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Treme: Season 2 Episode 6: Feels Like Rain – TV Review

Joseph Oliveto — Mon, 30 May 2011 13:54:57 +0000

“Treme” has been going strong during its second season, and while much like “The Wire“, we feel as though this might be the kind of show that is best enjoyed on DVD, when we can watch several episodes in succession, we still look forward to every Sunday night when it returns to screens. As we’ve come to expect, this week’s episode features a strong focus on music, food, and character, making for a great hour of television. Read on to find out how we felt…

The Players:

Director: Roxann Dawson
Writer: Tom Piazza
Cast: Melissa Leo, Steve Zahn, Wendell Pierce, Lucia Micarelli, Rob Brown, Jon Seda, David Morse, Kim Dickens

Episode Title: “Feels Like Rain”

Determined to write a good song, Annie studies the work of icons like John Hiatt to determine what makes a song truly memorable. In the meantime, Davis is able to convince some local musicians to form a political hip-hop group with him, much to the dismay of his neighbors. Sofia continues to distance herself from Toni, having secretly learned the truth about her father. Delmond tries to convince Albert to participate in Mardi Gras. Janette enjoys her new job, but must return to New Orleans when her sous chef is arrested and faces possible deportation.

The Good:

The music: Since its first episode, “Treme” has placed a strong focus on the significance of music in regards to New Orleans culture, and this is especially true in this episode. Antoine eloquently explains to his class the difference between reading notes on a sheet of papers and improvising, Annie has some insightful (if slightly inaccurate) things to say about John Hiatt’s songwriting skills, and as per usual, Davis is barely able to contain his little-kid-on-Christmas enthusiasm.
Delmond and Albert: These two have had a strained relationship throughout the entirety of this series; unfortunately, it has always felt as though they were making slow progress as they come to understand one another better. They manage to take a few awkward steps in the right direction this week, finding that they are willing to at least try to have more in common than they normally do.

The So-So:

Sofia and Toni: “Treme” features a large cast of characters, so it is inevitable that some episodes will introduce subplots that don’t end up going anywhere interesting that week. Now that we know that Sofia knows the truth about her father, it’s tough not to anticipate the eventual confrontation she’ll have wth Toni. It looks like that will have to wait, however.

The Bad:

Dream sequence: With David Simon’s name in the credits, viewers of “Treme” can be forgiven for wishing that the show would be exactly as realistic as “The Wire” was. Sadly, such is not the case, as this week’s episode opened up with an awkward dream sequence that felt out of place in the context of this type of show. Granted, this isn’t the first time this happened–last season also featured an episode that began as a dream–but there probably could have been a more subtle way to express Toni’s internal struggle.
Nelson’s mini-monologue: Nelson is the outsider in New Orleans, and it has shown all season, as he tries way too hard to be enthusiastic about the food, music, culture, and way of life. Still, when he waxes poetic about the nature of the city towards the end of this episode, it feels forced. If “Treme” has had one major flaw, it is the fact that its love-letter to New Orleans has sometimes been a little too sappy. The best way to celebrate the city is to do what the show has done from the beginning: display different aspects of the culture. Talking about it just oversimplifies it.

Overall:

Damn, even a mediocre episode of “Treme” is ten times more impressive than a good episode of most TV shows these days. While this series will never be remembered as fondly as David Simon’s “The Wire” is, it still manages to be one of the best series on television. With material like this, how on Earth could anyone call TV “the idiot box”?

Rating: 8/10

“Treme” airs ever Sunday night on HBO!

What did you think of last night’s episode? Tell us in the comments!

Jesse Eisenberg, Melissa Leo, Tracy Morgan Join Predisposed

Krystal Clark — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 20:11:16 +0000

An Oscar winner, Oscar nominee, and Emmy nominee will share the big screen in the upcoming film Predisposed. According to Vulture, Melissa Leo, Jesse Eisenberg, and Tracy Morgan are all attached to star in the indie comedy. This is truly an interesting cast and the trio’s characters are all connected by one common thread.

The site claims that Predisposed is “a macabre look at the unhealthy relationship between a drug-addicted mother (Leo) and her college-bound son (Eisenberg), set on the day of both his interview at Julliard and her planned arrival to rehab.” While Leo and Eisenberg play mother and son, Morgan is on board as Leo’s drug supplier code name: Sprinkles. Isn’t this an uplifting role for the actor (rolls eyes)?

The plot thickens when the son tries to get the mother into rehab but he can’t because she doesn’t have health insurance. The only way she can enter treatment is if she shows up at a facility intoxicated (is this true?). There’s also a drug war going on between Sprinkles and a yet to be cast rival dealer.

We love this cast. Let’s just put it out there. But how long will Eisenberg be able to play 18/19 year olds? The man (emphasis on man) is 27. Come on guys? Granted, he looks younger than what he is but we’re ready to see something different from him.

What do you think of the cast for Predisposed?

Watch: Melissa Leo in This Red State Clip

Krystal Clark — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 17:40:56 +0000

After its premiere at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, Kevin Smith’s latest film Red State really caught the attention of main stream audiences. People want to know what it is. Who is in it? And how the story plays out. We can’t reveal everything, but you can definitely read our review of the film for our opinion on it. If you need something that’s more visually stimulating, MTV has just released a clip from the film that features Oscar nominee Melissa Leo. Check it out…

Movie Trailers – Movies Blog

Red State is a horror film in which a group of misfits encounter fundamentalism gone to the extreme in Middle America. It takes on every area of politics, horror, and religion there is to take and delivers it in a way that only Kevin Smith can. This clip features Leo, along with Kyle Gallner, Michael Angarano, and Nicholas Braun.

As you can see the three teens are looking to score some sexual favors from Leo’s character Sarah. To say this is an uncomfortable and odd scenario would be an understatement. Not only is she a middle aged woman engaging in sexual acts with young men (in a group), she’s also the daughter of religious leader Pastor Abin Cooper. He’s the head honcho of the extremist church the film follows. We doubt her dad would like this behavior.

What do you think of the first clip from Red State? Are you interested in seeing the film?

2011 Golden Globes – Best Supporting Actress – Melissa Leo

Krystal Clark — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 02:56:51 +0000

Melissa Leo took home the award for Best Supporting Actress at this year’s Golden Globes for her performance in David O. Russell’s The Fighter. She played Alice Ward, the crass, white-trash mother of Micky Ward and Dicky Eklund in the boxing drama. She also won in this same category at the Critics Choice Awards, which were held on Friday.

***Want more on the show?:Part 1 – Red Carpet to Best Supporting Actress; Part 2 – Best Animated Short to Costume Design; Part 3 – Best Original Song to Memoriam; Part 4 – Best Actor to Best Picture ***

See who she beat out below…

Best Supporting Actress

Amy Adams (The Fighter)

Helena Bonham Carter (The King’s Speech)

Mila Kunis (Black Swan)

Melissa Leo (The Fighter) – Winner

Jacki Weaver (Animal Kingdom)

Leo gave an enthusiastic acceptance speech where she joked about not being nearly old enough to play Mark Walhberg or Christian Bale’s mother, but she’s happy she did. She also shouted to the top of her lungs, “Look ma, I gotta golden globe!”

The winner in the television category was…

Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Mini-series or TV Movie

Hope Davis, “The Special Relationship”

Jane Lynch, “Glee” – Winner

Kelly McDonald, “Boardwalk Empire”

Julia Stiles, “Dexter”

Sofia Vergara, “Modern Family”

More on The Fighter:

What do you think of Leo’s big win?

Mark Wahlberg And Christian Bale Talk The Fighter

JC — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 23:41:52 +0000

The magnitude of the five year development fiasco that preceded the green light for this weekend’s fanatically anticipated release, The Fighter (directed by David O. Russell), seems unparalleled. Based on the life and career of the legendary “Irish” Micky Ward, played by Mark Wahlberg, The Fighter offers far more than your average boxing flick. For those of you looking to get your “Rocky” on, fear not, the fight scenes are plentiful. But in addition to upper cuts and toothless mongrels comes an unexpected level of heart and thematic poignance. We recently had the opportunity to speak with the film’s leading men to discuss their involvement in picture…

The film chronicles Micky and his half-brother, Dicky (Christian Bale), ex-boxer/current coke head, and how their relationship shapes both Mickey’s personal life and athletic career. It’s fair to credit much of the picture’s success to its most fervent adherent, Mr. Wahlberg, who relentlessly battled the slings and arrows of studio debacles and budget restrictions to get the project on its feet. Wahlberg attributes his decision to sign on as a producer as a last resort

Mark Wahlberg: “It was just out of sheer desperation for getting the movie made. I had already promised Mickey, Dickey, Alice, Charlene…everybody that was involved, that we were going to get this movie made.”

If names like Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale can’t spark immediate studio backing, it’s difficult to imagine what can.

MW: “It seemed at first glance that it was a no brainer. Amazing parts, a wonderful story, a new and interesting world that you’re not familiar with…but it just wasn’t meant to be. So we had to grab a hold of it and force it to happen. Very much like Mickey’s journey to winning the title. He just had to go and make it happen.”

Wahlberg’s crusade tackled far more than industry logistics – he spent three and a half years training for the role, well aware that the story might never leave the page.

MW: “The movie was a go and then it fell a part, and I just continued to train. I just continued to do it and never wanted to stop. I figured if I stopped I’d be giving up on the movie. There were times, obviously, when it was hard and more difficult to get out of bed. You’re training for a film that may or may not happen. But it was certainly worth it in the end.”

Clearly, the part of Micky exceeds the usual standard for a “physically demanding role” (we’re talking stage 5 bulk) but, let’s not forget Christian Bale who also faced severe physical transformation. While Wahlberg nearly drowned himself in Muscle Milk, Bale, needing to drop 30+ pounds, embarked on the L.A-ubiquitous journey of emaciation.

Christian Bale: “I was just running like crazy, I could just run for hours and hours on end. Usually, I always say,’Oh, I just do a lot of coke’ whenever I lose weight…I’m not sure if that’s so funny for this movie.”

Wahlberg’s knowledge of Bale’s unwavering willingness to commit wholeheartedly to roles is what ultimately prompted his decision to approach him for Dicky. Their first exchange took place at a venue frequented by both actors, their daughters’ preschool.

MW: “I thought, there is the guy who is not scared to play this part. Everybody loves the idea of it, but nobody really wants to commit and go there. And I’d seen The Machinist, I’d seen Rescue Dawn, and I thought if he responds to the material this is a chance for us to make the best possible version of the movie. He’s a fearless actor and responded to it immediately.”

In addition to their respective bulking/starving endeavors, Wahlberg and Bale took preparation to the next level, bonding intimately with real-life Micky and Dicky throughout the development process. Bale, in fact, still speaks with Dicky almost daily.

The picture’s creative team prioritized authenticity first and foremost, but in the world of cinema, slightly bending the “true” events is arguably necessary when dealing with story structure. Initially, this didn’t sit well with Mickey… and let’s be real, who wants to piss off an internationally ranked boxer?

CB: “There were a couple of times when I had to physically restrain Micky from going and landing one right on David. We had some initial interesting times when we were rehearsing at Mark’s house, when Mark very nicely put up Micky and Dicky – they lived at his house for some time. There were some script changes going on and Micky wasn’t initially totally understanding in putting a whole life into two hours. A little bit of license has to be taken and, a couple times he a got a little…, ya know. And that’s a serious thing coming from a boxer! But he absolutely came around. After we showed him the movie he didn’t punch any of us!”

Bale, Wahlberg, Russell, and Melissa Leo – who plays Mrs. Ward – are all generating heavy Oscar buzz, and the film itself is a likely contender for Best Picture. Despite the newly instituted 10 nominations giving the star-heavy blockbusters a better shot at nods, it’s still safe to anticipate a highly competitive awards season this year with projects like The Town, Inception, and Shutter Island potentially in the running.

The film has a nationwide release Friday, December 10th!

Be sure to check back for a review of the film.

3 Movie Clips From David O. Russell’s The Fighter

Krystal Clark — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 21:10:41 +0000

This holiday season get ready to see someone get their teeth knocked out and we’re not talking about that drunk uncle who always ruins family gatherings. We’re referring to David O. Russell’s latest film The Fighter which will be hitting theaters. It’s a boxing drama that stars Mark Wahlberg as the fighter in question and Christian Bale as his trainer and brother. Paramount has released three video clips from the movie to give us an idea of what to expect…

Official Synopsis:

The powerful true story of professional boxers Dickie (Bale) and Micky (Wahlberg). Older brother Dickie does not suffer from a shortage of talent or confidence, but his lack of judgment and humility lead him down a path of self-destruction. After blowing his shot against one of the greatest fighters of his generation, Dickie descends down a dangerous road of drug addiction that robs him of his career, alienates his brother, and eventually lands him in jail. Meanwhile, discouraged from yet another defeat, younger brother Micky, whose talent never seems to match the size of his heart, vanishes into early retirement. But his itch to fight never goes away, and when a rehabilitated Dickie is released from prison and takes over as Micky’s trainer, Micky transforms himself from an underdog into a world champion prized pugilist.

Clip 1:

Clip 2:

Clip 3:

What do you think of the 3 clips from The Fighter?

Early Reviews of The Fighter from AFI Fest

Mali Elfman — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 18:58:30 +0000

Last night David O. Russell’s The Fighter starring Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Melissa Leo, and Amy Adams had it’s first ever screening at AFI Festival. The secret screening was only announced yesterday morning and over 100 people were turned away at the door. The star and producer of the film Mark Wahlberg was there to introduce the film and he told the audience “I’m happy it got to the big screen. It took me such a long time to get the movie made that if you don’t like the movie, I’ll do two hours of hard labor.”

Well if one thing is clear it’s that nothing is clear and we’re not sure if Wahlberg is due for some hard labor or an Oscar!

The reviews of this film are extremely mixed. Some critics are saying that this film has some of the best performances they’ve seen all year and that the film will definitely be a contender for best picture, others are calling it “cartoonish” and saying it’s a major let down. We’ve collected reviews from all around and here is what the people have said…

The Overall Good:

It’s got a good pace and a solid performances for some…

David nailed it with “The Fighter” – great pacing (takes it’s time like films used to but never gets boring), great performances (can see a Best Supporting nod for Christian Bale and Melissa Leo), and a story that not only plays well with genres – PWH – Reader of /Film — Note: Bare in mind this reader also stated that he had to turn off I Heart Huckabees because as he said in the review: “I’m not smart enough to enjoy that shit.”

Great writer and a great sense of the characters roots and the town in which its been shot for others…

The screenplay, credited to Scott Silver and Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson, pulls off a delicate balancing act of good, old-fashioned sports drama and gritty character study…”The Fighter” does for Lowell what Ben Affleck’s “The Town” did for Charlestown earlier this year. It’s about a place where family and loyalty actually mean something, and sometimes different things, too. – The Wrap

Performances:

This is where people start to disagree. Some think that the was the film that let down some of the characters…

There is something a little too cartoonish about Micky’s completely impossible family and also something a little too short-sighted in a protagonist who can’t see the obvious… Leo plays her with a pinched, determined face and overly styled hair, a woman missing the gene for maternal instincts… Somewhere along the line, the movie pretty much gives up trying to understand her so she is relegated to ringside seats rooting for Micky. -THR

Some weren’t impressed..

Wahlberg’s dull-eyed, sweet receptivity—while combined with brute strength—may hurt his awards chances…. Adams wins points for authenticity over Leo’s bigger-than-life mother hen… Bale risks going too far with his druggie extrovert, but he slowly wins us over. He seems to excel when he’s dieted and sweated out every ounce of fat on his frame.- Indiewire

Others thought it was the perfect balance and awards are on their way…

Rather than dial it up, Wahlberg really lets Bale and Leo steal the show in juicy supporting roles that just about any actor would kill for… Bale is unquestionably the front-runner for Best Supporting Actor, and I imagine he’ll be accepting plenty of critics’ awards over the next few months. In a perfect world, Leo and Adams would both be nominated for Best Supporting Actress… because while Leo will be the performance that women leave talking about, Adams’ continually strong work can’t be denied. – The Wrap

The Action:

Some hated it…

The boxing sequences get bunched toward the end. Russell deliberately shoots them in brightly lit video that makes it look like you’re watching television. He has broadcasters and ringsiders comment on the fights, but seldom takes you close enough to hear what Dickie might be saying to Micky. You’re outside the ring, not inside. – THR

Conversely others loved it for the same reasons…

While the film is ultimately character driven, that doesn’t mean that Russell hasn’t done a phenomenal job filming the scenes in the ring. Shot like an HBO boxing special, you almost forget that you are watching a movie and not an actual sporting event. What makes these scenes even greater, though, is that because the audience has spent so much time with the protagonist and understand the character so well, they actually begin to have a visceral reaction and cheer on the hero with every great punch and dodge. - Cinemablend

And others took a middle-ground…

Only one of the boxing montages in the film appears weak; the others are played for all they’re worth and have viewers gritting teeth. By the time we’re being sold on movie boxing, we’re also so invested in these characters that we’ll ride the train with them wherever it takes us. – Movingpicturesmagazine

Overall:

The final word(s)!

“…like much of this film, the viewer is turned into an observer. You never feel close enough to the action, either in the ring or in the kitchens, living rooms and tough streets where the story takes place. The characters engage you up to a point but never really pull you in.” – THR
“Excellently balancing tones and evoking superb performances from each one of his actors, director David O. Russell has crafted an awesome boxing film.” – Cinemablend
“It’s just a very likable movie and I think it’ll play well with critics and audiences alike.” – /Film
‘Will the movie make the best picture top ten? If all goes right (reviews/box office/critics and guild prizes) it’s possible. The actors shine in this and should be rewarded.” – Indiewire
“We haven’t had a real “Rocky” film for a long time; with these heartfelt characters and the conflict they impart on their world and each other, Paramount seems to have picked a film that could do some bruising at the box office” – Movingpicturesmagazine
“The film represents Russell’s best work to date, and as such, “The Fighter” has to be considered a serious contender for Hollywood’s top prize when March 7 rolls around.” – The Wrap

It seems like despite peoples problems with the film at the end of the day they all enjoyed it on some level. Based off its trailer we thought it was a winner! We’ll have to wait and see it for ourselves before we make up our minds!

The Fighter hits theaters December 10th.

Has anyone out there seen it? If so, leave a comment or e-mail us at tips@screencrave.com and we’ll add you into our review roundup!

Secret Screening of ‘The Fighter’ at AFI

Mali Elfman — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 18:08:13 +0000

Lucky us! Well some of us! If you’re in the LA area you can be one of the first to screen the new drama starring Mark Wahlberg alongside the stellar supporting cast of Christian Bale, Melissa Leo, and Amy Adams, in The Fighter. AFI Fest just announced today that they will be screening the film from director David O. Russell for festival attendees tonight at 9:30 p.m. at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. See it before it starts winning awards!

Admission to the screening is available to AFI FEST 2010 pass-holders and the general public through online ticket reservations at AFI.com/AFIFEST and the AFI FEST box office at Hollywood & Highland from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., on a first-come, first-served basis. The Rush Line will begin forming at 8:30 p.m. All attendees are invited to walk the red carpet for the screening.

Those who become an AFI member or purchase an AFI FEST Patron Package, Gala Pass, Special Screenings Pass or New Auteurs Pass will receive a commemorative poster featuring artwork created by Guest Artistic Director David Lynch exclusively for AFI FEST 2010. Poster quantities are limited.

Check out more about the film below…

Official Synopsis:

From acclaimed director David O. Russell comes The Fighter, the powerful true story of professional boxers Dickie (Bale) and Micky (Wahlberg). Although they are half brothers, their careers take very different courses. Older brother Dickie does not suffer from a shortage of talent or confidence, but his lack of judgment and humility lead him down a path of self-destruction. After blowing his shot against one of the greatest fighters of his generation, Dickie descends down a dangerous road of drug addiction that robs him of his career, alienates his brother, and eventually lands him in jail.

Meanwhile, discouraged from yet another defeat, younger brother Micky, whose talent never seems to match the size of his heart, vanishes into early retirement. But his itch to fight never goes away, and when a rehabilitated Dickie is released from prison and takes over as Micky’s trainer, Micky transforms himself from an underdog into a world champion prized pugilist.

The Fighter hits theaters officially on December 10th.

Will you be lining up to see it tonight?

New Trailer for David O. Russell’s The Fighter

Krystal Clark — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 01:23:20 +0000

A new trailer has been released for David O. Russell’s upcoming film The Fighter. It’s a sports drama that takes place inside the world of boxing with Mark Wahlberg in the lead role. It also features Christian Bale, Melissa Leo, and Amy Adams, so the film has more than enough talent to catch the attention of Oscar voters this awards season. Check out the new trailer below…

Official Synopsis:

From acclaimed director David O. Russell comes The Fighter, the powerful true story of professional boxers Dickie (Bale) and Micky (Wahlberg). Although they are half brothers, their careers take very different courses. Older brother Dickie does not suffer from a shortage of talent or confidence, but his lack of judgment and humility lead him down a path of self-destruction. After blowing his shot against one of the greatest fighters of his generation, Dickie descends down a dangerous road of drug addiction that robs him of his career, alienates his brother, and eventually lands him in jail.

Meanwhile, discouraged from yet another defeat, younger brother Micky, whose talent never seems to match the size of his heart, vanishes into early retirement. But his itch to fight never goes away, and when a rehabilitated Dickie is released from prison and takes over as Micky’s trainer, Micky transforms himself from an underdog into a world champion prized pugilist.

This new trailer shows a lot more footage than the first, and gives us more insight into the story. It digs deeper into the relationship between Dickie and Mickey. On the outside it seems as if they have a great connection but judging from everyone else’s comments that’s not the case.

Apparently, Dickie might be using Micky for his own personal gains in the boxing world. But then again, the entire family looks like a group of white trash opportunists. Due to his dramatic weight loss, hair, and make up, Bale looks believably older than Wahlberg despite the fact that he’s 3 years younger than him in real life. Can we give this guy his first Oscar nod already?

The Fighter hits theaters on December 10th.

What do you think of the new trailer for The Fighter?

Conviction: Movie Review

JC — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 01:00:40 +0000

Based on the highly publicized Kenneth Waters case in Massachusetts, Conviction chronicles the series of events between his 1983 arrest and life sentence up to the 2001 overturn of his conviction. With Oscar hungry performances by Sam Rockwell, Hilary Swank, Minnie Driver, and Juliette Lewis, this tale of unwavering faith and devotion hits theaters this Friday.

Check out the review below…

The Players:

Director: Tony Goldwyn
Writer: Pamela Gray
Cast: Hilary Swank, Sam Rockwell, Minnie Driver, Juliet Lewis, Melissa Leo
Producers: Andrew Sugerman, Andrew Karsch, Tony Goldwyn
Director of Photography: Adriano Goldman

The Plot:

In 1983, prior to the admissibility of DNA evidence in court, Kenneth Waters (Rockwell) was arrested for the murder of local waitress Katharina Brow. His sister, Betty Anne (Swank) an unemployed single mom and high school drop out, is convinced her brother is innocent. She embarks on an 18 year quest, which involves putting herself through high school, college, and law school in hopes of exonerating her brother.

The Good:

(***SPOILERS Below***)

The Story: Betty Anne’s journey is an extraordinary one. Ultimately compromising her marriage, children, and sanity this woman’s unrelenting spirit and faith in her brother’s innocence hauls her through an 18 year battle for the truth. She stopped at nothing, jumping through hoops to track down DNA evidence that had allegedly been destroyed, convincing former witnesses to admit they’d been bribed by local police officers to fabricate their testimonies – the list goes on. Bottom line, this woman is a bad ass.
Authenticity: What’s particularly moving about this film is the authenticity factor. For “cinematic” purposes parts of the story were mildly restructured, but nothing regarding the plot is embellished or heightened – these people are giving you the real deal.
Juliette Lewis: Goldwyn scored the creme de la creme with this ensemble of actors, no doubt. That being said, I have to note the two short but incredibly stirring scenes Ms. Lewis was involved in – both, by far, upstaged every performance in the film.

The Bad:

Length: Backstory is critical for a film like Conviction. One, there are a number of convoluted plot logistics that warrant explanations. Two, the “pay off” is far more affective because the characters are well exposed. That being said, the film still feels unbearably long. The suspense is great, the unraveling of the story is well executed, but by the time you’re exiting the theater you’ll feel like you spent all 18 years of school with Betty Anne. It’s an exhausting 103 minutes.

Overall:

The story is moving and the acting is excellent. The only glowing issue with this film is the length. I presume it’s the major factor that will make or break audience opinions.

Rating: 6/10

Conviction opens in theaters on October 15th

Photo Gallery:

Trailer:

Are you interested in seeing Conviction this weekend?

Kevin Smith’s Red State Grows With Leo, Gallner, Mulroney, and More!

Krystal Clark — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 16:07:29 +0000

A couple of weeks ago we learned that Kevin Smith’s upcoming film Red State would star a familiar face attached to an unrecognizable name. The guy is Michael Parks, and he’s just one of the many actors who’ll be involved with the film. According to The Wrap, 90 percent of Hollywood is talks to co-star in State including Dermot Mulroney or is it Dylan McDermott? No, we’re pretty sure it’s Dermot Mulroney.

According to the site, Mulroney along with Melissa Leo, Kyle Gallner, Michael Angarano, and Stephen Root are all in negotiations to join Red State. The film’s lead character (Parks) will be “loosely based on Reverend Fred Phelps of the hateful Westboro Baptist Church.” The plan is to have “recognizable unknowns in some of the script’s more prominent parts, as this group of actors will likely appear in smaller supporting roles.”

Smith recently tweeted that production on the film is set to begin on September 22nd, so all the casting deals should be finalized by then. This seems like an interesting group that Smith has put together and to be completely honest, Stephen Root is the one who has our attention. He can do comedy, drama, speak Klingon who knows! The man’s just got it.

What do you think of the cast of Red State? Who are you the most interested to see?

Trailer for Don McKay with Elisabeth Shue, Thomas Haden Church, Melissa Leo

Mali Elfman — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:07:31 +0000

Elisabeth Shue is back in action… and crazy as ever! Writer/director Jake Goldberger’s dark-comedic-thriller, Don McKay about a crazy woman who lures a man in to get him to murder someone stars the lovely Shue alongside, with Thomas Haden Church and Melissa Leo. Aside from Shue’s amazing appearance as herself in Hamlet 2 it’s been a while since we’ve seen her on the big screen but hopefully she will return with a bang. She also has another appearance in Piranha 3-D, which will be coming out in August, which looks like it might be horrible but it has a decent cast as some fun bloody photos so you never know!

Don McKay is about a woman who writers a letter to her former high-school sweetheart, Don McKay (Haden Church) who has just been released from prison. When Don returns to see her, things seems a little bit off. When he finds out that she wants him to kill someone he should run for the hills, but she’s not willing to give up than easily.

Check out the trailer…

Don McKay will be in theaters on April 2, 2010.

What do you think? Cheesy thriller? Or good time at the cinema?

ScreenCrave.com » Melissa Leo

Treme: Season 2 Episode 6: Feels Like Rain – TV Review

The Players:

Episode Title: “Feels Like Rain”

The Good:

The So-So:

The Bad:

Overall:

Rating: 8/10

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Rating: 6/10

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