“Home Alone” is back, ya filthy animals.
The rebooted “Home Sweet Home Alone,” featuring young “Jojo Rabbit” breakout star Archie Yates, is coming exclusively to Disney Plus on November 12, just in time for the holiday season.
Yates will star as Max Mercer, a mischievous and resourceful young boy who has been left behind while his family is in Japan for the holidays. So when a married couple attempting to retrieve a priceless heirloom sets their sights on the Mercer family’s home, it is up to Max to protect it from the trespassers, and he will do whatever it takes to keep them out. The reboot promises hilarious hijinks of epic proportions, and despite the absolute chaos, Max eventually comes to realize that there really is no place like home sweet home.
The cast includes Ellie Kemper (“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”), Rob Delaney (“Deadpool 2”), Aisling Bea (“Living with Yourself”), Kenan Thompson...
The rebooted “Home Sweet Home Alone,” featuring young “Jojo Rabbit” breakout star Archie Yates, is coming exclusively to Disney Plus on November 12, just in time for the holiday season.
Yates will star as Max Mercer, a mischievous and resourceful young boy who has been left behind while his family is in Japan for the holidays. So when a married couple attempting to retrieve a priceless heirloom sets their sights on the Mercer family’s home, it is up to Max to protect it from the trespassers, and he will do whatever it takes to keep them out. The reboot promises hilarious hijinks of epic proportions, and despite the absolute chaos, Max eventually comes to realize that there really is no place like home sweet home.
The cast includes Ellie Kemper (“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”), Rob Delaney (“Deadpool 2”), Aisling Bea (“Living with Yourself”), Kenan Thompson...
- 8/12/2021
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety Film + TV
Disney+ said Thursday that 20th Century Studios’ Home Sweet Home Alone, the revival of the Home Alone holiday film franchise, will premiere exclusively on the streamer November 12. Ellie Kemper, Rob Delaney and Archie Yates topline the Dan Mazer-directed film, which is the first in line of planned Disney refreshes of Fox titles post-merger.
Yates plays Max Mercer, a mischievous and resourceful young boy who has been left behind while his family is in Japan for the holidays. So when a married couple attempting to retrieve a priceless heirloom set their sights on the family’s home, it is up to Max to protect it from the trespassers.
Aisling Bea, Kenan Thompson, Tim Simons, Pete Holmes, Devin Ratray, Ally Maki, Chris Parnell also star in the screenplay by Mikey Day & Streeter Seidell, based on John Hughes’ original screenplay. Hutch Parker and Dan Wilson are producers, and Jeremiah Samuels is executive producer.
Yates plays Max Mercer, a mischievous and resourceful young boy who has been left behind while his family is in Japan for the holidays. So when a married couple attempting to retrieve a priceless heirloom set their sights on the family’s home, it is up to Max to protect it from the trespassers.
Aisling Bea, Kenan Thompson, Tim Simons, Pete Holmes, Devin Ratray, Ally Maki, Chris Parnell also star in the screenplay by Mikey Day & Streeter Seidell, based on John Hughes’ original screenplay. Hutch Parker and Dan Wilson are producers, and Jeremiah Samuels is executive producer.
- 8/12/2021
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
A new film is coming to Disney+ in the “Home Alone” franchise, a holiday, family and action comedy titled “Home Sweet Home Alone.”
Ellie Kemper, Rob Delaney, Archie Yates, Aisling Bea, Kenan Thompson, Tim Simons, Pete Holmes, Devin Ratray, Ally Maki and Chris Parnell star in the new film, which will be directed by Dan Mazer (“Dirty Grandpa”).
“Home Sweet Home Alone” will begin streaming on Disney+ through 20th Century Studios on November 12.
“Saturday Night Live” star Mikey Day co-wrote the screenplay for the new film with “SNL” writer Streeter Seidell, with a story by Day, Seidell and John Hughes based on Hughes’ original screenplay for the 1990 comedy classic.
“Home Sweet Home Alone” follows the mischievous and resourceful young boy Max Mercer who has been left behind while his family is in Japan for the holidays. So when a married couple attempting to retrieve a priceless heirloom set their sights...
Ellie Kemper, Rob Delaney, Archie Yates, Aisling Bea, Kenan Thompson, Tim Simons, Pete Holmes, Devin Ratray, Ally Maki and Chris Parnell star in the new film, which will be directed by Dan Mazer (“Dirty Grandpa”).
“Home Sweet Home Alone” will begin streaming on Disney+ through 20th Century Studios on November 12.
“Saturday Night Live” star Mikey Day co-wrote the screenplay for the new film with “SNL” writer Streeter Seidell, with a story by Day, Seidell and John Hughes based on Hughes’ original screenplay for the 1990 comedy classic.
“Home Sweet Home Alone” follows the mischievous and resourceful young boy Max Mercer who has been left behind while his family is in Japan for the holidays. So when a married couple attempting to retrieve a priceless heirloom set their sights...
- 8/12/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
STXfilms has set an April 5 release for civil rights drama “The Best of Enemies,” starring Taraji P. Henson and Sam Rockwell.
Henson portrays Ann Atwater, a civil rights activist in Durham, N.C., who battled Kkk leader C.P. Ellis (Rockwell) for a decade until 1971, when the two agreed to co-chair a two-week community meeting to deal with a court-ordered school desegregation decree. That event changed both of their lives. Babou Ceesay portrays Bill Riddick, who reluctantly persuaded Ellis and Atwater to head the community summit to try and reach a compromise. The cast also includes Anne Heche, Wes Bentley, Bruce McGill, John Gallagher Jr., and Nick Searcy.
Robin Bissell, an executive producer on “The Hunger Games” and “Seabiscuit,” is making his directorial debut from his own script, inspired by Osha Gray Davidson’s book “The Best of Enemies: Race and Redemption in the New South.” Producers include Danny Strong, Fred Bernstein,...
Henson portrays Ann Atwater, a civil rights activist in Durham, N.C., who battled Kkk leader C.P. Ellis (Rockwell) for a decade until 1971, when the two agreed to co-chair a two-week community meeting to deal with a court-ordered school desegregation decree. That event changed both of their lives. Babou Ceesay portrays Bill Riddick, who reluctantly persuaded Ellis and Atwater to head the community summit to try and reach a compromise. The cast also includes Anne Heche, Wes Bentley, Bruce McGill, John Gallagher Jr., and Nick Searcy.
Robin Bissell, an executive producer on “The Hunger Games” and “Seabiscuit,” is making his directorial debut from his own script, inspired by Osha Gray Davidson’s book “The Best of Enemies: Race and Redemption in the New South.” Producers include Danny Strong, Fred Bernstein,...
- 10/9/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
STXfilms has secured domestic distribution rights to The Best of Enemies, a based-on-true-events drama from first-time director Robin Bissell. Starring Taraji P. Henson and recent Oscar winner Sam Rockwell, the film is inspired by Osha Gray Davidson’s book The Best of Enemies: Race and Redemption in the New South.
It centers on the unlikely relationship between Ann Atwater (Henson), an outspoken civil rights activist, and C.P. Ellis (Rockwell), a local Ku Klux Klan leader who reluctantly co-chaired a community summit, as they battle over the desegregation of schools in Durham, Nc, during the racially charged summer of 1971.
No word on the film’s release date.
Danny Strong, Fred Bernstein, Matt Berenson, Bissell, Dominique Telson and Material Pictures’ Tobey Maguire and Matthew Plouffe produced the period piece while Rick Jackson and Jeremiah Samuels served as executive producers.
The deal was brokered by UTA Independent Film Group.
It centers on the unlikely relationship between Ann Atwater (Henson), an outspoken civil rights activist, and C.P. Ellis (Rockwell), a local Ku Klux Klan leader who reluctantly co-chaired a community summit, as they battle over the desegregation of schools in Durham, Nc, during the racially charged summer of 1971.
No word on the film’s release date.
Danny Strong, Fred Bernstein, Matt Berenson, Bissell, Dominique Telson and Material Pictures’ Tobey Maguire and Matthew Plouffe produced the period piece while Rick Jackson and Jeremiah Samuels served as executive producers.
The deal was brokered by UTA Independent Film Group.
- 7/16/2018
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
STXfilms has acquired domestic distribution rights to Astute Films’ civil rights drama “The Best of Enemies,” starring Taraji P. Henson and Sam Rockwell.
Babou Ceesay (“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”), Anne Heche, Wes Bentley, Bruce McGill, Tony Award-winner John Gallagher Jr., and Nick Searcy (“The Shape of Water”) lead the supporting cast.
“Empire” star Henson portrays Ann Atwater, a civil rights activist in Durham, N.C., who battled Kkk leader C.P. Ellis (played by Rockwell) for a decade until 1971, when the two agreed to co-chair a two-week community meeting to deal with a court-ordered school desegregation decree. That event changed both of their lives. Ceesay portrays Bill Riddick, who reluctantly persuaded Ellis and Atwater to head the community summit to try and reach a compromise.
Robin Bissell, an exec producer on “The Hunger Games” and “Seabiscuit,” is making his directorial debut from his own script, inspired by Osha Gray Davidson...
Babou Ceesay (“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”), Anne Heche, Wes Bentley, Bruce McGill, Tony Award-winner John Gallagher Jr., and Nick Searcy (“The Shape of Water”) lead the supporting cast.
“Empire” star Henson portrays Ann Atwater, a civil rights activist in Durham, N.C., who battled Kkk leader C.P. Ellis (played by Rockwell) for a decade until 1971, when the two agreed to co-chair a two-week community meeting to deal with a court-ordered school desegregation decree. That event changed both of their lives. Ceesay portrays Bill Riddick, who reluctantly persuaded Ellis and Atwater to head the community summit to try and reach a compromise.
Robin Bissell, an exec producer on “The Hunger Games” and “Seabiscuit,” is making his directorial debut from his own script, inspired by Osha Gray Davidson...
- 7/16/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Tobey Maguire among producers on project, currently in post.
STXfilms has acquired Us rights to Astute Films’ The Best Of Enemies, a race drama starring nominee Taraji P. Henson and Sam Rockwell that is in post.
Tobey Maguire is among the producers and Robin Bissell makes his feature directorial debut and adapted the screenplay inspired by true events chronicled in Osha Gray Davidson’s book The Best Of Enemies: Race And Redemption In The New South.
The story takes place in North Carolina in the early 1970s and centres on a relationship between Civil Rights activist Ann Atwater and C.P. Ellis,...
STXfilms has acquired Us rights to Astute Films’ The Best Of Enemies, a race drama starring nominee Taraji P. Henson and Sam Rockwell that is in post.
Tobey Maguire is among the producers and Robin Bissell makes his feature directorial debut and adapted the screenplay inspired by true events chronicled in Osha Gray Davidson’s book The Best Of Enemies: Race And Redemption In The New South.
The story takes place in North Carolina in the early 1970s and centres on a relationship between Civil Rights activist Ann Atwater and C.P. Ellis,...
- 7/16/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
It’s been a while since there was a well-made, ell-received romcom and Home Again seemed to revive a genre thought dead. To celebrate the season and its release on home video tomorrow, Universal Home Entertainment has provided us with a Combo Pack (Blu-ray, DVD, Digital HD) to give away.
All you need to do is tell us which Reese Witherspoon performance is your favorite and why. Entries should be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m., Friday, December 15. The contest is open to North American readers only and the judgment of ComicMix‘s judges will be final.
Academy Award® winner Reese Witherspoon (Big Little Lies) stars in Home Again, a modern romantic comedy about love, family, and new beginnings. Home Again arrives on Digital on November 21, 2017, and on Blu-rayTM, DVD, and On Demand on December 12, 2017, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Smart and oozing with charm, the film takes viewers...
All you need to do is tell us which Reese Witherspoon performance is your favorite and why. Entries should be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m., Friday, December 15. The contest is open to North American readers only and the judgment of ComicMix‘s judges will be final.
Academy Award® winner Reese Witherspoon (Big Little Lies) stars in Home Again, a modern romantic comedy about love, family, and new beginnings. Home Again arrives on Digital on November 21, 2017, and on Blu-rayTM, DVD, and On Demand on December 12, 2017, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Smart and oozing with charm, the film takes viewers...
- 12/11/2017
- by ComicMix Staff
- Comicmix.com
Open Road Films has released three first look photos from their upcoming film Sleepless.
Sleepless stars Jamie Foxx (Django Unchained, White House Down) as undercover Las Vegas police officer Vincent Downs, who is caught in a high stakes web of corrupt cops and the mob-controlled casino underground. When a heist goes wrong, a crew of homicidal gangsters kidnaps Downs’ teenage son. In one sleepless night he will have to rescue his son, evade an internal affairs investigation and bring the kidnappers to justice.
Sleepless is directed by Baran Bo Odar and is written by Andrea Berloff. The film also stars Gabrielle Union (Top Five, Bad Boys II), rapper T.I. (Ant-Man), Dermot Mulroney (The Grey, Mozart in the Jungle), Scoot McNairy (Batman Vs Superman, Argo) and David Harbour (Suicide Squad, End Of Watch).
The executive producers include John Powers Middleton, Alex Foster, Tom Ortenberg, Peter Lawson, Lauranne Bourrachot, Marco Cherqui, Jeremiah Samuels.
Sleepless stars Jamie Foxx (Django Unchained, White House Down) as undercover Las Vegas police officer Vincent Downs, who is caught in a high stakes web of corrupt cops and the mob-controlled casino underground. When a heist goes wrong, a crew of homicidal gangsters kidnaps Downs’ teenage son. In one sleepless night he will have to rescue his son, evade an internal affairs investigation and bring the kidnappers to justice.
Sleepless is directed by Baran Bo Odar and is written by Andrea Berloff. The film also stars Gabrielle Union (Top Five, Bad Boys II), rapper T.I. (Ant-Man), Dermot Mulroney (The Grey, Mozart in the Jungle), Scoot McNairy (Batman Vs Superman, Argo) and David Harbour (Suicide Squad, End Of Watch).
The executive producers include John Powers Middleton, Alex Foster, Tom Ortenberg, Peter Lawson, Lauranne Bourrachot, Marco Cherqui, Jeremiah Samuels.
- 5/16/2016
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
After more than a decade, the unsolved murder of a young woman comes to a shocking conclusion in Secret in Their Eyes, coming to Digital HD on February 9, 2016, and Blu-ray combo pack, DVD and On Demand on February 23, 2016, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.
From Stx Entertainment (The Gift), Secret in Their Eyes is a powerful and unforgettable thriller based on the Academy Award-winning film El Secreto de sus ojos (Best Foreign Language Film, 2010) that will have audiences riveted until the last mind-bending twist. With a star-studded cast and an Oscar-nominated writer-director at the helm, Secret in Their Eyes on Blu-ray and DVD includes feature commentary by the filmmakers, a look behind the scenes at the making of the movie and an exclusive interview with actress Julia Roberts.
Academy Award-nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave) and Academy Award-winners Nicole Kidman (The Hours) and Julia Roberts (Erin Brockovich) star in this intense...
From Stx Entertainment (The Gift), Secret in Their Eyes is a powerful and unforgettable thriller based on the Academy Award-winning film El Secreto de sus ojos (Best Foreign Language Film, 2010) that will have audiences riveted until the last mind-bending twist. With a star-studded cast and an Oscar-nominated writer-director at the helm, Secret in Their Eyes on Blu-ray and DVD includes feature commentary by the filmmakers, a look behind the scenes at the making of the movie and an exclusive interview with actress Julia Roberts.
Academy Award-nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave) and Academy Award-winners Nicole Kidman (The Hours) and Julia Roberts (Erin Brockovich) star in this intense...
- 1/6/2016
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The star will appears alongside previously announced Robert Redford and Nick Nolte and new cast members Nick Offerman and Kristen Schaal. Ken Kwapis has come on to direct. Im Global handles international sales in Cannes.
Production is underway on Wildwood Enterprises and Route One Films’ drama based on Michael Arndt’s adaptation of the Bill Bryson road trip comedy.
Redford, Bill Holderman of Wildwood Enterprises and Chip Diggins are producing the film. Jay Stern and Russell Levine of Route One Films are executive producers alongside CEO of Union Investment Partners Lee Jea Woo and Jeremiah Samuels.
Route One Films is financing the film through its partnership with Union Investment Partners led by Choi Pyung Ho in South Korea.
Im Global is selling through its Acclaim label.
Production is underway on Wildwood Enterprises and Route One Films’ drama based on Michael Arndt’s adaptation of the Bill Bryson road trip comedy.
Redford, Bill Holderman of Wildwood Enterprises and Chip Diggins are producing the film. Jay Stern and Russell Levine of Route One Films are executive producers alongside CEO of Union Investment Partners Lee Jea Woo and Jeremiah Samuels.
Route One Films is financing the film through its partnership with Union Investment Partners led by Choi Pyung Ho in South Korea.
Im Global is selling through its Acclaim label.
- 5/5/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
The star will appears alongside previously announced Robert Redford and Nick Nolte and new cast members Nick Offerman and Kristen Schaal. Ken Kwapis has come on to direct. Im Global handles international sales in Cannes.
Production is underway on Wildwood Enterprises and Route One Films’ drama based on Michael Arndt’s adaptation of the Bill Bryson road trip comedy.
Redford, Bill Holderman of Wildwood Enterprises and Chip Diggins are producing the film. Jay Stern and Russell Levine of Route One Films are executive producers alongside CEO of Union Investment Partners Lee Jea Woo and Jeremiah Samuels.
Route One Films is financing the film through its partnership with Union Investment Partners led by Choi Pyung Ho in South Korea.
Im Global is selling through its Acclaim label.
Production is underway on Wildwood Enterprises and Route One Films’ drama based on Michael Arndt’s adaptation of the Bill Bryson road trip comedy.
Redford, Bill Holderman of Wildwood Enterprises and Chip Diggins are producing the film. Jay Stern and Russell Levine of Route One Films are executive producers alongside CEO of Union Investment Partners Lee Jea Woo and Jeremiah Samuels.
Route One Films is financing the film through its partnership with Union Investment Partners led by Choi Pyung Ho in South Korea.
Im Global is selling through its Acclaim label.
- 5/5/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Based on Nicholas Sparks' novel, "Dear John" comes complete with the cliches associated with the author. So guess what? I wrote letters to Channing Tatum, Amanda Seyfried, and director Lasse Hallström, take a look!
Here's more info on "Dear John" from Yahoo:
Cast and Credits
Starring: Channing Tatum, Amanda Seyfried, Richard Jenkins, Henry Thomas, D.J. Cotrona (II)
Directed by: Lasse Hallström (II)
Produced by: Tucker Tooley, Jeremiah Samuels, Toby Emmerich
See Full Cast and Credits
A soldier home on leave falls for a conservative college girl. Instead of returning home to her, he reenlists after the attacks on September 11th, 2001. Time and distance begin to take a toll on the young lovers.
Genres: Drama, Romance and Adaptation
Running Time: 1 hr. 42 min.
Release Date: February 5th, 2010 (wide)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some sensuality and violence.
Distributors:
Sony Pictures Releasing...
Here's more info on "Dear John" from Yahoo:
Cast and Credits
Starring: Channing Tatum, Amanda Seyfried, Richard Jenkins, Henry Thomas, D.J. Cotrona (II)
Directed by: Lasse Hallström (II)
Produced by: Tucker Tooley, Jeremiah Samuels, Toby Emmerich
See Full Cast and Credits
A soldier home on leave falls for a conservative college girl. Instead of returning home to her, he reenlists after the attacks on September 11th, 2001. Time and distance begin to take a toll on the young lovers.
Genres: Drama, Romance and Adaptation
Running Time: 1 hr. 42 min.
Release Date: February 5th, 2010 (wide)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some sensuality and violence.
Distributors:
Sony Pictures Releasing...
- 2/5/2010
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
If you've read Nicholas Sparks' novel 'Dear John', then you know that Channing Tatum's character John befriends an autistic little boy by the name of Alan. Autism is a brain development disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior.
In an effort to be as realistic as possible, the film decided to cast Braeden Reed, a 6-year-old boy living with autism, in the role of Alan to shine a light on how those affected with the condition can successfully function in the world.
The cast and crew praised the debut performance of Braeden when principal photography on 'Dear John' wrapped in late December. Braeden's portrayal of Alan earned the respect of his accomplished director Lasse Hallstrom ('The Cider House Rules', 'Chocolat'), as well as his more seasoned co-stars Channing Tatum, Amanda Seyfried ('Mamma Mia!', HBO's "Big Love...
In an effort to be as realistic as possible, the film decided to cast Braeden Reed, a 6-year-old boy living with autism, in the role of Alan to shine a light on how those affected with the condition can successfully function in the world.
The cast and crew praised the debut performance of Braeden when principal photography on 'Dear John' wrapped in late December. Braeden's portrayal of Alan earned the respect of his accomplished director Lasse Hallstrom ('The Cider House Rules', 'Chocolat'), as well as his more seasoned co-stars Channing Tatum, Amanda Seyfried ('Mamma Mia!', HBO's "Big Love...
- 1/15/2009
- by Blog Expert
- Channing Tatum Unwrapped
New York -- Richard Jenkins has joined the cast of "Dear John," Lasse Hallstrom's adaptation of Nicholas Sparks' best-selling novel.
In the romantic drama, Jenkins will play the father of a young soldier (Channing Tatum) who meets the girl of his dreams (Amanda Seyfried) while on military leave.
The Gersh-repped Jenkins recently joined filming on the project in South Carolina. He gained momentum this year for his starring role in Overture's "The Visitor" and a memorable turn in Focus' "Burn After Reading."
Ryan Kavanaugh's Relativity Media is producing the film; Screen Gems will distribute the film domestically.
Temple Hill Entertainment's Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey are producing with Kavanaugh. Tucker Tooley and Jeremiah Samuels are executive producing, and screenwriter Jamie Linden ("We Are Marshall") is co-producer.
In the romantic drama, Jenkins will play the father of a young soldier (Channing Tatum) who meets the girl of his dreams (Amanda Seyfried) while on military leave.
The Gersh-repped Jenkins recently joined filming on the project in South Carolina. He gained momentum this year for his starring role in Overture's "The Visitor" and a memorable turn in Focus' "Burn After Reading."
Ryan Kavanaugh's Relativity Media is producing the film; Screen Gems will distribute the film domestically.
Temple Hill Entertainment's Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey are producing with Kavanaugh. Tucker Tooley and Jeremiah Samuels are executive producing, and screenwriter Jamie Linden ("We Are Marshall") is co-producer.
- 11/10/2008
- by By Gregg Goldstein
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Screened
Sunday, Nov. 9, AFI Fest, Los Angeles
Real estate is in the eye of the beholder, as the contrast between two books-into-film this year illustrates.
In "Under the Tuscan Sun", a house bathed in golden light is the catalyst for renewal in "House of Sand and Fog", the mist-enshrouded property is no less a repository for dreams, but becomes its characters' undoing.
Helmer Vadim Perelman and co-scripter Shawn Lawrence Otto do a laudable job of distilling Andre Dubus III's powerful and desperately sad novel, emphasizing its noirish sensibility in charting the doomed collision course of two wounded souls, captured in deeply felt performances by Jennifer Connelly and Ben Kingsley.
As the plot unfolds, however, Perelman, a commercials director making his feature debut, loses his grasp of story elements. The carefully laid foundation of suspense and dread, with its symmetries and crisp dialogue, is squandered in a clumsy pileup of credulity-stretching cataclysmic events. The shift in tone to messy emotionalism distances the audience rather than drawing it deeper into the events.
The story brings together, in a battle as if for life itself, two characters unable to accept their present circumstances. The setup abounds in classic noir elements -- the beautiful, damaged woman, the loose-cannon cop, the California motor court (complete with vintage cigarette machine) and secluded cabin.
In the early going, sympathy tilts toward Behrani (Kingsley), whose back story is clearer than that of the woman who becomes his nemesis. They're both keeping secrets from their families, pretending to be something they're not. An Iranian colonel reduced to menial labor and convenience-store shifts since fleeing his country's Islamic revolution, Behrani hides the truth from his wife (Shohreh Aghdashloo) and son (Jonathan Ahdout), pretending to set off each day for a white-collar job. When he sees an auction listing for a house, he believes he's found the way to restore his family's financial footing: He'll invest the dwindling remains of his savings in the cut-rate property and sell it at a profit.
His simple plan is quickly complicated. The bungalow, perched on a cliff overlooking the sea, is in a state of neglect much the way its owner's life is. Kathy Nicolo (Connelly), a recovering addict who's barely bothered to open her mail in the eight months since her husband left her, is torn out of inertia when the sheriff arrives to evict her for nonpayment of taxes. The county has erred, but before Kathy's steely attorney (Frances Fisher) can mount a suit, the Behranis have taken residence and are adding a widow's walk from which they can enjoy the view.
Kathy is desperate to get back the house her father left her, particularly because her mother, who believes she's still happily married, will soon be visiting. She gets eager assistance from deputy sheriff Lester (Ron Eldard), a man she realizes too late is determined to do the right thing in all the wrong ways. In Kathy he finds a reason to leave his passionless marriage. "Things are finally in motion", he tells her, expressing his renewed hope but really sounding a dire warning. The newly homeless lovers move into a friend's cabin, and the foreboding accelerates as Kathy ends three years of sobriety and Lester takes matters into his own hands.
Connelly delivers a full-blooded turn as a woman for whom the inherited house is her sole anchor to the world. Kingsley's nuanced work conveys the wounded pride and decency of an Old World patriarch. He's able to speak volumes in an anxious glance, making all the more unnecessary and overdone the late scenes in which Behrani repeatedly verbalizes his anguish.
The film, which world-premiered Sunday night as a Centerpiece Gala as part of the AFI Fest, is due out Dec. 26.
HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG
DreamWorks Pictures
in association with Cobalt Media Group/Michael London
Credits: Director: Vadim Perelman
Writers: Vadim Perelman, Shawn Lawrence Otto
Producers: Michael London, Vadim Perelman
Director of photography: Roger Deakins
Production designer: Maia Javan
Music: James Horner
Co-producers: Jeremiah Samuels, Shawn Lawrence Otto
Costume designer: Hala Bahmet
Editor: Lisa Zeno Churgin
Cast:
Kathy: Jennifer Connelly
Behrani: Ben Kingsley
Lester: Ron Eldard
Connie Walsh: Frances Fisher
Carol: Kim Dickens
Nadi: Shohreh Aghdashloo
Esmail: Jonathan Ahdout
Soraya: Navi Rawat
Lt. Alvarez: Carlos Gomez
Running time -- 126 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
Sunday, Nov. 9, AFI Fest, Los Angeles
Real estate is in the eye of the beholder, as the contrast between two books-into-film this year illustrates.
In "Under the Tuscan Sun", a house bathed in golden light is the catalyst for renewal in "House of Sand and Fog", the mist-enshrouded property is no less a repository for dreams, but becomes its characters' undoing.
Helmer Vadim Perelman and co-scripter Shawn Lawrence Otto do a laudable job of distilling Andre Dubus III's powerful and desperately sad novel, emphasizing its noirish sensibility in charting the doomed collision course of two wounded souls, captured in deeply felt performances by Jennifer Connelly and Ben Kingsley.
As the plot unfolds, however, Perelman, a commercials director making his feature debut, loses his grasp of story elements. The carefully laid foundation of suspense and dread, with its symmetries and crisp dialogue, is squandered in a clumsy pileup of credulity-stretching cataclysmic events. The shift in tone to messy emotionalism distances the audience rather than drawing it deeper into the events.
The story brings together, in a battle as if for life itself, two characters unable to accept their present circumstances. The setup abounds in classic noir elements -- the beautiful, damaged woman, the loose-cannon cop, the California motor court (complete with vintage cigarette machine) and secluded cabin.
In the early going, sympathy tilts toward Behrani (Kingsley), whose back story is clearer than that of the woman who becomes his nemesis. They're both keeping secrets from their families, pretending to be something they're not. An Iranian colonel reduced to menial labor and convenience-store shifts since fleeing his country's Islamic revolution, Behrani hides the truth from his wife (Shohreh Aghdashloo) and son (Jonathan Ahdout), pretending to set off each day for a white-collar job. When he sees an auction listing for a house, he believes he's found the way to restore his family's financial footing: He'll invest the dwindling remains of his savings in the cut-rate property and sell it at a profit.
His simple plan is quickly complicated. The bungalow, perched on a cliff overlooking the sea, is in a state of neglect much the way its owner's life is. Kathy Nicolo (Connelly), a recovering addict who's barely bothered to open her mail in the eight months since her husband left her, is torn out of inertia when the sheriff arrives to evict her for nonpayment of taxes. The county has erred, but before Kathy's steely attorney (Frances Fisher) can mount a suit, the Behranis have taken residence and are adding a widow's walk from which they can enjoy the view.
Kathy is desperate to get back the house her father left her, particularly because her mother, who believes she's still happily married, will soon be visiting. She gets eager assistance from deputy sheriff Lester (Ron Eldard), a man she realizes too late is determined to do the right thing in all the wrong ways. In Kathy he finds a reason to leave his passionless marriage. "Things are finally in motion", he tells her, expressing his renewed hope but really sounding a dire warning. The newly homeless lovers move into a friend's cabin, and the foreboding accelerates as Kathy ends three years of sobriety and Lester takes matters into his own hands.
Connelly delivers a full-blooded turn as a woman for whom the inherited house is her sole anchor to the world. Kingsley's nuanced work conveys the wounded pride and decency of an Old World patriarch. He's able to speak volumes in an anxious glance, making all the more unnecessary and overdone the late scenes in which Behrani repeatedly verbalizes his anguish.
The film, which world-premiered Sunday night as a Centerpiece Gala as part of the AFI Fest, is due out Dec. 26.
HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG
DreamWorks Pictures
in association with Cobalt Media Group/Michael London
Credits: Director: Vadim Perelman
Writers: Vadim Perelman, Shawn Lawrence Otto
Producers: Michael London, Vadim Perelman
Director of photography: Roger Deakins
Production designer: Maia Javan
Music: James Horner
Co-producers: Jeremiah Samuels, Shawn Lawrence Otto
Costume designer: Hala Bahmet
Editor: Lisa Zeno Churgin
Cast:
Kathy: Jennifer Connelly
Behrani: Ben Kingsley
Lester: Ron Eldard
Connie Walsh: Frances Fisher
Carol: Kim Dickens
Nadi: Shohreh Aghdashloo
Esmail: Jonathan Ahdout
Soraya: Navi Rawat
Lt. Alvarez: Carlos Gomez
Running time -- 126 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
- 1/30/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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