These days, the number of indies premiering on a weekly basis can be both thrilling and intimidating. To help sift through the number of new releases (independent or otherwise), we've created a weekend film guide. Below you'll find basic plot, personnel and cinema information for today's fresh offerings. Happy viewing! Here are the films opening theatrically in the U.S. today, Friday, March 28th. Synopses provided by distributor unless listed otherwise. Blumenthal Director: Seth Fisher Cast: Seth Fisher, Laila Robins, Mark Blum, Fred Melamed, Brian Cox, Mei Melancon, Nicole Ansari-Cox Synopsis: "Celebrated playwright, Harold Blumenthal, has passed away after succumbing to cardiac arrest while laughing at his own joke. Now, Harold’s estranged and jealous brother, Saul, must confront his personal hang-ups in order to deliver himself from an epic bout of constipation. Meanwhile, Saul’s wife and son must each grapple with their own personal obstacles through a set of.
- 3/28/2014
- by Steve Greene
- Indiewire
The theatre breeds no shortage of large personalities, and in the upcoming comedy "Blumenthal," none loomed larger than Harold Blumenthal. And with his recent passing, his legacy hangs over everyone around him in writer/director Seth Fisher's feature debut. Starring Brian Cox, Fred Melamed, Laila Robins, Mark Blum and Mei Melancon, the film tracks Harold Blumenthal's eccentric family from his nephew Ethan, who's trying to navigate relationship issues, Harold's brother Saul who is plagued with constipation, and Saul's second wife Cheryl who wants more out of life. And of course, between them, there is various tension and disagreements, highlighted in this exclusive clip where a visit to the theatre turns into a comic confrontation. "Blumenthal" opens on Friday, March 28th in New York City. And if you catch the 8 Pm screening at Village East, it will be followed by a Q&A with Seth Fisher.
- 3/27/2014
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
Here's something you don't generally want to do when dealing with an actor as good as Brian Cox: begin the movie after his character has already died.
That's where we start in Blumenthal, writer-director Seth Fisher's feature debut, and while the film isn't without merit — Fisher's clearly a gifted writer of comedy — the death of Harold Blumenthal (Cox) proves a frustrating narrative catalyst, since Cox's performance (seen in a tribute interview on TV) suggests more inner life than all the rest of the characters combined.
Fisher uses the passing of Harold, a celebrated, award-winning New York playwright, to offer a multi-generational study of the surviving members of the Blumenthal family: drug-rep Ethan (played by Fisher), who peddles birth control ...
That's where we start in Blumenthal, writer-director Seth Fisher's feature debut, and while the film isn't without merit — Fisher's clearly a gifted writer of comedy — the death of Harold Blumenthal (Cox) proves a frustrating narrative catalyst, since Cox's performance (seen in a tribute interview on TV) suggests more inner life than all the rest of the characters combined.
Fisher uses the passing of Harold, a celebrated, award-winning New York playwright, to offer a multi-generational study of the surviving members of the Blumenthal family: drug-rep Ethan (played by Fisher), who peddles birth control ...
- 3/26/2014
- Village Voice
“Blumenthal” is a film about three Blumenthals. There’s Harold (Brian Cox), the famous playwright who died laughing at his own joke. There’s his brother, Saul (Mark Blum), an English professor who feels entitled to a bit of Harold’s success and has had some issues, ahem, not letting things… go. And there’s Saul’s son, Ethan (Seth Fisher), a pharmaceutical rep who’s obsessed with finding the perfect fit. He wears nurse’s shoes and can’t stand his girlfriend Christina’s (Mei Melancon) sloppy eating. At the beginning of this tale of three Blumenthals, Saul is sitting shiva for Harold, and Ethan has just dumped Christina. We also can’t forget Saul’s wife, Cheryl (Laila Robins), an actress assessing her age and her career in the wake of Harold’s death. All of our Blumenthals, in their own analytical/intellectual ways, are reeling out of control,...
- 3/25/2014
- by Katie Walsh
- The Playlist
TBS has put in development Jackass Of All Trades, a male-lead comedy executive produced by John Krasinski. Penned and co-executive produced by first time tv writers Seth Fisher and Danny Mackey, Jackass Of All Trades centers on a devoted stay-at-home dad who, after landing his family in dire financial trouble, resorts to earning a living doing odd jobs off of Craigslist… very odd jobs. Krasinski and Alyson Seeger will executive produce through Sunday Night Prods. alongside Aperture Entertainment’s Adam Goldworm. Fisher wrote, directed and stars in indie Blumenthal and also recurred on The Good Wife. Mackey wrote for the second season of the Warner Bros. Digital series Aim High and also penned the feature adaptation of School Of Fear with McG attached to direct. Fisher and Mackey are repped by Paradigm and Myman Greenspan (Fisher is also with Aperture), though their deal was brokered by Apa, Aperture and and attorney Rob Szymanski.
- 3/19/2014
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
UK Jewish film festival | Aesthetica short film festival | French film festival UK | Leeds international film festival
UK Jewish film festival, nationwide
There's really no telling what a Jewish film could or should look like, or even where it could come from. It might be an eastern European thriller (In The Shadow); a New York comedy such as Blumenthal, starring Brian Cox; an Almodóvar-esque musical (Eytan Fox's Cupcakes); an Argentinian Nazi drama (Wakolda); or even a psychedelic semi-animated head trip such as Ari "Waltz With Bashir" Folman's latest, The Congress. The result is one of the most varied festivals out there, and an ever-expanding event (80 films this year, across 19 venues). More recognisably Jewish themes are also abundant, such as in self-explanatory opener The Jewish Cardinal, based on a true story, or new doc Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy, with Michael Grade in conversation after.
Various venues, to 17 Nov
Aesthetica short film festival,...
UK Jewish film festival, nationwide
There's really no telling what a Jewish film could or should look like, or even where it could come from. It might be an eastern European thriller (In The Shadow); a New York comedy such as Blumenthal, starring Brian Cox; an Almodóvar-esque musical (Eytan Fox's Cupcakes); an Argentinian Nazi drama (Wakolda); or even a psychedelic semi-animated head trip such as Ari "Waltz With Bashir" Folman's latest, The Congress. The result is one of the most varied festivals out there, and an ever-expanding event (80 films this year, across 19 venues). More recognisably Jewish themes are also abundant, such as in self-explanatory opener The Jewish Cardinal, based on a true story, or new doc Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy, with Michael Grade in conversation after.
Various venues, to 17 Nov
Aesthetica short film festival,...
- 11/2/2013
- by Steve Rose
- The Guardian - Film News
UK Jewish Film Festival kicks off its 17th edition tonight; 53 UK premieres presented.
The UK Jewish Film Festival opens its 17th edition tonight at the BFI Southbank with the UK premiere of The Jewish Cardinal by French director Ilan Duran Cohen.
The festival runs across five cities - London, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester - from Oct 20 to Nov 17. The closing night gala will screen the UK premiere of Eytan Fox’s Cupcakes.
More than 80 films and other special events are planned. There are 53 UK premieres.
Programme highlights include an IMAX screening of Ari Folman’s The Congress, horror film Big Bad Wolves, Seth Fisher’s Blumenthal starring Brian Cox, Jill Soloway’s Afternoon Delight starring Juno Temple, Lucia Puenzo’s thriller Wakolda, documentary Dancing In Jaffa and Tracie Holder’s Joe Papp in Five Acts.
The festival has also started a new VOD channel sponsored by Think Jam (link here).
Festival founder and executive director Judy Ironside...
The UK Jewish Film Festival opens its 17th edition tonight at the BFI Southbank with the UK premiere of The Jewish Cardinal by French director Ilan Duran Cohen.
The festival runs across five cities - London, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester - from Oct 20 to Nov 17. The closing night gala will screen the UK premiere of Eytan Fox’s Cupcakes.
More than 80 films and other special events are planned. There are 53 UK premieres.
Programme highlights include an IMAX screening of Ari Folman’s The Congress, horror film Big Bad Wolves, Seth Fisher’s Blumenthal starring Brian Cox, Jill Soloway’s Afternoon Delight starring Juno Temple, Lucia Puenzo’s thriller Wakolda, documentary Dancing In Jaffa and Tracie Holder’s Joe Papp in Five Acts.
The festival has also started a new VOD channel sponsored by Think Jam (link here).
Festival founder and executive director Judy Ironside...
- 10/30/2013
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
The final installment of the First Time Fest… The First Time Fest’s closing night was held on March 4th. Hosted by Academy Award winner Ellen Burstyn (The Exorcist), the Players Club lit up with flashes of cameras and smiles of the first time filmmakers anxiously awaiting whose film will win the grand prize- the chance to have their film distributed by Cinema Libre Studios.
Johanna Bennett and Mandy founded the festival after noticing there wasn’t a venue for where new filmmakers can get their film viewed and appreciated. In attendance at the closing night ceremony were Tony Bennett and Jack Huston, as well as Martin Scorsese, who presented the First John Huston Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinema to Darren Aronofsky, who was also in attendance. Anthony Rapp presented the awards as guests ate food from Chef Diane Dimeo and drank champagne by Nicolas Feuillatte. Also in attendance...
Johanna Bennett and Mandy founded the festival after noticing there wasn’t a venue for where new filmmakers can get their film viewed and appreciated. In attendance at the closing night ceremony were Tony Bennett and Jack Huston, as well as Martin Scorsese, who presented the First John Huston Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinema to Darren Aronofsky, who was also in attendance. Anthony Rapp presented the awards as guests ate food from Chef Diane Dimeo and drank champagne by Nicolas Feuillatte. Also in attendance...
- 4/5/2013
- by Catherina Gioino
- Nerdly
The First Time Fest was created by Johanna Bennett and Mandy Ward as a way to showcase new upcoming filmmakers and their works, and to get them a head start in their industry. The festival occurred on March 1st to 4th at The Players Club in New York, which was a club started by some well-known writers and actors, including Edwin Booth (John Wilkes Booth’s brother), Mark Twain, and more.
While the festival does support new filmmakers in their journey, it also awards previous filmmakers who have made names for themselves. Being that this is the first year of the festival, the first ever John Huston Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinema went to Darren Aronofsky. The award is named in honor of John Huston as he was a esteemed member of The Players Club, as well as considered to be one of the most influential writer, actor, director and producers of all times.
While the festival does support new filmmakers in their journey, it also awards previous filmmakers who have made names for themselves. Being that this is the first year of the festival, the first ever John Huston Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinema went to Darren Aronofsky. The award is named in honor of John Huston as he was a esteemed member of The Players Club, as well as considered to be one of the most influential writer, actor, director and producers of all times.
- 3/16/2013
- by Catherina Gioino
- Nerdly
This past weekend, March 1st to 4th, marked the first ever First Time Fest at The Player’s Club in New York City. The festival is a celebration of the films of first time film makers which also features a competition in which 12 aspiring film makers get to debut their first film. These 12 filmmakers have competed for their chance to receive major distribution of their film and all competitors will receive advice from those in the industry.
The festival is to help those aspiring filmmakers in the industry obtain important information in making their films successful. There are twelve competition films that come from all over the world to compete against this wonderful grand prize of not only distribution by Sponsor Cinema Libre Studio, but knowledge- knowledge of how to make films and how people got their start.
The festival itself includes films from these 12 competition films as well as...
The festival is to help those aspiring filmmakers in the industry obtain important information in making their films successful. There are twelve competition films that come from all over the world to compete against this wonderful grand prize of not only distribution by Sponsor Cinema Libre Studio, but knowledge- knowledge of how to make films and how people got their start.
The festival itself includes films from these 12 competition films as well as...
- 3/9/2013
- by Catherina Gioino
- Nerdly
Whether you’re the son or daughter of a Hollywood socialite or just a normal person trying to show off his/her vision, making an independent movie is difficult. If you do it right, all the hard work and effort made into putting together that one film stands out. When you trollop along a film festival such as the one in Santa Barbara, independent movies feel harder to come by. The place is littered with foreign films and movies that were shown at previous festivals, so it’s a bit of a big deal when an independent movie such as “Blumenthal” busts its way in.
Writer, director and actor Seth Fisher comes from a theater background but shares an equal love for the big screen. His directorial debut “Blumenthal” touches upon a family who reflects back on their individual life decisions after a beloved and famous relative suddenly passes on.
Writer, director and actor Seth Fisher comes from a theater background but shares an equal love for the big screen. His directorial debut “Blumenthal” touches upon a family who reflects back on their individual life decisions after a beloved and famous relative suddenly passes on.
- 2/17/2013
- by Melissa Molina
- LRMonline.com
Last week, at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, actor Seth Fisher premiered his debut feature film, “Blumenthal,” in which he takes a multi-hyphenate approach to independent filmmaking, as writer/director/star/editor/and more. “Blumenthal” tells the story of a New York City family reeling from the sudden death of famous playwright Harold Blumenthal (Brian Cox), who dies laughing at his own joke. Brother Saul (Mark Blum) feels that Harold stole his ideas, his wife Cheryl (Laila Robins), an aging actress is dealing with her own issues about her body and mortality, and Saul’s son Ethan (Fisher), is an Ocd pharmaceutical rep with a few particular issues with women. Back when he only had a first draft of his script, Fisher launched the blog watchmemakeamovie.com, chronicling his process of independent filmmaking, and garnering fans along the way who contributed to his crowdfunding campaign to make “Blumenthal” a reality.
- 2/9/2013
- by Katie Walsh
- The Playlist
“Blumenthal” is a film about three Blumenthals. There’s Harold (Brian Cox), the famous playwright who died laughing at his own joke. There’s his brother, Saul (Mark Blum), an English professor who feels entitled to a bit of Harold’s success and has had some issues, ahem, not letting things… go. And there’s Saul’s son, Ethan (Seth Fisher), a pharmaceutical rep who’s obsessed with finding the perfect fit. He wears nurse’s shoes and can’t stand his girlfriend Christina’s (Mei Melancon) sloppy eating. At the beginning of this tale of three Blumenthals, Saul is sitting shiva for Harold, and Ethan has just dumped Christina. We also can’t forget Saul’s wife, Cheryl (Laila Robins), an actress assessing her age and her career in the wake of Harold’s death. All of our Blumenthals, in their own analytical/intellectual ways, are reeling out of control,...
- 2/2/2013
- by Katie Walsh
- The Playlist
The body of the Sundance Film Festival isn't even cold yet, but Hollywood filmmakers, publicists, talent, and press will find themselves leaving behind the parkas and gearing up for the Santa Barbara International Film Festival this weekend. It kicked off last night with the premiere of Henry Alex-Rubin's "Disconnect," and today, we've got an exclusive look at the trailer and poster for a film making its debut in Santa Barbara this weekend, Seth Fisher's "Blumenthal." Written, directed by and starring Fisher, the dramedy co-stars Brian Cox as Harold Blumenthal, a legendary playwright whose death leaves his family reeling in any number of improbable ways. Drug rep nephew Ethan (Fisher) tries to navigate his rocky relationships during this time, Harold's brother Saul has his own somewhat embarrassing issues, all while Saul's second wife Cheryl longs for the glory days. And as you'll see in the exclusive trailer below, it looks like.
- 1/25/2013
- by Katie Walsh
- The Playlist
There’s a lot of filmmaking advice out there, but as you know from reading this magazine and website, I favor instruction from people who are in the trenches themselves. Director Seth Fisher sent me an email about his movie, Passing Harold Blumenthal, a while back, and I’m only just getting to it now. Consequently, I missed the chance to plug his Kickstarter — not that he needed it, though, because he successfully raised $50,000. But it’s not too late to plug his blog, which I’ve just paged through. At Watch Me Make a Movie, Fisher is walking you through his process, step by step from development and financing through pre-production all the way through post and, presumably, distribution. (Right now he’s editing, having just added an external monitor to his Macbook Pro set up.)
What’s good about the blog is how practical and direct Fisher’s comments are.
What’s good about the blog is how practical and direct Fisher’s comments are.
- 7/27/2011
- by Scott Macaulay
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Here's a quick glance at a few interesting and/or noteworthy projects that were recently added to IMDbPro's database of in-development titles.
As Cool as I Am – Claire Danes and James Marsden star in this coming-of-age tale from Adam director Max Mayer. Wind Dancer is producing the project, which begins filming in New Mexico next month.
Turning Stones – Tim Roth returns to the director’s chair with this feature adaptation of actor-turned-social worker Marc Parent’s memoir about saving New York children from their abusive parents.
Passing Harold Blumenthal – Brian Cox stars in Seth Fisher's indie pic as the titular playwright whose heart attack forces his estranged family to deal with their own personal obstacles, including, in one case, an epic bout of constipation.
Love, Scotch and Death – Dexter creator James Manos Jr. has tapped his series’ sympathetic schizoid, Michael C. Hall to star in this dark indie comedy based on events in the writer’s life. Vera Farminga co-stars.
If you know of something in the works, you can submit it via our online submission form.
As Cool as I Am – Claire Danes and James Marsden star in this coming-of-age tale from Adam director Max Mayer. Wind Dancer is producing the project, which begins filming in New Mexico next month.
Turning Stones – Tim Roth returns to the director’s chair with this feature adaptation of actor-turned-social worker Marc Parent’s memoir about saving New York children from their abusive parents.
Passing Harold Blumenthal – Brian Cox stars in Seth Fisher's indie pic as the titular playwright whose heart attack forces his estranged family to deal with their own personal obstacles, including, in one case, an epic bout of constipation.
Love, Scotch and Death – Dexter creator James Manos Jr. has tapped his series’ sympathetic schizoid, Michael C. Hall to star in this dark indie comedy based on events in the writer’s life. Vera Farminga co-stars.
If you know of something in the works, you can submit it via our online submission form.
- 4/22/2011
- by Eric Greene
- IMDbPro News
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