing romances in "Hitch" and most recently fighting a disease and loneliness in "I Am Legend.
- 12/22/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
With "Seven Pounds" finishing in second position this box office weekend, Will Smith is by far the most popular celebrity on MovieJungle.com. "Seven Pounds" registered an estimated $16 million behind Jim Carrey starrer "Yes Man" which opened with $18.1 million. Philadelphia, Pa born Smith is one of Hollywood's most beloved actors, pulling in fans from multiple genres be it comedy, romance, action, science fiction, drama and more. In "Seven Pounds," Smith reunites with Gabriele Muccino to bring the story by Grant Nieporte to the screen; a dramatically challenging role and one which has received much praise from viewers and critics alike. He's come a long way from his "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" days...from "Bad Boys"...
- 12/22/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Jim Carrey enjoyed a top spot at this weekend’s box office chart with Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Yes Man” scoring $18.1 million on its debut. The Peyton Reed comedy including Zooey Deschanel, Bradley Cooper, John Michael Higgins, Rhys Darby and Danny Masterson, opened in 3,434 venues at an average of $5,288 per theatre. The Grant Nieporte written “Seven Pounds” starring Will Smith and helmed by “The Pursuit of Happyness” helmer Gabriele Muccino, finished with a higher per-theatre average than “Yes Man.” Drama pulled in $16 million from 2,758 venues at an average of $5,801. In related news for “Seven Pounds,” Mr. Nieporte was kind enough to email one our writers, praising his review of the film saying “Can't thank you enough for the insightful and meaningful review of Seven Pounds...
- 12/22/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Jim Carrey enjoyed a top spot at this weekend’s box office chart with Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Yes Man” scoring $18.1 million on its debut. The Peyton Reed comedy including Zooey Deschanel, Bradley Cooper, John Michael Higgins, Rhys Darby and Danny Masterson, opened in 3,434 venues at an average of $5,288 per theatre. The Grant Nieporte written “Seven Pounds” starring Will Smith and helmed by “The Pursuit of Happyness” helmer Gabriele Muccino, finished with a higher per-theatre average than “Yes Man.” Drama pulled in $16 million from 2,758 venues at an average of $5,801. In related news for “Seven Pounds,” Mr. Nieporte was kind enough to email one our writers, praising his review of the film saying “Can't thank you enough for the insightful and meaningful review of Seven Pounds...
- 12/22/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Jim Carrey enjoyed a top spot at this weekend’s box office chart with Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Yes Man” scoring $18.1 million on its debut. The Peyton Reed comedy including Zooey Deschanel, Bradley Cooper, John Michael Higgins, Rhys Darby and Danny Masterson, opened in 3,434 venues at an average of $5,288 per theatre. This marks the sixth highest opener for Carrey, falling under: 1. Bruce Almighty ($67.9 million) 2. Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who ($45 million) 3. The Truman Show ($31.5 million) 4. Lemony Snickets: A Series of Unfortunate Events 5. Me, Myself & Irene The Grant Nieporte written “Seven Pounds” starring Will Smith and helmed by “The Pursuit of Happyness” helmer Gabriele Muccino, finished with a higher per-theatre average than “Yes Man.” Drama pulled in $16 million from 2,758 venues at an average of $5,801. In related news for “Seven Pounds,” Mr. Nieporte was kind enough to email one our writers, praising his review of the film saying “Can't thank you enough for...
- 12/22/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Jim Carrey enjoyed a top spot at this weekend’s box office chart with Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Yes Man” scoring $18.1 million on its debut. The Peyton Reed comedy including Zooey Deschanel, Bradley Cooper, John Michael Higgins, Rhys Darby and Danny Masterson, opened in 3,434 venues at an average of $5,288 per theatre. The Grant Nieporte written “Seven Pounds” starring Will Smith and helmed by “The Pursuit of Happyness” helmer Gabriele Muccino, finished with a higher per-theatre average than “Yes Man.” Drama pulled in $16 million from 2,758 venues at an average of $5,801. In related news for “Seven Pounds,” Mr. Nieporte was kind enough to email one our writers, praising his review of the film saying “Can't thank you enough for the insightful and meaningful review of Seven Pounds...
- 12/22/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Seen on: December 20, 2008
The players: Director: Gabriele Muccino, Writer: Grant Nieporte, Cast: Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson, Michael Ealy, Robinne Lee
Facts of interest: Muccino also directed Smith in "The Pursuit of Happyness."
The plot: Smith plays a troubles IRS agent who decides to forever change the lives of seven strangers.
Our thoughts: Following their collaboration in “The Pursuit of Happyness,” Will Smith reteams with Italian filmmaker Gabriele Muccino for “Seven Pounds,” an overlong, mushy drama that wastes two hours following a desperate man on his quest to personal redemption. That’s right, if you love seeing Smith making the same sorrowful face and break out in tears throughout an entire movie, this one’s for you.
The players: Director: Gabriele Muccino, Writer: Grant Nieporte, Cast: Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson, Michael Ealy, Robinne Lee
Facts of interest: Muccino also directed Smith in "The Pursuit of Happyness."
The plot: Smith plays a troubles IRS agent who decides to forever change the lives of seven strangers.
Our thoughts: Following their collaboration in “The Pursuit of Happyness,” Will Smith reteams with Italian filmmaker Gabriele Muccino for “Seven Pounds,” an overlong, mushy drama that wastes two hours following a desperate man on his quest to personal redemption. That’s right, if you love seeing Smith making the same sorrowful face and break out in tears throughout an entire movie, this one’s for you.
- 12/21/2008
- by Franck Tabouring
- screeninglog.com
Some people like ambiguity from their movies. Others, not so much. I’d say that means there’s something for everyone to like in the “what the hell is going on? oh, that’s what the hell is going on, and it’s pretty much what I figured out it’d be about twenty minutes in” Seven Pounds, except that while the no-surprises crowd will quickly get over the early vague minutes of Pounds as it moves on to being completely obvious, the fans of ambiguity will not be pleased to see what they thought was going to be an exercise in deliberate uncertainty turn into a trite and predictable Lifetime Movie of the Week. Perhaps you will not be surprised, then -- sorry to ruin the fun for the ambiguity lovers all the more -- to learn that the past experience of screenwriter Grant Nieporte, making his feature debut here,...
- 12/18/2008
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
"Seven Pounds" reviewby Steve Ramos, Writer Will Smith, audiences too; die a slow death in 'Seven Pounds' Ambiguity can be a good thing in movies and I admire a director who wants his audience to figure things out slowly. Yet, "Seven Pounds," the latest drama starring Will Smith, takes dramatic uncertainty to the extreme. The result, at least for the first half of this morose movie, is a muddled story without meaning. A phone call from IRS agent Ben Thomas (Smith) to the emergency switchboard operator is so important to the plot that director Gabriele Muccino ("The Pursuit of Happyness") shows it twice, once at the beginning of the film, and again near its end. "I need an ambulance," Thomas says calmly into the phone. "There's been a suicide." "Who's the victim?" asks the operator. Thomas' response is completely serious. "I am." In the course of this drama,...
- 12/18/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
I figured with the Screen Actors Guild Awards arriving in less than 12 hours I would jump the gun and get some Oscar predictions in since the SAGs could make next week's installment a little more interesting, or perhaps they could keep everything just the same. Who knows? There were a few major moves as some contenders I had in the #2 and #3 slots moved entirely out of the top five this week while the name on top of the Best Actor category was the only topline switch among the bunch. A couple of my personal favorites from over the course of the year have been moved out of the top five, names such as Elsa Zylberstein (I've Love You So Long) and Cate Blanchett (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), but at the same time Sally Hawkins (Happy-Go-Lucky) has moved herself right back into contention with a fantastic amount of rewards coming from the critics recently.
- 12/18/2008
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Speed Racer Release Date: Dec. 19
Director: Gabriele Muccino
Writer: Grant Nieporte
Cinematographer: Philippe Le Sourd
Starring: Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson
Studio Information: Columbia Pictures, 78 mins.
I could tell you what happens at the end of Seven Pounds, tell you what Will Smith's character is up to, and tell you what all the coy narrative suppression is covering up, but you'd never believe me. "A jellyfish?" you'd ask, screwing up your face in that way that you do.
Director: Gabriele Muccino
Writer: Grant Nieporte
Cinematographer: Philippe Le Sourd
Starring: Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson
Studio Information: Columbia Pictures, 78 mins.
I could tell you what happens at the end of Seven Pounds, tell you what Will Smith's character is up to, and tell you what all the coy narrative suppression is covering up, but you'd never believe me. "A jellyfish?" you'd ask, screwing up your face in that way that you do.
- 12/17/2008
- Pastemagazine.com
Gabriele Muccino directs Will Smith in "Seven Pounds," a drama penned by Grant Nieporte who makes his feature-length writing debut. Muccino previously collaborated with Smith in the dramatic "The Pursuit of Happyness" which landed Smith an Academy Award® nomination. We have an interview with Will Smith as well as Rosario Dawson. Additionally, there are four new clips to feast your eyes on. Enjoy!
- 12/10/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Gabriele Muccino directs Will Smith in "Seven Pounds," a drama penned by Grant Nieporte who makes his feature-length writing debut. Muccino previously collaborated with Smith in the dramatic "The Pursuit of Happyness" which landed Smith an Academy Award® nomination. We have an interview with Will Smith as well as Rosario Dawson. Additionally, there are four new clips to feast your eyes on. Enjoy!
- 12/10/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Gabriele Muccino directs Will Smith in "Seven Pounds," a drama penned by Grant Nieporte who makes his feature-length writing debut. Muccino previously collaborated with Smith in the dramatic "The Pursuit of Happyness" which landed Smith an Academy Award® nomination. We have an interview with Will Smith as well as Rosario Dawson. Additionally, there are four new clips to feast your eyes on. Enjoy! Smith produces via his Overbrook company alongside Escape Artists, distributor Columbia Pictures as well as Relativity Media. The film opens on December 19th. Seven Pounds(2008)(Released date: 12/19/2008) - Rate & Review this! (Not released? Then add a rating on your anticipation!) - Add to your List! - Find similar releases!- Get Showtimes & Tickets on MovieJungle.com!Starring: Will Smith, Woody Harrelson, Rosario Dawson...
- 12/10/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Gabriele Muccino directs Will Smith in "Seven Pounds," a drama penned by Grant Nieporte who makes his feature-length writing debut. Muccino previously collaborated with Smith in the dramatic "The Pursuit of Happyness" which landed Smith an Academy Award® nomination. We have an interview with Will Smith as well as Rosario Dawson. Additionally, there are four new clips to feast your eyes on. Enjoy!
- 12/10/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
What a wild week so far eh? And it is just going to get crazier as I decided to post my fourth round of Oscar predictions prior to the New York Film Critics announcing their awards for 2008 and tomorrow we will get the Golden Globe nominations. Best part about that is that next week's predictions have the chance to enjoy a little movement as this week there are certainly some changes, but we are getting close to having my nominee predictions pretty much locked. This week the most drastic movement occurred in the Best Picture category as I have finally resigned to the fact that Frost/Nixon will be a contender for Best Pic even though it doesn't deserve it. Sure, Frost/Nixon is a perfectly fine movie, but it is not worthy of a Best Picture nomination. The other newcomer to the Best Pic category is Wall-e, which makes me very happy.
- 12/10/2008
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Well, since last week's edition I have seen The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Doubt, Revolutionary Road and earlier today I saw The Reader. I can tell all interested parties that I think all four are quality films, but obviously some get me a bit more excited than others. I already did a short commentary on my thoughts of Benjamin Button, which basically proclaimed my love for the film and I do think it is going to end up being the film to beat as I have a limited number of films yet to see, but it isn't going to be an easy task because the majority of the films behind it are all pretty much operating on the same level. Basically, if you think of a door blocking Benjamin Button from all other contenders, just imagine the pounding that door is going to take as a group of films...
- 12/5/2008
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Steven Spielberg and Will Smith are now in early discussions to work together in remaking the 2003 Korean film "Oldboy" which was helmed by Chan-wook Park. DreamWorks is in the process of securing the remake rights which Universal is going to distribute. The original film's synopsis was of a man's quest for vengance after having been detained for fifteen years in an unknown place for reasons that escape him. Both tender and brutal, this shocking thriller will have viewers talking. The Korean film's story was penned by Garon Tsuchiya based on the comic by Nobuaki Minegishi. Jo-yun Hwang, Chun-hyeong Lim and Park worked the screenplay. Apparently, Spielberg has been eyeing an opportunity to work with Smith. Will's up next in "Seven Pounds," a dramatic film helmed by Gabriele Muccino of "The Pursuit of Happyness" which Grant Nieporte wrote. Columbia Pictures distributes.
- 11/7/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
This is one film we're certain to catch at some point. Academy Award® nominee Will Smith once again shows his ultimate versatility in an actor of all genres. Smith stars in Columbia Pictures moving "Seven Pounds" drama and re-teams with the director of "The Pursuit of Happyness" Gabriele Muccino. Woody Harrelson, Rosario Dawson, Madison Pettis, Barry Pepper, Sarah Jane Morris and Michael Ealy are in this incredible story of a man who will change the lives of seven strangers. Grant Nieporte makes his first step into big screen after just two credits on TV for "8 Simple Rules...
- 11/6/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
This is one film we're certain to catch at some point. Academy Award® nominee Will Smith once again shows his ultimate versatility in an actor of all genres. Smith stars in Columbia Pictures moving "Seven Pounds" drama and re-teams with the director of "The Pursuit of Happyness" Gabriele Muccino. Woody Harrelson, Rosario Dawson, Madison Pettis, Barry Pepper, Sarah Jane Morris and Michael Ealy are in this incredible story of a man who will change the lives of seven strangers. Grant Nieporte makes his first step into big screen after just two credits on TV for "8 Simple Rules...
- 11/6/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
This is one film we're certain to catch at some point. Academy Award® nominee Will Smith once again shows his ultimate versatility in an actor of all genres. Smith stars in Columbia Pictures moving "Seven Pounds" drama and re-teams with the director of "The Pursuit of Happyness" Gabriele Muccino. Woody Harrelson, Rosario Dawson, Madison Pettis, Barry Pepper, Sarah Jane Morris and Michael Ealy are in this incredible story of a man who will change the lives of seven strangers. Grant Nieporte makes his first step into big screen after just two credits on TV for "8 Simple Rules...for Dating My Teenage Daughter" and "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch." Release date for this is wide on December 19th. ...
- 11/6/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
This is one film we're certain to catch at some point. Academy Award® nominee Will Smith once again shows his ultimate versatility in an actor of all genres. Smith stars in Columbia Pictures moving "Seven Pounds" drama and re-teams with the director of "The Pursuit of Happyness" Gabriele Muccino. Woody Harrelson, Rosario Dawson, Madison Pettis, Barry Pepper, Sarah Jane Morris and Michael Ealy are in this incredible story of a man who will change the lives of seven strangers. Grant Nieporte makes his first step into big screen after just two credits on TV for "8 Simple Rules...
- 11/6/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
"I Am Legend"...and now the most popular celebrity on Movie Jungle. Willl Smith was most recently seen in "Hancock" alongside Jason Bateman and Charlize Theron. With the upcoming "Seven Pounds" helmed by "The Pursuit of Happyness" director Gabriele Muccino, Smith's hits have topped the ever-popular Harrison Ford and Laurence Fishburne names. In the powerful drama "Seven Pounds," which is written by Grant Nieporte, Smith's character Ben Thomas shacks into a motel room with a list of seven people and the lives he wishes to change. Smith once again looks for an Oscar® nomination in what looks to be one of the most remarkable films of the year. Can you ask yourself if given the chance, whose life would you change?...
- 10/28/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
"I Am Legend"...and now the most popular celebrity on Movie Jungle. Willl Smith was most recently seen in "Hancock" alongside Jason Bateman and Charlize Theron. With the upcoming "Seven Pounds" helmed by "The Pursuit of Happyness" director Gabriele Muccino, Smith's hits have topped the ever-popular Harrison Ford and Laurence Fishburne names. In the powerful drama "Seven Pounds," which is written by Grant Nieporte, Smith's character Ben Thomas shacks into a motel room with a list of seven people and the lives he wishes to change. Smith once again looks for an Oscar® nomination in what looks to be one of the most remarkable films of the year. Can you ask yourself if given the chance, whose life would you change?...
- 10/28/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
"I Am Legend"...and now the most popular celebrity on Movie Jungle. Willl Smith was most recently seen in "Hancock" alongside Jason Bateman and Charlize Theron. With the upcoming "Seven Pounds" helmed by "The Pursuit of Happyness" director Gabriele Muccino, Smith's hits have topped the ever-popular Harrison Ford and Laurence Fishburne names. In the powerful drama "Seven Pounds," which is written by Grant Nieporte, Smith's character Ben Thomas shacks into a motel room with a list of seven people and the lives he wishes to change. "Seven acts that lead to one truth." Smith once again looks for an Oscar® nomination in what looks to be one of the most remarkable films of the year. Can you ask yourself if given the chance, whose life would you change? "In seven days, God created the world, and in seven seconds, I shattered mine" - Ben Thomas. Smith and Dawson were also...
- 10/28/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
"I Am Legend"...and now the most popular celebrity on Movie Jungle. Willl Smith was most recently seen in "Hancock" alongside Jason Bateman and Charlize Theron. With the upcoming "Seven Pounds" helmed by "The Pursuit of Happyness" director Gabriele Muccino, Smith's hits have topped the ever-popular Harrison Ford and Laurence Fishburne names. In the powerful drama "Seven Pounds," which is written by Grant Nieporte, Smith's character Ben Thomas shacks into a motel room with a list of seven people and the lives he wishes to change. Smith once again looks for an Oscar® nomination in what looks to be one of the most remarkable films of the year. Can you ask yourself if given the chance, whose life would you change?...
- 10/28/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
- Best Original Screenplay Peter Buchman for "The Argentine" (Tbd) Luhrmann, Ronald Harwood, Stuart Beattie, Richard Flanagan for "Australia" (20th Century Fox) J. Michael Straczynski for "Changeling" (Universal) Dustin Lance Black for "Milk" (Focus Features) Charlie Kaufman for "Synecdoche, New York" (Kimmel) Comments: Apart from the quartet of screenwriters that helped flesh out the 130 million dollar project known as Australia and what should be a shoe-in nom by the magnificent imagination of Charlie Kaufman, the three leading candidates I'm suggesting for Best Original are relatively new to the big project business. Peter Buchman split the Che biopic into two parts, so I'm thinking that we will see the first serving this year and have to wait for the conclusion in 09;. His previous credits only include Jurassic Park III, and more recently, Eragon. This would be his first nomination. Veteran sci-fi and television writer J. Michael Straczynski might get on the
- 4/2/2008
- IONCINEMA.com
Michael Ealy has joined the cast of Seven Pounds, Columbia's drama starring Will Smith.
Gabriele Muccino, who directed Smith in The Pursuit of Happyness, is helming, with Escape Artists and Smith's Overbrook Entertainment producing.
The story by Grant Nieporte follows a suicidal IRS agent (Smith) who sets out to make amends by assuming the identity of his younger brother. His plans get complicated when he inadvertently falls in love. Rosario Dawson and Woody Harrelson are in the cast as well.
Smith handpicked Ealy, who was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance on Showtime's Sleeper Cell, to play the younger brother.
Ealy most recently wrapped a starring turn in Spike Lee's World War II epic Miracle at St. Anna, based on the true story of four black soldiers who risk their lives to save an Italian boy while in enemy territory. He just finished a turn as Malcolm X in the upcoming historical docu-miniseries The People Speak, based on Howard Zinn's book.
Ealy is repped by WMA, Epidemic and attorney Matt Johnson.
Gabriele Muccino, who directed Smith in The Pursuit of Happyness, is helming, with Escape Artists and Smith's Overbrook Entertainment producing.
The story by Grant Nieporte follows a suicidal IRS agent (Smith) who sets out to make amends by assuming the identity of his younger brother. His plans get complicated when he inadvertently falls in love. Rosario Dawson and Woody Harrelson are in the cast as well.
Smith handpicked Ealy, who was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance on Showtime's Sleeper Cell, to play the younger brother.
Ealy most recently wrapped a starring turn in Spike Lee's World War II epic Miracle at St. Anna, based on the true story of four black soldiers who risk their lives to save an Italian boy while in enemy territory. He just finished a turn as Malcolm X in the upcoming historical docu-miniseries The People Speak, based on Howard Zinn's book.
Ealy is repped by WMA, Epidemic and attorney Matt Johnson.
Will Smith has weighed in on one of his next projects. The multihyphenate is attached to star in Seven Pounds for Columbia Pictures and Escape Artists and is in negotiations to produce the film alongside his Overbrook Entertainment partner James Lassiter. Penned by Grant Nieporte, the story centers on a man who inadvertently falls in love with a woman while attempting to kill himself. The film would reteam Smith with Columbia and Escape Artists, which together produced Smith's upcoming drama Pursuit of Happyness. Smith also has signed on to star in Columbia's Tonight, He Comes, which has been pushed back to a 2007 start date after director Gabriele Muccino dropped out. Muccino also helmed Happyness.
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