Exclusive: Bill Maher, an honorary director of PETA, has teamed up with the animal rights organization to produce a documentary about America’s multibillion-dollar experimentation industry.
The host of HBO’s Real Time is exec producing The Failed Experiment, which will launch on Amazon’s Prime Video on January 9.
It marks Maher’s first new documentary project in a number of years; he was behind the Larry Charles-directed Religulous and exec produced HBO’s Vice.
The six-part series pulls back the curtain on the experimentation industry and explores why there are so few cures and effective treatments for the deadliest diseases—including Alzheimer’s, many forms of cancer, Parkinson’s, and Als as well as offering solutions for modernizing the world of research.
Each episode reveals how the country’s heavy reliance on outdated experiments on animals is causing the U.S. to lose its place as the world...
The host of HBO’s Real Time is exec producing The Failed Experiment, which will launch on Amazon’s Prime Video on January 9.
It marks Maher’s first new documentary project in a number of years; he was behind the Larry Charles-directed Religulous and exec produced HBO’s Vice.
The six-part series pulls back the curtain on the experimentation industry and explores why there are so few cures and effective treatments for the deadliest diseases—including Alzheimer’s, many forms of cancer, Parkinson’s, and Als as well as offering solutions for modernizing the world of research.
Each episode reveals how the country’s heavy reliance on outdated experiments on animals is causing the U.S. to lose its place as the world...
- 1/5/2024
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
With Larry Charles’ latest movie, Dicks: The Musical now out, the director has laid out just why he is keeping his budgets low. And no, it has nothing to do with studios refusing to pony up for dicks or musicals.
Appearing on Marc Maron’s Wtf podcast last week, Larry Charles expressed his disdain for studios giving certain movies outlandish budgets. “Politically for me, ethically for me, I find it offensive when movies cost $250 million and the world is in the state that it’s in. So I’m also looking to make a statement in the way these things are made.” Larry Charles further defended his take by saying, “We have such a media monopoly system here that that in itself is kind of an authoritarian Big Brother sort of thing that we — they’ve figured out over the years, they don’t have to make you, they don’t have to scare you,...
Appearing on Marc Maron’s Wtf podcast last week, Larry Charles expressed his disdain for studios giving certain movies outlandish budgets. “Politically for me, ethically for me, I find it offensive when movies cost $250 million and the world is in the state that it’s in. So I’m also looking to make a statement in the way these things are made.” Larry Charles further defended his take by saying, “We have such a media monopoly system here that that in itself is kind of an authoritarian Big Brother sort of thing that we — they’ve figured out over the years, they don’t have to make you, they don’t have to scare you,...
- 10/8/2023
- by Mathew Plale
- JoBlo.com
In 2008, cable news commentator Bill Maher unleashed his documentary Religulous on the public. In the film, Maher questions religion’s place in society while holding a microscope on contemporary practices, methods of worship, and actions taken by extremist groups in the name of benevolent forces. As Maher travels to different areas where religion is a powerful presence, he explores the organized religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Mormonism, TV evangelism, and Scientology, with detours into pagan cults and ancient Egypt. You can see how a movie like this would be controversial. What if we told you a Religuluous 2 could be on the way?
Speaking with Sharon Osbourne on his Club Random With Bill Maher podcast, Maher revealed he recently went to dinner with Borat and Religulous director Larry Charles. While sitting comfortably on his set adorned with libations, cheeba, and faux brickwork, Maher told Osbourne, “We might do a sequel,” concerning his 2008 documentary.
Speaking with Sharon Osbourne on his Club Random With Bill Maher podcast, Maher revealed he recently went to dinner with Borat and Religulous director Larry Charles. While sitting comfortably on his set adorned with libations, cheeba, and faux brickwork, Maher told Osbourne, “We might do a sequel,” concerning his 2008 documentary.
- 8/2/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
This June on HBO and HBO Max will play host to a new season of “Westworld,” a new adaptation of “Father of the Bride” and much more.
The big new Warner Bros. release on HBO and HBO Max this month is “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore,” which actually debuted on the HBO Max streaming service on May 30. The third film in the Wizarding World prequel franchise first hit theaters in April, and is now available to stream in 4K.
There’s also the updated version of “Father of the Bride” premiering on June 16, while a pair of noteworthy documentaries are coming on the early side this month: “The Janes” premieres June 8 and follows unlikely outlaws in pre-Roe v. Wade America who defied state legislation that banned abortion, while “Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain” debuts on June 9.
As for original series, the fourth season of “Westworld” premieres on June...
The big new Warner Bros. release on HBO and HBO Max this month is “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore,” which actually debuted on the HBO Max streaming service on May 30. The third film in the Wizarding World prequel franchise first hit theaters in April, and is now available to stream in 4K.
There’s also the updated version of “Father of the Bride” premiering on June 16, while a pair of noteworthy documentaries are coming on the early side this month: “The Janes” premieres June 8 and follows unlikely outlaws in pre-Roe v. Wade America who defied state legislation that banned abortion, while “Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain” debuts on June 9.
As for original series, the fourth season of “Westworld” premieres on June...
- 6/1/2022
- by Adam Chitwood
- The Wrap
With its list of new releases for June 2022, HBO Max is joining in what should be a TV summer to remember.
Not content to let Netflix’s Stranger Things or Prime Video’s The Boys to dominate the summer TV landscape, HBO is coming through with a new season of one of its big hits. Westworld season 4 is set to premiere June 26 on both HBO and HBO Max. What will this season of the increasingly confusing sci-fi drama be about? Per HBO’s synopsis it will be “A dark odyssey about the fate of sentient life on earth.” So you know, only that.
Irma Vep is the only other Max Original of note this month. Based on a 1996 cult classic of the same name, this limited series stars Alicia Vikander as a disillusioned movie star looking to remake the early 20th century French silent film serial Les Vampires.
It’s...
Not content to let Netflix’s Stranger Things or Prime Video’s The Boys to dominate the summer TV landscape, HBO is coming through with a new season of one of its big hits. Westworld season 4 is set to premiere June 26 on both HBO and HBO Max. What will this season of the increasingly confusing sci-fi drama be about? Per HBO’s synopsis it will be “A dark odyssey about the fate of sentient life on earth.” So you know, only that.
Irma Vep is the only other Max Original of note this month. Based on a 1996 cult classic of the same name, this limited series stars Alicia Vikander as a disillusioned movie star looking to remake the early 20th century French silent film serial Les Vampires.
It’s...
- 6/1/2022
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
A fresh new voice in nonfiction filmmaking, Ahsen Nadeem never intended to make the doc that became “Crows Are White” as deeply, disarmingly personal as it turned out, but in re-centering the focus on himself, he arrived at a much more honest movie. Approaching the subject in the vulnerable, open-book tradition of cine-essayists Ross McElwee (“Sherman’s March”) or Caveh Zahedi (“I Am a Sex Addict”), Nadeem, who was raised Muslim in Saudi Arabia, works through why he found himself so conflicted about his religious upbringing, as well as how to break the news to his parents that he intended to marry a non-Muslim woman. The result is an introspective — and at times uncomfortably irreverent — journey for both him and the audience.
Nadeem’s original intention was to investigate the “marathon monks” of Mount Hiei, Japan, who seek spiritual enlightenment by walking a repetitive course known as the kaihōgyō, equivalent to the circumference of the Earth,...
Nadeem’s original intention was to investigate the “marathon monks” of Mount Hiei, Japan, who seek spiritual enlightenment by walking a repetitive course known as the kaihōgyō, equivalent to the circumference of the Earth,...
- 5/6/2022
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
“Bill Maher: #Adulting,” the comedian’s latest special for HBO, pretty much wades through the same polluted waters he does on his late-night Friday show “Real Time” – trash talking Democrats while also condemning Republicans, picking on chubby people, insisting masks are useless during a pandemic and, this should come as no surprise to his loyal fans, finding a reason to not believe in God. And of course making some jokes he’s made several times before
Yes, “#Adulting” leaves us with a cornucopia of things to talk about, but let’s dive into religion, shall we?
After urging the Democratic party to stop “being the party of no common sense,” to start standing up “to the people who wake up offended and live on Twitter,” and end doing things and sounding like “a headline in The Onion,” Maher charged into another one of his favorite topics, cancel culture. And who...
Yes, “#Adulting” leaves us with a cornucopia of things to talk about, but let’s dive into religion, shall we?
After urging the Democratic party to stop “being the party of no common sense,” to start standing up “to the people who wake up offended and live on Twitter,” and end doing things and sounding like “a headline in The Onion,” Maher charged into another one of his favorite topics, cancel culture. And who...
- 4/16/2022
- by Rosemary Rossi
- The Wrap
There’s never a bad time for a new superhero show, mind you. But with Amazon’s brilliantly bloody The Boys having been off air for five or so months now, the streaming world is particularly due for a new supe. With its list of new releases for March 2021, Amazon is going to be rectifying that.
The animated adaptation of Robert Kirkman’s comic series Invincible is set to arrive on Amazon Prime this March 26. Kirkman’s comic series is a colorful, thrilling, and violent take on superhero myths and the series that it inspired will feature a truly impressive cast. Take that all into account and this will be an important addition to the streaming superhero canon.
Also arriving in March is another big ticket item for Amazon. The long-awaited Coming to America sequel, Coming 2 America, will premiere on March 5. Eddie Murphy returns as Prince Akeem Joffer who...
The animated adaptation of Robert Kirkman’s comic series Invincible is set to arrive on Amazon Prime this March 26. Kirkman’s comic series is a colorful, thrilling, and violent take on superhero myths and the series that it inspired will feature a truly impressive cast. Take that all into account and this will be an important addition to the streaming superhero canon.
Also arriving in March is another big ticket item for Amazon. The long-awaited Coming to America sequel, Coming 2 America, will premiere on March 5. Eddie Murphy returns as Prince Akeem Joffer who...
- 2/27/2021
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
Hulu is out with its list of everything new coming to the streaming service in the month of September — and everything that’s leaving.
Highlights in the new category include Season 2 of “Pen15,” which stars Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle as their middle school selves, out Sept. 18. Another highlight is the series premiere of “Woke,” inspired by the life and work of American cartoonist Keith Knight. That’s out Sept. 9.
Leaving at the end of the month are movies like “50 First Dates,” “A Mighty Wind,” and “Best in Show.”
See the full list below.
Sept. 1
Mike Tyson Mysteries: Complete Season 4 (Adult Swim)
Jeopardy!: Episode Refresh (ABC)
50 First Dates (2004)
Absolute Power (1997)
Aeon Flux (2005)
American Dragons (1998)
An American Haunting (2006)
Any Given Sunday (1999)
Anywhere but Here (1999)
Back to School (1986)
Bad Girls from Mars (1991)
The Bank Job (2008)
Because I Said So (2007)
The Birdcage (1997)
Broken Lizard’s Club Dread (2004)
Call Me (1988)
Carrington (1995)
The Cold Light Of Day...
Highlights in the new category include Season 2 of “Pen15,” which stars Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle as their middle school selves, out Sept. 18. Another highlight is the series premiere of “Woke,” inspired by the life and work of American cartoonist Keith Knight. That’s out Sept. 9.
Leaving at the end of the month are movies like “50 First Dates,” “A Mighty Wind,” and “Best in Show.”
See the full list below.
Sept. 1
Mike Tyson Mysteries: Complete Season 4 (Adult Swim)
Jeopardy!: Episode Refresh (ABC)
50 First Dates (2004)
Absolute Power (1997)
Aeon Flux (2005)
American Dragons (1998)
An American Haunting (2006)
Any Given Sunday (1999)
Anywhere but Here (1999)
Back to School (1986)
Bad Girls from Mars (1991)
The Bank Job (2008)
Because I Said So (2007)
The Birdcage (1997)
Broken Lizard’s Club Dread (2004)
Call Me (1988)
Carrington (1995)
The Cold Light Of Day...
- 9/1/2020
- by Margeaux Sippell
- The Wrap
As one of the weirder “back to school” seasons in living memory rolls out, Hulu is heading back to school in its own way for September 2020.
The biggest Hulu original arriving to the streaming services stream this month is season 2 of coming-of-age comedy Pen15…which of course stars two adults who have already come of age playing their middle school selves.
Speaking of middle school, perhaps the biggest non-original addition to the Hulu library this month is the arrival of all The Twilight Saga movies on September 1. That should prove to be a real nostalgia trip for interested parties. Other library titles of note include Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, The Terminator, and 2019’s Judy on September 25.
Bookending Hulu’s originals this month is another intriguing comedy, Woke. This series will star Lamorne Morris as a Black cartoonist who gets an unexpected wakeup call.
Here is everything else...
The biggest Hulu original arriving to the streaming services stream this month is season 2 of coming-of-age comedy Pen15…which of course stars two adults who have already come of age playing their middle school selves.
Speaking of middle school, perhaps the biggest non-original addition to the Hulu library this month is the arrival of all The Twilight Saga movies on September 1. That should prove to be a real nostalgia trip for interested parties. Other library titles of note include Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, The Terminator, and 2019’s Judy on September 25.
Bookending Hulu’s originals this month is another intriguing comedy, Woke. This series will star Lamorne Morris as a Black cartoonist who gets an unexpected wakeup call.
Here is everything else...
- 8/19/2020
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
With the streaming wars really starting to heat up now thanks to all the new services that have sprung up over the past few months, it’s more important than ever for the major players to continue delivering truckloads of new content to keep subscribers happy. And thankfully, Hulu intends on doing just that.
Earlier today, the platform announced their September line-up and it’s an exciting mix of films and TV shows covering iconic classics, underrated gems, overlooked projects and true fan favorites. In fact, it’s looking like a particularly strong month compared to what we’ve seen from the streaming site over the summer so far and below, you can check out the entire list of what’s headed to Hulu in the coming weeks.
Released September 1
Mike Tyson Mysteries: Complete Season 4 (Adult Swim)
Jeopardy!: Episode Refresh (ABC)
50 First Dates (2004)
Absolute Power (1997)
Aeon Flux (2005)
American Dragons...
Earlier today, the platform announced their September line-up and it’s an exciting mix of films and TV shows covering iconic classics, underrated gems, overlooked projects and true fan favorites. In fact, it’s looking like a particularly strong month compared to what we’ve seen from the streaming site over the summer so far and below, you can check out the entire list of what’s headed to Hulu in the coming weeks.
Released September 1
Mike Tyson Mysteries: Complete Season 4 (Adult Swim)
Jeopardy!: Episode Refresh (ABC)
50 First Dates (2004)
Absolute Power (1997)
Aeon Flux (2005)
American Dragons...
- 8/18/2020
- by Matt Joseph
- We Got This Covered
Well here we are. April is going to be a fairly sedentary and isolating month for a lot of people. At least we now thankfully have some guidance as to our entertainment options as HBO has released its new streaming releases for April 2020.
HBO’s original series premieres are pretty busy this month. The fourth season of Issa Rae’s excellent comedy Insecure arrives on April 12. That’s preceded by the fascinating docuseries Atlanta’s Missing and Murdered: The Lost Children and followed by book adaptation I Know This Much is True.
On the film side of things there are a few exciting options. Good Boys arrives on April 4, It: Chapter Two on April 11, and Stuber on April 18. Some older movies arriving on April 1 are Team America: World Police, Die Hard, and Slumdog Millionaire.
Here is everything else coming to HBO Now and HBO Go in April 2020 via HBO PR.
HBO’s original series premieres are pretty busy this month. The fourth season of Issa Rae’s excellent comedy Insecure arrives on April 12. That’s preceded by the fascinating docuseries Atlanta’s Missing and Murdered: The Lost Children and followed by book adaptation I Know This Much is True.
On the film side of things there are a few exciting options. Good Boys arrives on April 4, It: Chapter Two on April 11, and Stuber on April 18. Some older movies arriving on April 1 are Team America: World Police, Die Hard, and Slumdog Millionaire.
Here is everything else coming to HBO Now and HBO Go in April 2020 via HBO PR.
- 3/19/2020
- by jbindeck2015
- Den of Geek
Well, there certainly was no shortage of national news for the host to dig into Friday on HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher tonight. Writers likely had to scramble to update the monologue after word surfaced that Special Counsel Robert Mueller had wrapped his probe of Russian meddling the 2016 U.S. election and submitted his report to Attorney General William Barr.
That said, Maher opened his stand-up by noting that for liberals, the Mueller report being turned in “is like Christmas – if it was based on real events.” He then roasted cable news’ breathless non-analysis — “I just saw a graphic on MSNBC – ‘breaking speculation’” — and noted that, “Individual 1 is in deep number two.”
But the star of the show was midshow guest Larry Charles, whose many credits include Bruno, Borat, working as a staff writer on Seinfeld and directing Maher’s 2008 film Religulous. He reunited with the Real Time...
That said, Maher opened his stand-up by noting that for liberals, the Mueller report being turned in “is like Christmas – if it was based on real events.” He then roasted cable news’ breathless non-analysis — “I just saw a graphic on MSNBC – ‘breaking speculation’” — and noted that, “Individual 1 is in deep number two.”
But the star of the show was midshow guest Larry Charles, whose many credits include Bruno, Borat, working as a staff writer on Seinfeld and directing Maher’s 2008 film Religulous. He reunited with the Real Time...
- 3/23/2019
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Netflix has slotted February 15 for the premiere of Larry Charles’ Dangerous World Of Comedy, a four-part series from the creative mind behind comedic classics such as Borat and Brüno.
Larry Charles’ Dangerous World of Comedy features the legendary writer-director examining comedy around the world. From Russia, China, India, Iran, Nigeria Turkey and more, Charles travels to the unlikeliest of places and speaks to the unlikeliest of comedians to unearth just how dangerous and how meaningful the world of comedy can be, according to the official logline.
The series is executive produced by Larry Charles and Joe Russo, Anthony Russo and Mike Larocca, under their Roam Pictures nonfiction label.
“‘I am grateful to Netflix for giving me the opportunity to tell this honest and harrowing and heartbreaking story of comedy in the face of war and violence and death,” Charles said. “Comedy as a tool of rebuilding, as an instrument...
Larry Charles’ Dangerous World of Comedy features the legendary writer-director examining comedy around the world. From Russia, China, India, Iran, Nigeria Turkey and more, Charles travels to the unlikeliest of places and speaks to the unlikeliest of comedians to unearth just how dangerous and how meaningful the world of comedy can be, according to the official logline.
The series is executive produced by Larry Charles and Joe Russo, Anthony Russo and Mike Larocca, under their Roam Pictures nonfiction label.
“‘I am grateful to Netflix for giving me the opportunity to tell this honest and harrowing and heartbreaking story of comedy in the face of war and violence and death,” Charles said. “Comedy as a tool of rebuilding, as an instrument...
- 1/23/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Update, with video Bill Maher has some advice for America before he leaves on a two-month hiatus: “Shut the f*ck up.”
“Let’s stop talking politics to each other,” Maher said on tonight’s season finale of HBO’s Real Time With Bill Maher (the series returns January 18). “Everyone these days says the way to bridge the partisan divide is to talk to each other. It never works.”
“People don’t change their politics,” he said.
With Thanksgiving less than a week away, Maher’s final New Rule of 2018 is timely, to say the least. If your relatives haven’t figured out Trump by now, he said, “they won’t change their mind over the green bean casserole.”
“We never used to fight over politics 24/7,” the HBO host said, noting that, when he was growing up, adults considered it “impolite” and “nosy” to discuss politics. “We used to have...
“Let’s stop talking politics to each other,” Maher said on tonight’s season finale of HBO’s Real Time With Bill Maher (the series returns January 18). “Everyone these days says the way to bridge the partisan divide is to talk to each other. It never works.”
“People don’t change their politics,” he said.
With Thanksgiving less than a week away, Maher’s final New Rule of 2018 is timely, to say the least. If your relatives haven’t figured out Trump by now, he said, “they won’t change their mind over the green bean casserole.”
“We never used to fight over politics 24/7,” the HBO host said, noting that, when he was growing up, adults considered it “impolite” and “nosy” to discuss politics. “We used to have...
- 11/17/2018
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
On Friday’s “Real Time,” Bill Maher said Donald Trump’s popularity with evangelical Christians is due to how much Trump resembles God. That wasn’t a compliment, as Maher demonstrated with an extremely Trump-esque reading of the Ten Commandments.
The segment came during “New Rules,” where Maher first took a victory lap over the increase in nonreligious Americans since the release 10 years ago of his anti-religion movie “Religulous.” He then rebutted the argument that atheistic societies like the Nazi Germany, Stalin’s Ussr and Mao’s China were far worse — by saying those regimes were in fact state-sponsored religions.
Next, the topic of Trump voters, who Maher said are into Potus because he’s very similar to televangelists. “He’s got Jim Baker’s hair, and Tammy Faye’s makeup. He’s immune to sex scandals. He has a sham university. He doesn’t pay taxes,” Maher joked.
Also...
The segment came during “New Rules,” where Maher first took a victory lap over the increase in nonreligious Americans since the release 10 years ago of his anti-religion movie “Religulous.” He then rebutted the argument that atheistic societies like the Nazi Germany, Stalin’s Ussr and Mao’s China were far worse — by saying those regimes were in fact state-sponsored religions.
Next, the topic of Trump voters, who Maher said are into Potus because he’s very similar to televangelists. “He’s got Jim Baker’s hair, and Tammy Faye’s makeup. He’s immune to sex scandals. He has a sham university. He doesn’t pay taxes,” Maher joked.
Also...
- 9/29/2018
- by Ross A. Lincoln
- The Wrap
Before we get to your Amazon Prime June updates, the streaming service has a special surprise for its members: every season of “Dawson’s Creek” is available now, and you don’t even have to wait until next month.
Starting June 1, stream “All or Nothing” which follows the New Zealand rugby team the All Blacks throughout their 2017 season. On June 3, you can stream the Oscar-nominated “Lady Bird,” followed by Amazon Original series “Goliath” Season 2 on June 15.
See below for the complete list of titles hitting Amazon next month.
Also Read: Amazon Sets Awards Release for Luca Guadagnino's 'Suspiria'
Available June 1
1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992)
2 Days in the Valley (1996)
Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold (1987)
As Good As Dead (2010)
August Rush (2007)
Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009)
Beer for My Horses (2008)
Beowulf (2007)
Black Widow (Aka: Before It Had a Name) (2005)
Blitz (2011)
Blood and Glory (2016)
Blue Like Jazz...
Starting June 1, stream “All or Nothing” which follows the New Zealand rugby team the All Blacks throughout their 2017 season. On June 3, you can stream the Oscar-nominated “Lady Bird,” followed by Amazon Original series “Goliath” Season 2 on June 15.
See below for the complete list of titles hitting Amazon next month.
Also Read: Amazon Sets Awards Release for Luca Guadagnino's 'Suspiria'
Available June 1
1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992)
2 Days in the Valley (1996)
Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold (1987)
As Good As Dead (2010)
August Rush (2007)
Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009)
Beer for My Horses (2008)
Beowulf (2007)
Black Widow (Aka: Before It Had a Name) (2005)
Blitz (2011)
Blood and Glory (2016)
Blue Like Jazz...
- 5/16/2018
- by Ashley Boucher
- The Wrap
It’s clear that David Byrne and Bill Maher (“Religulous”) disagree when it comes to God. On the subject of Christianity’s top butch female warrior, Byrne turns out to be a true believer. At least that’s the impression given by his new musical, “Joan of Arc: Into the Fire,” which opened Wednesday at the Public Theater. Writing the book, music, and lyrics, Byrne frames this familiar tale with two medical inspections of Joan’s hymen, to see if it’s intact. Back in the 15th century, only virgins could hear the voices of angels. If Joan (Jo Lampert) isn’t a virgin,...
- 3/16/2017
- by Robert Hofler
- The Wrap
Founder and CEO Megan Ellison announced on Thursday that she has promoted Barnard to president of film.
Barnard (pictured at left with Ellison) will oversee all feature development and production and continues in her role as chief creative officer.
Barnard has been with Annapurna since its inception six years ago, when she oversaw production on Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master.
She served as executive producer on Spike Jonze’s Her, Bennett Miller’s Foxcatcher and most recently Mike Mills’s 20th Century Women.
Barnard will remain the lead executive on Paul Thomas Anderson’s upcoming untitled film starring Daniel Day Lewis and Bennett Miller’s A Christmas Carol that Tom Stoppard is writing.
Prior to joining Annapurna, Barnard served in various creative and production roles on Larry Charles films such as Borat, Bruno, and Religulous.
Ellison praised Barnard’s “aptitude for leadership and finding deeply interesting material”, adding: “Chelsea’s specific eye for content that supports...
Barnard (pictured at left with Ellison) will oversee all feature development and production and continues in her role as chief creative officer.
Barnard has been with Annapurna since its inception six years ago, when she oversaw production on Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master.
She served as executive producer on Spike Jonze’s Her, Bennett Miller’s Foxcatcher and most recently Mike Mills’s 20th Century Women.
Barnard will remain the lead executive on Paul Thomas Anderson’s upcoming untitled film starring Daniel Day Lewis and Bennett Miller’s A Christmas Carol that Tom Stoppard is writing.
Prior to joining Annapurna, Barnard served in various creative and production roles on Larry Charles films such as Borat, Bruno, and Religulous.
Ellison praised Barnard’s “aptitude for leadership and finding deeply interesting material”, adding: “Chelsea’s specific eye for content that supports...
- 1/12/2017
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
In the mid 2000s, ex-con and handyman Gary Faulkner traveled to Pakistan several times to hunt down Osama Bin Laden on a mission from God. The story was reported by GQ in 2010, and now six years later, Faulkner’s story has finally been adapted to film. Oscar-winning actor Nicolas Cage stars as Faulkner and the film follows his attempts to capture Bin Laden and his various conversations with God (played by Russell Brand). The film co-stars Wendi McLendon-Covey (“Bridesmaids”), Rainn Wilson (“The Office”), Paul Scheer (“Human Giant”), Denis O’Hare (“Michael Clayton”), Will Sasso (“MADtv”) and Matthew Modine (“Full Metal Jacket”). Watch an exclusive featurette from the film below featuring Cage discussing the film and Faulkner below.
Read More: ‘Army of One’ Exclusive Stills: Nicolas Cage Hunts Down Osama Bin Laden In Pakistan On A Mission From God
The film is directed by Larry Charles. He’s best known as...
Read More: ‘Army of One’ Exclusive Stills: Nicolas Cage Hunts Down Osama Bin Laden In Pakistan On A Mission From God
The film is directed by Larry Charles. He’s best known as...
- 12/6/2016
- by Vikram Murthi
- Indiewire
Nicolas Cage is on a mission from God in the riotous, rather bizarre first trailer for Army of One.
Hailing from Borat and Religulous director Larry Charles, the upcoming satire fits right into Cage’s wheelhouse, and will have the actor portray a character that is quite simply larger-than-life. That character is Gary Faulkner, a low-life, clumsy ex-con attempting to make ends meet as an unemployed construction worker. But following a divine intervention from God above – played here by a wickedly charming Russell Brand – Faulkner plots course for Pakistan to take down Osama bin Laden equipped with a measly sword purchased from a home shopping TV channel.
Also starring Wendi McLendon-Covey, Paul Scheer and Rainn Wilson, if Army of One seems stranger than fiction, that’s because it is. Gary Faulkner became the centerpiece of Chris Heath’s GQ article six years ago after taking no less than 11 trips to...
Hailing from Borat and Religulous director Larry Charles, the upcoming satire fits right into Cage’s wheelhouse, and will have the actor portray a character that is quite simply larger-than-life. That character is Gary Faulkner, a low-life, clumsy ex-con attempting to make ends meet as an unemployed construction worker. But following a divine intervention from God above – played here by a wickedly charming Russell Brand – Faulkner plots course for Pakistan to take down Osama bin Laden equipped with a measly sword purchased from a home shopping TV channel.
Also starring Wendi McLendon-Covey, Paul Scheer and Rainn Wilson, if Army of One seems stranger than fiction, that’s because it is. Gary Faulkner became the centerpiece of Chris Heath’s GQ article six years ago after taking no less than 11 trips to...
- 10/11/2016
- by Michael Briers
- We Got This Covered
Nicolas Cage’s diverse film career has led him down many paths, some have led him to winning an Oscar and playing a superhero, and others are little more off the beaten path, such as his latest performance in the new comedy “Army of One” as a man told by God to capture Osama bin Laden. Loosely based on a GQ story, the film follows ex-con and handyman Gary Faulkner as he learns from a vision of God (played by Russell Brand) that he must go to Pakistan and capture bin Laden. The film co-stars Wendi McLendon-Covey (“Bridesmaids”), Rainn Wilson (“The Office”), Ken Marino (“Party Down”), Denis O’Hare (“True Blood”) and Paul Scheer (“The League”). Watch the trailer for the film below.
Read More: ‘Dog Eat Dog’ Trailer: Nicolas Cage & Willem Dafoe Get Violent in Paul Schrader’s Dark Comedy
This will be the fifth film Cage has appeared in this year.
Read More: ‘Dog Eat Dog’ Trailer: Nicolas Cage & Willem Dafoe Get Violent in Paul Schrader’s Dark Comedy
This will be the fifth film Cage has appeared in this year.
- 10/11/2016
- by Vikram Murthi
- Indiewire
In the hierarchy of significance in what made news this past week, the sudden availability of the entirety of Albert Brooks’ output of feature films as a writer-director via Netflix Streaming may not carry the urgency of, say, the alarming continuance of African-American deaths under police fire, the attack on a peaceful protest against police violence by shooters who killed five law enforcement officers and wounded several more in Dallas, the ongoing partisan bloviating inspired by the FBI’s decision to not charge Hilary Clinton with federal crimes, or the frightening clown circus of offenses that characterizes the dawning of each new day in Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. But art can, among many other things, provide a momentary respite from pain, sometimes even while examining some of the more frustrating, self-centric and petty dissonances within our own, or someone’s else’s worldview, and in this Brooks’ films at...
- 7/10/2016
- by Dennis Cozzalio
- Trailers from Hell
Teresa Wright: Later years (See preceding post: "Teresa Wright: From Marlon Brando to Matt Damon.") Teresa Wright and Robert Anderson were divorced in 1978. They would remain friends in the ensuing years.[1] Wright spent most of the last decade of her life in Connecticut, making only sporadic public appearances. In 1998, she could be seen with her grandson, film producer Jonah Smith, at New York's Yankee Stadium, where she threw the ceremonial first pitch.[2] Wright also became involved in the Greater New York chapter of the Als Association. (The Pride of the Yankees subject, Lou Gehrig, died of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in 1941.) The week she turned 82 in October 2000, Wright attended the 20th anniversary celebration of Somewhere in Time, where she posed for pictures with Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. In March 2003, she was a guest at the 75th Academy Awards, in the segment showcasing Oscar-winning actors of the past. Two years later,...
- 3/15/2015
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
The hunt for Osama bin Laden was so significant that we’ve already had a few movies about missions to find and/or kill the al-Qaeda leader. Most famously, of course, is Zero Dark Thirty, which dramatizes the operation that resulted in bin Laden’s death. Before that was the comedic documentary Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden?, in which director Morgan Spurlock jokingly travels through Africa and the Middle East in search of the wanted terrorist. Spurlock wasn’t the only “regular guy” on the hunt, though, as we’ll see soon enough in the comedy Army of One. Described as a satire, the movie will also be based on a true story of the “Rocky Mountain Rambo,” Gary Faulkner, a Denver-based construction worker who in 2010 went to Pakistan armed with a pistol, a knife and a samurai sword to take out bin Laden all by himself. Who...
- 1/21/2015
- by Christopher Campbell
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
What’s new, what’s hot, and what you may have missed, now available to stream.
new to stream
Babel: Alejandro González Iñárritu’s masterpiece of interlocking stories of violence and human disconnection [at Netflix] Teenage: snappy documentary assembles a slew of retro footage to tell the history of the concept of the “teenager” [at Netflix]
docs you missed
Ghosts of the Abyss: James Cameron returns to his obsession with the Titanic with state-of-the-art (2003) tech to explore the wreck; heart-stopping and chills-inducing [my review] [at Netflix] Religulous: Bill Maher and director Larry Charles look at the state of religion in the modern world, and while Maher might be kind of an asshole, his conclusion is solid: religion is poison [at Netflix] Trekkies: amusingly but compassionately dissects the phenomenon of Star Trek fandom and the beneficial impact it has on everyone it touches [my review] [at Netflix]
streaming now, while it’s still in theaters
Leave to Remain: compassionate, humane, and...
new to stream
Babel: Alejandro González Iñárritu’s masterpiece of interlocking stories of violence and human disconnection [at Netflix] Teenage: snappy documentary assembles a slew of retro footage to tell the history of the concept of the “teenager” [at Netflix]
docs you missed
Ghosts of the Abyss: James Cameron returns to his obsession with the Titanic with state-of-the-art (2003) tech to explore the wreck; heart-stopping and chills-inducing [my review] [at Netflix] Religulous: Bill Maher and director Larry Charles look at the state of religion in the modern world, and while Maher might be kind of an asshole, his conclusion is solid: religion is poison [at Netflix] Trekkies: amusingly but compassionately dissects the phenomenon of Star Trek fandom and the beneficial impact it has on everyone it touches [my review] [at Netflix]
streaming now, while it’s still in theaters
Leave to Remain: compassionate, humane, and...
- 6/23/2014
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
Chicago – The story of a Chicago-based woman – who died in 2009 at age 83 – has become the subject of a remarkable new documentary. “Finding Vivian Maier” is a film about revelation, and was created by co-directors John Maloof and Charlie Siskel, with the support of Executive Producer and comedian Jeff Garlin.
The tale of Vivian Maier seems impossible. It began after her death with an auction of her storage locker, which contained negatives of her street photographer’s life – from the 1950s through the ‘90s. One of the directors of the film, John Maloof, stumbled onto her treasure by purchasing a box of these negatives. He then became her archivist, cataloging her photos, films, audio recordings and even material possessions, to reveal an artist of unique magnitude. “Finding Vivian Maier” is Maloof’s story, Vivian’s journey and the story of an artist’s life that easily could have been lost with her demise.
The tale of Vivian Maier seems impossible. It began after her death with an auction of her storage locker, which contained negatives of her street photographer’s life – from the 1950s through the ‘90s. One of the directors of the film, John Maloof, stumbled onto her treasure by purchasing a box of these negatives. He then became her archivist, cataloging her photos, films, audio recordings and even material possessions, to reveal an artist of unique magnitude. “Finding Vivian Maier” is Maloof’s story, Vivian’s journey and the story of an artist’s life that easily could have been lost with her demise.
- 4/3/2014
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Billy Crystal is set to star in a new television series in about two comics in a generational clash, the other comedian in question will be played by Josh Gad (Olaf in Frozen, Book of Mormon). The series is called The Comedians and will air on the FX network next year with a 13 episode order reports huffingtonpost.com.
Comedians is adapted from a Swedish show of the same name; “Crystal plays a superstar veteran comedian who is reluctantly paired with Gad, an edgier up-and-coming star, in an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes look at a late night sketch comedy show where generations collide”. The pilot episode was directed by Larry Charles who has directed many a great Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm episodes as well as features like Borat and Religulous.
Any chance to remind people of the sadly underrated gem that is Mr. Saturday Night is fine by me. The synopsis of...
Comedians is adapted from a Swedish show of the same name; “Crystal plays a superstar veteran comedian who is reluctantly paired with Gad, an edgier up-and-coming star, in an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes look at a late night sketch comedy show where generations collide”. The pilot episode was directed by Larry Charles who has directed many a great Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm episodes as well as features like Borat and Religulous.
Any chance to remind people of the sadly underrated gem that is Mr. Saturday Night is fine by me. The synopsis of...
- 3/21/2014
- by Graham McMorrow
- City of Films
Making a documentary about religion can be a tightrope walk. While there is frequently much to criticize within religious communities and cultures, the trick is investigating these issues without belittling the subjects’ beliefs; when done poorly, films like Bill Maher’s Religulous come off as nothing more than ill-informed and ridiculous themselves. Now Kate Logan, a Los Angeles-based documentary filmmaker with an evangelical background herself, is entering that arena with her first feature, Kidnapped for Christ, which plays at Slamdance this week. The film joins others like last year’s God Loves Uganda and 2010′s Sons of Perdition in looking closely at […]...
- 1/16/2014
- by Randy Astle
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Making a documentary about religion can be a tightrope walk. While there is frequently much to criticize within religious communities and cultures, the trick is investigating these issues without belittling the subjects’ beliefs; when done poorly, films like Bill Maher’s Religulous come off as nothing more than ill-informed and ridiculous themselves. Now Kate Logan, a Los Angeles-based documentary filmmaker with an evangelical background herself, is entering that arena with her first feature, Kidnapped for Christ, which plays at Slamdance this week. The film joins others like last year’s God Loves Uganda and 2010′s Sons of Perdition in looking closely at […]...
- 1/16/2014
- by Randy Astle
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Of course, the idea of a biopic of one of rock 'n roll's filthiest, most colorful bands of all time, Mötley Crüe, is a great one. But getting it made is a whole other story. "Dirt" has been brewing for years, and at one point was going to be helmed by Larry Charles ("Religulous," "Borat"). But a variety of factors—the acquisition of MTV Films by Paramount, Charles's desire to make an appropriately Nc-17 movie about the band, his admitted dislike for the group—kiboshed the project and nothing was really heard about it since. But it looks like it's getting cranked back up to 11 once again. "Jackass: Bad Grandpa" helmer Jeff Tremaine is now tackling the tale of Vince Neil, Nikki Six, Mick Mars, and Tommy Lee. We're not even sure where to begin if you know nothing about the band, but their stories of debauchery are the stuff...
- 11/4/2013
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
A Sam Kinison biopic from director Larry Charles (Borat, Brüno, Religulous, Curb Your Enthusiasm) has landed Josh Gad as its star. Gad was an original Book of Mormon star, a part of the short-lived 1600 Penn, and he'll play Steve Wozniak in Ashton Kutcher's Steve Jobs movie. The Kinison flick begins in the eighties, "as he transitions from the family business of Pentecostal preaching and into stand up comedy in Hollywood," Deadline reports. Kinison died in a car crash in 1992, aged 38.
- 8/6/2013
- by Zach Dionne
- Vulture
Hollywood has been trying to make a movie about stand-up comedian/ormer Pentecostal preacher/professional screamer Sam Kinison for years now, and today the project has taken two incredibly important steps forward. Deadline has learned that Larry Charles, the filmmaker behind movies such as Borat, Religulous and The Dictator, has been hired to direct the feature, while Josh Gad, the Tony-nominated star of Trey Parker and Matt Stone's Broadway hit Book of Mormon, has been cast in the lead role. Based on the book Brother Sam by Bill Kinison (Sam's brother) and adapted by Rich Wilkes (xXx), the film will be titled Kinison and will begin in the early 80s as the comedian broke away from "the family business of Pentecostal preaching" and moved to Hollywood where he could start his career in stand up. By the mid-80s he was performing on Late Night with David Letterman and...
- 8/5/2013
- cinemablend.com
On the heels of its inclusion in the Toronto International Film Festival documentary line-up, "Finding Vivian Maier" is going to Sundance Selects. The distributor has acquired U.S. rights to directors John Maloof and Charlie Siskel’s feature doc, which they produced with executive producer Jeff Garlin. Young filmmaker Maloof, 31, teamed up with amateur historian and film producer Siskel ("Bowling for Columbine," "Religulous"), who acquired an historic box of photos at a storage auction. "He was fascinated by the quality of the photos," says Tiff programmer Thom Powers, "and in his sleuthing found the woman who took them and uncovers one of the most extraordinary collections of street photography by a then unknown photographer." "Finding Vivian Maier"unearths the mysteries behind this woman, who was a nanny in the wealthy North Shore suburbs of Chicago. Maier’s secret world is unraveled slowly through her photo collections and interviews with those who knew her,...
- 7/30/2013
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
The Catholic League is mad as hell and they aren't going to take it anymore. Bill Maher, host of HBO's "Real Time", has apparently made one too many jabs at the expense of Catholics, particularly priests, and the League has decided it's time for it to stop. In a letter to Glenn A. Britt, Chairman and CEO of Time Warner (HBO's parent company), Bill Donohue of the Catholic League demands that someone have "a serious talk" with Maher.
Donohue's letter reads in part:
There is no other entertainer in the nation who has repeatedly spoken about the Catholic Church, especially its priests, in more vile and obscene terms than Bill Maher. Vicious beyond belief, his remarks would be condemned – indeed he would be fired – if directed at any other demographic group. Over and over again he libels [sic] priests, portraying all of them as sexual abusers. And he does so with impunity.
Donohue's letter reads in part:
There is no other entertainer in the nation who has repeatedly spoken about the Catholic Church, especially its priests, in more vile and obscene terms than Bill Maher. Vicious beyond belief, his remarks would be condemned – indeed he would be fired – if directed at any other demographic group. Over and over again he libels [sic] priests, portraying all of them as sexual abusers. And he does so with impunity.
- 3/27/2013
- by The Huffington Post
- Huffington Post
Australian audiences that rush in to see the Paramount Pictures film The Dictator when it opens this week in cinemas will get their first taste of Housos vs Authority, the new feature based on the TV series Housos.
That.s because a teaser trailer for Paul Fenech.s latest local comedy will be shown before the latest, similarly politically incorrect feature starring Sacha Baron Cohen.
Housos broadcaster Sbs has described the series as doing to bogans what Kath and Kim did to lower, middle-class Australia. In the big-screen version a bunch of bludgers go on a trip to Uluru to scatter Shazza.s mum.s ashes on top of Australia.s most famous icon.
Housos vs Authority is being ushered into cinemas in early November by Transmission Films, which channels all its films through Paramount.s booking system.
The film does not have a sales agent.
.Paul Fenech is a...
That.s because a teaser trailer for Paul Fenech.s latest local comedy will be shown before the latest, similarly politically incorrect feature starring Sacha Baron Cohen.
Housos broadcaster Sbs has described the series as doing to bogans what Kath and Kim did to lower, middle-class Australia. In the big-screen version a bunch of bludgers go on a trip to Uluru to scatter Shazza.s mum.s ashes on top of Australia.s most famous icon.
Housos vs Authority is being ushered into cinemas in early November by Transmission Films, which channels all its films through Paramount.s booking system.
The film does not have a sales agent.
.Paul Fenech is a...
- 5/13/2012
- by Sandy George
- IF.com.au
Most of the promotions for The Dictator with Sacha Baron Cohen have been pretty disappointing (even one with Martin Scorsese on "Saturday Night Live" this past weekend), and I think it's safe to say that we'll get another comedy that won't measure up to his effort in Borat. Of course, in each trailer, there are at least a couple new jokes that I've found rather amusing, and that's the case with this new red band trailer. It sounds like there's going to be plenty of racial jokes, foul language and more to make the R-rating worth it, and Cohen is definitely being a little bold with some 9/11 jokes tossed in for good measure. Watch it below! Here's the red band trailer for Larry Charles' comedy The Dictator via Deadline: And there goes the beard! The Dictator is again being helmed Larry Charles, director of Borat and Bruno, as well...
- 5/7/2012
- by Ethan Anderton
- firstshowing.net
This weekend everyone will be talking about The Avengers (read Jeremy's review here) assembling in New York City to take on some sort of alien threat hellbent on taking over the world for the mischievous Loki. But in a couple of weeks on May 16th, The Big Apple will have a new visitor as Admiral General Aladeen (Sacha Baron Cohen), leader of the Republic of Wadiya heads there in The Dictator. But leading up to the visit, Aladeen is making some important press rounds, including a chat with TV and journalism legend Larry King. From his mourning of the death of fellow tyrant Kim Jong Il and more, it's a fun one. Watch! Here's the Larry King interview with Admiral General Aladeen to promote The Dictator via JoBlo: And there goes the beard! The Dictator is again being helmed Larry Charles, director of Borat and Bruno, as well as Religulous...
- 5/4/2012
- by Ethan Anderton
- firstshowing.net
After dumping fake ashes of the late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il on Ryan Seacrest at the red carpet of the Academy Awards earlier this year, in character as Admiral General Aladeen,I wouldn't put any kind of stunt past The Dictator star Sacha Baron Cohen. So when an image of a banner covering the entirety of Central Park in New York City celebrates the tyrannical leader, I just shake my head. Of course, this image from the new poster is just some fancy Photoshop work, part of the marketing machine leading up to the impending May 16th release of the first non-mockumentary feature from Cohen and director Larry Charles. Here's the new poster for Larry Charles' comedy The Dictator via Entertainment Weekly: And there goes the beard! The Dictator is again being helmed Larry Charles, director of Borat and Bruno, as well as Religulous and episodes of...
- 4/18/2012
- by Ethan Anderton
- firstshowing.net
"We are just two ordinary, American tourists." So this isn't exactly Borat after all. Paramount France has posted a full French trailer via Dailymotion for The Dictator, the new Sacha Baron Cohen comedy, where he plays a "fictional" dictator from the Middle East who comes to America. We've seen a teaser trailer and even a Super Bowl spot for this, but this is the first trailer to reveal an intriguing (spoiler warning) plot twist, I guess, where he loses his beard, and becomes an ordinary citizen lost in New York. It doesn't play like a spoiler at all, but does have a lot of potentially offense jokes at the expense of Americans. Check it out. Watch the second official trailer for Larry Charles' The Dictator, originally via Dailymotion / YouTube: And there goes the beard! The Dictator is again being helmed Larry Charles, director of Borat and Bruno, as well...
- 3/27/2012
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
We only just recently learned that The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences might have an issue with Sacha Baron Cohen, part of the much praised and nominated film Hugo, showing up at the Academy Awards this Sunday as General Aladeen from his forthcoming comedy The Dictator. Well, The Wrap now says that Cohen has received his tickets to the ceremony, so he has not been banned. However, to keep stirring the pot, General Aladeen, who is not allowed at the ceremony, appeared on "The Today Show" with Matt Lauer's cleaning lady, Ann Curry, and the eunuch Al Roker with a reaction to his banning. Watch! Here's Sacha Baron Cohen as General Aladeen on "The Today Show" via The Wrap: That's a hell of a beard! The Dictator is again being helmed Larry Charles, director of Borat and Bruno, as well as Religulous and episodes of "Curb Your Enthusiasm...
- 2/24/2012
- by Ethan Anderton
- firstshowing.net
By Kevin Kelly
Sundance has long been known for its artsy films. That's all fine and dandy, but what about the geek side of movies? Where is the spirit of independent filmmaking when it comes to our world?
Thankfully, Sundance has been slowing addressing that problem. Over the years they have premiered films like "Primer," "Moon," "Splice," and "Another Earth," that scratched a bit of that itch. The demanding film buff wants more genre out of this snowbound film festival, and Sundance is finally starting to deliver. The 2012 Sundance Film Festival has a lot to offer in science fiction, horror, and beyond.
Check out our genre highlights.
»Beasts of the Southern Wild
The Story: A six-year-old girl named Hushpuppy prepares the for the departure of her father. When he falls ills, the world literally does too. Prehistoric animals appear, and the climate changes.
Why We're Excited: "Beasts of the Southern Wild" has its own universe,...
Sundance has long been known for its artsy films. That's all fine and dandy, but what about the geek side of movies? Where is the spirit of independent filmmaking when it comes to our world?
Thankfully, Sundance has been slowing addressing that problem. Over the years they have premiered films like "Primer," "Moon," "Splice," and "Another Earth," that scratched a bit of that itch. The demanding film buff wants more genre out of this snowbound film festival, and Sundance is finally starting to deliver. The 2012 Sundance Film Festival has a lot to offer in science fiction, horror, and beyond.
Check out our genre highlights.
»Beasts of the Southern Wild
The Story: A six-year-old girl named Hushpuppy prepares the for the departure of her father. When he falls ills, the world literally does too. Prehistoric animals appear, and the climate changes.
Why We're Excited: "Beasts of the Southern Wild" has its own universe,...
- 1/20/2012
- by MTV Movies Team
- MTV Movies Blog
Earlier today the first trailer surfaced for Sacha Baron Cohen upcoming satirical film The Dictator. Larry Charles, director of Cohen's previous two films Borat and Brüno as well as Bill Maher's Religulous will be directing again. Anna Faris, Ben Kingsley and John C. Reilly star alongside Cohen, who plays the titular dictator of a middle eastern country, who "[heroically] risked his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed" according to the official tagline.
- 12/14/2011
- Pastemagazine.com
Release Date: Dec. 6, 2011
Price: DVD $24.99
Studio: Strand Releasing
Renato Prieto (l.) gets spiritual in the afterlife in Astral City.
The ethereal 2010 Brazilian drama film Astral City: A Spiritual Journey tells the story of Andre Luiz (Renato Prieto), a successful doctor who experiences an enlightening spiritual awakening after his death. When he wakes up in the spiritual world, he embarks on a new journey of self-discovery and transformation, from his first days in a dimension of pain and suffering, until he is rescued and taken to the spiritual Astral City, where more experiences await him…
Written and directed by Wagner de Assis and based on the book by spiritual medium Chico Xavier, Astral City contains some undeniably striking art direction and special effects (the kind of high-end stuff that we’ve never before seen in a Brazilian movie). It also features an evocative score by minimalist Philip Glass.
A selection at...
Price: DVD $24.99
Studio: Strand Releasing
Renato Prieto (l.) gets spiritual in the afterlife in Astral City.
The ethereal 2010 Brazilian drama film Astral City: A Spiritual Journey tells the story of Andre Luiz (Renato Prieto), a successful doctor who experiences an enlightening spiritual awakening after his death. When he wakes up in the spiritual world, he embarks on a new journey of self-discovery and transformation, from his first days in a dimension of pain and suffering, until he is rescued and taken to the spiritual Astral City, where more experiences await him…
Written and directed by Wagner de Assis and based on the book by spiritual medium Chico Xavier, Astral City contains some undeniably striking art direction and special effects (the kind of high-end stuff that we’ve never before seen in a Brazilian movie). It also features an evocative score by minimalist Philip Glass.
A selection at...
- 9/20/2011
- by Laurence
- Disc Dish
Okay, I’m aware that anyone can use Flickchart to filter their favorite documentaries. That’s Flickchart 101, Derek.
But I decided to focus on documentaries this week because I made an organic list of my ten favorite documentaries for a post I wrote last year on my own blog. This was at a time when I wasn’t aware of Flickchart’s potential to do the same thing, or at least, didn’t yet use the site that way, if I did know.
What truer measure of the effectiveness of Flickchart at distilling my true feelings, than to compare a list I produced from my brain with one produced from Flickchart’s algorithms? As an added bonus, Flickchart might also help me identify a movie I didn’t realize I loved as much as I do. Here is the list I came up with organically, to prepare you for what...
But I decided to focus on documentaries this week because I made an organic list of my ten favorite documentaries for a post I wrote last year on my own blog. This was at a time when I wasn’t aware of Flickchart’s potential to do the same thing, or at least, didn’t yet use the site that way, if I did know.
What truer measure of the effectiveness of Flickchart at distilling my true feelings, than to compare a list I produced from my brain with one produced from Flickchart’s algorithms? As an added bonus, Flickchart might also help me identify a movie I didn’t realize I loved as much as I do. Here is the list I came up with organically, to prepare you for what...
- 8/3/2011
- by Derek Armstrong
- Flickchart
The newest cinematic creation from the genius comedy mind of Sacha Baron Cohen is a film called The Dictator. Instead of bringing back another one of his Ali G characters, this latest creation is mocking the dictatorships of the world as it features Cohen in the "heroic story of a dictator who risks his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed." Word is this "goat herder" comes and gets lost in America, which makes sense as another Borat-like kind of plot. Earlier this week, a terrible set photo hit the web, but now The Huffington Post has revealed the first official photo and... damn! That's a hell of a beard! The Dictator is again being helmed Larry Charles, director of Borat and Bruno, as well as Religulous and episodes of "Curb Your Enthusiasm". Paramount has this comedy set for release on May 11th,...
- 6/9/2011
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
In case you missed it, Bill Maher gave Oprah Winfrey a big bah-humbug in a videotaped Christmas message posted on his website the other day. In what seems like cutting-room-floor material from Religulous, Maher takes the Queen of all Media to task for her epic giveaway show in which she gave studio audience members tons of expensive stuff — diamond earrings, iPads, and 2012 Volkswagen Beetles. He seems to reserve a special ire for cashmere sweaters, which Oprah Claus also gave away. The takeaway message is, essentially, that Oprah is a hypocrite for, on the one hand, promoting spirituality on her show, but then on the other hand promoting materialism. He says, "As for me, I don't really know what spirituality means, but I know if you're weeping over a sweater then you don't either." I guess Maher doesn't fear a Franzen-esque blacklisting, [...]...
- 12/23/2010
- Nerve
La Times is reporting that Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat, Bruno) is looking to star in "Torrente," a Hollywood version of Spain's popular comedy-action franchise about a racist and corrupt cop. Created by and starring Spanish comedian Santiago Segura, the films revolve around a character who continues to patrol the neighborhood after being fired from the police force. The first three installments have topped the box office, and a fourth will soon be released. New Line Cinema is developing the American version, which is being penned by Alec Berg, Jeff Schaffer and David Mandel. The trio are "Seinfeld" writers who are also working on "The Dictator," Cohen's next feature film about a goat herder and dictator that will once again be directed by Larry Charles (Borat, Religulous).
- 12/16/2010
- WorstPreviews.com
Another year, another outrageous oversight from the documentary branch of the Academy. Today AMPAS announced the 15 films that will contend for next year’s five Best Documentary Feature slots, and although there are several worthy films included (Waiting for Superman, Inside Job, Exit Through the Gift Shop, and The Tillman Story among them), missing from the list was the acclaimed exposé Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work, one of the sweetest and most fascinating films, unscripted or otherwise, of the year. Also Mia: The Facebook-fueled Catfish, the transgender family tale Prodigal Sons, and the political eye-opener 8: The Mormon Proposition.
- 11/18/2010
- by Dave Karger
- EW - Inside Movies
20th Century Fox
It’s taking every ounce of our self-restraint to not quote “Borat” like a yuppie in a level zero improv class.
Director Larry Charles ["Borat," "Bruno"] may reunite with actor Sacha Baron Cohen ["Borat," "Bruno"] for “The Dictator,” reports The Los Angeles Times.
Following “Borat,” Charles directed Baron Cohen’s “Bruno,” along with Bill Maher’s anti-religion documentary “Religulous” and a couple episodes of Larry David’s HBO comedy “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” None of the projects, however, stuck with the nationwide audience like “Borat” and his special cocktail of naivety and cultural insensitivity.
“The Dictator,” which The Los Angeles Times says, “is about the parallel stories of a goat herder and deposed foreign dictator who gets lost in this country” may have what it takes to make lightning strike twice.
The film would also reunite Charles with Alec Berg, Jeff Schagger and David Mandel, the “Curb Your Enthusiasm” writers that penned “The Dictator”‘s script.
It’s taking every ounce of our self-restraint to not quote “Borat” like a yuppie in a level zero improv class.
Director Larry Charles ["Borat," "Bruno"] may reunite with actor Sacha Baron Cohen ["Borat," "Bruno"] for “The Dictator,” reports The Los Angeles Times.
Following “Borat,” Charles directed Baron Cohen’s “Bruno,” along with Bill Maher’s anti-religion documentary “Religulous” and a couple episodes of Larry David’s HBO comedy “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” None of the projects, however, stuck with the nationwide audience like “Borat” and his special cocktail of naivety and cultural insensitivity.
“The Dictator,” which The Los Angeles Times says, “is about the parallel stories of a goat herder and deposed foreign dictator who gets lost in this country” may have what it takes to make lightning strike twice.
The film would also reunite Charles with Alec Berg, Jeff Schagger and David Mandel, the “Curb Your Enthusiasm” writers that penned “The Dictator”‘s script.
- 11/16/2010
- by Chris Plante
- NextMovie
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