Blu-Ray Rating: 2.5/5.0 Chicago – There’s arguably no bigger star on Earth than Will Smith but even the greats need a misfire to bring them crashing to the ground. “Seven Pounds” is a mess, a film of conflicting tones and arguably offensive themes, a movie that moves beyond traditional melodrama in just the first few minutes and keeps flying into the over-the-top stratosphere. The Sony Blu-Ray release is impressive, but the movie itself is not.
If you focus solely on the excellent work by Rosario Dawson and are impressed by gorgeous HD picture quality, there may be enough weight in “Seven Pounds” to warrant a rental, but most people will be shocked by this somber melodrama that somehow also tries to be a crowd-pleaser.
Seven Pounds was released on Blu-Ray on March 31st, 2009.
Photo credit: Sony
Ben Thomas (Smith) opens the film by calling 911 and announcing that he needs an ambulance for his own suicide.
If you focus solely on the excellent work by Rosario Dawson and are impressed by gorgeous HD picture quality, there may be enough weight in “Seven Pounds” to warrant a rental, but most people will be shocked by this somber melodrama that somehow also tries to be a crowd-pleaser.
Seven Pounds was released on Blu-Ray on March 31st, 2009.
Photo credit: Sony
Ben Thomas (Smith) opens the film by calling 911 and announcing that he needs an ambulance for his own suicide.
- 4/2/2009
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Audiences have come to depend on Will Smith to deliver the goods, even in movies that almost certainly would have struggled to survive in the hands of a less charismatic actor. Like Tom Hanks, and Jimmy Stewart before them, Smith is a peculiarly American Everyman. We see ourselves in nearly every character he's played, from Will, in The Fresh Prince to Bel-Air, to Ben Thomas, in Seven Pounds.
- 3/31/2009
- Movie City News
Will Smith reunites with the director and producers of The Pursuit of Happyness for the new drama Seven Pounds. Smith stars as Ben Thomas, a man who embarks on a journey to help change the circumstances of seven strangers who deserve a second chance in life. But when he opens his heart to a beautiful woman (Rosario Dawson) who needs his help, he risks everything he's planned for one last chance at love. The DVD of Seven Pounds includes deleted scenes, director's commentary, four featurettes and more.<center><embed width="520" height="305" src="http://www.redbalcony.com/media/flvplayer.swf" flashvars="config=http://www.redbalcony.com/media/config.php?vid=23890" bgColor="#F3F3F3" quality="high" allowScriptAccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></center>Warning***Spoilers Below!!!!If you like sad, really sweet movies, or you have a special girl you want to share a moment with, this movie is perfect for that. Will Smiths character "Ben Thomas" falls in love with Rosario Dawsons character "Emily Posa", and she is dying from a rare disease. The IRS Agent Ben Thomas decides to save his new loves life,...
- 3/31/2009
- Films N Movies
Seven Pounds is coming to BluRay and DVD March 31st and from Sony we have the specs. Will Smith reunites with the director and producers of The Pursuit of Happyness for the emotional drama Seven Pounds. In the film, Smith plays Ben Thomas, an IRS agent with a fateful secret who embarks on an extraordinary journey of redemption by forever changing the lives of seven strangers. Seven Pounds was produced by Todd Black (The Great Debaters, The Pursuit of Happyness), Jason Blumenthal (The Pursuit of Happyness, The Weather Man), James Lassiter (Hancock, I Am Legend), Steve Tisch (The Pursuit of Hap...
- 2/9/2009
- MoviesOnline.ca
Seven Pounds (2008) Directed by Gabriele Muccino Written by Grant Nieporte Starring Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson and Michael Ealy Rated PG-13 for thematic material, some disturbing content and a scene of sensuality Story: Ben Thomas (Will Smith) is an IRS agent with a nasty secret in his past. And in an attempt to ...
- 12/22/2008
- by Neil Miller
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
It’s hard to believe in modern Hollywood where movie stars are eroding under the constant scrutiny of the Internet, the former Fresh Prince of Bel Air is the shining light of hope that major stars still exist. Like his character in I Am Legend, Will Smith seems to stand alone as possibly the last of his kind: a big blockbuster name. His box office numbers have proven him as a sure bet with eight consecutive hits since 2002, a record streak.
But tickets sales aren’t everything, and his Oscar nomination in 2006 for The Pursuit of Happyness shows Smith is after the legacy to go with his success. His latest film, Seven Pounds which re-teams him with Happyness director Gabriele Muccino, is a misstep on his way to greatness. If you’re looking for an Oscar-worthy performance, light-hearted family fun, or a mindless cup of holiday cheer, I suggest you move along.
But tickets sales aren’t everything, and his Oscar nomination in 2006 for The Pursuit of Happyness shows Smith is after the legacy to go with his success. His latest film, Seven Pounds which re-teams him with Happyness director Gabriele Muccino, is a misstep on his way to greatness. If you’re looking for an Oscar-worthy performance, light-hearted family fun, or a mindless cup of holiday cheer, I suggest you move along.
- 12/21/2008
- by Jeff Leins
- newsinfilm.com
This may be the most emotional rollercoaster ride this holiday season; be prepared to bring some tissues.
{sidebar id=1}Seven Pounds, starring Will Smith and directed by Gabriele Muccino (Pursuit of Happyness)presents a very emotionally driven look into the life of Ben Thomas (Smith), an IRS agent who seeks out deserving people going through hard times to help with their financial struggles.
Thomas seems to seek those in the worst condition possible; for example, a woman in need of a heart transplant, a blind man, and a woman abused by her boyfriend. Through a series of tests and trials, he assesses their true character to determine whether or not they actually deserve a tax break, or other mysterious gifts he has for them. Although he is helping those around him tremendously, he himself is questioning his own life.s worth, toying with the age old theme of right versus...
{sidebar id=1}Seven Pounds, starring Will Smith and directed by Gabriele Muccino (Pursuit of Happyness)presents a very emotionally driven look into the life of Ben Thomas (Smith), an IRS agent who seeks out deserving people going through hard times to help with their financial struggles.
Thomas seems to seek those in the worst condition possible; for example, a woman in need of a heart transplant, a blind man, and a woman abused by her boyfriend. Through a series of tests and trials, he assesses their true character to determine whether or not they actually deserve a tax break, or other mysterious gifts he has for them. Although he is helping those around him tremendously, he himself is questioning his own life.s worth, toying with the age old theme of right versus...
- 12/19/2008
- by Kara Hallett and Michael Stange <alyson@iesb.net>
- IESB.net
Will Smith plays a conflicted man with a mysterious secret who decides to help seven strangers in the dramatic love story 'Seven Pounds.' Now, "The Insider"'s Lara Spencer gets the dish from Will and co-star Rosario Dawson about their love scene in the film together -- and married Will's nervousness about going through with it! "I was very happy to lose my onscreen virginity to Rosario," says Will, who adds that wife Jada Pinkett Smith wasn't bothered at all by their love scene. "Jada said, 'Listen, you better not embarrass me, okay? You better show 'em what you're workin' with.'" "He was extremely nervous and very shy," says Rosario about Will. "To see that sensitivity be a part of him is so beautiful and endearing to me." In the film, Will plays Ben Thomas, an IRS agent who embarks on an extraordinary journey of redemption by forever...
- 12/19/2008
- by TheInsider
- TheInsider.com
Will Smith and Rosario Dawson in Seven Pounds
Photo: Columbia Pictures It's certainly melodramatic and it tugs on the heart strings like you wouldn't believe, but the largest problem with Seven Pounds is not its cheap attempts at making you cry as much as it's the fact it holds its revelation so close to the chest despite the fact midway through you already know the ending. Had it not been for the fantastic chemistry between Will Smith and Rosario Dawson this film would have been impossible to endure. However, despite all its flaws I found myself enjoying the humanity in it all if not entirely accepting the premise at hand. Smith stars as Ben Thomas, an IRS agent with little interest in taxes and a greater interest in those he chooses to investigate. Working from a list of seven hand-picked names, Ben is on a search to ensure each one...
Photo: Columbia Pictures It's certainly melodramatic and it tugs on the heart strings like you wouldn't believe, but the largest problem with Seven Pounds is not its cheap attempts at making you cry as much as it's the fact it holds its revelation so close to the chest despite the fact midway through you already know the ending. Had it not been for the fantastic chemistry between Will Smith and Rosario Dawson this film would have been impossible to endure. However, despite all its flaws I found myself enjoying the humanity in it all if not entirely accepting the premise at hand. Smith stars as Ben Thomas, an IRS agent with little interest in taxes and a greater interest in those he chooses to investigate. Working from a list of seven hand-picked names, Ben is on a search to ensure each one...
- 12/19/2008
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Seven Pounds
Starring Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, and Woody Harrelson
Directed by Gabriele Muccino
Rated PG-13
Ben Thomas has a secret and he has a mission. They’re intertwined, and both appear to be testing Ben’s faith and patience, if not more. There is no joy in spoiling either, though you can probably put two and two together from other reviews of Seven Pounds or trailers you might have seen.
The story works so well precisely because we don’t know what has occupied Ben’s mind and heart for so long. We learn that he has to find seven complete strangers and that he can change their circumstances. We learn that his circumstances changed completely in seven seconds.
Is Ben running a pyramid scheme of some sort? Are the seven strangers connected in a way that they don’t even know? Or is it random? Is it not random at all?...
Starring Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, and Woody Harrelson
Directed by Gabriele Muccino
Rated PG-13
Ben Thomas has a secret and he has a mission. They’re intertwined, and both appear to be testing Ben’s faith and patience, if not more. There is no joy in spoiling either, though you can probably put two and two together from other reviews of Seven Pounds or trailers you might have seen.
The story works so well precisely because we don’t know what has occupied Ben’s mind and heart for so long. We learn that he has to find seven complete strangers and that he can change their circumstances. We learn that his circumstances changed completely in seven seconds.
Is Ben running a pyramid scheme of some sort? Are the seven strangers connected in a way that they don’t even know? Or is it random? Is it not random at all?...
- 12/19/2008
- by Colin Boyd
- GetTheBigPicture.net
Tgif! There's a ton of great movies out this month, and this weekend is no exception. Will Smith and Jim Carrey will go head to head at the box office this weekend with their highly anticipated movies. Who will reign at the box office? We'll have to wait until Monday to find out, but if you are planning on visiting the theaters, here are this weeks new releases: Seven Pounds: Ben Thomas is an IRS agent with a fateful secret who embarks on an extraordinary journey of redemption by forever changing the lives of seven strangers. Yes Man:...
- 12/19/2008
- Hollyscoop.com
Seven Pounds Directed by: Gabriele Muccino Cast: Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson, Barry Pepper Running Time: 2 hours Rating: PG-13 Plot: An IRS agent named Ben Thomas (Smith) has a secret and embarks on a journey to change the lives of seven strangers, while looking for his own path of redemption. Who’s It For? Smith won over audiences last year with The Pursuit of Happyness and it's the same type of powerful tale. There's a little mystery involved here but otherwise, it's pulling at the heart strings. Expectations: Just like everyone else, I like Smith. It's hard not to. Though, it's funny, looking over his most recent films like I, Robot, Hitch, I Am Legend and Hancock ... Pursuit is the only good one in the bunch. Scorecard (0-10) Actors: Will Smith as Ben Thomas: At first Ben almost...
- 12/19/2008
- The Scorecard Review
Will Smith, audiences too; die a slow death in 'Seven Pounds' Ambiguity can be a good thing in movies and I admire a director who wants his audience to figure things out slowly. Yet, "Seven Pounds," the latest drama starring Will Smith, takes dramatic uncertainty to the extreme. The result, at least for the first half of this morose movie, is a muddled story without meaning. A phone call from IRS agent Ben Thomas (Smith) to the emergency switchboard operator is so important to the plot that director Gabriele Muccino ("The Pursuit of Happyness") shows it twice, once at the beginning of the film, and again near its end. "I need an ambulance," Thomas says calmly into the phone. "There's been a suicide."...
- 12/18/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Will Smith, audiences too; die a slow death in 'Seven Pounds' Ambiguity can be a good thing in movies and I admire a director who wants his audience to figure things out slowly. Yet, "Seven Pounds," the latest drama starring Will Smith, takes dramatic uncertainty to the extreme. The result, at least for the first half of this morose movie, is a muddled story without meaning. A phone call from IRS agent Ben Thomas (Smith) to the emergency switchboard operator is so important to the plot that director Gabriele Muccino ("The Pursuit of Happyness") shows it twice, once at the beginning of the film, and again near its end. "I need an ambulance," Thomas says calmly into the phone. "There's been a suicide."...
- 12/18/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
"Seven Pounds" reviewby Steve Ramos, Writer Will Smith, audiences too; die a slow death in 'Seven Pounds' Ambiguity can be a good thing in movies and I admire a director who wants his audience to figure things out slowly. Yet, "Seven Pounds," the latest drama starring Will Smith, takes dramatic uncertainty to the extreme. The result, at least for the first half of this morose movie, is a muddled story without meaning. A phone call from IRS agent Ben Thomas (Smith) to the emergency switchboard operator is so important to the plot that director Gabriele Muccino ("The Pursuit of Happyness") shows it twice, once at the beginning of the film, and again near its end. "I need an ambulance," Thomas says calmly into the phone. "There's been a suicide." "Who's the victim?" asks the operator. Thomas' response is completely serious. "I am." In the course of this drama,...
- 12/18/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Will Smith, audiences too; die a slow death in 'Seven Pounds' Ambiguity can be a good thing in movies and I admire a director who wants his audience to figure things out slowly. Yet, "Seven Pounds," the latest drama starring Will Smith, takes dramatic uncertainty to the extreme. The result, at least for the first half of this morose movie, is a muddled story without meaning. A phone call from IRS agent Ben Thomas (Smith) to the emergency switchboard operator is so important to the plot that director Gabriele Muccino ("The Pursuit of Happyness") shows it twice, once at the beginning of the film, and again near its end. "I need an ambulance," Thomas says calmly into the phone. "There's been a suicide."...
- 12/18/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
You were willing to see him as a drunk and bitter superhero in Hancock. You were willing to see him practically all by himself in I Am Legend. You were willing to see him with gray hair in The Pursuit of Happyness. But are you willing to see him in a movie where you have no stinking idea what’s going on? It will be worth your time to see Will Smith in Seven Pounds, but it will take some patience. He is not the happy-go-lucky movie star we know and love here. Smith plays Ben Thomas, an IRS tax collector who gets personally involved with the people he collects from (the title is a reference to the Shakespearean “seven pounds of flesh” a debtor owes a collector). In some cases, he nurtures them and gives them extensions if he feels they’re worthy. In others, he makes damn sure...
- 12/18/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
You were willing to see him as a drunk and bitter superhero in Hancock. You were willing to see him practically all by himself in I Am Legend. You were willing to see him with gray hair in The Pursuit of Happyness. But are you willing to see him in a movie where you have no stinking idea what’s going on? It will be worth your time to see Will Smith in Seven Pounds, but it will take some patience. He is not the happy-go-lucky movie star we know and love here. Smith plays Ben Thomas, an IRS tax collector who gets personally involved with the people he collects from (the title is a reference to the Shakespearean “seven pounds of flesh” a debtor owes a collector). In some cases, he nurtures them and gives them extensions if he feels they’re worthy. In others, he makes damn sure...
- 12/18/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
You were willing to see him as a drunk and bitter superhero in Hancock. You were willing to see him practically all by himself in I Am Legend. You were willing to see him with gray hair in The Pursuit of Happyness. But are you willing to see him in a movie where you have no stinking idea what’s going on? It will be worth your time to see Will Smith in Seven Pounds, but it will take some patience. He is not the happy-go-lucky movie star we know and love here. Smith plays Ben Thomas, an IRS tax collector who gets personally involved with the people he collects from (the title is a reference to the Shakespearean “seven pounds of flesh” a debtor owes a collector). In some cases, he nurtures them and gives them extensions if he feels they’re worthy. In others, he makes damn sure...
- 12/18/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Seven Pounds is a mystery. You're not supposed to know what the plan is as Ben Thomas (Will Smith) flashes back from his suicide phone call to 911. In an effort to maintain the surprise, Smith discussed one of the film's signature images, the jellyfish, without revealing its ultimate purpose.
Will Smith Weighs Seven Pounds
"People can't know about it so we have to talk in code because we can't say," said Smith. "The idea of the jellyfish was such a fantastic concept. Early in the story, when the little boy, when Connor Cruise is looking at the glass, the voiceover is, 'My father told me that this was the most deadly creature on earth, but to me it was just the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.' I just love that we never talk about it in the story but the character, Ben Thomas, relates to that because that's how he feels.
Will Smith Weighs Seven Pounds
"People can't know about it so we have to talk in code because we can't say," said Smith. "The idea of the jellyfish was such a fantastic concept. Early in the story, when the little boy, when Connor Cruise is looking at the glass, the voiceover is, 'My father told me that this was the most deadly creature on earth, but to me it was just the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.' I just love that we never talk about it in the story but the character, Ben Thomas, relates to that because that's how he feels.
- 12/18/2008
- www.canmag.com
Academy Award winner Will Smith reunited with the directors and producers of 'The Pursuit of Happyness" for the emotional drama Seven Pounds. In the film, Smith plays Ben Thomas, an IRS agent with a fateful secret who embarks on an extraordinary journey of redemption by forever changing the lives of seven strangers. Will Smith and Rosario Dawson joined Woody Harrelson, Barry Pepper, Michael Ealy and Robinne Lee among others for the Los Angeles Premiere of the movie in Westwood, CA. Will's former 'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' castmates also came out to support their friend, and talked to Hollyscoop...
- 12/18/2008
- Hollyscoop.com
America loves a good alien invasion apparently, so the remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still took top honors. Holdovers from previous weeks filled out the rest of the top five with last week's two other big releases, Nothing Like the Holidays and Delgo, respectively taking seventh and eighteenth (eek!) place. Here's the top five:
1. The Day the Earth Stood Still: $30.4 million
2. Four Christmases: $13 million
3. Twilight: $7.9 million
4. Bolt: $7.4 million
5. Australia: $4.1 million
Three new ones this week featuring drama, laughs and something for the kids.
Seven Pounds
What's It All About: Will Smith plays Ben Thomas, an IRS agent who after a tragic accident seeks redemption through interaction with seven strangers.
Why It Might Do Well: In addition to Smith in the lead, the cast also includes Woody Harrelson and Rosario Dawson, and there's some decent buzz.
Why It Might Not Do Well: People rarely seek out an IRS agent.
1. The Day the Earth Stood Still: $30.4 million
2. Four Christmases: $13 million
3. Twilight: $7.9 million
4. Bolt: $7.4 million
5. Australia: $4.1 million
Three new ones this week featuring drama, laughs and something for the kids.
Seven Pounds
What's It All About: Will Smith plays Ben Thomas, an IRS agent who after a tragic accident seeks redemption through interaction with seven strangers.
Why It Might Do Well: In addition to Smith in the lead, the cast also includes Woody Harrelson and Rosario Dawson, and there's some decent buzz.
Why It Might Not Do Well: People rarely seek out an IRS agent.
- 12/17/2008
- by Matt Bradshaw
- Cinematical
"The Insider" takes you to the Los Angeles premiere of the emotional drama 'Seven Pounds' starring Will Smith Tuesday night, and Will's cast mates have nothing but great things to say about the star. Rosario Dawson, who plays Will's love interest in the film, tells "The Insider"'s Victoria Recano what it was like to work with the talented actor. "You forget what an amazing actor he actually really is sometimes because you're just so caught up in how fun and awesome he is," Rosario says. "The work he put into this character is phenomenal." In 'Seven Pounds,' Will plays an IRS agent named Ben Thomas who is troubled with guilt brought on by past actions. Along his journey to help others, he meets and falls in love with Emily Posa (Dawson). 'Seven Pounds' also stars Woody Harrelson and Connor Cruise, son of Tom Cruise.
- 12/17/2008
- by TheInsider
- TheInsider.com
“Seven Pounds” is a thought provoking film which will test the drawing power of Will Smith. It poses many questions and is hard to watch at times. This is one of those movies that will get audience members talking afterwards and stick in their mind for a long time. Will Smith plays Ben Thomas, a suicidal IRS agent living on the brink. We see him early on calling 911 and telling the operator that he is going to commit suicide. The movie then switches to flash back mode to see how he got to this point. The phone call might shock some Will Smith fans thinking this will be another fun popcorn movie from him. Hopefully these fans will give the film a chance and let it draw them in.
- 12/17/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
“Seven Pounds” is a thought provoking film which will test the drawing power of Will Smith. It poses many questions and is hard to watch at times. This is one of those movies that will get audience members talking afterwards and stick in their mind for a long time. Will Smith plays Ben Thomas, a suicidal IRS agent living on the brink. We see him early on calling 911 and telling the operator that he is going to commit suicide. The movie then switches to flash back mode to see how he got to this point. The phone call might shock some Will Smith fans thinking this will be another fun popcorn movie from him. Hopefully these fans will give the film a chance and let it draw them in.
- 12/17/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Seven POUNDSby Eric Sloss, Writer. “Seven Pounds” is a thought provoking film which will test the drawing power of Will Smith. It poses many questions and is hard to watch at times. This is one of those movies that will get audience members talking afterwards and stick in their mind for a long time. Will Smith plays Ben Thomas, a suicidal IRS agent living on the brink. We see him early on calling 911 and telling the operator that he is going to commit suicide. The movie then switches to flash back mode to see how he got to this point. The phone call might shock some Will Smith fans thinking this will be another fun popcorn movie from him. Hopefully these fans will give the film a chance and let it draw them in. Smith is one of the smartest actors in Hollywood. He picks his roles with such precision...
- 12/17/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
“Seven Pounds” is a thought provoking film which will test the drawing power of Will Smith. It poses many questions and is hard to watch at times. This is one of those movies that will get audience members talking afterwards and stick in their mind for a long time. Will Smith plays Ben Thomas, a suicidal IRS agent living on the brink. We see him early on calling 911 and telling the operator that he is going to commit suicide. The movie then switches to flash back mode to see how he got to this point. The phone call might shock some Will Smith fans thinking this will be another fun popcorn movie from him. Hopefully these fans will give the film a chance and let it draw them in.
- 12/17/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
MoviesOnline sat down with Rosario Dawson to talk about her new film, “Seven Pounds,” a gripping mystery and surprising love story directed by Gabriele Muccino (“The Pursuit of Happyness”) and starring Will Smith. “Seven Pounds” is a stirring and emotionally suspenseful tale about a man with a haunting secret who sets out to redeem himself by drastically changing the lives of seven total strangers. Once his plan is set in motion, nothing can alter it. Or so he thinks. But what Ben Thomas (Smith) never expects is that he will fall in love with one of the st...
- 12/16/2008
- MoviesOnline.ca
By Neil Pedley
There's a noticeably European flavor this week, combined with some good old-fashioned work-a-day miserablism just in time for the holidays. Laurent Cantet's Palme d'Or-winning doc shows a French school in minor crisis, Mickey Rourke battles his demons and Jim Carrey flails about -- all in good festive fun!
"The Class"
Considering that the ongoing debate over the education system approaches a national pastime in France, it's not difficult to see why Laurent Cantet's pseudo-documentary chronicling a year in a Paris classroom took home the Palme d'Or on its home turf in Cannes. Based on a semi-autobiographical account from former lit teacher François Bégaudeau, playing a similar role here for the cameras, Cantet delivers a studied microcosm of French society via a multiethnic school with an administration run by committee. During the course of a turbulent school year, every aspect of the human social dynamic is played out with points made,...
There's a noticeably European flavor this week, combined with some good old-fashioned work-a-day miserablism just in time for the holidays. Laurent Cantet's Palme d'Or-winning doc shows a French school in minor crisis, Mickey Rourke battles his demons and Jim Carrey flails about -- all in good festive fun!
"The Class"
Considering that the ongoing debate over the education system approaches a national pastime in France, it's not difficult to see why Laurent Cantet's pseudo-documentary chronicling a year in a Paris classroom took home the Palme d'Or on its home turf in Cannes. Based on a semi-autobiographical account from former lit teacher François Bégaudeau, playing a similar role here for the cameras, Cantet delivers a studied microcosm of French society via a multiethnic school with an administration run by committee. During the course of a turbulent school year, every aspect of the human social dynamic is played out with points made,...
- 12/15/2008
- by Neil Pedley
- ifc.com
MoviesOnline sat down with two-time Academy Award nominee Will Smith to talk about his new film, “Seven Pounds,” a gripping mystery and surprising love story directed by Gabriele Muccino (“The Pursuit of Happyness”). “Seven Pounds” is a stirring and emotionally suspenseful tale about a man with a haunting secret who sets out to redeem himself by drastically changing the lives of seven total strangers. Once his plan is set in motion, nothing can alter it. Or so he thinks. But what Ben Thomas (Smith) never expects is that he will fall in love with one of the...
- 12/9/2008
- MoviesOnline.ca
IESB has got the complete image gallery from Columbia Pictures' Seven Pounds starring Will Smith!
Academy Award® nominee Will Smith reunites with the directors and producers of The Pursuit of Happyness for the emotional drama Seven Pounds. In the film, Smith plays Ben Thomas, an IRS agent with a fateful secret who embarks on an extraordinary journey of redemption by forever changing the lives of seven strangers.
Click on a thumbnail below to enlarge!
{zoomcat catid=800}
Read more...
Academy Award® nominee Will Smith reunites with the directors and producers of The Pursuit of Happyness for the emotional drama Seven Pounds. In the film, Smith plays Ben Thomas, an IRS agent with a fateful secret who embarks on an extraordinary journey of redemption by forever changing the lives of seven strangers.
Click on a thumbnail below to enlarge!
{zoomcat catid=800}
Read more...
- 12/3/2008
- by Stephanie Sanchez <stephanie@iesb.net>
- IESB.net
A first look into "Seven Pounds" has been let out exclusively by Et. Focusing on the relationship between Ben Thomas played by Will Smith and Emily Posa portrayed by Rosario Dawson, the behind-the-scene video contains commentary from Dawson about the situation her character is dealing with, and about the definition of the love story for the film.
The two-minute video also gives out a glimpse of Woody Harrelson who stars as blind pianist Ezra Turner. Talking about the beauty of the story, Harrelson also revealed the challenging part of playing the piano. Apart from this behind-the-scene video, three new television promos for the drama film has been found as well and posted after the Et's video.
"Seven Pounds" tells the story of a suicidal IRS agent who tries to redeem himself by changing the lives of seven strangers. This Columbia Pictures flick teams up once again Will Smith with his...
The two-minute video also gives out a glimpse of Woody Harrelson who stars as blind pianist Ezra Turner. Talking about the beauty of the story, Harrelson also revealed the challenging part of playing the piano. Apart from this behind-the-scene video, three new television promos for the drama film has been found as well and posted after the Et's video.
"Seven Pounds" tells the story of a suicidal IRS agent who tries to redeem himself by changing the lives of seven strangers. This Columbia Pictures flick teams up once again Will Smith with his...
- 11/25/2008
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
Seven Pounds starring Will Smith from Colombia Pictures is due out in theaters December 19!
{sidebar id=1}Et had an exclusive first look from the film, here's what they had to say -
Will Smith plays a conflicted man who decides to help seven strangers in the dramatic love story 'Seven Pounds' -- but he also holds a mysterious secret. Et has a first look at the film!
Will plays Ben Thomas, an IRS agent who embarks on an extraordinary journey of redemption by forever changing the lives of seven strangers, including Woody Harrelson as a blind man and Rosario Dawson as a woman with a failing heart.
"She's one of the seven strangers that [Will] meets and tries to affect positively," Rosario tells Et. "Through that interaction, she has an opportunity to change him positively and it grows very beautifully.
"It's very mysterious," she continues. "It's a Read more...
{sidebar id=1}Et had an exclusive first look from the film, here's what they had to say -
Will Smith plays a conflicted man who decides to help seven strangers in the dramatic love story 'Seven Pounds' -- but he also holds a mysterious secret. Et has a first look at the film!
Will plays Ben Thomas, an IRS agent who embarks on an extraordinary journey of redemption by forever changing the lives of seven strangers, including Woody Harrelson as a blind man and Rosario Dawson as a woman with a failing heart.
"She's one of the seven strangers that [Will] meets and tries to affect positively," Rosario tells Et. "Through that interaction, she has an opportunity to change him positively and it grows very beautifully.
"It's very mysterious," she continues. "It's a Read more...
- 11/24/2008
- by Stephanie Sanchez <stephanie@iesb.net>
- IESB.net
FirstShowing.net has the debut of the new poster for Will Smith’s Seven Pounds. Academy Award nominee Will Smith reunites with the directors and producers of The Pursuit of Happiness for the emotional drama Seven Pounds. In the film, Smith plays Ben Thomas, an IRS agent with a fateful secret who embarks on an extraordinary journey of redemption by forever changing the lives of seven strangers. Seven Pounds is directed by Italian filmmaker Gabriele Muccino and opens December 19th. Check out an extra-large version Here, and if you have not watched the trailer yet, head over Here.
- 11/3/2008
- UGO Movies
Sony has also unveiled the official poster for the upcoming Will Smith movie. The poster is really simple. But I think the movie might turn out to be something really interesting. There is surely going to be some buzz created the moment the film releases. Will Smith who won an Oscar for his last movie with the same director in the film Pursuit of Happyness.
The trailer also looks really good. Academy Award nominee Will Smith reunites with the director and producers of The Pursuit of Happyness for the emotional drama Seven Pounds. In the film, Smith plays Ben Thomas, an IRS agent with a fateful secret who embarks on an extraordinary journey of redemption by forever changing the lives of seven strangers.
Click the thumbnail to see the high res image
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The trailer also looks really good. Academy Award nominee Will Smith reunites with the director and producers of The Pursuit of Happyness for the emotional drama Seven Pounds. In the film, Smith plays Ben Thomas, an IRS agent with a fateful secret who embarks on an extraordinary journey of redemption by forever changing the lives of seven strangers.
Click the thumbnail to see the high res image
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(more...)...
- 11/1/2008
- by John
- ReelSuave.com
"I Am Legend"...and now the most popular celebrity on Movie Jungle. Willl Smith was most recently seen in "Hancock" alongside Jason Bateman and Charlize Theron. With the upcoming "Seven Pounds" helmed by "The Pursuit of Happyness" director Gabriele Muccino, Smith's hits have topped the ever-popular Harrison Ford and Laurence Fishburne names. In the powerful drama "Seven Pounds," which is written by Grant Nieporte, Smith's character Ben Thomas shacks into a motel room with a list of seven people and the lives he wishes to change. Smith once again looks for an Oscar® nomination in what looks to be one of the most remarkable films of the year. Can you ask yourself if given the chance, whose life would you change?...
- 10/28/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
"I Am Legend"...and now the most popular celebrity on Movie Jungle. Willl Smith was most recently seen in "Hancock" alongside Jason Bateman and Charlize Theron. With the upcoming "Seven Pounds" helmed by "The Pursuit of Happyness" director Gabriele Muccino, Smith's hits have topped the ever-popular Harrison Ford and Laurence Fishburne names. In the powerful drama "Seven Pounds," which is written by Grant Nieporte, Smith's character Ben Thomas shacks into a motel room with a list of seven people and the lives he wishes to change. Smith once again looks for an Oscar® nomination in what looks to be one of the most remarkable films of the year. Can you ask yourself if given the chance, whose life would you change?...
- 10/28/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
"I Am Legend"...and now the most popular celebrity on Movie Jungle. Willl Smith was most recently seen in "Hancock" alongside Jason Bateman and Charlize Theron. With the upcoming "Seven Pounds" helmed by "The Pursuit of Happyness" director Gabriele Muccino, Smith's hits have topped the ever-popular Harrison Ford and Laurence Fishburne names. In the powerful drama "Seven Pounds," which is written by Grant Nieporte, Smith's character Ben Thomas shacks into a motel room with a list of seven people and the lives he wishes to change. "Seven acts that lead to one truth." Smith once again looks for an Oscar® nomination in what looks to be one of the most remarkable films of the year. Can you ask yourself if given the chance, whose life would you change? "In seven days, God created the world, and in seven seconds, I shattered mine" - Ben Thomas. Smith and Dawson were also...
- 10/28/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
"I Am Legend"...and now the most popular celebrity on Movie Jungle. Willl Smith was most recently seen in "Hancock" alongside Jason Bateman and Charlize Theron. With the upcoming "Seven Pounds" helmed by "The Pursuit of Happyness" director Gabriele Muccino, Smith's hits have topped the ever-popular Harrison Ford and Laurence Fishburne names. In the powerful drama "Seven Pounds," which is written by Grant Nieporte, Smith's character Ben Thomas shacks into a motel room with a list of seven people and the lives he wishes to change. Smith once again looks for an Oscar® nomination in what looks to be one of the most remarkable films of the year. Can you ask yourself if given the chance, whose life would you change?...
- 10/28/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
The trailer was pulled out from our site the first time we tried putting it. Now the studio has finally released the trailer out for all the blogs to take it up. The new trailers has very small changes that make it look almost like the previous one but a little more coherent. This leaves the surprise element out of the first trailer. I just hope some sort of supernatural element is not there in this movie which will totally kill the premise. Will smith seems to be back in form after the terrible Hancock. Rosario Dawson still seems to be stealing his thunder in all the scenes.
Will Smith reunites with the director and producer of The Pursuit of Happyness for the emotional drama Seven Pounds. In the film, smith plays Ben Thomas, an Ira agent with a fateful secret...
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Will Smith reunites with the director and producer of The Pursuit of Happyness for the emotional drama Seven Pounds. In the film, smith plays Ben Thomas, an Ira agent with a fateful secret...
(more...)...
- 10/15/2008
- by John
- ReelSuave.com
Let's try this again! The first time we ran the trailer for Will Smith's Seven Pounds, it was quickly pulled down by Sony. Now it's up again over on the official website and has a few changes and is a bit more coherent. I still think this looks very good, considering almost anything with Will Smith these days (except for Hancock) usually turns out great anyway. The film is about IRS agent Ben Thomas who has the "power" to change the lives of seven strangers, but falls in love with one of them. I still don't get it though, is he some sort of superhero or doctor or rich guy? That can't be right, but I guess it's something I'll have to wait to find out in December when this hits theaters. Take a second look and let us know what you think? Watch the new trailer for Seven Pounds: [flv:http://media2.firstshowing.
- 10/15/2008
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
"Seven Pounds" has had its official trailer uncovered. Though the opening suggests that it is similar to the earlier released trailer, the new promotional video continues by showing edited footage. Straight after the company credits, the video presents Ben Thomas' younger brother pointing out his disappointment on Thomas' attitude towards him. The scene then moves on with Thomas sitting on a bed looking into a file, followed by a woman reading a letter with Thomas' voice-over explaining what the woman should do to get his house.
Thinking that he has ruined his life in 7 seconds, a suicidal IRS agent, Ben Thomas, tries to redeem himself by changing the lives of seven strangers. But, what he doesn't expect is that his life will also be forever changed by what he is attempting to do as he falls in love with one of the people he chooses to help. Starring Will Smith,...
Thinking that he has ruined his life in 7 seconds, a suicidal IRS agent, Ben Thomas, tries to redeem himself by changing the lives of seven strangers. But, what he doesn't expect is that his life will also be forever changed by what he is attempting to do as he falls in love with one of the people he chooses to help. Starring Will Smith,...
- 10/14/2008
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
The first look into Columbia Pictures' "Seven Pounds" is given through the release of its trailer. The drama film once again unites people behind the Oscar-nominated "The Pursuit of Happyness" which are actor Will Smith, director Gabriele Muccino and producers Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, James Lassiter and Steve Tisch.
Telling the story of everyday life, "Seven Pounds" will see Smith playing an IRS agent named Ben Thomas who thinks he ruins his life in mere 7 seconds. As an attempt to make amends, he takes the identity of his younger brother and determines to change the lives of seven people on his list. Twist of story comes in when he falls in love with one of them and his own life is about to change.
Also starring Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson and introducing adoptive son of Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise, Connor Cruise as young Ben, "Seven Pounds" will be in...
Telling the story of everyday life, "Seven Pounds" will see Smith playing an IRS agent named Ben Thomas who thinks he ruins his life in mere 7 seconds. As an attempt to make amends, he takes the identity of his younger brother and determines to change the lives of seven people on his list. Twist of story comes in when he falls in love with one of them and his own life is about to change.
Also starring Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson and introducing adoptive son of Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise, Connor Cruise as young Ben, "Seven Pounds" will be in...
- 9/29/2008
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
Just when you thought this winter is not going to have any surprises. Here comes a sneak preview from the towering new film starring Will Smith called Seven Pounds. I was totally not expecting anything after he did one of the worst movies of the year Hancock. But the trailer sort of brings us memories of his The Pursuit of Happyness days. So this is surely going to be something true fans of the star are going to check out.
He reunites with the director and producer of The Pursuit of Happyness for a real emotional drama. He plays an IRS agent Ben Thomas who lives with a fateful secret. He then embarks on a journey that will lead him to several people whose lives he will change. Until the day he meets up with someone who will change his...
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He reunites with the director and producer of The Pursuit of Happyness for a real emotional drama. He plays an IRS agent Ben Thomas who lives with a fateful secret. He then embarks on a journey that will lead him to several people whose lives he will change. Until the day he meets up with someone who will change his...
(more...)...
- 9/29/2008
- by John
- ReelSuave.com
The first trailer for the Columbia Pictures drama Seven Pounds, starring Will Smith, has been leaked onto the web. In the film, Smith plays Ben Thomas, an IRS agent with a fateful secret who embarks on an extraordinary journey of redemption by forever changing the lives of seven strangers. It ...
- 9/29/2008
- by Neil Miller
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
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