"I did what I could to survive..." Vertical Entertainment has released the official trailer for a legal drama called American Traitor: The Trial of Axis Sally, the latest from director Michael Polish. An American woman named Mildred Gillars, played in this by Meadow Williams, broadcast Nazi propaganda during World War II. She was dubbed "Axis Sally" by the American GIs who simultaneously loved and hated her because of her voice. The story plunges viewers into the very dark underbelly of the Third Reich's hate-filled propaganda machine, Sally's eventual capture, and the subsequent trial for treason in Washington D.C. after the war. The main cast also includes Al Pacino as lawyer James Laughlin, Thomas Kretschmann, Mitch Pileggi, Lala Kent, and Carsten Norgaard. This seems like a fascinating story to tell, but doesn't look like a very interesting film. Official trailer for Michael Polish's American Traitor: The Trial of Axis Sally,...
- 4/27/2021
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Given all the noise around Force of Nature, it’s hard to get at the movie itself, which on the surface is no more than a routine crime thriller set in San Juan, Puerto Rico during a Category 5 hurricane. What’s not routine is the tweetstorm of controversy ignited by the casting of Mel Gibson and Emile Hirsch, both actors with assault charges on their records, as white cops battling “Rican” villains against the carnage of Hurricane Maria. To say that a real-life tragedy deserves more respect than simply being...
- 6/30/2020
- by Peter Travers
- Rollingstone.com
More/Medavoy Management has sign Mark Polish, who first stepped on the scene with the 1999 Sundance film Twin Falls Idaho, which he starred in and co-wrote with his twin brother and frequent collaborator Michael Polish.
Following the release of Twin Falls Idaho (via Sony Pictures Classics), Polish co-wrote and co-produced the comedy Jackpot (2001), which received the Indie Spirit John Cassavetes Award, and Northfork, also co-starring alongside James Woods, Nick Nolte, and Daryl Hannah.
Polish branched off on his own with Headlock, which is slated to be released later this year, and recently directed an episode on season two of the Showtime series, I’m Dying Up Here, as well as an episode of USA’s forthcoming Suits spin-off series, Pearson.
He’ll continue to be repped by Kaplan Stahler.
Following the release of Twin Falls Idaho (via Sony Pictures Classics), Polish co-wrote and co-produced the comedy Jackpot (2001), which received the Indie Spirit John Cassavetes Award, and Northfork, also co-starring alongside James Woods, Nick Nolte, and Daryl Hannah.
Polish branched off on his own with Headlock, which is slated to be released later this year, and recently directed an episode on season two of the Showtime series, I’m Dying Up Here, as well as an episode of USA’s forthcoming Suits spin-off series, Pearson.
He’ll continue to be repped by Kaplan Stahler.
- 2/12/2019
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Ebertfest opens today, and we've got a quick overview of the featured films: Paul Weitz's Grandma, Michael Polish's Northfork, Carol Reed's The Third Man, Stephen Apkon and Andrew Young's Disturbing the Peace, Marcel L’Herbier's L'Inhumane with live accompaniment by The Alloy Orchestra, Kasi Lemmons's Eve's Bayou, Paul Cox's Force of Destiny, Rebecca Parrish's Radical Grace, Bill Pohlad’s Love and Mercy, Brian De Palma's Blow Out and Oscar Micheaux's Body and Soul, featuring Paul Robeson's onscreen debut. » - David Hudson...
- 4/13/2016
- Keyframe
Ebertfest opens today, and we've got a quick overview of the featured films: Paul Weitz's Grandma, Michael Polish's Northfork, Carol Reed's The Third Man, Stephen Apkon and Andrew Young's Disturbing the Peace, Marcel L’Herbier's L'Inhumane with live accompaniment by The Alloy Orchestra, Kasi Lemmons's Eve's Bayou, Paul Cox's Force of Destiny, Rebecca Parrish's Radical Grace, Bill Pohlad’s Love and Mercy, Brian De Palma's Blow Out and Oscar Micheaux's Body and Soul, featuring Paul Robeson's onscreen debut. » - David Hudson...
- 4/13/2016
- Fandor: Keyframe
The Metrograph will open in New York on March 4 with the series Surrender to the Screen: Watching the Moviegoing Experience featuring Terence Davies's The Long Day Closes (1992), Jean-Luc Godard's Vivre sa Vie (1962) and much more before presenting its Jean Eustache retrospective, three films by Frederick Wiseman, Johnnie To's Office and on and on. More goings on: Babak Anvari's Under the Shadow will open and Kirsten Johnson's Cameraperson will close the 45th edition of New Directors/New Films. Ebertfest will screen Brian De Palma's Blow Out (1981), Oscar Micheaux's Body and Soul (1925) featuring Paul Robeson's onscreen debut, Paul Cox's new Force of Destiny, Mark Polish and Michael Polish's Northfork (2003) and Carol Reed's The Third Man (1949) with Orson Welles. And more. » - David Hudson...
- 2/22/2016
- Keyframe
The Metrograph will open in New York on March 4 with the series Surrender to the Screen: Watching the Moviegoing Experience featuring Terence Davies's The Long Day Closes (1992), Jean-Luc Godard's Vivre sa Vie (1962) and much more before presenting its Jean Eustache retrospective, three films by Frederick Wiseman, Johnnie To's Office and on and on. More goings on: Babak Anvari's Under the Shadow will open and Kirsten Johnson's Cameraperson will close the 45th edition of New Directors/New Films. Ebertfest will screen Brian De Palma's Blow Out (1981), Oscar Micheaux's Body and Soul (1925) featuring Paul Robeson's onscreen debut, Paul Cox's new Force of Destiny, Mark Polish and Michael Polish's Northfork (2003) and Carol Reed's The Third Man (1949) with Orson Welles. And more. » - David Hudson...
- 2/22/2016
- Fandor: Keyframe
James Woods in 'Videodrome.' James Woods in $10 million Twitter lawsuit feud: Crassly vocal right-wing actor goes after two crassly vocal users who attacked him In a letter dated Aug. 21, '15, Twitter attorney Ryan Mrazik ridiculed Surf's Up and Scary Movie 2 actor James Woods, while also highlighting the potentially dangerous precedent of a $10 million lawsuit the 68-year-old entertainer filed against a Twitter user last July. The lawsuit was followed by a subpoena demanding that the social media giant reveal the user's identity and that of another user with whom Woods has been embroiled in the (generally) no-holds-barred Twitterverse. In case you're unfamiliar with the name, these days the two-time Oscar-nominated Woods is best known for a supporting role as a right-wing sociopath in Roland Emmerich's thriller White House Down, starring Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx (as a liberal-minded U.S. president despised by Woods' character), and for his relentless,...
- 8/31/2015
- by Zac Gille
- Alt Film Guide
Twin filmmakers Michael and Mark Polish occupy a special spot in the American indie landscape. Since their strong debut Twin Falls Idaho, a weird little movie about conjoined twins, the brothers have been chugging along surviving in Hollywood, acting and directing series of independent films since the late 90s. They have a very distinctive visual style with a narrative steeped in magic realism while invoking the American West of yesteryears - men in dark suits and fedoras, expansive vistas, etc - my favorite film of theirs being Northfork.Amnesiac, a small film not written by and not starring either Polish, is another unusual solo outing, after Big Sur, a Jack Keruac adaptation in 2013, by Michael Polish as a director. This stylish, slow burn psychological thriller...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 8/12/2015
- Screen Anarchy
Amnesiac is the second solo outing by Michael Polish (one of the identical twin filmmakers, the Polish brothers) after his Jack Keruac adaptation Big Sur (which is great and everyone should see it). The thriller stars his wife Kate Bosworth as a femme fatale, playing against type, and features his signature visual style. As a moviegoer who's been following the brothers' careers closely, I was eager to talk to Michael about his life as a filmmaker so far.TwitchFilm: You and your brother have a very interesting career trajectory in American cinema landscape since your debut Twin Falls Idaho. Michael Polish: You know me when I was a conjoined twin. (laughs)I've been following your careers closely. One of my favorite films of all time being Northfork....
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 8/12/2015
- Screen Anarchy
If you thought faith-based movies were just a brief trend, movies attended by a niche audience outside the mainstream, guess again. Hollywood has seen the light are big stars are starting to gravitate towards films with a wholesome message, and this fall will bring two of them. Kate Mara and David Oyelowo are the starry window dressing on the forthcoming "Captive," and now there's "90 Minutes In Heaven," which features Hayden Christensen and Kate Bosworth, and perhaps most surprisingly, Michael Polish at the helm. Indie fans will recall that Polish was one half of the sibling filmmaking team that made waves with "Twin Falls Idaho" and "Northfork," before striking out on his own, delivering recent, very distinctive and lo-fi movies with "For Lovers Only" and the (very underrated) "Big Sur." Anyway, he's doing...this...which is based on a book which is apparently a true story, if you believe in this sort of thing.
- 7/8/2015
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
With cinematographer and 2nd unit director credits already under his belt, Adam Rehmeier burst onto the indie film scene with his feature film directorial debut, The Bunny Game (2012), in which Rodleen Getsic plays a desperate prostitute who ends up fighting for her life after hooking up with a maniacal trucker. The critically-acclaimed black and white film is somber, gritty, and saturated with panic and dread. Rehmeier's follow-up feature is something of a companion piece: Jonas (2013) is a brooding, sinister, and intelligent film that's as fascinating as the director's methods in creating it. Gregg Gilmore plays Jonas, who mysteriously washes up on a beach, then proceeds to gather an audience for "God's Big Message." Jonas will be released September 11th, and you can watch it in its entirety, absolutely free, at jonasmovie.com. Rehmeier generously took some time to discuss with FEARnet his unique films and his intriguing filmmaking tactics. FEARnet:...
- 9/2/2013
- by Eric Stanze
- FEARnet
Park City, Utah – Perhaps it’s due to the success of the Sundance hit “Beasts of the Southern Wild” and its story of a girl who was forced to grow up too soon or just the fact that it’s a common theme of independent cinema but coming-of-age stories dominated this year’s Sundance Film Festival. My final diary piece (although I’ll be back with a few wrap-up features) includes the one coming-of-age flick that will be the biggest crowdpleaser and box office hit from the fest, Nat Faxon & Jim Rash’s “The Way, Way Back”. This very funny, sweet, ’80s-esque comedy was already picked up by Fox Searchlight for at least $10 million and the studio has another “Little Miss Sunshine” or “Juno” on their hands.
Written and directed by Nat Faxon & Jim Rash (Oscar winners for their work on “The Descendents” and known to many as Ben from...
Written and directed by Nat Faxon & Jim Rash (Oscar winners for their work on “The Descendents” and known to many as Ben from...
- 1/23/2013
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
While the 2013 Sundance Film Festival is in full swing this weekend, we thought it would be fun to look back a decade and remember the best films of the 2003 event. The award winners that year include American Splendor, Capturing the Friedmans, All the Real Girls, My Flesh and Blood, The Station Agent, Stevie, Thirteen, A Certain Death and Whale Rider. And other major movies premiering at the fest include The Cooler, The Shape of Things, Tupac: Resurrection, Pieces of April, The Weather Underground, Northfork and the Bob Dylan disaster Masked and Anonymous. The U.S. also got its first look at 28 Days Later, In America, Bus 174, Bend It Like Beckham, Laurel Canyon, The Secret Lives of Dentists and Irreversible. To commemorate such a great Sundance (which spotlighted some filmmakers returning this year, like David Gordon Green and Michael Polish), we’re spotlighting some of our favorite scenes from some of the movies listed above. Not...
- 1/21/2013
- by Christopher Campbell
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Michael Polish (Twin Falls Idaho, Northfork) has attached himself to direct. Evan Rachel Wood is in talks to star as the lead character, a female trucker named “Rainbeaux” 18 Wheel Butterfly by Christian Divine is a colorful road movie. An adorable gear-grindin’ female trucker is accused of a crime that she did not commit and must outrace the law, brother truckers, feds and bounty hunters in the in the Texas bubble gum, redneck chic summer of 1977. Compared to a throwback to Smokey & The Bandit, Convoy, Sugerland Express, Thelma & Louise. 18 Wheel Butterfly will be produced by Aaron Magnani under his Water Bear/Aaron Magnani Productions Banner along with A Polish Brothers Construction. Magnani and producers are currently seeking financing. Michael Polish directed and recently released, For Lovers Only, and the upcoming Big Sur based on 1962 novel by Jack Kerouac. Wood will be seen in the upcoming, “A Case of You” with Vince Vaughn...
- 8/28/2012
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
Actress Kate Bosworth looks to have accidentally divulged her engagement to her boyfriend Michael Polish, the director of such films as ‘Northfork’ and ‘The Astronaut Farmer’. While working on a vacation feature for Vogue’s Travel Diary the twenty-nine year old referred to Polish as her fiance when discussing the couple’s recent experience on a trip to Seoul. “My fiance, Michael Polish, and I venture out to discover Chandeokgung Palace. As soon as we enter, it is like magically being transported to a different world – this awe-inspiring, sprawling place was originally built in 1405,” the actress shared. Adding, “we explore ancient towers, pavilions, and the beautiful ‘secret gardens,’ and the [ Read More ]...
- 8/10/2012
- by Sarah Anne Luoma
- ShockYa
[1] Back in 2009, the Polish Brothers, Mark and Michael, released two films on the festival circuit: The Smell of Success premiered at Sundance, while Stay Cool opened at Tribeca. Now, two years later, both films are finally getting released in theaters. The Smell of Success just got a very limited opening [2] this month, and Stay Cool will be hitting theaters September 16. A new trailer's just been released for the latter, and... well, I can see why no one was in a hurry to rush this out. Stay Cool follows a successful writer named Henry McCarthy (Mark Polish) who returns to his high school as a commencement speaker at the request of Principal Marshall (Chevy Chase). Once Henry arrives, Marshall encourages him to "connect" with the graduating class, which apparently means sitting in on classes and passing notes with students. (I don't know about you, but I have never had a commencement speaker that did this.
- 8/30/2011
- by Angie Han
- Slash Film
With an adaptation of Jack Kerouac's On The Road currently awaiting release [1], someone is already stepping up to adapt another of the beat author's famous works. Michael Polish, the director of Twin Falls Idaho, Northfork and The Astronaut Farmer, has written and begun directing Big Sur, a film based on the Kerouac novel that tells the story of his emotional troubles after gaining fame and fortune. It'll star Jean-Marc Barr (Dogville) as Kerouac, Josh Lucas as Neal Cassady and Kate Bosworth as their female companion Billie. Big Sur will also feature turns from Anthony Edwards, Rahda Mitchell, Balthazar Getty and Henry Thomas. Read more after the break. Deadline exclusively [2] reported that the film has begun shooting, produced by the newly founded 3311 Productions. Published in 1962, just 7 years before he died, Big Sur was one of Kerouac's final novels. Unlike most of his other autobiographical works, it portrays himself - under...
- 4/15/2011
- by Germain Lussier
- Slash Film
So, as the music builds to its inevitable crescendo, the camera slowly pans heavenwards and the credits duly roll on yet another year a legion of movie lovers loyally raise their glasses, stare wistfully into the middle distance and thus share fond, warm and altogether welcome memories of the last twelve months of movie making magic.
And with the curtains already beginning to close on us, the foyer slowly emptying and the hulking behemoth that is 2011 looming ominously on the aspect ratioed horizon what better opportunity is there to jump in our DeLoreans and take a nostalgic look back at the past ten years of cinematic splendour in order to pick out ten films that shone like precious jewels from the cavernous depths of 2001 to 2010.
Indeed, you needn’t look too far to stumble across a proliferation of end of the year “Best Of” lists literally bulging at the seams...
And with the curtains already beginning to close on us, the foyer slowly emptying and the hulking behemoth that is 2011 looming ominously on the aspect ratioed horizon what better opportunity is there to jump in our DeLoreans and take a nostalgic look back at the past ten years of cinematic splendour in order to pick out ten films that shone like precious jewels from the cavernous depths of 2001 to 2010.
Indeed, you needn’t look too far to stumble across a proliferation of end of the year “Best Of” lists literally bulging at the seams...
- 12/28/2010
- by Nick Turk
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Craig here with the second Take Three, where I look at a different character/supporting actor's work through three of their most notable films.
This week: Ben Foster
Take One: Stranger in a strange town
In watching the three films for this post there was something about seeing Ben Foster on screen that, at first, I couldn't put my finger on. It struck me particularly during 30 Days of Night that he kept reminding me of another, older actor. If you were take a look at a Ben Foster performance (in any of the three films mentioned here, and others besides) then watch Brad Dourif in any one of his countless roles, similarities in mannerism, appearance and acting style become apparent; at a push you might mistake them for being related. Dourif is one of the quintessential character actors (and a likely future candidate for this series) and if there's a...
This week: Ben Foster
Take One: Stranger in a strange town
In watching the three films for this post there was something about seeing Ben Foster on screen that, at first, I couldn't put my finger on. It struck me particularly during 30 Days of Night that he kept reminding me of another, older actor. If you were take a look at a Ben Foster performance (in any of the three films mentioned here, and others besides) then watch Brad Dourif in any one of his countless roles, similarities in mannerism, appearance and acting style become apparent; at a push you might mistake them for being related. Dourif is one of the quintessential character actors (and a likely future candidate for this series) and if there's a...
- 5/30/2010
- by Craig Bloomfield
- FilmExperience
Shanghai
Opens: 2010
Cast: John Cusack, Gong Li, Ken Watanabe, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Chow Yun-Fat
Director: Mikael Hafstrom
Summary: In the months leading up to the bombing of Pearl Harbor, an American man arrives in Shanghai to find his friend recently murdered. In investigating his friend's death, he stumbles upon a secret the United States government has been keeping and falls in love in the process.
Analysis: After being granted permission to shoot in the Chinese city, the $10 million production found its permit quickly being revoked by the Government who expressed concerns about the script. The result is Bangkok and the United Kingdom standing in for the real Shanghai which seems kind of against the entire point.
Cusack himself has emphatically endorsed the project in interviews, calling it a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity", but being stuck at the cash-strapped Weinstein Company means that its release plans are unsure beyond a vague promise of a limited bow around Easter.
Opens: 2010
Cast: John Cusack, Gong Li, Ken Watanabe, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Chow Yun-Fat
Director: Mikael Hafstrom
Summary: In the months leading up to the bombing of Pearl Harbor, an American man arrives in Shanghai to find his friend recently murdered. In investigating his friend's death, he stumbles upon a secret the United States government has been keeping and falls in love in the process.
Analysis: After being granted permission to shoot in the Chinese city, the $10 million production found its permit quickly being revoked by the Government who expressed concerns about the script. The result is Bangkok and the United Kingdom standing in for the real Shanghai which seems kind of against the entire point.
Cusack himself has emphatically endorsed the project in interviews, calling it a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity", but being stuck at the cash-strapped Weinstein Company means that its release plans are unsure beyond a vague promise of a limited bow around Easter.
- 1/5/2010
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Initiate Productions just released this new movie poster for the upcoming comedy “Stay Cool” by director Michael Polish (The Astronaut Farmer, Northfork) and starring Chevy Chase (Hot Tub Time Machine), Mark Polish, Winona Ryder (Star Trek, Black Swan), Hilary Duff (Lizzie McGuire), Sean Astin (Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel) and Josh Holloway. Synopsis: The film centers on a successful author who is forced to confront an unrequited high school crush when he returns home to deliver a commencement address to graduating seniors. Shasta O’Neil, a sexy high school senior flirts with the visiting author and invites him to the prom. The film is described as a “knowing-your-age comedy” Stay tuned to [...]...
- 12/22/2009
- by Brian Corder
- ShockYa
Yesterday came the yearly announcement from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as it extended 134 invitations to several artists and executives "who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to theatrical motion pictures" read the press release. Of course all of them can decline, but I wouldn't necessarily expect that to happen as all who accept the invitation will be the only additions in 2009 to the Academy's roster of voting members. "These filmmakers have, over the course of their careers, captured the imagination of audiences around the world," said Academy President Sid Ganis. "It's this kind of talent and creativity that make up the Academy, and I welcome each of them to our ranks." The list follows below and reading around the best analysis I saw of it came from Nathaniel Rogers at The Film Experience who, among other things, pointed out the addition of longtime Darren Aronofsky's...
- 7/1/2009
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
On Tuesday, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences issued invitations to 134 members of the film community to join the group. There were a maximum of 166 open slots to fill this year, but the various branch committees endorsed fewer candidates than were proposed to them.
Hugh Jackman, who hosted the most recent Oscar show, has been invited to join. So have Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, James Franco and Michelle Williams. The list even includes a number of comic performers like Michael Cera, Seth Rogan and Paul Rudd.
Voting membership in the organization has held steady at just under 6,000 members since 2003.
New members will be welcomed into the Academy at an invitation-only reception at the Academy's Fairbanks Center for Motion Picture Study in Beverly Hills in September.
"These filmmakers have, over the course of their careers, captured the imagination of audiences around the world," Academy president Sid Ganis. Said. "It's...
Hugh Jackman, who hosted the most recent Oscar show, has been invited to join. So have Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, James Franco and Michelle Williams. The list even includes a number of comic performers like Michael Cera, Seth Rogan and Paul Rudd.
Voting membership in the organization has held steady at just under 6,000 members since 2003.
New members will be welcomed into the Academy at an invitation-only reception at the Academy's Fairbanks Center for Motion Picture Study in Beverly Hills in September.
"These filmmakers have, over the course of their careers, captured the imagination of audiences around the world," Academy president Sid Ganis. Said. "It's...
- 6/30/2009
- by By Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Polish brothers, Michael and Mark, have worked together on a number movies (The Astronaut Farmer, Northfork, Jackpot, and Twin Falls Idaho). But Stay Cool is the first one that pairs them with Michael Gross (Family Ties), Dee Wallace (E.T.) and Sean Astin of Lord of the Rings and Rudy fame. Watch the video to find out how a yearbook catchphrase turned into a feature film, and don't forget...
- 4/28/2009
- AMC News: Film Festivals
You don't want to watch a movie called Manure? Even if it's directed by the guys who last made The Astronaut Farmer? And even if it stars Billy Bob Thornton and Téa Leoni? If we haven't sold you yet, than maybe this teaser trailer or these photos will. Manure is showing at Sundance in January and today we've got a short teaser trailer to show you. What exactly is Manure? It's a comedy about manure salesmen in 1960s heartland America. And yes, it stars Billy Bob Thornton as that very salesman. Thanks to SlashFilm we've got this There Will Be Blood-like trailer that doesn't show much, but might be just enough. Watch the teaser trailer for Manure: Manure is directed by Michael Polish, of Twin Falls Idaho, Jackpot, Northfork, and The Astronaut Farmer previously. The screenplay was co-written by Michael and Mark Polish, aka the Polish Brothers, who...
- 12/27/2008
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
On a couple of occasions, I've had a chance to sit down with twin filmmakers Mark and Michael Polish, better known to us all as The Coen Brothers.
What? No. Sorry - they're obviously the Polish Brothers. You might know them by their unbelievably unique films more than their own name. There's Twin Falls, Idaho, The Astronaut Farmer, and the extremely rich Northfork, which was probably a little too left afield.
The brothers are back, taking their show to Sundance in a couple of weeks with a new comedy entitled Manure. Guess what it's about? Yep.
The story is pretty simple to follow: A widow ( Tea Leoni) inherits her husbands successful manure company and has to fight off a hostile takeover by a rival in the fertilizer business ( Kyle MacLachlan). Billy Bob Thornton co-stars, playing the top manure salesman in the company. There's a proud honor, huh?
Check out the trailer for the Sundance-bound Manure,...
What? No. Sorry - they're obviously the Polish Brothers. You might know them by their unbelievably unique films more than their own name. There's Twin Falls, Idaho, The Astronaut Farmer, and the extremely rich Northfork, which was probably a little too left afield.
The brothers are back, taking their show to Sundance in a couple of weeks with a new comedy entitled Manure. Guess what it's about? Yep.
The story is pretty simple to follow: A widow ( Tea Leoni) inherits her husbands successful manure company and has to fight off a hostile takeover by a rival in the fertilizer business ( Kyle MacLachlan). Billy Bob Thornton co-stars, playing the top manure salesman in the company. There's a proud honor, huh?
Check out the trailer for the Sundance-bound Manure,...
- 12/27/2008
- by Colin Boyd
- GetTheBigPicture.net
Michael and Mark Polish (Twin Falls Idaho, Northfork, The Astronaut Farmer) return with a new film titled Manure, which is set to premiere at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. Téa Leoni, Billy Bob Thornton, Kyle MacLachlan star in a comic tale centered on manure salesmen in the early 1960s. The plot synopsis follows:
“When a tragic accident ends the life of Mr. Rose, the genius behind Rose’s Manure Company, the livelihood of its loyal fleet of salesmen threatens to go, as they say, into the toilet. Enter estranged daughter Rosemary (Leoni), a high-class- cosmetics salesgirl, who steps in to take control. She is not sure she has a nose for the family business, but she is determined to make foul into profit. Little does she know that a ruthless, slick-talking fertilizer rep is plotting a takeover. Whether she likes it or not, she must trust her top...
“When a tragic accident ends the life of Mr. Rose, the genius behind Rose’s Manure Company, the livelihood of its loyal fleet of salesmen threatens to go, as they say, into the toilet. Enter estranged daughter Rosemary (Leoni), a high-class- cosmetics salesgirl, who steps in to take control. She is not sure she has a nose for the family business, but she is determined to make foul into profit. Little does she know that a ruthless, slick-talking fertilizer rep is plotting a takeover. Whether she likes it or not, she must trust her top...
- 12/26/2008
- by Peter Sciretta
- Slash Film
We'll have lots of guests at Fantastic Fest this year, more than ever before. Here are just a few of the many interesting people who'll be joining us this year, in no particular order. We'll continually update our roster so keep an eye on this page.
Filmmakers and Actors
Norihiro Koizumi (Gachi Boy: Wrestling With A Memory)
A young, talented director who is quickly making his mark in the Japanese filmmaking scene. At the tender age of 25, he directed his first major feature-length film, “Midnight Sun.” “Midnight Sun” was not only critically-acclaimed, but became a commercial hit, grossing over 1 billion yen at the Japanese boxoffice. His latest film, “Gachi Boy Wrestling with a Memory,” won the grand prix at the Udine Far East Film Festival.
Nacho Vigalondo (Shorts Program)
Last year at Fantastic Fest noted Spanish director Nacho Vigalondo won the Next Wave competition, later securing domestic distribution for Timecrimes...
Filmmakers and Actors
Norihiro Koizumi (Gachi Boy: Wrestling With A Memory)
A young, talented director who is quickly making his mark in the Japanese filmmaking scene. At the tender age of 25, he directed his first major feature-length film, “Midnight Sun.” “Midnight Sun” was not only critically-acclaimed, but became a commercial hit, grossing over 1 billion yen at the Japanese boxoffice. His latest film, “Gachi Boy Wrestling with a Memory,” won the grand prix at the Udine Far East Film Festival.
Nacho Vigalondo (Shorts Program)
Last year at Fantastic Fest noted Spanish director Nacho Vigalondo won the Next Wave competition, later securing domestic distribution for Timecrimes...
- 9/8/2008
- by noreply@blogger.com (Lars Nilsen)
- FantasticFest.com
Indie filmmakers Mark and Michael Polish have formed Prohibition Pictures, a production and finance entity and have set two new movies they will helm.
Joining the brothers in Prohibition are longtime associate Jonathan Sheldon, who worked with the duo on Northfork and The Astronaut Farmer, as well as financier/producer Ken Johnson and his partner/producer Janet Du Bois. Johnson and Du Bois have made a private equity investment in the new shingle.
The company aims to make two to four indie movies a year, with a slate that will be put together in the coming month.
The two movies out of the gate are Manure and Stay Cool, which will be shot back-to-back with nary a breath between them. Manure shoots May 27. The comedy, about a manure salesmen in heartland America set in the mid-1960s, stars Billy Bob Thornton, Tea Leoni, and Kyle MacLachlan. Cool, described as a "knowing-your-age" comedy, stars Winona Ryder, Sean Astin and Chevy Chase, will shoot July 14.
Co-written by both Polish Brothers, Michael Polish will direct and the films will be produced by Mark Polish, Michael Polish, Ken Johnson, Jonathan Sheldon, and Janet DuBois, with Nick Byassee serving as associate producer.
Joining the brothers in Prohibition are longtime associate Jonathan Sheldon, who worked with the duo on Northfork and The Astronaut Farmer, as well as financier/producer Ken Johnson and his partner/producer Janet Du Bois. Johnson and Du Bois have made a private equity investment in the new shingle.
The company aims to make two to four indie movies a year, with a slate that will be put together in the coming month.
The two movies out of the gate are Manure and Stay Cool, which will be shot back-to-back with nary a breath between them. Manure shoots May 27. The comedy, about a manure salesmen in heartland America set in the mid-1960s, stars Billy Bob Thornton, Tea Leoni, and Kyle MacLachlan. Cool, described as a "knowing-your-age" comedy, stars Winona Ryder, Sean Astin and Chevy Chase, will shoot July 14.
Co-written by both Polish Brothers, Michael Polish will direct and the films will be produced by Mark Polish, Michael Polish, Ken Johnson, Jonathan Sheldon, and Janet DuBois, with Nick Byassee serving as associate producer.
- 5/21/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
LONDON -- London-based independent distributor Metrodome has acquired U.K. theatrical and retail DVD rights to Patty Jenkins' Monster, the company said Tuesday. The movie stars Charlize Theron as serial killer Aileen Wuornos, a performance that earned her a Golden Globe nomination. No financial details of the deal were revealed. Metrodome acquired the rights from DEJ Prods. and will release the film April 2 in U.K. theaters. Jenkins penned the screenplay for Monster, which also marks her feature film directorial debut. The movie is produced by Theron, Mark Damon, Clark Peterson, Donald Kushner and Brad Wyman. Other recent Metrodome acquisitions include Mark and Michael Polish's Northfork and The Corporation, directed by Mark Achbar and Jennifer Abbot.
- 1/21/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
PARIS -- The 29th Deauville Festival of American Cinema on Wednesday unveiled its selection of independent U.S. movies in competition, plus a diverse lineup of premieres, tributes and, for the first time, a section dedicated to documentary films. Deauville favorites the Polish brothers are back in competition with Paramount Classics' Northfork, directed by Michael Polish and starring brother Mark Polish, James Woods and Nick Nolte in the story of a small town about to be inundated by the construction of a dam. Also in competition is director Greg Marcks' 11:14, the festival's only world premiere. The story of apparently unconnected incidents that converge one evening stars Hilary Swank, Rachael Leigh Cook and Barbara Hershey and comes from MDP Worldwide.
- 8/21/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Daryl Hannah, who worked with helmer John Sayles on his upcoming Casa de los Babys for IFC Films, will reteam with the director on his next project, Silver City. At the same time, the actress has inked with Writers & Artists Agency. Details of Silver City are being closely guarded, but it's described as a political drama/murder mystery that tells the story of a small town in Colorado and the events leading up to a local election. Among those events is the discovery of a man's body in a local lake and the mystery surrounding his death. Hannah will play a wild girl named Wendy. Maggie Renzi is producing from a script by Sayles. Shooting is due to begin next month. In addition to Writers & Artists, Hannah will continue to be repped by manager Chuck Binder. Hannah has been on a roll lately, starring onscreen in the Polish brothers' Northfork for Paramount Classics. She also has four other projects in the can: She next stars in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill, followed by Sayles' Babys, Kenny Golde's The Job and Steve Anderson's The Big Empty.
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