Exclusive: Conservative media firm The Daily Wire has optioned exclusive film and TV series rights to develop and produce an adaptation of Ayn Rand’s dystopian 1957 novel Atlas Shrugged, the author’s most heralded work.
The company is planning to produce a series adaptation for distribution on its streaming platform, Dailywire+. Daily Wire co-ceo Jeremy Boreing just announced the deal in a livestreamed town hall address.
Related Story The Daily Wire Staffs Up Kids Division With Hire Of 'Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure' Showrunner As SVP Animation Development & Production Related Story The Daily Wire Will Launch Its First Original Movie 'Shut In' On YouTube For Free Related Story 'Shut In': Release Date, New Trailer & Images Revealed For Daily Wire Thriller With Rainey Qualley, Vincent Gallo
Atlas Shrugged, which has sold more than 7 million copies worldwide, depicts a dystopian United States in which private businesses suffer under increasingly burdensome laws and regulations.
The company is planning to produce a series adaptation for distribution on its streaming platform, Dailywire+. Daily Wire co-ceo Jeremy Boreing just announced the deal in a livestreamed town hall address.
Related Story The Daily Wire Staffs Up Kids Division With Hire Of 'Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure' Showrunner As SVP Animation Development & Production Related Story The Daily Wire Will Launch Its First Original Movie 'Shut In' On YouTube For Free Related Story 'Shut In': Release Date, New Trailer & Images Revealed For Daily Wire Thriller With Rainey Qualley, Vincent Gallo
Atlas Shrugged, which has sold more than 7 million copies worldwide, depicts a dystopian United States in which private businesses suffer under increasingly burdensome laws and regulations.
- 11/17/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Chaz Bono (American Horror Story) and Bonnie Aarons (The Nun) have signed on to star alongside Randy Couture, Reid Miller, Mike Manning, Kathleen Kenny and Cathy Marks in the action-horror pic The Bell Keeper, from director Colton Tran (Snow Falls).
In the film, a group of friends travel to a secluded campsite to film a documentary. What they find is something much more sinister than they could have ever imagined. Artisha Mann-Cooper, Nick Theurer and Jonathan Cooper are producing, with Final Destination scribe Jeffrey Reddick exec producing alongside Martin Ngongo.
Bono is represented by Luber Roklin Entertainment and Mills Kaplan Entertainment; Aarons by Mills Kaplan Entertainment and Glaser Weil Fink Jacobs.
***
Exclusive: Atlas Distribution Company has acquired U.S. rights to writer-director Allen Wolf’s romantic comedy The Sound of Violet, based on his award-winning novel, with plans to release it theatrically in 20+ U.S. markets on April 29.
The...
In the film, a group of friends travel to a secluded campsite to film a documentary. What they find is something much more sinister than they could have ever imagined. Artisha Mann-Cooper, Nick Theurer and Jonathan Cooper are producing, with Final Destination scribe Jeffrey Reddick exec producing alongside Martin Ngongo.
Bono is represented by Luber Roklin Entertainment and Mills Kaplan Entertainment; Aarons by Mills Kaplan Entertainment and Glaser Weil Fink Jacobs.
***
Exclusive: Atlas Distribution Company has acquired U.S. rights to writer-director Allen Wolf’s romantic comedy The Sound of Violet, based on his award-winning novel, with plans to release it theatrically in 20+ U.S. markets on April 29.
The...
- 3/11/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Tango Shalom, where a female tango dancer (Dancing with the Stars champion Karina Smirnoff) invites an Orthodox Jewish Rabbi (Jos Laniado) to enter a televised dance competition, was an arthouse standout this weekend with a per screen average of over $4,000 at four theaters in New York and LA. The solid performance in a generally dour specialty market shows the power of older demos when they want to come out, nudged in this case by a targeted postcard mailing blitz, according to Atlas Distribution President Harmon Kaslow.
Tango Shalom is distributed worldwide by Vision Films with Atlas managing U.S. theatrical.
Kaslow thinks the comedy, directed by Gabriel Bologna with a sweet message and a star (Lainie Kazan) and producer (Joel Zwick) from the 2002 breakout hit My Big, Fat Greek Wedding, also benefitted from an exclusive theatrical run. Distributors have been noting the one-two boon of a decent window (60 days in...
Tango Shalom is distributed worldwide by Vision Films with Atlas managing U.S. theatrical.
Kaslow thinks the comedy, directed by Gabriel Bologna with a sweet message and a star (Lainie Kazan) and producer (Joel Zwick) from the 2002 breakout hit My Big, Fat Greek Wedding, also benefitted from an exclusive theatrical run. Distributors have been noting the one-two boon of a decent window (60 days in...
- 9/5/2021
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Wed. March. 3 Byron Allen Acquires Civil Rights-Era Biography ‘From Selma to Sorrow’ For Film
Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group feature film division, Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures, has announced it has acquired global media rights to the critically-acclaimed historic biography “From Selma To Sorrow: The Life And Death Of Viola Liuzzo.”
“From Selma To Sorrow: The Life And Death Of Viola Liuzzo” is written by author and historian Mary Stanton (“Journey Toward Justice”) and traces the life story of Viola Liuzzo — a white housewife, part-time college student, and mother of five children — whose passion for the civil rights movement led to her brutal murder by the Ku Klux Klan immediately following her participation in the Selma to Montgomery civil rights marches of 1965.
Tina Andrews wrote the screenplay, based on the biography “From Selma to Sorrow.” Andrews’ credits include writing and co-executive producing the two acclaimed miniseries “Jackie Bouvier Kennedy Onassis...
Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group feature film division, Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures, has announced it has acquired global media rights to the critically-acclaimed historic biography “From Selma To Sorrow: The Life And Death Of Viola Liuzzo.”
“From Selma To Sorrow: The Life And Death Of Viola Liuzzo” is written by author and historian Mary Stanton (“Journey Toward Justice”) and traces the life story of Viola Liuzzo — a white housewife, part-time college student, and mother of five children — whose passion for the civil rights movement led to her brutal murder by the Ku Klux Klan immediately following her participation in the Selma to Montgomery civil rights marches of 1965.
Tina Andrews wrote the screenplay, based on the biography “From Selma to Sorrow.” Andrews’ credits include writing and co-executive producing the two acclaimed miniseries “Jackie Bouvier Kennedy Onassis...
- 3/3/2021
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
The distributor has acquired Us rights to Werner Herzog’s drama starring Nicole Kidman and James Franco and will release in spring 2017.
Benaroya Pictures financed Queen Of The Desert and Michael Benaroya produced with Cassian Elwes and Nick Raslan.
Robert Pattinson and Damian Lewis also star in the Berlin 2015 world premiere about British explorer, cartographer and archaeologist Gertrude Bell on an epic odyssey to chart the borders of the modern Middle East.
Jonathan Debin, Cathy Gesualdo, James Lejsek, Ben Sachs, D. Todd Shepherd, Shelley Madison, Harmon Kaslow and John Aglialoro served as executive producers on Queen Of The Desert.
“The entire team at IFC Films is thrilled to be working once more with Werner Herzog who is undoubtedly a modern master of cinema,” said IFC, which brokered the deal with Elwes, Lawrence Kopeikin and CAA on behalf of the filmmakers.
“Having previously worked with him on his award-winning Cave Of Forgotten Dreams, Werner continues...
Benaroya Pictures financed Queen Of The Desert and Michael Benaroya produced with Cassian Elwes and Nick Raslan.
Robert Pattinson and Damian Lewis also star in the Berlin 2015 world premiere about British explorer, cartographer and archaeologist Gertrude Bell on an epic odyssey to chart the borders of the modern Middle East.
Jonathan Debin, Cathy Gesualdo, James Lejsek, Ben Sachs, D. Todd Shepherd, Shelley Madison, Harmon Kaslow and John Aglialoro served as executive producers on Queen Of The Desert.
“The entire team at IFC Films is thrilled to be working once more with Werner Herzog who is undoubtedly a modern master of cinema,” said IFC, which brokered the deal with Elwes, Lawrence Kopeikin and CAA on behalf of the filmmakers.
“Having previously worked with him on his award-winning Cave Of Forgotten Dreams, Werner continues...
- 11/1/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Unless you’re a diehard Libertarian or the ghost of Ayn Rand herself back from the great beyond come to haunt us all in the spookiest of fashions, you probably haven’t spent that much time paying attention to the Atlas Shrugged film trilogy. If you’re suddenly inspired to trek to the theater and explore the role of man’s mind in existence, the third and final installment of the series — which attempts to answer the all-important question of “Who is John Galt?” — has arrived. The first trailer for the aptly titled Atlas Shrugged: Who Is John Galt?, directed by James Manera and written by Manera and Harmon Kaslow, promises epic romance, war and all the Ron Paul the silver screen can handle. It’s somewhat of a miracle that the film even exists. After Atlas Shrugged: Part I was a bonafide flop, only managing to bring in lukewarm $4.6 million at the box office, its...
- 8/11/2014
- by Samantha Wilson
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
You know those two films that make up the beginning of an adaptation of Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged? You know how they made almost no money and received a well-deserved critical drubbing for being terrible? Well, now you can contribute a Kickstarter to make the final film, Atlas Shrugged: Part III, a reality. Not that the filmmakers need your help; they just would really like your money.
Producer Harmon Kaslow told THR that they do not really need the $250,000 they are asking for; they just want the publicity. They also want to make people angry:
There is an incredible amount of vitriol out there and we have every intention of capitalizing on it this time around. The day we launch the Kickstarter campaign those haters are going to come alive. They’re going to come after us in droves, attacking us everywhere online. To them, we say, thank you.
Producer Harmon Kaslow told THR that they do not really need the $250,000 they are asking for; they just want the publicity. They also want to make people angry:
There is an incredible amount of vitriol out there and we have every intention of capitalizing on it this time around. The day we launch the Kickstarter campaign those haters are going to come alive. They’re going to come after us in droves, attacking us everywhere online. To them, we say, thank you.
- 9/24/2013
- by Lauren Humphries-Brooks
- We Got This Covered
In an effort to further Ayn Rand’s message critiquing altruism and promoting the virtue of selfishness, rejecting all moochers who would dare claim your money by tears, the producers of the third Atlas Shrugged movie have launched a Kickstarter campaign asking for donations, predicated on reminding supporters of the critics who have hurt it. As reported earlier this year, despite the free market repeatedly determining it would rather not have any Atlas Shrugged movies, producers Harmon Kaslow and John Aglialoro boldly refused to relinquish their rational self-interests to a world that would dare take their ideas from them, chiefly ...
- 9/23/2013
- avclub.com
The filmmakers behind "Atlas Shrugged" are using the crowd funding site Kickstarter to raise a small portion of the production and marketing money for the final film in the trilogy.
The campaign is designed to raise $250,000 of the film's $10 million budget. Formally titled "Atlas Shrugged: Who is John Galt?," filming on the final chapter in the trilogy begins this Fall ahead of a planned release in Summer 2014 ahead of the mid-term elections.
Producers John Aglialoro and Harmon Kaslow have all but admitted the Kickstarter campaign isn't so much a needed fundraiser as much as a publicity stunt. Kaslow tells THR:
"There is an incredible amount of vitriol out there and we have every intention of capitalizing on it this time around. The day we launch the Kickstarter campaign those haters are going to come alive. They’re going to come after us in droves, attacking us everywhere online. To them,...
The campaign is designed to raise $250,000 of the film's $10 million budget. Formally titled "Atlas Shrugged: Who is John Galt?," filming on the final chapter in the trilogy begins this Fall ahead of a planned release in Summer 2014 ahead of the mid-term elections.
Producers John Aglialoro and Harmon Kaslow have all but admitted the Kickstarter campaign isn't so much a needed fundraiser as much as a publicity stunt. Kaslow tells THR:
"There is an incredible amount of vitriol out there and we have every intention of capitalizing on it this time around. The day we launch the Kickstarter campaign those haters are going to come alive. They’re going to come after us in droves, attacking us everywhere online. To them,...
- 9/23/2013
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
If the market has dictated anything it's that no one cares about "Atlas Shrugged." The reception to the trilogy has been pretty dismal both critically and commercially, with the first part earning $4.6 million and second even less, with $3.3 million. The budget on the first movie alone was $20 million and something tells us Ayn Rand herself would tell the filmmakers to get out of this while they still can. Somehow $10 million more dollars is being spent on a third installment, and the filmmakers want your money. Producers have hit Kickstarter, hat in hand, asking for $250,000 dollars, even though they claim not to actually need it, they're just doing it for publicity (but still, they'll take your money if you give it to them). “There is an incredible amount of vitriol out there and we have every intention of capitalizing on it this time around,” producer Harmon Kaslow told THR. “The day...
- 9/23/2013
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
The third and final installment in the "Atlas Shrugged" trilogy has been given the green light by producers John Aglialoro and Harmon Kaslow. A Summer 2014 release is being targeted.
The first two films in this series have earned a total $8 million at the domestic box office from a combined budget of $30 million. The third film is expected to be made and marketed for less than $10 million.
Reviews for both films have been utterly scathing, though both films have earned modest success in the home video market.
The third film will only score a theatrical release in the 150 markets where the first two installments did best.
Duncan Scott and Brian O'Toole will pen the script for this third chapter. No director or major cast member is yet attached.
The story is expected to close out the narrative from the books, how much of John Galt's famed monologue (which totalled 70 pages...
The first two films in this series have earned a total $8 million at the domestic box office from a combined budget of $30 million. The third film is expected to be made and marketed for less than $10 million.
Reviews for both films have been utterly scathing, though both films have earned modest success in the home video market.
The third film will only score a theatrical release in the 150 markets where the first two installments did best.
Duncan Scott and Brian O'Toole will pen the script for this third chapter. No director or major cast member is yet attached.
The story is expected to close out the narrative from the books, how much of John Galt's famed monologue (which totalled 70 pages...
- 3/28/2013
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
The producers of the first two installments of Atlas Shrugged just won't quit. Despite the failure of Atlas Shrugged Part 1 and Atlas Shrugged Part 2, which took in a combined $8 million at the domestic box office, producers John Aglialoro and Harmon Kaslow have greenlit the third installment of their trilogy. Atlas Shrugged Part 3 will be written by Duncan Scott and Brian O'Toole, and no director or major cast member is yet attached. Decades ago, Scott helped Atlas Shrugged author Ayn Rand restore and recut her 1942 film, We the Living. Story: Sean Hannity Making Film Debut in
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- 3/26/2013
- by Paul Bond
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Clint Eastwood’s unorthodox appearance at the Republican National Convention last month wasn’t just a boon for late night comedians. The producers of an independent film adaptation of Ayn Rand’s “Atlas Shrugged” also are hoping for a boost from the actor’s antics. “Atlas Shrugged, Part II” adapts the middle sections of Ms. Rand’s 1957 libertarian ur-text. The film stars Samantha Mathis as Dagny Taggart, a railroad executive who struggles when the world's most productive workers go on strike.
- 9/20/2012
- by Michelle Kung
- Speakeasy/Wall Street Journal
So few people actually saw Atlas Shrugged – Part I in theaters, that they may be wondering, how we got to a second film. The first film pulled in a meager $4.6 million against its $20 million budget and raised concern that the second film might not happen. But producers Harmon Kaslow and John Aglialoro persevered, scrapping the cast from Part I and hiring a new director to adapt the second part of Ayn Rand's novel. The casting swap goes as follows – Samantha Mathis replaces Taylor Schilling as railroad exec Dagny Taggart, John Beghe replaces Grant Bowler as steel owner Henry Rearden, Esai Morales steps in for Jsu Garcia as mining heir Francisco d'Anconia and D.B. Sweeney takes over for Paul Johansson as the mysterious John Galt. John Putch, who...
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- 9/6/2012
- by affiliates@fandango.com
- Fandango
Atlas Shrugged: Part I gave us an accurate portrayal of how the crony nexus of politicians and compliant business interests hates and fears freedom and capitalism.
Despite grossing only $4 million in theaters and a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 11%, continuing the proposed three-film adaptation of Ayn Rand’s 1957 novel, a sequel to Atlas Shrugged went into development, and today, we have a trailer for the new movie.
Producer Harmon Kaslow said:
The industry will take us more seriously now that we have Russell (Schwartz) and Bill (Lewis) on board. Last time, we marketed in an unorthodox fashion. This time, in addition to online, we’ll do traditional print, radio and TV advertising.
A new set of thesps include Samantha Mathis (taking over for Taylor Schilling), Jason Beghe, Patrick Fabien, Richard T. Jones, Esai Morales and Diedrich Bader.
Kaslow added:
Some of the major scenes in Part 2 are themes of the campaign...
Despite grossing only $4 million in theaters and a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 11%, continuing the proposed three-film adaptation of Ayn Rand’s 1957 novel, a sequel to Atlas Shrugged went into development, and today, we have a trailer for the new movie.
Producer Harmon Kaslow said:
The industry will take us more seriously now that we have Russell (Schwartz) and Bill (Lewis) on board. Last time, we marketed in an unorthodox fashion. This time, in addition to online, we’ll do traditional print, radio and TV advertising.
A new set of thesps include Samantha Mathis (taking over for Taylor Schilling), Jason Beghe, Patrick Fabien, Richard T. Jones, Esai Morales and Diedrich Bader.
Kaslow added:
Some of the major scenes in Part 2 are themes of the campaign...
- 9/6/2012
- by Nick Martin
- Filmofilia
Rightwing movies prove a big draw for audiences in Tampa, with distributors predicting bright future beyond political niche
Hollywood has Cannes. The independent movie industry has Sundance. Now, when it comes to promoting the little known world of conservative film-making, there is Tampa.
In a tented enclosure just outside the convention centre where Republicans have nominated Mitt Romney as their presidential candidate, rightwing movies are being shown off and sold to an eager audience.
At the so-called "Liberty Plaza" site, conservative production firm Citizens United has been showcasing a half dozen of its movies. On Wednesday Minnesota congresswoman Michele Bachmann introduced a film there called Occupy Unmasked. "I am thrilled to be here," Bachmann told the crowd to a standing ovation.
The film, which profiles the "leftist" Occupy protest movement as a dangerous violent threat to America, has already struck a distribution deal with Magnolia Films and will hit theatres...
Hollywood has Cannes. The independent movie industry has Sundance. Now, when it comes to promoting the little known world of conservative film-making, there is Tampa.
In a tented enclosure just outside the convention centre where Republicans have nominated Mitt Romney as their presidential candidate, rightwing movies are being shown off and sold to an eager audience.
At the so-called "Liberty Plaza" site, conservative production firm Citizens United has been showcasing a half dozen of its movies. On Wednesday Minnesota congresswoman Michele Bachmann introduced a film there called Occupy Unmasked. "I am thrilled to be here," Bachmann told the crowd to a standing ovation.
The film, which profiles the "leftist" Occupy protest movement as a dangerous violent threat to America, has already struck a distribution deal with Magnolia Films and will hit theatres...
- 8/30/2012
- by Paul Harris
- The Guardian - Film News
We told you it would happen and here we are, five months later and a few steps closer to Atlas Shrugged: Part Two. A teaser trailer and cast updates were released for the sequel based on Ayn Rand’s novel, and with them comes the promise of another grand failure.
The film is the second in a planned three part adaptation, and those unlucky enough to have experienced the first one will find some surprises here. The dystopian storyline continues in the follow-up to the epic 2010 flop, but the lead actors have changed – Samantha Mathis replaced Taylor Schilling as railroad tycoon, Dagny Taggart, the part of Henry Rearden – originally played by Grant Bowler – went to Jason Beghe, and D.B. Sweeney stepped in for Paul Johansson in the role of John Galt. Johansson also directed the first film, but this time the job went to Duncan Scott.
Based on the alterations,...
The film is the second in a planned three part adaptation, and those unlucky enough to have experienced the first one will find some surprises here. The dystopian storyline continues in the follow-up to the epic 2010 flop, but the lead actors have changed – Samantha Mathis replaced Taylor Schilling as railroad tycoon, Dagny Taggart, the part of Henry Rearden – originally played by Grant Bowler – went to Jason Beghe, and D.B. Sweeney stepped in for Paul Johansson in the role of John Galt. Johansson also directed the first film, but this time the job went to Duncan Scott.
Based on the alterations,...
- 6/27/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Despite the dismal failure of the first outing, things are still progressing on "Atlas Shrugged – Part 2" with an October 12th release being announced says The Hollywood Reporter.
Distribution exec Bill Lewis ("The Twilight Saga") and marketing maven Russell Schwartz ("The Lord of the Rings" trilogy) - have come onboard the project to help push the $15 million project through more traditional outlets after the word-of-mouth and social media push for the first film failed to reach much of an audience (it opened decently but quickly plummeted).
Producer Harmon Kaslow says they've allocated "ten times more money" to market this outing and plans to open the two-hour film on over 300 screens. One surprise for those who did see the first film is that the entire cast has been changed, the same characters are now being played by different people including Samantha Mathis, Jason Beghe, Esai Morales and D.B. Sweeney.
Distribution exec Bill Lewis ("The Twilight Saga") and marketing maven Russell Schwartz ("The Lord of the Rings" trilogy) - have come onboard the project to help push the $15 million project through more traditional outlets after the word-of-mouth and social media push for the first film failed to reach much of an audience (it opened decently but quickly plummeted).
Producer Harmon Kaslow says they've allocated "ten times more money" to market this outing and plans to open the two-hour film on over 300 screens. One surprise for those who did see the first film is that the entire cast has been changed, the same characters are now being played by different people including Samantha Mathis, Jason Beghe, Esai Morales and D.B. Sweeney.
- 6/25/2012
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
What happens when your first movie dies at the box office, gets savaged by critics and makes barely a blip on the cultural radar? If you're producers John Aglialoro and Harmon Kaslow, you spend even more money on the sequel, cross your fingers and hope for the best.
That's right, even though the poor box office initially had Aglialoro putting the kibosh on plans for any sequels in the proposed trilogy, he quickly changed his mind and this fall the long awaited "Atlas Shrugged: Part 2" will hit theaters on October 12th. The $15 million dollar movie that shot this spring will now have a proper marketing budget says Kaslow, who has enlisted Russell Schwartz of Pandemic Marketing (and previously president of domestic marketing for New Line) to get the word out. He claims that "the industry will take us more seriously" with a better campaign and a 300 theater release, but if...
That's right, even though the poor box office initially had Aglialoro putting the kibosh on plans for any sequels in the proposed trilogy, he quickly changed his mind and this fall the long awaited "Atlas Shrugged: Part 2" will hit theaters on October 12th. The $15 million dollar movie that shot this spring will now have a proper marketing budget says Kaslow, who has enlisted Russell Schwartz of Pandemic Marketing (and previously president of domestic marketing for New Line) to get the word out. He claims that "the industry will take us more seriously" with a better campaign and a 300 theater release, but if...
- 6/25/2012
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
A few more updates to end the week.
Let's start with Alessandra Torresani. The horror she is filming with Morgan Fairchild won't be called Paranormal Initiation, but American Horror House. She tweeted that they start shooting this week in Louisiana (Baton Rouge).
Mama Cylon has another new credit on the IMDb, for a thriller called The Moment, shot late last year. Here is the description from the official Fb page:
The film is a smart and sexy thriller about a war photographer (Lee) who returns to Los Angeles to rehabilitate after narrowly escaping death. While in the hospital she meets John and they develop a friendship that turns romantic. And then John goes missing. As Lee begins to investigate what happened, she begins to suspect that she killed him, and as she investigates further, she begins to suspect that her daughter killed him. The journalist in her wants to discover...
Let's start with Alessandra Torresani. The horror she is filming with Morgan Fairchild won't be called Paranormal Initiation, but American Horror House. She tweeted that they start shooting this week in Louisiana (Baton Rouge).
Mama Cylon has another new credit on the IMDb, for a thriller called The Moment, shot late last year. Here is the description from the official Fb page:
The film is a smart and sexy thriller about a war photographer (Lee) who returns to Los Angeles to rehabilitate after narrowly escaping death. While in the hospital she meets John and they develop a friendship that turns romantic. And then John goes missing. As Lee begins to investigate what happened, she begins to suspect that she killed him, and as she investigates further, she begins to suspect that her daughter killed him. The journalist in her wants to discover...
- 4/15/2012
- by fanshawe
- CapricaTV
Upon its release last year, the overwhelming consensus was that Atlas Shrugged: Part One resulted in a disaster of epic proportions, an assumption proven both critically and by its meager $4.6 million box office take. Too bad no one told the film’s producers, as they’ve already started work on the second part of the trilogy based on Ayn Rand’s controversial 1957 novel.
The La Times reported that businessman John Aglialoro and producer Harmon Kaslow have raised the necessary funding for the sequel, and plans for principal photography in Los Angeles and Colorado is already scheduled for April. While they declined to disclose the final budget, earlier statements from Kaslow place their desired amount somewhere between $10 million and $15 million, a more conservative number compared to the original.
Aglialoro bought the rights to Rand’s ode to capitalism in 1992, and then financed the production and distribution of the first segment for $20 million.
The La Times reported that businessman John Aglialoro and producer Harmon Kaslow have raised the necessary funding for the sequel, and plans for principal photography in Los Angeles and Colorado is already scheduled for April. While they declined to disclose the final budget, earlier statements from Kaslow place their desired amount somewhere between $10 million and $15 million, a more conservative number compared to the original.
Aglialoro bought the rights to Rand’s ode to capitalism in 1992, and then financed the production and distribution of the first segment for $20 million.
- 2/2/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Even though "Atlas Shrugged: Part 1" was lambasted by critics (it currently sits with a tepid 11% Rotten Tomatoes score, read our review), died at the box office ($4.6 million, not even half of the budget) and had the producer flip flopping on the prospect of the sequel (we'll kindly forget to mention the DVD blurb fiasco), it looks like for the 23 of you that truly care, you'll be getting "Atlas Shrugged: Part 2." Choosing today, Ayn Rand's 107th birthday (uh, Happy Birthday?), producers John Aglialoro and Harmon Kaslow have revealed that the second part of the proposed trilogy is happening, with a spring shoot in the works. But that's not all. They want to turn this one around fast, and get it in theaters in October to hopefully shake up the election. That's some ambition, indeed. So who will direct this second part of this politically game changing masterpiece? None other than Duncan Scott.
- 2/2/2012
- The Playlist
Atlas Productions LLC announced several days ago its plan to replace more than 100,000 cover sheets that appeared on the Atlas Shrugged: Part 1 DVD and Blu-rays that were distributed by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment on Nov. 8, 2011. (Read our DVD review here.)
Based on the highly-regarded 1957 novel by Ayn Rand, the discs were packaged with an inaccurate synopsis of the film on the title sheet box art which states that “Ayn Rand’s timeless novel of courage and self-sacrifice comes to life…” Ooops.
Taylor Schilling gets burned in Atlas Shrugged, Part One.
Okay, a quick Lit. 101 lesson: Atlas Shrugged is known as the book that trumpeted Ayn Rand’s philosophical (political?) theory of objectivism, which general proposes that the proper moral purpose of one’s life is the pursuit of one’s own happiness or rational self-interest. That said, where does self-sacrifice come into the picture when we’re talking about...
Based on the highly-regarded 1957 novel by Ayn Rand, the discs were packaged with an inaccurate synopsis of the film on the title sheet box art which states that “Ayn Rand’s timeless novel of courage and self-sacrifice comes to life…” Ooops.
Taylor Schilling gets burned in Atlas Shrugged, Part One.
Okay, a quick Lit. 101 lesson: Atlas Shrugged is known as the book that trumpeted Ayn Rand’s philosophical (political?) theory of objectivism, which general proposes that the proper moral purpose of one’s life is the pursuit of one’s own happiness or rational self-interest. That said, where does self-sacrifice come into the picture when we’re talking about...
- 11/15/2011
- by Laurence
- Disc Dish
Chicago – Who cares? Rarely has a movie been so weighed down with horrendous, expository dialogue that has no weight whatsoever as in the widely-loathed “Atlas Shrugged, Part I.” After the notoriously-reviled theatrical release ($4.6 million total domestic box office on a 12% on Rotten Tomatoes) killed the chance at a trilogy (on top of the hysterical Blu-ray labeling error), I kind of hoped the film would either surprise me with its quality or be so awful that it approached “The Room” or “Troll 2” levels of enjoyment. Nope. It’s just boring, boring, boring — the kind of film only worthwhile if you’re having trouble sleeping.
Blu-Ray Rating: 1.0/5.0
The dialogue in “Atlas Shrugged” is so stilted and awkwardly written than were times when I wondered if the screenwriters weren’t going for Lynchian levels of unusual behavior. Characters in David Lynch movies often speak in riddles and with unique patterns, but if that’s the intention here,...
Blu-Ray Rating: 1.0/5.0
The dialogue in “Atlas Shrugged” is so stilted and awkwardly written than were times when I wondered if the screenwriters weren’t going for Lynchian levels of unusual behavior. Characters in David Lynch movies often speak in riddles and with unique patterns, but if that’s the intention here,...
- 11/15/2011
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
The big screen adaptation of Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged may have bombed in theatres, but the film's producers were still holding out hope that maybe the movie would find an audience on home video. After all, the adaptation was planned as a trilogy, and when the first film failed to break $5 million at the box office it looked like the next two parts might never get made. Alas, it appears that Atlas Productions have shot themselves in the foot yet again, as they have announced that the DVD and Blu-rays will be recalled after hitting store shelves last week due to a misprint on the back cover. So what could be so damning that it would require a complete recall of the product? How about a synopsis of the film that completely contradicts the ideas conveyed in the book? According to the movie's official website, Atlas Productions LLC will...
- 11/14/2011
- by Sean
- FilmJunk
"Atlas Shrugged" hit stores on November 8th, and now the company behind the film is looking to replace 100,000 DVDs and Blu-rays that were packaged with an inaccurate synopsis. The movie is based on Ayn Rand's 1957 novel, which is known for advocating a society driven by rational self-interest. But the DVD and Blu-ray covers contradict that, stating: "Ayn Rand's timeless novel of courage and Self-sacrifice comes to life..." "As we all well know, the ideas brought to life in 'Atlas Shrugged' are entirely antithetical to the idea of 'self-sacrifice' as a virtue," said producer Harmon Kaslow. "'Atlas' is quite literally a story about the dangers of self-sacrifice. The error was an unfortunate one and fans of Ayn Rand and 'Atlas' have every right to be upset... and we have every intention of making it right." He added: "We needed to quickly correct this mistake and I'm pleased we did.
- 11/12/2011
- WorstPreviews.com
This is simply beautiful. The first part of the movie adaptation of Ayn Rand's 'love it or hate it' novel Atlas Shrugged hit a few theaters early this year, and is now on DVD, the better to be the backbone of home drinking games. (Do a shot every time someone mentions metal or trains.) But the DVDs are being recalled, because of something that was printed in the marketing copy on the package. Here's the offending sentence: "Ayn Rand’s timeless novel of courage and self-sacrifice comes to life..." For those unfamiliar with Ayn Rand's objectivist ideology, the explanation is after the break. The important wording there is "self-sacrifice," which is exactly the opposite of what Ayn Rand would endorse. Harmon Kaslow, producer of the film, said on the film's website [1], As we all well know, the ideas brought to life in Atlas Shrugged are entirely antithetical to...
- 11/11/2011
- by Russ Fischer
- Slash Film
Washington, Oct 13: After 'Atlas Shrugged: Part 1' tanked both critically and commercially, those behind the movie seem like undeterred and are moving forward with a second installment.
The producers of the Ayn Rand adaptation expect to begin production on "Atlas Shrugged: Part 2" in early 2012, and expect to release it during the 2012 election season.
Harmon Kaslow, who produced "Part 1" along with John Aglialoro, told Politico that "Part 2," which will cover roughly the second third of the novel, will soon get under way.
"Right now, it'll probably be 30 to 40 minutes longer than the first movie. The first one was about an hour and a half and a lot of those faithful to the book said they really wished we would have.
The producers of the Ayn Rand adaptation expect to begin production on "Atlas Shrugged: Part 2" in early 2012, and expect to release it during the 2012 election season.
Harmon Kaslow, who produced "Part 1" along with John Aglialoro, told Politico that "Part 2," which will cover roughly the second third of the novel, will soon get under way.
"Right now, it'll probably be 30 to 40 minutes longer than the first movie. The first one was about an hour and a half and a lot of those faithful to the book said they really wished we would have.
- 10/13/2011
- by Smith Cox
- RealBollywood.com
Release Date: Nov. 8, 2011
Price: DVD $22.98, Blu-ray $29.99
Studio: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Taylor Schilling is executive Dagny Taggart in Atlas Shrugged.
Powerful forces trigger a global revolution in the 2011 science fiction-tinged mystery film Atlas Shrugged: Part I, an adaptation of acclaimed author Ayn Rand‘s best-selling 1957 novel.
Adapted for the screen by first-time writer John Aglialoro and Brian Patrick O’Toole (Cemetery Gates) and directed by Paul Johansson (TV’s One Tree Hill), Atlas Shrugged: Part I is the first installment in a planned trilogy, with Part 2 tentatively slated for release in 2012.
The story of Atlas Shrugged: Part I is set in 2016, when the country is on the verge of economic collapse. Young executive Dagny Taggart (Taylor Schilling, TV’s Mercy) runs one of the largest remaining railroads despite the problems created by her inept CEO brother, James (Matthew Marsden, Resident Evil: Extinction). To save the railroad from financial ruin,...
Price: DVD $22.98, Blu-ray $29.99
Studio: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Taylor Schilling is executive Dagny Taggart in Atlas Shrugged.
Powerful forces trigger a global revolution in the 2011 science fiction-tinged mystery film Atlas Shrugged: Part I, an adaptation of acclaimed author Ayn Rand‘s best-selling 1957 novel.
Adapted for the screen by first-time writer John Aglialoro and Brian Patrick O’Toole (Cemetery Gates) and directed by Paul Johansson (TV’s One Tree Hill), Atlas Shrugged: Part I is the first installment in a planned trilogy, with Part 2 tentatively slated for release in 2012.
The story of Atlas Shrugged: Part I is set in 2016, when the country is on the verge of economic collapse. Young executive Dagny Taggart (Taylor Schilling, TV’s Mercy) runs one of the largest remaining railroads despite the problems created by her inept CEO brother, James (Matthew Marsden, Resident Evil: Extinction). To save the railroad from financial ruin,...
- 9/23/2011
- by Laurence
- Disc Dish
A little over a year ago came word that entrepeneur John Aglialoro was proceeding with his own film trilogy based on Ayn Rand's famed 1957 novel "Atlas Shrugged". Independently financed and marketed, the low-budget adaptation of Rand's objectivism-spouting tome was torn apart by the critics and - despite his claims to the contrary - essentially ignored by audiences (see my Dark Doctrine piece).
Aglialoro blamed the critics for the disappointing box-office and, after some initial self doubting, is proceeding with his plans to make the second film. Producer Harmon Kaslow tells 24 Frames that a home video distribution deal has been reached with 20th Century Fox for the first film.
The producers will pay a distribution fee to Fox, in return they will keep home distribution rights while the studio releases the first film on DVD, Blu-ray, digital download and video on demand this Fall. All revenues from Part 1′s home...
Aglialoro blamed the critics for the disappointing box-office and, after some initial self doubting, is proceeding with his plans to make the second film. Producer Harmon Kaslow tells 24 Frames that a home video distribution deal has been reached with 20th Century Fox for the first film.
The producers will pay a distribution fee to Fox, in return they will keep home distribution rights while the studio releases the first film on DVD, Blu-ray, digital download and video on demand this Fall. All revenues from Part 1′s home...
- 7/6/2011
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
[1] After Atlas Shrugged: Part 1 tanked both critically and commercially, producer John Aglialoro said publicly that he was having second thoughts about making the sequels. Film critics and moviegoers breathed a sigh of relief, and all but the most die-hard Ayn Rand fans moved on with their lives. Now, however, Aglialoro seems to be feeling a renewed sense of optimism. According to producer Harmon Kaslow, Aglialoro is back at work on Part 2 of the trilogy, due out in time for next year's election season. Read more after the jump. In a conversation with 24 Frames [2], Kaslow announced that they had reached a home video distribution deal with 20th Century Fox, in which the producers will pay a distribution fee to Fox. In return, the producers will keep home distribution rights while the studio releases Atlas Shrugged: Part 1 on DVD, Blu-ray, digital download and video on demand this fall. Kaslow expressed his excitement about the deal,...
- 7/5/2011
- by Angie Han
- Slash Film
Back in April, I wrote with — as I stressed at the time — a sense of schadenfreude at the news that the second and third installments of the movie trilogy Atlas Shrugged wouldn’t be making its way to theaters. Based on Ayn Rand‘s best-selling novel (it hurts just to write that), producer and co-writer John Aglialoro blamed it on the bad reviews and poor box office performance that the movie experienced, saying that critics “won.”
But 24Frames tells us that the sequels will be getting made, and now 20th Century Fox is someone to blame. According to them, the studio has purchased the home video rights to the movie, which is made possible by the producers paying a distribution fee. In my eyes, the studio should be blamed because it’s pretty obvious that this wouldn’t be happening if it wasn’t for the money that producers will...
But 24Frames tells us that the sequels will be getting made, and now 20th Century Fox is someone to blame. According to them, the studio has purchased the home video rights to the movie, which is made possible by the producers paying a distribution fee. In my eyes, the studio should be blamed because it’s pretty obvious that this wouldn’t be happening if it wasn’t for the money that producers will...
- 7/3/2011
- by Nick Newman
- The Film Stage
The Strike Productions Taylor Schilling and Navid Negahban in “Atlas Shrugged: Part 1″
Did conservatives make “Atlas Shrugged – Part 1,” a low-budget adaptation of Ayn Rand’s famous 1957 novel, a box office hit? While the film’s opening weekend sales didn’t reach blockbuster levels, earning $1.7 million from about 300 theaters, the film’s backers are enthusiastic about the results.
“We’re at the upper edge of our expectations,” said “Shrugged” producer Harmon Kaslow. “And we’re a way above what the industry expected us to do.
Did conservatives make “Atlas Shrugged – Part 1,” a low-budget adaptation of Ayn Rand’s famous 1957 novel, a box office hit? While the film’s opening weekend sales didn’t reach blockbuster levels, earning $1.7 million from about 300 theaters, the film’s backers are enthusiastic about the results.
“We’re at the upper edge of our expectations,” said “Shrugged” producer Harmon Kaslow. “And we’re a way above what the industry expected us to do.
- 4/18/2011
- by Anthony Kaufman
- Speakeasy/Wall Street Journal
Atlas Shrugged: Part I was the top-grossing limited release of the weekend, generating an estimated $1.7 million at 300 single-screen locations. For a pure independent release, Atlas Shrugged: Part I's opening was fine. But for the first-ever adaptation of Ayn Rand's influential mega-selling 1957 novel that had far more media hype than any other independent movie could dream of, it was disappointing. There aren't many direct comparisons, because it's rare that an adaptation of such a famous book gets such a modest release. Atlas Shrugged: Part I opened higher than recent limited Christian movies The Grace Card and To Save a Life, and it was distributor Rocky Mountain Pictures' third highest-grossing launch, behind End of the Spear and Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed. But none of those movies are significant in the grand scheme of things. They're all still blips, even if Atlas was a slightly bigger blip than many. What's more,...
- 4/17/2011
- by Brandon Gray <mail@boxofficemojo.com>
- Box Office Mojo
Taylor Schilling in Paul Johansson's film adaptation of Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged Box Office Part I According to The Hollywood Reporter, "The makers of Atlas have been working to get organizers to insert mentions of the film into the millions of e-mails that go out to the faithful, and Tea Partiers have obliged. … One recent e-mail to Tea Partiers in California, for example, alerted members of upcoming Freedom Rallies. But it also included a link to the movie’s trailer, the name of the local theater that has booked the film and the line, 'Mark your calendars for a celebration of capitalism.'" The Independent adds that Harmon Kaslow, one of the producers of Atlas Shrugged, "has duly turned the launch [of Atlas Shrugged] into a political event, branding it the film that Hollywood liberals 'don' t want you to see' … 'We are targeting Fox News,...
- 4/17/2011
- by Zac Gille
- Alt Film Guide
2011 The Strike Productions All Rights Reserved. A scene from “Atlas Shrugged Part I”
After more than 50 years, Ayn Rand’s seminal novel and ode to free market capitalism “Atlas Shrugged” is finally hitting the big screen this weekend, in the first of a planned trilogy of movies. Independently produced and distributed by entrepreneur John Aglialoro, chairman of Um Holdings Inc, the film “Atlas Shrugged, Part 1″ was budgeted under $10 million and includes a cast of little-known actors (newcomer Taylor Schilling stars...
After more than 50 years, Ayn Rand’s seminal novel and ode to free market capitalism “Atlas Shrugged” is finally hitting the big screen this weekend, in the first of a planned trilogy of movies. Independently produced and distributed by entrepreneur John Aglialoro, chairman of Um Holdings Inc, the film “Atlas Shrugged, Part 1″ was budgeted under $10 million and includes a cast of little-known actors (newcomer Taylor Schilling stars...
- 4/15/2011
- by Anthony Kaufman
- Speakeasy/Wall Street Journal
Atlas Shrugged Movie Recruits Tea Party
Ayn Rand’s great novel espousing free markets and individualism finally comes to the silver screen in a potential three-part film franchise. Film distributor Rocky Mountain Pictures and co-producer Harmon Kaslow have tapped certain current political demographics to rev up excitement for the limited theatrical release of Atlas Shrugged: Part 1 on April 15th.
Thanks for reading We Got This Covered...
Ayn Rand’s great novel espousing free markets and individualism finally comes to the silver screen in a potential three-part film franchise. Film distributor Rocky Mountain Pictures and co-producer Harmon Kaslow have tapped certain current political demographics to rev up excitement for the limited theatrical release of Atlas Shrugged: Part 1 on April 15th.
Thanks for reading We Got This Covered...
- 4/7/2011
- by Amy Curtis
- We Got This Covered
By Ali Naderzad - July 27, 2010
Production has wrapped on “Atlas Shrugged, Part I,” which is based on the widely read 1957 novel. Paul Johansson ("One Tree Hill") directed and the cast includes Grant Bowler, who previously appeared in “True Blood” and “Ugly Betty,” and Nick Cassavetes. The film got made with only fifteen millions but with people such as Harmon Kaslow in the producer chair such sums can go a long way. “Our goal was to, above all, produce a film that is true to the book and maintains the message of Rand’s timeless novel. We aim to please the millions who have read the book in addition to attracting a new audience to her amazing work,” says Kaslow.
The film was shot on location in the Los Angeles area in under forty days. I should also tell you that the screenplay was done by a writer called Brian Patrick O’Toole,...
Production has wrapped on “Atlas Shrugged, Part I,” which is based on the widely read 1957 novel. Paul Johansson ("One Tree Hill") directed and the cast includes Grant Bowler, who previously appeared in “True Blood” and “Ugly Betty,” and Nick Cassavetes. The film got made with only fifteen millions but with people such as Harmon Kaslow in the producer chair such sums can go a long way. “Our goal was to, above all, produce a film that is true to the book and maintains the message of Rand’s timeless novel. We aim to please the millions who have read the book in addition to attracting a new audience to her amazing work,” says Kaslow.
The film was shot on location in the Los Angeles area in under forty days. I should also tell you that the screenplay was done by a writer called Brian Patrick O’Toole,...
- 7/27/2010
- by Screen Comment
- Screen Comment
Filming has now started for 5 weeks on the $5 million big screen adaptation of author Ayn Rand's 1957 novel "Atlas Shrugged".
Shooting in Los Angeles, "Atlas Shrugged Part One" is directed by Paul Johansson from a script by Patrick O'Toole, for producers John Aglialoro and Harmon Kaslow.
The book explores a dystopian United States where leading innovators, ranging from industrialists to artists, refuse to be exploited by society. Protagonist, 'Dagny Taggart', sees society collapse around her as the government increasingly asserts control over all industry, while society's most productive citizens, led by the mysterious 'John Galt', progressively drop out. Galt describes the strike as "stopping the motor of the world" by withdrawing the "minds" that drive society's growth and productivity; with their strike these creative minds hope to demonstrate that the economy and society would collapse without the profit motive and the efforts of the rational and productive.
The novel,...
Shooting in Los Angeles, "Atlas Shrugged Part One" is directed by Paul Johansson from a script by Patrick O'Toole, for producers John Aglialoro and Harmon Kaslow.
The book explores a dystopian United States where leading innovators, ranging from industrialists to artists, refuse to be exploited by society. Protagonist, 'Dagny Taggart', sees society collapse around her as the government increasingly asserts control over all industry, while society's most productive citizens, led by the mysterious 'John Galt', progressively drop out. Galt describes the strike as "stopping the motor of the world" by withdrawing the "minds" that drive society's growth and productivity; with their strike these creative minds hope to demonstrate that the economy and society would collapse without the profit motive and the efforts of the rational and productive.
The novel,...
- 6/15/2010
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Shooting has begun on the $5 million adaptation of Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged in Los Angeles, reports Variety . Shooting for five weeks, "Atlas Shrugged Part One" is directed by Paul Johansson from a script by Patrick O'Toole. John Aglialoro and Harmon Kaslow are producing. Aglialoro would have lost the feature rights if the film wasn't in production by Saturday. A "Part Two" is expected to be filmed after the current movie is completed. Published in 1957, the book takes place in a dystopian version of the U.S. in which society has collapsed as the government gains increasing control over industry. The decline occurs while the most productive citizens, led by John Galt, begin vanishing. Johansson ("One Tree Hill") will play Galt while the lead...
- 6/14/2010
- Comingsoon.net
The feature adaptation of Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged" has started filming in Los Angeles. Shooting will last for around five weeks on the $5 million-budgeted independent film produced by John Aglialoro and Harmon Kaslow. "Atlas Shrugged Part One" is being directed by Paul Johansson from the screenplay by Brian Patrick O'Toole. "Atlas Shrugged" was first published in 1957 and tells of a dystopian version of the U.S. where society has collapsed as the government gains increasing control over industry. This decline takes place while the most productive citizens, led by John Galt, start vanishing. Paul Johansson of "One Tree Hill" plays Galt, Taylor Schilling will play the railroad executive Dagny Taggart, Grant Bowler ("Ugly Betty") has been cast as Henry Reardon, Michael Lerner ("A Serious Man") plays lobbyist Wesley Mouch and renowned helmer Nick Cassavetes is in as Richard McNamara. Other cast members include Matthew Marsdan as James Taggart and Graham Beckel as Ellis Wyatt.
- 6/14/2010
- Upcoming-Movies.com
BERLIN -- "Asylum" is a psychological thriller without bothering much with psychology. Come to think of it, the thrills are pretty much missing, as well.
Director David MacKenzie, who received critical plaudits in some quarters in 2003 for "Young Adam", has thoroughly consulted the Alfred Hitchcock playbook to create the atmosphere and suspense for this tale of (literally) mad love. Certainly Mark Mancina's score, reminiscent of Bernard Herrmann's scores for the late master, and numerous images want to put audiences in a Hitchcock frame of mind. It's hard, however, to imagine Hitchcock even raising an eyebrow over this weak story.
Natasha Richardson adds plenty of glamour and marquee value to this Paramount Classics release. The fun of the movie comes in watching this intelligent and always interesting actress navigate the heroine's implausible course of obsessive love and increasing psychosis. It's a star turn evocative of the way Joan Fontaine or Susan Hayward used to entertain audiences, especially women. But audiences have changed greatly since those days. Despite the cool calculation of MacKenzie's direction, the movie's overheated emotionalism will look and feel mostly silly to today's audiences. Theatrical prospects appear slim.
Perhaps the basic premise in this tale, written by Patrick Marber ("Closer") from a Patrick McGrath novel, is that in any madhouse it's hard to tell who's crazier -- the patients or the doctors. The minute the new deputy head of an English asylum drives onto the grounds with his wife of 12 years and young son, you sense things are going to go very wrong. The movie quickly lets you know that this is a loveless marriage. Stella (Richardson) smokes cigarettes in a manner that screams boredom with her life. Occasionally, someone reminds her to "behave," which must mean she's been a bad girl before.
Her inattentive and unfeeling husband Max (Hugh Bonneville) -- talk about a physician who needs to heal himself -- arranges for a greenhouse to be repaired so Stella can at least putter with her plants. The patient brought in to do the repairs is Edgar Stark (a brooding Marton Csokas), a sculptor jailed for having brutally murdered his wife. He has problems with jealousy, you understand, but he is the favorite patient of Dr. Cleave (Ian McKellen in a mischievous performance where every line feels like an innuendo). The good doctor assures one and all that Edgar Stark -- don't you love that name! -- is harmless despite a habit of skulking that reminds you of Anthony Perkins in "Psycho".
Well, wouldn't you know, the bored housewife and the wife killer fall into a passionate affair virtually the moment they lay eyes on each other. He escapes, she follows him to London and they set up housekeeping in what looks like an abandoned building. Soon enough, he reverts to his jealous behavior.
Things only get worse, but other than those mesmerized by Richardson -- she does possess certain magic -- few are likely to find the downward spiral of events either credible or compelling. The filmmaking skills of MacKenzie and a top-notch production team keep one mildly interested, yet the payoff is decidedly not worthy of these collective skills. The story is just too nonsensical to hold water.
ASYLUM
Paramount Classics
Seven Arts Pictures/Samson Films
Credits: Director: David MacKenzie; Writer: Patrick Marber; Based on the novel by: Patrick McGrath; Producers: Laurence Borg, David E. Allen, Mace Neufeld; Executive producers: Michael Barlow, Natasha Richardson, Robert Rehme, Baron Davis, Steven Markoff, Bruce McNall, Chris Curling, Harmon Kaslow, John Buchanan; Director of photography: Giles Nuttgens; Production designer: Laurence Dorman; Music: Mark Mancina; Costumes: Consolata Boyle; Editors: Colin Monie, Steven Weisberg. Cast: Stella: Natasha Richardson; Peter: Ian McKellen; Edgar: Marton Csokas; Max: Hugh Bonneville; Charlie: Gus Lewis; Brenda: Judy Parfitt; Mr. Straffen: Joss Ackland.
MPAA rating R, running time 99 minutes.
Director David MacKenzie, who received critical plaudits in some quarters in 2003 for "Young Adam", has thoroughly consulted the Alfred Hitchcock playbook to create the atmosphere and suspense for this tale of (literally) mad love. Certainly Mark Mancina's score, reminiscent of Bernard Herrmann's scores for the late master, and numerous images want to put audiences in a Hitchcock frame of mind. It's hard, however, to imagine Hitchcock even raising an eyebrow over this weak story.
Natasha Richardson adds plenty of glamour and marquee value to this Paramount Classics release. The fun of the movie comes in watching this intelligent and always interesting actress navigate the heroine's implausible course of obsessive love and increasing psychosis. It's a star turn evocative of the way Joan Fontaine or Susan Hayward used to entertain audiences, especially women. But audiences have changed greatly since those days. Despite the cool calculation of MacKenzie's direction, the movie's overheated emotionalism will look and feel mostly silly to today's audiences. Theatrical prospects appear slim.
Perhaps the basic premise in this tale, written by Patrick Marber ("Closer") from a Patrick McGrath novel, is that in any madhouse it's hard to tell who's crazier -- the patients or the doctors. The minute the new deputy head of an English asylum drives onto the grounds with his wife of 12 years and young son, you sense things are going to go very wrong. The movie quickly lets you know that this is a loveless marriage. Stella (Richardson) smokes cigarettes in a manner that screams boredom with her life. Occasionally, someone reminds her to "behave," which must mean she's been a bad girl before.
Her inattentive and unfeeling husband Max (Hugh Bonneville) -- talk about a physician who needs to heal himself -- arranges for a greenhouse to be repaired so Stella can at least putter with her plants. The patient brought in to do the repairs is Edgar Stark (a brooding Marton Csokas), a sculptor jailed for having brutally murdered his wife. He has problems with jealousy, you understand, but he is the favorite patient of Dr. Cleave (Ian McKellen in a mischievous performance where every line feels like an innuendo). The good doctor assures one and all that Edgar Stark -- don't you love that name! -- is harmless despite a habit of skulking that reminds you of Anthony Perkins in "Psycho".
Well, wouldn't you know, the bored housewife and the wife killer fall into a passionate affair virtually the moment they lay eyes on each other. He escapes, she follows him to London and they set up housekeeping in what looks like an abandoned building. Soon enough, he reverts to his jealous behavior.
Things only get worse, but other than those mesmerized by Richardson -- she does possess certain magic -- few are likely to find the downward spiral of events either credible or compelling. The filmmaking skills of MacKenzie and a top-notch production team keep one mildly interested, yet the payoff is decidedly not worthy of these collective skills. The story is just too nonsensical to hold water.
ASYLUM
Paramount Classics
Seven Arts Pictures/Samson Films
Credits: Director: David MacKenzie; Writer: Patrick Marber; Based on the novel by: Patrick McGrath; Producers: Laurence Borg, David E. Allen, Mace Neufeld; Executive producers: Michael Barlow, Natasha Richardson, Robert Rehme, Baron Davis, Steven Markoff, Bruce McNall, Chris Curling, Harmon Kaslow, John Buchanan; Director of photography: Giles Nuttgens; Production designer: Laurence Dorman; Music: Mark Mancina; Costumes: Consolata Boyle; Editors: Colin Monie, Steven Weisberg. Cast: Stella: Natasha Richardson; Peter: Ian McKellen; Edgar: Marton Csokas; Max: Hugh Bonneville; Charlie: Gus Lewis; Brenda: Judy Parfitt; Mr. Straffen: Joss Ackland.
MPAA rating R, running time 99 minutes.
- 3/23/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
BERLIN -- "Asylum" is a psychological thriller without bothering much with psychology. Come to think of it, the thrills are pretty much missing, as well.
Director David MacKenzie, who received critical plaudits in some quarters in 2003 for "Young Adam", has thoroughly consulted the Alfred Hitchcock playbook to create the atmosphere and suspense for this tale of (literally) mad love. Certainly Mark Mancina's score, reminiscent of Bernard Herrmann's scores for the late master, and numerous images want to put audiences in a Hitchcock frame of mind. It's hard, however, to imagine Hitchcock even raising an eyebrow over this weak story.
Natasha Richardson adds plenty of glamour and marquee value to this Paramount Classics release. The fun of the movie comes in watching this intelligent and always interesting actress navigate the heroine's implausible course of obsessive love and increasing psychosis. It's a star turn evocative of the way Joan Fontaine or Susan Hayward used to entertain audiences, especially women. But audiences have changed greatly since those days. Despite the cool calculation of MacKenzie's direction, the movie's overheated emotionalism will look and feel mostly silly to today's audiences. Theatrical prospects appear slim.
Perhaps the basic premise in this tale, written by Patrick Marber ("Closer") from a Patrick McGrath novel, is that in any madhouse it's hard to tell who's crazier -- the patients or the doctors. The minute the new deputy head of an English asylum drives onto the grounds with his wife of 12 years and young son, you sense things are going to go very wrong. The movie quickly lets you know that this is a loveless marriage. Stella (Richardson) smokes cigarettes in a manner that screams boredom with her life. Occasionally, someone reminds her to "behave," which must mean she's been a bad girl before.
Her inattentive and unfeeling husband Max (Hugh Bonneville) -- talk about a physician who needs to heal himself -- arranges for a greenhouse to be repaired so Stella can at least putter with her plants. The patient brought in to do the repairs is Edgar Stark (a brooding Marton Csokas), a sculptor jailed for having brutally murdered his wife. He has problems with jealousy, you understand, but he is the favorite patient of Dr. Cleave (Ian McKellen in a mischievous performance where every line feels like an innuendo). The good doctor assures one and all that Edgar Stark -- don't you love that name! -- is harmless despite a habit of skulking that reminds you of Anthony Perkins in "Psycho".
Well, wouldn't you know, the bored housewife and the wife killer fall into a passionate affair virtually the moment they lay eyes on each other. He escapes, she follows him to London and they set up housekeeping in what looks like an abandoned building. Soon enough, he reverts to his jealous behavior.
Things only get worse, but other than those mesmerized by Richardson -- she does possess certain magic -- few are likely to find the downward spiral of events either credible or compelling. The filmmaking skills of MacKenzie and a top-notch production team keep one mildly interested, yet the payoff is decidedly not worthy of these collective skills. The story is just too nonsensical to hold water.
ASYLUM
Paramount Classics
Seven Arts Pictures/Samson Films
Credits: Director: David MacKenzie; Writer: Patrick Marber; Based on the novel by: Patrick McGrath; Producers: Laurence Borg, David E. Allen, Mace Neufeld; Executive producers: Michael Barlow, Natasha Richardson, Robert Rehme, Baron Davis, Steven Markoff, Bruce McNall, Chris Curling, Harmon Kaslow, John Buchanan; Director of photography: Giles Nuttgens; Production designer: Laurence Dorman; Music: Mark Mancina; Costumes: Consolata Boyle; Editors: Colin Monie, Steven Weisberg. Cast: Stella: Natasha Richardson; Peter: Ian McKellen; Edgar: Marton Csokas; Max: Hugh Bonneville; Charlie: Gus Lewis; Brenda: Judy Parfitt; Mr. Straffen: Joss Ackland.
MPAA rating R, running time 99 minutes.
Director David MacKenzie, who received critical plaudits in some quarters in 2003 for "Young Adam", has thoroughly consulted the Alfred Hitchcock playbook to create the atmosphere and suspense for this tale of (literally) mad love. Certainly Mark Mancina's score, reminiscent of Bernard Herrmann's scores for the late master, and numerous images want to put audiences in a Hitchcock frame of mind. It's hard, however, to imagine Hitchcock even raising an eyebrow over this weak story.
Natasha Richardson adds plenty of glamour and marquee value to this Paramount Classics release. The fun of the movie comes in watching this intelligent and always interesting actress navigate the heroine's implausible course of obsessive love and increasing psychosis. It's a star turn evocative of the way Joan Fontaine or Susan Hayward used to entertain audiences, especially women. But audiences have changed greatly since those days. Despite the cool calculation of MacKenzie's direction, the movie's overheated emotionalism will look and feel mostly silly to today's audiences. Theatrical prospects appear slim.
Perhaps the basic premise in this tale, written by Patrick Marber ("Closer") from a Patrick McGrath novel, is that in any madhouse it's hard to tell who's crazier -- the patients or the doctors. The minute the new deputy head of an English asylum drives onto the grounds with his wife of 12 years and young son, you sense things are going to go very wrong. The movie quickly lets you know that this is a loveless marriage. Stella (Richardson) smokes cigarettes in a manner that screams boredom with her life. Occasionally, someone reminds her to "behave," which must mean she's been a bad girl before.
Her inattentive and unfeeling husband Max (Hugh Bonneville) -- talk about a physician who needs to heal himself -- arranges for a greenhouse to be repaired so Stella can at least putter with her plants. The patient brought in to do the repairs is Edgar Stark (a brooding Marton Csokas), a sculptor jailed for having brutally murdered his wife. He has problems with jealousy, you understand, but he is the favorite patient of Dr. Cleave (Ian McKellen in a mischievous performance where every line feels like an innuendo). The good doctor assures one and all that Edgar Stark -- don't you love that name! -- is harmless despite a habit of skulking that reminds you of Anthony Perkins in "Psycho".
Well, wouldn't you know, the bored housewife and the wife killer fall into a passionate affair virtually the moment they lay eyes on each other. He escapes, she follows him to London and they set up housekeeping in what looks like an abandoned building. Soon enough, he reverts to his jealous behavior.
Things only get worse, but other than those mesmerized by Richardson -- she does possess certain magic -- few are likely to find the downward spiral of events either credible or compelling. The filmmaking skills of MacKenzie and a top-notch production team keep one mildly interested, yet the payoff is decidedly not worthy of these collective skills. The story is just too nonsensical to hold water.
ASYLUM
Paramount Classics
Seven Arts Pictures/Samson Films
Credits: Director: David MacKenzie; Writer: Patrick Marber; Based on the novel by: Patrick McGrath; Producers: Laurence Borg, David E. Allen, Mace Neufeld; Executive producers: Michael Barlow, Natasha Richardson, Robert Rehme, Baron Davis, Steven Markoff, Bruce McNall, Chris Curling, Harmon Kaslow, John Buchanan; Director of photography: Giles Nuttgens; Production designer: Laurence Dorman; Music: Mark Mancina; Costumes: Consolata Boyle; Editors: Colin Monie, Steven Weisberg. Cast: Stella: Natasha Richardson; Peter: Ian McKellen; Edgar: Marton Csokas; Max: Hugh Bonneville; Charlie: Gus Lewis; Brenda: Judy Parfitt; Mr. Straffen: Joss Ackland.
MPAA rating R, running time 99 minutes.
- 2/12/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
"Dog Soldiers" is a well-made -- though mindless -- horror-mayhem film, pitting a group of British soldiers out on a training exercise in the Scottish Highlands against a bloodthirsty band of werewolves. The action is essentially by the numbers, but there is a welcome lack of pretension about the film, which very simply sets out to entertain and ends up delivering in good measure.
In previous werewolf movies, much is made about the transition process and the fact that the evil comes out only on full moons. Not so here. The awaited transformation scene involves bulging eyes, a quick fall behind a table and then up again as a slobbering monster. Kevin McKidd, who starred in "Trainspotting", walks away with acting honors, playing the only soldier with a few brain cells, while Sean Pertwee as his sergeant is also first-rate. Neophyte director Neil Marshall shows his background in editing by constructing a well-made romp that never slows down.
The squad of soldiers on a training mission in the Highlands comes across a decimated special forces team. It seems they were stalking the werewolves, but the tables have been turned, and now the squaddies are the prey. With the help of a local girl, they hide in a remote farmhouse. Members of the squad get bitten, slashed and generally slaughtered though the night, while the girl -- no surprise here -- turns out to be a reluctant werewolf herself.
The script is littered with movie in-jokes. One character is named Bruce Campbell, after the star of "Evil Dead". Elsewhere there is an oblique reference to Michelangelo Antonioni's "Zabriskie Point". The most telling link comes when one character parallels the soldiers' situation to the soldiers battling the Zulu hordes in the film "Zulu". In some ways, "Dog Soldiers" is a retelling of "Zulu". The soldiers could be fighting off Zulu warriors, aliens or werewolves -- it doesn't really matter. The action is what matters -- and the film delivers that well.
DOG SOLDIERS
Kismet Entertainment Group and the Noel Gay Motion Picture Co. present in association with Victor Films
Credits:
Director-screenwriter-editor: Neil Marshall
Producers: Christopher Figg, Tom Reeve, David E. Allen
Executive producers: Harmon Kaslow, Romain Schroeder, Vic Bateman
Director of photography: Sam McCurdy
Production designer: Simon Bowles
Music: Mark Thomas
Costume designer: Uli Simon
Cast:
Wells: Sean Pertwee
Cooper: Kevin McKidd
Megan: Emma Cleasby
Ryan: Liam Cunningham
Bruce: Thomas Lockyer
Spoon: Darren Morfitt
Running time -- 105 minutes
No MPAA rating...
In previous werewolf movies, much is made about the transition process and the fact that the evil comes out only on full moons. Not so here. The awaited transformation scene involves bulging eyes, a quick fall behind a table and then up again as a slobbering monster. Kevin McKidd, who starred in "Trainspotting", walks away with acting honors, playing the only soldier with a few brain cells, while Sean Pertwee as his sergeant is also first-rate. Neophyte director Neil Marshall shows his background in editing by constructing a well-made romp that never slows down.
The squad of soldiers on a training mission in the Highlands comes across a decimated special forces team. It seems they were stalking the werewolves, but the tables have been turned, and now the squaddies are the prey. With the help of a local girl, they hide in a remote farmhouse. Members of the squad get bitten, slashed and generally slaughtered though the night, while the girl -- no surprise here -- turns out to be a reluctant werewolf herself.
The script is littered with movie in-jokes. One character is named Bruce Campbell, after the star of "Evil Dead". Elsewhere there is an oblique reference to Michelangelo Antonioni's "Zabriskie Point". The most telling link comes when one character parallels the soldiers' situation to the soldiers battling the Zulu hordes in the film "Zulu". In some ways, "Dog Soldiers" is a retelling of "Zulu". The soldiers could be fighting off Zulu warriors, aliens or werewolves -- it doesn't really matter. The action is what matters -- and the film delivers that well.
DOG SOLDIERS
Kismet Entertainment Group and the Noel Gay Motion Picture Co. present in association with Victor Films
Credits:
Director-screenwriter-editor: Neil Marshall
Producers: Christopher Figg, Tom Reeve, David E. Allen
Executive producers: Harmon Kaslow, Romain Schroeder, Vic Bateman
Director of photography: Sam McCurdy
Production designer: Simon Bowles
Music: Mark Thomas
Costume designer: Uli Simon
Cast:
Wells: Sean Pertwee
Cooper: Kevin McKidd
Megan: Emma Cleasby
Ryan: Liam Cunningham
Bruce: Thomas Lockyer
Spoon: Darren Morfitt
Running time -- 105 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 6/25/2002
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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