TNT and TBS, which staged their Upfront presentation today in New York, are making bold moves to bolster their remarkably strong foundations in original programming. The networks are developing extensive new lineups of scripted and unscripted series and making a new push into half-hour comedy in partnership with some of the top talents in the industry, from award-winning actors to acclaimed producers, writers and best-selling authors.
This year marks the beginning of production of the final season of the blockbuster hit, The Closer, starring Emmy® winner Kyra Sedgwick. TNT confirmed today that it has ordered a 10-episode season of Major Crimes, a series set in the Los Angeles Police Department that promises to become television’s next great crime drama. The seventh and final season of The Closer will include 15 episodes in 2011 and six in summer 2012, leading into the launch of Major Crimes, starring Mary McDonnell (Battlestar Galactica). McDonnell has...
This year marks the beginning of production of the final season of the blockbuster hit, The Closer, starring Emmy® winner Kyra Sedgwick. TNT confirmed today that it has ordered a 10-episode season of Major Crimes, a series set in the Los Angeles Police Department that promises to become television’s next great crime drama. The seventh and final season of The Closer will include 15 episodes in 2011 and six in summer 2012, leading into the launch of Major Crimes, starring Mary McDonnell (Battlestar Galactica). McDonnell has...
- 5/18/2011
- by Kevin Coll
- FusedFilm
It looks like Andy Richter will be stepping from behind the podium on Conan to another podium (I am guessing) for a new game show on TBS entitled Pyramid. The show is reportedly a modern-day take on the iconic game show that began asThe $10,000 Pyramid.
I really enjoye watching Men of A Certain Age, and highly recommend it. The new shows don't really catch my interest yet, aside from Pyramid. Check out the full lineup below and share your thoughts on what shows you are most interested in seeing.
TNT scripted series in development
Untitled Kip Koenig/John Wells Productions Project – Set against the backdrop of the Pacific Northwest, this drama follows a family of cops who uncover the mystical and often crime-ridden world of a small town where things aren’t as they appear. The project comes to TNT from Warner Horizon Television, Kip Koenig (Grey’s Anatomy) and John Wells Productions (Southland,...
I really enjoye watching Men of A Certain Age, and highly recommend it. The new shows don't really catch my interest yet, aside from Pyramid. Check out the full lineup below and share your thoughts on what shows you are most interested in seeing.
TNT scripted series in development
Untitled Kip Koenig/John Wells Productions Project – Set against the backdrop of the Pacific Northwest, this drama follows a family of cops who uncover the mystical and often crime-ridden world of a small town where things aren’t as they appear. The project comes to TNT from Warner Horizon Television, Kip Koenig (Grey’s Anatomy) and John Wells Productions (Southland,...
- 5/18/2011
- by Tiberius
- GeekTyrant
The writers and execs at HBO should be happy.
The premium cabler was the only television network with writers nominated from two shows apiece both in the dramatic and comedy series categories of the Writers Guild Awards, which announced TV and radio nominations Wednesday.
Writers on ABC's Grey's Anatomy and Lost also were among those nominated in the dramatic series category, joined by scribes from HBO's Deadwood and The Sopranos, and Fox's 24. Writers on HBO's Entourage and Curb Your Enthusiasm figured in comedy noms, along with those from NBC's 30 Rock and The Office, and Fox's Arrested Development.
NBC dominated the new series category, with noms for writers on its 30 Rock, Friday Night Lights, Heroes and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, along with ABC's Ugly Betty.
Nominations in film categories of the Writers Guild Awards are scheduled to be released Jan. 11.
The 2007 Writers Guild Awards are set for Feb. 11 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Century City, with a simultaneous gala set for the Hudson Theater of the Millennium Broadway Hotel in New York.
A complete list can be found at www.hollywoodreporter.com.
DRAMATIC SERIES
24 (Fox), written by Robert Cochran, Manny Coto, Athan A. Demetrius, David Ehrman, David Fury, Howard Gordon, Evan Katz, Stephen Kronish, Michael Loceff, Matt Michnovetz, Steve Mitchell, Sam Montgomery, Nicole Ranadive, Joel Surnow, Craig W. Van Sickle; Deadwood (HBO), written by W. Earl Brown, Regina Corrado, Alix Lambert, Ted Mann, Bernadette McNamara, David Milch, Kem Nunn, Nick Towne, Zack Whedon: Grey's Anatomy (ABC), written by Debora Cahn, Zoanne A. Clack, Allan Heinberg, Elizabeth Klaviter, Kip Koenig, Stacy McKee, Carolina Paiz, James Parriott, Tony Phelan, Joan Rater, Shonda Rhimes, Blythe Robe, Mimi Schmir, Gabrielle Stanton, Krista Vernoff, Harry Werksman, Mark Wilding; Lost (ABC), written by J.J. Abrams, Monica Owusu-Breen, Carlton Cuse, Leonard Dick, Drew Goddard, Javier Grillo-Marxauch, Adam Horowitz, Dawn Lambersten Kelly, Christina Kim, Edward Kitsis, Damon Lindelof, Steven Maeda, Jeff Pinkner, Matt Ragghianti, Elizabeth Sarnoff, Alison Schapker; The Sopranos (HBO), written by Mitchell Burgess, David Chase, Diane Frolov, Robin Green, Andrew Schneider, Matthew Weiner, Terence Winter
COMEDY SERIES
30 Rock (NBC), written by Brett Baer, Jack Burditt, Kay Cannon, Robert Carlock, Tina Fey, Dave Finkel, Daisy Gardner, Donald Glover, Matt Hubbard, John Riggi; Arrested Development (Fox), written by Barbie Feldman Adler, John Amadeo, Brad E. Copeland, Richard Day, Karey Dornetto, Jake Farrow, Abraham Higginbotham, Mitchell Hurwitz, Sam Laybourne, John S. Levenstein, Courtney Lilly, Dean Lorey, Chuck Martin, Lisa Parsons, Richard A. Rosenstock, Tom Saunders, Maria Semple, Chuck Tatham, Jim Vallely, Ron Weiner; Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO), written by Larry David; Entourage (HBO), written by Marc Abrams, Lisa Alden, Michael Benson, Brian Burns, Doug Ellin, Rob Weiss; The Office (NBC), written by Steve Carell, Jennifer Celotta, Greg Daniels, Lee Eisenberg, Brent Forrester, Ricky Gervais, Mindy Kaling, Paul Lieberstein, Stephen Merchant, B.J. Novak, Michael Schur, Justin Spitzer, Gene Stupnitsky, Caroline Williams
NEW SERIES
30 Rock (NBC), written by Brett Baer, Jack Burditt, Kay Cannon, Robert Carlock, Tina Fey, Dave Finkel, Daisy Gardner, Donald Glover, Matt Hubbard, John Riggi; Friday Night Lights (NBC), written by Peter Berg, Bridget Carpenter, Kerry Ehrin, Carter Harris, Elizabeth Heldens, David Hudgins, Jason Katims, Patrick Massett, Andy Miller, Aaron Rahsaan Thomas, John Zinman; Heroes (NBC), written by Jesse Alexander, Adam Armus, Natalie Chaidez, Aron Eli Coleite, Kay Foster, Bryan Fuller, Michael J. Green, Tim Kring, Jeph Loeb, Joe Pokaski; Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (NBC), written by Eli Attie, Christina Kiang Booth, Jessica Brickman, Dana Calvo, Mark Goffman, David Handelman, Cinque Henderson, Mark McKinney, Melissa Myers, Aaron Sorkin, Amy Turner; Ugly Betty (ABC), written by Veronica Becker, Oliver Goldstick, Silvio Horta, Sarah Kucserka, Sheila Lawrence, Cameron Litvack, Myra Jo Martino, Jim Parriott, Marco Pennette, Dailyn Rodriguez, Don Todd...
The premium cabler was the only television network with writers nominated from two shows apiece both in the dramatic and comedy series categories of the Writers Guild Awards, which announced TV and radio nominations Wednesday.
Writers on ABC's Grey's Anatomy and Lost also were among those nominated in the dramatic series category, joined by scribes from HBO's Deadwood and The Sopranos, and Fox's 24. Writers on HBO's Entourage and Curb Your Enthusiasm figured in comedy noms, along with those from NBC's 30 Rock and The Office, and Fox's Arrested Development.
NBC dominated the new series category, with noms for writers on its 30 Rock, Friday Night Lights, Heroes and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, along with ABC's Ugly Betty.
Nominations in film categories of the Writers Guild Awards are scheduled to be released Jan. 11.
The 2007 Writers Guild Awards are set for Feb. 11 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Century City, with a simultaneous gala set for the Hudson Theater of the Millennium Broadway Hotel in New York.
A complete list can be found at www.hollywoodreporter.com.
DRAMATIC SERIES
24 (Fox), written by Robert Cochran, Manny Coto, Athan A. Demetrius, David Ehrman, David Fury, Howard Gordon, Evan Katz, Stephen Kronish, Michael Loceff, Matt Michnovetz, Steve Mitchell, Sam Montgomery, Nicole Ranadive, Joel Surnow, Craig W. Van Sickle; Deadwood (HBO), written by W. Earl Brown, Regina Corrado, Alix Lambert, Ted Mann, Bernadette McNamara, David Milch, Kem Nunn, Nick Towne, Zack Whedon: Grey's Anatomy (ABC), written by Debora Cahn, Zoanne A. Clack, Allan Heinberg, Elizabeth Klaviter, Kip Koenig, Stacy McKee, Carolina Paiz, James Parriott, Tony Phelan, Joan Rater, Shonda Rhimes, Blythe Robe, Mimi Schmir, Gabrielle Stanton, Krista Vernoff, Harry Werksman, Mark Wilding; Lost (ABC), written by J.J. Abrams, Monica Owusu-Breen, Carlton Cuse, Leonard Dick, Drew Goddard, Javier Grillo-Marxauch, Adam Horowitz, Dawn Lambersten Kelly, Christina Kim, Edward Kitsis, Damon Lindelof, Steven Maeda, Jeff Pinkner, Matt Ragghianti, Elizabeth Sarnoff, Alison Schapker; The Sopranos (HBO), written by Mitchell Burgess, David Chase, Diane Frolov, Robin Green, Andrew Schneider, Matthew Weiner, Terence Winter
COMEDY SERIES
30 Rock (NBC), written by Brett Baer, Jack Burditt, Kay Cannon, Robert Carlock, Tina Fey, Dave Finkel, Daisy Gardner, Donald Glover, Matt Hubbard, John Riggi; Arrested Development (Fox), written by Barbie Feldman Adler, John Amadeo, Brad E. Copeland, Richard Day, Karey Dornetto, Jake Farrow, Abraham Higginbotham, Mitchell Hurwitz, Sam Laybourne, John S. Levenstein, Courtney Lilly, Dean Lorey, Chuck Martin, Lisa Parsons, Richard A. Rosenstock, Tom Saunders, Maria Semple, Chuck Tatham, Jim Vallely, Ron Weiner; Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO), written by Larry David; Entourage (HBO), written by Marc Abrams, Lisa Alden, Michael Benson, Brian Burns, Doug Ellin, Rob Weiss; The Office (NBC), written by Steve Carell, Jennifer Celotta, Greg Daniels, Lee Eisenberg, Brent Forrester, Ricky Gervais, Mindy Kaling, Paul Lieberstein, Stephen Merchant, B.J. Novak, Michael Schur, Justin Spitzer, Gene Stupnitsky, Caroline Williams
NEW SERIES
30 Rock (NBC), written by Brett Baer, Jack Burditt, Kay Cannon, Robert Carlock, Tina Fey, Dave Finkel, Daisy Gardner, Donald Glover, Matt Hubbard, John Riggi; Friday Night Lights (NBC), written by Peter Berg, Bridget Carpenter, Kerry Ehrin, Carter Harris, Elizabeth Heldens, David Hudgins, Jason Katims, Patrick Massett, Andy Miller, Aaron Rahsaan Thomas, John Zinman; Heroes (NBC), written by Jesse Alexander, Adam Armus, Natalie Chaidez, Aron Eli Coleite, Kay Foster, Bryan Fuller, Michael J. Green, Tim Kring, Jeph Loeb, Joe Pokaski; Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (NBC), written by Eli Attie, Christina Kiang Booth, Jessica Brickman, Dana Calvo, Mark Goffman, David Handelman, Cinque Henderson, Mark McKinney, Melissa Myers, Aaron Sorkin, Amy Turner; Ugly Betty (ABC), written by Veronica Becker, Oliver Goldstick, Silvio Horta, Sarah Kucserka, Sheila Lawrence, Cameron Litvack, Myra Jo Martino, Jim Parriott, Marco Pennette, Dailyn Rodriguez, Don Todd...
- 12/14/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The writers and execs at HBO should be happy.
The premium cabler was the only television network with writers nominated from two shows apiece both in the dramatic and comedy series categories of the Writers Guild Awards, which announced TV and radio nominations Wednesday.
Writers on ABC's Grey's Anatomy and Lost also were among those nominated in the dramatic series category, joined by scribes from HBO's Deadwood and The Sopranos, and Fox's 24. Writers on HBO's Entourage and Curb Your Enthusiasm figured in comedy noms, along with those from NBC's 30 Rock and The Office, and Fox's Arrested Development.
NBC dominated the new series category, with noms for writers on its 30 Rock, Friday Night Lights, Heroes and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, along with ABC's Ugly Betty.
Nominations in film categories of the Writers Guild Awards are scheduled to be released Jan. 11.
The 2007 Writers Guild Awards are set for Feb. 11 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Century City, with a simultaneous gala set for the Hudson Theater of the Millennium Broadway Hotel in New York.
A complete list can be found at www.hollywoodreporter.com.
DRAMATIC SERIES
24 (Fox), written by Robert Cochran, Manny Coto, Athan A. Demetrius, David Ehrman, David Fury, Howard Gordon, Evan Katz, Stephen Kronish, Michael Loceff, Matt Michnovetz, Steve Mitchell, Sam Montgomery, Nicole Ranadive, Joel Surnow, Craig W. Van Sickle; Deadwood (HBO), written by W. Earl Brown, Regina Corrado, Alix Lambert, Ted Mann, Bernadette McNamara, David Milch, Kem Nunn, Nick Towne, Zack Whedon: Grey's Anatomy (ABC), written by Debora Cahn, Zoanne A. Clack, Allan Heinberg, Elizabeth Klaviter, Kip Koenig, Stacy McKee, Carolina Paiz, James Parriott, Tony Phelan, Joan Rater, Shonda Rhimes, Blythe Robe, Mimi Schmir, Gabrielle Stanton, Krista Vernoff, Harry Werksman, Mark Wilding; Lost (ABC), written by J.J. Abrams, Monica Owusu-Breen, Carlton Cuse, Leonard Dick, Drew Goddard, Javier Grillo-Marxauch, Adam Horowitz, Dawn Lambersten Kelly, Christina Kim, Edward Kitsis, Damon Lindelof, Steven Maeda, Jeff Pinkner, Matt Ragghianti, Elizabeth Sarnoff, Alison Schapker; The Sopranos (HBO), written by Mitchell Burgess, David Chase, Diane Frolov, Robin Green, Andrew Schneider, Matthew Weiner, Terence Winter
COMEDY SERIES
30 Rock (NBC), written by Brett Baer, Jack Burditt, Kay Cannon, Robert Carlock, Tina Fey, Dave Finkel, Daisy Gardner, Donald Glover, Matt Hubbard, John Riggi; Arrested Development (Fox), written by Barbie Feldman Adler, John Amadeo, Brad E. Copeland, Richard Day, Karey Dornetto, Jake Farrow, Abraham Higginbotham, Mitchell Hurwitz, Sam Laybourne, John S. Levenstein, Courtney Lilly, Dean Lorey, Chuck Martin, Lisa Parsons, Richard A. Rosenstock, Tom Saunders, Maria Semple, Chuck Tatham, Jim Vallely, Ron Weiner; Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO), written by Larry David; Entourage (HBO), written by Marc Abrams, Lisa Alden, Michael Benson, Brian Burns, Doug Ellin, Rob Weiss; The Office (NBC), written by Steve Carell, Jennifer Celotta, Greg Daniels, Lee Eisenberg, Brent Forrester, Ricky Gervais, Mindy Kaling, Paul Lieberstein, Stephen Merchant, B.J. Novak, Michael Schur, Justin Spitzer, Gene Stupnitsky, Caroline Williams
NEW SERIES
30 Rock (NBC), written by Brett Baer, Jack Burditt, Kay Cannon, Robert Carlock, Tina Fey, Dave Finkel, Daisy Gardner, Donald Glover, Matt Hubbard, John Riggi; Friday Night Lights (NBC), written by Peter Berg, Bridget Carpenter, Kerry Ehrin, Carter Harris, Elizabeth Heldens, David Hudgins, Jason Katims, Patrick Massett, Andy Miller, Aaron Rahsaan Thomas, John Zinman; Heroes (NBC), written by Jesse Alexander, Adam Armus, Natalie Chaidez, Aron Eli Coleite, Kay Foster, Bryan Fuller, Michael J. Green, Tim Kring, Jeph Loeb, Joe Pokaski; Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (NBC), written by Eli Attie, Christina Kiang Booth, Jessica Brickman, Dana Calvo, Mark Goffman, David Handelman, Cinque Henderson, Mark McKinney, Melissa Myers, Aaron Sorkin, Amy Turner; Ugly Betty (ABC), written by Veronica Becker, Oliver Goldstick, Silvio Horta, Sarah Kucserka, Sheila Lawrence, Cameron Litvack, Myra Jo Martino, Jim Parriott, Marco Pennette, Dailyn Rodriguez, Don Todd...
The premium cabler was the only television network with writers nominated from two shows apiece both in the dramatic and comedy series categories of the Writers Guild Awards, which announced TV and radio nominations Wednesday.
Writers on ABC's Grey's Anatomy and Lost also were among those nominated in the dramatic series category, joined by scribes from HBO's Deadwood and The Sopranos, and Fox's 24. Writers on HBO's Entourage and Curb Your Enthusiasm figured in comedy noms, along with those from NBC's 30 Rock and The Office, and Fox's Arrested Development.
NBC dominated the new series category, with noms for writers on its 30 Rock, Friday Night Lights, Heroes and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, along with ABC's Ugly Betty.
Nominations in film categories of the Writers Guild Awards are scheduled to be released Jan. 11.
The 2007 Writers Guild Awards are set for Feb. 11 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Century City, with a simultaneous gala set for the Hudson Theater of the Millennium Broadway Hotel in New York.
A complete list can be found at www.hollywoodreporter.com.
DRAMATIC SERIES
24 (Fox), written by Robert Cochran, Manny Coto, Athan A. Demetrius, David Ehrman, David Fury, Howard Gordon, Evan Katz, Stephen Kronish, Michael Loceff, Matt Michnovetz, Steve Mitchell, Sam Montgomery, Nicole Ranadive, Joel Surnow, Craig W. Van Sickle; Deadwood (HBO), written by W. Earl Brown, Regina Corrado, Alix Lambert, Ted Mann, Bernadette McNamara, David Milch, Kem Nunn, Nick Towne, Zack Whedon: Grey's Anatomy (ABC), written by Debora Cahn, Zoanne A. Clack, Allan Heinberg, Elizabeth Klaviter, Kip Koenig, Stacy McKee, Carolina Paiz, James Parriott, Tony Phelan, Joan Rater, Shonda Rhimes, Blythe Robe, Mimi Schmir, Gabrielle Stanton, Krista Vernoff, Harry Werksman, Mark Wilding; Lost (ABC), written by J.J. Abrams, Monica Owusu-Breen, Carlton Cuse, Leonard Dick, Drew Goddard, Javier Grillo-Marxauch, Adam Horowitz, Dawn Lambersten Kelly, Christina Kim, Edward Kitsis, Damon Lindelof, Steven Maeda, Jeff Pinkner, Matt Ragghianti, Elizabeth Sarnoff, Alison Schapker; The Sopranos (HBO), written by Mitchell Burgess, David Chase, Diane Frolov, Robin Green, Andrew Schneider, Matthew Weiner, Terence Winter
COMEDY SERIES
30 Rock (NBC), written by Brett Baer, Jack Burditt, Kay Cannon, Robert Carlock, Tina Fey, Dave Finkel, Daisy Gardner, Donald Glover, Matt Hubbard, John Riggi; Arrested Development (Fox), written by Barbie Feldman Adler, John Amadeo, Brad E. Copeland, Richard Day, Karey Dornetto, Jake Farrow, Abraham Higginbotham, Mitchell Hurwitz, Sam Laybourne, John S. Levenstein, Courtney Lilly, Dean Lorey, Chuck Martin, Lisa Parsons, Richard A. Rosenstock, Tom Saunders, Maria Semple, Chuck Tatham, Jim Vallely, Ron Weiner; Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO), written by Larry David; Entourage (HBO), written by Marc Abrams, Lisa Alden, Michael Benson, Brian Burns, Doug Ellin, Rob Weiss; The Office (NBC), written by Steve Carell, Jennifer Celotta, Greg Daniels, Lee Eisenberg, Brent Forrester, Ricky Gervais, Mindy Kaling, Paul Lieberstein, Stephen Merchant, B.J. Novak, Michael Schur, Justin Spitzer, Gene Stupnitsky, Caroline Williams
NEW SERIES
30 Rock (NBC), written by Brett Baer, Jack Burditt, Kay Cannon, Robert Carlock, Tina Fey, Dave Finkel, Daisy Gardner, Donald Glover, Matt Hubbard, John Riggi; Friday Night Lights (NBC), written by Peter Berg, Bridget Carpenter, Kerry Ehrin, Carter Harris, Elizabeth Heldens, David Hudgins, Jason Katims, Patrick Massett, Andy Miller, Aaron Rahsaan Thomas, John Zinman; Heroes (NBC), written by Jesse Alexander, Adam Armus, Natalie Chaidez, Aron Eli Coleite, Kay Foster, Bryan Fuller, Michael J. Green, Tim Kring, Jeph Loeb, Joe Pokaski; Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (NBC), written by Eli Attie, Christina Kiang Booth, Jessica Brickman, Dana Calvo, Mark Goffman, David Handelman, Cinque Henderson, Mark McKinney, Melissa Myers, Aaron Sorkin, Amy Turner; Ugly Betty (ABC), written by Veronica Becker, Oliver Goldstick, Silvio Horta, Sarah Kucserka, Sheila Lawrence, Cameron Litvack, Myra Jo Martino, Jim Parriott, Marco Pennette, Dailyn Rodriguez, Don Todd...
- 12/13/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
PARK CITY, Utah -- "I'm blanking", said the rep who introduced writer/director Kip Koenig to the audience at the premiere of his "How to Make the Cruelest Month", a dramatic competition entrant at the Sundance Film Festival. Ditto. What does one say about a movie that is as smart and sophisticated as it is stupid and sophomoric? Precocious without perspicacity, Koenig may someday be famous -- if he ever grows up.
A co-ed admittedly in need of a shrink, Bell Bryant faces a universal dilemma: It's Dec. 1, and the New Year's resolutions she just discovered in her diaphragm container have not been met. Though her goals are simple enough (to stop smoking and to fall in love), the nymphomaniac Bell, who's from a dysfunctional family, has a loser lover and doesn't seem at first blush to have much chance for success.
In his debut movie, Koenig covers Bell's four-week journey of self-discovery in a 100-minute marathon production. It might have seemed re-energizing if he or editor Chris Figler had cut 20 or more minutes from the film. As it was, the audience was laughing, but people were also leaving throughout the premiere. It is either a good idea taken too far or an idea too good to cover the distance. "How to Make the Cruelest Month" came close to becoming "How to Make the Cruelest Movie", in terms of taxation of audience tolerance.
The weaknesses of Koenig's movie are typical of young filmmakers and all-too-familiar to those who frequent Sundance each year. What is uncommon about a directorial debut like "The Cruelest Month" is its clever dialogue and exemplary cast. Clea Duvall gives an in-your-face performance as Bell, who talks to the audience as if addressing her shrink. Equally impressive is Leonard Crane, who plays Gabriel Mann, her loser lover. That Koenig could garner talent such as Mary Kay Place (whom all but the baby development execs will remember as the Emmy-winning actress in "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman") and Marianne Jean-Baptiste speaks volumes for what these thespians thought of him and his script.
HOW TO MAKE THE CRUELEST MONTH
Producers: Alison Dickey, Mark Lipson
Screenwriter-director: Kip Koenig
Co-producer: Caitlan Abramovitz
Executive producer: James R. Hedges
Director of photography: Julian Whatley
Editor: Chris Figler
Production designer: Jodi Ginnever
Music: Jeff Martin
Color/stereo
Cast:
Bell Bryant: Clea Duvall
Gabriel Mann: Leonard Crane
Christianne: Marianne Jean-Baptiste
Mary Bryant: Mary Kay Place
Manhattan: Dennis Haysbert
Ricky: Frederick Weller
Dot Bryant: Amy Smart
Uncle Jerry: John David Souther
Sarah: Jorja Fox
Running time -- 100 minutes
No MPAA rating...
A co-ed admittedly in need of a shrink, Bell Bryant faces a universal dilemma: It's Dec. 1, and the New Year's resolutions she just discovered in her diaphragm container have not been met. Though her goals are simple enough (to stop smoking and to fall in love), the nymphomaniac Bell, who's from a dysfunctional family, has a loser lover and doesn't seem at first blush to have much chance for success.
In his debut movie, Koenig covers Bell's four-week journey of self-discovery in a 100-minute marathon production. It might have seemed re-energizing if he or editor Chris Figler had cut 20 or more minutes from the film. As it was, the audience was laughing, but people were also leaving throughout the premiere. It is either a good idea taken too far or an idea too good to cover the distance. "How to Make the Cruelest Month" came close to becoming "How to Make the Cruelest Movie", in terms of taxation of audience tolerance.
The weaknesses of Koenig's movie are typical of young filmmakers and all-too-familiar to those who frequent Sundance each year. What is uncommon about a directorial debut like "The Cruelest Month" is its clever dialogue and exemplary cast. Clea Duvall gives an in-your-face performance as Bell, who talks to the audience as if addressing her shrink. Equally impressive is Leonard Crane, who plays Gabriel Mann, her loser lover. That Koenig could garner talent such as Mary Kay Place (whom all but the baby development execs will remember as the Emmy-winning actress in "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman") and Marianne Jean-Baptiste speaks volumes for what these thespians thought of him and his script.
HOW TO MAKE THE CRUELEST MONTH
Producers: Alison Dickey, Mark Lipson
Screenwriter-director: Kip Koenig
Co-producer: Caitlan Abramovitz
Executive producer: James R. Hedges
Director of photography: Julian Whatley
Editor: Chris Figler
Production designer: Jodi Ginnever
Music: Jeff Martin
Color/stereo
Cast:
Bell Bryant: Clea Duvall
Gabriel Mann: Leonard Crane
Christianne: Marianne Jean-Baptiste
Mary Bryant: Mary Kay Place
Manhattan: Dennis Haysbert
Ricky: Frederick Weller
Dot Bryant: Amy Smart
Uncle Jerry: John David Souther
Sarah: Jorja Fox
Running time -- 100 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 1/21/1998
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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