Opening in Austin, Texas on August 17th is BLAZE. Sundance Selects has released the brand new poster for the upcoming film.
Directed by Ethan Hawke, BLAZE stars newcomer Ben Dickey as Blaze Foley, the unsung songwriting legend of the Texas outlaw music movement that spawned the likes of Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson.
The film weaves together three different periods of time, braiding re-imagined versions of Blaze’s past, present and future. The different strands explore his love affair with Sybil Rosen (Alia Shawkat); his last, dark night on earth; and the impact of his songs and his death had on his fans, friends, and foes. The storyline terminates in a bittersweet ending that acknowledges Blaze’s profound highs and lows, as well as the impressions he made on the people who shared his journey.
Ben Dickey and Ethan Hawke on the set of Ethan Hawke’s BLAZE. Courtesy of IFC Films.
Of Blaze’s music, Hawke says, “I’ve always considered this film to be a country western opera. The film aspires to be about creativity – and where it intersects with romantic love as a healthy manifestation, and where it intersects with narcissism as it’s negative manifestation. To separate the film and the film’s music is impossible. The film is about the music. And country music at its simple best has an ability to penetrate.”
BLAZE premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival where Dickey’s performance won him the Special Jury Award for Achievement in Acting. Dickey stars alongside Alia Shawkat, Charlie Sexton, Josh Hamilton, Richard Linklater, Alynda Segarra, Sam Rockwell, Steve Zahn and Kris Kristofferson.
Co-written by Hawke and Sybil Rosen, BLAZE is based on Rosen’s memoir Living in the Woods in a Tree: Remembering Blaze Foley.
Opens in Texas August 2018, in theaters September 2018.
The criminal caper that goes wrong is always good for a suspenseful, absorbing thriller movie. Just from memory there is The Asphalt Jungle, The Killing, (almost any classic film noir dealing with a criminal undertaking, if it didn’t go wrong it wouldn’t be noir now would it?) Odds Against tomorrow, Reservoir Dogs, Bob Le Flambeur, Rififi, and Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead.
The list is just about endless, in fact, precious few movies about criminals show the heist going off without a hitch. Add to that list 7 MINUTES, a tough, unblinking look at a caper done by amateurs so desperate they are willing to risk everything to try and pull it off.
Sam (Luke Mitchell), Mike, (Jason Ritter, son of John and showing some good acting chops) and Owen (Zane Holtz) lead small town lives of quiet desperation. They try and make some money through drug dealing and in a stomach churning scene that references Train Spotting, lose a great quantity of MDA fronted to them on credit from a career criminal. (Do drug dealers really do that?)
They decide to rob a real estate office; word gets out, as it will, to a local cop, Jerome, (Brandon Hardesty), one of the saddest characters I have ever seen in any movie. Jerome has no friends, lives with his Mother in a small attic apartment and dreams of love with a bar hopping floozy named Brandi (Mariel Neto). Word also gets out to Tucky, a friend of Owen’s family, played by Kevin Gage and he is one bad, mean son of a bitch, the usual character Kevin Gage always plays in other words.
Once all the characters are established and meet at that real estate office, as it must, all hell breaks loose. From the moment the three amateur crooks come busting through the door wearing blank, white Halloween masks (which may or may not be a nod to Eyes Without a Face) waving guns they have no intention of using to the final showdown, 7 MINUTES is a remarkable piece of work.
At key points in the film, these characters and others are introduced with screen filling letters telling us their name. The introductions also come at key points during the 7 Minutes the caper is supposed to take to pull off. 7 MINUTES is practically an experimental film, the title refers to the 7 Minutes the criminals think it will take to rob the real estate office, which has a safe with money not legally obtained in the first place. The film stops, doubles back on itself, and starts again after introducing each character and their back story. The 7 Minutes are stretched to the breaking point, rewound and started again from different viewpoints. Trust me, it works.
Written and directed by Jay Martin, 7 MINUTES runs a tight hour and 27 minutes and the tension never lets up. You know these guys are not going to pull off their heist, seeing their reaction as things get worse and worse makes it all the more horrifying. All the actors are excellent and function with Swiss watch timing.
The feeling of desperation, of characters living a hopeless life in a small town with no future is overwhelming. 7 MINUTES is in the same league with Small Town Murder Songs, Texas Killing Fields and A Simple Plan.
It also seems like a period piece, several 70s vintage cars are used throughout; although we do see cell phones and flat screen tvs. The only jarring note, the movie takes place in a small town, when the cops show up at the crime scene they are equipped with the kind of items you would expect from big city law enforcement. And, in a key mistake, they do not send officers to cover the back of the building. This leads me to wonder if the ending really works, I don’t like to give spoilers, let’s just say you don’t expect anything like a happy ending from a project like 7 MINUTES.
Nevertheless, I am impressed; I have to give 7 MINUTES at least 4 stars out of 5.
Warner Bros. Pictures and Alcon Entertainment’s DOLPHIN TALE 2 continues the story of the brave dolphin Winter, whose miraculous rescue and recovery – thanks to a groundbreaking prosthetic tail – made her a symbol of hope and perseverance to people around the world and inspired the 2011 family hit movie DOLPHIN TALE.
The film reunites the entire main cast, led by Harry Connick, Jr., Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, Kris Kristofferson, Nathan Gamble, Cozi Zuehlsdorff, Austin Stowell, and, of course, the remarkable dolphin Winter as herself. Charles Martin Smith, who directed DOLPHIN TALE, wrote the sequel and is again at the helm.
DOLPHIN TALE 2 opens in theaters September 12.
Ready to win a Family Four-pack of passes and be the first to see the film in St Louis??!!
10 lucky WAMG readers will win 4 tickets to the Saturday (September 6) 10 AM screening in the St. Louis area.
All you have to do is tell us your favorite dolphin movie, enter your FULL NAME and EMAIL ADDRESS in our comments section below.
We will contact you if you’re a winner.
OFFICIAL RULES:
1. YOU MUST BE IN THE ST. LOUIS AREA THE DAY OF THE SCREENING.
2. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.
This film has been rated PG for some mild thematic elements.
Actor Bill Paxton is heading from the McCoy family patriarch of Kentucky to starring in The History Channel’s eight-hour television event series TEXAS RISING. Premiering Memorial Day 2015, the series will detail the Texas Revolution and the rise of the legendary Texas Rangers.
Paxton received Emmy and Screen Actors Guild nominations for playing “Randall McCoy” in The History Channel’s mega successful HATFIELDS & MCCOYS. The mini-series won five Emmy Awards.
Two-time Oscar-nominated director Roland Joffé (THE KILLING FIELDS, THE MISSION) is directing with an all-star cast which includes Paxton, Brendan Fraser, Ray Liotta, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Olivier Martinez, Thomas Jane, Crispin Glover, Rhys Coiro, Jeremy Davies, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Christopher McDonald, Max Thieriot, Chad Michael Murray, Robert Knepper, Jeff Fahey, Rob Morrow and Kris Kristofferson.
In 1836, west of the Mississippi was considered the Wild West and the Texas frontier was viewed as hell on earth. Crushed from the outside by Mexican armadas and attacked from within by ferocious Comanche tribes – no one was safe. But this was a time of bravery, a time to die for what you believed in and a time to stand tall against the cruel rule of the Mexican General Santa Anna. The heroic General Sam Houston, the rag tag Rangers and the legendary “Yellow Rose of Texas,” lead this story of the human will to win against insurmountable odds. At the end, the Texas flags stood tall and victorious, claiming a piece of history for all eternity.
TEXAS RISING is produced by A+E Studios and ITV Studios America in association with Thinkfactory Media for HISTORY. Leslie Greif (HATFIELDS & MCCOYS) is executive producer.
The new trailer for Alcon Entertainment’s family adventure DOLPHIN TALE 2 has come online.
Warner Bros. Pictures will release the film on September 19th.
Warner Bros. Pictures and Alcon Entertainment’s DOLPHIN TALE 2 continues the story of the brave dolphin Winter, whose miraculous rescue and recovery—thanks to a groundbreaking prosthetic tail—made her a symbol of hope and perseverance to people around the world and inspired the 2011 family hit movie DOLPHIN TALE.
The film reunites the entire main cast, led by Harry Connick, Jr., Oscar winner Morgan Freeman (“Million Dollar Baby”), Ashley Judd, Kris Kristofferson, Nathan Gamble, Cozi Zuehlsdorff, Austin Stowell, and, of course, the remarkable dolphin Winter as herself. Charles Martin Smith, who directed “DOLPHIN TALE, wrote the sequel and is again at the helm.
It has been several years since young Sawyer Nelson (Gamble) and the dedicated team at the Clearwater Marine Hospital, headed by Dr. Clay Haskett (Connick, Jr.), rescued Winter. With the help of Dr. Cameron McCarthy (Freeman), who developed a unique prosthetic tail for the injured dolphin, they were able to save her life. Yet their fight is not over.
DEADFALL is bound to get comparisons to FARGO. With a few minor script tweaks and slightly different accents, this could have been passed off as a direct to DVD sequel. It is not that there are any similar characters or storylines but more so in the look and feel of the film. Had this been FARGO 2, I’d call it a worthy successor although I’m sure others will want my head on a platter (or my body in a woodchipper) for saying that. Prior to seeing the film, I heard some strongly negative feedback and was even told to avoid it completely by someone who attended an earlier press screening. Since then I’ve noticed a slew of negative reviews calling it an absolute mess and much worse. Honestly, I don’t know why everyone is ranking on this film so much because I loved the hell out of it.
DEADFALL opens with a car crash. Addison (Eric Bana) and his sister Liza (Olivia Wilde) make it out alive but their driver is not so lucky. Addison kills the first cop on the scene while Liza stuffs a bag full of the scattered money they just stole from a casino. They decide to split up as they each attempt to make it across the border. Addison ends up killing his way through the woods and Liza uses her looks to secure a ride with Jay (Charlie Hunnum) to his family’s cabin near the border. It is Thanksgiving and he is going to see his mom (Sissy Spacek) and dad (Kris Kristofferson) despite their strained relationship. Problem is Jay just got out of prison and may have accidentally killed a former business partner who refused to give him the money he owes. Addison faces some obstacle himself with the police after him investigating the murder of the trooper he killed. Despite the wishes of her father / police chief (Treat Williams), among the search party is the very capable Hanna (Kate Mara) who just so happens to be old friends with Jay and his family.
Believe it or not, there are even more side stories and important characters that I’ve chosen to excise for time. Yes, the film is convoluted. Yes, it has moments of needless complications and mass coincidence. Yes, it can be a bit campy and has heavy-handed moments that feel a bit forced. Yes, the fairly incestuous relationship between Addison and Liza is a bit weird. Yes, the insanely sexist attitudes within Hana’s police department feel horribly outdated. Yes, I’m starting to see why some people didn’t like this film after typing all that.
But none of that really matters because DEADFALL is damn fun. And the single biggest aspect that will suck you in and keep you watching no matter how ridiculous things get is Eric Bana. If this film came out before KNOCKED UP, this would be the movie they were all toasting to in the nightclub. Eric Bana’s performance is brilliantly twisted and wildly unhinged without ever going too far over the top. Addison is a badass who does some truly awful things with a wink and a smile. The film has plenty of other great things going for it like some wonderful visuals, thrilling action set pieces, the beautiful Kate Mara, and unnecessary Olivia Wilde nudity. But the only real reason you need is ERIC F***ING BANA!
You can bet that the major studios have been looking at the movie career of multimedia mogul Tyler Perry very closely. Particularly those big box office numbers. For the last few years Perry has become a major Hollywood power player with his low budget, big grossing films. Most of these have been adaptations of his stage productions that tour the country playing for a couple of performances to very enthusiastic, mostly black audiences. Many are little morality dramas spiced up with comedy (often with Perry himself in drag as that force of nature Madea-very broad comedy) and religious lessons (with an occasional hymn or song). Now the big studios hope to tap into that market with a mix of Perry, and a dash of TV’s “American Idol” and “Glee” with a pinch or two of FOOTLOOSE. The end result is a cinematic stew called JOYFUL NOISE, which might tickle the taste buds of many moviegoers. Or not.
When the cameras dolly (wait for it!) down the streets of sleepy Pacashau, Georgia we see the results of the economic down turn with many of the main street stores boarded up and plastered with ” Going Out of Business ” signs. But things are hoppin’ at the Pacashau Divinity Church with the singin’ and testifyin’ rainbow-hued choir (no racial tensions in this peach-flavored Brigadoon) led by Bernard Sparrow (Kris Kristofferson). But before the hymn is finished (hey, before the last of the opening credits) Sparrow has taken wing. The solemn, sometimes stuffy pastor (Courtney B. Vance) passes over widow G.G. Sparrow ( Dolly Parton ) for the position of choir director and appoints Vi Rose (Queen Latifah), the first of several conflicts between the two earth mothers (kind of like Stallone and Snipes facing off in DEMOLITION MAN). Vi Rose is a hardworkin’ mom and nurse (Dad has re-upped at a military base far,far away) trying to raise two kids: her rebellious sixteen year old daughter Olivia (Keke Palmer), who’s the choir’s big voiced MVP, and her kid brother Walter (Dexter Darden), whose Asperger’s syndrome compels him to rattle off music history one-hit-wonder trivia. As if things weren’t complicated enough, G.G.’s teenage grandson Randy (Jeremy Jordan) arrives in town after his mom kicked him out of his NYC home. He’s gonna’ shake things up and make em’ kick off their Sunday shoes (Oops. Well, it does seem that he stumbled on to this set right from the FOOTLOOSE remake auditions). Randy takes an immediate interest in the choir especially Olivia (Conflict #2!) . And before you can say “Conflict #3,” Randy (and G.G.) are pushing Vi Rose to move away from the “traditional” spirituals and get down with gospel versions of pop tunes. I mean that’s the only way they’re gonna’ make it past those pesky regionals (aren’t those “Glee” kids always worked up about them?) and head on to the national finals (cue another TV bit from “American Idol” – “Welcome to Hollywood!”). I mean the poor, out-of-work folks back in Pacashau are a countin’ on them!
The many diverse elements in this film seem to bump, and often crash, into each other making for a sloppy, disjointed wreck of a film. At times it did seem like the first season of a new musical “dramedy” TV show called “The Church Choir” all mashed up into two long hours. Like episodic TV, besides the main leads we get the wacky choir second-stringers (one repeats everything, another believes her lovin’ is fatal- a literal killer “booty”, there’s a break-dancin’ good ole’ boy, and an Asian who talks like Jethro Bodine- it’s pure comedy gold!) The stars do their best, but are hampered by the cliche’ ridden script. It seems as though Latifah’s Vi Rose is delivering sermons to other characters rather than conversing with them. She’s constantly ‘ speech-ifying’. Dolly’s still playing the sweet, feisty, down-home, trashy-dressin’ gal, but is saddled with lots of tired corn-pone idioms and adages. I couldn’t help, but be distracted and saddened by her appearance, which is referenced a few times in the dialogue (Dolly’s G.G. says, “God didn’t make plastic surgeons to starve!”). It’s a shame that actors (male and female) don’t allow themselves to age gracefully (and have a mobile face instead of a plastic kabuki-like mask). This film is the second to explore Asperger’s in the past few weeks (after EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE), but here it seems to be more of a plot device to bring the two young love birds together. Most of the time Walter wears shades (resembling Jamie Foxx in RAY) and is able to interact socially when the script needs him to do so. His confrontation with Vi Rose questioning God is, at the least, awkward (He cries, “I don’t wanna’ be like this!” Really?). The scenes at the national finals are laughingly absurd. Sure the stage crew could completely improvise and fellow the performers! No sweat! The popularity of gospel music is deserving of a great fiction feature film since there’s been a number of great documentaries (like 1982’s SAY AMEN, SOMEBODY). Let’s hope Hollywood will produce one soon. In the meantime file this under films you can give to Grammy for her new DVD player.
Morgan Freeman, Harry Connick Jr. and Ashley Judd star in the trailer premiere for DOLPHIN TALE (via Yahoo! Movies). Inspired by the remarkable true story, the film is about a courageous dolphin named Winter and the compassionate people who banded together to save her life.
Synopsis:
Based on true events DOLPHIN TALE is a family film about Winter, a young dolphin who loses her tail in a crab trap and Sawyer, the introverted, 11-year old boy who befriends her. Sawyer meets the rescued dolphin at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, a marine rehabilitation center where she lives. Sawyer rallies friends and family alike to save Winter by convincing a pioneering doctor to create a unique prosthetic attachment to restore the dolphin’s ability to swim. Winter the dolphin will play herself in the movie.
From director Charles Martin Smith, the film stars Morgan Freeman, Harry Connick Jr., Ashley Judd, Kris Kristofferson and Nathan Gamble. DOLPHIN TALE hits theaters in 3D and 2D on September 23, 2011
