Spike Jonze Joins Sony Pictures Classics’ Nine Days As Executive Producer
Film To Be Released In Theaters Early 2021
NEW YORK – Sony Pictures Classics announced that Spike Jonze has joined as Executive Producer of Edson Oda's NINE DAYS and the film will be released in theaters early 2021. Additionally, Sony Pictures Classics has also acquired the rights in Asia, Israel, Turkey and the rest of Europe, making it a worldwide Sony Pictures Classics release. The film will next be seen in the Hamptons Film Festival and AFI, among others.
NINE DAYS, which stars Winston Duke, Zazie Beetz, Benedict Wong, Bill Skarsgård, Tony Hale, David Rysdahl, and Arianna Ortiz follows a reclusive man, Will (Duke), who is conducting a series of interviews with human souls for a chance to be born. Five contenders emerge, and during the course of nine days, Will tests each of them, but he can choose only one. The victor will be rewarded with a coveted opportunity to become a newborn in the real world, while the others will cease to exist.
The official trailer for the film is now available here.
“Edson is a special human with a special mind and heart. And NINE DAYS is a film that comes straight from within him and therefore is special in the exact same way. Delicate and deep, like the man himself,” said Jonze.
“Spike Jonze has been one of the biggest influences in my life as a filmmaker. His work – which made me see pictures in motion with new eyes—inspired me to pursue this career, and constantly encourages me to tell my own stories in the most human, personal and heartful way I can,” said Oda. “I am so honored and humbled to have him involved with NINE DAYS, it really means the world to me.”
Warner Classics has come onboard to release the film’s soundtrack with Antonio Pinto’s (CITY OF GOD, SENNA) wonderful score.
“Warner Classics is delighted to publish the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack for the film NINE DAYS beautifully scored by the talented Antonio Pinto. Not only is the music of Pinto great and inspiring, but it is a key element in the film narration. Long after having viewed the film, the audience will keep Pinto’s music in their minds and hearts as a trace of their unique experience."
The film is a co-production between Juniper Productions, Mandalay Pictures, Nowhere, MACRO Media and The Space Program, in association with Mansa Productions, Oak Street Pictures, 30WEST, Baked Studios and Datari Turner Productions. The project is produced by Jason Michael Berman of Mandalay Pictures, Mette-Marie Kongsved and Laura Tunstall of Nowhere, Matthew Lindner of Juniper Productions and Datari Turner. Executive producers are Charles D. King, Kim Roth, Gus Deardoff, Kellon Akeem, Spike Jonze, Yandy Smith, Renée Frigo, Beth Hubbard, Trevor Groth, Winston Duke, Caroline Connor, Will Raynor, Mark C. Stevens, Mark G. Mathis, Kwesi Collisson, Larry Weinberg, George A. Loucas, Michelle Craig and Piero Frescobaldi.
ABOUT SONY PICTURES CLASSICS:
Michael Barker and Tom Bernard serve as co-presidents of Sony Pictures Classics—an autonomous division of Sony Pictures Entertainment they founded with Marcie Bloom in January 1992—which distributes, produces, and acquires independent films from around the world. Barker and Bernard have released prestigious films that have won 39 Academy Awards® (35 of those at Sony Pictures Classics) and have garnered 175 Academy Award® nominations (149 at Sony Pictures Classics) including Best Picture nominations for CALL ME BY YOUR NAME, WHIPLASH, AMOUR, MIDNIGHT IN PARIS, AN EDUCATION, CAPOTE, HOWARDS END, AND CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON.
ABOUT SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT:
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition, and distribution; television production, acquisition, and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. SPE’s Motion Picture Group production organizations include Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, 3000 Pictures, Stage 6 Films, AFFIRM Films, and Sony Pictures Classics. For additional information, visit http://www.sonypictures.com/corp/divisions.html.
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Friday, October 30, 2020
Spike Joins is the Latest Executive Producer on the Film, "Nine Days"
Review: "The Last Black Man in San Francisco" is a Stunning Film
TRASH IN MY EYE No. 19 (of 2020) by Leroy Douresseaux
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
DRAMA
Starring: Jimmie Fails, Jonathan Majors, Rob Morgan, Tichina Arnold, Mike Epps, Finn Wittrock, Danny Glover, Willie Hen, Jamal Trulove, Antoine “Mile” Redus, Jordan Gomes, Maxamilliene Ewalt, Michael O'Brien, and Daewon Song
The Last Black Man in San Francisco is a 2019 American drama film and is the debut film of director Joe Talbot. Oscar-winner Barry Jenkins (Moonlight) contributed to the film's Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign, and two-time Oscar-winner Brad Pitt (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) is one of the film's executive producers. The Last Black Man in San Francisco centers on a young Black man's efforts to reclaim his childhood home, which is now an expensive Victorian house in a gentrified neighborhood.
The Last Black Man in San Francisco introduces Jimmie Fails IV (Jimmie Fails). He is a young man living in Bayview-Hunters Point, San Francisco, and he spends his time wandering around town with his best friend Montgomery “Mont” Allen (Jonathan Majors). Jimmie lives with Mont and Mont's grandfather, “Grandpa Allen” (Danny Glover), in the old man's house.
One day, Jimmie takes Mont to San Francisco's Fillmore District, which is where Jimmie grew up. He shows Mont a Victorian house that Jimmie claims his grandfather, James Fails II, built in 1946. An older white couple are the house's current occupants, and Jimmie laments that the couple does not take care of the house. Jimmie surreptitiously attempts to maintain the house by doing minor repairs and upgrade work (like painting). When the couple can no longer keep the house, it is put up for sale by Manifest Realtors.
Jimmie and Mont visit Clayton Newsom (Finn Wittrock), the real estate agent charged with selling the house, and learn that because of an “estate situation” the house could remain unsold for years. Jimmie decides to move into the house, becoming a squatter on an empty property that he sees as his birthright. But is everything that Jimmie knows about the house, the whole and true story?
I would have a hard time explaining The Last Black Man in San Francisco in detail. On one hand, the film certainly has themes related to gentrification, but on that other hand, the film speaks to the dangers of holding onto things too long. The story's ultimate point seems to be that people should be more than just one thing to everyone and that each of us must break free of the boxes in which we have put ourselves or in which others have put us. The Last Black Man in San Francisco is a hugely thoughtful and layered film, surprisingly so from a first time director like Joe Talbot.
The Last Black Man in San Francisco also has outstanding production values. I usually think of great cinematography as coming from epic films about the past – war movies and historical and costume dramas. The photography of Adam Newport-Berra is some of the best cinematography that I have ever seen in a film with a contemporary setting. Combined with the sets and locals, the cinematography makes The Last Black Man in San Francisco one of the most beautiful films in recent years. The soundtrack, a mix of songs about San Francisco and Emile Mosseri's lovely score, actually enhances the beauty of this film.
Jimmie Fails, playing a character named after him, and Jonathan Majors as Montgomery are breakout stars in this film, and it is a pity that Majors did not get Academy Award notice for his idiosyncratic character and layered performance. Lack of mainstream award wins, however, does not change the fact that The Last Black Man in San Francisco is a unique and terrifically grand film. It is a love letter to the city of San Francisco that shows its love not by depicting the entire city and its hot tech sector. It loves San Francisco by depicting the heart of the city – the forgotten people and places that gave the city its flavor and atmosphere... which made it a target for gentrification.
A+
9 of 10
Sunday, August 16, 2020
NOTES:
2020 Black Reel Awards: 1 win: “Outstanding Independent Feature” (Joe Talbot, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Christina Oh, and Khaliah Neal); 7 nominations: “Outstanding Actor, Motion Picture” (Jimmie Fails), “Outstanding Supporting Actor, Motion Picture” (Jonathan Majors), “Outstanding Score” (Emile Mosseri), “Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Male” (Jimmie Fails), “Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Male” (Jonathan Majors), “Outstanding Cinematography” (Adam Newport-Berra), and “Outstanding Ensemble: (Julia Kim)
The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site or blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
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Wednesday, October 28, 2020
"The Craft: Legacy" Hits PVOD Tonight at Midnight
Blumhouse’s and Columbia Pictures’ The Craft: Legacy from Writer/Director Zoe Lister-Jones, to Hit PVOD and EST in North America for Halloween, Starting Midnight October 28, 2020
Culver City, CA – Blumhouse Productions and Columbia Pictures announced today that The Craft: Legacy will be available widely on PVOD this Halloween with leading digital retailers for a 48-hour rental period at a suggested retail price of $19.99, and for premium digital purchase at a suggested retail price of $24.99. An international theatrical release is anticipated in several territories, with details to be solidified in the weeks ahead.
Zoe Lister-Jones’ film, from Blumhouse and Red Wagon Entertainment for Columbia Pictures, is a continuation of the cult hit The Craft (1996), in which an eclectic foursome of aspiring teenage witches get more than they bargained for as they lean into their newfound powers. Written and directed by Zoe Lister-Jones, the film stars Cailee Spaeny (Bad Times at the El Royale, On the Basis of Sex), Gideon Adlon (The Society, Blockers, The Mustang), Lovie Simone (Selah & the Spades, Greenleaf), Zoey Luna (Pose, Boundless), Nicholas Galitzine (Cinderella), with Michelle Monaghan and David Duchovny.
“I'm thrilled to be able to share The Craft: Legacy with audiences all over the world this Halloween," said the film’s writer and director, Zoe Lister-Jones. "It's been a true privilege to take on such an iconic title. I can't wait for the world to meet the incredible young women who make up our new coven.”
“Zoe Lister-Jones has put a bewitching twist on continuing The Craft franchise, and October is the perfect season for it,” said producer Jason Blum. “We’re thrilled that our partners at Sony Pictures are looking at the landscape opportunistically this Halloween, for audiences to watch at home in the U.S.”
Zoe Lister-Jones is writing, directing, and executive producing. Jason Blum is producing for Blumhouse. Academy Award®-winning producer Douglas Wick (who also produced the original film) and Lucy Fisher are producing for Red Wagon Entertainment. Executive producing are Andrew Fleming, who directed and co-wrote the original film; Lucas Wiesendanger, from Red Wagon Entertainment; Daniel Bekerman; Beatriz Sequeira, Jeanette Volturno, and Couper Samuelson for Blumhouse; and Natalia Anderson.
About Sony Pictures Entertainment:
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition, and distribution; television production, acquisition, and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. SPE’s Motion Picture Group production organizations include Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, 3000 Pictures, Stage 6 Films, AFFIRM Films, and Sony Pictures Classics. For additional information, visit http://www.sonypictures.com/corp/divisions.html.
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Tuesday, October 27, 2020
Selena Gomez Joins Horror-Thriller, "Dollhouse," as a Producer
STXfilms Welcomes Selena Gomez and 21 Laps to The “Dollhouse”
Gomez & 21 Laps to Produce Horror-Thriller, with Gomez Eyeing Film to Star
DOUGLAS, Isle of Man & BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Eros STX Global Corporation (NYSE:ESGC) (“ErosSTX”), a global entertainment company, announced Selena Gomez has come on board to develop Dollhouse, the upcoming horror thriller from STXfilms. Gomez is producing the film through her production company July Moon Productions, along with 21 Laps’ Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen who are also coming on board to produce. The announcement was made today by Adam Fogelson, chairman, STXfilms Motion Picture Group.
“Selena's involvement is an exciting direction for this project. She is supremely talented as both a star and a producer”
Gomez is eyeing the project, a psychological thriller in the spirit of Black Swan, as a starring vehicle. The producers have now begun looking for their director to shepherd the project to the screen. The screenplay by Michael Paisley is set in the world of the upper echelon of New York City’s fashion scene.
“Selena's involvement is an exciting direction for this project. She is supremely talented as both a star and a producer,” says Fogelson. “Teaming Selena with Shawn and Dan’s expertise in the horror-thriller genre will elevate Dollhouse and we couldn’t be more thrilled by the way this is being developed.”
Patricia Braga of STX will oversee the project with 21 Laps’ Emily Morris.
SELENA GOMEZ most recently signed on to reprise her female lead role in and add executive producer responsibilities for Sony Pictures Animation’s Hotel Transylvania 4. She currently stars in and executive produces HBO Max’s “Selena+Chef,” and will produce and star opposite Steve Martin and Martin Short in Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building. She also recently executive produced Sony’s romantic comedy The Broken Hearts Gallery, one of the few films now playing in theaters. Her many acting credits include The Dead Don’t Die, The Big Short, and the Netflix original Fundamentals of Caring. Gomez also executive produced “Living Undocumented” and the Netflix hit “13 Reasons Why.” Gomez is repped by WME, Lighthouse Management + Media and Ziffren Brittenham.
21 LAPS recently sold the horror spec Mother Land to Lionsgate and the Reddit No Sleep article My Wife & I Bought a Ranch to Netflix. Their reboot of “Unsolved Mysteries” recently launched to massive numbers on Netflix, and Levy’s upcoming untitled Ryan Reynolds time travel film, which begins production in November will also debut on Netflix. This reteams Levy with Reynolds – their first collaboration Free Guy will be released by Disney on December 11th. Additionally, the 21 Laps produced Love & Monsters will debut this Friday October 16th via Paramount in select theaters and on premium video on demand. WME & Ziffren/Brittenham rep 21 Laps.
STXfilms, a division of Eros STX Global Corporation, is a next-generation film studio that produces, acquires, distributes, and markets motion pictures at scale. From blockbusters like Hustlers, Bad Moms, and The Upside to hits like The Gentlemen, Molly’s Game, and The Gift, STXfilms produces star-driven films for a global audience. In just 5 short years, its slate of films has already grossed over $1.8b in global theatrical box office. With a wide range of partners including Universal Pictures Home Entertainment and Showtime (which handle the physical and premium television releases of STXfilms content, respectively), the studio is a fast-growing, industry powerhouse.
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