‘Weaving The Past: Journey of Discovery’ Readies For Worldwide Premiere

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August 8, 2014

Thirteen years in the making, Weaving the Past: Journey of Discovery is a film/documentary hybrid from director Walter Dominguez. The project, financed by Dominguez and his actress-wife Shelley Morrison (TV’s Will & Grace, MacKenna’s Gold), has Dominguez investigating his grandfather Emilio’s enigmatic and profound life.

“We are not here alone,” says Dominguez, who executive produced the film. “We are really made by and certainly shaped by family and the past. (Although) my grandfather is the focus of the film, everyone can relate to it . . . we take people with us on the journey.”

Weaving The Past: Journey of Discovery’s aim, along with telling a compelling narrative, is to encourage viewers to dig into their own history and hopefully find an even deeper road to traverse. “It’s about connections,” said Morrison. “We have gotten so far away from connecting with each other. We’re on the cell phones, we’re on computers. We’ve had several screenings, and the young people want to interview their elders now. They want to find out answers. They’re connecting.”

In the audio clip below, Shelley Morrison and Walter Dominguez talk about the research, extensive interviews and reenacts that serves as important part of the film’s fabric.

Reverend Emilio N. Hernández, whose dramatic journey from an impoverished homeless boy in oppressed 19th century Mexico to becoming a courageous Mexican revolutionary to transforming into a Mexican-American social justice activist and Methodist minister is revealed in the new documentary, Weaving the Past: Journey of Discovery.

The film has its worldwide premiere August 15 at the Laemmle Playhouse 7 Theaters in Pasadena, Ca. For more info and to buy tickets, go to the following link. Weaving The Past: Journey of Discovery’s will play at the theaters through Sunday, August 17 (following the 4 pm screening there will be a Q&A with Dominguez, Morrison, and the production team).

For more info on the film, please go to the project’s official site. I’ll be doing another post regarding the project in the coming days, as Dominguez and Morrison also talk about another film they have in the works. But for now, check out the trailer below:

Dane DeHaan Brings ‘Life’ To James Dean With Upcoming Film

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Greg Srisavasdi

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August 7, 2014

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Today in Los Angeles, Dane DeHaan sat down with reporters to talk about his latest film Life After Beth, a project that’s now available on DirecTV and opens in limited release August 15. A romantic comedy/zombie hybrid, Life After Beth centers on Zach (Dane DeHaan), a lovelorn young man who is heartbroken over the death of his girlfriend Beth (Aubrey Plaza). When Beth digs herself out of the grave and returns back to her parents (Molly Shannon, John C. Reilly), Zach is more than happy to see her – even if she’s a zombie.

I’ll be posting much more material on Life After Beth in the coming days, but for now I wanted to share DeHaan’s recent comments on Life, a movie which has him playing James Dean, with Robert Pattinson starring as photographer Dennis Stock. A Most Wanted Man filmmaker Anton Corbijn is the man behind the camera, and the project is slated for release next year.

Below is a full transcription of DeHaan’s comments on Life:

***plot summary

“Well, the movie’s called Life and Anton Corbijn is directing it. It’s about two weeks of James Dean’s life right before East of Eden comes out. And Dennis Stock played by Robert Pattinson gets permission from Life magazine to do the first ever photo essay of James Dean and they go back from L.A. to New York and then from New York back to James Dean’s hometown (Fairmount, Indiana). Some of the most iconic images of James Dean. Images of him from Times Square, the images of him with the cattle. Just a lot of the ones that make him look the most human – because in a lot of ways he was. He wasn’t famous yet.”

***on the themes of Life:

“It’s about a lot of things. The photographer’s journey and the influence James Dean has on him and what it means to be a professional but also to still have a place that you want to call home. It’s a pretty deep exploration of a movie.”

***on preparing for the film:

“I had tons of time for that. I had probably four months to prepare. I was about 20 pounds heavier at the time and it was great to have that much time. It was a real luxury to be able to prepare, to read as much as I could. He’s my favorite actor and I was really. . . I didn’t know if I wanted to do that movie at first but when I decided to do it, it was something I wanted to make sure I had a lot of time to prepare and honor as much as I could.”

To hear the edited audio comments from Dane DeHaan, click on the SoundCloud bar below (Aubrey Plaza is also heard in the clip):

The trailer for Life After Beth is below:

‘Satisfaction’ Explores Emotional Journey of Fractured Lovers

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Greg Srisavasdi

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August 7, 2014

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Whether it’s an infidelity or a communication breakdown, reconnecting with lovers can be an arduous challenge. That’s the journey Neil Truman (Matt Passmore) and his wife Grace (Stephanie Szostak) encounter with the new USA Network series Satisfaction.

“I think Satisfaction, in this post modern era comes down to a contentment and being at ease with your own identity and your own skin,” said Passmore, who previously starred in TV’s The Glades. “Being satisfied at the place you are in life at any given and the people that you’re with. That’s the whole point, because that is incredibly elusive.”

Neil Truman (Passmore) chases that elusive dream of happines, and part of his journey deals with strengthening his union with Grace. Satisfaction’s strongest asset lies in the chemistry between Passmore and Szostak, as watching their characters experience their own personal struggles is compelling summer viewing. In the clip below, he talks about mining such emotional territory with his co-star.

Satisfaction airs tonight on USA Network (10 pm et/pt).

‘Rush’ Star Tom Ellis Brings A Musical Approach To Acting

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Greg Srisavasdi

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August 7, 2014

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To play Doctor William Rush in the new USA Network series Rush, actor Tom Ellis uses music to set a tone for the character and his respective surroundings. Ellis grew up playing various instruments, including French horns, drums, and the guitar (his mother was a music teacher and his three sisters are also musically inclined).

“It’s all part of the same thing,” said Ellis on the interrelated disciplines. “Certainly for me (in) being instinctive about what I do. I don’t sit and think too much about stuff, but I just try and tap into something and it plays out musically in my head.”

Check out the video below as Tom Ellis explains how music is an important element to his acting process (he mentions Rush executive producer/writer Jonathan Levine in the clip):

Rush, co-starring Larenz Tate and Sarah Habel airs Thursday nights at 9 pm et/pt (USA Network).

‘Deadly Eyes’ Blu-Ray DVD Combo Pack Review

By

Greg Srisavasdi

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August 6, 2014

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Deadly Eyes (1982, 87 minutes, Shout! Factory), based on James Herbert’s novel The Rats, centers on a multitude of vermin that kills scores of people in Toronto. The cause of the rats’ violent behavior originates from their consumption of a dangerous corn grain, and it’s up to a health inspector (Sarah Botsford) and a basketball coach (Sam Groom) to save the day.

Directed by Robert Clouse, the filmmaker behind the Bruce Lee films Enter the Dragon and The Game of Death, the horror-thriller’s main attraction is watching dachshunds fit into rat suits and pretend to terrorize Toronto. One of the project’s screenwriters, Chic Eglee, is the showrunner for Hemlock Grove. Although Eglee lovingly describes Deadly Eyes as a “silly” film, it does have its merits.

Dachshund or rat..or both? (Deadly Eyes, Shout! Factory)

Lisa Langlois (Happy Birthday To Me) is particularly watchable as Trudy, a nubile teenager who overtly seduces the coach, who thankfully spurns her advances. Although Deadly Eyes is a rat film, the narrative’s middle section deals with the budding romance between the film’s adult leads (Groom, Botsford). All that lovemaking, however, takes a backseat during the film’s third act, as Coach Harris engages in a flame war with the terrifying rats. Scatman Crothers shot Deadly Eyes after The Shining, and he also has a pretty memorable encounter with the vermin.

Sam Groom and Sara Botsford in 'Deadly Eyes' (Shout! Factory) — Sam Groom and Sara Botsford in ‘Deadly Eyes’ (Shout! Factory)

During the Hemlock Grove press day, series showrunner Chic Eglee briefly reflected on his experience working on Deadly Eyes (he served as a writer/producer on the project).

The movie is a total guilty pleasure, and Shout! Factory has put a ton of extra trimmings into the Blu-ray DVD Combo Pack. Deadly Eyes Special Features include a TV Spot and the following segments:

Deadly Eyes: Dogs in Rats’ Clothing (24:05) – A behind the scenes look at the making of the movie with interviews from members of the crew. Art director Ninkey Dalton, screenwriter/co-producer Chic Eglee discuss the challenge of placing dogs in rat suits. Eglee and Dalton bonded during the production of Deadly Eyes and are still married to this day.
Interview with Actress Lisa Langlois (18:00) – Langlois admits that she hid Deadly Eyes from her work resume for years, but she’s warmed up to the film thanks to its cult status. The actress also talks about her early work with French filmmaker Claude Chabrol, collaborating with John Huston in Phobia, and auditioning for The Terminator. Langlois has a plethora of wonderful anecdotes in the feature, so it’s definitely worth watching.
Interview with Actress Lesleh Donaldson (13:48) – Most of the discussion has her reminiscing about Deadly Eyes, and she also talks about her experiences shooting Curtains and Happy Birthday to Me. The best anecdotes comes from her memories of working with Happy Birthday to Me filmmaker J. Lee Thompson. Towards the end of the interview, Donaldson also added that she’s focusing her career these days as a writer. “It’s a mess, and I think that’s what the charm is,” added Donaldson. “People go and want to see this car crash of a movie, but they also want to get freaked out and scared and watch great kills.”
Interview with Actor Joseph Kelly (13:22) – Most of the segment has Kelly discussing his memories of Deadly Eyes, but he also briefly reflects on his audition for Class of 1984 (the movie co-stars Michael J. Fox). Kelly ends the interview asking fans to check out his 2010 coming of age film Summer Eleven, a project he wrote and directed (it also stars Lisa Langlois).
Interview with Special Effects Artist Allan Apone (14:08) – If you want to know the intricate details of fitting dachshunds into rat suits, this segment is for you!! Apone also talks about his affection for actors Lisa Langlois and Scatman Crothers.

Here’s one of the more terrifying scenes from Deadly Eyes:

The Deadly Eyes Blu-ray/DVD combo pack is now available on Shout! Factory’s site.

Ry Cooder Soundtracks Receive Rhino Treatment In September

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Greg Srisavasdi

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August 6, 2014

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Grammy winning musician Ry Cooder has carved out a successful career as one of music’s most talented guitarists and composers. Cooder’s collaboration with some of film’s most revered directors (including Wim Wenders for ***The Buena Vista* Social *Club***) has also garnered acclaim, and Rhino is releasing a retrospective boxed set spotlighting his film music work.

Ry Cooder: Soundtracks contains seven CDs from Cooder’s cinematic output from the 1980s and early 1990s. The set, available September 30 at retail outlets and as a digital download, will contain the soundtracks for The Long Riders, Alamo Bay, Paris Texas, Blue City, Crossroads, Johnny Handsome (which features a haunting Mickey Rourke performance), and Trespass.

Artwork for the boxed set was executed by Tornado Design, the outfit that has worked on several of Cooder’s recent studio albums, as well as the 2008 Rhino release The UFO Has Landed. Muscians featured on the collection include guitarist David Lindley, drummer Jim Keltner, and eclectic composer Van Dyke Parks.

Cooder’s moody, atmospheric, and ultimately evocative work is evident in these films (most of which were directed by Walter Hill). Paris, Texas was a collaboration with director Wim Wenders and yielded the sublime, Harry Dean Stanton performance of “Cancion Mixteca” (Stanton performed the tune at the 2013 LA Film Festival).

‘Believe Me’ Trailer Boasts Nick Offerman and A Little Hooch

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Greg Srisavasdi

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August 6, 2014

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Whether it’s the Spaghetti Western inspired Casa De Mi Padre or the somber drama Smashed, Nick Offerman usually manages to steal the show. He and fellow character Christopher McDonald (Quiz Show, Happy Gilmore) are part of the cast for Believe Me, a comedy which opens September 26.

The story centers on a college student named Sam (Alex Russell of Chronicle fame) who, along with several friends, creates a fake charity to embezzle money and pay for their educational expenses. Sam’s quest for dirty money hits a snag when he falls in love with his fake charity’s tour manager Callie (Johanna Braddy). During the tour’s final night, he must decide whether to come clean with his shady operation or stay quiet and keep his share of the dough.

The Believe Me trailer is below, and Headline Features is coordinating a publicity outreach campaign where movie fans can take part in the project’s marketing process. Check out the trailer below, and if you want to see how to get involved and become part of Believe Me’s street team, check out the movie’s official website.

Believe Me also stars Max Adler (the closeted bully from Glee), Zachary Knighton (Happy Endings), and hip hop artist Lecrae.

If you want to pre-order the Blu-ray, DVD, or even purchase an “F Satan” T-Shirt, click on the following link.

‘Drum Beat’ Delivers Rousing Alan Ladd & Delmer Daves Western

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Greg Srisavasdi

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August 6, 2014

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I grew up a huge Western fan, so my early admiration of filmmakers Anthony Mann (Winchester’ 73, Bend of the River), John Sturges (The Magnificent Seven) and John Ford (The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, The Searchers) was inevitable. It’s with a tinge of embarrassment that director Delmer Daves didn’t enter my narrow minded world well into my forties. I have a lot of catching up to do, but thanks to Warner Archive my mission has started with Daves’ excellent feature Drum Beat.

Since it’s a CinemaScope feature, expect a healthy share of wide vistas and beautiful compositions, and Daves (who also penned the film) gives his story ample room to breathe. Alan Ladd, best known as the sentimental and tough loner from Shane, stars as Johnny Mackay, a brave fighter who’s sent to Oregon to broker a peace deal with Modoc Indian chief Captain Jack (Charles Bronson in a scene stealing performance).

Although Johnny’s family was massacred by Indians, his vengeful nature is behind him, as President Grant (Hayden Rorke) orders Johnny to keep the mission diplomatic. Captain Jack’s motivations are purely centered on warfare and expanding his tribe’s influence over the lands. Marisa Pavan is Toby, the Indian woman in love with Johnny, with Audrey Dalton starring as Nancy, a determined lady who takes over her uncle’s homestead after he’s killed by Indians.

Credit goes to Daves for penning and directing a first rate story that was inspired by the Modoc War of 1872-3. He refuses to pull on sentimental heart strings, but instead delivers a savage picture on how the West was won. Peaceful homesteaders as well as Indians are victims to this conflict, and Mackay understands that unless peace is achieved, both sides will suffer the consequences.

Bronson, whose stoic nature was best served as Harmonica in Once Upon a Time in the West, does inspired work as Captain Jack, a bellicose leader who will kill anyone in his path. Captain Jack and Mackay also have a history together, and their uneasy friendship culminates into a memorable showdown at an all too active river.

Drum Beat starring Alan Ladd and Charles Bronson (Warner Archive)

Pavan, who is actress Pier Angeli’s twin sister, is also memorable as the woman who only has eyes for Johnny, even if it threatens her relationship with the tribe. Versatile character actor Elisha Cook Jr. co-stars as a greedy gunrunner whose business relationship with the Modocs ends on a karmic note.

Even the film’s minor characters are given full attention in Daves’ story, thus infusing Drum Beat with a gripping storyline that is a cut above the average B-movie Western. Since Daves has an estimated 50 screenplay credits, crafting a compelling tale is definitely one of his skill sets.

Drum Beat was the first feature produced by Alan Ladd’s Jaguar Productions, and it’s a Western that kept me glued to the screen for 107 minutes. This is a perfect introduction to Delmer Daves’ work, and since his distinguished career stems from his work as a director and screenwriter, it’s a shame that his name is only recognizable to diehard film buffs.

Drum Beat is a Manufactured on Demand DVD, so if you want to order this title, please go to the Warner Archive site.

Nicolas Cage Is ‘Left Behind’ With Flight Bound Trailer

By

Greg Srisavasdi

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August 5, 2014

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Nicolas Cage stars in Left Behind, a film based on the bestselling 1995 novel of the same name. The story centers on pilot Ray Steele (Cage) whose jet plane is flying the skies when the Rapture takes place. Yahoo! Movies premiered the trailer today, and you’ll be able to check out the clip at the end of this post.

Whether or not you’re a huge fan of Cage, it’s hard to deny he’s starred in his share of classics (Raising Arizona, Leaving Las Vegas, Moonstruck, Adaptation). His body of work may seem all over the place (I love his ability to easily move from project to project), but there is a method to the madness. During the Joe press conference (it’s one of Cage’s finest performances, if you haven’t checked it out), he explained why, when it comes to choosing movie roles, he beats to the sound of his own drummer:

“If you look carefully at my filmography, in between my adventure films, there have been a Bad Lieutenantor a World Trade Center or a Lord of War or a Matchstick Men. I want to keep it eclectic. I see myself as a student. I would never consider myself as a master or a maestro and if you take the path of the student, that means you have to try a little bit of everything in the hopes that you’re going to learn something or strike some kind of new note or new sound or expression in the process. I’m not going for grades – I’m going for an education.”

To hear the full audio of Nicolas Cage talking about his acting process, check out the media bar below:

Left Behind, co-starring Chad Michael Murray and Cassi Thomson, opens October 3.

Brenton Thwaites Bonds With Babies on ‘The Giver’

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Greg Srisavasdi

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August 5, 2014

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Opening August 15, The Giver centers on a seemingly halcyon society where violence and crime has been erased. The citizens’ memories of their past have also vanished, however, and when a young prodigy named Jonas (Brenton Thwaites) discovers that the government is restricting the individual freedoms of its people, he goes on a quest to find a newer way to live. Jeff Bridges is the titular character, a sage mentor who teaches Jonas about how the beauties and horrors of humanity’s past.

Brenthon Thwaites in 'The Giver' (Weinstein Films) — Brenthon Thwaites in ‘The Giver’ (Weinstein Films)

For Thwaites, having a more relaxed yet inquisitive approach to acting was a lesson he learned (or maybe reaffirmed) from his work with Jeff Bridges. “I guess every movie has its uniqueness,” says Thwaites, who was recently seen in the first rate sci-fi feature The Signal. “That’s the wonderful thing about being an actor. . . every job is kind of a different thing. Every movie is its own wild beast that you have to kind of roll with it and do the best you can and try to enjoy it along the way.”

One of Thwaites’ more endearing aspects is his sense of humor, and during the press conference he was asked about working with the baby twins on The Giver. In his answer, Thwaites gave a ribbing to fellow Aussie Phillip Noyce, the stoic and talented director behind The Giver.

Click on the audio link to hear Thwaites joke around about his bond with the babies, with Noyce chiming in with a rather dry response.

Noyce’s impressive body of work includes Salt, Patriot Games, The Quiet American, and Catch a Fire. Along with The Giver and The Signal, Thwaites was also starred in Oculus and Maleficent.

http://youtu.be/egVxWnmQA3w

Deepest DreamWhere Dreaming Is Believing

Deepest DreamWhere Dreaming Is Believing

‘Weaving The Past: Journey of Discovery’ Readies For Worldwide Premiere

Dane DeHaan Brings ‘Life’ To James Dean With Upcoming Film

‘Satisfaction’ Explores Emotional Journey of Fractured Lovers

Whether it’s an infidelity or a communication breakdown, reconnecting with lovers can be an arduous challenge. That’s the journey Neil Truman (Matt Passmore) and his wife Grace (Stephanie Szostak) encounter with the new USA Network series Satisfaction.

‘Rush’ Star Tom Ellis Brings A Musical Approach To Acting

‘Deadly Eyes’ Blu-Ray DVD Combo Pack Review

Ry Cooder Soundtracks Receive Rhino Treatment In September

‘Believe Me’ Trailer Boasts Nick Offerman and A Little Hooch

Whether it’s the Spaghetti Western inspired Casa De Mi Padre or the somber drama Smashed, Nick Offerman usually manages to steal the show. He and fellow character Christopher McDonald (Quiz Show, Happy Gilmore) are part of the cast for Believe Me, a comedy which opens September 26.

‘Drum Beat’ Delivers Rousing Alan Ladd & Delmer Daves Western

Nicolas Cage Is ‘Left Behind’ With Flight Bound Trailer

Brenton Thwaites Bonds With Babies on ‘The Giver’

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