Longtime readers of Arrow in the Head will probably remember the article series The Test of Time. Now The Test of Time has been revived as a video series, and you can check out the new episode in the embed above! With this one, we’re taking a look back at a movie that has a well-known title, but you don’t often hear anyone reference anything about it other than the title. The movie is the 1984 release C.H.U.D. (watch it Here), and you can find out all about its Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dwellers by watching the video embedded above.
Directed by Douglas Cheek from a script crafted by Parnell Hall and Shepard Abbott, C.H.U.D. has the following synopsis: Photographer George Cooper is documenting the lives of subterranean homeless people, a population that has mysteriously dwindled. After receiving information from a reporter, George becomes aware of a conspiracy theory about...
Directed by Douglas Cheek from a script crafted by Parnell Hall and Shepard Abbott, C.H.U.D. has the following synopsis: Photographer George Cooper is documenting the lives of subterranean homeless people, a population that has mysteriously dwindled. After receiving information from a reporter, George becomes aware of a conspiracy theory about...
- 1/31/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Bill Treusch, the New York-based talent manager who ushered the careers of stars like Sissy Spacek, Diane Keaton, Christopher Walken, Melissa Leo and Viggo Mortenson died on Tuesday following a long illness, his niece Shannon Treusch confirmed. He was 80.
The founder of Bill Treusch Management (formerly Bill Treusch & Associates) got his start as an assistant to the Oscar-nominated actor Montgomery Clift and then as a theatrical talent agent with Dudley Field Malone. He would find his true calling while assisting casting director Marion Dougherty, who recognized his ability to spot talent. Treusch launched his five-decade career in talent management from a basement in Dougherty’s office, as told in the 2012 documentary “Casting By.”
Treusch’s company, which began as a one-man operation, went on to shepherd many stars throughout their careers. In addition to those aforementioned, his roster included Richard Jenkins, Tom Hulce, Eric Roberts, Tom Berenger, Peter Weller, Carol Kane,...
The founder of Bill Treusch Management (formerly Bill Treusch & Associates) got his start as an assistant to the Oscar-nominated actor Montgomery Clift and then as a theatrical talent agent with Dudley Field Malone. He would find his true calling while assisting casting director Marion Dougherty, who recognized his ability to spot talent. Treusch launched his five-decade career in talent management from a basement in Dougherty’s office, as told in the 2012 documentary “Casting By.”
Treusch’s company, which began as a one-man operation, went on to shepherd many stars throughout their careers. In addition to those aforementioned, his roster included Richard Jenkins, Tom Hulce, Eric Roberts, Tom Berenger, Peter Weller, Carol Kane,...
- 11/16/2022
- by Harper Lambert
- The Wrap
Bill Treusch, a longtime New York talent manager who once served as personal assistant to Montgomery Clift and went on help guide the careers of Sissy Spacek, Christopher Walken, Tom Hulce, Diane Keaton, Eric Roberts, Tom Berenger and numerous others, died Tuesday in New York City following a lengthy illness. He was 80.
Following his stint as Clift’s personal assistant, Treusch became a theatrical talent agent with Dudley Field Malone. He joined the casting office of Marion Dougherty where he worked with casting agents Juliet Taylor, Wallis Nicita, and Gretchen Rennell.
Although Dougherty believed Treusch was unsuited to casting, she recognized his eye for talent. Settled into Dougherty’s basement office, Treusch flourished and eventually founded his own one-man operation that evolved into Bill Treusch Management, a leading management company.
Working with film, television and stage performers over a career that spanned more than five decades, Treusch was instrumental in...
Following his stint as Clift’s personal assistant, Treusch became a theatrical talent agent with Dudley Field Malone. He joined the casting office of Marion Dougherty where he worked with casting agents Juliet Taylor, Wallis Nicita, and Gretchen Rennell.
Although Dougherty believed Treusch was unsuited to casting, she recognized his eye for talent. Settled into Dougherty’s basement office, Treusch flourished and eventually founded his own one-man operation that evolved into Bill Treusch Management, a leading management company.
Working with film, television and stage performers over a career that spanned more than five decades, Treusch was instrumental in...
- 11/16/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Bill Treusch, the admired New York-based talent manager who jump-started the career of Sissy Spacek and represented Christopher Walken, Diane Keaton, Viggo Mortensen, Richard Jenkins and many others during his five-decade career, has died. He was 80.
Treusch died Tuesday in New York after a long illness, his niece Shannon Treusch, founder and partner of the public relations firm Falco Ink., announced.
Treusch got his big break when legendary casting director Marion Dougherty recognized his eye for talent and gave him an office in her basement at East 30th Street in Manhattan. There, he launched Bill Treusch & Associates, later known as Bill Treusch Management. (The story is told in the 2012 documentary Casting By, directed by Tom Donahue.)
His firm started as a one-man band before evolving into a powerhouse management company.
He was especially helpful to Spacek, who was a struggling singer and actress...
Bill Treusch, the admired New York-based talent manager who jump-started the career of Sissy Spacek and represented Christopher Walken, Diane Keaton, Viggo Mortensen, Richard Jenkins and many others during his five-decade career, has died. He was 80.
Treusch died Tuesday in New York after a long illness, his niece Shannon Treusch, founder and partner of the public relations firm Falco Ink., announced.
Treusch got his big break when legendary casting director Marion Dougherty recognized his eye for talent and gave him an office in her basement at East 30th Street in Manhattan. There, he launched Bill Treusch & Associates, later known as Bill Treusch Management. (The story is told in the 2012 documentary Casting By, directed by Tom Donahue.)
His firm started as a one-man band before evolving into a powerhouse management company.
He was especially helpful to Spacek, who was a struggling singer and actress...
- 11/16/2022
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Spoiler Alert: This article contains details from the series finale of Criminal Minds.
After 15 seasons, CBS’s long-running procedural created by Jeff Davis is coming to an end. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the gang at the Bau said farewell tonight with back-to-back episodes. Like many series, it ended with a gathering of the cast, glasses of champagne, and tearful speeches. But before they get to the goodbyes, Rossi (Joe Mantegna) and company had to hunt down one more psychopath before popping bottles and toasting the end of an era…and that psychopath was “The Chameleon.”
In the first episode of the two-parter, titled “Face Off,” our favorite Bau denizens are looking for the aforementioned “The Chameleon,” aka Everett Lynch (Michael Mosley), who has an affinity for cutting his victim’s faces off. It’s been almost a year since he almost killed Rossi, and at the top of the episode,...
After 15 seasons, CBS’s long-running procedural created by Jeff Davis is coming to an end. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the gang at the Bau said farewell tonight with back-to-back episodes. Like many series, it ended with a gathering of the cast, glasses of champagne, and tearful speeches. But before they get to the goodbyes, Rossi (Joe Mantegna) and company had to hunt down one more psychopath before popping bottles and toasting the end of an era…and that psychopath was “The Chameleon.”
In the first episode of the two-parter, titled “Face Off,” our favorite Bau denizens are looking for the aforementioned “The Chameleon,” aka Everett Lynch (Michael Mosley), who has an affinity for cutting his victim’s faces off. It’s been almost a year since he almost killed Rossi, and at the top of the episode,...
- 2/20/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
"I've got a big secret, wanna hear?" Broad Green Pictures has unveiled an official trailer for the new old-timers action comedy Just Getting Started, formerly titled Villa Capri until this official trailer arrived. From director Ron Shelton (of Bull Durham, White Men Can't Jump, Tin Cup) the film is about an ex-fbi agent and an ex-mob lawyer in the witness protection program who have to get over their petty old folks' home rivalry in order to save themselves from a mob hit. Morgan Freeman and Tommy Lee Jones star, with a cast including Glenne Headly, Rene Russo, Joe Pantoliano, Elizabeth Ashley, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Graham Beckel, and Mel Raido. This seems to be another one of those super cheesy "old people can still be funny" comedies we see all the time that really aren't that funny. This is definitely not for me. Here's the first official trailer for Ron Shelton's Just Getting Started,...
- 9/18/2017
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
The Sundance Film Festival continues to embrace the diversity of great content being made today, with a full roster of special events programming that features established festival favorites like Jill Soloway, Rashida Jones and Gina Prince-Bythewood.
Read More: Sundance 2017 Announces New Frontier Lineup, Including 22 Vr Experiences and 11 New Installations
Making its world premiere at the fest is “I Love Dick,” Soloway’s Amazon comedy featuring Kevin Bacon as the titular Dick, a “charismatic artist” who upends the marriage of Kathryn Hanh and Griffith Dunne. In addition, the Netflix documentary “Hot Girls Wanted” gets a sequel directed by Rashida Jones; “Turned On” explores “the intersection of sex and technology,” per the official release.
Broadcast networks find themselves surprisingly well-represented in the line-up, with the ABC comedy “Downward Dog” (featuring Allison Tolman as a young woman with a special relationship with her dog) as well as the Fox limited series “Shots Fired,...
Read More: Sundance 2017 Announces New Frontier Lineup, Including 22 Vr Experiences and 11 New Installations
Making its world premiere at the fest is “I Love Dick,” Soloway’s Amazon comedy featuring Kevin Bacon as the titular Dick, a “charismatic artist” who upends the marriage of Kathryn Hanh and Griffith Dunne. In addition, the Netflix documentary “Hot Girls Wanted” gets a sequel directed by Rashida Jones; “Turned On” explores “the intersection of sex and technology,” per the official release.
Broadcast networks find themselves surprisingly well-represented in the line-up, with the ABC comedy “Downward Dog” (featuring Allison Tolman as a young woman with a special relationship with her dog) as well as the Fox limited series “Shots Fired,...
- 12/5/2016
- by Liz Shannon Miller
- Indiewire
Plus: Shout! Factory dates Annecy winner Long Way North
Joe Pantoliano and Glenne Headly have joined the cast of eOne and Endurance Media’s Villa Capri, which is set to start shooting in New Mexico on August 15.
As previously announced, Morgan Freeman, Tommy Lee Jones and Rene Russo topline the action comedy and Ron Shelton directs.
New arrivals include Sheryl Lee Ralph, Elizabeth Ashley, George Wallace, Graham Beckel, Mel Raido and Nick Peine.
eOne will directly distribute the action comedy in Canada, the UK, Australia/New Zealand, Benelux and Spain. Sierra/Affinity represents international sales on remaining territories and Broad Green will distribute in the Us.
Shout! Factory Films announced today a September 30 Us theatrical release for Rémi Chayé’s Annecy audience award winner Long Way North. Rémi Chayé directed the animation featuring a voice cast of Chloé Dunn, Vivienne Vermes and Peter Hudson. Ron Dyens and Henri Magalon produced in co-production with Jean-Michel Spiner, Claus Toksvig Kjaer and [link...
Joe Pantoliano and Glenne Headly have joined the cast of eOne and Endurance Media’s Villa Capri, which is set to start shooting in New Mexico on August 15.
As previously announced, Morgan Freeman, Tommy Lee Jones and Rene Russo topline the action comedy and Ron Shelton directs.
New arrivals include Sheryl Lee Ralph, Elizabeth Ashley, George Wallace, Graham Beckel, Mel Raido and Nick Peine.
eOne will directly distribute the action comedy in Canada, the UK, Australia/New Zealand, Benelux and Spain. Sierra/Affinity represents international sales on remaining territories and Broad Green will distribute in the Us.
Shout! Factory Films announced today a September 30 Us theatrical release for Rémi Chayé’s Annecy audience award winner Long Way North. Rémi Chayé directed the animation featuring a voice cast of Chloé Dunn, Vivienne Vermes and Peter Hudson. Ron Dyens and Henri Magalon produced in co-production with Jean-Michel Spiner, Claus Toksvig Kjaer and [link...
- 8/14/2016
- by govi2016@lawnet.ucla.edu (Alec Govi)
- ScreenDaily
[caption id="attachment_47400" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Photo by Łukasz Kowalewski. CC0 License./caption]
Happy Valley's Adam Long has been cast as a series regular in the When the Street Lights Go On TV series pilot for Hulu, from Paramount Television and Anonymous Content. The pilot is an adaptation of a feature film script from writers Chris Hutton and Eddie O’Keefe. Brett Morgan has been tapped to direct will executive produce with Hutton and O’Keefe and Anonymous Content’s Chad Hamilton, Tariq Merhab, Michael Sugar, and Steve Golin.
The cast of When the Street Lights Go On include; Odessa Young, Max Burkholder, Kelli Mayo, Ben Winchell, Graham Beckel, and Luke Kirby. Per Deadline, Long will play, "17-year-old rebel Casper Tatum, a popular suspect in the small-town murder."
Read More…...
Happy Valley's Adam Long has been cast as a series regular in the When the Street Lights Go On TV series pilot for Hulu, from Paramount Television and Anonymous Content. The pilot is an adaptation of a feature film script from writers Chris Hutton and Eddie O’Keefe. Brett Morgan has been tapped to direct will executive produce with Hutton and O’Keefe and Anonymous Content’s Chad Hamilton, Tariq Merhab, Michael Sugar, and Steve Golin.
The cast of When the Street Lights Go On include; Odessa Young, Max Burkholder, Kelli Mayo, Ben Winchell, Graham Beckel, and Luke Kirby. Per Deadline, Long will play, "17-year-old rebel Casper Tatum, a popular suspect in the small-town murder."
Read More…...
- 4/14/2016
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Graham Beckel (Aquarius) and Luke Kirby (Rectify) are set as series regulars opposite Max Burkholder and Odessa Young in When the Street Lights Go On, Hulu's drama pilot adapted from the Black List feature script by writers Chris Hutton and Eddie O'Keefe. The project hails from Paramount Television and Anonymous Content. In the vein of Stand by Me, When the Street Lights Go On is a coming-of-age thriller about a sleepy, suburban town that is rocked by the brutal murder of…...
- 4/2/2016
- Deadline TV
DirecTV has tapped a few familiar faces to complete its Full Circle, adding Christopher Gorham (Covert Affairs), Raymond Cruz (Major Crimes) and Harold Perrineau (Lost) to Season 3.
The latest chapter of the anthology series — which always follows a group of strangers who realize their lives are intertwined — takes place in Miami, where a charismatic senator (Dougray Scott, Hemlock Grove) becomes entangled in a scandal that threatens to derail his presidential campaign.
RelatedCable/Streaming Renewal Scorecard 2016: What’s Coming Back? What’s Cancelled? What’s On the Bubble?
Per our sister site Deadline, Gorham will play Rick D’Andres, the...
The latest chapter of the anthology series — which always follows a group of strangers who realize their lives are intertwined — takes place in Miami, where a charismatic senator (Dougray Scott, Hemlock Grove) becomes entangled in a scandal that threatens to derail his presidential campaign.
RelatedCable/Streaming Renewal Scorecard 2016: What’s Coming Back? What’s Cancelled? What’s On the Bubble?
Per our sister site Deadline, Gorham will play Rick D’Andres, the...
- 1/21/2016
- TVLine.com
Harold Perrineau (Lost), Christopher Gorham (Covert Affairs), Max Arciniega (Blood and Oil), Bob Stephenson (Fight Club), Raymond Cruz (Breaking Bad), Laura San Giacomo (Just Shoot Me) and Graham Beckel (Halt and Catch Fire) round out the Season 3 cast of DirecTV’s anthology drama Full Circle. They join previously announced Dougray Scott, Kim Raver and Mariana Klaveno in the 10-episode season set to premiere in 2016. It will air on Audience Network on both DirecTV and…...
- 1/20/2016
- Deadline TV
On a sultry summer day in Richmond, Va. -- the Confederate capital during the Civil War -- a film crew has gathered at an historic building refitted to look like a telegraph office. The scene being shot features Abraham Lincoln (Billy Campbell) receiving a message and then discussing it with Secretary of War Edwin Stanton (Graham Beckel).
Despite the sweltering heat, the bearded men wear waistcoats and jackets, and the women are decked out in period dresses, with corsets. The only person who seems comfortable is local actor Benjamin Perkinson, with his little suit and slicked-back hair, as Lincoln's young son, Tad.
In production is "Killing Lincoln," set to air Sunday, Feb. 17, on National Geographic Channel, a two-hour mix of drama and documentary based on the best-selling "historical thriller" of the same name by Fox News Channel anchor Bill O'Reilly ("The O'Reilly Factor") and historian/researcher Martin Dugard. Tom Hanks narrates.
Despite the sweltering heat, the bearded men wear waistcoats and jackets, and the women are decked out in period dresses, with corsets. The only person who seems comfortable is local actor Benjamin Perkinson, with his little suit and slicked-back hair, as Lincoln's young son, Tad.
In production is "Killing Lincoln," set to air Sunday, Feb. 17, on National Geographic Channel, a two-hour mix of drama and documentary based on the best-selling "historical thriller" of the same name by Fox News Channel anchor Bill O'Reilly ("The O'Reilly Factor") and historian/researcher Martin Dugard. Tom Hanks narrates.
- 2/17/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Killing Lincoln movie brings Bill O’Reilly’s controversial book to the screen on National Geographic Channel Sunday, Feb. 17. By Kate O’Hare On a sultry summer day in Richmond, Va. — the Confederate capital during the Civil War — a film crew has gathered at a historic building refitted to look like a telegraph office. The scene being shot features Abraham Lincoln (Billy Campbell) receiving a message and then discussing it with Secretary of War Edwin Stanton (Graham Beckel). Despite the sweltering heat, the bearded men wear waistcoats and jackets, and the women are decked out in period dresses with corsets. [...]...
- 2/14/2013
- by Channel Guide Contributor
- ChannelGuideMag
Exclusive: Oscar winner Tom Hanks is set as the on-camera host, historical commentator and narrator of Killing Lincoln, National Geographic Channel‘s two-hour historical thriller from Ridley and the late Tony Scott’s Scott Free Prods. It’s based on Bill O’Reilly best-selling book with co-author Martin Dugard that chronicles the conspiracy behind Lincoln’s assassination. Hanks joins director Adrian Moat (Gettysburg), Emmy-winning writer/executive producer Erik Jendresen (Band of Brothers) and producer Mark Herzog’s Herzog & Co. (Gettysburg) on the film, which combines drama with CGI — in the signature style of the Scott brothers — with rare historical archives. “The murder of Lincoln is not a passage of our history — it was a signpost of our American character, then, now and forever,” said Hanks, who has been involved in a number of historic TV projects including the HBO miniseries Band Of Brothers and The Pacific, which he exec produced,...
- 9/13/2012
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
National Geographic Channel's upcoming movie "Killing Lincoln" has added "Gran Torino" actress Geraldine Hughes, "L.A. Confidential" actor Graham Beckel and Jesse Johnson to its cast. Beckel, Hughes and Johnson join a production that includes "The Killing" actor Billy Campbell, who will play the title role of Abraham Lincoln. Hughes will play First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln, while Johnson -- the son of "Miami Vice" star Don Johnson -- will play Lincoln's assassin, John Wilkes Booth. Beckel will play Edwin Stanton, who served as Lincoln's secretary of war. "John Wilkes Booth has been...
- 7/16/2012
- by Tim Kenneally
- The Wrap
Today marks the last day of the first half of the year, and as per custom, it's time to look back and reflect on the best and worst of 2011 so far. We could easily fill a Top 25 Worst films, and in the first six months, it's much more difficult to judge degrees of suck than it is to value the merits of the handful of great films, so the measure of hostility will additionally be taken into account in ranking the Ten Worst.
The top ten films are also limited to theatrical releases, as well, which unfortunately excludes a film that's now available on iTunes that would have competed for the top spot on this list: Turkey Bowl. Track it down; it's only 62 minutes, and it may be the funniest 62 minutes of the year (check out Seth's review here, and Dan's review over at the Houston Press).
The 10 Worst Films...
The top ten films are also limited to theatrical releases, as well, which unfortunately excludes a film that's now available on iTunes that would have competed for the top spot on this list: Turkey Bowl. Track it down; it's only 62 minutes, and it may be the funniest 62 minutes of the year (check out Seth's review here, and Dan's review over at the Houston Press).
The 10 Worst Films...
- 6/30/2011
- by Dustin Rowles
What I'm about to tell you doesn't matter. You've already made up your minds on what your thoughts are on the film and of Ayn Rand. Conservatives and Christians are so fucking paranoid as to their own personal worldviews that anyone disparaging a product in line with their own ideologies are trashing it solely because they harbor a bias. It can't possibly be because the final product is actually inferior. You're not interested in my dimestore second-hand interpretation of the Puritanical Gordon Gekko crackpot movement Ayn Rand hatched called Objectivism, but by virtue of her infusing her novel Atlas Shrugged with it I need to delve somewhat. I know going in, it's a fruitless endeavor -- like Emily Dickinson wrote, "Haters gonna hate." But regardless of whether you feel that America is a welfare state bleeding the rich to slake the slavering laggard poor, or that no matter if it's...
- 4/18/2011
- by Brian Prisco
Reviewed by Annlee Ellingson
(April 2011)
Directed by: Paul Johansson
Written by: John Aglialoro and Brian Patrick O’Toole
Starring: Taylor Schilling, Grant Bowler, Matthew Marsden, Graham Beckel, Edi Gathegi, Jsu Garcia, Michael Lerner and Paul Johansson
Among the central tenets of Objectivism, the philosophy at the center of Ayn Rand’s 1,000-plus-page tome “Atlas Shrugged,” are rational self-interest, individual rights and laissez-faire capitalism. When these entitlements are violated, America’s great innovators — from industrialists to artists, although the movie version focuses on the former — go on strike, leading to the collapse of society.
The same fate seems to have befallen the first attempt at adapting Rand’s controversial 1957 novel: Despite at one time attracting such filmmaking talent as screenwriter Randall Wallace (“Braveheart”), director Vadim Perelman (“House of Sand and Fog”), Angelina Jolie, Julia Roberts, Russell Crowe and Brad Pitt, the project was ultimately rushed into production in order to avoid...
(April 2011)
Directed by: Paul Johansson
Written by: John Aglialoro and Brian Patrick O’Toole
Starring: Taylor Schilling, Grant Bowler, Matthew Marsden, Graham Beckel, Edi Gathegi, Jsu Garcia, Michael Lerner and Paul Johansson
Among the central tenets of Objectivism, the philosophy at the center of Ayn Rand’s 1,000-plus-page tome “Atlas Shrugged,” are rational self-interest, individual rights and laissez-faire capitalism. When these entitlements are violated, America’s great innovators — from industrialists to artists, although the movie version focuses on the former — go on strike, leading to the collapse of society.
The same fate seems to have befallen the first attempt at adapting Rand’s controversial 1957 novel: Despite at one time attracting such filmmaking talent as screenwriter Randall Wallace (“Braveheart”), director Vadim Perelman (“House of Sand and Fog”), Angelina Jolie, Julia Roberts, Russell Crowe and Brad Pitt, the project was ultimately rushed into production in order to avoid...
- 4/16/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Magazine
Reviewed by Annlee Ellingson
(April 2011)
Directed by: Paul Johansson
Written by: John Aglialoro and Brian Patrick O’Toole
Starring: Taylor Schilling, Grant Bowler, Matthew Marsden, Graham Beckel, Edi Gathegi, Jsu Garcia, Michael Lerner and Paul Johansson
Among the central tenets of Objectivism, the philosophy at the center of Ayn Rand’s 1,000-plus-page tome “Atlas Shrugged,” are rational self-interest, individual rights and laissez-faire capitalism. When these entitlements are violated, America’s great innovators — from industrialists to artists, although the movie version focuses on the former — go on strike, leading to the collapse of society.
The same fate seems to have befallen the first attempt at adapting Rand’s controversial 1957 novel: Despite at one time attracting such filmmaking talent as screenwriter Randall Wallace (“Braveheart”), director Vadim Perelman (“House of Sand and Fog”), Angelina Jolie, Julia Roberts, Russell Crowe and Brad Pitt, the project was ultimately rushed into production in order to avoid...
(April 2011)
Directed by: Paul Johansson
Written by: John Aglialoro and Brian Patrick O’Toole
Starring: Taylor Schilling, Grant Bowler, Matthew Marsden, Graham Beckel, Edi Gathegi, Jsu Garcia, Michael Lerner and Paul Johansson
Among the central tenets of Objectivism, the philosophy at the center of Ayn Rand’s 1,000-plus-page tome “Atlas Shrugged,” are rational self-interest, individual rights and laissez-faire capitalism. When these entitlements are violated, America’s great innovators — from industrialists to artists, although the movie version focuses on the former — go on strike, leading to the collapse of society.
The same fate seems to have befallen the first attempt at adapting Rand’s controversial 1957 novel: Despite at one time attracting such filmmaking talent as screenwriter Randall Wallace (“Braveheart”), director Vadim Perelman (“House of Sand and Fog”), Angelina Jolie, Julia Roberts, Russell Crowe and Brad Pitt, the project was ultimately rushed into production in order to avoid...
- 4/16/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Network
Producers, directors, representatives and even cast members typically bond, one way or another, during the overall production process. Whether the film takes 14 months from concept to delivery, or, in the case of Atlas Shrugged: Part 1, forty years, filmmakers typically pride themselves on the space between.
In the case of Atlas Shrugged: Part 1, it’s 40 years way too late and unbelievably uninviting. Over time things weather out and get stale. Not only had mold and bacteria formed around the edges of the film before this version’s inception, but it seemed as if a bio-hazard team was moments away from infiltrating the sets and taking away anything and everything in order to protect the dream that once was Atlas Shrugged.
First published in 1957, the Ayn Rand novel was a well-received allegory concerning a dystopian United States at an unspecific time where leading innovators, ranging from industrialists to artists, refuse to be exploited by society.
In the case of Atlas Shrugged: Part 1, it’s 40 years way too late and unbelievably uninviting. Over time things weather out and get stale. Not only had mold and bacteria formed around the edges of the film before this version’s inception, but it seemed as if a bio-hazard team was moments away from infiltrating the sets and taking away anything and everything in order to protect the dream that once was Atlas Shrugged.
First published in 1957, the Ayn Rand novel was a well-received allegory concerning a dystopian United States at an unspecific time where leading innovators, ranging from industrialists to artists, refuse to be exploited by society.
- 3/1/2011
- by Timothy Farmer
- The Film Stage
Check out this new clip from Atlas Shrugged: Part I, starring Taylor Schilling, Grant Bowler, Matthew Marsden, Graham Beckel, Edi Gathegi, Jsu Garcia and Michael Lerner. Paul Johansson directs Atlas Shrugged, a mystery sci-fi drama from the screenplay by John Agialoro and Brian Patrick O'Toole, based on the novel by Ayn Rand. Atlas Shrugged Synopsis: Dagny Taggart (Taylor Schilling) runs Taggart Transcontinental, the largest remaining railroad company in America, with intelligence, courage and integrity, despite the systematic disappearance of her best and most competent workers...
- 2/21/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Check out this new clip from Atlas Shrugged: Part I, starring Taylor Schilling, Grant Bowler, Matthew Marsden, Graham Beckel, Edi Gathegi, Jsu Garcia and Michael Lerner. Paul Johansson directs Atlas Shrugged, a mystery sci-fi drama from the screenplay by John Agialoro and Brian Patrick O'Toole, based on the novel by Ayn Rand. Atlas Shrugged Synopsis: Dagny Taggart (Taylor Schilling) runs Taggart Transcontinental, the largest remaining railroad company in America, with intelligence, courage and integrity, despite the systematic disappearance of her best and most competent workers...
- 2/21/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Sneak Peek the new poster and trailer supporting the $5 million "Atlas Shrugged Part I", the adaptation of author Ayn Rand's 1957 novel.
The new film is scheduled for release April 15, directed by Paul Johansson, starring Taylor Schilling, Grant Bowler, Matthew Marsden, Graham Beckel, Edi Gathegi, Jsu Garcia and Michael Lerner.
In "Atlas Shrugged Part 1", 'Dagny Taggart' (Schilling) runs 'Taggart Transcontinental', the only remaining railroad company in America, despite the disappearance of her best workers.
She becomes attracted to 'Henry Rearden' (Bowler) and his invention of the super-strength metal alloy 'Rearden Metal', that holds the promise that innovation can overcome a slide into anarchy.
"Atlas Shrugged" also introduces a theory of sex based in broader ethical and psychological theories. Rather than considering sexual desire a debasing animal instinct, Rand portrays it as the highest celebration of human values.
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Atlas Shrugged- Part 1"...
The new film is scheduled for release April 15, directed by Paul Johansson, starring Taylor Schilling, Grant Bowler, Matthew Marsden, Graham Beckel, Edi Gathegi, Jsu Garcia and Michael Lerner.
In "Atlas Shrugged Part 1", 'Dagny Taggart' (Schilling) runs 'Taggart Transcontinental', the only remaining railroad company in America, despite the disappearance of her best workers.
She becomes attracted to 'Henry Rearden' (Bowler) and his invention of the super-strength metal alloy 'Rearden Metal', that holds the promise that innovation can overcome a slide into anarchy.
"Atlas Shrugged" also introduces a theory of sex based in broader ethical and psychological theories. Rather than considering sexual desire a debasing animal instinct, Rand portrays it as the highest celebration of human values.
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Atlas Shrugged- Part 1"...
- 2/15/2011
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
The trailer for the film version of Ayn Rand's controversial Objectivist magnum opus is now online. Movie goers will be asked, "Who is John Galt?" Dagny Taggart (Taylor Schilling) runs Taggart Transcontinental, the largest remaining railroad company in America, with intelligence, courage and integrity, despite the systematic disappearance of her best and most competent workers. She is drawn to industrialist Henry Rearden (Grant Bowler), one of the few men whose genius and commitment to his own ideas match her own. Rearden's super-strength metal alloy, Rearden Metal, holds the promise that innovation can overcome the slide into anarchy. Using the untested Rearden Metal, they rebuild the critical Taggart rail line in Colorado and pave the way for oil titan Ellis Wyatt (Graham Beckel) to...
- 2/13/2011
- by Eric Whitman
- The Daily BLAM!
"Atlas Shrugged" has been previewed in a trailer. It follows Dagny Taggart who runs Taggart Transcontinental, the largest remaining railroad company in America, with intelligence, courage and integrity, despite the systematic disappearance of her best and most competent workers.
She is drawn to industrialist Henry Rearden, one of the few men whose genius and commitment to his own ideas match her own. Rearden's super-strength metal alloy, Rearden Metal, holds the promise that innovation can overcome the slide into anarchy.
Using the untested Rearden Metal, they rebuild the critical Taggart rail line in Colorado and pave the way for oil titan Ellis Wyatt to feed the flame of a new American Renaissance. Hope rises again, when Dagny and Rearden discover the design of a revolutionary motor based on static electricity - in an abandoned engine factory.
Based on Ayn Rand novel of the same title, "Atlas Shrugged" was once aimed to be Angelina Jolie-starring vehicle.
She is drawn to industrialist Henry Rearden, one of the few men whose genius and commitment to his own ideas match her own. Rearden's super-strength metal alloy, Rearden Metal, holds the promise that innovation can overcome the slide into anarchy.
Using the untested Rearden Metal, they rebuild the critical Taggart rail line in Colorado and pave the way for oil titan Ellis Wyatt to feed the flame of a new American Renaissance. Hope rises again, when Dagny and Rearden discover the design of a revolutionary motor based on static electricity - in an abandoned engine factory.
Based on Ayn Rand novel of the same title, "Atlas Shrugged" was once aimed to be Angelina Jolie-starring vehicle.
- 2/12/2011
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
"Who is John Galt?" Ah, so that's what this book was about! Atlas Productions has released the trailer on YouTube (via SlashFilm) for Paul Johansson's adaptation of Atlas Shrugged, that epic Ayn Rand novel that everyone should be familiar with. The cast includes relative newcomer Taylor Schilling ("Mercy") as railroad exec Dagny Taggart, as well as Edi Gathegi, Matthew Marsden, Michael O'Keefe, Michael Lerner, Jon Polito, Graham Beckel and Patrick Fischler. To be honest, this looks a bit more like a TV movie and the acting looks kind of mediocre, but at least they're trying. You never know, it could be great. Watch below! Watch the first trailer for Paul Johansson's Atlas Shrugged: Part I: You can also watch the Atlas Shrugged trailer in High Def on YouTube A powerful railroad executive struggles to keep her business alive while society is crumbling around her. Atlas Shrugged was...
- 2/12/2011
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Atlas Shrugged Trailer
Well it's about time we got a trailer for Atlas Shrugged. The film has been in development forever and producer John Aglialoro, who bought the rights in 1992, was going to lose the option if he didn't get it made soon. So he quickly gathered together a cast that included Jon Polito, Michael Lerner, Taylor Schilling, Graham Beckel, Edi Gathegi and Patrick Fischler. Paul Johansson was hired as director and he also took on the lead role of John Galt. Based off the classic novel by Ayn Rand, of the same name, a lot of people doubted that this film would ever get made. Especially considering how difficult the source material would be to adapt. Well, here we are with the first full trailer for the film and the legions of Atlas Shrugged fans out there can now finally take a look at what Rand's epic novel will...
Well it's about time we got a trailer for Atlas Shrugged. The film has been in development forever and producer John Aglialoro, who bought the rights in 1992, was going to lose the option if he didn't get it made soon. So he quickly gathered together a cast that included Jon Polito, Michael Lerner, Taylor Schilling, Graham Beckel, Edi Gathegi and Patrick Fischler. Paul Johansson was hired as director and he also took on the lead role of John Galt. Based off the classic novel by Ayn Rand, of the same name, a lot of people doubted that this film would ever get made. Especially considering how difficult the source material would be to adapt. Well, here we are with the first full trailer for the film and the legions of Atlas Shrugged fans out there can now finally take a look at what Rand's epic novel will...
- 2/12/2011
- by Matt Joseph
- We Got This Covered
Think back to the biggest development disasters of 2010. High on the list without a doubt, and perhaps topping the list, was Atlas Shrugged. In development for years, by 2009 the Ayn Rand novel was riding a newfound wave of popularity thanks to the economic collapse of late 2008, and also to a sense of post-Obama malaise within the conservative right. There was a point where it seemed like the book might spawn a mini-series [1], perhaps even with Charlize Theron playing central character Dagny Taggart. That didn't happen. By late spring of last year, producer John Aglialoro, who bought the rights in 1992, had to make the film or lose the option. By May, he planned to shoot in June, even though at that point there was no cast in place. Stephen Polk was hired to direct [2] a four-film series based on the book. Two weeks before shooting, he was sacked and replaced [3] with Paul Johansson,...
- 2/12/2011
- by Russ Fischer
- Slash Film
The trailer for the $5 million Atlas Shrugged Part I , the adaptation of Ayn Rand's 1957 novel, is now online and can be watched using the player below. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 15, the Paul Johansson-directed drama stars Taylor Schilling, Grant Bowler, Matthew Marsden, Graham Beckel, Edi Gathegi, Jsu Garcia and Michael Lerner. In the film, Dagny Taggart (Schilling) runs Taggart Transcontinental, the largest remaining railroad company in America, with intelligence, courage and integrity, despite the systematic disappearance of her best and most competent workers. She is drawn to industrialist Henry Rearden (Bowler), one of the few men whose genius and commitment to his own ideas match her own. Rearden's super-strength metal alloy, Rearden Metal, holds the promise that...
- 2/11/2011
- Comingsoon.net
Back for its third year (see the 2010 edition) and bigger than ever, today kicks off the first in a fifteen-part look at the various cinematic releases hitting the U.S. in 2011. Each 'part' contains brief descriptions and editorial opinion/analysis of varying length covering twenty films. Expect the remaining ones to go up between now and the first major releases in mid-January.
Like all cinematic lists set within a timeframe, there's some overlap. Some films here have already opened worldwide but have yet to hit the U.S., some upcoming films you'd expect to be here aren't because they're either still in development or have already announced 2012 release dates, some were on last year's list but got delayed so have been included again (but with all new analysis).
I confined my list to films that have either set 2011 release dates or had begun/completed production, and only films that have...
Like all cinematic lists set within a timeframe, there's some overlap. Some films here have already opened worldwide but have yet to hit the U.S., some upcoming films you'd expect to be here aren't because they're either still in development or have already announced 2012 release dates, some were on last year's list but got delayed so have been included again (but with all new analysis).
I confined my list to films that have either set 2011 release dates or had begun/completed production, and only films that have...
- 12/13/2010
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Back for its third year (see the 2010 edition) and bigger than ever, today kicks off the first in a fifteen-part look at the various cinematic releases hitting the U.S. in 2011. Each 'part' contains brief descriptions and editorial opinion/analysis of varying length covering twenty films. Expect the remaining ones to go up between now and the first major releases in mid-January.
Like all cinematic lists set within a timeframe, there's some overlap. Some films here have already opened worldwide but have yet to hit the U.S., some upcoming films you'd expect to be here aren't because they're either still in development or have already announced 2012 release dates, some were on last year's list but got delayed so have been included again (but with all new analysis).
I confined my list to films that have either set 2011 release dates or had begun/completed production, and only films that have...
Like all cinematic lists set within a timeframe, there's some overlap. Some films here have already opened worldwide but have yet to hit the U.S., some upcoming films you'd expect to be here aren't because they're either still in development or have already announced 2012 release dates, some were on last year's list but got delayed so have been included again (but with all new analysis).
I confined my list to films that have either set 2011 release dates or had begun/completed production, and only films that have...
- 12/13/2010
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Photo by Ed Araquel/Syfy
Brendan Fehr discusses Roswell, Nikita and Ice Quake, which airs tonight at 9 p.m. Eastern/8 p.m. Central on Syfy.
Q:Could you talk about the stunts in IceQuake?
Brendan:Yeah. I guess the majority of the stunts would probably simply be thesnowmobiling.
Wedidn’t exactly know how much snow was going to be out there at that time ofyear they had to shut down the mountain for the sky season eventually and wepicked up right when it shut off. And while we were filming we got heaps andheaps of snow, which obviously added to the look of the movie and everythingelse.
Sowe were pretty straightforward. You have a lot of the guys there obviouslybeing up in Canada and on a mountain, I mean, snowmobiling kind of comes secondnature. So… there’s only so much damage you can do, I mean, if you fall overbecause we had...
Brendan Fehr discusses Roswell, Nikita and Ice Quake, which airs tonight at 9 p.m. Eastern/8 p.m. Central on Syfy.
Q:Could you talk about the stunts in IceQuake?
Brendan:Yeah. I guess the majority of the stunts would probably simply be thesnowmobiling.
Wedidn’t exactly know how much snow was going to be out there at that time ofyear they had to shut down the mountain for the sky season eventually and wepicked up right when it shut off. And while we were filming we got heaps andheaps of snow, which obviously added to the look of the movie and everythingelse.
Sowe were pretty straightforward. You have a lot of the guys there obviouslybeing up in Canada and on a mountain, I mean, snowmobiling kind of comes secondnature. So… there’s only so much damage you can do, I mean, if you fall overbecause we had...
- 12/13/2010
- by Pop Culture Passionistas
- popculturepassionistas
Grant Bowler ("True Blood") will play steel magnate Henry Reardon in "Atlas Shrugged." Film is based on the literary classic by Ayn Rand. He joins Johansson, Taylor Schilling, Michael Lerner, Nick Cassavetes, Matthew Marsdan and Graham Beckel. Paul Johansson will direct "Atlas." The Reardon character is a demanding industrialist who gets conflicted when sparks fly with protagonist Dagny Taggart. Filming started this week in Los Angeles. In "Atlas," Reardon is a demanding industrialist who becomes conflicted when sparks fly with protagonist Dagny Taggart. The film began shooting in L.A. this week.
- 6/17/2010
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Filming has now started for 5 weeks on the $5 million big screen adaptation of author Ayn Rand's 1957 novel "Atlas Shrugged".
Shooting in Los Angeles, "Atlas Shrugged Part One" is directed by Paul Johansson from a script by Patrick O'Toole, for producers John Aglialoro and Harmon Kaslow.
The book explores a dystopian United States where leading innovators, ranging from industrialists to artists, refuse to be exploited by society. Protagonist, 'Dagny Taggart', sees society collapse around her as the government increasingly asserts control over all industry, while society's most productive citizens, led by the mysterious 'John Galt', progressively drop out. Galt describes the strike as "stopping the motor of the world" by withdrawing the "minds" that drive society's growth and productivity; with their strike these creative minds hope to demonstrate that the economy and society would collapse without the profit motive and the efforts of the rational and productive.
The novel,...
Shooting in Los Angeles, "Atlas Shrugged Part One" is directed by Paul Johansson from a script by Patrick O'Toole, for producers John Aglialoro and Harmon Kaslow.
The book explores a dystopian United States where leading innovators, ranging from industrialists to artists, refuse to be exploited by society. Protagonist, 'Dagny Taggart', sees society collapse around her as the government increasingly asserts control over all industry, while society's most productive citizens, led by the mysterious 'John Galt', progressively drop out. Galt describes the strike as "stopping the motor of the world" by withdrawing the "minds" that drive society's growth and productivity; with their strike these creative minds hope to demonstrate that the economy and society would collapse without the profit motive and the efforts of the rational and productive.
The novel,...
- 6/15/2010
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Paul Johansson ("One Tree Hill"), Taylor Schilling ("Mercy") and Grant Bowler ("True Blood") have been cast as John Galt, Dagny Taggart and Hank Reardon respectively in the independently-produced film adaptation of Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged" reports Variety.
Producer John Aglialoro had to get production going on this film adaptation of one of literature's most famous works by this past Saturday or lose the feature rights. Well he met the date, with the $5 million-budget "Atlas Shrugged Part One" kicking off its five week shoot over the weekend with Paul Johansson directing from Brian Patrick O'Toole's script.
The project has dwelt in development hell for decades until this year when Aglialoro quickly decided to make the film on his own without any studio backing. As a result, the cast is essentially made up of mostly unknowns including those three above.
Joining them are Michael Lerner ("A Serious Man") as lobbyist...
Producer John Aglialoro had to get production going on this film adaptation of one of literature's most famous works by this past Saturday or lose the feature rights. Well he met the date, with the $5 million-budget "Atlas Shrugged Part One" kicking off its five week shoot over the weekend with Paul Johansson directing from Brian Patrick O'Toole's script.
The project has dwelt in development hell for decades until this year when Aglialoro quickly decided to make the film on his own without any studio backing. As a result, the cast is essentially made up of mostly unknowns including those three above.
Joining them are Michael Lerner ("A Serious Man") as lobbyist...
- 6/14/2010
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
The feature adaptation of Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged" has started filming in Los Angeles. Shooting will last for around five weeks on the $5 million-budgeted independent film produced by John Aglialoro and Harmon Kaslow. "Atlas Shrugged Part One" is being directed by Paul Johansson from the screenplay by Brian Patrick O'Toole. "Atlas Shrugged" was first published in 1957 and tells of a dystopian version of the U.S. where society has collapsed as the government gains increasing control over industry. This decline takes place while the most productive citizens, led by John Galt, start vanishing. Paul Johansson of "One Tree Hill" plays Galt, Taylor Schilling will play the railroad executive Dagny Taggart, Grant Bowler ("Ugly Betty") has been cast as Henry Reardon, Michael Lerner ("A Serious Man") plays lobbyist Wesley Mouch and renowned helmer Nick Cassavetes is in as Richard McNamara. Other cast members include Matthew Marsdan as James Taggart and Graham Beckel as Ellis Wyatt.
- 6/14/2010
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Here’s a whole new batch of images from Peacock, a new thriller which stars Ellen Page, Jaimi Paige, Cillian Murphy, Susan Sarandon, Bill Pulman, Josh Lucas, Keith Carradine and Graham Beckel. Peacock is directed by Michael Lander and is scheduled for release later on this year. These new photos (below – click to enlarge) come from the official website which has been launched here. You can see loads more photos and check out more info on the cast and crew.
From these images, the film looks beautifully shot and I’m looking forward to seeing the finished product.
Synopsis: Cillian Murphy delivers a career defining performance as John Skillpa, a quiet bank clerk living in tiny Peacock, Nebraska, who prefers to live an invisible life. This might have to do with John’s secret: he has another personality no one knows about, a woman who each morning does his chores...
From these images, the film looks beautifully shot and I’m looking forward to seeing the finished product.
Synopsis: Cillian Murphy delivers a career defining performance as John Skillpa, a quiet bank clerk living in tiny Peacock, Nebraska, who prefers to live an invisible life. This might have to do with John’s secret: he has another personality no one knows about, a woman who each morning does his chores...
- 1/21/2010
- by David Sztypuljak
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Film review: 'Black Dog'
From the characters' names (Jack Crews, Red, Earl, Sonny) to the preposterous plot to the numerous chases and fatal crashes, "Black Dog" wags its hoary, tough-underdog-puts-pedal-to-the-metal tale with no verve or veracity.
Even the hard-core bubba crowd is likely to pass this one up despite a country music soundtrack and the casting of Randy Travis in a major role. The Universal release's sole attraction is a few amazing shots of big rigs flying through the air, falling off mountain roads and smashing into things, usually in slow motion.
With little to do but look mean, bark a few orders and growl at his foes, lead Patrick Swayze as former con Crews is well-groomed for this sort of dogfight, but he's inexplicably leashed for most of it. Trying to go straight after serving time for vehicular manslaughter, the trucker takes on a risky job for money needed to pay an overdue mortgage.
His amiable spouse (Brenda Strong) makes a feeble attempt to stop him from hauling a truckload of illegal arms from Atlanta to New Jersey. But the lack of a driver's license and immediate doubts about all parties involved are not enough to deter Jack.
The title refers to a nighttime apparition that causes overworked, "greedy" drivers to crash, which is what happened to tough-luck case Jack. With such a back-story hounding him, he feels twice as challenged, but he's a gullible gorilla to boot.
Recruited by his shady boss Cutler (Graham Beckel) and flown to Georgia, Jack meets Bible-quoting middleman Red (Meat Loaf) and his pack of hired curs, including would-be singer-songwriter Earl (Travis, ha-ha), amiable dreamer Sonny (Gabriel Casseus) and shifty lowlife Wes (Brian Vincent).
Unbeknownst to Jack, Cutler, Red, et al., squabbling FBI and ATF agents (Charles Dutton and Stephen Tobolowsky) are tracking the shipment in an attempt to nab the buyer. Red makes the first move, attempting to "hijack the load" in ambushes involving cars, trucks and motorcycles.
In an ungainly development, Jack, Earl, Sonny and Wes become allies. Slimy Cutler takes Jack's wife and daughter hostage, leaving our hero no choice but to complete the job. After one of his road pals turns out to be an undercover agent and dies, Jack comes up with a plan to save his family and make the world a safer place.
Director Kevin Hooks ("Fled") and cinematographer Buzz Feitshans IV shift into overdrive for the action scenes, but otherwise the wide-screen production is visually undistinguished. Similarly, the screenplay credited to William Mickelberry and Dan Vining is laughably generic, with light humor that usually doesn't work and such dreadfully banal ideas as having Meat Loaf's character toss off lines from the scriptures as he tries to ram Jack with a succession of bigger red chariots.
BLACK DOG
Universal Pictures
Universal Pictures and
Mutual Film Company present
a Prelude Pictures production
in association with Raffaella De Laurentiis
Director: Kevin Hooks
Screenwriters: William Mickelberry, Dan Vining
Producers: Peter Saphier, Mark W. Koch,
Raffaella De Laurentiis
Executive producer: Mace Neufeld,
Robert Rehme, Gary Levinsohn, Mark Gordon
Director of photography: Buzz Feitshans IV
Production designer: Victoria Paul
Editors: Debra Neil-Fisher, Sabrina Plisco-Morris
Costume designer: Peggy Stamper
Music: George S. Clinton
Casting: Elisabeth Rudolph
Color/stereo
Cast:
Jack Crews: Patrick Swayze
Red: Meat Loaf
Earl: Randy Travis
Sonny: Gabriel Casseus
Wes: Brian Vincent
Cutler: Graham Beckel
Melanie: Brenda Strong
Ford: Charles Dutton
McClaren: Stephen Tobolowsky
Running time -- 88 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
Even the hard-core bubba crowd is likely to pass this one up despite a country music soundtrack and the casting of Randy Travis in a major role. The Universal release's sole attraction is a few amazing shots of big rigs flying through the air, falling off mountain roads and smashing into things, usually in slow motion.
With little to do but look mean, bark a few orders and growl at his foes, lead Patrick Swayze as former con Crews is well-groomed for this sort of dogfight, but he's inexplicably leashed for most of it. Trying to go straight after serving time for vehicular manslaughter, the trucker takes on a risky job for money needed to pay an overdue mortgage.
His amiable spouse (Brenda Strong) makes a feeble attempt to stop him from hauling a truckload of illegal arms from Atlanta to New Jersey. But the lack of a driver's license and immediate doubts about all parties involved are not enough to deter Jack.
The title refers to a nighttime apparition that causes overworked, "greedy" drivers to crash, which is what happened to tough-luck case Jack. With such a back-story hounding him, he feels twice as challenged, but he's a gullible gorilla to boot.
Recruited by his shady boss Cutler (Graham Beckel) and flown to Georgia, Jack meets Bible-quoting middleman Red (Meat Loaf) and his pack of hired curs, including would-be singer-songwriter Earl (Travis, ha-ha), amiable dreamer Sonny (Gabriel Casseus) and shifty lowlife Wes (Brian Vincent).
Unbeknownst to Jack, Cutler, Red, et al., squabbling FBI and ATF agents (Charles Dutton and Stephen Tobolowsky) are tracking the shipment in an attempt to nab the buyer. Red makes the first move, attempting to "hijack the load" in ambushes involving cars, trucks and motorcycles.
In an ungainly development, Jack, Earl, Sonny and Wes become allies. Slimy Cutler takes Jack's wife and daughter hostage, leaving our hero no choice but to complete the job. After one of his road pals turns out to be an undercover agent and dies, Jack comes up with a plan to save his family and make the world a safer place.
Director Kevin Hooks ("Fled") and cinematographer Buzz Feitshans IV shift into overdrive for the action scenes, but otherwise the wide-screen production is visually undistinguished. Similarly, the screenplay credited to William Mickelberry and Dan Vining is laughably generic, with light humor that usually doesn't work and such dreadfully banal ideas as having Meat Loaf's character toss off lines from the scriptures as he tries to ram Jack with a succession of bigger red chariots.
BLACK DOG
Universal Pictures
Universal Pictures and
Mutual Film Company present
a Prelude Pictures production
in association with Raffaella De Laurentiis
Director: Kevin Hooks
Screenwriters: William Mickelberry, Dan Vining
Producers: Peter Saphier, Mark W. Koch,
Raffaella De Laurentiis
Executive producer: Mace Neufeld,
Robert Rehme, Gary Levinsohn, Mark Gordon
Director of photography: Buzz Feitshans IV
Production designer: Victoria Paul
Editors: Debra Neil-Fisher, Sabrina Plisco-Morris
Costume designer: Peggy Stamper
Music: George S. Clinton
Casting: Elisabeth Rudolph
Color/stereo
Cast:
Jack Crews: Patrick Swayze
Red: Meat Loaf
Earl: Randy Travis
Sonny: Gabriel Casseus
Wes: Brian Vincent
Cutler: Graham Beckel
Melanie: Brenda Strong
Ford: Charles Dutton
McClaren: Stephen Tobolowsky
Running time -- 88 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
- 5/4/1998
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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