Gregg, Rockwell, and Huston Bring Choke to Silver Screen

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: 20th Century Fox, Adaptation, Independent, Romance, Satire, Comedy, Casting, New Releases, Scripts

What do you get when you mix an elderly, female Tyler Durden with a choking con artist and a recovering compulsive masturbator? Clark Gregg’s dark, vulgar comedy with a surprisingly big heart, Choke.

Being a fan of the novel from which the film is based (written by Fight Club author Chuck Palahniuk), I was overwhelmed with geeky fan-girl joy when I read that Choke was to be translated into film. That was three years ago. After nearly waiting an excruciating year after hearing about its premiere at Sundance, the indie film with an all-star cast helmed by writer/director/actor Clark Gregg is finally hitting theaters this weekend, and it certainly will not disappoint movie-goers. That is, unless, the trailer fooled you into believing that the film is a romantic comedy.

Romantic? In a punk rock way. Comedic? Most definitely. Chick flick? Far from.

Regardless of whether or not you’re a fan of the novel, Sam Rockwell (Confessions of a Dangerous Mind) wonderfully brings Victor Mancini to life as the med school drop-out sex addict who pays for his mother’s hospital bill by choking in restaurants. Anjelica Huston (The Royal Tenenbaums) and Kelly MacDonald (No Country for Old Men) round off the supporting actresses as Mancini’s mother and the new, attractive doctor who assumes care for her. Clark himself makes an appearance as High Lord Charlie, Mancini’s anal-retentive boss at a colonial theme park, where Mancini works as a historical interpreter (a job, as we’re reminded in the film, which is not to be confused with a tour guide).

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Palahniuk’s Film Choke Finally Set to Release in August

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: 20th Century Fox, Fox Searchlight, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Classics, Independent, Political, Romance, Comedy, Awards, Celeb News, Distribution, Filmmaking, Scripts, Upcoming Releases

Both film and book nerds alike have been watching cult author Chuck Palahniuk‘s every move since Fight Club was released in theaters. While all of his novels are fully capable of becoming both marketable and move theater-friendly, his fourth novel, Choke, has finally seen the light of day past the production floor. With Fox Searchlight having bought the film for $5 million and it winning a Best Ensemble Cast jury award at Sundance, the Choke crew and Palahniuk fans everywhere cannot be more ecstatic about the film’s release date of August 1, 2008.

Although the film is Clark Gregg’s directorial debut, he has certainly been no stranger to the industry nor the project, having gone through numerous obstacles to get his adaptation onto the big screen. His script is so good that even Palahniuk himself has done nothing but award it praise. With Palahniuk’s seal of approval and a lead cast including Sam Rockwell, Anjelica Huston, and Kelly Macdonald, nothing can go wrong, right?

Click to continue reading Palahniuk’s Film Choke Finally Set to Release in August

Read More | Chuck Palahniuk's Official Site

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Another Fanning Finding Stardom

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Drama, Celeb News, Celebrity Gossip, Upcoming Releases

Cute little Dakota Fanning is growing up quickly, and moving into teen roles instead of playing the adorable tyke - and Abigail Breslin can’t do every female kid role available in the movies, right? Enter Elle Fanning, Dakota’s little sis and perhaps the next kid star in the making.

Elle has already appeared in big-name movies (e.g. Babel), but now she’s moved into the lead. This little sis is playing the title role in Phoebe in Wonderland, which recently premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Young, troubled Phoebe sees a therapist in the flick, displaying a precocious nature akin to her big sister’s. She signs up to become Alice in Wonderland (that’s how the title figures in), and Phoebe’s imagination takes over.

Reviewer comments on the film have been highly positive.

Read More | CNN

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Morgan Spurlock Investigates Bin Laden

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Weinstein Company, Documentary, Upcoming Releases

Morgan Spurlock, who was first introduced to the world through his compelling documentary Super-Size Me and went on to create a series for FX, is on the brink of releasing another interesting film. The documentary, which borrows footage from more than 800 hours of film, will premiere January 21 at the Sundance Film Festival.

Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden? will show Spurlock in Afghanistan and parts of the Middle East hunting one of the world’s most wanted men. So far, there’s a lot of talk, and some of it suggests the highly unlikely possibility that Spurlock actually located Bin Laden. While this is most likely just hype, this movie probably doesn’t need it. Spurlock’s previous efforts have been highly compelling, and the subject matter of this most recent film is promising.

Spurlock was also the producer behind What Would Jesus Buy?, a documentary dealing with the topic of holiday shopping.  Jesus is currently running in limited theaters.

Read More | AOL News

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