Close-Up is a column that spotlights films now playing on Mubi. Two Lovers is playing on Mubi in the Us through September 15.Little Odessa (1994), The Yards (2000), We Own the Night (2007), The Immigrant (2013): Written and directed by James Gray, these four films are occupied by characters living extraordinary lives. Yet despite their depiction of an exceptional existence—covering cold-blooded killers, cunning gangsters, ruthless hit men, and the perilous plight of early 20th century immigrants—Gray's cinematic worlds are consistently unassuming and relatable. No matter how high the drama or how dire the circumstances, there is a palpable attention to detail, in character and setting, which attains a surprising level of modest believability. Two Lovers (2009), his fourth feature film, likewise achieves this authenticity, but it is also something of an exemption to his body of work. Anchored by Joaquin Phoenix as Leonard Kraditor, in what was the actor's third straight film...
- 8/16/2015
- by Jeremy Carr
- MUBI
James Gray's reception in North America is a little bewildering, regardless of which side you stand on. To some, including this author, Gray's qualities as a filmmaker are obvious. Decidedly at odds with the trends of contemporary cinema since he made his debut with Little Odessa in 1994 (something discussed in the following interview), Gray's so-called "classical" style is invested in things seemingly forgotten in American movies. He stands outside of the present, yet it is far too simple to say he comes out of the past. Aside from Clint Eastwood, is there another director working in Hollywood making subtle, emotional, expertly-crafted dramas while also maintaining a delicately mannered mise en scène? Because of this, Gray seems out of place. Maybe that explains the lack of Cannes awards on his shelf (despite four trips to the festival's competition), the dissenting reviews (which don't even appear to be written on the...
- 10/6/2013
- by Adam Cook
- MUBI
It would appear that director James Gray has a found a new collaborator behind the camera. With his previous two efforts "Two Lovers" and "We Own The Night" lensed by Joaquín Baca-Asay, for the upcoming "Lowlife," Gray teamed with Darius Khondji ("Se7en," "Midnight In Paris," Academy Award nominee for "Evita"), and he rang him up again for this quick job. Gray has directed a new ad for Martell Xo cognac entitled "Rise Above." It's a classy little spot, showing the before and after of creative inspiration in a variety of mediums. It's always interesting to see a director adjust their skills for the purposes of marketing, and Gray comes off well, and at least this isn't that Brad Pitt Chanel spot. Give it a spin below. [Fubiz]...
- 1/13/2013
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
For most of its early stages, it seemed like the biopic "Dirty White Boy" could do no wrong. First, Michael K. Williams (aka Omar from HBO's "The Wire") was cast to play the late rapper Ol' Dirty Bastard (or Odb) in the film, and then it looked like the actual members of the Wu-Tang Clan were going to appear as themselves in the movie. While this blew our collective minds, the fact that the Wu-Tang would play themselves in a movie more or less about themselves alongside Williams had a suspicious element of being too good to be true. When Gza, Odb's cousin and fellow founding member of the Wu-Tang, announced he wasn't going to appear in the film, those suspicions were realized.
Gza won't be the only Wu-Tang member to step away from the biopic. Count Raekwon out too. Pitchfork got word from Raekwon's representatives that he...
Gza won't be the only Wu-Tang member to step away from the biopic. Count Raekwon out too. Pitchfork got word from Raekwon's representatives that he...
- 6/6/2012
- by Ryan Gowland
- The Playlist
While our minds were being blown by the possibility of Michael K. Williams playing Ol’ Dirty Bastard alongside the actual Wu-Tang Clan in the upcoming Odb biopic “Dirty White Boy,” Gza’s rep was writing to Pitchfork to say that ”[Gza] is not appearing in the Odb / Jarred Weisfeld movie. I can’t speak for the rest of the group, but definitely not true about Gza.”
To be fair, it was always unlikely that the entirety of the Wu-Tang Clan would appear, given each of the members’ busy schedules. We just hope that something will be worked out with the rest of the Wu that would allow them to appear in the film. Although who knows, maybe the filmmakers will be able to repeat their casting of Williams and find someone perfect for Gza, and the rest of the Clan if need be. Either that or maybe they could just hologram them in there or something.
To be fair, it was always unlikely that the entirety of the Wu-Tang Clan would appear, given each of the members’ busy schedules. We just hope that something will be worked out with the rest of the Wu that would allow them to appear in the film. Although who knows, maybe the filmmakers will be able to repeat their casting of Williams and find someone perfect for Gza, and the rest of the Clan if need be. Either that or maybe they could just hologram them in there or something.
- 6/4/2012
- by Cain Rodriguez
- The Playlist
(Fitting, that one should write a story pertaining to the Wu-Tang Clan on the day of Richard Dawson‘s death.)
Although our first (and only) report on Dirty White Boy — an Ol’ Dirty Bastard biopic led by Michael K. Williams — alleged that the film would put a strong focus on the man’s time in prison and subsequent, final years, room still exists for his old (dirty) crowd. In an interview with The New York Post, Williams said those involved with the film “have no desire to cast any actors as the Wu-Tang,” and will, therefore, “need all hands on deck.” If yours truly knew any Wu-Tang tunes — that is, other than their most famous song — I have no doubt that a good reference could be made. But here we are.
A few members have acting experience — Method Man co-starred with Williams on The Wire, as a matter of fact...
Although our first (and only) report on Dirty White Boy — an Ol’ Dirty Bastard biopic led by Michael K. Williams — alleged that the film would put a strong focus on the man’s time in prison and subsequent, final years, room still exists for his old (dirty) crowd. In an interview with The New York Post, Williams said those involved with the film “have no desire to cast any actors as the Wu-Tang,” and will, therefore, “need all hands on deck.” If yours truly knew any Wu-Tang tunes — that is, other than their most famous song — I have no doubt that a good reference could be made. But here we are.
A few members have acting experience — Method Man co-starred with Williams on The Wire, as a matter of fact...
- 6/3/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Music biopics come and go, but this spring minds were blown when the always awesome Michael K. Williams was cast as Ol' Dirty Bastard in the film "Dirty White Boy." Of course, any movie involving Odb has to include the Wu-Tang Clan, and the idea of trying to find actors to fill those roles would be a mind-boggling challenge. But likely, the filmmakers don't have to worry about that.
“[We] have no desire to cast any actors as the Wu-Tang,” Williams told the New York Daily News (via Shadow & Act). “We need all hands on deck.” The paper goes on to add that we can "expect to see" RZA, Gza, Method Man, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah in the film along with other members like Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa and Cappadonna. So in short, it will be Michael K. Williams as Odb hanging out with actual Wu-Tang Clan, which is basically...
“[We] have no desire to cast any actors as the Wu-Tang,” Williams told the New York Daily News (via Shadow & Act). “We need all hands on deck.” The paper goes on to add that we can "expect to see" RZA, Gza, Method Man, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah in the film along with other members like Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa and Cappadonna. So in short, it will be Michael K. Williams as Odb hanging out with actual Wu-Tang Clan, which is basically...
- 6/1/2012
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
Hip-hop icon and founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan Ol’ Dirty Bastard is set to be the subject of not one, but two, upcoming biopics – and we’ve got casting news for one of them. Actor Michael K. Williams will play the late Mc in Joaquín Baca-Asay’s upcoming Dirty White Boy according to EW. We love this casting. Williams, best known for his work in The Wire and Boardwalk Empire, seems perfectly suited to play the troubled Odb. Dirty White Boy focuses on the last few years of the rapper’s life, chronicling the bizarre relationship between the Wu-Tang member and Jarred Weisfeld, a 22-year-old VH1 production assistant who eventually became the Odb’s manager. The role of Weisfeld remains unfilled, but we suspect the usual assortment of...
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- 3/24/2012
- by Mike Bracken
- Movies.com
There have been only a few movie biopics that dare to tell the story of iconic deceased rappers, and even fewer that told the story well. Maybe it was the lack of star power or the weak script, but one movie could change all that. Its called Dirty White Boy its about how Wu-Tang Clan co-founder Ol’ Dirty Bastard, aka Russell Jones, was partially conned into letting an unproven VH1 production assistant named Jarred Weisfeld manage him while the rapper was in jail.
EW is reporting that The Wire star Michael K. Williams has come on board to play as Ol Dirty Bastard. Joaquín Baca-Asay, the cinematographer on We Own the Night, Roger Dodger and Jay-z’s video for 99 Problems, is also joining the project, making his feature directorial debut.
According to EW “The movie is based on the final years of Odb’s life — a true story that is nonetheless stranger than fiction.
EW is reporting that The Wire star Michael K. Williams has come on board to play as Ol Dirty Bastard. Joaquín Baca-Asay, the cinematographer on We Own the Night, Roger Dodger and Jay-z’s video for 99 Problems, is also joining the project, making his feature directorial debut.
According to EW “The movie is based on the final years of Odb’s life — a true story that is nonetheless stranger than fiction.
- 3/23/2012
- by Mike Lee
- FusedFilm
Comingsoon reports that Michael K. Williams is set to play Wu-Tang Clan's Ol' Dirty Bastard (Russell Jones) in a new biopic. Dirty White Boy is being developed by Lars Knudsen and Jack Vay Hoy's Parts & Labor, the team who produced Mike Mills' Beginners. They are working with Todd Hagopian at Ocean Size Pictures to produce the movie about the late rapper. Williams is best known for playing Omar Little on HBO's The Wire and most recently seen as Chalky White on Boardwalk Empire. The film will be directed by first-time Joaquin Baca-Asay based on the screenplay by Brent Hoff.
The film is "based on the true story of Jarred Weisfeld, a 22-year-old VH1 employee from the suburbs who becomes friends with the notorious star and it follows their misadventures right up until the time of Ol' Dirty Bastard's untimely death in 2004. Weisfeld and the rapper's mother Cherry Jones...
The film is "based on the true story of Jarred Weisfeld, a 22-year-old VH1 employee from the suburbs who becomes friends with the notorious star and it follows their misadventures right up until the time of Ol' Dirty Bastard's untimely death in 2004. Weisfeld and the rapper's mother Cherry Jones...
- 3/23/2012
- by Tiberius
- GeekTyrant
Michael K Williams, who played drug vigilante Omar Little, to take role of controversial Wu-Tang Clan rapper in film
The actor who played drug vigilante Omar Little in TV series The Wire is to take on the role of Ol' Dirty Bastard in a film. Plans are moving ahead for Dirty White Boy, a movie based on the late and notorious rapper, starring the Baltimore crime drama's Michael K Williams.
Dirty White Boy focuses not just on Odb, born Russell Jones, but also on Jarred Weisfeld, the titular white boy, who met the musician when he was a 22-year-old VH1 production assistant. Weisfeld gradually became Odb's manager, Entertainment Weekly reports, engineering the rapper's comeback. His plan was cut short by Ol' Dirty Bastard's fatal drug overdose in November 2004.
Williams's casting comes courtesy of first-time director Joaquín Baca-Asay, best known as the cinematographer for Jay-z's 99 Problems music video.
The actor who played drug vigilante Omar Little in TV series The Wire is to take on the role of Ol' Dirty Bastard in a film. Plans are moving ahead for Dirty White Boy, a movie based on the late and notorious rapper, starring the Baltimore crime drama's Michael K Williams.
Dirty White Boy focuses not just on Odb, born Russell Jones, but also on Jarred Weisfeld, the titular white boy, who met the musician when he was a 22-year-old VH1 production assistant. Weisfeld gradually became Odb's manager, Entertainment Weekly reports, engineering the rapper's comeback. His plan was cut short by Ol' Dirty Bastard's fatal drug overdose in November 2004.
Williams's casting comes courtesy of first-time director Joaquín Baca-Asay, best known as the cinematographer for Jay-z's 99 Problems music video.
- 3/23/2012
- by Sean Michaels
- The Guardian - Film News
Parts & Labor, the producing company behind Mike Mills' acclaimed "Beginners", are teaming with Ocean Size Pictures to produce the biopic "Dirty White Boy" about late Wu-Tang Clan rapper Ol' Dirty Bastard reports HipHopDX.
Michael Kenneth Williams, best known for his role as Omar Little on HBO's "The Wire", will be playing the controversial and eclectic hip-hop legend in the film from first time helmer Joaquin Baca-Asay.
The true story follows Jarred Weisfeld, a 22-year-old VH1 employee from the suburbs who becomes friends with the notorious star and it follows their misadventures right up until the time of Ol' Dirty Bastard's untimely death in 2004. Brent Hoff penned the script
Weisfeld and the rapper's mother Cherry Jones have given their full support and cooperation with Ocean Size Pictures. Lars Knudsen, Jack Vay Hoy and Todd Hagopian will produce.
Michael Kenneth Williams, best known for his role as Omar Little on HBO's "The Wire", will be playing the controversial and eclectic hip-hop legend in the film from first time helmer Joaquin Baca-Asay.
The true story follows Jarred Weisfeld, a 22-year-old VH1 employee from the suburbs who becomes friends with the notorious star and it follows their misadventures right up until the time of Ol' Dirty Bastard's untimely death in 2004. Brent Hoff penned the script
Weisfeld and the rapper's mother Cherry Jones have given their full support and cooperation with Ocean Size Pictures. Lars Knudsen, Jack Vay Hoy and Todd Hagopian will produce.
- 3/23/2012
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Michael K. Williams is a Bastard...Ol' Dirty Bastard, that is. The acclaimed TV actor is set to take on the role of the late rapper, who died of a drug overdose in 2004, in "Dirty White Boy", a new biopic that will center on the rise of Jarred Weisfeld, a former VH1 intern who sold his idea for a TV show to Odb as a young man and later went on to become the hip-hop star's manager. Brent Hoff wrote the screenplay for the film, which will serve as the feature directorial debut of Joaquin Baca-Asay, a cinematographer and commercial/music video...
- 3/23/2012
- by Chris Eggertsen
- Hitfix
One of the most entertaining rappers in history is getting his own movie-- Ol' Dirty Bastard also known as: Dirt Dog, Dirt McGirt, O.D.B., Ason Unique, Osirus, and Big Baby Jesus. The last alias is one of my personal favorites. Even more amazing than a semi-biopic on the rapper is the guy playing him, The Wire and Boardwalk Empire's Michael K. Williams. The film will be the directorial debut of Joaquín Baca-Asay, the cinematographer on We Own The Night, Rodger Dodger, and Jay-z's music...
- 3/22/2012
- by Niki Stephens
- JoBlo.com
Parts and Labor, the company behind award-winning Beginners," will next develop "Dirty White Boy," a movie about the late Wu-Tang Clan member Ol' Dirty Bastard. Michael Kenneth Williams ("The Wire") is set to play the rapper, born Russell Jones. The film is based on the true story of Jarred Weisfeld, a 22-year-old VH1 employee from the suburbs who becomes friends with the notorious star and it follows their misadventures right up until the time of Ol' Dirty Bastard's untimely death in 2004. "We both knew full well who Ol' Dirty Bastard was but this story completely floored us," the production company. "As filmmakers, we knew that this would make a great film and that Jarred Weisfeld would offer an actor a complicated and compelling character to play. This felt to us like 'Risky Business' and '8 Mile,' with equal elements of darkness, humor, and humanity." "Dirty White...
- 3/22/2012
- WorstPreviews.com
Boardwalk Empire star Michael K. Williams is set to play tragic Wu-tang Clan rapper Ol' Dirty Bastard in a new biopic.
The actor will portray the Ghetto Superstar hitmaker in Dirty White Boy, an upcoming film which will centre on the final years of the hip-hop star's life. The project will largely focus on Ol' Dirty Bastard's friendship with Jarred Weisfeld, an inexperienced production assistant, who charmed his way into becoming the superstar's manager.
Joaquin Baca-Asay, the cinematographer behind Jay-z's 99 Problems music video, will make direct the movie, while Lars Knudsen and Jay Van Hoy, whose Beginners film won Christopher Plummer an Oscar last month, are set to produce.
Casting for Weisfeld's character has not yet been completed but, according to Entertainment Weekly, he's already signed on as a consultant. Ol' Dirty Bastard's mother will also cooperate with producers to ensure her son's life is properly portrayed.
Ol' Dirty Bastard, real name Russell Jones, died of an accidental drug overdose on 13 November, 2004 - just two days shy of his 36th birthday.
The actor will portray the Ghetto Superstar hitmaker in Dirty White Boy, an upcoming film which will centre on the final years of the hip-hop star's life. The project will largely focus on Ol' Dirty Bastard's friendship with Jarred Weisfeld, an inexperienced production assistant, who charmed his way into becoming the superstar's manager.
Joaquin Baca-Asay, the cinematographer behind Jay-z's 99 Problems music video, will make direct the movie, while Lars Knudsen and Jay Van Hoy, whose Beginners film won Christopher Plummer an Oscar last month, are set to produce.
Casting for Weisfeld's character has not yet been completed but, according to Entertainment Weekly, he's already signed on as a consultant. Ol' Dirty Bastard's mother will also cooperate with producers to ensure her son's life is properly portrayed.
Ol' Dirty Bastard, real name Russell Jones, died of an accidental drug overdose on 13 November, 2004 - just two days shy of his 36th birthday.
- 3/22/2012
- WENN
Even if you're not generally a fan of music biopics, this one just might have what it takes to get you interested. This week it has been announced that Michael K. Williams, best known for playing Omar on The Wire, will star in an upcoming biopic about former Wu-Tang Clan member Ol' Dirty Bastard. The movie will be called Dirty White Boy and it is being produced by Lars Knudsen and Jay Van Hoy (Beginners). Odb (né Russell Jones) struggled with drug addiction and legal troubles over the years before eventually dying of a drug overdose in 2004. Commercial and music video director / long-time cinematographer Joaquin Baca-Asay will make this his feature directorial debut. According to Deadline, the story will be told partially from the point of view of Jarred Weisfeld, a young VH1 intern who became Odb's manager. No word yet on who will play that role, but the script...
- 3/22/2012
- by Sean
- FilmJunk
When it comes to legendary television characters, few have the street cred and instant cache as the late, lamented Omar Little from "The Wire."
And when it comes to legendary hip hop stars, nobody has the same cool factor as the dearly departed master of madness, Ol' Dirty Bastard. So what happens when you put the two together?
You get 36 chambers of pure movie magic, that's what.
Here's the scoop: According to FilmDrunk, Michael K. Williams, who played Omar on the beloved HBO crime drama "The Wire," has just signed on to portray Ol' Dirty Bastard in an upcoming biopic titled "Dirty White Boy." The title refers to the fact that the story revolves around Odb's unlikely partnership with Jarred Weisfeld, a then-22-year-old VH1 production assistant who sweet-talked his way into becoming Odb's manager in the early 2000's.
That partnership was sadly cut short, of course, when the Wu-Tang clan...
And when it comes to legendary hip hop stars, nobody has the same cool factor as the dearly departed master of madness, Ol' Dirty Bastard. So what happens when you put the two together?
You get 36 chambers of pure movie magic, that's what.
Here's the scoop: According to FilmDrunk, Michael K. Williams, who played Omar on the beloved HBO crime drama "The Wire," has just signed on to portray Ol' Dirty Bastard in an upcoming biopic titled "Dirty White Boy." The title refers to the fact that the story revolves around Odb's unlikely partnership with Jarred Weisfeld, a then-22-year-old VH1 production assistant who sweet-talked his way into becoming Odb's manager in the early 2000's.
That partnership was sadly cut short, of course, when the Wu-Tang clan...
- 3/22/2012
- by Scott Harris
- NextMovie
If you were a hip-hop fan growing up in the 90′s, there was a good chance you owned at least one Wu Tang Clan album. Coming into mainstream consciousness in 1993 with the single “Protect Ya Neck”, Wu Tang grew to become one of the most influential voices in hip hop. While every member had skill behind the mic and could outclass nearly every other hip-hop artist they came across, the one that stood out the most was Ol’ Dirty Bastard.
His off-kilter and slightly psychotic style was unique only to him and still hasn’t been duplicated to this day, while his public persona was simultaneously hilarious (an MTV spot where he drove in a Limo to go pick up his welfare check) and heartbreaking (drug abuse, arrests, name changes for no reason, erratic and scary behavior). But despite his troubles, Odb was still in demand and was mounting a...
His off-kilter and slightly psychotic style was unique only to him and still hasn’t been duplicated to this day, while his public persona was simultaneously hilarious (an MTV spot where he drove in a Limo to go pick up his welfare check) and heartbreaking (drug abuse, arrests, name changes for no reason, erratic and scary behavior). But despite his troubles, Odb was still in demand and was mounting a...
- 3/22/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Brooklyn stand up!
According to Entertainment Weekly, "Boardwalk Empire" star Michael K. Williams is set to play fellow New Yorker Ol' Dirty Bastard in the biopic "Dirty White Boy."
Born Russell Jones, Dirty rose to fame as a rapper and co-founder of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan. Sadly, the rapper's career was cut short in 2004, when he passed away from a drug overdose.
"Dirty White Boy" follows Dirty during the final years of his life. The film centers around the friendship he struck up with 22-year-old VH1 production assistant Jarred Weisfeld, who went on to become the rapper's manager.
"We both knew full well who Ol' Dirty Bastard was but this story completely floored us. As filmmakers, we knew that this would make a great film and that Jarred Weisfeld would offer an actor a complicated and compelling character to play," said producers Lars Knudsen and Jay Van Hoy ("Beginners") in a press release.
According to Entertainment Weekly, "Boardwalk Empire" star Michael K. Williams is set to play fellow New Yorker Ol' Dirty Bastard in the biopic "Dirty White Boy."
Born Russell Jones, Dirty rose to fame as a rapper and co-founder of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan. Sadly, the rapper's career was cut short in 2004, when he passed away from a drug overdose.
"Dirty White Boy" follows Dirty during the final years of his life. The film centers around the friendship he struck up with 22-year-old VH1 production assistant Jarred Weisfeld, who went on to become the rapper's manager.
"We both knew full well who Ol' Dirty Bastard was but this story completely floored us. As filmmakers, we knew that this would make a great film and that Jarred Weisfeld would offer an actor a complicated and compelling character to play," said producers Lars Knudsen and Jay Van Hoy ("Beginners") in a press release.
- 3/22/2012
- by Alex Suskind
- Huffington Post
Brooklyn stand up! According to Entertainment Weekly, "Boardwalk Empire" star Michael K. Williams is set to play fellow New Yorker Ol' Dirty Bastard in the biopic "Dirty White Boy." Born Russell Jones, Dirty rose to fame as a rapper and co-founder of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan. Sadly, the rapper's career was cut short in 2004, when he passed away from a drug overdose. "Dirty White Boy" follows Dirty during the final years of his life. The film centers around the friendship he struck up with 22-year-old VH1 production assistant Jarred Weisfeld, who went on to become the rapper's manager. "We both knew full well who Ol' Dirty Bastard was but this story completely floored us. As filmmakers, we knew that this would make a great film and that Jarred Weisfeld would offer an actor a complicated and compelling character to play," said producers Lars Knudsen and Jay Van Hoy ("Beginners") in a press release.
- 3/22/2012
- by Alex Suskind
- Moviefone
While biopics on N.W.A. and Tupac have been talked about for a while now, and seem to be stuck in development, it looks like a movie about one of their contemporaries is not only moving forward, but has made a brilliant and bold casting choice: Michael K. Williams (aka Omar from "The Wire") will be playing Ol' Dirty Bastard in "Dirty White Boy." Fucking yes.
Back in 2009, RZA was talking up a biopic and cautioned that the rapper's "estate is kind of confused on what to do, and all the rights and all that shit" but it appears everything has been worked out. Penned by Brent Hoff, the film will be the directorial debut of Joaquin Baca-Asay, the cinematographer behind James Gray's "Two Lovers," "We Own The Night" and Mike Mills' "Thumbsucker." He's also a commerical and music video director who was the Dop behind Mark Romanek...
Back in 2009, RZA was talking up a biopic and cautioned that the rapper's "estate is kind of confused on what to do, and all the rights and all that shit" but it appears everything has been worked out. Penned by Brent Hoff, the film will be the directorial debut of Joaquin Baca-Asay, the cinematographer behind James Gray's "Two Lovers," "We Own The Night" and Mike Mills' "Thumbsucker." He's also a commerical and music video director who was the Dop behind Mark Romanek...
- 3/22/2012
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
Michael K. Williams will star as the late hip-hop artist Ol’ Dirty Bastard, a.k.a. Russell Jones, in the feature film Dirty White Boy, based on the true story of Jarred Weisfeld, a 22-year-old VH1-intern-turned-manager, and his misadventures with the legendary rapper leading up to the performer's tragic death in 2004. Joaquin Baca-Asay is making is feature directorial debut on the project, working with an original screenplay by Brent Hoff. Parts & Labor’s Lars Knudsen and Jay Van Hoy – the producing team behind Beginners, for which Christopher Plummer received an Academy Award
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- 3/22/2012
- by Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Parts & Labor’s Lars Knudsen and Jay Van Hoy — the producing duo behind Mike Mills’ Oscar-winning film Beginners which won Christopher Plummer his first Academy Award last month — announced today that they are partnering with Todd Hagopian at Ocean Size Pictures, to produce Dirty White Boy. Michael K. Williams (The Wire, Boardwalk Empire) is set to star as the late hip-hop artist Ol’ Dirty Bastard (real name: Russell Jones). Joaquin Baca-Asay is making his feature directorial debut of this original screenplay by Brent Hoff. Oliver Simon and Daniel Baur´s K5 International is financing the film and handling all worldwide sales. Based on a true story, Dirty White Boy chronicles the astounding rise of Jarred Weisfeld, a 22-year-old VH1-intern-turned-manager, and his misadventures with the legendary rapper leading up to the performer’s tragic death in 2004. The project originated with Hagopian’s Ocean Size Pictures with...
- 3/22/2012
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
As the deadly stick-up man Omar Little on The Wire and the fearsome bootlegger Chalky White on Boardwalk Empire, actor Michael K. Williams has played his share of tough SOBs. Now he’s going to take on a bastard.
An Ol’ Dirty one.
EW has learned exclusively that Williams, 45, will star in an upcoming film about the legendary Wu-Tang Clan rapper and all-around troubled soul Russell Jones, a.k.a. Ol’ Dirty Bastard, whose impressive mic skills and outrageous showmanship were eclipsed by his erratic offstage behavior, assorted arrests, and an early death.
Joaquín Baca-Asay, the cinematographer on We Own the Night,...
An Ol’ Dirty one.
EW has learned exclusively that Williams, 45, will star in an upcoming film about the legendary Wu-Tang Clan rapper and all-around troubled soul Russell Jones, a.k.a. Ol’ Dirty Bastard, whose impressive mic skills and outrageous showmanship were eclipsed by his erratic offstage behavior, assorted arrests, and an early death.
Joaquín Baca-Asay, the cinematographer on We Own the Night,...
- 3/22/2012
- by Anthony Breznican
- EW - Inside Movies
Production company Parts & Labor, the team of Lars Knudsen and Jack Vay Hoy who produced Mike Mills' Beginners , is teaming with Todd Hagopian at Ocean Size PIctures to produce Dirty White Boy , a movie about the late Wu-Tang Clan rapper known as Ol' Dirty Bastard. Michael Kenneth Williams, famous for playing Omar Little on HBO's "The Wire" and most recently seen as Chalky White on "Boardwalk Empire," will be playing the controversial and eclectic hip-hop legend, born Russell Jones. It will be directed by first-time Joaquin Baca-Asay based on the screenplay by Brent Hoff. The film is based on the true story of Jarred Weisfeld, a 22-year-old VH1 employee from the suburbs who becomes friends with the notorious star and it follows their misadventures right up...
- 3/22/2012
- Comingsoon.net
The DGA, which unveiled the small-screen nominations in eight categories last Friday, will announce the winners Jan. 30 at its 62nd annual awards ceremonies at the Century Plaza Hotel. AMC’s Mad Men received three Directors Guild of America TV nominations for drama series and HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm and Fox’s Glee each got a pair for comedy. The nominations included a trio of season finales in Mad Men, Curb and ABC’s Lost. In the comedy category, two shows — the pilot for ABC’s Modern Family and Glee — also received nominations.
Thomas Carter scored a nomination in the TV movie-miniseries category for TNT’s Gifted Hands — The Ben Carson Story along with Bob Balaban for Liftetime’s George O’Keefe, John Kent Harrison for CBS’s The Courageous Heart of Irene Sandler, Ross Katz for HBO’s Taking Chance and Michael Sucsy for HBO’s Grey Gardens.
Here...
Thomas Carter scored a nomination in the TV movie-miniseries category for TNT’s Gifted Hands — The Ben Carson Story along with Bob Balaban for Liftetime’s George O’Keefe, John Kent Harrison for CBS’s The Courageous Heart of Irene Sandler, Ross Katz for HBO’s Taking Chance and Michael Sucsy for HBO’s Grey Gardens.
Here...
- 1/11/2010
- by Joe Gillis
- The Flickcast
The Directors Guild of America has released its list of TV nominees.
While usual favorites "The Office" and "30 Rock" are conspicuously absent from the Comedy category, AMC drama "Mad Men" dominates the Drama category with three nominations. "Lost" and "In Treatment" nab the other two slots.
The full list of nominees is as follows:
Movies for Television
Bob Balaban, "Georgia O'Keeffe"
Thomas Carter, "Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story"
John Kent Harrison, "The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler"
Ross Katz, "Taking Chance"
Michael Sucsy, "Grey Gardens"
Dramatic Series
Paris Barclay, "In Treatment"
Jack Bender, "Lost"
Jennifer Getzinger, "Mad Men"
Lesli Linka Glatter, "Mad Men"
Matthew Weiner, "Mad Men"
Comedy Series
Paris Barclay, "Glee"
Larry Charles, "Curb Your Enthusiasm"
Ryan Murphy, "Glee"
Jeff Schaffer, "Curb Your Enthusiasm"
Jason Winer, "Modern Family"
Musical Variety
Joel Gallen, "The 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert"
Roger Goodman, "81st Annual Academy Awards"
Louis Horvitz,...
While usual favorites "The Office" and "30 Rock" are conspicuously absent from the Comedy category, AMC drama "Mad Men" dominates the Drama category with three nominations. "Lost" and "In Treatment" nab the other two slots.
The full list of nominees is as follows:
Movies for Television
Bob Balaban, "Georgia O'Keeffe"
Thomas Carter, "Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story"
John Kent Harrison, "The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler"
Ross Katz, "Taking Chance"
Michael Sucsy, "Grey Gardens"
Dramatic Series
Paris Barclay, "In Treatment"
Jack Bender, "Lost"
Jennifer Getzinger, "Mad Men"
Lesli Linka Glatter, "Mad Men"
Matthew Weiner, "Mad Men"
Comedy Series
Paris Barclay, "Glee"
Larry Charles, "Curb Your Enthusiasm"
Ryan Murphy, "Glee"
Jeff Schaffer, "Curb Your Enthusiasm"
Jason Winer, "Modern Family"
Musical Variety
Joel Gallen, "The 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert"
Roger Goodman, "81st Annual Academy Awards"
Louis Horvitz,...
- 1/8/2010
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
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