Tag: Cooper Hoffman

THE LONG WALK Screening Participants Literally Walk The Walk – ON TREADMILLS!

Garrett Wareing as Stebbins, Roman Griffin Davis as Curley, Charlie Plummer as Barkovitch, Cooper Hoffman as Garraty, David Jonsson as McVries, Ben Wang as Olson, Joshua Odjick as Parker, Jordan Gonzalez as Harkness, and Tut Nyuot as Baker in The Long Walk. Photo Credit: Murray Close/Lionsgate

In the upcoming and highly anticipated film THE LONG WALK, the RULES OF THE WALK are:

  • Total participants: 50 
  • Required pace to maintain: 3 MPH 
  • If participants fall below the required pace, they will get a warning. If they are unable to reach the speed within 10 seconds, they will get an additional warning.
  • Total warnings: 3
    • Note: Participants are eliminated before a 4th warning is called.

On Saturday, Lionsgate held a special screening where for 1 hour and 48 minutes invited guests had to walk a treadmill, called the “treadmill elimination event,” in order to see THE LONG WALK, but with a few diabolical conditions…

via The Wrap: “if you don’t keep up a pace that’s faster than 3 mph, then you’ll have to leave the theater — even if the movie isn’t over.

“If they stop, they will be pulled from the screening and escorted out of the theater,” a press release for the activation reportedly reads. The screening will take place at the Culver Theater on Saturday, Aug. 30, where a theater house has replaced all of the seating with treadmills.“

News of this screening has been reported all over the place and the genius marketing for the event has made even non-horror fans want to check out the film.

There was also a ‘Biometrics Screening’ where the audience had their vital signs monitored while watching the movie. Heart rates went thru the roof!

From the highly anticipated adaptation of master storyteller Stephen King’s first-written novel (https://amzn.to/4mqMJ1z), and Francis Lawrence, the visionary director of The Hunger Games franchise films (Catching Fire, Mocking Jay – Pts. 1&2, and The Ballad of the Songbirds & Snakes), comes THE LONG WALK, an intense, chilling, and emotional thriller that challenges audiences to confront a haunting question: how far could you go?

Starring Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Garrett Wareing, Tut Nyuot, Charlie Plummer, Ben Wang, Roman Griffin Davis, Jordan Gonzalez, Joshua Odjick, Josh Hamilton, with Judy Greer, and Mark Hamill.

THE LONG WALK is in theaters on September 12.

At San Diego Comic-Con last month, one of the film’s stars, Tut Nyuot, told Entertainment Weekly that filming the movie was not an easy feat — physically or mentally.

“We’re walking, we’re actually walking,” said Nyuot, who plays the competitor Arthur. “It’s something that I don’t think has ever been done, just constantly on the move. So mentally, just getting into that headspace and just staying locked in and treating every scene as if it’s new, ’cause we’re doing it so many times. We filmed one scene a day.”

Contributed by Michelle McCue and Melissa Thompson

Lucy Liu, Cooper Hoffman And Christoph Waltz Star In The Trailer For The Hit-Man Comedy OLD GUY

An aging hitman (Christoph Waltz) is forced to train a young prodigy (Cooper Hoffman) when his employer moves to replace the old guard. But when they learn they are being betrayed, the unlikely pair turns into a lethal team – with their double-crossing bosses in their sights. Lucy Liu also stars in this action-packed comedy.

From director Simon West (CON AIR, LARA CROFT: TOMB RAIDER and THE EXPENDABLES 2), catch the new trailer for OLD GUY.

The film premiered at the Newport Beach Film Festival on October.

OLD GUY opens in Select Theaters and On Digital February 21, 2025.

R for violence, language and some drug use

Photo courtesy of The Avenue

SATURDAY NIGHT – Review

Gilda Radner (Ella Hunt), Jane Curtain (Kim Matula), Dick Ebersol (Cooper Hoffman), Rosie Shuster (Rachel Sennott), Garrett Morris (Lamorne Morris), Alan Zweibel (Josh Brener) and Lorne Michaels (Gabriel LaBelle) in SATURDAY NIGHT.

Ah, the weekend, a time to kick back and relax after the drudgery of the nine-to-fives grind. Well, that’s the case for most of us. For the folks working at “30 Rock” in the “Big Apple” it’s truly “crunch time” Most weeks, that is. And it all started exactly 49 years ago. That’s when one of the “big three” networks (in those “prehistoric’ times before cable and streaming), the National Broadcasting Company decided to gamble on a risky concept, one that was once the “norm” nearly twenty years prior. Back in the 1950s almost everything on the tube (other than creaky old movies) was aired live. But with the advent of video tape, most of the entertainment or “variety shows” shows were run free of glitches and goof-ups thanks to meticulous editing of the “pre-recorded” content. Due to pressure from “the king of late night” NBC wanted something new and off beat, a show that could appeal to the coveted 18 to 34 demographic that sponsors love, to run rather than repeats of “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson”. After corraling a motley team of eager energetic twenty-somethings, a ninety minute original comedy and music “revue” would air at the weekend’s “epicenter”. And this new film tells the backstage story of that fateful night. To paraphrase one of the show’s many “catchphrases”, “Filmed In New York (and Georgia), it’s SATURDAY NIGHT!”. And thank you, Don Pardo…

The film takes place in the ninety minutes prior to the premiere on October 11, 1975. It’s 10 pm and a frustrated NBC page (Finn Wolfhard) can’t even give away free audience passes to the new show. His “spiel” is interrupted by the program’s creator/producer Lorne Michaels (Gabrielle LaBelle) as he greets a “featured performer” Andy Kaufman (Nicholas Braun), who has been dropped off by his parents. After getting past the security team, they two take the elevator to the “nerve center” on the eighth floor. Lorne is quickly approached by the NBC VP of late-night programming Dick Ebersol (Cooper Hoffman) who is his “sounding board” and advisor. Priority one is the on-air talent. Chicago Second City vet John Belushi (Matt Wood) balks at wearing the bee costumes and avoids signing his contract. Garrett Morris (Lamorne Morris) questions his place in the show. As does the “classicly-trained” actress Jane Curtin (Kim Matula). Dan Ackroyd (Dylan O’Brien) doesn’t like his props while Gilda Radner (Ella Hunt) fears being typecast as everybody’s “kid sister”. And Laraine Newman (Emily Fairn) wants to change costumes quicker. Towering over them all is the snarky, confident Chevy Chase (Cory Michael Smith). The loudest complainer may be the host, counter-culture stand-up comedy icon George Carlin (Matthew Rhys), while the softest may be Muppet master Jim Henson (Braun again). And as the sets are still being built, Lorne is getting “pitches” from his writing staff led by the acerbic dark-humored Michael O’Donogue (Tommy Dewey) and Lorne’s soon-to-be ex-wife Rosie Shuster (Rachel Sennott). And if that weren’t enough, the NBC talent relations exec David Tebet (Willem Dafoe) has brought in a horde of middle-aged NBC station affiliate owners and the network’s first “superstar”, Milton Berle (J.K. Simmons), who act more like sharks that just smelled blood in the water. Tebet has a big reel-to-reel videotape of Carson ready to go. Will Lorne’s “dream” be scrapped before it’s even aired? Well, we know the answer to that…

But it’s still a fun, exhilarating ride thanks to this superb cast led by LaBelle who follows up his lead role in THE FABELMANS by playing another media icon. Sure, he often resembles a “deer caught in headlights” as everything appears on the verge of self-destruction, but LaBelle imbues Michaels with a steely determination and a strong backbone when the “suits’ encircle him. He’s got to put on a brave face, but lets the mask slip away with his two biggest “back-ups”. One is Shuster given a smart and sassy air by the engaging Sennott. She’s truly walking a tightrope as she tries to bolster Michaels just enough without leading him to think that their marriage will be “patched up” while engaging in some flirty banter with O’Brien’s Ackroyd. Plus she’s also the “Belushi-whisperer” as hers is the only voice that seems to calm his “savage beast”. The other person in Michaels’ “corner” is Ebersol played with great energy and empathy by Hoffman who cares about the project but isn’t afraid to “lay it on the line” to the frazzled producer (and his “product placement” rant is pretty funny). The story’s “villain”, other than the clicking countdown to air, might be Dafoe, at his most reptilian (and that’s saying a lot) as the sinister Tebet, a blow-dried Lucifer dangling stardom in front of Chase, while cooly pushing Michaels to “try for next week” in a passive-aggressive whisper. Almost matching him is Simmons whose “Uncle Milty” swings his “BDE” as he clings to his past glories. While they aren’t “perfect doppelgangers” for the original “Not Ready for Prime Time Players”, all of the ensemble can suggest them via subtle voice inflection and gestures especially the aforementioned O’Brien who captures the aggressive super-focused nerdiness of Ackroyd as he rattles off the specs of a pistol in one breath along with Morris who conveys the inner-conflict and turmoil inside Garrett as he fears that all of his schoolings may be in service of TV “tokenism” (“I’m an opera singer, now I’m a pimp?”). Kudos also to Robert Wuhl as bemused journeyman director Dave Wilson and Tracy Letts as grizzled comedy guru Herb Sargent, who outlines Chevy’s future (Smith’s terrific as the swaggering comic “alpha”). But the MVP may be Braun doing delicious “double-duty” as the strange Kaufman and the quietly eccentric Henson.


And who’s the talented filmmaker that imbues a vibrant vitality to a tale so familiar to TV fans and historians? Why, it’s none other than Jason Reitman, who himself is part of a comedy dynasty that mixed with many SNL vets ( he and his late father directed Ghostbuster flicks with Ackroyd). He also co-wrote the film with Gil Kenan, and sure some of it is probably “dramatically-altered” embellishments to the legends (certainly no live show would bring in the audience with only minutes to spare as the set floor was still being built), but it’s a movie, not a TV mini-series (which would be pretty cool, too). More important than 100% accuracy is the immediacy Reitman gives this fable, which at times seems to be a fever dream from Michaels who is constantly “spinning plates”. This takes the “walk and talk” trope of Aaron Sorkin to dizzying heights as the always-in-motion- producer is cornered by questioners from the left and right (30 Rock has some long hallways). Several bits from much later sketches are referenced (did these comic ideas gestate for years), but it adds to the manic footloose frenzy. It’s all given a gritty smoke-filled haze (so much chain-smoking) thanks to the 16mm cinematography by Eric Steelberg and accented by the score from Jon Batiste, who doubles as “musical guest” Billy Preston. And let’s give ‘props” to the prop department along with the art and design teams and the funky period costuming of Danny Glicker. Yes, the pace is a bit overwhelming at times, but this film takes its place amongst the great films set around classic TV shows both real (BEING THE RICARDOS) and fictional (MY FAVORITE YEAR) as it balances the emergence of the new “raised by the tube” creators and the zeal of the Judy and Mickey “let’s put on a show” flicks. Best of all it reminds us of that magic time hanging out with your school pals hunkered around the TV (not too loud since the folks are in bed) waiting for the clock to hit 11:30 (10:30 central) to finish the big lazy day with some laughs and music on SATURDAY NIGHT.

4 Out of 4

SATURDAY NIGHT is now playing exclusively in theatres everywhere

Check Out The Trailer For Jason Reitman’s SATURDAY NIGHT

Sony Pictures has released the first trailer for SATURDAY NIGHT from director Jason Reitman..

At 11:30pm on October 11, 1975, a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers changed television – and culture – forever. Directed by Jason Reitman and written by Gil Kenan & Reitman, Saturday Night is based on the true story of what happened behind the scenes in the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of Saturday Night Live. Full of humor, chaos, and the magic of a revolution that almost wasn’t, we count down the minutes in real time until we hear those famous words…

The film stars (in order of appearance): Gabriel LaBelle, Rachel Sennott, Cory Michael Smith, Ella Hunt, Dylan O’Brien, Emily Fairn, Matt Wood, Lamorne Morris, Kim Matula, Finn Wolfhard, Nicholas Braun, Cooper Hoffman, Andrew Barth Feldman, Kaia Gerber, Tommy Dewey, Willem Dafoe, Matthew Rhys and J.K. Simmons. Also rounding out the ensemble cast are Jon Batiste and Naomi McPherson.

Here are some trivia facts about the first episode of Saturday Night Live (SNL):

  • Host: George Carlin, a legendary comedian, hosted the first episode. He performed stand-up, introduced musical guests, and led the goodnight segment. However, according to the book Live from New York, Carlin didn’t participate in any sketches because he was stoned.
  • Musical guests: Billy Preston and Janis Ian, both of whom had recent hits on the Billboard Hot 100, were the first musical guests on SNL.
  • Chevy Chase: Chevy Chase, who became a breakout star in the first season, was the first person to say “Live From New York, It’s Saturday Night!” while wearing a headset.
  • Don Pardo: Announcer Don Pardo made a mistake in the opening credits, calling the Not Ready for Primetime Players “the Not for Ready Primetime Players”.

Written by Gil Kenan & Jason Reitman, SATURDAY NIGHT opens on October 11, 2024.

Jane Curtin (Kim Matula), Laraine Newman (Emily Fairn), Lorne Michaels (Gabriel LaBelle), Rosie Shuster (Rachel Sennott), and John Belushi (Matt Wood) in the Makeup Room in SATURDAY NIGHT. © 2024 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

LICORICE PIZZA – Review

Even though many families exchange their presents on the night before the big day, the best Christmas present may just be unwrapped the afternoon of the 25th, at least for movie fans of a “certain age”. Yes see, that’s when this nostalgic gem will spread across the country’s theatres. It’s hard to fathom that its setting is almost fifty years ago, but its director/writer has made his mark by meticulously recreating the past. Plus he’s particularly adept at getting the presiding pop culture touches just right. And he’s not just “churning them out” as we haven’t seen a feature from him in the last four years. So, instead of munching down a slice of pie or cake after the big holiday meal, savor a sweet and salty ( and a bit tart) slice of LICORICE PIZZA.


Roll the cinema clock back to 1973 in the California burg of Sherman Oaks. Sometimes actor/full-time high schooler 15-year-old Gary Valentine (Cooper Hoffman) notices a pretty young woman offering a hand mirror to the line of students waiting to sit for their class picture. She’s the photographer’s assistant Alana Kane (Alana Haim). As he’s being seated for the shot, Gary makes his move, introducing himself to her and giving a brief rundown of his resume. She might have spotted the big multi-family (think the Bradys and the Bradfords from “Eight is Enough”) feature film “Under One Roof”. And though she dismisses him by revealing that she’s 25, Gary still invites her to meet him at a swanky “watering hole”, Tail o the Cock. That night she decides to get out of her house (she still lives with her parents and sisters) and shocks Gary by showing up. Thus begins several months of flirtations between the two, as they squabble, yet somehow stay connected, especially during Gary’s career ambitions. When his acting gigs start to dry up (thanks mainly to his behavior during a TV talk show appearance with a big-time star), he dives (sorry) into the waterbed business (where a famous ex-hairdresser turned film producer is a difficult client), then opening a pinball arcade (they were illegal in the state till then). Alana tries to go out on her own by auditioning for a movie starring a boozy former “matinee idol” and then working for a mayoral candidate, Joel Sachs (Benny Safdie). But though they go their separate ways after one of many big verbal “blow-outs’, the magnetic attraction between the two keeps them in each other’s orbit.

It’s surprising that the two stars of the film are really making their feature film debut. Hoffman (no relation to Dustin, rather the son of Phillip Seymour) actually has no TV or film credits at all, yet has authenticity as though he, like his character, has been “on the boards’, all his life. He’s got an endearingly goofy “cockiness’ as he continues his hustle, “selling himself” to backers of his “big money” schemes and to any “foxy lady” he encounters. And the “foxiest” of all may be the delightful Haim (who’s been in several music videos with her sisters as part of the alt. rock trio “Haim”) who projects a world-weary sullenness, although she’s still exploring her options. Alana’s eager to escape the ‘sanctuary” of her family, but is still unsure of her direction. Is it acting, retail, politics? She has a refreshing unpredictability, going from cool “party chick” to screeching harpy (the scene of her verbally pummeling her sister as they share some “herb” is a giddy riot). Happily the duo has an exceptional supporting cast popping in for many memorable scenes. Harriet Sansome Harris is ferocious and a bit sad as the extremely “tightly wound” Hollywood agent Mary Grady. John Michael Higgins give a fearless “non-PC” performance as exotic restaurant mogul Jerry Frick. As “past his prime” leading man Jack Holden, Sean Penn is a twinkling tipsy gasbag, a good match for bellowing blowhard director Rex Blau played with scratchy-voiced tenacity by Tom Waits. Ah, but the film’s true secret weapon, guilty of scene-stealing in the first degree, is Bradley Cooper as a true, but very real, outrageous character, “mega-producer” Jon Peters (rumored to be the inspiration for Beatty’s role in SHAMPOO). He’s pure ego-fueled 70s “blow-dried” machismo, all swagger in his tight white jumpsuit, and somehow threatening Gary while bragging about his “luck with the ladies”. He makes you wish for a solo biopic, though keeping that energy level might exhaust Cooper and the audience (I’d happily risk it).

The finished film feels so authentic, that’s it’s hard to believe that writer/director (also a producer and co/cinematographer) Paul Thomas Anderson wasn’t a teen in the swingin’ 70s (he would’ve been three at the time). This makes an excellent “prequel” to his own BOOGIE NIGHTS, while being a sequel “in spirit” to Tarantino’s ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD. Both expand on “Tinseltown” legends and myths, while having their fictional characters interact with real life stars (though nobody in this film is an prominent as Sharon tate in the 2019 flick). Plus Anderson’s homage characters are easier to pinpoint (Penn’s Jack is really Bill and Gary’s angry red-headed co-star is also in a recent film). The casting works so well, especially the decision to pair Haim with her real-life family (her pop has a way with “f-bombs”). The expert art direction, the costumes, and the hairstyles, work with the pop culture background bits (TV screens, a superb soundtrack playlist, along with an eye-popping segement at a “teen fair”) make us feel as though we’re joining the long gas lines of the era. But it’s not all “mood rings” and “pet rocks”. Gary’s run-in with “John Law” is terrifying and harrowing, while a couple in the “closet’ is truly heart-breaking. But for most of its “blink and they’re done” runtime, this is a true joyride of nostalgia set in a time we never thought we’d miss. Really, this romp is the perfect “chaser” to these brutal last couple of years. I know I had a “hankering” for another slice, heck I’d devour another whole pie, of the tasty LICORICE PIZZA.


4 Out of 4

LICORICE PIZZA opens in theatres everywhere on Christmas Eve, including St. Louis’ Hi-Pointe Theater

Here’s the New Trailer For Paul Thomas Anderson’s LICORICE PIZZA Starring Bradley Cooper and Sean Penn

LICORICE PIZZA is written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and is coming soon only to theaters. Here’s the trailer:

LICORICE PIZZA is the story of Alana Kane and Gary Valentine growing up, running around and falling in love in the San Fernando Valley, 1973. Written and Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, the film tracks the treacherous navigation of first love.

LICORICE PIZZA stars Alana Haim, Cooper Hoffman, Sean Penn, Tom Waits, Bradley Cooper, and Benny Safdie