Tag: Mansome

Tribeca 2012 Daily Recap: April 28th

I ended up skipping the festival yesterday due to feeling pretty crumby when I woke up. I slept most of the afternoon away and then caught a few films in the online press screening room at night. Feeling much better today, I made my final trip into the city for the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival.

Being a big fan of James Franco, I was looking forward to checking out FRANCOPHRENIA despite the intensely mixed reactions. It is not an easy film to judge. Very experimental and free form, I’m still not quite sure what I watched even after the Q & A with Ian Olds (co-director, co-writer) & Paul Felton (writer). It starts out as a fairly regular behind the scenes look at the making of a special episode of GENERAL HOSPITAL cut together from the mundane stuff usually left on the cutting room floor. Then it switches into something quite weird through the magic of strange editing & sometimes hilarious voice-over done by Ian Olds. I wouldn’t call it anything you must see but it is certainly a strange curiosity that I am glad to have watched once. After the surprisingly long Q & A, a final pit stop at the press lounge, another super cheap NY pizza lunch & a 30-minute walk to the other theater, I settled in for my final screening of the festival.

MANSOME is a documentary by Morgan Spurlock although he does not appear in the film as often as you would assume based on his previous work. In fact, Jason Bateman & Will Arnett appear much more often, in little comedic vignettes setting up the subject for each section of the doc. The main focus of the film is modern men’s grooming techniques and as you can imagine, it is far more entertaining than enlightening. There are some truly fascinating personalities put on display for each section and talking head pieces of people weighing in, including Paul Rudd, Judd Apatow, and Zach Galifianakis. Unfortunately no one was on hand for a post screening Q & A so after the credits rolled, I left the theater and made my way to the bus home. Of course there was massive traffic downtown, which doubled my commute time. A perfect way to cap off a great festival.

Lesson of the Day: Sometimes enjoying copious amounts of free water can come back to bite you on the ass, like when you are stuck in massive traffic on your bus home.

Jerry Cavallaro – @GetStuck – JerryCavallaro.com

Tribeca 2012: Preview

The 2012 Tribeca Film Festival officially kicks off tonight with a screening of THE FIVE- YEAR ENGAGEMENT. That of course means my TFF experience officially starts tomorrow with the first of many early morning press screenings. I currently have a temporary schedule consisting of 15 films spread across 5 days. I also plan to check out some online screenings, as well as a few festival events. Since most interview opportunities seem to be falling on days when I will not be at the fest, I’ve decided to play it by ear much like last year. Also like last year, you will be able to see my Tribeca experience unfold in real-time by following @GetStuck on Twitter.

For now, here are some of the films we are most looking forward to this year:

 2 DAYS IN NEW YORK

This deliriously witty follow-up to 2 DAYS IN PARIS finds Marion (writer/director Julie Delpy) living a comfortable life in New York with her latest hipster boyfriend, Mingus (Chris Rock, brilliantly playing it straight), and their two young kids from prior relationships. A riotous comedy of cultural errors ensues when Marion’s totally unhinged, gleefully unfiltered family arrives from Paris to meet Mingus for the first time.

DEADFALL

In the wintry countryside near Canada, a smooth-talking heist man and his femme fatale sister are on the run with a bag full of cash. With a deadly blizzard swirling around them, they split up to make a desperate dash for the border, but a twist of fate puts them on a collision course with a troubled ex-con and his family. Eric Bana, Olivia Wilde, Sissy Spacek, and Kris Kristofferson highlight the ace cast in this icy thriller.

DON’T STOP BELIEVIN’ : EVERYMAN’S JOURNEY

A charismatic Filipino singer from the slums of Manila posts videos to YouTube, and soon he’s fronting an iconic rock band. Sounds crazy, but it’s the real-life rock-and-roll fairy tale that Arnel Pineda is living as the new lead singer of Journey. The pressure’s on Pineda as this rockin’ doc follows Journey’s dizzying world tour—can a man who has already overcome so many obstacles deal with the demands of his newfound fame?

EDDIE THE SLEEPWALKING CANNIBAL

Onetime art star Lars Olafssen is all washed up. Unable to paint without inspiration, he accepts a teaching stint at a small-time art school in podunk Koda Lake, Canada, and along with it the guardianship of the offbeat town’s neighborhood weirdo, Eddie. As their unlikely friendship evolves, Lars uncovers a dark and violent secret about Eddie’s nocturnal impulses, and finds himself torn between his duty to his friend and his duty to his art.

THE FOURTH DIMENSION

A motivational speaker named Val Kilmer (played by Val Kilmer) delivers a sermon at a roller rink. A Russian scientist builds a time machine in his apartment. Four friends tumble upon an abandoned village in the Polish countryside. All are searching for the fourth dimension—whether they know it or not. Weird, ominous, cool, compelling: These three short films could only be inspired by the vision of Harmony Korine and Vice Media’s Eddy Moretti.

FRANCOPHRENIA

James Franco stunned the film world when he committed to a regular gig on General Hospital, but the actor had a clever trick up his sleeve. While shooting a key GH episode, Franco brought along a film crew. TFF award winner Ian Olds (Fixer, 2009) repurposed Franco’s behind-the-scenes footage into this experimental psychological thriller set amid the spectacle of a celebrity’s escalating paranoia, creating a mind-bending exploration of identity.

FREE SAMPLES

Jillian is having a bad day. She’s got a raging hangover, she’s starting to think dropping out of Stanford Law to become an artist wasn’t the best career move, and things are weird with her faraway fiancé. Can spending the day parked in an ice cream truck doling out samples—and a good dose of sass—to oddball Angelenos shake her out of her quarter-life crisis? Jess Weixler, Jesse Eisenberg, and Jason Ritter star in this quirky comedy.

HEADSHOT

A return to the crime genre for celebrated Thai auteur Pen-ek Ratanaruang (6ixtynin9, Last Life in the Universe), HEADSHOT is a noir-laced thriller centered on Tul, a hit man who is shot in the head and wakes up to find that he sees everything upside down. Working backwards (and often upside down) to tell a brooding and complex tale of underworld double dealings, this is an unexpected and artful take on the action thriller from a genre master.

JACKPOT

Terrified, bloodied, and gripping a shotgun, Oscar Svendsen wakes up in what used to be a respectable strip joint, surrounded by eight corpses and with a gun pointed at him by a detective with the National Criminal Investigation Service. Naturally, Oscar is taken into custody, and during his interrogation a bloody and darkly comic story of betrayal, murder, and lottery winnings emerges—but is this the whole story?

THE GIANT MECHANICAL MAN

Thirtysomethings Janice (Jenna Fischer) and Tim (Chris Messina) haven’t learned how to navigate adulthood. Tim is a street performer whose talents as a “living statue” don’t exactly pay the bills. Janice is out of work and under pressure by her sister (Malin Akerman) to date an egotistical self-help guru (Topher Grace). In this charming comedic romance, two strangers help each other to realize it only takes one person to make you feel important.

JOURNEY TO PLANET X

By day Eric and Troy are a couple of mild-mannered, middle- aged desk jockeys from Florida, but their wildest dreams come to life after hours when they make fantastical sci-fi movies with the help of a green screen, amateur actors, and retro-futuristic computer graphics. As they embark on their most ambitious production yet, this hip and heartwarming doc shows how boundless imagination can hilariously stretch the limits of DIY moviemaking.

MANSOME

In the age of manscaping, metrosexuals, and grooming products galore—what does it mean to be a man? Oscar® nominee Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me) and executive producers Ben Silverman, Will Arnett, and Jason Bateman present a delightfully entertaining doc featuring candid interviews from Arnett, Bateman, Paul Rudd, Zach Galifianakis, and everyday people weighing in on everything from the obsession with facial hair to body dysmorphic disorder.

REPLICAS

Following the death of their young daughter, the Hughes family decide to escape to their upscale vacation home in the woods. But their attempt to get some quality time is violently interrupted when a neighboring family with a hidden agenda drops by for dinner. First-time director Jeremy Regimbal builds tension to a calculated and brutal crescendo in this home-invasion thriller. Starring Selma Blair, Joshua Close, James D’Arcy, and Rachel Miner.

RESOLUTION

Michael is committed to getting his best friend Chris to sober up and put his life back on track. But what begins as an attempt to save his friend’s life quickly takes an unexpected turn as the two friends confront personal demons, the consequences of past actions, and forces beyond their control. Expertly balancing dark humor, heart, and thrills, RESOLUTION is an utterly unique cinematic experience that defies genre classification.

SIDE BY SIDE

Over the past two decades, digital technology has created an evolution in cinema, challenging film as the standard format for motion pictures. Through interviews with Danny Boyle, James Cameron, David Fincher, George Lucas, David Lynch, Christopher Nolan, Martin Scorsese, Steven Soderbergh, Lars Von Trier, and many more, producer Keanu Reeves takes us on a tour of the past and future of the moviemaking process in this in-depth doc.

SUPPORTING CHARACTERS

In this funny and authentic take on modern relationships, best friends Darryl (Tarik Lowe) and Nick (Alex Karpovsky) are a film-editing duo hired to rework a movie in crisis, only to find themselves increasingly consumed with reworking their own personal lives. While Nick begins to question his stable relationship after receiving attentions from the film’s flirtatious starlet, Darryl finds himself falling hard for tempestuous dancer Liana (Melonie Diaz).

TAKE THIS WALTZ

Margot (Michelle Williams) and Lou (Seth Rogen) are happily married. Their life is thrown out of order when Margot falls for another man and is forced to choose between the comfort of the familiar and the excitement of the unknown. Writer/director Sarah Polley’s follow-up to her acclaimed film Away From Her is a quirky, uncommonly heartfelt look at the evolving nature of love and the difficulty of sustaining a relationship over time.

All film descriptions come from the official Tribeca program. I won’t be able to watch them all but be sure to check back for coverage of the films I do get to see!

Jerry Cavallaro – @GetStuck – JerryCavallaro.com

Morgan Spurlock, Will Arnett, Jason Bateman & Ben Silverman Present MANSOME – In Theaters This May

Electus announced today that Oscar and Emmy Award-nominated director/producer Morgan Spurlock’s new documentary film MANSOME will be distributed theatrically by Paladin. The hilarious look at men’s identity through the exploration of male grooming habits, which is scheduled to have its world premiere at the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival on April 21st, will open in limited release in several major cities nationwide including New York and Los Angeles beginning May 18th. Written, directed and produced by Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me, The Greatest Movie Ever Sold) and executive produced by DumbDumb co-founders Will Arnett, Jason Bateman and Electus Founder Ben Silverman, MANSOME marks Arnett and Bateman’s first executive producer credits.

In the age of manscaping, metrosexuals, fancy men’s day spas, and high-end grooming products galore, MANSOME is a witty, provocative and highly-entertaining glimpse into what it means to be a man in a world where the definition of masculinity has become as diverse as a hipster’s facial hair in Williamsburg. With his signature humor and insight, Spurlock combs over the follicles of men’s idiosyncratic grooming habits, opening up a dialogue about men’s unique approach to self image.

An expose of comic proportions, MANSOME follows Arnett and Bateman to the spa as they undergo various beautification rituals while offering amusing stories and observations about elusive male bathroom secrets. The film highlights a wide range of men including champion beardsmen, longtime barbershop owners, known metrosexuals, mustachioed males and professional wrestlers; all intercut with candid, one-on-one interviews and commentary from actor/comedians Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, Paul Rudd,Zach Galifianakis, Adam Carolla, Judd Apatow, as well as sociological experts and everyday men and women all of whom weigh in on everything from the growing incidence of men turning to plastic surgeons to our obsession with facial hair.

“As someone who has spent the past eight years shaving around a ridiculous mustache, I couldn’t think of a more ‘Mantastic’ story to tell than this,” said director/producer Morgan Spurlock.  “I jumped at the chance to work with Will and Jason.  They’re so manly, so handsome, so … Mansome.”

“If I do say so myself, there are no better coiffed, buffed, sharpened and styled men than Morgan, Will and myself to open the world’s eye to the changing notion of masculinity in today’s culture,” said executive producer and DumbDumb Co-Founder Jason Bateman. “Mansome is a special tribute to our passion and dedication for male grooming and the freedom of facial-hair expression which we wholeheartedly feel should be equal amongst both sexes,” continued executive producer and DumbDumb Co-Founder Will Arnett.

“Jason Bateman and Will Arnett are two legendary back shavers, and Morgan’s mustache and strange receding hairline make them the perfect partners to bring this project to life,” said Ben Silverman, Executive Producer and Founder of Electus.

The other interview subjects featured in MANSOME include John Waters, ZZ Top band members Dusty Hill and Billy Gibbons, Anthrax musician Scott Ian, Cosmopolitan Editor-in-Chief Kate White, author Brett McKay, sociologist Michael Kimmel, beard expert Allan Peterkin, champion beardsman Jack Passion, Old Spice Guy Isaiah Mustafa, Co-Founder of Movember Andrew Garone, biological anthropologist Helen Fisher, pro-wrestler Shawn Daivari, stylist Stefan Campbell, clothing buyer Ricky Manchanda, and salon and barbershop owners Martial Vivot, Donnie Hawley, Ricky King, Adam Baker, Michael Haar and Kamal Neru.

MANSOME is created and executive produced by Warrior-Poets (Morgan Spurlock, Jeremy Chilnick), Electus (Ben Silverman, Drew Buckley, Laura Caraccioli) and DumbDumb (Will Arnett, Jason Bateman).Mark Urman’s Paladin is handling the theatrical distribution of the film.

For additional information on the MANSOME, or to join the conversation, please visit www.MansomeTheMovie.com or www.Facebook.com/mansome.

About Electus
Electus is the first integrated multimedia entertainment studio to unite producers, creators, advertisers and distributors under one roof and produce all forms of content for distribution across a variety of platforms around the world. Headed by Ben Silverman in partnership with IAC (NASDAQ: IACI), the company connects advertisers, distributors and content creators early on in the development process, enabling marketers and advertisers to be a true partner in campaigns and content creation. Electus International, the global distribution arm of Electus, is responsible for all international sales and distribution for Electus’ programming and its studio partners as well as programs and formats from other well-known 3rd party providers. For more information on Electus, visit www.electus.com. @ElectusLLC

About DumbDumb
DumbDumb is a digital content and production studio led by Jason Bateman and Will Arnett. By using their well-known comedic tone and sensibility, DumbDumb creates and produces brand-inspired entertainment content that reaches audiences across all forms of social, digital and traditional media. Their goal is to enhance traditional marketing and advertising activities, and ultimately revolutionize the way advertisers connect with their audiences. With the backing and distribution expertise of Ben Silverman’s multimedia entertainment studio, Electus, and IAC, DumbDumb is a valuable strategic and creative resource for brands looking to harness the power of entertainment and humor. For more information about DumbDumb, visit www.DumbDumb.com. @dumbdumb

About Warrior-Poets
Warrior-Poets is a New York-based production company that develops, produces, and edits content for television, film, and new media. Founded in 2004 by Super Size Me director Morgan Spurlock, the company has established itself as a leading producer of non-fiction programming. Spurlock and his business partner Jeremy Chilnick, have produced multiple award winning projects, including FX’s 30 Days, What Would Jesus Buy?, The Simpson’s 20th Anniversary Special In 3-D! On Ice!, and the recent Sony Classics release, Pom Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold. Their latest feature film Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan’s Hope will be in theaters Spring 2012.

About Paladin
Paladin was formed in the fall of 2009 by veteran independent film industry executive Mark Urman.  Its first release was the award-winning drama, “Disgrace,” starring John Malkovich, and other titles the company has distributed include “The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond”, based on an original screenplay by Tennessee Williams, and starring Bryce Dallas Howard and Chris Evans; the acclaimed drama, “The Greatest,” starring Pierce Brosnan, Carey Mulligan and Susan Sarandon; the Sundance 2010 critics’ darling, “Douchebag,” written and directed by Drake Doremus; and the prize-winning omnibus documentary, “Love Etc.”  In 2011, Paladin enjoyed its greatest success with Tom Shadyac’s “I Am,” which was in theaters nationwide for six months and became one of the year’s highest grossing documentaries.  More recent Paladin releases include “The Whale,” narrated and executive produced by Ryan Reynolds; the Sundance 2011 award-winner, “Connected,” Oscar-nominee Taika Waititi’s prize-winning “Boy,” and “Musical Chairs,” the latest film by Susan (“Desperately Seeking Susan”) Seidelman, currently in release.  Upcoming titles include the conservation-themed “Otter 501,”scheduled to open this spring.