Jennifer Lawrence in a long, red dress at the Oscars Jennifer Lawrence at the Academy Awards Stunning in a red dress, Jennifer Lawrence arrives at the 2011 Academy Awards held on Feb. 27 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. Lawrence was a first-time Best Actress Oscar nominee for her first major film role: a near-destitute, young Ozark woman looking for her missing drug-dealing father in Winter's Bone, Debra Granik's generally well-received indie drama. Winter's Bone also earned nominations for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (John Hawkes), and Best Adapted Screenplay (Debra Granik and Anne Rosellini; based on the novel by Daniel Woodrell). Jennifer Lawrence's competitors in the Best Actress Oscar race were: Annette Bening for Lisa Cholodenko's The Kids Are All Right. Michelle Williams for Derek Cianfrance's Blue Valentine. Nicole Kidman for John Cameron Mitchell's Rabbit Hole. Natalie Portman, the eventual winner, for Darren Aronofsky's Black Swan.
- 4/24/2015
- by D. Zhea
- Alt Film Guide
When I interview David Michod, I feel like I am staring purity in the face. He has certainly earned a professional status as a writer/director with his phenomenal crime-thriller, Animal Kingdom, but it’s also apparent that he doesn’t know just how much greatness is lying right ahead of him. Michod is very open to discussing his film, and is especially jazzed to discuss what excites him about each step of the filmmaking process.
Take part, film lovers, in meeting a director that we should be seeing many great things from as the years progress.
How did the story of Animal Kingdom come about? What inspired you to take it up specifically?
It came about from when I first moved to Melbourne, Australia, from Sydney. Melbourne was a such a brand new city for me and I was kind of reading a bunch of true crime books about the city.
Take part, film lovers, in meeting a director that we should be seeing many great things from as the years progress.
How did the story of Animal Kingdom come about? What inspired you to take it up specifically?
It came about from when I first moved to Melbourne, Australia, from Sydney. Melbourne was a such a brand new city for me and I was kind of reading a bunch of true crime books about the city.
- 8/11/2010
- by Nick Allen
- The Scorecard Review
Lionsgate recently released this brand new movie trailer for the upcoming drama “Garden Party” by director Jason Freeland and starring Willa Holland (Legion), Vinessa Shaw (The Hills Have Eyes, Stag Night), Richard Gunn (Dexter) and Erik Smith (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation). Synopsis: Garden Party is the tale of five adventurous souls attempting to navigate the treacherous urban landscape of contemporary Los Angeles. April is an ambitious beauty in search of success, but she may not know how to reach her goals with her clothes on. Sally St. Clair is a sexy realtor with a secret past. She’s got a great eye for spotting adventurous souls and thrives on giving them direction [...]...
- 11/20/2008
- by Brian Corder
- ShockYa
Lionsgate recently released this brand new movie trailer for the upcoming drama “Garden Party” by director Jason Freeland and starring Willa Holland (Legion), Vinessa Shaw (The Hills Have Eyes, Stag Night), Richard Gunn (Dexter) and Erik Smith (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation). Synopsis: Garden Party is the tale of five adventurous souls attempting to navigate the treacherous urban landscape of contemporary Los Angeles. April is an ambitious beauty in search of success, but she may not know how to reach her goals with her clothes on. Sally St. Clair is a sexy realtor with a secret past. She’s got a great eye for spotting adventurous souls and thrives on giving them direction in life. One of those adventurous souls is Nathan, her [...]...
- 11/20/2008
- by Brian Corder
- ShockYa
"Come With A Dream, Leave With a Story" or a copy of this on DVD? If you missed this indie gem while it was in theatres due to being a limited release, here's your opportunity to snag a copy for your collection. The film stars Vinessa Shaw, Willa Holland, Erik Scott Smith, Richard Gunn, Patrick Fischler, Tierra Abbott, Lisa Arturo, Erik Bragg amd Candice A. Buenrostro. Writer and director Jason Freeland makes this his sophomore time at the helm after a ten year absense when first directing "Brown's Requiem" back in 1998. Talented Vinessa Shaw was also seen in previous memorable releases including the popular "3:10 to Yuma" opposite Christian Bale and Russell Crowe as well as "The Hills Have Eyes" remake of 2006.
- 10/31/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
"Come With A Dream, Leave With a Story" or a copy of this on DVD? If you missed this indie gem while it was in theatres due to being a limited release, here's your opportunity to snag a copy for your collection. The film stars Vinessa Shaw, Willa Holland, Erik Scott Smith, Richard Gunn, Patrick Fischler, Tierra Abbott, Lisa Arturo, Erik Bragg amd Candice A. Buenrostro. Writer and director Jason Freeland makes this his sophomore time at the helm after a ten year absense when first directing "Brown's Requiem" back in 1998. Talented Vinessa Shaw was also seen in previous memorable releases including the popular "3:10 to Yuma" opposite Christian Bale and Russell Crowe as well as "The Hills Have Eyes" remake of 2006.
- 10/31/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
"Come With A Dream, Leave With a Story" or a copy of this on DVD? If you missed this indie gem while it was in theatres due to being a limited release, here's your opportunity to snag a copy for your collection. The film stars Vinessa Shaw, Willa Holland, Erik Scott Smith, Richard Gunn, Patrick Fischler, Tierra Abbott, Lisa Arturo, Erik Bragg amd Candice A. Buenrostro. Writer and director Jason Freeland makes this his sophomore time at the helm after a ten year absense when first directing "Brown's Requiem" back in 1998. Talented Vinessa Shaw was also seen in previous memorable releases including the popular "3:10 to Yuma" opposite Christian Bale and Russell Crowe as well as "The Hills Have Eyes" remake of 2006. Enter to win "Garden Party" on DVD! More Info: Los Feliz, CA - On the sleazier side of Sunset, teenage beauty April has humble ambitions. She’s searching...
- 10/31/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
"Come With A Dream, Leave With a Story" or a copy of this on DVD? If you missed this indie gem while it was in theatres due to being a limited release, here's your opportunity to snag a copy for your collection. The film stars Vinessa Shaw, Willa Holland, Erik Scott Smith, Richard Gunn, Patrick Fischler, Tierra Abbott, Lisa Arturo, Erik Bragg amd Candice A. Buenrostro. Writer and director Jason Freeland makes this his sophomore time at the helm after a ten year absense when first directing "Brown's Requiem" back in 1998. Talented Vinessa Shaw was also seen in previous memorable releases including the popular "3:10 to Yuma" opposite Christian Bale and Russell Crowe as well as "The Hills Have Eyes" remake of 2006.
- 10/31/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
By Neil Pedley
This week finds the U.S. Army bringing war games to a whole other level, a '60s sex icon getting an exposé, Ron Perlman returning as the defender of small fluffy kittens everywhere and Eddie Murphy taking cinema egotism to new heights.
"August"
After the warm reception his first feature "Xx/Xy" received at Sundance in 2002, director Austin Chick returned to the snowy slopes of Park City to debut his sophomore effort, which seemed to impress our own Matt Singer when he saw it in January. Assembling an noteworthy ensemble that includes the likes of Robin Tunney, Naomie Harris, Rip Torn and David Bowie, Chick follows Tom and Josh Sterling (Josh Hartnett and Adam Scott, respectively), two brothers desperately trying to right the sinking ship of their failing dot-com company in the weeks leading up to the devastating September 11th attacks.
Opens in New York.
"Days...
This week finds the U.S. Army bringing war games to a whole other level, a '60s sex icon getting an exposé, Ron Perlman returning as the defender of small fluffy kittens everywhere and Eddie Murphy taking cinema egotism to new heights.
"August"
After the warm reception his first feature "Xx/Xy" received at Sundance in 2002, director Austin Chick returned to the snowy slopes of Park City to debut his sophomore effort, which seemed to impress our own Matt Singer when he saw it in January. Assembling an noteworthy ensemble that includes the likes of Robin Tunney, Naomie Harris, Rip Torn and David Bowie, Chick follows Tom and Josh Sterling (Josh Hartnett and Adam Scott, respectively), two brothers desperately trying to right the sinking ship of their failing dot-com company in the weeks leading up to the devastating September 11th attacks.
Opens in New York.
"Days...
- 7/15/2008
- by Neil Pedley
- ifc.com
One of the major pitfalls of the everything-is-connected ensemble drama is that filmmakers get so caught up in how the various character and plot strands intertwine that they forget to account for why. By the end of Garden Party, Jason Freeland's dismal roundelay of Hollywood outsiders, the five or so major players have all met and all played some role in each other's lives. Then the movie ends, raising the question, "What the hell was that all about?" Freeland constructed the film out of a handful of short stories he'd written, and that's reflected in the narrow, particular journeys of Hollywood's young and lost. But taken together, these stories are a symphony of inconsequentiality, drained of tension and purpose until all that remains is a vague sense of collective ennui. Best known for her season-three turn as Mischa Barton's conniving little sister on The Oc, Willa Holland brings.
- 7/10/2008
- by Scott Tobias
- avclub.com
This Garden Party is all about marijuana, young sex, music and most importantly, Los Angeles. Writer/director Jason Freeland has crafted an intertwining tale of young people in L.A. looking to break through, escape, or just get laid. I sat down for an interview with Freeland at the Hotel Monaco in Portland and spoke about the scene (Los Angeles and Hollywood) … How did you get your start? I had made short films. We actually did a short film with James Gandolfini, he was going to be the star of Brown’s Requiem (Freeland's 1998 debut), but then the money fell out. I consider myself more of a director. If I wasn't pursuing directing, I don't know if I would pursue movie making. That's my passion. It's the ultimate challenge, putting everything together.
- 7/9/2008
- by Jeff Bayer
- The Scorecard Review
NEW YORK -- Roadside Attractions has acquired all U.S. rights to Jason Freeland's feature Garden Party.
Vinessa Shaw (3:10 to Yuma), Willa Holland and Erik Scott Smith star in the tale of aspiring young people trying to succeed in the Los Angeles entertainment business.
Freeland, who wrote the screenplay based on a series of his short stories, last teamed with Lookout Films producer Tim Youd for the James Ellroy adaptation Brown's Requiem. Roadside will release Party in New York, Los Angeles, Seattle and Portland, Ore., on July 11.
Roadside's Howard Cohen and Eric d'Arbeloff negotiated the deal with Youd.
Vinessa Shaw (3:10 to Yuma), Willa Holland and Erik Scott Smith star in the tale of aspiring young people trying to succeed in the Los Angeles entertainment business.
Freeland, who wrote the screenplay based on a series of his short stories, last teamed with Lookout Films producer Tim Youd for the James Ellroy adaptation Brown's Requiem. Roadside will release Party in New York, Los Angeles, Seattle and Portland, Ore., on July 11.
Roadside's Howard Cohen and Eric d'Arbeloff negotiated the deal with Youd.
- 6/10/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
- I'll admit to having only recently taken notice after seeing her in James Gray's menage a trois, Cannes main competition picture Two Lovers. So I was wondering what kind of career path thesp Vinessa Shaw had taken since her forever infamous bit role in Stanley Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut. Among the titles with a bit more clout, she had another small role in Woody Allen's Melinda and Melinda, and as of late she had a larger role in Alexandre Aja's 2006 The Hills Have Eyes and 2007's James Mangold's 3:10 to Yuma. This steady climb now includes an indie drama set in L.A called Garden Party - (we have a look at the poster below). In limited released July 11th by Roadside Attractions, written and directed by Jason Freeland, this is about a collection of lost souls who search for fame and fortune in
- 5/30/2008
- IONCINEMA.com
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Director Jason Freeland had the prescience to secure movie rights to a James Ellroy novel before the release of "L.A. Confidential", and the pedigree should ensure some commercial attention for this feature should it be released.
Uncommonly polished and well-made for a debut, the film is a stylish private eye caper that benefits from astute casting choices and an appropriately moody musical score. It recently had its world premiere at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival.
"Brown's Requiem", harking back to the days of film noir, is a typically convoluted private eye drama featuring a world-weary protagonist coping none too successfully with personal and professional demons. Fritz Brown, well-played by Michael Rooker, fits the classic mold: A former drunk and a retired member of the LAPD, he works out of a dingy office scratching out a living working as a repo man and on low-level divorce cases.
This all changes with the arrival of aptly named Fat Dog (William Sasso), an obese golf-obsessed caddie who lives outdoors on the various golf courses of L.A. Fat Dog, whipping out an alarmingly fat wad of cash, hires Brown to look after his sexy teenage sister Jane (Selma Blair), who is shacked up with an elderly businessman with Mafia ties (Harold Gould). Naturally, Brown soon finds himself the recipient of numerous beatings by various thugs and becomes embroiled in a complicated conspiracy involving, among other things, crooked cops, incest (shades of "Chinatown") and loads of illicit money.
The plot, as with most noir thrillers, is well nigh unintelligible, but the fun lies in watching director-screenwriter Jason Freeland indulge in all the classic conventions of the genre, such as the mournful trumpet solo that plays over the opening credits and the first-person narration with which the hero details his pragmatic philosophies of survival.
The film uses a wide variety of L.A. and Mexican locations to good visual effect and, more importantly, the filmmaker, in the great tradition of "The Maltese Falcon", cannily uses a large number of terrific character actors in minor roles, from indie stalwart Kevin Corrigan, as Brown's doomed friend Wally, to Brad Dourif, Brion James and Barry Newman as an assortment of low-lifes -- not to mention a cameo by Valerie Perrine.
Michael Rooker is terrific as the eternally put-upon Brown, his beat-up features and gravelly voice perfectly suited to the role. The film lags somewhat in terms of pacing, with few of the scenes playing as crisply or economically as they should. Overall "Brown's Requiem" is an auspicious debut for a filmmaker who has obviously done his cinematic homework.
BROWN'S REQUIEM
J&T Prods.
Director, screenplay: Jason Freeland
Producers: Tim Youd, David Scott Rubin
Executive producers: John McDonnell III, Marc Ezralow, Theodore : Farnsworth III
Director of photography: Seo Mutarevic
Film editor: Toby Yates
Music: Cytnia Millar
Color/stereo
Cast:
Fritz Brown: Michael Rooker
Jane: Selma Blair
Marguerita Hansen: Valerie Perrine
Solly K: Harold Gould
Stan the Man: Tobin Bell
Edwards: Brad Dourif
Cathcart: Brion James
Fat Dog: William Sasso
Walter: Kevin Corrigan
Running time -- 105 minutes
No MPAA rating...
Uncommonly polished and well-made for a debut, the film is a stylish private eye caper that benefits from astute casting choices and an appropriately moody musical score. It recently had its world premiere at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival.
"Brown's Requiem", harking back to the days of film noir, is a typically convoluted private eye drama featuring a world-weary protagonist coping none too successfully with personal and professional demons. Fritz Brown, well-played by Michael Rooker, fits the classic mold: A former drunk and a retired member of the LAPD, he works out of a dingy office scratching out a living working as a repo man and on low-level divorce cases.
This all changes with the arrival of aptly named Fat Dog (William Sasso), an obese golf-obsessed caddie who lives outdoors on the various golf courses of L.A. Fat Dog, whipping out an alarmingly fat wad of cash, hires Brown to look after his sexy teenage sister Jane (Selma Blair), who is shacked up with an elderly businessman with Mafia ties (Harold Gould). Naturally, Brown soon finds himself the recipient of numerous beatings by various thugs and becomes embroiled in a complicated conspiracy involving, among other things, crooked cops, incest (shades of "Chinatown") and loads of illicit money.
The plot, as with most noir thrillers, is well nigh unintelligible, but the fun lies in watching director-screenwriter Jason Freeland indulge in all the classic conventions of the genre, such as the mournful trumpet solo that plays over the opening credits and the first-person narration with which the hero details his pragmatic philosophies of survival.
The film uses a wide variety of L.A. and Mexican locations to good visual effect and, more importantly, the filmmaker, in the great tradition of "The Maltese Falcon", cannily uses a large number of terrific character actors in minor roles, from indie stalwart Kevin Corrigan, as Brown's doomed friend Wally, to Brad Dourif, Brion James and Barry Newman as an assortment of low-lifes -- not to mention a cameo by Valerie Perrine.
Michael Rooker is terrific as the eternally put-upon Brown, his beat-up features and gravelly voice perfectly suited to the role. The film lags somewhat in terms of pacing, with few of the scenes playing as crisply or economically as they should. Overall "Brown's Requiem" is an auspicious debut for a filmmaker who has obviously done his cinematic homework.
BROWN'S REQUIEM
J&T Prods.
Director, screenplay: Jason Freeland
Producers: Tim Youd, David Scott Rubin
Executive producers: John McDonnell III, Marc Ezralow, Theodore : Farnsworth III
Director of photography: Seo Mutarevic
Film editor: Toby Yates
Music: Cytnia Millar
Color/stereo
Cast:
Fritz Brown: Michael Rooker
Jane: Selma Blair
Marguerita Hansen: Valerie Perrine
Solly K: Harold Gould
Stan the Man: Tobin Bell
Edwards: Brad Dourif
Cathcart: Brion James
Fat Dog: William Sasso
Walter: Kevin Corrigan
Running time -- 105 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 11/20/1998
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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