Chicago – The Midwest Film Festival of Chicago is on the road this weekend and heading north to Milwaukee to screen writer/director Brittani Ward’s award-winning “Single Car Crashes” at the historic Oriental Theatre on May 11, 2024 (11am). For details and tickets for this road show event, click Mff Road Trip.
Ten years after a devastating car crash took his best friend Zach’s life, Sean (Trevor Morgan), still lives small town where he grew up, struggling with his survivor’s guilt. When Zach’s sister Kendall (Lindsey Morgan) – who also was Sean’s first love – returns to town to marry someone else, Sean is forced to confront his failure to launch and the impact it’s having not only on his own stunted life, but on his now nine-year-old son.
’Single Car Crashes’ at the Midwest Film Festival in Milwaukee
Photo credit: five two one films
Writer/director Brittani Ward...
Ten years after a devastating car crash took his best friend Zach’s life, Sean (Trevor Morgan), still lives small town where he grew up, struggling with his survivor’s guilt. When Zach’s sister Kendall (Lindsey Morgan) – who also was Sean’s first love – returns to town to marry someone else, Sean is forced to confront his failure to launch and the impact it’s having not only on his own stunted life, but on his now nine-year-old son.
’Single Car Crashes’ at the Midwest Film Festival in Milwaukee
Photo credit: five two one films
Writer/director Brittani Ward...
- 5/9/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Acclaimed Chinese film director Chen Daming is expected to direct “The Peking Express,” a book-to-film adaptation of the story of an infamous train robbery that took place 100 years ago.
The non-fiction book was written Beijing-based writer and lawyer James Zimmerman and was an ‘Editor’s Choice’ selection by the New York Times. It describes the raid on a luxury express train by Chinese bandits in Shandong Province in 1923 and the ensuing six-week hostage standoff that captivated the world. So extraordinary are the events recounted in The Peking Express that it reads like fantasy…yielding a captivating story of robbery, murder, hostages and intrigue…,” said the paper in a review of the book.
A screenplay is currently being drafted and it is envisaged that the film will be structured as a China-international co-production.
The package is being put together by Chen and veteran producer Chris Lee, who was previously president of...
The non-fiction book was written Beijing-based writer and lawyer James Zimmerman and was an ‘Editor’s Choice’ selection by the New York Times. It describes the raid on a luxury express train by Chinese bandits in Shandong Province in 1923 and the ensuing six-week hostage standoff that captivated the world. So extraordinary are the events recounted in The Peking Express that it reads like fantasy…yielding a captivating story of robbery, murder, hostages and intrigue…,” said the paper in a review of the book.
A screenplay is currently being drafted and it is envisaged that the film will be structured as a China-international co-production.
The package is being put together by Chen and veteran producer Chris Lee, who was previously president of...
- 3/25/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
One of the world’s great true-life train heist stories is set to return to the big screen in China. Filmmaker DaMing Chen and veteran producer Chris Lee have partnered to develop a feature adaptation of James Zimmerman’s acclaimed nonfiction book, The Peking Express: The Bandits Who Stole a Train, Stunned the West, and Broke the Republic of China.
The new film, like the book, will recount the improbable saga of a 1923 incident once known as the “Lincheng Outrage,” which was sparked when Chinese bandits raided a luxury express train bound for Beijing and took over 300 international hostages — captivating the world and stirring up a six-week geopolitical showdown. A subject of popular fascination a century ago, the event inspired no less than Josef von Sternberg’s 1932 romance/adventure classic Shanghai Express, starring Marlene Dietrich and Anna May Wong, as well as two later Paramount Pictures remakes.
Zimmerman’s book...
The new film, like the book, will recount the improbable saga of a 1923 incident once known as the “Lincheng Outrage,” which was sparked when Chinese bandits raided a luxury express train bound for Beijing and took over 300 international hostages — captivating the world and stirring up a six-week geopolitical showdown. A subject of popular fascination a century ago, the event inspired no less than Josef von Sternberg’s 1932 romance/adventure classic Shanghai Express, starring Marlene Dietrich and Anna May Wong, as well as two later Paramount Pictures remakes.
Zimmerman’s book...
- 3/23/2024
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Chicago – The World Premiere of a debut feature film is one of the most important days for the production company and in this case Brittani Ward, the writer and director. ‘Single Car Crashes,” a made-in-Chicagoland film, will have its World Premiere at the Cinequest Film Festival in San Jose, California, on March 15th, 2024. For details, click Scc.
Ten years after a devastating car crash took his best friend Zach’s life, Sean (Trevor Morgan), still lives small town where he grew up, struggling with his survivor’s guilt. When Zach’s sister Kendall (Lindsey Morgan) – who also was Sean’s first love – returns to town to marry someone else, Sean is forced to confront his failure to launch and the impact it’s having not only on his own stunted life, but on his now nine-year-old son.
World Premiere of ’Single Car Crashes’ at Cinequest
Photo credit: five two one...
Ten years after a devastating car crash took his best friend Zach’s life, Sean (Trevor Morgan), still lives small town where he grew up, struggling with his survivor’s guilt. When Zach’s sister Kendall (Lindsey Morgan) – who also was Sean’s first love – returns to town to marry someone else, Sean is forced to confront his failure to launch and the impact it’s having not only on his own stunted life, but on his now nine-year-old son.
World Premiere of ’Single Car Crashes’ at Cinequest
Photo credit: five two one...
- 3/9/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Starship Troopers has continued to remain a cult-classic sci-fi movie that features a group of teens who undergo rigorous training to prepare themselves to fight off gigantic bugs that are invading Earth. While the movie on its own is an underrated sci-fi project in the cinematic world, many would be surprised to know why an insect was particularly chosen to be a villain.
Casper Van Dien in Starship Troopers(1997)
But, before diving into how Bugs initially got finalized as the movie’s antagonist, one must know that the movie’s development began as a separate project called, Bug Hunt at Outpost 7, written by Ed Neumeier. That was when the Bugs’ history originated!
Why ‘Bugs’ Were the Antagonists in Starship Troopers?
A still from Starship Troopers [1997]Starship Troopers was not the original script’s name as screenwriter and co-producer, Ed Neumeier began developing its story treatment which he initially titled, Bug...
Casper Van Dien in Starship Troopers(1997)
But, before diving into how Bugs initially got finalized as the movie’s antagonist, one must know that the movie’s development began as a separate project called, Bug Hunt at Outpost 7, written by Ed Neumeier. That was when the Bugs’ history originated!
Why ‘Bugs’ Were the Antagonists in Starship Troopers?
A still from Starship Troopers [1997]Starship Troopers was not the original script’s name as screenwriter and co-producer, Ed Neumeier began developing its story treatment which he initially titled, Bug...
- 2/27/2024
- by Priya Sharma
- FandomWire
Over the past few years, Artificial Intelligence has come a long way, oftentimes confusing people over what’s real and what’s not. And now, AI is all set to take over the NBA with its new system which is quite cleverly called, ‘Nb-ai.” However, producer Chris Miller does not seem too happy with this feature that lets the viewer personalize his viewing experience.
Chris Miller (via Chris Miller’s Instagram)
Chris Miller called out the NBA’s new AI system, which can turn any live basketball game animated with just one voice command. According to Chris Miller, animation created by Artificial Intelligence will never compare to the old-school filmmaking style.
Suggested“Imagine the movie without him”: Not Oscar Isaac’s Spider-Man 2099, Across the Spider-Verse Nearly Kicked Out Fan-Favorite Character
Chris Miller Criticizes NBA’s Nb-ai
Adam Silver and Victor Wembanyama unveil Nb-ai
Recently, NBA commissioner Adam Silver and...
Chris Miller (via Chris Miller’s Instagram)
Chris Miller called out the NBA’s new AI system, which can turn any live basketball game animated with just one voice command. According to Chris Miller, animation created by Artificial Intelligence will never compare to the old-school filmmaking style.
Suggested“Imagine the movie without him”: Not Oscar Isaac’s Spider-Man 2099, Across the Spider-Verse Nearly Kicked Out Fan-Favorite Character
Chris Miller Criticizes NBA’s Nb-ai
Adam Silver and Victor Wembanyama unveil Nb-ai
Recently, NBA commissioner Adam Silver and...
- 2/19/2024
- by Mishkaat Khan
- FandomWire
The acclaimed Off Broadway cast of the Alicia Keys musical Hell’s Kitchen will make the move to Broadway when the show begins previews next month, producers announced today.
Starring in the Broadway staging will be Shoshana Bean (Mr. Saturday Night), Brandon Victor Dixon (Hamilton), Kecia Lewis (Ain’t Misbehavin’) and, in their Broadway debuts, Chris Lee and Maleah Joi Moon.
The casting was announced today by producer Akw Productions. Previews begin at Broadway’s Shubert Theatre on Thursday, March 28, with an opening night set for Saturday, April 20.
Hell’s Kitchen features music and lyrics by Keys and book by Kristoffer Diaz. Michael Greif directs, with choreography by Camille A. Brown.
Additional casting will be announced at a later date.
The musical made its world premiere last fall in a sold-out engagement at The Public Theater. The official synopsis: “There’s a place where the rhythm of the city is music,...
Starring in the Broadway staging will be Shoshana Bean (Mr. Saturday Night), Brandon Victor Dixon (Hamilton), Kecia Lewis (Ain’t Misbehavin’) and, in their Broadway debuts, Chris Lee and Maleah Joi Moon.
The casting was announced today by producer Akw Productions. Previews begin at Broadway’s Shubert Theatre on Thursday, March 28, with an opening night set for Saturday, April 20.
Hell’s Kitchen features music and lyrics by Keys and book by Kristoffer Diaz. Michael Greif directs, with choreography by Camille A. Brown.
Additional casting will be announced at a later date.
The musical made its world premiere last fall in a sold-out engagement at The Public Theater. The official synopsis: “There’s a place where the rhythm of the city is music,...
- 2/7/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
In the upcoming episode of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” scheduled to air on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at 9:00 Pm on The CW, viewers are in for a treat with the guest appearance of comic talent Chris Lee. The episode, aptly titled “Chris Lee,” promises a hilarious and improvisational extravaganza as Chris Lee joins the regular cast for a night of unscripted comedy.
As a guest comic, Chris Lee is set to bring his unique style and wit to the stage, adding an extra layer of spontaneity to the already dynamic and unpredictable world of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” Fans of the show can anticipate a laughter-filled evening as the talented ensemble, along with Chris Lee, engages in a series of improvised sketches, games, and challenges, creating moments of sheer comedic brilliance. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness the magic of on-the-spot humor in what is sure to be a memorable episode.
As a guest comic, Chris Lee is set to bring his unique style and wit to the stage, adding an extra layer of spontaneity to the already dynamic and unpredictable world of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” Fans of the show can anticipate a laughter-filled evening as the talented ensemble, along with Chris Lee, engages in a series of improvised sketches, games, and challenges, creating moments of sheer comedic brilliance. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness the magic of on-the-spot humor in what is sure to be a memorable episode.
- 1/16/2024
- by Jules Byrd
- TV Everyday
Hell’s Kitchen, the musical based loosely on the life of Alicia Keys, is headed to Broadway this spring. The show, with a score written by Keys and a book by Kristoffer Diaz, made its world premiere at the Public Theater on Nov. 19. The show will transfer to the Shubert Theater on Broadway starting March 28, with an opening night on Apr. 20.
“Good things take time and for 13 years, I’ve been dreaming, developing and finding inspiration for a musical based on my experience growing up in Hell’s Kitchen, NYC.
“Good things take time and for 13 years, I’ve been dreaming, developing and finding inspiration for a musical based on my experience growing up in Hell’s Kitchen, NYC.
- 12/5/2023
- by Carita Rizzo
- Rollingstone.com
Hell’s Kitchen, the Alicia Keys musical currently play a sold-out run Off Broadway, will transfer to Broadway’s Shubert Theater this spring, producers announced today.
Directed by Michael Greif, Hell’s Kitchen will begin previews at the Shubert on Thursday, March 28, 2024 ahead of an opening night on Saturday, April 20. The musical features music and lyrics by Keys and a book by Kristoffer Diaz, and includes such Keys hits as “You Don’t Know My Name,” “Fallin’,” “If I Ain’t Got You,” “No One” and “Empire State of Mind,” among others.
Casting will be announced shortly. The critically lauded Off Broadway cast features Maleah Joi Moon as the Keys-inspired character Ali, and Shoshana Bean as her mother Jersey.
“Good things take time and for 13 years, I’ve been dreaming, developing and finding inspiration for a musical based on my experience growing up in Hell’s Kitchen, NYC,” Keys said in a statement,...
Directed by Michael Greif, Hell’s Kitchen will begin previews at the Shubert on Thursday, March 28, 2024 ahead of an opening night on Saturday, April 20. The musical features music and lyrics by Keys and a book by Kristoffer Diaz, and includes such Keys hits as “You Don’t Know My Name,” “Fallin’,” “If I Ain’t Got You,” “No One” and “Empire State of Mind,” among others.
Casting will be announced shortly. The critically lauded Off Broadway cast features Maleah Joi Moon as the Keys-inspired character Ali, and Shoshana Bean as her mother Jersey.
“Good things take time and for 13 years, I’ve been dreaming, developing and finding inspiration for a musical based on my experience growing up in Hell’s Kitchen, NYC,” Keys said in a statement,...
- 12/5/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
In the second act of Hell’s Kitchen, Alicia Keys’s autobiographical passion project over a decade in the making, absent father Davis (Brandon Victor Dixon) sits down at a piano and asks his wary teenage daughter, Ali (Maleah Joi Moon), if she remembers the song he wrote for her that they always used to sing together. He starts to play, and the song is “If I Ain’t Got You,” the second single from Keys’s second studio album, The Diary of Alicia Keys.
Ali tentatively joins him, the electricity of Keys’s surging melody and yearning lyrics coursing across the stage and supercharging the father and daughter’s fractured relationship. As staged by Michael Greif, it’s a lovely picture, with Davis at the piano far back and Ali at the edge of the stage looking away from him and toward the audience. Sparks fly, briefly, but despite...
Ali tentatively joins him, the electricity of Keys’s surging melody and yearning lyrics coursing across the stage and supercharging the father and daughter’s fractured relationship. As staged by Michael Greif, it’s a lovely picture, with Davis at the piano far back and Ali at the edge of the stage looking away from him and toward the audience. Sparks fly, briefly, but despite...
- 11/20/2023
- by Dan Rubins
- Slant Magazine
Exclusive: Stars Collective, a Los Angeles-based film finance and mentorship arm, has announced the launch of Stars Asian International Film Festival – a new capsule film showcase to take place in Los Angeles November 12-16.
The festival, which will include a dozen feature selections celebrating Asian cinema, will spotlight a broad range of exceptional films by Asian filmmakers, including a Xiaogang Feng Retrospective which will run from the 9th to the 16th. Kicking off the festival will be the Opening Ceremony on November 12th; the StarS Summit held at the Petersen Automotive Museum on November 13th; followed by the StarS Gala, in collaboration with Women In Film (Wif) on November 14th at the Audrey Irmas Pavilion; and concluding with the Closing Gala at the Los Angeles Theatre on November 16th.
“We are thrilled to launch the Stars Asian International Film Festival. This festival embodies our commitment to showcasing the richness and diversity of Asian cinema,...
The festival, which will include a dozen feature selections celebrating Asian cinema, will spotlight a broad range of exceptional films by Asian filmmakers, including a Xiaogang Feng Retrospective which will run from the 9th to the 16th. Kicking off the festival will be the Opening Ceremony on November 12th; the StarS Summit held at the Petersen Automotive Museum on November 13th; followed by the StarS Gala, in collaboration with Women In Film (Wif) on November 14th at the Audrey Irmas Pavilion; and concluding with the Closing Gala at the Los Angeles Theatre on November 16th.
“We are thrilled to launch the Stars Asian International Film Festival. This festival embodies our commitment to showcasing the richness and diversity of Asian cinema,...
- 11/6/2023
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Alicia Keys serves as the inspiration for a new musical, Hell’s Kitchen. On Thursday, Keys announced that a musical loosely based on her life and featuring her hits will open at New York’s Public Theater later this year on Nov. 19.
The show will tackle “societal issues facing young people about identity, belonging, and finding yourself,” along with navigating life and love. It’ll follow 17-year-old Ali in a “cramped apartment” off Times Square as she strives toward the New York dream. “When Ali falls for a talented young drummer,...
The show will tackle “societal issues facing young people about identity, belonging, and finding yourself,” along with navigating life and love. It’ll follow 17-year-old Ali in a “cramped apartment” off Times Square as she strives toward the New York dream. “When Ali falls for a talented young drummer,...
- 6/1/2023
- by Tomás Mier
- Rollingstone.com
Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge — Season 1 — Pictured: Anthony Anderson, Terry Crews, Sung Kang, Joel McHale, WWE Superstar Big E, Jay Leno — (Photo by: James Stack/NBC) Celebrity Guest Judges Anthony Anderson, WWE Superstar Big E, Terry Crews, Sung Kang, Jay Leno and Joel McHale will help to determine the winners of NBC’s epic new car makeover competition show “Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge,” premiering Tuesday, May 30th at 10:00 p.m. Et/Pt. The rotating celebrity guests will each join host Rutledge Wood and resident experts Dalal Elsheikh, designer for the Ford Motor Company, and Hertrech “Hert” Eugene Jr., car culture influencer, on an episode throughout the season, where they will review the epic car transformations and crown a winner. ·Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge” revs up to give passionate car lovers and Hot Wheels(R) superfans the opportunity of a lifetime – turning a nostalgic car from their past into the life-sized Hot Wheels of their dreams.
- 5/5/2023
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
Stars: Bailee Madison, Anthony Turpel, Chris Lee, Jerry O’Connell, Sterling Beaumon, Chris Butler, Lestonja Diaz, Kyler O’Neal, Jorge-Luis Pallo | Written by Simon Boyes, Adam Mason | Directed by Patrick Lussier
Patrick Lussier parlayed a career editing everything from the original MacGyver to films by Wes Craven and Guillermo del Toro to Apollo 18 into a gig writing and directing the reboot of My Bloody Valentine. Unfortunately, that film’s success didn’t rub off on him and in the years since he’s only done a pair of features, Drive Angry and Trick as well as some television.
Now he’s trying to break through again with Play Dead. It’s the story of Chloe a criminology student whose been left a house by her father. Unfortunately, he didn’t leave her any money and foreclosure looks imminent.
Her younger brother Tj and her ex Ross have a plan however, they’re...
Patrick Lussier parlayed a career editing everything from the original MacGyver to films by Wes Craven and Guillermo del Toro to Apollo 18 into a gig writing and directing the reboot of My Bloody Valentine. Unfortunately, that film’s success didn’t rub off on him and in the years since he’s only done a pair of features, Drive Angry and Trick as well as some television.
Now he’s trying to break through again with Play Dead. It’s the story of Chloe a criminology student whose been left a house by her father. Unfortunately, he didn’t leave her any money and foreclosure looks imminent.
Her younger brother Tj and her ex Ross have a plan however, they’re...
- 4/17/2023
- by Jim Morazzini
- Nerdly
For years, Awesome Art We’ve Found Around The Net has been about two things only – awesome art and the artists that create it. With that in mind, we thought why not take the first week of the month to showcase these awesome artists even more? Welcome to “Awesome Artist We’ve Found Around The Net.” In this column, we are focusing on one artist and the awesome art that they create, whether they be amateur, up-and-coming, or well-established. The goal is to uncover these artists so even more people become familiar with them. We ask these artists a few questions to see their origins, influences, and more. If you are an awesome artist or know someone that should be featured, feel free to contact me at any time at theodorebond@joblo.com.This month we are very pleased to bring you the awesome art of…
Tom Coupland
Tom Coupland...
Tom Coupland
Tom Coupland...
- 4/1/2023
- by Theodore Bond
- JoBlo.com
Marvel Studios veteran Victoria Alonso was fired for promoting “Argentina: 1985,” which was in violation of her employment contract, TheWrap has confirmed.
Alonso had been with Marvel Studios since the first “Iron Man” and served as president of Physical, Post Production, VFX and Animation.
“Argentina: 1985” was distributed by Amazon and Alonso is one of eight credited producers of the historical legal drama. However, by promoting the film, Alonso “breached a 2018 agreement that saw her violate the company’s standards of business conduct that stated employees would not work for competing studios,” according to the Hollywood Reporter, which first reported the news.
Also Read:
Marvel Shakeup: Longtime Exec Victoria Alonso Exits Studio
Alonso was warned repeatedly, and was even given a dispensation on the condition she would not work, promote or publicize the film going forward. Disney’s management audit team became involved and a new memo was signed.
Alonso was reminded...
Alonso had been with Marvel Studios since the first “Iron Man” and served as president of Physical, Post Production, VFX and Animation.
“Argentina: 1985” was distributed by Amazon and Alonso is one of eight credited producers of the historical legal drama. However, by promoting the film, Alonso “breached a 2018 agreement that saw her violate the company’s standards of business conduct that stated employees would not work for competing studios,” according to the Hollywood Reporter, which first reported the news.
Also Read:
Marvel Shakeup: Longtime Exec Victoria Alonso Exits Studio
Alonso was warned repeatedly, and was even given a dispensation on the condition she would not work, promote or publicize the film going forward. Disney’s management audit team became involved and a new memo was signed.
Alonso was reminded...
- 3/24/2023
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
In the summer of 2019, at a home video day for “Captain Marvel,” Victoria Alonso, the then-chief of production at Marvel Studios, bristled at a question. The innocuous query referred to Kevin Feige, president of the studio, as her “boss.”
“He is not my boss,” Alonso asserted, before answering the question. She had a point: She technically reported to co-president Louis D’Esposito, not Feige. Yet it was a moment when her cool veneer cracked, if only for a moment, and the flinty executive within was exposed.
Her tenacity was a tool. She started out as a visual effects supervisor on movies for DreamWorks Animation and Ridley Scott before joining Marvel Studios as a co-producer and visual effects producer on the company’s first-ever in-house production, 2008’s “Iron Man.” She’s been a key part of every Marvel Studios film and streaming series since, and in 2021 was given the title of president of physical,...
“He is not my boss,” Alonso asserted, before answering the question. She had a point: She technically reported to co-president Louis D’Esposito, not Feige. Yet it was a moment when her cool veneer cracked, if only for a moment, and the flinty executive within was exposed.
Her tenacity was a tool. She started out as a visual effects supervisor on movies for DreamWorks Animation and Ridley Scott before joining Marvel Studios as a co-producer and visual effects producer on the company’s first-ever in-house production, 2008’s “Iron Man.” She’s been a key part of every Marvel Studios film and streaming series since, and in 2021 was given the title of president of physical,...
- 3/22/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
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