On Christmas Eve 1951, NBC aired the very first “Hallmark Hall of Fame” with the world premiere of Gian Carlo Menotti’s Christmas opera “Amahl and the Night Visitors.” Rosemary Kuhlman and 12-year-old Chet Allen starred in this Peabody and Christopher Award-winning holiday story of the three Magi who stay with a young physically disabled boy and his widowed mother on their way to Bethlehem to find the Christ child. The presentation was so popular, the cast reprised their roles the following April. The production was done three more times in the 1950s on NBC, but Bill McIver played Amahl because Allen’s voice had changed.
The “Hallmark Hall of Fame,” which would air on NBC, ABC and CBS and is now exclusively on the Hallmark Channel, is the longest-running primetime series in TV history. In the past 70 years it has won over 80 Emmy Awards and dozens of Peabody Awards, Golden Globes,...
The “Hallmark Hall of Fame,” which would air on NBC, ABC and CBS and is now exclusively on the Hallmark Channel, is the longest-running primetime series in TV history. In the past 70 years it has won over 80 Emmy Awards and dozens of Peabody Awards, Golden Globes,...
- 9/13/2021
- by Susan King
- Gold Derby
“The Predator” is about to take a bite out of the box office.
Fox’s thriller reboot is on its way to an estimated $25 million debut from 4,037 North American sites. The projection is on the lower end of earlier forecasts, which had placed it in the $23 million to $32 million range. The film earned an estimated $10.45 million on Friday.
Directed by Shane Black, “The Predator” stars Boyd Holbrook, Trevante Rhodes, Keegan-Michael Key, Olivia Munn, Alfie Allen, Thomas Jane, and Sterling K. Brown. The fourth installment of the “Predator” franchise follows a group of former soldiers and a biologist who have to face alien Predators that land in the Georgian backwoods. It has a 34% Rotten Tomatoes score and C+ CinemaScore. “The Predator” faced controversy after Black hired Steven Wilder Striegel, a registered sex offender, to act in the film without the knowledge of the cast or crew. Black has since apologized and...
Fox’s thriller reboot is on its way to an estimated $25 million debut from 4,037 North American sites. The projection is on the lower end of earlier forecasts, which had placed it in the $23 million to $32 million range. The film earned an estimated $10.45 million on Friday.
Directed by Shane Black, “The Predator” stars Boyd Holbrook, Trevante Rhodes, Keegan-Michael Key, Olivia Munn, Alfie Allen, Thomas Jane, and Sterling K. Brown. The fourth installment of the “Predator” franchise follows a group of former soldiers and a biologist who have to face alien Predators that land in the Georgian backwoods. It has a 34% Rotten Tomatoes score and C+ CinemaScore. “The Predator” faced controversy after Black hired Steven Wilder Striegel, a registered sex offender, to act in the film without the knowledge of the cast or crew. Black has since apologized and...
- 9/15/2018
- by Erin Nyren
- Variety Film + TV
“The Predator” has found its next feast: its box office competitors.
The Fox release is invading North American multiplexes with an estimated $25 million opening weekend at 4,307 sites, early estimates showed Friday.
The alien franchise film is coming in at the lower end of expectations, which had ranged from $25 million to $32 million. “The Predator” should be able to top the second weekend of Warner Bros.’ supernatural horror hit “The Nun,” which is projected to finish at about $20 million for a 63% decline.
Lionsgate’s opening of mystery-comedy “A Simple Favor” is heading for a sold third place with $18 million at 3,102 sites, coming in well above forecasts in the $12 million to $15 million range. Sony-Studio 8 crime drama “White Boy Rick” is also projected to top recent forecasts at about $10 million from 2,500 screens, battling for fourth place with the fifth frame of rom-com hit “Crazy Rich Asians” and the second weekend of Jennifer Garner’s thriller “Peppermint.
The Fox release is invading North American multiplexes with an estimated $25 million opening weekend at 4,307 sites, early estimates showed Friday.
The alien franchise film is coming in at the lower end of expectations, which had ranged from $25 million to $32 million. “The Predator” should be able to top the second weekend of Warner Bros.’ supernatural horror hit “The Nun,” which is projected to finish at about $20 million for a 63% decline.
Lionsgate’s opening of mystery-comedy “A Simple Favor” is heading for a sold third place with $18 million at 3,102 sites, coming in well above forecasts in the $12 million to $15 million range. Sony-Studio 8 crime drama “White Boy Rick” is also projected to top recent forecasts at about $10 million from 2,500 screens, battling for fourth place with the fifth frame of rom-com hit “Crazy Rich Asians” and the second weekend of Jennifer Garner’s thriller “Peppermint.
- 9/14/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Fox’s “The Predator” invaded the Thursday night box office with $2.5 million.
“A Simple Favor,” starring Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively, reeled in $900,000 from Thursday night previews in North America. “White Boy Rick,” meanwhile, grossed $575,000 in previews.
“The Predator” has been pegged to top the domestic box office with $25 million to $32 million in its opening weekend at 4,037 sites. Its preview number fell short of “Alien: Covenant,” which made $4.2 million on Thursday night on its way to a $36 million launch last year.
The sophomore frame of “The Nun,” which has grossed $64 million in its first six days, may challenge the new installment of the “Predator” franchise for first place. Lionsgate’s mystery thriller “A Simple Favor” will likely open between $12 million and $15 million at 3,102 venues. Sony and Studio 8’s crime drama “White Boy Rick” is projected to make between $6 million and $10 million from 2,500 screens, battling for fourth place with the...
“A Simple Favor,” starring Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively, reeled in $900,000 from Thursday night previews in North America. “White Boy Rick,” meanwhile, grossed $575,000 in previews.
“The Predator” has been pegged to top the domestic box office with $25 million to $32 million in its opening weekend at 4,037 sites. Its preview number fell short of “Alien: Covenant,” which made $4.2 million on Thursday night on its way to a $36 million launch last year.
The sophomore frame of “The Nun,” which has grossed $64 million in its first six days, may challenge the new installment of the “Predator” franchise for first place. Lionsgate’s mystery thriller “A Simple Favor” will likely open between $12 million and $15 million at 3,102 venues. Sony and Studio 8’s crime drama “White Boy Rick” is projected to make between $6 million and $10 million from 2,500 screens, battling for fourth place with the...
- 9/14/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
As Paul Harvey used to say: And now, the rest of the story. “Unbroken: Path to Redemption” serves as a kinda-sorta sequel to “Unbroken,” Angelina Jolie’s harrowing 2014 drama about the War II experiences of Louis Zamperini, the Olympian distance runner and Army Air Forces bombardier who survived 47 days on a life raft after his plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean, then endured two years of merciless torture in a Japanese Pow camp. This follow-up — which, like its predecessor, is taken from Lauren Hillenbrand’s nonfiction best-seller “Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption” — focuses on Zamperini’s postwar struggles with alcoholism, crushing disappointment (an injury prevents him from competing in another Olympics), and recurring nightmares and hallucinations triggered by Ptsd.
There is a happy ending to the story — but, unfortunately, it doesn’t arrive nearly soon enough.
It would be unfair, and not entirely accurate,...
There is a happy ending to the story — but, unfortunately, it doesn’t arrive nearly soon enough.
It would be unfair, and not entirely accurate,...
- 9/14/2018
- by Joe Leydon
- Variety Film + TV
Gratuitously prolific director Harold Cronk keeps cranking them out. Fascinated by supposedly undamaged people who turn out to be spiritually shattered given the absence of religious submissiveness in their lives, this month alone he’s behind two faith-based releases sporting such a premise: last week’s” God Bless the Broken Road,” and now “Unbroken: Path to Redemption.”
Both follow an individual’s transformation from sinfully reproaching God to realizing their woes are punishment for straying away from Him.
Produced with meager resources, “Path to Redemption” sneakily professes itself as a sort-of sequel to Angelina Jolie’s 2014 sophomore directorial effort “Unbroken,” even though they don’t share any cast members, below-the-line crew, or screenwriters. Most importantly, they are eons apart in storytelling dexterity, technical quality, and tone. Jolie’s feature was far from glorious and earned her mixed reviews, but it’s nonetheless an incomparably superior exercise in period filmmaking.
Also...
Both follow an individual’s transformation from sinfully reproaching God to realizing their woes are punishment for straying away from Him.
Produced with meager resources, “Path to Redemption” sneakily professes itself as a sort-of sequel to Angelina Jolie’s 2014 sophomore directorial effort “Unbroken,” even though they don’t share any cast members, below-the-line crew, or screenwriters. Most importantly, they are eons apart in storytelling dexterity, technical quality, and tone. Jolie’s feature was far from glorious and earned her mixed reviews, but it’s nonetheless an incomparably superior exercise in period filmmaking.
Also...
- 9/13/2018
- by Carlos Aguilar
- The Wrap
Fox’s “The Predator” should dominate the domestic box office with $25 million to $30 million in its opening weekend on Sept. 14-16, early tracking showed on Thursday.
The tracking services also showed that Lionsgate’s mystery thriller “A Simple Favor” will likely open between $12 million and $15 million that weekend, while Studio 8’s crime drama “White Boy Rick” has been pegged to launch between $5 million and $9 million with Sony handling the release. The newcomers will likely see strong competition from the second weekend of Warner Bros.’ horror entry “The Nun,” which is currently heading for a debut in the $32 million to $40 million range on Sept. 7-9.
Shane Black’s new installment of the “Predator” franchise follows the titular aliens, who return to Earth, now deadlier than ever before after taking the DNA of other species. Jacob Tremblay’s character accidentally triggers an alert that brings the Predators back to Earth.
Black...
The tracking services also showed that Lionsgate’s mystery thriller “A Simple Favor” will likely open between $12 million and $15 million that weekend, while Studio 8’s crime drama “White Boy Rick” has been pegged to launch between $5 million and $9 million with Sony handling the release. The newcomers will likely see strong competition from the second weekend of Warner Bros.’ horror entry “The Nun,” which is currently heading for a debut in the $32 million to $40 million range on Sept. 7-9.
Shane Black’s new installment of the “Predator” franchise follows the titular aliens, who return to Earth, now deadlier than ever before after taking the DNA of other species. Jacob Tremblay’s character accidentally triggers an alert that brings the Predators back to Earth.
Black...
- 8/23/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Unbroken: Path To Redemption, the film that follows the second half of Louis “Louie” Zamperini’s life and covers the second half of the Laura Hillenbrand’s New York Times‘ best-selling book, has moved up its theatrical release date to Sept. 14 from Oct. 6. By making the move, it takes the picture off the same weekend as Sony’s Venom and Warner Bros.’ A Star is Born and moves it to a weekend occupied by Moses and then the wider releases of Lionsgate’s A Simple Favor and Fox’s The Predator.
The original Unbroken was released via Universal Pictures in 2014 around the Christmas holiday. The continuation of the story was directed by Harold Kronk (God’s Not Dead and its sequel) from a script by Richard Friedenberg and Ken Hixon and was produced by Matthew Baer and Mike Elliott. The film is from Universal 1440 Entertainment, The Wta Group, and Pure Flix.
The original Unbroken was released via Universal Pictures in 2014 around the Christmas holiday. The continuation of the story was directed by Harold Kronk (God’s Not Dead and its sequel) from a script by Richard Friedenberg and Ken Hixon and was produced by Matthew Baer and Mike Elliott. The film is from Universal 1440 Entertainment, The Wta Group, and Pure Flix.
- 6/28/2018
- by Anita Busch
- Deadline Film + TV
Richard Friedenberg, Oscar-nominated for his screenplay for Robert Redford's 1991 drama A River Runs Through It, is teaming with award-winning writer Micky Levy (Rails & Tails) on a big screen adaptation of Yoav Blum's sci-fi romance novel The Coincidence Makers.
The news was unveiled Tuesday by Epic Pictures, which is developing the project alongside a television series based on the world created by Blum.
A best-seller in Blum's native Israel and published Tuesday in the U.S. by St. Martin's Press (and also in 11 other languages), The Coincidence Makers follows three seemingly ordinary people who are devoted to creating and carrying...
The news was unveiled Tuesday by Epic Pictures, which is developing the project alongside a television series based on the world created by Blum.
A best-seller in Blum's native Israel and published Tuesday in the U.S. by St. Martin's Press (and also in 11 other languages), The Coincidence Makers follows three seemingly ordinary people who are devoted to creating and carrying...
- 3/6/2018
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Loving is perhaps the least likely and most necessary film to accompany the conclusion of this year’s tumultuous U.S. presidential election: a drama that’s at once calm, even tranquil, and still a vital reminder of the possibility of progressive politics. The newest from writer-director Jeff Nichols (and his second this year, after Midnight Special) tells the story leading up to another momentous event in U.S. history, the landmark civil rights decision Loving v. Virginia, in 1967. But, as Alissa Wilkinson writes at Vox, it does so in a way unlike anything else we’ve seen in this election:It’s difficult, leading up to any election — and especially this one — to not see everything, including pop culture, through the lens of politics. But even by pre-election standards, Loving, about the couple at the center of the landmark 1967 Supreme Court case that invalidated laws prohibiting interracial marriage, would seem to be obviously political.
- 11/29/2016
- MUBI
Ruth Negga and Joel Edgerton deliver remarkably nuanced performances in Loving, a late ’50s- / early ‘60s-set true life story of a mixed-race couple whose illegal marriage became a landmark case in the United States Supreme Court. Having tried his hand at the coming-of-age drama (Mud) and both small- and large-scale science fiction (Take Shelter and Midnight Special, respectively), the increasingly prolific Jeff Nichols branches out once more here to the awards season period drama. This heartwarming and wonderfully refined film might not do a whole lot of things we haven’t seen before in the civil rights-era picture, but it does the familiar stuff with enormous care and control.
As they say about these sorts of things: you just couldn’t write it. In June 1958, at the age of 18, Mildred Delores Jeter — of African American and Native American descent — became pregnant with the child of Richard Loving, a 24-year-old white man.
As they say about these sorts of things: you just couldn’t write it. In June 1958, at the age of 18, Mildred Delores Jeter — of African American and Native American descent — became pregnant with the child of Richard Loving, a 24-year-old white man.
- 5/16/2016
- by Rory O'Connor
- The Film Stage
DVD Release Date: Nov. 13, 2012
Price: DVD $22.99
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Kristin Davis (Couples Retreat) gets out of the city and has family problems in the Lifetime movie Of Two Minds.
Sex and the City star Davis plays Billie Clark, who, after her mother dies, moves her schizophrenic sister Elizabeth Baby (Tammy Blanchard, Moneyball) in with her family. At first, Baby gets along fine with Billie, her husband (Joel Gretsch, TV ‘s V), teenage son (newcomer Alexander Le Bas in his first film) and young daughter (Mackenzie Aladjem, TV’s Nurse Jackie), until a disturbing incident involving Baby and Billie’s son causes problem. Billie is forced to make a difficult decision about what’s best for her sister and her family.
The TV movie was directed by Jim O’Hanlon (Emma), from a screenplay by Richard Friedenberg (A River Runs Through It).
Premiered on Lifetime in March 2012, Of Two Minds...
Price: DVD $22.99
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Kristin Davis (Couples Retreat) gets out of the city and has family problems in the Lifetime movie Of Two Minds.
Sex and the City star Davis plays Billie Clark, who, after her mother dies, moves her schizophrenic sister Elizabeth Baby (Tammy Blanchard, Moneyball) in with her family. At first, Baby gets along fine with Billie, her husband (Joel Gretsch, TV ‘s V), teenage son (newcomer Alexander Le Bas in his first film) and young daughter (Mackenzie Aladjem, TV’s Nurse Jackie), until a disturbing incident involving Baby and Billie’s son causes problem. Billie is forced to make a difficult decision about what’s best for her sister and her family.
The TV movie was directed by Jim O’Hanlon (Emma), from a screenplay by Richard Friedenberg (A River Runs Through It).
Premiered on Lifetime in March 2012, Of Two Minds...
- 9/22/2012
- by Sam
- Disc Dish
Lifetime's June Carter Cash biopic is adding some star power to the iconic singer's family. Frances Conroy (American Horror Story, Six Feet Under) has been tapped to play June's mother, Maybelle Carter, with X's John Doe on board to play June's uncle, A.P. Carter, the network said Monday. The project is based on Carter Cash's son John Carter Cash's memoir Anchored in Love: An Intimate Portrait of June Carter Cash. Richard Friedenberg (Lifetime's Of Two Minds) will adapt, with Southland's Allison Anders on board to direct. John Carter Cash, Steven Michaels and Jonathan Koch will executive produce. Story: Lifetime
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read more...
- 6/4/2012
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Here’s a bit of good news:
Tfh guru and friend-of-the-site Allison Anders will direct The June Carter Cash Story, an original movie about the life of June Carter Cash (wife of Johnny). The movie will star Jewel and starts filming (ahem) this June in Atlanta, for a schedule premiere on Lifetime this fall. I’d break down all the posts in the trades (Deadline! The Hollywood Reporter!), but Allison was kind enough to give us the lowdown directly.
[The June Carter Cash Story] tells June Carter’s story from her point of view (so it’s different from Walk The Line which was about Cash). While the film is also about her marriage to Johnny Cash, even his drug problem is focused back on June and her own recovery. The film is also about her life as a girl in Virginia in the Carter Family, her first two marriages, her children, and her own creativity — her drive,...
Tfh guru and friend-of-the-site Allison Anders will direct The June Carter Cash Story, an original movie about the life of June Carter Cash (wife of Johnny). The movie will star Jewel and starts filming (ahem) this June in Atlanta, for a schedule premiere on Lifetime this fall. I’d break down all the posts in the trades (Deadline! The Hollywood Reporter!), but Allison was kind enough to give us the lowdown directly.
[The June Carter Cash Story] tells June Carter’s story from her point of view (so it’s different from Walk The Line which was about Cash). While the film is also about her marriage to Johnny Cash, even his drug problem is focused back on June and her own recovery. The film is also about her life as a girl in Virginia in the Carter Family, her first two marriages, her children, and her own creativity — her drive,...
- 5/9/2012
- by Danny
- Trailers from Hell
Lifetime has greenlit The June Carter Cash Story with Jewel in the starring role.
The telepic is based on John Carter Cash’s book about his mother’s life, Anchored in Love: An Intimate Portrait of June Carter Cash. It will chronicle the singer’s life from her early beginnings to her marriage to Johnny Cash, who will be played by American Horror Story’s Matt Ross. Allison Anders (Southland) will direct from a screenplay from Richard Friedenberg (A River Runs through It).
Filming will begin this summer in Atlanta for a premiere later this year.
Read more:
Lifetime unveils serene new logo,...
The telepic is based on John Carter Cash’s book about his mother’s life, Anchored in Love: An Intimate Portrait of June Carter Cash. It will chronicle the singer’s life from her early beginnings to her marriage to Johnny Cash, who will be played by American Horror Story’s Matt Ross. Allison Anders (Southland) will direct from a screenplay from Richard Friedenberg (A River Runs through It).
Filming will begin this summer in Atlanta for a premiere later this year.
Read more:
Lifetime unveils serene new logo,...
- 5/3/2012
- by Lynette Rice
- EW - Inside TV
Reese Witherspoon, move over. Lifetime has tapped Jewel to star in The June Carter Cash Story, a biopic about the late country singer, the network said Thursday. The project is based on Carter Cash's son John Carter Cash's memoir Anchored in Love: An Intimate Portrait of June Carter Cash. Richard Friedenberg (Lifetime's Of Two Minds) will adapt, with Southland's Allison Anders on board to direct. John Carter Cash, Steven Michaels and Jonathan Koch will executive produce. American Horror Story's Matt Ross will play Johnny Cash in the story that tracks June's life from her childhood in Virginia through her rise
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read more...
- 5/3/2012
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Lifetime has greenlighted The June Carter Cash Story, an original movie starring singer Jewel as the country icon. Matt Ross (American Horror Story) is set to play music legend Johnny Cash, Carter Cash’s husband. The film is based on the memoir Anchored In Love: An Intimate Portrait Of June Carter Cash by Carter Cash’s son John Carter Cash. Allison Anders (Southland) will direct from a screenplay by Richard Friedenberg (Lifetime’s Of Two Minds). Produced by Asylum Entertainment, The June Carter Cash Story will begin filming this summer in Atlanta for a premiere later this year. Steven Michaels, Jonathan Koch and John Carter Cash are executive producing. The June Carter Cash Story follows June from early childhood growing up in the rural mountains of Virginia to her turbulent yet enduring relationship with Johnny Cash. The film chronicles June’s rise to fame with her singing family before...
- 5/3/2012
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Exclusive: Sex And The City alumna Kristin Davis has signed on to star in and executive produce Of Two Minds, a Lifetime original movie that deals with mental illness. Tammy Blanchard will star opposite Davis in the film, which chronicles the relationship between a woman (Davis) and her younger sister (Blanchard), who has schizophrenia. British director Jim O’Hanlon (The Deep) will direct from a script by Richard Friedenberg (The 19th Wife). Also producing the movie are Frank Konigsberg and Daniel Ostroff. Filming is slated to begin in mid-November in Los Angeles. Davis, repped by UTA and Mosaic, will next be seen in Journey 2: The Mysterious Island. ICM-repped Blanchard is currently seen in Moneyball.
- 10/5/2011
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
We have a sneak peek extended scene as well as pics from Lifetime Network's "The 19th Wife" which airs on September 13th. Rod Holcomb directs from the teleplay by Richard Friedenberg based on the New York Times bestseller of the same name written by David Ebershoff. Starring are Chyler Leigh, Matt Czuchry, Patricia Wettig and Jeff Hephner. Executive produced by Barbara Lieberman. “The 19th Wife” takes us inside the secret world of polygamy. Set in present day Mesadale, Utah, Becky Lynn, the “19th Wife” of Sawyer Scott, is accused of coldly murdering her husband. As the chilling murder mystery unfolds, the story flashes back to 1875, as Ann Eliza, the wife of Brigham Young, is expelled...
- 9/10/2010
- Upcoming-Movies.com
CBS is taking the Twelve Mile Road with Tom Selleck. The network has given the green light to the telefilm from Fox TV Studios based on Robert Boswell's novel Mystery Ride: My Life. Richard Friedenberg (A River Runs Through It) penned the script, originally written as a feature for 20th Century Fox, and will direct the movie. Road centers on a rough divorced rancher (Selleck) who struggles to reconnect with his angst-ridden 15-year-old daughter, who returns to the farm for the first time in 10 years to spend the summer with him.
The directorial debut of screenwriter Richard Friedenberg ("A River Runs Through It"), "The Education of Little Tree" is a well-realized Depression-era family film. However, it's a little long and too complex for most children younger than the engaging 8-year-old lead character delightfully played by Joseph Ashton ("The Little Rascals").
A Paramount release with modest theatrical potential, "Little Tree" is earnest about educating audiences, with a tale about a Cherokee boy living with his white grandfather and Indian grandmother and learning about the enormous crimes committed against Native Americans in the not-too-distant past.
But the film is also a fond re-creation of the 1930s Tennessee backwoods lifestyle of Grandpa (James Cromwell) and Grandma (Tantoo Cardinal), who are happy living off the land and keeping up the family business of making whiskey. When orphan Little Tree (Ashton) comes to live in this peaceful environment, he learns about "the way" of nature while making new friends and having adventures.
Around the fireplace one night, medicine man and family friend Willow John (Graham Greene) tells the story of the "Trail of Tears", when the Cherokee people were forced from their lands. Bitter about the past but likening the invasion of the white man to a wave that passes and leaves a few survivors, Willow John relates the somber tale so a young boy can grasp its significance in one of the film's best scenes.
Complications arise when the authorities take Little Tree away to an abominable Indian School. Escaping with the help of Grandpa, Little Tree is spared a miserable fate, but a fresh round of tragedies plays out to make him a survivor with a bright future.
With strong production values, this big little movie enlightens and entertains.
THE EDUCATION OF LITTLE TREE
Paramount Pictures
In association with Allied Films/Lightmotive
A Jake Eberts production
A Richard Friedenberg film
Writer-director: Richard Friedenberg
Producer: Jake Eberts
Co-producers: Lenny Young, Louise Gendron
Based on the novel by: Forrest Carter
Director of photography: Anastas Michos
Production designer: Dan Bishop
Costume designer: Renee April
Editor: Wayne Wahrman
Music: Mark Isham
Color/stereo
Cast:
Grandpa: James Cromwell
Grandma: Tantoo Cardinal
Little Tree: Joseph Ashton
Willow John: Graham Greene
Running time -- 115 minutes
MPAA rating: PG...
A Paramount release with modest theatrical potential, "Little Tree" is earnest about educating audiences, with a tale about a Cherokee boy living with his white grandfather and Indian grandmother and learning about the enormous crimes committed against Native Americans in the not-too-distant past.
But the film is also a fond re-creation of the 1930s Tennessee backwoods lifestyle of Grandpa (James Cromwell) and Grandma (Tantoo Cardinal), who are happy living off the land and keeping up the family business of making whiskey. When orphan Little Tree (Ashton) comes to live in this peaceful environment, he learns about "the way" of nature while making new friends and having adventures.
Around the fireplace one night, medicine man and family friend Willow John (Graham Greene) tells the story of the "Trail of Tears", when the Cherokee people were forced from their lands. Bitter about the past but likening the invasion of the white man to a wave that passes and leaves a few survivors, Willow John relates the somber tale so a young boy can grasp its significance in one of the film's best scenes.
Complications arise when the authorities take Little Tree away to an abominable Indian School. Escaping with the help of Grandpa, Little Tree is spared a miserable fate, but a fresh round of tragedies plays out to make him a survivor with a bright future.
With strong production values, this big little movie enlightens and entertains.
THE EDUCATION OF LITTLE TREE
Paramount Pictures
In association with Allied Films/Lightmotive
A Jake Eberts production
A Richard Friedenberg film
Writer-director: Richard Friedenberg
Producer: Jake Eberts
Co-producers: Lenny Young, Louise Gendron
Based on the novel by: Forrest Carter
Director of photography: Anastas Michos
Production designer: Dan Bishop
Costume designer: Renee April
Editor: Wayne Wahrman
Music: Mark Isham
Color/stereo
Cast:
Grandpa: James Cromwell
Grandma: Tantoo Cardinal
Little Tree: Joseph Ashton
Willow John: Graham Greene
Running time -- 115 minutes
MPAA rating: PG...
- 12/22/1997
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
With Julia Roberts once again legging out her talents as a wrong-side-of-the-tracks gal with a heart of gold -- not to mention the short red skirt and tattoo -- her legions of pink-collar fans are likely to turn out in droves, initially, but the movie's graphic, albeit poignant, portrait of the ravages of leukemia is likely to chill the enthusiasms of those who crave ''Cinderella'' trappings and endings.
Menfolk, while perhaps saving their tender sensibilities for the upcoming Arnold Schwarzenegger opus, may also turn out in solid numbers, especially those who: a) are in hot water with their significant others and need the brownie points and b) those who wish to feign sensitivity for post-screening rewards.
Melodrama straight from the Harlequin novels or the airport rack -- she's poor, he's rich, the parents don't approve -- ''Dying Young'' is, undeniably, the slushiest slice of generic life, but this Joel Schumacher movie has many commendable qualities, including a gentleness and spunkiness that's likely to win, at least, even grunts of respect from the most elitist cynic. It features Roberts' best performance since ''Mystic Pizza'' and a credible and touching turn by Campbell Scott as the stricken, 28-year-old leukemia victim with everything to live for.
Still, you don't have to run complex tests on Richard Friedenberg's nicely delicate screenplay to sense the blood count is decidedly off in this weepie's romantic vein: While it's an everyday fact that men often fall in love with their nurses and vice versa, the love match between street-smart Hilary (how many underclass girls are named Hilary?) and book-brainy Victor doesn't ring true beyond the initial patient-nurse infatuation.
Despite several gushy, Hallmark card-ish montage sequences to the contrary -- romps along the Northern California coast, candlelit dinners (seemingly to show off a duded-to-the-nines Roberts), the romance is never completely convincing. Although there are several touching scenes of personal growth as Hilary tends to the torturously ill Victor, ''Dying's'' most vital romantic sparks are between Roberts and a handyman (Vincent D'Onofrio) who share backgrounds, enthusiasms and laughter.
Ultimately, this subplot, seemingly included as a test of temptation to demonstrate Hilary's undying devotion to Victor, backfires -- Roberts' audience, in their heart of hearts, will wish for, oh my god, that she dumps the sometimes-pompous sick guy and goes for the simple, sweet carpenter.
Swathed in the dark, luminously golden hues Schumacher has typically favored (''St. Elmo's Fire, '' ''Flatliners''), ''Dying Young'' is boosted by splendid technical textures. Unfortunately, the film's most essential technical infusion is inadequate: James Newton Howard's pluckingly gentle but altogether nondescript musical score never pumps our hearts with the sad, rapturous rushes of emotion one craves to sedate and transcend the brain's resistance.
DYING YOUNG
20th Century Fox
A Fogwood Films Production
A Joel Schumacher Film
Producers Sally Field, Kevin McCormick
Director Joel Schumacher
Screenwriter Richard Friedenberg
Based upon the novel by Marti Leimbach
Co-producer Duncan Henderson
Director of photography Juan Ruiz
Anchia
Art director Guy J. Comtois
Editor Robert Brown
Costume designerSusan Becker
MusicJames Newton Howard
Casting Mary Goldberg
Associate producer Mauri Gayton
Color/Stereo
Cast:
Hilary O'Neil Julia Roberts
Victor Geddes Campbell Scott
GordonVincent D'Onofrio
Estelle Whittier Colleen Dewhurst
Richard Geddes David Selby
Mrs. O'Neil Ellen Burstyn
Cappy Dion Anderson
Malachi George Martin
Running time -- 105 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
(c) The Hollywood Reporter...
Menfolk, while perhaps saving their tender sensibilities for the upcoming Arnold Schwarzenegger opus, may also turn out in solid numbers, especially those who: a) are in hot water with their significant others and need the brownie points and b) those who wish to feign sensitivity for post-screening rewards.
Melodrama straight from the Harlequin novels or the airport rack -- she's poor, he's rich, the parents don't approve -- ''Dying Young'' is, undeniably, the slushiest slice of generic life, but this Joel Schumacher movie has many commendable qualities, including a gentleness and spunkiness that's likely to win, at least, even grunts of respect from the most elitist cynic. It features Roberts' best performance since ''Mystic Pizza'' and a credible and touching turn by Campbell Scott as the stricken, 28-year-old leukemia victim with everything to live for.
Still, you don't have to run complex tests on Richard Friedenberg's nicely delicate screenplay to sense the blood count is decidedly off in this weepie's romantic vein: While it's an everyday fact that men often fall in love with their nurses and vice versa, the love match between street-smart Hilary (how many underclass girls are named Hilary?) and book-brainy Victor doesn't ring true beyond the initial patient-nurse infatuation.
Despite several gushy, Hallmark card-ish montage sequences to the contrary -- romps along the Northern California coast, candlelit dinners (seemingly to show off a duded-to-the-nines Roberts), the romance is never completely convincing. Although there are several touching scenes of personal growth as Hilary tends to the torturously ill Victor, ''Dying's'' most vital romantic sparks are between Roberts and a handyman (Vincent D'Onofrio) who share backgrounds, enthusiasms and laughter.
Ultimately, this subplot, seemingly included as a test of temptation to demonstrate Hilary's undying devotion to Victor, backfires -- Roberts' audience, in their heart of hearts, will wish for, oh my god, that she dumps the sometimes-pompous sick guy and goes for the simple, sweet carpenter.
Swathed in the dark, luminously golden hues Schumacher has typically favored (''St. Elmo's Fire, '' ''Flatliners''), ''Dying Young'' is boosted by splendid technical textures. Unfortunately, the film's most essential technical infusion is inadequate: James Newton Howard's pluckingly gentle but altogether nondescript musical score never pumps our hearts with the sad, rapturous rushes of emotion one craves to sedate and transcend the brain's resistance.
DYING YOUNG
20th Century Fox
A Fogwood Films Production
A Joel Schumacher Film
Producers Sally Field, Kevin McCormick
Director Joel Schumacher
Screenwriter Richard Friedenberg
Based upon the novel by Marti Leimbach
Co-producer Duncan Henderson
Director of photography Juan Ruiz
Anchia
Art director Guy J. Comtois
Editor Robert Brown
Costume designerSusan Becker
MusicJames Newton Howard
Casting Mary Goldberg
Associate producer Mauri Gayton
Color/Stereo
Cast:
Hilary O'Neil Julia Roberts
Victor Geddes Campbell Scott
GordonVincent D'Onofrio
Estelle Whittier Colleen Dewhurst
Richard Geddes David Selby
Mrs. O'Neil Ellen Burstyn
Cappy Dion Anderson
Malachi George Martin
Running time -- 105 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
(c) The Hollywood Reporter...
- 6/18/1991
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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