Exclusive: The legendary 1972 Toronto production of the musical Godspell – a staging that launched the careers of Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Gilda Radner, Victor Garber, Paul Shaffer, Andrea Martin and Dave Thomas, among others – will be the subject of a feature length documentary exec produced by Judd Apatow.
“As a bona fide comedy nerd,” said Apatow in a statement, “I’ve long wondered what exactly brought that amazing group of people together to produce not just a fantastic theatrical event, but what came after: Second City Toronto, Sctv, and of course Saturday Night Live – not to mention a host of movies and TV from Splash to The Three Amigos to Schitt’s Creek and Only Murders in the Building. None of that would have happened in the way that it did without the Toronto Godspell.”
The film will be produced, directed and co-written (with Jane Mendelsohn) by Nick Davis, whose most recent film,...
“As a bona fide comedy nerd,” said Apatow in a statement, “I’ve long wondered what exactly brought that amazing group of people together to produce not just a fantastic theatrical event, but what came after: Second City Toronto, Sctv, and of course Saturday Night Live – not to mention a host of movies and TV from Splash to The Three Amigos to Schitt’s Creek and Only Murders in the Building. None of that would have happened in the way that it did without the Toronto Godspell.”
The film will be produced, directed and co-written (with Jane Mendelsohn) by Nick Davis, whose most recent film,...
- 3/14/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Fernandomania is coming back.
Universal Content Productions is teaming up with the beloved Dodgers pitcher-turned-broadcaster for a scripted limited series based on his life and career. A network/platform is not yet attached.
The project, which is in development, hails from writers Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster, the writing duo whose credits include the upcoming Netflix limited series Painkiller and who are adapting Disney’s Bambi remake. Major League Baseball’s Nick Trotta (The Captain, 30 for 30) also attached to exec produce via MLB Studios.
Here’s how UCP describes the limited series: “The first time Fernando Valenzuela has ever told his story, this series will follow the legendary Dodgers pitcher from his time playing on dirt fields in rural Mexico to winning the World Series in 1981 — and changing baseball forever.”
Alfonso Gomez-Rejon (Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, The Current War) is attached to exec produce and will direct...
Universal Content Productions is teaming up with the beloved Dodgers pitcher-turned-broadcaster for a scripted limited series based on his life and career. A network/platform is not yet attached.
The project, which is in development, hails from writers Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster, the writing duo whose credits include the upcoming Netflix limited series Painkiller and who are adapting Disney’s Bambi remake. Major League Baseball’s Nick Trotta (The Captain, 30 for 30) also attached to exec produce via MLB Studios.
Here’s how UCP describes the limited series: “The first time Fernando Valenzuela has ever told his story, this series will follow the legendary Dodgers pitcher from his time playing on dirt fields in rural Mexico to winning the World Series in 1981 — and changing baseball forever.”
Alfonso Gomez-Rejon (Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, The Current War) is attached to exec produce and will direct...
- 4/28/2023
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Brian Grazer and Ron Howard’s Imagine Entertainment has entered into a strategic partnership with Major League Baseball to create scripted and non-scripted film and television properties.
Under the terms of the multiyear deal, Imagine and MLB will collaborate to develop and produce projects rooted in stories and personalities throughout the league’s robust 150-year history. The partnership will produce programming that taps the expansive MLB film and video archive to cover historical and cultural subjects while leveraging access granted by the league to also profile the captivating storylines around the game today.
“I’ve always been drawn to the drama, high stakes, and emotion of baseball ever since I was kid in the bleachers of Dodger Stadium,” Howard said in a statement. “These also happen to be the very same elements that make for a great movie or television show, which is why Brian, Imagine, and I are so...
Under the terms of the multiyear deal, Imagine and MLB will collaborate to develop and produce projects rooted in stories and personalities throughout the league’s robust 150-year history. The partnership will produce programming that taps the expansive MLB film and video archive to cover historical and cultural subjects while leveraging access granted by the league to also profile the captivating storylines around the game today.
“I’ve always been drawn to the drama, high stakes, and emotion of baseball ever since I was kid in the bleachers of Dodger Stadium,” Howard said in a statement. “These also happen to be the very same elements that make for a great movie or television show, which is why Brian, Imagine, and I are so...
- 4/5/2023
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
Ron Howard and Brian Grazer’s Imagine Entertainment has entered a significant content deal with Major League Baseball, Variety can report exclusively.
The partnership will yield multiple scripted and unscripted projects, the first of which is a documentary feature from noted filmmaker R.J. Cutler following baseball’s 2023 world series.
“I’ve always been drawn to the drama, high stakes, and emotion of baseball ever since I was kid in the bleachers of Dodger Stadium,” Oscar winner Howard told Variety. “These also happen to be the very same elements that make for a great movie or television show, which is why Brian, Imagine and I are so excited to be teaming up with Major League Baseball to bring more of their stories to life.”
MLB will participate in the deal through its eponymous studios label, which creates, produces and consults on original content with multi-platform media and licensing projects that span film,...
The partnership will yield multiple scripted and unscripted projects, the first of which is a documentary feature from noted filmmaker R.J. Cutler following baseball’s 2023 world series.
“I’ve always been drawn to the drama, high stakes, and emotion of baseball ever since I was kid in the bleachers of Dodger Stadium,” Oscar winner Howard told Variety. “These also happen to be the very same elements that make for a great movie or television show, which is why Brian, Imagine and I are so excited to be teaming up with Major League Baseball to bring more of their stories to life.”
MLB will participate in the deal through its eponymous studios label, which creates, produces and consults on original content with multi-platform media and licensing projects that span film,...
- 4/5/2023
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Eric Dane, Odeya Rush, Ray Liotta and Saffron Burrows are set to star in “Dangerous Waters” from Signature Films.
Directed by and based on a story from John Barr (“Blood and Money”), with a script by Mark Jackson, the Dominican Republic-shot film centers on a sailing holiday that spirals out of control when a teenage daughter (“Cha Cha Real Smooth” star Rush) uncovers the dark past of her mother’s new boyfriend.
Producers include Rio Luna Films’ Suza Horvat and Signature Films’ Marc Goldberg. Executive producers are Capstone Global’s Christian Mercuri and Signature’s Sarah Gabriel and Gareth Williams, as well as co-producers Brianna Johnson and Ben Jacques.
Capstone Global will handle worldwide sales and introduce the film to buyers in Cannes later this month.
The project is the second feature film from Barr, who previously directed “Blood and Money” with Tom Berenger, and worked as a cinematographer on...
Directed by and based on a story from John Barr (“Blood and Money”), with a script by Mark Jackson, the Dominican Republic-shot film centers on a sailing holiday that spirals out of control when a teenage daughter (“Cha Cha Real Smooth” star Rush) uncovers the dark past of her mother’s new boyfriend.
Producers include Rio Luna Films’ Suza Horvat and Signature Films’ Marc Goldberg. Executive producers are Capstone Global’s Christian Mercuri and Signature’s Sarah Gabriel and Gareth Williams, as well as co-producers Brianna Johnson and Ben Jacques.
Capstone Global will handle worldwide sales and introduce the film to buyers in Cannes later this month.
The project is the second feature film from Barr, who previously directed “Blood and Money” with Tom Berenger, and worked as a cinematographer on...
- 5/5/2022
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Odeya Rush, Eric Dane, Saffron Burrows and Ray Liotta are set to star in Dangerous Waters, from Blood And Money director John Barr.
The story, which is based on a script by Mark Jackson and a story by Barr, follows a sailing holiday which spirals out of control when a teenage daughter (Rush) uncovers the dark past of her mother’s new boyfriend.
The film is currently shooting in the Dominican Republic. It’s produced by Rio Luna Films’ Suza Horvat and Signature Films’ Marc Goldberg. Exec producers include Capstone Global’s Christian Mercuri and Signature’s Sarah Gabriel and Gareth Williams, as well as co-producers Brianna Johnson and Ben Jacques.
Capstone Global are handling worldwide sales and launching the project to buyers at Cannes this month.
The project is the second feature from Barr, who previously directed Blood And Money with Tom Berenger. The director was a cinematographer on projects including This Teacher,...
The story, which is based on a script by Mark Jackson and a story by Barr, follows a sailing holiday which spirals out of control when a teenage daughter (Rush) uncovers the dark past of her mother’s new boyfriend.
The film is currently shooting in the Dominican Republic. It’s produced by Rio Luna Films’ Suza Horvat and Signature Films’ Marc Goldberg. Exec producers include Capstone Global’s Christian Mercuri and Signature’s Sarah Gabriel and Gareth Williams, as well as co-producers Brianna Johnson and Ben Jacques.
Capstone Global are handling worldwide sales and launching the project to buyers at Cannes this month.
The project is the second feature from Barr, who previously directed Blood And Money with Tom Berenger. The director was a cinematographer on projects including This Teacher,...
- 5/5/2022
- by Diana Lodderhose
- Deadline Film + TV
Odeya Rush, a star known for “Lady Bird” and “Cha Cha Real Smooth,” will star in a drama called “Dangerous Waters” set during a sailing holiday that spirals out of control.
John Barr (“Blood and Money”) is directing the film that will also star Eric Dane, Saffron Burrows and Ray Liotta. Filming is currently underway on the film in the Dominican Republic.
“Dangerous Waters” sees a teenage daughter slowly uncovering the dark past of her mother’s new boyfriend while out on a sailing vacation. Mark Jackson wrote the script, and Barr is the writer credited on the story.
Producers on “Dangerous Waters” include Rio Luna Films’ Suza Horvat and Signature Films’ Marc Goldberg. Executive producers include Capstone Global’s Christian Mercuri and Signature’s Sarah Gabriel and Gareth Williams, as well as co-producers Brianna Johnson and Ben Jacques.
Capstone Global will handle worldwide sales and introduce the film to buyers in Cannes.
John Barr (“Blood and Money”) is directing the film that will also star Eric Dane, Saffron Burrows and Ray Liotta. Filming is currently underway on the film in the Dominican Republic.
“Dangerous Waters” sees a teenage daughter slowly uncovering the dark past of her mother’s new boyfriend while out on a sailing vacation. Mark Jackson wrote the script, and Barr is the writer credited on the story.
Producers on “Dangerous Waters” include Rio Luna Films’ Suza Horvat and Signature Films’ Marc Goldberg. Executive producers include Capstone Global’s Christian Mercuri and Signature’s Sarah Gabriel and Gareth Williams, as well as co-producers Brianna Johnson and Ben Jacques.
Capstone Global will handle worldwide sales and introduce the film to buyers in Cannes.
- 5/5/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Jimmy Kimmel’s future in late-night at ABC is still in flux but ABC chief Craig Erwich reiterated his hopes to keep the comedian on the air for as long as possible.
Erwich, who is President, Hulu Originals & ABC Entertainment, said that Kimmel, who hosts Jimmy Kimmel Live! was the “king of late-night” as the longest running late-night show host on the air.
“We will have Jimmy for as many seasons as he wants to be on the air,” he said at his TCA executive session.
Erwich pointed to Kimmel’s on air tribute last night of his friend Bob Saget, calling it “heartwarming” and “funny”.
He added that the network loves to work with Kimmel as a producer – he runs his own production company Kimmelot – and is responsible for Live In Front of a Studio Audience.
This comes after Kimmel caused the late-night gossip mill to whirl after he...
Erwich, who is President, Hulu Originals & ABC Entertainment, said that Kimmel, who hosts Jimmy Kimmel Live! was the “king of late-night” as the longest running late-night show host on the air.
“We will have Jimmy for as many seasons as he wants to be on the air,” he said at his TCA executive session.
Erwich pointed to Kimmel’s on air tribute last night of his friend Bob Saget, calling it “heartwarming” and “funny”.
He added that the network loves to work with Kimmel as a producer – he runs his own production company Kimmelot – and is responsible for Live In Front of a Studio Audience.
This comes after Kimmel caused the late-night gossip mill to whirl after he...
- 1/11/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Jimmy Kimmel caused the late-night gossip mill to whirl after revealing that he wasn’t sure whether he would continue hosting his nightly talk show after his current contract is up.
Kimmel told Howard Stern last week that he was “vacillating” over the decision.
ABC, however, is keen to keep the comedian in place, particularly as Jimmy Kimmel Live! had one of its best seasons, coming second to CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and beating NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in the 18-49 demo for the first time.
Craig Erwich, President of ABC Entertainment and Hulu Originals, told Deadline: “First of all, we want to stay in business with Jimmy for many, many years to come. He’s the king of late-night, he’s the longest-serving host of any current late-night shows. He had a really great year last year, beating Fallon in adults 18-49 for the first time ever,...
Kimmel told Howard Stern last week that he was “vacillating” over the decision.
ABC, however, is keen to keep the comedian in place, particularly as Jimmy Kimmel Live! had one of its best seasons, coming second to CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and beating NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in the 18-49 demo for the first time.
Craig Erwich, President of ABC Entertainment and Hulu Originals, told Deadline: “First of all, we want to stay in business with Jimmy for many, many years to come. He’s the king of late-night, he’s the longest-serving host of any current late-night shows. He had a really great year last year, beating Fallon in adults 18-49 for the first time ever,...
- 9/21/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
The late-night world has been speculating for some time as to whether Jimmy Kimmel will continue his ABC talkshow after his contract runs out next year.
The Jimmy Kimmel Live! host discussed his future on SiriusXM’s The Howard Stern Show, but admitted that he doesn’t know whether he will continue after the show’s 20th season.
“I vacillate. I do love being off. I love not working. It’s really so much better than working, and the ideal situation is having people do my job for me while I continue to get paid. But I don’t know. I don’t know. I think I know sometimes, and then when it comes time to make the decision, then I feel like I don’t know. But we’ll see. When I have to make that decision, I will make that decision,” he said.
It comes as Kimmel is...
The Jimmy Kimmel Live! host discussed his future on SiriusXM’s The Howard Stern Show, but admitted that he doesn’t know whether he will continue after the show’s 20th season.
“I vacillate. I do love being off. I love not working. It’s really so much better than working, and the ideal situation is having people do my job for me while I continue to get paid. But I don’t know. I don’t know. I think I know sometimes, and then when it comes time to make the decision, then I feel like I don’t know. But we’ll see. When I have to make that decision, I will make that decision,” he said.
It comes as Kimmel is...
- 9/16/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
The hustle of show business means people not-infrequently have two projects hitting the market at the same time.
Even so, filmmaker Nick Davis is the creative force behind one of the more unusual doubleheaders in recent memory. He directed ESPN “30 for 30” limited series Once Upon a Time in Queens, an account of the World Series-winning, earth-scorching 1986 New York Mets. The two-night, four hour docuseries, whose executive producers include Jimmy Kimmel, premieres tonight and concludes tomorrow. Also today, Knopf has published Davis’s book, Competing with Idiots, a dual portrait of Joseph and Herman Mankiewicz that had been in the works for nearly two decades. The Hollywood royals were his great-uncle and grandfather, respectively.
“I’ve thought about what common ground there is between these projects,” Davis said in an interview with Deadline. “And I think what it is is that I have no memory of not being Herman Mankiewicz’s grandson.
Even so, filmmaker Nick Davis is the creative force behind one of the more unusual doubleheaders in recent memory. He directed ESPN “30 for 30” limited series Once Upon a Time in Queens, an account of the World Series-winning, earth-scorching 1986 New York Mets. The two-night, four hour docuseries, whose executive producers include Jimmy Kimmel, premieres tonight and concludes tomorrow. Also today, Knopf has published Davis’s book, Competing with Idiots, a dual portrait of Joseph and Herman Mankiewicz that had been in the works for nearly two decades. The Hollywood royals were his great-uncle and grandfather, respectively.
“I’ve thought about what common ground there is between these projects,” Davis said in an interview with Deadline. “And I think what it is is that I have no memory of not being Herman Mankiewicz’s grandson.
- 9/14/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
With nicknames like Doc, The Kid, Nails, Mookie, Bobby O, El Sid, The Straw Man, and Mex, it might be easy to confuse players on the 1986 World Series champion New York Mets with characters from an old 1940s war movie or Western — the kind of project Herman J. Mankiewicz might have worked on in the Golden Age of Hollywood. So perhaps it is fitting that 35 years after the iconic Mets season, a filmmaker with direct ties to the Mankiewicz brothers turned the team’s no-holds-barred title run into a documentary, ESPN’s “Once Upon a Time in Queens.”
“I just felt like, ‘Wow, this is like being with the Beatles in Hamburg,” director Nick Davis, who is the grandson of the Oscar-winning “Citizen Kane” screenwriter, tells Gold Derby. “I would like us to win more world championships, as a Mets fan, but I don’t know that we’re ever...
“I just felt like, ‘Wow, this is like being with the Beatles in Hamburg,” director Nick Davis, who is the grandson of the Oscar-winning “Citizen Kane” screenwriter, tells Gold Derby. “I would like us to win more world championships, as a Mets fan, but I don’t know that we’re ever...
- 9/14/2021
- by Christopher Rosen
- Gold Derby
There was really only way for “Once Upon a Time in Queens,” ESPN’s four-part documentary that chronicles the 1986 New York Mets championship team, to reach its crescendo: with the most famous dribbler up the first base line in baseball history.
Bill Buckner’s infamous error that snatched defeat from the jaws of victory for the Boston Red Sox, who were one out away from a World Series championship, allowed the Mets to score the winning run and cap off a three-run comeback. But for director Nick Davis, that play presented a much different challenge.
How do you find a new way to show one of the most famous plays in baseball history?
“We had access to all this never-before-seen footage or rarely seen footage from this documentary crew that followed the Mets in ’86 off and on for Major League Baseball. I don’t think anybody had seen the side...
Bill Buckner’s infamous error that snatched defeat from the jaws of victory for the Boston Red Sox, who were one out away from a World Series championship, allowed the Mets to score the winning run and cap off a three-run comeback. But for director Nick Davis, that play presented a much different challenge.
How do you find a new way to show one of the most famous plays in baseball history?
“We had access to all this never-before-seen footage or rarely seen footage from this documentary crew that followed the Mets in ’86 off and on for Major League Baseball. I don’t think anybody had seen the side...
- 9/14/2021
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Sal Iacono was the first notable name to walk Friday night’s red carpet at NeueHouse Hollywood ahead of the world premiere of ESPN’s new 30 for 30 installment, Once Upon a Time in Queens. While he was eager to discuss his role in executive producing the series alongside that famous cousin of his, Jimmy Kimmel, Iacono couldn’t help but keep one eye on the other coast.
“It’s eight to two, right now, and the Mets are up,” Iacono, a lifelong and “diehard” New York Mets fan like Brooklyn-bred Kimmel, reported to The Hollywood Reporter upon arriving. “...
“It’s eight to two, right now, and the Mets are up,” Iacono, a lifelong and “diehard” New York Mets fan like Brooklyn-bred Kimmel, reported to The Hollywood Reporter upon arriving. “...
- 9/13/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Sal Iacono was the first notable name to walk Friday night’s red carpet at NeueHouse Hollywood ahead of the world premiere of ESPN’s new 30 for 30 installment, Once Upon a Time in Queens. While he was eager to discuss his role in executive producing the series alongside that famous cousin of his, Jimmy Kimmel, Iacono couldn’t help but keep one eye on the other coast.
“It’s eight to two, right now, and the Mets are up,” Iacono, a lifelong and “diehard” New York Mets fan like Brooklyn-bred Kimmel, reported to The Hollywood Reporter upon arriving. “...
“It’s eight to two, right now, and the Mets are up,” Iacono, a lifelong and “diehard” New York Mets fan like Brooklyn-bred Kimmel, reported to The Hollywood Reporter upon arriving. “...
- 9/13/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
ESPN will debut the next installment in the Peabody and Emmy award-winning 30 for 30 series, “Once Upon a Time in Queens,” on September 14 & 15. Directed by Nick Davis (“Ted Williams: ‘The Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived'”), the documentary tells the story of the 1986 Mets, one of the most dominating, infamous, and […]
The post ESPN Releases Trailer For Next ’30 for 30′ Installment ‘Once Upon a Time in Queens’ appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post ESPN Releases Trailer For Next ’30 for 30′ Installment ‘Once Upon a Time in Queens’ appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 8/24/2021
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
Rooftop Films Returns for 25th Anniversary Summer Series in NYC
Rooftop Films, the non-profit organization and film community celebrated as New York’s home for independent films, announced the return of their annual Rooftop Films Summer Series.
Among the films set to screen are Janicza Bravo’s “Zola,” presented by A24 on the lawn in Fort Greene Park, and “Once Upon a Time in Queens,” ESPN’s new series detailing the uniquely wild championship run of the 1986 Mets.
Joshua Rofé’s “Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal and Greed,” and Sally Aitken’s “Playing with Sharks,” are the documentaries will also screen when the series begins June 17 at Green-Wood Cemetery.
The screenings will follow all CDC and state guidelines which allow for more New Yorkers to gather safely for cultural events. The Rooftop Films Summer Series is presented by SundanceTV.
The Summer Series will run from June 17th through mid-September and...
Rooftop Films, the non-profit organization and film community celebrated as New York’s home for independent films, announced the return of their annual Rooftop Films Summer Series.
Among the films set to screen are Janicza Bravo’s “Zola,” presented by A24 on the lawn in Fort Greene Park, and “Once Upon a Time in Queens,” ESPN’s new series detailing the uniquely wild championship run of the 1986 Mets.
Joshua Rofé’s “Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal and Greed,” and Sally Aitken’s “Playing with Sharks,” are the documentaries will also screen when the series begins June 17 at Green-Wood Cemetery.
The screenings will follow all CDC and state guidelines which allow for more New Yorkers to gather safely for cultural events. The Rooftop Films Summer Series is presented by SundanceTV.
The Summer Series will run from June 17th through mid-September and...
- 6/7/2021
- by Antonio Ferme
- Variety Film + TV
ESPN examined the 1990s Chicago Bulls in a celebrated documentary series and probed the fortunes of the 1970s New York Yankees in a serialized drama. Now the sports-media giant has big plans for the New York Mets.
ESPN Films plans to release “Once Upon a Time in Queens,” a four-part series on the 1986 Mets, later this year on both ESPN and ESPN Plus. The series, produced under the umbrella of the Disney unit’s “30 for 30” documentary unit, is executive produced by Jimmy Kimmel, Sal “Cousin Sal” Iacono, Kimmelot’s Scott Lonker, and MLB’s Nick Trotta. It is directed and produced by Nick Davis.
The program will tell the story of the Mets’ World Series comeback, using hours of never-before-seen footage of the team. Players featured include: Bobby Ojeda; Darryl Strawberry; manager Davey Johnson; Dwight Gooden; Keith Hernandez; Kevin Mitchell; Lenny Dykstra; Mookie Wilson; Roger McDowell; Sid Fernandez; and Wally Backman.
ESPN Films plans to release “Once Upon a Time in Queens,” a four-part series on the 1986 Mets, later this year on both ESPN and ESPN Plus. The series, produced under the umbrella of the Disney unit’s “30 for 30” documentary unit, is executive produced by Jimmy Kimmel, Sal “Cousin Sal” Iacono, Kimmelot’s Scott Lonker, and MLB’s Nick Trotta. It is directed and produced by Nick Davis.
The program will tell the story of the Mets’ World Series comeback, using hours of never-before-seen footage of the team. Players featured include: Bobby Ojeda; Darryl Strawberry; manager Davey Johnson; Dwight Gooden; Keith Hernandez; Kevin Mitchell; Lenny Dykstra; Mookie Wilson; Roger McDowell; Sid Fernandez; and Wally Backman.
- 4/27/2021
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
David Rodriguez, a producer and director for shows like “The Chi,” “Animal Kingdom” and “Chicago P.D.,” died on Oct. 29, Variety has confirmed. He was 50.
In addition to his work in television, Rodriguez wrote, produced and directed several films, including “Push,” “American Bully” and “Once Upon a Time in Queens.”
Born on Aug. 18, 1970, Rodriguez was the youngest of four children and was raised in the South Bronx and Long Island areas of New York City. He attended the New York Military Academy and soon enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, following a long tradition of military service in his family. Rodriguez spent a short time as a corrections and law enforcement officer in South Florida before entering the entertainment business in 2003.
After writing, producing and directing several short films, Rodriguez’s first feature was 2006’s “Push” starring Chris Evans and Dakota Fanning. “American Bully” followed in 2009 and he produced the...
In addition to his work in television, Rodriguez wrote, produced and directed several films, including “Push,” “American Bully” and “Once Upon a Time in Queens.”
Born on Aug. 18, 1970, Rodriguez was the youngest of four children and was raised in the South Bronx and Long Island areas of New York City. He attended the New York Military Academy and soon enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, following a long tradition of military service in his family. Rodriguez spent a short time as a corrections and law enforcement officer in South Florida before entering the entertainment business in 2003.
After writing, producing and directing several short films, Rodriguez’s first feature was 2006’s “Push” starring Chris Evans and Dakota Fanning. “American Bully” followed in 2009 and he produced the...
- 11/1/2020
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
David Rodriguez, a writer/producer/director for film and television, died October 29 from complications of a stroke. He was 50.
Rodriguez was born in 1970 and raised in the Bronx by parents Millie and J.B. “David” Rodriguez. He spent his formative years at the New York Military Academy in Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY. A few years after graduating from N.Y.M.A., Rodriguez enlisted and served in the United States Marine Corps, following a family tradition of military service.
He then went on to work in Corrections and Law Enforcement, including serving time as an undercover narcotics officer in South Florida. In 2003, Rodriguez took the leap into the entertainment business to pursue his life-long dream of becoming a director.
Rodriguez worked steadily as a director, producer, and writer in film and television since 2004. In 2018 and 2019, he was the coexecutive producer/director on TNT’s Animal Kingdom for John Wells Productions, and directed...
Rodriguez was born in 1970 and raised in the Bronx by parents Millie and J.B. “David” Rodriguez. He spent his formative years at the New York Military Academy in Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY. A few years after graduating from N.Y.M.A., Rodriguez enlisted and served in the United States Marine Corps, following a family tradition of military service.
He then went on to work in Corrections and Law Enforcement, including serving time as an undercover narcotics officer in South Florida. In 2003, Rodriguez took the leap into the entertainment business to pursue his life-long dream of becoming a director.
Rodriguez worked steadily as a director, producer, and writer in film and television since 2004. In 2018 and 2019, he was the coexecutive producer/director on TNT’s Animal Kingdom for John Wells Productions, and directed...
- 11/1/2020
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Kathryn Dennis has had a bumpy road back to Charleston.
In an exclusive sneak peek at Monday’s season 4 premiere of Southern Charm, the embattled mother of two makes a surprise call to Craig Conover, her last ally in the Palmetto City, to announce that she’s returning after an extended absence and no shortage of personal drama.
“I’m back in Charleston officially,” says Dennis. “I’m trying to get my life back on track, you know, do the right thing, make the right choices, all that good stuff.”
Dennis has two children — Kensie, 3, and Saint, almost 18 months — with ex and costar Thomas Ravenel,...
In an exclusive sneak peek at Monday’s season 4 premiere of Southern Charm, the embattled mother of two makes a surprise call to Craig Conover, her last ally in the Palmetto City, to announce that she’s returning after an extended absence and no shortage of personal drama.
“I’m back in Charleston officially,” says Dennis. “I’m trying to get my life back on track, you know, do the right thing, make the right choices, all that good stuff.”
Dennis has two children — Kensie, 3, and Saint, almost 18 months — with ex and costar Thomas Ravenel,...
- 4/3/2017
- by Lanford Beard
- PEOPLE.com
When news broke that Lionsgate had mapped out plans to repackage The Divergent Series for a TV finale, a fair portion of the franchise’s fanbase were understandably peeved.
Three films into the dystopian tentpole and with Ascendant tentatively pegged for 2017 release, it was the departure of director Robert Schwentke that ruffled feathers as the first sign of trouble. Some months later, and after the studio officially opted to shift its Ya series to the small screen, lead stars Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley started to cast doubt over whether they would see out Divergent to the end now that Lionsgate is angling its blockbuster for another medium.
A TV finale, one that arguably sends the cult franchise out on a whimper rather than a bang, wasn’t part of their initial contracts, after all, and while doing the press rounds for Oliver Stone’s Oscar-tipped Snowden, Woodley reaffirmed that she’s harboing some apprehensions.
Three films into the dystopian tentpole and with Ascendant tentatively pegged for 2017 release, it was the departure of director Robert Schwentke that ruffled feathers as the first sign of trouble. Some months later, and after the studio officially opted to shift its Ya series to the small screen, lead stars Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley started to cast doubt over whether they would see out Divergent to the end now that Lionsgate is angling its blockbuster for another medium.
A TV finale, one that arguably sends the cult franchise out on a whimper rather than a bang, wasn’t part of their initial contracts, after all, and while doing the press rounds for Oliver Stone’s Oscar-tipped Snowden, Woodley reaffirmed that she’s harboing some apprehensions.
- 9/9/2016
- by Michael Briers
- We Got This Covered
Not long ago, we learned that the final Divergent movie had been downgraded from a theatrical release to a made-for-tv movie that's intended to set up a TV show spin-off. This news came as a shock to practically everyone involved, since the final film, Ascendant, was previously scheduled to hit theaters next summer. But because of poor box office performance, Lionsgate has decided that a TV show seems like the best way to continue the story without taking on the massive risk of losing millions of dollars on an unnecessary theatrical release when the audience just isn't showing up for this franchise any more.
Actress Shailene Woodley, who plays Tris in the films, spoke with ScreenRant about the future of the franchise and her potential involvement, and it doesn't sound good:
Last I heard they were trying to make it into a television show. I didn’t sign up to be in a television show.
Actress Shailene Woodley, who plays Tris in the films, spoke with ScreenRant about the future of the franchise and her potential involvement, and it doesn't sound good:
Last I heard they were trying to make it into a television show. I didn’t sign up to be in a television show.
- 9/9/2016
- by Ben Pearson
- GeekTyrant
Back in July, it was reported that Ascendant -- the final film in the waning Divergent series whose last installment Allegiant seriously underperformed at the box office -- would instead be released as a TV movie and potentially feed into a small-screen spinoff series. This was news to Divergent star Shailene Woodley, who, after presumably thinking it over, decided she's not particularly keen on the dystopian prospect of starring in a TV sequel to her own movie. As she told Screen Rant while doing press rounds for Oliver Stone's Snowden: "Last I heard they were trying to make it into a television show. I didn’t sign up to be in a television show. Out of respect to the studio and everyone in involved, they may have changed their mind and may be doing something different, but I’m not necessarily interested in doing a television show." While...
- 9/8/2016
- by Chris Eggertsen
- Hitfix
It's no secret that the original Star Wars trilogy is about as white as white bread. With the exception of Lando Calrissian, there isn't really a single person of color on screen (excluding James Earl Jones' voice, of course). I'm not here to demonize or hate on Lucas for that. Times were different back in the 1970s and 1980s, and what's done is done. However, with last year's Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Disney and Lucasfilm managed to diversify its cast in both sex and color.
This is a trend they are continuing with Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which is another film with a female lead. In addition, the main cast for that film looks to be as racially diverse as could be, consisting of Chinese actor Jian Wheng, Hong Kong actor star Donnie Yen, Mexican actor Diego Luna, and British Muslim actor Riz Ahmed.
Well, it...
This is a trend they are continuing with Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which is another film with a female lead. In addition, the main cast for that film looks to be as racially diverse as could be, consisting of Chinese actor Jian Wheng, Hong Kong actor star Donnie Yen, Mexican actor Diego Luna, and British Muslim actor Riz Ahmed.
Well, it...
- 8/12/2016
- by Joseph Medina
- LRMonline.com
It's been a while since we've heard anything regarding the upcoming adaptations for Sony's The Last of Us and Uncharted, but this week brings a quick one from Naughty Dog's Neil Druckmann...but it's not good news. Come inside to check out the latest on these video game films.
If you've been looking forward to seeing Naughty Dog's amazing video game stories come to life on the big screen, I wish I had better news for you. Uncharted has been in the works for a Long while, cycling through many directors and release dates (currently it is supposed to hit on June 30, 2017). The Last of Us was announced a couple years ago during Sdcc with some awesome sounding talent attached...but since then all has been quiet on the movie adaptation.
This week we got some explanation from Neil Druckmann, Naughty Dog producer and Last of Us screenwriter,...
If you've been looking forward to seeing Naughty Dog's amazing video game stories come to life on the big screen, I wish I had better news for you. Uncharted has been in the works for a Long while, cycling through many directors and release dates (currently it is supposed to hit on June 30, 2017). The Last of Us was announced a couple years ago during Sdcc with some awesome sounding talent attached...but since then all has been quiet on the movie adaptation.
This week we got some explanation from Neil Druckmann, Naughty Dog producer and Last of Us screenwriter,...
- 4/8/2016
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (Jordan Maison)
- Cinelinx
There's almost no game developer with a greater reputation than Naughty Dog. From the "Uncharted" series to "The Last of Us," the studio's video games have been amongst the most acclaimed titles of the past decade.
Film adaptations of their properties, something that seems a logical extension considering their knack for cinematic narratives, have not been so lucky. The film version of "Uncharted" has had a troubled genesis over the years at Sony Pictures as attached talent has come and gone. A film version of "The Last of Us," to be produced by Sam Raimi and penned by the game's writer and director Neil Druckmann, was announced almost two years ago to much excitement.
Yet this week we've learned that both films appear to have stalled. Speaking with IGN, Druckmann says that nothing on "The Last of Us" film has moved much since that mid-2014 announcement:
"I know I said...
Film adaptations of their properties, something that seems a logical extension considering their knack for cinematic narratives, have not been so lucky. The film version of "Uncharted" has had a troubled genesis over the years at Sony Pictures as attached talent has come and gone. A film version of "The Last of Us," to be produced by Sam Raimi and penned by the game's writer and director Neil Druckmann, was announced almost two years ago to much excitement.
Yet this week we've learned that both films appear to have stalled. Speaking with IGN, Druckmann says that nothing on "The Last of Us" film has moved much since that mid-2014 announcement:
"I know I said...
- 4/5/2016
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Despite showing early signs of promise, things don’t look too rosy when it comes to Sony’s live-action rendition of The Last of Us, after Naughty Dog Creative Director Neil Druckmann conceded that the feature film has all but entered development hell in the past year or so.
Alas, it’s a similar story when it comes to the publisher’s long-gestating Uncharted movie, with numerous actors and directors – including Mark Wahlberg, David O. Russell and Baywatch helmer Seth Gorden – ducking out of the project before it could make the defining leap from Sony’s proverbial drawing board.
More News From The Web
During an interview with IGN, Druckmann noted that although there was once a script in the works, the Naughty Dog team “haven’t seen anything in a while,” indicating that it too has been placed on ice over at Sony.
“Every once in a while they...
Alas, it’s a similar story when it comes to the publisher’s long-gestating Uncharted movie, with numerous actors and directors – including Mark Wahlberg, David O. Russell and Baywatch helmer Seth Gorden – ducking out of the project before it could make the defining leap from Sony’s proverbial drawing board.
More News From The Web
During an interview with IGN, Druckmann noted that although there was once a script in the works, the Naughty Dog team “haven’t seen anything in a while,” indicating that it too has been placed on ice over at Sony.
“Every once in a while they...
- 4/5/2016
- by Michael Briers
- We Got This Covered
Tribeca Film Festival, I love you but you made a very serious mistake. On Monday, the widely discredited and dangerous anti-vaccination quack Andrew Wakefield tweeted: “Haven’t posted forever. Huge news tomorrow.” Perhaps he hadn’t “posted forever” because the media finally stopped giving him a megaphone. Perhaps once people in America and England began dying of measles, journalists finally realized that the “two sides to every story” approach granted Wakefield was literally killing people. Last I heard, Wakefield was headlining Conspira-Sea, a seven-day cruise where passengers learn about crop circles, chemtrails, yogic flying, Esp and astrology. Good, I thought, that’s where […]...
- 3/24/2016
- by Penny Lane
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
I admit, I was one of the skeptics before I watched World War Z. I loved Max Brooks' book, and, from what I'd heard of the film, it felt like too much of a departure. I ended up enjoying Wwz quite a bit, and with a worldwide gross of over $500,000,000 it appears I wasn't the only one.
It should come as no shock that a sequel is in the works. Last I heard Brad Pitt was returning, but after a comment from World War Z 2's writer, I'm not so sure.
Steven Knight (Eastern Promises, Dirty Pretty Things) has been tasked with penning the sequel. I'm a recent interview with Thompson on Hollywood, Knight had the following to say about WWZ2:
"I thought, 'why not? What fun.' It’s not quite like the other, we're starting with clean slate. When they've signed off we're on."
Does...
It should come as no shock that a sequel is in the works. Last I heard Brad Pitt was returning, but after a comment from World War Z 2's writer, I'm not so sure.
Steven Knight (Eastern Promises, Dirty Pretty Things) has been tasked with penning the sequel. I'm a recent interview with Thompson on Hollywood, Knight had the following to say about WWZ2:
"I thought, 'why not? What fun.' It’s not quite like the other, we're starting with clean slate. When they've signed off we're on."
Does...
- 1/20/2015
- by Philip Sticco
- LRMonline.com
Star-crossed teen lovers are giving police a chase from Kentucky through Georgia and South Carolina. On Jan. 3, Cheyenne Phillips, 13, was reported missing by her father, Kentucky's Grayson County Sheriff Norman Chaffins tells People. "At that time, we were just searching for her as a missing person," Chaffins says. "We had no clue that her boyfriend was involved." It was more than a week later, on Saturday, that police heard Phillips and her 18-year-old boyfriend, Dalton Hayes, had crashed through farm gates in a stolen Ford pickup. "We searched for them in the woods and found a piece of Dalton's clothing,...
- 1/16/2015
- by Caitlin Keating, @caitkeating
- PEOPLE.com
Last night huge news hit that Robert Downey Jr. has signed on to star in Captain America 3, which would jump start Marvel's Civil War storyline in their cinematic universe. A lot of fans are extremely excited about all of this. I know I am!
Joe and Anthony Russo are the directors who brought us Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which was an amazing movie. They are now in the process of bringing the highly anticipated Captain America 3 to the screen. It sounds like the Marvel movies they direct wont stop there. If Joss Whedon decides not to come back to direct Avengers 3 and 4, the Russo brothers may be the guys to jump in and replace him. The rumor comes from Badass Digest who says,
"How closely will Captain America 3 tie in with Avengers 3? I’ve been told that the Russo Brothers are in talks to direct Avengers...
Joe and Anthony Russo are the directors who brought us Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which was an amazing movie. They are now in the process of bringing the highly anticipated Captain America 3 to the screen. It sounds like the Marvel movies they direct wont stop there. If Joss Whedon decides not to come back to direct Avengers 3 and 4, the Russo brothers may be the guys to jump in and replace him. The rumor comes from Badass Digest who says,
"How closely will Captain America 3 tie in with Avengers 3? I’ve been told that the Russo Brothers are in talks to direct Avengers...
- 10/14/2014
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
It was recently announced that Universal Pictures is in talks with Matt Damon and "The Bourne Ultimatum" director Paul Greengrass to return for another installment in the "Jason Bourne" franchise, possibly replacing Jeremy Renner's "The Bourne Legacy" sequel. Now that he's promoting "Kill the Messenger," Renner was asked whether he wants to star alongside Damon in a new "Bourne" film. "That's my hope. That's my dream. Will it happen? I do not know," he answered. "Last I heard is that Paul and Matt have cracked an idea, a reason to continue the 'Bourne' series." Renner continued: "We're still working on the Aaron Cross section of that and the worlds will definitely - hopefully - collide and they're still a part of each other. I think it makes it really exciting that I think even Universal is sort of like 'this is really fantastic news,' because now it's kind...
- 9/27/2014
- WorstPreviews.com
The director of Starred Up takes us through the release of the film, and adapting Journey Into Space...
An indie movie that broke out earlier this year was David Mackenzie's extraordinary prison drama Starred Up. Powered by a superb performance from Jack O'Connell, it's a brutal, unflinching look at the prison system, albeit with human light shone in there. As it arrives on DVD and Blu-ray, director David Mackenzie spared us some time to look back at the movie, and what he was looking to achieve with it...
Going back to the cinema release of Starred Up. You got strong reviews, and a relatively wide release. Given the subject matter of the film, it seemed like your distributor backed it quite hard.
When you started it, you can't really have envisaged it'd be a huge commercial project. But Starred Up ended up with a relatively high profile.
I was...
An indie movie that broke out earlier this year was David Mackenzie's extraordinary prison drama Starred Up. Powered by a superb performance from Jack O'Connell, it's a brutal, unflinching look at the prison system, albeit with human light shone in there. As it arrives on DVD and Blu-ray, director David Mackenzie spared us some time to look back at the movie, and what he was looking to achieve with it...
Going back to the cinema release of Starred Up. You got strong reviews, and a relatively wide release. Given the subject matter of the film, it seemed like your distributor backed it quite hard.
When you started it, you can't really have envisaged it'd be a huge commercial project. But Starred Up ended up with a relatively high profile.
I was...
- 8/4/2014
- by simonbrew
- Den of Geek
The werewolf film is a strange thing. You’d think, being such a well-known movie monster, that there would be millions of examples of the type. However, there is not. I’m not even saying that there aren’t a ton of examples of great werewolf films, I’m saying there are barely any werewolf films at all. A long time ago, we did an article on this site to coincide with the theatrical release of one of the Twilight sequels. It was a list of 30 films, 15 of which were werewolf films, and 15 of them were vampire films, to watch instead of seeing the new Twilight. The hardest part about finding 15 worthy vampire films, was narrowing it down to 15. The hardest part of putting together a list of 15 sold werewolf films was a different beast entirely. It was hard to put together even a list of 15 mediocre werewolf films. Sure,...
- 7/22/2014
- by Shawn Savage
- The Liberal Dead
It's a massive update this morning that includes Sony's remake of Annie and The Hundred-Foot Journey as your lone PG ratings. Tim Burton's possible Oscar contender Big Eyes along with the young adult adaptation The Maze Runner are your PG-13 entrants, while the R-ratings include As Above, So Below, James Franco's Child Of God, new Dr. Strange director, Scott Derrickson's Deliver Us From Evil, Cannes standout Foxcatcher and Anton Corbijn's A Most Wanted Man. Like I said, it's a big one, all the new ratings are listed below. America Rated PG-13 For violent images. Annie Rated PG For some mild language and rude humor. Release Date: December 19, 2014 As Above, So Below Rated R For bloody violence/terror, and language throughout. Release Date: August 15, 2014 Big Eyes Rated PG-13 For thematic elements and brief strong language. Release Date: December 25, 2014 Born To Race: Fast Track Rated PG For action,...
- 6/11/2014
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
When Now You See Me came out last year, it became a surprise hit, taking in over $350 million worldwide. Not bad for a film that cost just $75 million. Of course, a sequel was quickly given the green light and now, it gearing up to start filming at the end of the year. Or at least, that’s what we’re being told.
While doing press for his new film Neighbors (which is absolutely hilarious) Dave Franco was asked by Cinema Blend what the status of the project was. He said that filming is still supposed to get underway later this year, and that he’s already heard a pitch of the story.
Last I heard, we were still going at the end of this year. … I’ve heard a pitch of the story. It’s actually going to be really exciting. I was slightly weary, just because you never know...
While doing press for his new film Neighbors (which is absolutely hilarious) Dave Franco was asked by Cinema Blend what the status of the project was. He said that filming is still supposed to get underway later this year, and that he’s already heard a pitch of the story.
Last I heard, we were still going at the end of this year. … I’ve heard a pitch of the story. It’s actually going to be really exciting. I was slightly weary, just because you never know...
- 5/8/2014
- by Matt Joseph
- We Got This Covered
Out doing promotion for "Neighbors," actor Dave Franco gave a brief update to Cinema Blend on how the sequel to Louis Leterrier's 2013 magician heist thriller "Now You See Me" is progressing:
"Last I heard, we were still going at the end of this year. I've heard a pitch of the story. It's actually going to be really exciting. I was slightly weary, just because you never know when it comes to a sequel. But I think the first one opened up enough avenues.
There are many directions left to explore. There are many places that it can go, and they really – they held true to the spirit of the first one, but it's going to be enough of a departure that it doesn't just feel like a complete copy of the first one."
Franco also says the follow-up's story will explore more of the off-stage lives of this tight-knit band of illusionists.
"Last I heard, we were still going at the end of this year. I've heard a pitch of the story. It's actually going to be really exciting. I was slightly weary, just because you never know when it comes to a sequel. But I think the first one opened up enough avenues.
There are many directions left to explore. There are many places that it can go, and they really – they held true to the spirit of the first one, but it's going to be enough of a departure that it doesn't just feel like a complete copy of the first one."
Franco also says the follow-up's story will explore more of the off-stage lives of this tight-knit band of illusionists.
- 5/5/2014
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
[Update 5/5/2014 11:08am - Added Charlie Band's reply from Blu-Ray.com]
If you are reading this site, there is a chance that you attend some conventions. Whether you travel to them or they roll into your hometown, more than likely this year you will see Charlie Band. Granted, the deal he is schlepping isn’t too bad. For $18 and your credit card, you can get 3 months of the Full Moon Streaming service in addition to 3 Blu-Rays of your choice. Since I’m not a huge fan of businesses having my credit card in a recurring payment that I always forget to cancel, you can actually give the Full Moon dudes (pun intended) a $20 bill and they’ll give you the same deal without having to worry about that recharge in 3 months. Hell, I did it at Cinema Wasteland last month. I figured that 3 months of the Full Moon streaming service and three Blu-Rays – one of which including Tourist Trap – was a great deal.
If you are reading this site, there is a chance that you attend some conventions. Whether you travel to them or they roll into your hometown, more than likely this year you will see Charlie Band. Granted, the deal he is schlepping isn’t too bad. For $18 and your credit card, you can get 3 months of the Full Moon Streaming service in addition to 3 Blu-Rays of your choice. Since I’m not a huge fan of businesses having my credit card in a recurring payment that I always forget to cancel, you can actually give the Full Moon dudes (pun intended) a $20 bill and they’ll give you the same deal without having to worry about that recharge in 3 months. Hell, I did it at Cinema Wasteland last month. I figured that 3 months of the Full Moon streaming service and three Blu-Rays – one of which including Tourist Trap – was a great deal.
- 5/5/2014
- by Andy Triefenbach
- Destroy the Brain
The CW wants to stay in business with Israeli actress Yael Grobglas. The network first cast the virtual unknown last year as the lead in drama pilot The Selection, and she recently finished a six-episode arc on Reign. Now the CW has tapped Grobglas again, this time for Jane The Virgin, which also has added Brett Dier (Diary Of A Wimpy Kid) and Andrea Navedo (One Life To Live). Based on the successful Venezuelan telenovela Juana la Virgen, Jane The Virgin centers on Jane (Gina Rodriguez), a hardworking religious girl who, due to a series of outrageous events, is accidentally artificially inseminated. Grobglas, with UTA, Thruline and attorney Jamie Feldman, will play Monica, who is left reeling when her husband’s sperm is used to inseminate the wrong girl. Dier, repped by Gersh and Red Talent Management, will play Michael, a cop and Jane’s steadfast boyfriend who has secrets of his own.
- 3/12/2014
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
Joe Scoleri (Paul Sorvino) was a powerful man back in the day, a Mafia Capo who was feared and respected in the Italian-American neighborhood he rule over. At least until he was busted by the Feds in a big organized crime sting and locked away. After twenty years, "Mr. Joe" is finally getting out on parole, but the world he's coming back to is a far cry from the one he left. And after twenty years in the pen and with a "bum ticker," he's a shell of his former self. Paul Sorvino playing a Mafia boss? Sound familiar? While this story could be imagined as the continuing saga of Sorvino's "Paulie" character from Goodfellas, if he'd made it out of jail alive, this is not a gangster film. It's a post-Mafia film. The Mafia may still exist but it no longer thrives and even if he wanted to, returning...
- 10/30/2013
- by Linc Leifeste
- SmellsLikeScreenSpirit
Never mind 30 minutes or less. For the first time in its history, the HollyShorts Film Festival will open with a feature film. Festival alumni David Rodriguez’s dramedy Last I Heard will have its Los Angeles premiere on Aug. 15 at the Tcl Chinese Theatre. The film stars Paul Sorvino, Chazz Palminteri, Michael Rapaport, Renee Props, Andrea Nittoli and Lev Gorn and marks the first onscreen pairing of Mafia movie veterans Sorvino and Palminteri. Photos: THR's Portraits of Berlin Film Festival Stars and Filmmakers The ninth annual HollyShorts festival runs Aug. 15-22 and will feature more than 300
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- 7/16/2013
- by Tatiana Siegel
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Here’s the beginning of what could have been an awkward story. Seated for the world premiere of “Last I Heard” at the Seattle International Film Festival, I chatted with a guy in my row before the lights went down. I had my notebook out, and the pen I stole from work at the ready as a few more people filled out the row. Others occupied the seats around us, and as I started jotting down the few facts I knew about the movie—gangsters, Paul Sorvino, prison, to be honest, I didn’t know much going in—to remind myself of later, it dawned on me, I was sitting next to stars Renee Props and Andrea Navedo, and had been talking to writer/director David Rodriguez. Given my present location, I was going to have to stand up to let the entire group by for their post-screening Q and A.
- 6/13/2013
- by Brent McKnight
- Beyond Hollywood
The comedy drama is makes its world premiere at the Seattle International Film Festival, showing at public screenings on June 8th and 9th. Now, we have the trailer for Last I Heard directed and written by David Rodriguez, which stars Paul Sorvino as a former, powerful mobster who has just been released from federal prison after 20 years due to his ailing health, and now moves back home and attempts to reconnect with former life in this poignant Sopranos-esque character study. Also in the cast of the Kevin Kelly, Michelle Manning and Rodriguez-produced film are Michael Rappaport, Renee Props, Andrea Nittoli and Lev Gorn.
- 6/6/2013
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Acting veteran Paul Sorvino takes center stage in the indie drama "Last I Heard," debuting at the upcoming Seattle International Film Festival. Indiewire has the exclusive trailer ahead of its June 8th premiere. In the film, Sorvino plays Joseph "Mr. Joe" Scoleri, an ex Mafia member struggling to adjust with life in Queens, NY after serving over twenty years in prison. Chazz Palminteri, Michael Rapaport and Renee Props all co-star. Watch the trailer below: ...
- 6/5/2013
- by Indiewire
- Indiewire
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