Throughout the early 2000s, the rock ‘n’ roll film festival “Don’t Knock the Rock” was one of the highlights of any L.A.-based cinephile’s year, an impeccably assembled program of movies, live performances, and panels celebrating the intersection between rock ‘n’ roll and cinema. Created by writer-director Allison Anders and music supervisor Tiffany Anders, “Don’t Knock the Rock” was beloved for its determination to showcase difficult-to-see music documentaries and for the breadth and depth of its programming.
The festival last graced L.A. screens in 2016, but now it’s returning to Hollywood via the American Cinematheque with a line-up that’s one of the best ever. From May 23-27, “Don’t Knock the Rock” will screen an eclectic mix of documentaries, music-themed narrative films, and essential retrospective programs at the Cinematheque’s Los Feliz venue, with an added virtual component that will stream from May 23-July 31. Among the...
The festival last graced L.A. screens in 2016, but now it’s returning to Hollywood via the American Cinematheque with a line-up that’s one of the best ever. From May 23-27, “Don’t Knock the Rock” will screen an eclectic mix of documentaries, music-themed narrative films, and essential retrospective programs at the Cinematheque’s Los Feliz venue, with an added virtual component that will stream from May 23-July 31. Among the...
- 4/24/2024
- by Jim Hemphill
- Indiewire
Cynthia Strother, the singer and songwriter who teamed with her younger sister Kay as The Bell Sisters, a popular teenage act that found overnight success in the 1950s with their very first song, “Bermuda,” has died. She was 88.
Strother died Friday of heart failure at a hospice facility in Las Vegas, her nephew Rex Strother told The Hollywood Reporter.
The Bell Sisters, who recorded for RCA from 1951-55, performed often on radio shows hosted by the likes of Bing Crosby and Bob Hope and on such television programs as The Johnny Carson Show, The Colgate Comedy Hour and The Mickey Mouse Club.
The pair also appeared in the 1953 big-screen musicals Cruisin’ Down the River, starring Dick Haymes, and Those Redheads From Seattle, starring Rhonda Fleming.
The eldest of seven kids — their dad, Gene, was an electrician for an aviation company — Cynthia Sue Strother was born on Oct. 4, 1935, in Harlan County,...
Strother died Friday of heart failure at a hospice facility in Las Vegas, her nephew Rex Strother told The Hollywood Reporter.
The Bell Sisters, who recorded for RCA from 1951-55, performed often on radio shows hosted by the likes of Bing Crosby and Bob Hope and on such television programs as The Johnny Carson Show, The Colgate Comedy Hour and The Mickey Mouse Club.
The pair also appeared in the 1953 big-screen musicals Cruisin’ Down the River, starring Dick Haymes, and Those Redheads From Seattle, starring Rhonda Fleming.
The eldest of seven kids — their dad, Gene, was an electrician for an aviation company — Cynthia Sue Strother was born on Oct. 4, 1935, in Harlan County,...
- 2/20/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The upcoming dramedy “In Fidelity” takes viewers through a surprising, difficult-to-answer question: Can you get a hall pass from your spouse if you’re dying?
Starring “Saturday Night Live” alum Chris Parnell and Cara Buono, “In Fidelity” tells the story of Lyle and Holly, a happily married New York couple whose world is rocked when Holly becomes terminally ill — and asks to sleep with their well-known rock star neighbor (Dennis Haysbert) before she dies young.
It’s not an easy ask, even after Lyle says yes, and you can see for yourself in the humorously bittersweet trailer, right now at the top of the page.
Alongside Parnell, Buono and Hasbert, the film also features Willow Shields (‘’The Hunger Games’’) as their risk-taking Gen-z daughter, and Illeana Douglas (“Grace of My Heart”) as Lyle and Holly’s eccentric confidante Ethel.
Also Read:
Carrie Fisher to Receive Hollywood Walk of Fame Star...
Starring “Saturday Night Live” alum Chris Parnell and Cara Buono, “In Fidelity” tells the story of Lyle and Holly, a happily married New York couple whose world is rocked when Holly becomes terminally ill — and asks to sleep with their well-known rock star neighbor (Dennis Haysbert) before she dies young.
It’s not an easy ask, even after Lyle says yes, and you can see for yourself in the humorously bittersweet trailer, right now at the top of the page.
Alongside Parnell, Buono and Hasbert, the film also features Willow Shields (‘’The Hunger Games’’) as their risk-taking Gen-z daughter, and Illeana Douglas (“Grace of My Heart”) as Lyle and Holly’s eccentric confidante Ethel.
Also Read:
Carrie Fisher to Receive Hollywood Walk of Fame Star...
- 4/26/2023
- by Joshua Vinson
- The Wrap
I’m a big fan of anything and everything written and directed by Allison Anders, but I’ve always been particularly fond of her 1996 musical Grace of My Heart. A magical blend of the kind of intimate behavior-driven filmmaking Anders is known for with the scale and resources of a big studio movie, it’s one of the most generous films I’ve ever seen in terms of how much it gives its characters (all of whom are presented with deep empathy and respect) and the audience. The heart of the picture is the richly detailed story of a singer-songwriter (a fantastic Illeana […]
The post Grace of My Heart, Hard Eight and Mallrats: Jim Hemphill's Home Video Recommendations first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post Grace of My Heart, Hard Eight and Mallrats: Jim Hemphill's Home Video Recommendations first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 11/6/2020
- by Jim Hemphill
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
I’m a big fan of anything and everything written and directed by Allison Anders, but I’ve always been particularly fond of her 1996 musical Grace of My Heart. A magical blend of the kind of intimate behavior-driven filmmaking Anders is known for with the scale and resources of a big studio movie, it’s one of the most generous films I’ve ever seen in terms of how much it gives its characters (all of whom are presented with deep empathy and respect) and the audience. The heart of the picture is the richly detailed story of a singer-songwriter (a fantastic Illeana […]
The post Grace of My Heart, Hard Eight and Mallrats: Jim Hemphill's Home Video Recommendations first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post Grace of My Heart, Hard Eight and Mallrats: Jim Hemphill's Home Video Recommendations first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 11/6/2020
- by Jim Hemphill
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Star of stage and screen Jenna Ushkowitz joins Josh and Joe to discuss her favorite musical biopics.
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Gremlins (1984)
Back To The Future (1985)
Pee Wee’s Big Adventure (1985)
Sixteen Candles (1984)
Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)
National Treasure (2004)
The Sound of Music (1965)
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Star Wars (1977)
La Bamba (1987)
Selena (1997)
The Buddy Holly Story (1978)
De-Lovely (2004)
Night and Day (1946)
All That Jazz (1979)
A Chorus Line (1985)
Star 80 (1983)
Psycho (1960)
Evita (1996)
Love and Mercy (2014)
Grace of My Heart (1996)
Get On Up (2014)
Ray (2004)
What’s Love Got To Do With It? (1993)
El Norte (1983)
The Wedding Planner (2001)
Out of Sight (1998)
Hustlers (2019)
Sweet Charity (1969)
Moulin Rouge! (2001)
Chicago (2002)
Moulin Rouge (1952)
Roxie Hart (1942)
The Greatest Showman (2017)
Other Notable Items
Glee TV series (2009-2015)
The Tony Awards
The Emmy Awards
The Academy Awards
Pee Wee’s Playhouse (1986-1990)
Eric Stoltz
Harry Potter film series
Marvel Cinematic Universe
The Dark Knight trilogy
Christopher Nolan
Julie Andrews...
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Gremlins (1984)
Back To The Future (1985)
Pee Wee’s Big Adventure (1985)
Sixteen Candles (1984)
Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)
National Treasure (2004)
The Sound of Music (1965)
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Star Wars (1977)
La Bamba (1987)
Selena (1997)
The Buddy Holly Story (1978)
De-Lovely (2004)
Night and Day (1946)
All That Jazz (1979)
A Chorus Line (1985)
Star 80 (1983)
Psycho (1960)
Evita (1996)
Love and Mercy (2014)
Grace of My Heart (1996)
Get On Up (2014)
Ray (2004)
What’s Love Got To Do With It? (1993)
El Norte (1983)
The Wedding Planner (2001)
Out of Sight (1998)
Hustlers (2019)
Sweet Charity (1969)
Moulin Rouge! (2001)
Chicago (2002)
Moulin Rouge (1952)
Roxie Hart (1942)
The Greatest Showman (2017)
Other Notable Items
Glee TV series (2009-2015)
The Tony Awards
The Emmy Awards
The Academy Awards
Pee Wee’s Playhouse (1986-1990)
Eric Stoltz
Harry Potter film series
Marvel Cinematic Universe
The Dark Knight trilogy
Christopher Nolan
Julie Andrews...
- 11/3/2020
- by Kris Millsap
- Trailers from Hell
Exclusive: Tracy Vilar (House) has been cast as a series regular opposite Margaret Qualley in Maid, Netflix’s dramedy series from writer Molly Smith Metzler, John Wells Productions, Margot Robbie’s LuckyChap Entertainment and Warner Bros. Television.
Written by Metzler, Maid is inspired by Stephanie Land’s bestselling memoir Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive. It revolves around Alex (Qualley), a single mother who turns to housekeeping to — barely — make ends meet as she battles against poverty, homelessness, and bureaucracy. Told primarily through her point of view, Maid is described as a beautiful, alive, gritty and inspiring exploration of poverty in America.
Vilar will play Yolanda, the owner of “Value Maids,” the cleaning business that eventually employs “Alex” (Qualley). A woman who suffers no fools and runs a tight ship, Yolanda has managed to survive in a world (and economy) which is not always kind to her.
Written by Metzler, Maid is inspired by Stephanie Land’s bestselling memoir Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive. It revolves around Alex (Qualley), a single mother who turns to housekeeping to — barely — make ends meet as she battles against poverty, homelessness, and bureaucracy. Told primarily through her point of view, Maid is described as a beautiful, alive, gritty and inspiring exploration of poverty in America.
Vilar will play Yolanda, the owner of “Value Maids,” the cleaning business that eventually employs “Alex” (Qualley). A woman who suffers no fools and runs a tight ship, Yolanda has managed to survive in a world (and economy) which is not always kind to her.
- 10/9/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
A podcast shingle co-created by Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger has inked a deal with a major studio.
Warner Bros. Digital Networks has signed a first-look deal with Rainy Day Podcasts, a new company from Jagged Films partners Mick Jagger and Victoria Pearman, producer Steve Bing and writer Josh Olson, with the aim of producing a number of original narrative podcasts.
“Everything starts with the word,” said the four partners in a statement. “We’re very excited to be working with Warner Bros. to create an environment where the best writers are free to pursue their passion projects with maximum creative freedom.”
The agreement ties Rainy Day to a slate of up to seven new podcast series based on original IP, and may include but are not limited to: scripted dramas or comedies, non-fiction or docuseries and talk or discussion podcasts. Rainy Day has an initial production deal with Allison Anders,...
Warner Bros. Digital Networks has signed a first-look deal with Rainy Day Podcasts, a new company from Jagged Films partners Mick Jagger and Victoria Pearman, producer Steve Bing and writer Josh Olson, with the aim of producing a number of original narrative podcasts.
“Everything starts with the word,” said the four partners in a statement. “We’re very excited to be working with Warner Bros. to create an environment where the best writers are free to pursue their passion projects with maximum creative freedom.”
The agreement ties Rainy Day to a slate of up to seven new podcast series based on original IP, and may include but are not limited to: scripted dramas or comedies, non-fiction or docuseries and talk or discussion podcasts. Rainy Day has an initial production deal with Allison Anders,...
- 1/24/2020
- by Elaine Low
- Variety Film + TV
Mick Jagger is getting into podcasting.
The Rolling Stones singer has partnered with Warner Bros. Digital Networks to produce a series of original narrative podcasts. The studio has signed a first-look deal with Rainy Day Podcasts, a company formed by Jagger, his Jagged Films partner Victoria Pearman, producer Steve Bing (The Polar Express) and Oscar-nominated writer Josh Olson (A History of Violence).
Under the deal, Rainy Day will develop up to seven original podcasts, with formats ranging from scripted narratives to docuseries to talk and discussion. Rainy Day has set production deals with Allison Anders (Grace of My Heart,...
The Rolling Stones singer has partnered with Warner Bros. Digital Networks to produce a series of original narrative podcasts. The studio has signed a first-look deal with Rainy Day Podcasts, a company formed by Jagger, his Jagged Films partner Victoria Pearman, producer Steve Bing (The Polar Express) and Oscar-nominated writer Josh Olson (A History of Violence).
Under the deal, Rainy Day will develop up to seven original podcasts, with formats ranging from scripted narratives to docuseries to talk and discussion. Rainy Day has set production deals with Allison Anders (Grace of My Heart,...
- 1/24/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Billy Bob Thornton is pitted against Dennis Quaid and The Leftovers‘ Amy Brenneman in the first trailer for Goliath Season 3.
Premiering Friday, Oct. 4, the third season of the Amazon Prime drama kicks off with the unexpected death of an old friend (Twin Peaks‘ Sherilyn Fenn), which “leads Billy McBride (Thornton) to take a case in the drought-stricken Central Valley,” according to the official logline. There, “he comes face-to-face with a new Goliath: a billionaire rancher and his sister (Quaid and Brenneman). As Billy and his team pursue the truth, old enemies and personal demons resurface, forcing him to confront his own mortality.
Premiering Friday, Oct. 4, the third season of the Amazon Prime drama kicks off with the unexpected death of an old friend (Twin Peaks‘ Sherilyn Fenn), which “leads Billy McBride (Thornton) to take a case in the drought-stricken Central Valley,” according to the official logline. There, “he comes face-to-face with a new Goliath: a billionaire rancher and his sister (Quaid and Brenneman). As Billy and his team pursue the truth, old enemies and personal demons resurface, forcing him to confront his own mortality.
- 8/22/2019
- TVLine.com
Fifty years after the release of low-budget rebel odyssey “Easy Rider,” which pushed Hollywood into the ’70s and shook the foundations of Hollywood, writer-director-actor Peter Fonda has died of respiratory failure from lung cancer. The son of Hollywood star Henry Fonda and New York socialite Frances Seymour Brokaw was born 79 years ago in New York City. He is survived by his older sister, actress Jane Fonda, and his daughter, actress Bridget Fonda.
In a statement to People magazine, the family said Fonda “passed away peacefully on Friday morning, August 16 at 11:05am at his home in Los Angeles surrounded by family …In honor of Peter, please raise a glass to freedom.”
Said Jane Fonda: “I am very sad. He was my sweet-hearted baby brother. The talker of the family. I have had beautiful alone time with him these last days. He went out laughing.”
Fonda made a splash with his...
In a statement to People magazine, the family said Fonda “passed away peacefully on Friday morning, August 16 at 11:05am at his home in Los Angeles surrounded by family …In honor of Peter, please raise a glass to freedom.”
Said Jane Fonda: “I am very sad. He was my sweet-hearted baby brother. The talker of the family. I have had beautiful alone time with him these last days. He went out laughing.”
Fonda made a splash with his...
- 8/17/2019
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Fifty years after the release of low-budget rebel odyssey “Easy Rider,” which pushed Hollywood into the ’70s and shook the foundations of Hollywood, writer-director-actor Peter Fonda has died of respiratory failure from lung cancer. The son of Hollywood star Henry Fonda and New York socialite Frances Seymour Brokaw was born 79 years ago in New York City. He is survived by his older sister, actress Jane Fonda, and his daughter, actress Bridget Fonda.
In a statement to People magazine, the family said Fonda “passed away peacefully on Friday morning, August 16 at 11:05am at his home in Los Angeles surrounded by family …In honor of Peter, please raise a glass to freedom.”
Said Jane Fonda: “I am very sad. He was my sweet-hearted baby brother. The talker of the family. I have had beautiful alone time with him these last days. He went out laughing.”
Fonda made a splash with his...
In a statement to People magazine, the family said Fonda “passed away peacefully on Friday morning, August 16 at 11:05am at his home in Los Angeles surrounded by family …In honor of Peter, please raise a glass to freedom.”
Said Jane Fonda: “I am very sad. He was my sweet-hearted baby brother. The talker of the family. I have had beautiful alone time with him these last days. He went out laughing.”
Fonda made a splash with his...
- 8/17/2019
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Gas, Food Lodging will be available on Blu-ray November 13th From Arrow Academy
They Re Sisters. But It Will Take A Miracle To Make Them A Family.
Adapted from the novel Don t Look and It Won t Hurt by Richard Peck, Allison Anders (Grace of My Heart) whipped up a storm at the 42nd Berlin International Film Festival with her masterfully crafted tale of a young woman trying to find love while struggling to bring up her two daughters.
Abandoned by her husband, Nora waitresses to keep her head above water while raising two teenagers in a small New Mexico town trailer park. Beautiful and rebellious, Trudi quits school to work alongside her mother, while her sister Shade whittles away her time watching old movie matinees. Their life is turned on its head when Trudi finds that she has fallen pregnant after a string of promiscuous relationships and the...
They Re Sisters. But It Will Take A Miracle To Make Them A Family.
Adapted from the novel Don t Look and It Won t Hurt by Richard Peck, Allison Anders (Grace of My Heart) whipped up a storm at the 42nd Berlin International Film Festival with her masterfully crafted tale of a young woman trying to find love while struggling to bring up her two daughters.
Abandoned by her husband, Nora waitresses to keep her head above water while raising two teenagers in a small New Mexico town trailer park. Beautiful and rebellious, Trudi quits school to work alongside her mother, while her sister Shade whittles away her time watching old movie matinees. Their life is turned on its head when Trudi finds that she has fallen pregnant after a string of promiscuous relationships and the...
- 11/5/2018
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Two weeks after Julie Chen, wife of ousted CBS Corp CEO Leslie Moonves, announced on-air she was exiting The Talk “to spend more time at home with my husband and our young son,” one of Moonves’s accusers told her story for the first time on TV to The Talk competitor The View.
Illeana Douglas said that, in 1996, she struck a TV production deal at CBS after being “courted by all the studios” following the success of the movie Grace of My Heart. The workplace comedy she developed for CBS did not make it to air and she got asked to instead co-star in a new comedy series.
Her account of what happened mirrored that she had given to Ronan Farrow in New Yorker magazine.
After auditioning for the role, she recounted on The View, she was told Moonves wanted to meet with her to discuss his concern about her...
Illeana Douglas said that, in 1996, she struck a TV production deal at CBS after being “courted by all the studios” following the success of the movie Grace of My Heart. The workplace comedy she developed for CBS did not make it to air and she got asked to instead co-star in a new comedy series.
Her account of what happened mirrored that she had given to Ronan Farrow in New Yorker magazine.
After auditioning for the role, she recounted on The View, she was told Moonves wanted to meet with her to discuss his concern about her...
- 10/2/2018
- by Lisa de Moraes
- Deadline Film + TV
In the days after The New Yorker published its first story about Harvey Weinstein, the investigative journalist who wrote the expose got a phone call from a screenwriter and actress who had a story to tell about another powerful entertainment figure — Les Moonves.
Illeana Douglas would become a leading source in the first of two New Yorker stories in which a dozen women offered accounts of forcible attempts at intimacy, and in some cases of allegations of assault, by the CBS’s former chief executive, who they say retaliated against those who rebuffed his advances.
Moonves resigned on Sunday, issuing a statement that the “untrue allegations” were “not consistent with who I am.”
In an interview with editor David Remnick for The New Yorker Radio Hour, Douglas discussed why she contacted writer Ronan Farrow, what happened in her encounters with Moonves and what CBS should do to address a culture...
Illeana Douglas would become a leading source in the first of two New Yorker stories in which a dozen women offered accounts of forcible attempts at intimacy, and in some cases of allegations of assault, by the CBS’s former chief executive, who they say retaliated against those who rebuffed his advances.
Moonves resigned on Sunday, issuing a statement that the “untrue allegations” were “not consistent with who I am.”
In an interview with editor David Remnick for The New Yorker Radio Hour, Douglas discussed why she contacted writer Ronan Farrow, what happened in her encounters with Moonves and what CBS should do to address a culture...
- 9/15/2018
- by Dawn C. Chmielewski
- Deadline Film + TV
Accidents will happen — but new albums won’t. That seems to have been Elvis Costello’s attitude in recent years, as his once-prolific recording career ground to a deliberate halt in favor of a determined focus on themed tours. But come October 12, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer will return with “Look Now,” his first album of any kind in five years and first with his regular touring band, the Imposters, in a decade.
The unveiling of the 12-song collection’s contents coincides with the digital release of two preview tracks from the set: “Under Lime,” the album’s leadoff track, and “Unwanted Number,” a song he wrote for the 1996 Allison Anders movie “Grace of My Heart” but never committed to record until now. Both tracks are available immediately with pre-orders of “Look Now” or for streaming. “Unwanted Number” additionally has a lyric video (watch it below), for fans...
The unveiling of the 12-song collection’s contents coincides with the digital release of two preview tracks from the set: “Under Lime,” the album’s leadoff track, and “Unwanted Number,” a song he wrote for the 1996 Allison Anders movie “Grace of My Heart” but never committed to record until now. Both tracks are available immediately with pre-orders of “Look Now” or for streaming. “Unwanted Number” additionally has a lyric video (watch it below), for fans...
- 7/27/2018
- by Chris Willman
- Variety Film + TV
Chicago – The acting career of Illeana Douglas began with director Martin Scorsese and flourished in her first lead role for “Grace of My Heart” (1996). She is best known today for hosting the “Trailblazing Women” series on Turner Classic Movies, and in Part Three of a three part interview with HollywoodChicago.com, she talks about feminism, the essence of directors she has worked for, plus her grandmother Helen Gahagan, the third female Congress representative in U.S. history.
Illeana Douglas was born in Massachuetts, the daughter of Gregory Douglas, the son of 1930s movie star Melvyn Douglas (Helen Gahagan was his wife). She got the show biz bug as a young teenager, when she was able to visit her grandfather on the set of “Being There” (1979). After high school she moved to New York City to pursue a career. She studied acting while working various jobs, and met Martin Scorsese while...
Illeana Douglas was born in Massachuetts, the daughter of Gregory Douglas, the son of 1930s movie star Melvyn Douglas (Helen Gahagan was his wife). She got the show biz bug as a young teenager, when she was able to visit her grandfather on the set of “Being There” (1979). After high school she moved to New York City to pursue a career. She studied acting while working various jobs, and met Martin Scorsese while...
- 1/5/2018
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – The acting career of Illeana Douglas began with director Martin Scorsese and flourished in her first lead role for “Grace of My Heart” (1996). She is best known today for hosting the “Trailblazing Women” series on Turner Classic Movies, and in Part Two of a three part interview with HollywoodChicago.com, she talks about her approach as an actor and how early influences defined that style.
Illeana Douglas was born in Massachuetts, the daughter of Gregory Douglas, who was the son of 1930s movie star Melvyn Douglas. She got the show biz bug as a young teenager, when she was able to visit her grandfather on the set of “Being There” (1979). After high school she moved to New York City to pursue a career. She studied acting while working various jobs, and met Martin Scorsese while he was editing “The Last Temptation of Christ.” She made her film debut in...
Illeana Douglas was born in Massachuetts, the daughter of Gregory Douglas, who was the son of 1930s movie star Melvyn Douglas. She got the show biz bug as a young teenager, when she was able to visit her grandfather on the set of “Being There” (1979). After high school she moved to New York City to pursue a career. She studied acting while working various jobs, and met Martin Scorsese while he was editing “The Last Temptation of Christ.” She made her film debut in...
- 1/4/2018
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – Long before 2017, the year of notable recognition for women filmmakers, the actress, producer and author Illeana Douglas launched the film series “Trailblazing Women” on Turner Classic Movies (TCM) in 2015. Her goal was to achieve recognition for the pioneering efforts of women in early film history and beyond.
“Trailblazing Women” had its third season in October of 2017, and again Douglas was the host. She has been an advocate for women throughout her show business career, besides having the ancestry cache of her grandfather – Oscar-winner Melvyn Douglas – who was a movie star and character actor from the 1930s through the 1980s.
Actress/Author Illeana Douglas in Chicago
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com
Illeana Douglas was born in Massachuetts, the daughter of Melvyn Douglas’ son Gregory and his wife Joan. She got the show biz bug as a young teenager, when she was able to visit her...
“Trailblazing Women” had its third season in October of 2017, and again Douglas was the host. She has been an advocate for women throughout her show business career, besides having the ancestry cache of her grandfather – Oscar-winner Melvyn Douglas – who was a movie star and character actor from the 1930s through the 1980s.
Actress/Author Illeana Douglas in Chicago
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com
Illeana Douglas was born in Massachuetts, the daughter of Melvyn Douglas’ son Gregory and his wife Joan. She got the show biz bug as a young teenager, when she was able to visit her...
- 1/3/2018
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
★★☆☆☆ The 1960s were chock-full of fascinating musical figures, many of whom with larger-than-life tales to tell, yet director Allison Anders uses a fictitious counterpart (said to be loosely based on Carol King) as the basis of her follow up to failed anthology comedy, Four Rooms (1995). Now released on DVD for the first time, Grace of My Heart (1996) might have benefited from using a real-life template to inject a little more personality into what is an unremarkable, if well-meaning, pseudo-biopic.
- 10/13/2015
- by CineVue UK
- CineVue
When I first reviewed Welcome to Sweden (review here), I was not only nervous about the idea of someone getting a gig by virtue of being Amy Poehler’s brother, but also because the show seemed to be working such a “European” sense of comedy, that I wasn’t sure it would play well to American audiences.
It may have worked out that despite somewhat surprising success, the show remains a bit niche, but Greg Poehler won me over pretty quickly. Based on Greg’s real experiences living in Sweden, the show is a charmingly-envisioned culture clash that wonderfully avoids trying too hard for the comedy.
The story revolves around Greg, who has fallen in love with Emma (Josephine Bornebusch) and decides to relocate with her so that she can take a job back in Sweden. He had a solid job as an investment broker, with a lot of high profile clients,...
It may have worked out that despite somewhat surprising success, the show remains a bit niche, but Greg Poehler won me over pretty quickly. Based on Greg’s real experiences living in Sweden, the show is a charmingly-envisioned culture clash that wonderfully avoids trying too hard for the comedy.
The story revolves around Greg, who has fallen in love with Emma (Josephine Bornebusch) and decides to relocate with her so that she can take a job back in Sweden. He had a solid job as an investment broker, with a lot of high profile clients,...
- 6/8/2015
- by Marc Eastman
- AreYouScreening.com
‘Jersey Boys’ movie review: Great music fails to save Clint Eastwood-directed film version of the 2005 Broadway musical (photo: John Lloyd Young as Frankie Valli of the Four Seasons in ‘Jersey Boys’) Clint Eastwood’s semi-historically accurate biopic of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Jersey Boys, is based on the hit 2005 Broadway musical — and it is a crushing bore. But we shall start with the positive: In Eastwood’s film, the music and the performances of the music (which are not the same thing) are great. That is to be expected, as the Jersey Boys movie cast is mostly composed from cast members of the stage show, including Tony winner John Lloyd Young, who happens to look a lot like Frankie Valli and who has a four-plus octave range. Lucky boy. Lloyd Young is also a serviceable actor with a number of (mostly stage) credits that did not require a piercing falsetto.
- 6/21/2014
- by Tim Cogshell
- Alt Film Guide
"Ring of Fire," a Lifetime movie premiering Monday, May 27, packs two wonderful surprises: The film is June Carter Cash's story, not Johnny Cash's, and Jewel, the singer, is terrific as her.
"People know me as a musician," Jewel tells Zap2it during a break from touring. "I was really worried I had to lose myself in the role, and I had to be able to transform."
Jewel plays the singer from ages 22 to 72, portraying her as a young woman whose first time solo onstage could have been her last. June Carter's pick for her autoharp went flying, and some in the audience started to snicker. But she made a joke and won over the audience with an easy sassiness.
The first time she met Johnny Cash (Matt Ross, "Big Love," "Magic City") he was smitten.
Two years later, he greeted her as he did everyone: "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash.
"People know me as a musician," Jewel tells Zap2it during a break from touring. "I was really worried I had to lose myself in the role, and I had to be able to transform."
Jewel plays the singer from ages 22 to 72, portraying her as a young woman whose first time solo onstage could have been her last. June Carter's pick for her autoharp went flying, and some in the audience started to snicker. But she made a joke and won over the audience with an easy sassiness.
The first time she met Johnny Cash (Matt Ross, "Big Love," "Magic City") he was smitten.
Two years later, he greeted her as he did everyone: "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash.
- 5/27/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
In 1991 two films changed the landscape of indie cinema by making the frugality of the budget a selling point. Where are the microbudget film directors now?
Hollywood has always operated on the principle that more is more: each time the most expensive film ever made arrives in cinemas, budgetary extravagance becomes a major selling point. But 20 years ago, the Us independent sector stumbled upon its own marketing equivalent: the microbudget. Suddenly it became apparent that a film's financial shortcomings could be exploited to its advantage.
In 1991, two films changed the landscape of indie cinema and the way in which it was sold. Richard Linklater's Slacker, which drops in on around 100 misfits and eccentrics during 24 hours in Austin, Texas, and Matty Rich's Straight Out of Brooklyn, a tale of young no-hopers in New York's housing projects, marked the start of a phenomenon – frugality as a marketing hook
Neither were the...
Hollywood has always operated on the principle that more is more: each time the most expensive film ever made arrives in cinemas, budgetary extravagance becomes a major selling point. But 20 years ago, the Us independent sector stumbled upon its own marketing equivalent: the microbudget. Suddenly it became apparent that a film's financial shortcomings could be exploited to its advantage.
In 1991, two films changed the landscape of indie cinema and the way in which it was sold. Richard Linklater's Slacker, which drops in on around 100 misfits and eccentrics during 24 hours in Austin, Texas, and Matty Rich's Straight Out of Brooklyn, a tale of young no-hopers in New York's housing projects, marked the start of a phenomenon – frugality as a marketing hook
Neither were the...
- 9/23/2011
- by Ryan Gilbey
- The Guardian - Film News
While Illeana Douglas may not have the glamour of most Hollywood actresses out there, her quirkiness and versatility as an actress have earned her roles in a diverse array of projects. She's likely best known for her turns in "Cape Fear," "To Die For" and "Grace Of My Heart" but she's also popped up on the small screen as well, with roles in “Ugly Betty,” “Six Feet Under,” and as Ari Gold’s sister in HBO’s “Entourage.” Last January, after landing a major role on CW’s ill-fated series “Gossip Girl,” she dropped out due to scheduling conflicts, and with reason as…...
- 7/21/2011
- The Playlist
The Los Angeles Film Festival is in full swing and a couple of our gurus are right in the midst of things!
The Film Independent’s excellent La Film Fest is full-on happening right now in Downtown Los Angeles and there are at least a few events worth noting, if only (though not exclusively) for their guru-related involvement.
On June 23, the prolific and wise Josh Olson will publicly indulge in his specialty as part of the La Film Fest’s Poolside Chat: Film Rant at the downtown La Jw Marriott Ion Pool Bar at 8:00pm*.
Josh will be in the esteemed company of Illeana Douglas (actor, Grace of My Heart; creator/writer, Easy to Assemble), Jerry Stahl (writer, Permanent Midnight) and Daniel Waters (writer, Heathers). So sayeth Laff:
Sometimes you just want to blow off steam; and sometimes you need an audience there who’ll cheer you on. The...
The Film Independent’s excellent La Film Fest is full-on happening right now in Downtown Los Angeles and there are at least a few events worth noting, if only (though not exclusively) for their guru-related involvement.
On June 23, the prolific and wise Josh Olson will publicly indulge in his specialty as part of the La Film Fest’s Poolside Chat: Film Rant at the downtown La Jw Marriott Ion Pool Bar at 8:00pm*.
Josh will be in the esteemed company of Illeana Douglas (actor, Grace of My Heart; creator/writer, Easy to Assemble), Jerry Stahl (writer, Permanent Midnight) and Daniel Waters (writer, Heathers). So sayeth Laff:
Sometimes you just want to blow off steam; and sometimes you need an audience there who’ll cheer you on. The...
- 6/23/2011
- by Danny
- Trailers from Hell
To start the weekend roundup, Beginning of Line is now halfway through Caprica Season 2. The latest story, "Purpose" (2x09), comes from Abby Geiger and centers on Tad Thorean and Tamara Adama. You can read the story at the link, and also check out the Artsy Monday Q&A with Abby Geiger from a few weeks ago.
That's nine stories down, nine to go this season. If you haven't started reading yet, you can catch up in the story archive.
And some cast updates:
Sasha Roiz has posted a few photos from the set of Castle on Twitter and on his Fb page. His episode is called "Pretty Dead" and involves a murder at a beauty pageant. Sasha plays the pageant host:
After last Monday's episode, Castle is going on a mini-break until May and episode 3x23 should air on May 9.
Eric Stoltz is still working on Glee, on episode 2x20, "Prom Queen.
That's nine stories down, nine to go this season. If you haven't started reading yet, you can catch up in the story archive.
And some cast updates:
Sasha Roiz has posted a few photos from the set of Castle on Twitter and on his Fb page. His episode is called "Pretty Dead" and involves a murder at a beauty pageant. Sasha plays the pageant host:
After last Monday's episode, Castle is going on a mini-break until May and episode 3x23 should air on May 9.
Eric Stoltz is still working on Glee, on episode 2x20, "Prom Queen.
- 4/16/2011
- by fanshawe
- CapricaTV
Music has always been a major element of Allison Anders' films. "Border Radio," "Grace of My Heart" and "Sugar Town" are actually about musicians. "Sugar Town" is named after a Nancy Sinatra song and features John Taylor of Duran Duran, Martin Kemp of Spandau Ballet and John Doe of X in major roles. The lead character of "Things Behind the Sun" (named after a Nick Drake song) is about a music journalist who tracks down a childhood friend turned rising rock star.
"Things Behind the Sun" came out in 2001, and Anders hasn't done a film since, directed instead episodes of "The L Word" and "What About Brian" and founding the Don't Knock The Rock Film And Music Festival. But she has a new project with longtime collaborator Kurt Voss up on Kickstarter:
"Strutter" tells the story of 22 year old Brett (Flannery Lunsford), a singer for a Los Angeles rock...
"Things Behind the Sun" came out in 2001, and Anders hasn't done a film since, directed instead episodes of "The L Word" and "What About Brian" and founding the Don't Knock The Rock Film And Music Festival. But she has a new project with longtime collaborator Kurt Voss up on Kickstarter:
"Strutter" tells the story of 22 year old Brett (Flannery Lunsford), a singer for a Los Angeles rock...
- 11/17/2010
- by Alison Willmore
- ifc.com
Grace of My Heart Dir. Allison Anders (1996) While Nora Ephron's Julie and Julia was a joyful duet between Amy Adams as the blogger who changes her life with the inspiration of Meryl Streep's goofy and lovable Julia Child, the bummer about the film is that its existence reminds the audience about what an amazing movie a straight-up biopic of Child would've been. (Or could still be: Child-as-spy/30-something virgin biopic really is prime fodder.) If a Child biopic had some of the gloss and confidence of Allison Anders' 1996 epic Grace of My Heart, it would be a formidable flick. What makes Anders' film so wonderful is that it serves as a fascinating tour and salute to some of America's greatest female musicians of the past fifty years: Carole King, Joni Mitchell, and Carly Simon. (That trifecta was memorably profiled in 2008's biography Girls Like Us by Sheila Weller.
- 1/15/2010
- TribecaFilm.com
Grace of My Heart Dir. Allison Anders (1996) While Nora Ephron's Julie & Julia was a joyful duet between Amy Adams as the blogger who changes her life with the inspiration of Meryl Streep's goofy and lovable Julia Child, the bummer about the film is that its existence reminds the audience about what an amazing movie a straight-up biopic of Child would've been. (Or could still be: Child-as-spy/30-something virgin biopic really is prime fodder.) If a Child biopic had some of the gloss and confidence of Allison Anders' 1996 epic Grace of My Heart, it would be a formidable flick. What makes Anders' film so wonderful is that it serves as a fascinating tour and salute to some of America's greatest female musicians of the past fifty years: Carole King, Joni Mitchell, and Carly Simon....
- 1/14/2010
- by Tribeca Film
- Huffington Post
When it comes to music, I can cry at the drop of a hat. I may be a little hard-hearted when it comes to certain things in life, but there is just something about a sad song that can turn me into a puddle of emotions -- and no song can make me blubber like a baby more than God Give Me Strength from Grace of My Heart. Alison Anders' 1996 film starred Ileana Douglas as the fictional songwriter, Denise Waverly, and follows her from the early days at the Brill Building (which was the place to be for girl groups in the 1960's) to the laid back days of the 70's singer-songwriters.
The film was not based on any particular music legend, but if you know your music history you'll probably notice some similarities between Denise and singer-songwriters Carole King, Carly Simon, and Judy Collins. In general, the film is chock-full of music history,...
The film was not based on any particular music legend, but if you know your music history you'll probably notice some similarities between Denise and singer-songwriters Carole King, Carly Simon, and Judy Collins. In general, the film is chock-full of music history,...
- 1/4/2010
- by Jessica Barnes
- Cinematical
Actress Illeana Douglas thrilled guests at Saturday night's Independent Spirit Awards when she walked onstage in bondage gear - before poking fun at Michael Jackson and the acting Culkins. The Grace Of My Heart star conducted a sing-a-long tribute to dark masochist comedy Secretary while strapped to a pole, which ran from her left to her right hand across her shoulders. She joked, "You think I'm here to present Secretary but I woke up like this. I checked into the Casa Del Mar last night with a couple of those Culkin kids and you can't tell me that Macauley didn't learn something from all those years hanging out with Jacko. I just want to say, (to Kieran Culkin), 'Where's the key, buddy? I'm going to need those Polaroids back for my website.'" Douglas then allowed Spirit Awards host John Waters to spank her on the backside.
- 3/24/2003
- WENN
Actress Patsy Kensit is putting her marriage woes behind her by throwing herself back into work. The troubled wife of Oasis hellraiser Liam Gallagher flies to Florida this weekend to start work on Things Behind the Sun (2001). The movie, directed by Allison Anders who worked with Patsy in Grace of My Heart (1996), and sees the blonde Best (2000) star play a nightclub boss. Patsy recently checked herself into a clinic as she tried to battle depression and the stress of her stormy marriage to. But friends of the actress say getting back to work is the perfect tonic for her. One says, "She is now looking forward to going back to work and getting on with her career. "This is the first work Patsy has done since being admitted to the clinic. She landed the part before receiving the treatment and therefore there was never any question she would drop out. The film is being directed by Allison Anders, who Patsy adores, having worked with her before." Patsy's agent Steve Dagger confirms, "She is flying out to Florida this weekend. She has a lot of other offers in the pipeline and a number of scripts are being considered."...
- 6/23/2000
- WENN
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