"I got the situation under control." Prime Video has revealed a first look teaser trailer for a comedy movie titled You're Cordially Invited, the next big comedy created & directed by filmmaker Nick Stoller. Another marriage comedy for everyone to enjoy! You're Cordially Invited follows a woman who is planning her sister's wedding and the father of another bride-to-be. They discover that they are double-booked for their destination wedding, so both parties decide to share the venue, but chaos and disaster await. "Save the date." It's set for release in January 2025, so there's a long wait, but until then have fun with this footage. Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon star as the double-booked hosts, with Geraldine Viswanathan, Meredith Hagner, Wesley Mann, Jimmy Tatro, Celia Weston, Leanne Morgan, Rory Scovel, and Keyla Monterroso Mejia. There's only 60 seconds of footage, but this is a hilarious trailer that might get your attention! Stoller is...
- 5/14/2024
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Angelina Pivarnick’s biological father received criticism from viewers after his debut on Jersey Shore: Family Vacation.
The MTV show’s Season 7 premiered Thursday evening, focusing on Angelina meeting family members she’d never known about.
As viewers saw in the previous season’s episodes, Angelina discovered surprises about her family history, including having a dad she never knew about, with the help of Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino and a genealogist.
During the Season 7 premiere, Angelina met up with her Aunt, cousin, and long-lost sister, who she felt resembled her almost like a “twin.”
After confirming that Alfred Williams was her biological father, Alfred was also invited to the family gathering at the restaurant.
However, his questions while seated with Angelina didn’t sit well with some viewers, who felt he was very interested in her financial situation due to being a reality TV star.
Angelina met her biological dad...
The MTV show’s Season 7 premiered Thursday evening, focusing on Angelina meeting family members she’d never known about.
As viewers saw in the previous season’s episodes, Angelina discovered surprises about her family history, including having a dad she never knew about, with the help of Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino and a genealogist.
During the Season 7 premiere, Angelina met up with her Aunt, cousin, and long-lost sister, who she felt resembled her almost like a “twin.”
After confirming that Alfred Williams was her biological father, Alfred was also invited to the family gathering at the restaurant.
However, his questions while seated with Angelina didn’t sit well with some viewers, who felt he was very interested in her financial situation due to being a reality TV star.
Angelina met her biological dad...
- 2/9/2024
- by Matt Couden
- Monsters and Critics
The Jersey Shore cast mates can’t stay away from each other for long. Even when they’re not filming, the group manages to reunite — and this time, it appears they have something planned for Super Bowl Lviii.
Sorrentino recently shared a photo alongside Polizzi and Farley, all of whom just touched down in Vegas. It’s unclear if any other cast mates are joining this little adventure, but Sorrentino’s caption seemed to suggest the trio has big plans for the weekend.
Mike ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino just shared a photo with Nicole Polizzi and Jenni Farley
Polizzi recently hinted to her fans that she was traveling once again. She posted a selfie to her Instagram story letting people know she was on her way to the airport; however, she did not indicate where she was going. Sorrentino let the cat out of the bag on February 6 when he posted...
Sorrentino recently shared a photo alongside Polizzi and Farley, all of whom just touched down in Vegas. It’s unclear if any other cast mates are joining this little adventure, but Sorrentino’s caption seemed to suggest the trio has big plans for the weekend.
Mike ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino just shared a photo with Nicole Polizzi and Jenni Farley
Polizzi recently hinted to her fans that she was traveling once again. She posted a selfie to her Instagram story letting people know she was on her way to the airport; however, she did not indicate where she was going. Sorrentino let the cat out of the bag on February 6 when he posted...
- 2/7/2024
- by Julia Mullaney
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino and his wife Lauren recently experienced one of a parent’s worst nightmares.
The couple witnessed a terrifying scene as their 2-year-old son, Romeo, began choking on pasta.
The Jersey Shore star shared footage from the incident, which occurred last Thursday at his Holmdel home in Monmouth County.
Their terrifying incident and the couple handling it smoothly was captured via Ring camera footage from inside their home.
Sorrentino called it “the scariest moment of our lives” in a caption on his Instagram post.
“It was an ordinary dinner at the Situations when suddenly without notice Romeo started choking on his favorite pasta pesto gnocchi !! He hunched over and wasn’t breathing...
The couple witnessed a terrifying scene as their 2-year-old son, Romeo, began choking on pasta.
The Jersey Shore star shared footage from the incident, which occurred last Thursday at his Holmdel home in Monmouth County.
Their terrifying incident and the couple handling it smoothly was captured via Ring camera footage from inside their home.
Sorrentino called it “the scariest moment of our lives” in a caption on his Instagram post.
“It was an ordinary dinner at the Situations when suddenly without notice Romeo started choking on his favorite pasta pesto gnocchi !! He hunched over and wasn’t breathing...
- 2/4/2024
- by Matt Couden
- Monsters and Critics
Jersey Shore stars Pauly D and Mike ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino seemed to be somewhat opposites of each other in the reality show’s early days. Even when it came to dating, their two approaches to seducing women couldn’t have been any more different.
Pauly D felt he had an advantage over Mike Sorrentino’s aggressive style of flirting Mike Sorrentino and Pauly D | John Lamparski/Getty Images
Pauly D once commented on his and Sorrentino’s different styles when it came to dating. The reality TV stars had a lot of success bringing women home back in their younger years. It was noted that Sorrentino was much more aggressive when it came to flirting with women than Pauly D. Pauly D’s approach to dating was more laid-back, which he felt was better than Sorrentino’s.
“Yeah. I got the Pauly D swag,” Pauly D told Daily Beast in 2011. “He doesn’t have that,...
Pauly D felt he had an advantage over Mike Sorrentino’s aggressive style of flirting Mike Sorrentino and Pauly D | John Lamparski/Getty Images
Pauly D once commented on his and Sorrentino’s different styles when it came to dating. The reality TV stars had a lot of success bringing women home back in their younger years. It was noted that Sorrentino was much more aggressive when it came to flirting with women than Pauly D. Pauly D’s approach to dating was more laid-back, which he felt was better than Sorrentino’s.
“Yeah. I got the Pauly D swag,” Pauly D told Daily Beast in 2011. “He doesn’t have that,...
- 1/30/2024
- by Antonio Stallings
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
It's a big day for unexpected TV news, including the return of some beloved stars, some unexpected remarks from the creators of Game of Thrones, an FX documentary that's all about sperm.
Needless to say, today's updates are all over the map.
Let's begin with an exciting update about one of the most talented actors working today.
Forest Whitaker has appeared in shows as varied as The Shield, Andor, and Young Rock.
And now, he'll be making his return to the small screen with a new MGM+ with the 10-episode limited series Emperor of Ocean Park.
An adaptation of the bestselling 2002 novel by Stephen L. Carter, the show will feature Whitaker as a prominent judge and the patriarch of a wealthy family.
“Forest Whitaker brings his unique gravitas and grace to every role he plays,” said Michael Wright, head of MGM+.
“We are beyond fortunate that Forest will inhabit the...
Needless to say, today's updates are all over the map.
Let's begin with an exciting update about one of the most talented actors working today.
Forest Whitaker has appeared in shows as varied as The Shield, Andor, and Young Rock.
And now, he'll be making his return to the small screen with a new MGM+ with the 10-episode limited series Emperor of Ocean Park.
An adaptation of the bestselling 2002 novel by Stephen L. Carter, the show will feature Whitaker as a prominent judge and the patriarch of a wealthy family.
“Forest Whitaker brings his unique gravitas and grace to every role he plays,” said Michael Wright, head of MGM+.
“We are beyond fortunate that Forest will inhabit the...
- 1/17/2024
- by Tyler Johnson
- TVfanatic
Mike Sorrentino, one of the original stars of Jersey Shore and Jersey Shore: Family Vacation, has written an autobiography. The “raw and unfiltered” book titled Reality Check will debut in Fall 2023.
Mike Sorrentino, star of ‘Jersey Shore: Family Vacation’ is publishing an autobiography | John Lamparski/Getty Images Mike Sorrentino promises to share his ‘full story’
Fans of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation were surprised to learn that Mike Sorrentino, also known as The Situation, has written an autobiography. The reality star kept the project under wraps for over one year.
Sorrentino put his story down with Andy Symonds. He revealed news of the book via his social media pages.
Sorrentino discussed its contents in the caption of an Instagram post featuring the book’s cover. He also shared its cover and promised to leave no stone unturned in his personal story.
The reality star says, “I’m so proud and excited...
Mike Sorrentino, star of ‘Jersey Shore: Family Vacation’ is publishing an autobiography | John Lamparski/Getty Images Mike Sorrentino promises to share his ‘full story’
Fans of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation were surprised to learn that Mike Sorrentino, also known as The Situation, has written an autobiography. The reality star kept the project under wraps for over one year.
Sorrentino put his story down with Andy Symonds. He revealed news of the book via his social media pages.
Sorrentino discussed its contents in the caption of an Instagram post featuring the book’s cover. He also shared its cover and promised to leave no stone unturned in his personal story.
The reality star says, “I’m so proud and excited...
- 7/27/2023
- by Lucille Barilla
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
While the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards weren't held live on May 7, some of Hollywood's biggest stars still got their moment during the prerecorded show. In the lead-up to Sunday, the ceremony planned for Barker Hangar in Los Angeles was scrapped amid the Writers Guild of America strike. Host Drew Barrymore stepped back from the gig in support of the striking writers, and the decision to do without a red carpet closely followed. Heading into the weekend, it was confirmed that the event would not be held in its original form.
Still, big names accepted their popcorn trophies through video clips, including Tom Cruise, who was piloting a plane while expressing his gratitude for his win for best performance in a movie for "Top Gun: Maverick."
Keep scrolling for the full list of 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards winners.
Related: Jennifer Coolidge Supports Striking Writers While Accepting the 2023 MTV Comedic Genius...
Still, big names accepted their popcorn trophies through video clips, including Tom Cruise, who was piloting a plane while expressing his gratitude for his win for best performance in a movie for "Top Gun: Maverick."
Keep scrolling for the full list of 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards winners.
Related: Jennifer Coolidge Supports Striking Writers While Accepting the 2023 MTV Comedic Genius...
- 5/8/2023
- by Lindsay Kimble
- Popsugar.com
Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino and his wife Lauren have been through plenty of ups and downs throughout their years together, which means they know exactly how to handle the tough stuff, including disagreements.
Mike and Lauren Sorrentino were college sweethearts who reconnected after ‘Jersey Shore’ came to an end
Mike and Lauren met in 2005 while both attending community college. They were together for a few years, but broke up when Mike entered rehab for the first time. He has been very open about his struggles with addiction to prescription painkillers and has been sober for seven years now. Once he got out, the couple thought about getting back together, but decided against it. Shortly after, “The Situation” joined the cast of Jersey Shore.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Mike"The Situation"Sorrentino (@mikethesituation)
After the reality show ended, Mike went back home, where he ran into Lauren at a local gym.
Mike and Lauren Sorrentino were college sweethearts who reconnected after ‘Jersey Shore’ came to an end
Mike and Lauren met in 2005 while both attending community college. They were together for a few years, but broke up when Mike entered rehab for the first time. He has been very open about his struggles with addiction to prescription painkillers and has been sober for seven years now. Once he got out, the couple thought about getting back together, but decided against it. Shortly after, “The Situation” joined the cast of Jersey Shore.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Mike"The Situation"Sorrentino (@mikethesituation)
After the reality show ended, Mike went back home, where he ran into Lauren at a local gym.
- 4/22/2023
- by India McCarty
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino’s cornhole tournament finally begins (and ends) in Jersey Shore: Family Vacation Season 6 Episode 5. “Get Your Sack in the Hole” reveals how far “The Situation” makes it in the competition. Plus, Mike and his wife share another big update about their growing family, and Angelina Pivarnick is still considering the idea of a relationship with Vinny Guadagnino. Here’s how it all played out in the Jersey Shore: Family Vacation episode from Feb. 23.
Vinny Guadagnino, Pauly DelVecchio, Mike ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino, Jenni ‘JWoww’ Farley, Nicole ‘Snooki’ Polizzi, and Angelina Pivarnick | MTV ‘The Situation’ takes an ‘L’ in ‘Jersey Shore: Family Vacation’ Season 6 Episode 5
This season, Angelina, Vinny, Pauly DelVecchio, Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, and Jenni “JWoww” Farley travel to South Carolina to watch Mike compete in the American Cornhole League’s SuperHole III event. Before Mike took the stage with his pro partner Jacob Trzcienski, Nicole and...
Vinny Guadagnino, Pauly DelVecchio, Mike ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino, Jenni ‘JWoww’ Farley, Nicole ‘Snooki’ Polizzi, and Angelina Pivarnick | MTV ‘The Situation’ takes an ‘L’ in ‘Jersey Shore: Family Vacation’ Season 6 Episode 5
This season, Angelina, Vinny, Pauly DelVecchio, Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, and Jenni “JWoww” Farley travel to South Carolina to watch Mike compete in the American Cornhole League’s SuperHole III event. Before Mike took the stage with his pro partner Jacob Trzcienski, Nicole and...
- 2/24/2023
- by Lauren Anderson
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Jersey Shore: Family Vacation is still going strong on MTV. The reality series, a spinoff of Jersey Shore, is in season 6, but not all of the original cast members are still part of the show. Find out who remains part of the Jersey Shore: Family Vacation cast in 2023.
Vinny Guadagnino, Pauly DelVecchio, Angelina Pivarnick, Nicole ‘Snooki’ Polizzi, Mike ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino, Jenni ‘JWoww’ Farley, and Deena Cortese | MTV ‘Jersey Shore: Family Vacation’ cast features most of the original stars
Most of the original Jersey Shore cast members still film for the MTV spinoff. Season 6 of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation features the following cast members:
Nicole “Snooki” PolizziDeena CorteseJenni “JWoww” Farley Angelina Pivarnick Mike “The Situation” SorrentinoPauly DelVecchio Vinny Guadagnino
No guidos were harmed in the making of this ? #JSFamilyVacation pic.twitter.com/T15EMaWamc
— Jersey Shore (@JerseyShore) February 10, 2023
Occasionally, the cast member’s significant others will appear in episodes of Jsfv.
Vinny Guadagnino, Pauly DelVecchio, Angelina Pivarnick, Nicole ‘Snooki’ Polizzi, Mike ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino, Jenni ‘JWoww’ Farley, and Deena Cortese | MTV ‘Jersey Shore: Family Vacation’ cast features most of the original stars
Most of the original Jersey Shore cast members still film for the MTV spinoff. Season 6 of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation features the following cast members:
Nicole “Snooki” PolizziDeena CorteseJenni “JWoww” Farley Angelina Pivarnick Mike “The Situation” SorrentinoPauly DelVecchio Vinny Guadagnino
No guidos were harmed in the making of this ? #JSFamilyVacation pic.twitter.com/T15EMaWamc
— Jersey Shore (@JerseyShore) February 10, 2023
Occasionally, the cast member’s significant others will appear in episodes of Jsfv.
- 2/17/2023
- by Lauren Anderson
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Jersey Shore’s Mike Sorrentino talks becoming a dad again. Pic credit: @mikethesituation/Instagram
Jersey Shore Family Vacation star Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino and his wife Lauren Sorrentino have had a lot to celebrate recently.
A few months back, they celebrated their son Romeo’s first birthday.
They hosted a big bash at their home and included family, friends, and castmates in the festivities.
While this milestone was certainly exciting for them, they had some big news to share this month.
The couple revealed that Lauren is pregnant and is expecting baby number two in January of next year.
Mike and Lauren recently opened up about the new addition and their plans for growing their family even more.
Jersey Shore’s Mike Sorrentino talks baby number 2
Mike was ecstatic about growing his family and appeared elated to share the news with his followers.
View this post on Instagram
A post...
Jersey Shore Family Vacation star Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino and his wife Lauren Sorrentino have had a lot to celebrate recently.
A few months back, they celebrated their son Romeo’s first birthday.
They hosted a big bash at their home and included family, friends, and castmates in the festivities.
While this milestone was certainly exciting for them, they had some big news to share this month.
The couple revealed that Lauren is pregnant and is expecting baby number two in January of next year.
Mike and Lauren recently opened up about the new addition and their plans for growing their family even more.
Jersey Shore’s Mike Sorrentino talks baby number 2
Mike was ecstatic about growing his family and appeared elated to share the news with his followers.
View this post on Instagram
A post...
- 8/12/2022
- by Maggie Michaels
- Monsters and Critics
Big Daddy Sitch is ready to expand his family. Less than a week after Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino announced that his wife Lauren Sorrentino is expecting another baby, the Jersey Shore Family Vacation star is sharing just how excited he is to have another guido—or guidette—in his household. "I always wanted to have about three children but after having my first, I was definitely a little worried," Mike exclusively shared with E! News. "Are me and my wife going to be able to handle that? But once my wife was pregnant, we were so excited. We're so excited that the babies are going to be close in age." The MTV star also said he's surprised it happened so...
- 8/8/2022
- E! Online
Hey, "Queen Of The South" fans. We totally hope you guys enjoyed episode 3. Now that it's officially aired and in the history books, we are back in action with another new Queen of The South spoiler session for you guys. In this article, we're going to give you a little bit of info about what's going down in the next, new episode 4 of Queen of The South's current season 5, which is due out next Wednesday night, April 28, 2021. We were able to collect a brief teaser description for one of episode 4's main storylines via USA Network's episode 4 press release. So, that's what we'll be working with as a source for this spoiler session. Let's get into it. First thing's first. USA Network did reveal what the official title is for this new episode 4. It's called, "La Situacion." It sounds like episode 4 will feature some possible dramatic, super intense and action-filled scenes.
- 4/22/2021
- by Andre Braddox
- OnTheFlix
In the words of Mike Sorrentino, "We have a situation." Amid the coronavirus pandemic and ongoing social distancing protocols, the Jersey Shore cast reunited for a birthday meal in honor of "The Situation," who turned 37 years old on July 4. Castmate Jenni "JWoww" Farley shared a photo of the outdoor get-together, which took place at The Butcher's Block restaurant in Long Branch, N.J. Along with Sorrentino's wife, Lauren Sorrentino, Farley's boyfriend, Zack Carpinello, Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, Vinny Guadagnino, Deena Cortese and Cortese's husband, Christopher Buckner, the reality stars posed together for the picture on social media. Pauly...
- 7/7/2020
- E! Online
Uncle Nino came through. Jersey Shore Family Vacation star Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino spent months in prison, and they could've been pretty bad had it not been for Uncle Nino. "From the first day that I entered into prison, there was a chance that people may have not liked me. But from the day I got in, people, they helped me out. And I have to thank Uncle Nino for putting the word out for me," Mike says in a confessional in the below exclusive sneak peek. While the names are bleeped out, Mike tells his uncle who helped him out when he was in the slammer. "They sat me down and I'm telling you, they told me to tell you, 'Tell Uncle Nino that we looked out for you. We heard...
- 3/26/2020
- E! Online
Ronnie + Sammi = 4ever. Alas, that's not how it turned out, Sammi "Sweetheart" Giancola and Ronnie Ortiz-Magro ultimately going their separate ways after years of intense back-and-forth, and Sammi even choosing to skip the Jersey Shore: Family Vacation this year. For Ronnie, his destiny—and his image—seemed inextricably tied up with Sammi for the majority of the time he spent Gtl-ing on Jersey Shore, and old habits were hard to break, both for him and the MTV show's devoted fandom, which mourned what seemed to be the real end of their relationship in 2016. Over the past year, however, despite his return to the pack with The Situation, Vinny, Snooki, JWoww,...
- 1/3/2019
- E! Online
Amir here, with more coverage from Toronto. Steve McQueen can direct the next Rambo sequel with The Situation in the lead and I’ll be there first in line. Most directors would be lucky to make two films as strong as Shame and Hunger well into their career, let alone in their first two attempts, but McQueen is a rare talent with a knack for visual storytelling that is unmatched by most directors
Shame
In Shame, McQueen’s “regular” star Michael Fassbender plays Brandon, an Irish-born New Yorker whose uncontrollable addiction to sex drives his life, dictates his work and defines his relationships. When his troubled cabaret singer sister Sissy (Carey Mulligan) moves in with him, the endless cycle of his sexual routine is broken and things go awry.
On the surface, this might sound like a much lighter subject matter for the director than Hunger, but he approaches the...
Shame
In Shame, McQueen’s “regular” star Michael Fassbender plays Brandon, an Irish-born New Yorker whose uncontrollable addiction to sex drives his life, dictates his work and defines his relationships. When his troubled cabaret singer sister Sissy (Carey Mulligan) moves in with him, the endless cycle of his sexual routine is broken and things go awry.
On the surface, this might sound like a much lighter subject matter for the director than Hunger, but he approaches the...
- 9/13/2011
- by Amir S.
- FilmExperience
The rules for any roast demand that the roasters should have genuine affection for the roastee. You never rib someone you don’t like. But at the taping of The Comedy Central Roast of Donald Trump last night in New York City (airing on Comedy Central on Tuesday March 15 at 10:30 pm Est) not all of the comedians on hand had love in their hearts for the Trumpster — including Lisa Lampanelli, who had established that roasting rule in the first place. “Well, I broke the rule because the money’s really good,” the Roast veteran jested to me on the red carpet.
- 3/10/2011
- by Christian Blauvelt
- EW.com - PopWatch
The Situation
PALM SPRINGS -- Part war drama, part political thriller, part romance -- and wholly uninvolving -- Philip Haas' "The Situation" might be among the first American features out of the gate to address the war in Iraq (as played by Morocco), but in the absence of a sufficient historical perspective, a far greater dramatic dynamic was required than what passes for international intrigue in this talky, stilted production.
The Shadow Distribution release was screened as part of the World Cinema Now section of this year's Palm Springs International Film Festival.
Connie Nielsen plays an American journalist struggling to find fresh perspectives in her coverage of day-to-day life in Iraq, and an opportunity presents itself after a group of American soldiers in Samarra throw two curfew-violating Iraqi teens off a bridge, leading to the drowning death of one of them.
The aftermath sets off yet another chain reaction of violence involving corrupt Iraqi police officials and insurgents, taking Nielsen's Anna deep into the danger zone, at least when she is not embedded in a little triangular romantic intrigue between an out-of-his-depth American intelligence official (Damien Lewis) and an intrepid Iraqi photographer (Mido Hamada).
Haas, who worked from adaptations of novels by W. Somerset Maugham ("Up at the Villa"), Paul Auster ("The Music of Chance") and A.S. Byatt ("Angels and Insects") and was presumably going for a Graham Greene "Quiet American" vibe here, is ill-served by journalist Wendell Steavenson's first screenplay, based upon her experiences living and working in the war-torn country.
While Steavenson's script and Haas' direction convey a necessary sense of urgency and confusion, both falter when it comes to creating compelling characters or building dramatic tension.
Instead, there are an awful lot of dull, purposeful conversations rudely interrupted by the blast of insurgent bombs or mortar fire that never seems to be as unsettling as they are obviously intended.
Nielsen's tentative performance is another problem. Neither she nor the filmmakers let the audience in on the motivating forces or underlying passion that would propel her character directly into the line of fire.
Lewis, who was so convincingly raw in 2005's "Keane", also gets a bit lost here as the misguided CIA man. Only Hamada makes a real impact as the charismatic photographer who opens Nielsen's eyes to the various complexities that are deeply entwined in the ongoing chaos.
THE SITUATION
Shadow Distribution
Credits:
Director: Philip Haas
Screenwriter: Wendell Steavenson
Producers: Liaquet Ahamed, Michael Sternberg, Neda Armian
Director of photography: Sean Bobbit
Editor: Curtiss Clayton
Costume designer: Anita Yavich
Music: Jeff Beal
Cast:
Anna: Connie Nielsen
Dan: Damien Lewis
Zaid: Mido Hamada
Colonel Carrick: John Slattery
Major Hanks: Tom McCarthy
Duraid: Muhmoud El Lozy
Running time -- 106 minutes
No MPAA rating...
The Shadow Distribution release was screened as part of the World Cinema Now section of this year's Palm Springs International Film Festival.
Connie Nielsen plays an American journalist struggling to find fresh perspectives in her coverage of day-to-day life in Iraq, and an opportunity presents itself after a group of American soldiers in Samarra throw two curfew-violating Iraqi teens off a bridge, leading to the drowning death of one of them.
The aftermath sets off yet another chain reaction of violence involving corrupt Iraqi police officials and insurgents, taking Nielsen's Anna deep into the danger zone, at least when she is not embedded in a little triangular romantic intrigue between an out-of-his-depth American intelligence official (Damien Lewis) and an intrepid Iraqi photographer (Mido Hamada).
Haas, who worked from adaptations of novels by W. Somerset Maugham ("Up at the Villa"), Paul Auster ("The Music of Chance") and A.S. Byatt ("Angels and Insects") and was presumably going for a Graham Greene "Quiet American" vibe here, is ill-served by journalist Wendell Steavenson's first screenplay, based upon her experiences living and working in the war-torn country.
While Steavenson's script and Haas' direction convey a necessary sense of urgency and confusion, both falter when it comes to creating compelling characters or building dramatic tension.
Instead, there are an awful lot of dull, purposeful conversations rudely interrupted by the blast of insurgent bombs or mortar fire that never seems to be as unsettling as they are obviously intended.
Nielsen's tentative performance is another problem. Neither she nor the filmmakers let the audience in on the motivating forces or underlying passion that would propel her character directly into the line of fire.
Lewis, who was so convincingly raw in 2005's "Keane", also gets a bit lost here as the misguided CIA man. Only Hamada makes a real impact as the charismatic photographer who opens Nielsen's eyes to the various complexities that are deeply entwined in the ongoing chaos.
THE SITUATION
Shadow Distribution
Credits:
Director: Philip Haas
Screenwriter: Wendell Steavenson
Producers: Liaquet Ahamed, Michael Sternberg, Neda Armian
Director of photography: Sean Bobbit
Editor: Curtiss Clayton
Costume designer: Anita Yavich
Music: Jeff Beal
Cast:
Anna: Connie Nielsen
Dan: Damien Lewis
Zaid: Mido Hamada
Colonel Carrick: John Slattery
Major Hanks: Tom McCarthy
Duraid: Muhmoud El Lozy
Running time -- 106 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 1/17/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Hamptons sets lineup, honors
NEW YORK -- The Hamptons International Film Festival, which runs Oct. 19-22, has unveiled its lineup of 53 features, a conversation with Robert Altman, career achievement awards for Ellen Burstyn and Ted Hope and festival panels with Christine Vachon and Darren Aronofsky. The fest opens with Philip Haas' Iraq war drama The Situation and closes with the Polish brothers' sci-fi drama The Astronaut. Between those films are six features in the Golden Starfish Feature competition and five in the Golden Starfish Documentary race. Narrative features vying for more than $190,000 in goods and in-kind services to be used toward the filmmakers' next feature are Brad Gann's coming-of-age drama Black Irish; Jens Lien's existential Norwegian feature, The Bothersome Man; Sven Taddicken's German romance, Emma's Bliss; Guy Moshe's slavery study, Holly; Dina Zvi-Riklis' intergenerational Israeli saga, Three Mothers; and Rajnesh Domalpalli's exploration of class divisions, Vanaja.
- 9/28/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Hamptons sets lineup, honors
NEW YORK -- The Hamptons International Film Festival, which runs Oct. 19-22, has unveiled its lineup of 53 features, a conversation with Robert Altman, career achievement awards for Ellen Burstyn and Ted Hope and festival panels with Christine Vachon and Darren Aronofsky. The fest opens with Philip Haas' Iraq war drama The Situation and closes with the Polish brothers' sci-fi drama The Astronaut. Between those films are six features in the Golden Starfish Feature competition and five in the Golden Starfish Documentary race. Narrative features vying for more than $190,000 in goods and in-kind services to be used toward the filmmakers' next feature are Brad Gann's coming-of-age drama Black Irish; Jens Lien's existential Norwegian feature, The Bothersome Man; Sven Taddicken's German romance, Emma's Bliss; Guy Moshe's slavery study, Holly; Dina Zvi-Riklis' intergenerational Israeli saga, Three Mothers; and Rajnesh Domalpalli's exploration of class divisions, Vanaja.
- 9/27/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
War coming to Hamptons
NEW YORK -- With a recurring theme of women and children caught in war zones, the 14th annual Hamptons International Film Festival unveiled a lineup of 18 features in competition and its opening-night film: the world premiere of Philip Haas' Iraq war drama The Situation. Six narrative and six documentary features will compete for Golden Starfish Awards, and six other pictures are part of the Films of Conflict and Resolution competition. "Submissions went up 30% this year, which has made it more competitive for our films," artistic director Rajendra Roy said. Brad Gann's Black Irish, Jens Lien's The Bothersome Man, Sven Taddicken's Emma's Bliss, Guy Moshe's Holly, Dina Zvi-Riklis's Three Mothers and Rajnesh Domalpalli's Vanaja will compete for the narrative award, which includes more than $190,000 in goods and in-kind services.
- 8/28/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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