Kyle Gallner

DVD Review: Kevin Smith Tries Something New With ‘Red State’

BrianTT — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 14:31:40 -0400

CHICAGO – Everyone who told me about “Red State” prefaced it with the disclaimer that I would be stunned that it was directed by Kevin Smith. Sure, it’s a departure from his indie comedies like “Clerks” and “Mallrats” but I feel like people who are amazed he made a dark thriller like “Red State” must have never really given the writer/director enough credit. I have some serious issues with how Smith behaved regarding critics after “Cop Out” but I was a fan of every single one of his works before then and I’m happy that he chose to do something different with his talent. I think the result is a bit more sloppy than it needs to be but there’s a lot to like here, including a stellar performance from Michael Parks.

DVD Rating: 3.5/5.0

I’m also a bit surprised at the number of people who told me “Red State” was a horror movie. Sure, it’s incredibly frightening, but don’t pick this up as a Halloween rental expecting “The Last Exorcism II”. This is a movie about real-life horrors — about prejudice, homophobia, and the potential nightmare that always feels like it’s about to erupt when fringe groups face off with a U.S. government that wishes they didn’t exist. It’s a film about control and the best thing about it how Smith the writer is constantly playing with audience perception of who exactly has that control. He very cleverly switches protagonists, sides, and even stories until the viewer’s head is spinning just enough for the movie to be over. I wish Smith had refined the action of the second half of the film just a bit and I think there’s a stronger version that plays even longer (this is a brief 88 minutes) in which the breakneck pace of the majority of the action is allowed to slow a bit for things like tension and dread. Yes, this is a Kevin Smith with TOO MUCH action. Maybe I CAN see why people gave me a disclaimer.

Red State was released on Blu-ray and DVD on October 18th, 2011
Photo credit: Lionsgate

Michael Angarano and Kyle Gallner play a pair of Southern boys looking for a little fun. With a third buddy, they respond to a sexual online ad, hoping to get in, get off, and get out. They arrive to find Oscar-winner Melissa Leo, who seems ready for what was promised online. Before they know it, they’ve been kidnapped and, as they’re held under the stage, forced to listen to a long (especially for a short film) sermon from the notorious Pastor Abin Cooper (Michael Parks). Cooper and his Five Points Trinity Church is the kind of group that protest funerals, spreads hatred, and collects guns. Lots of guns. It turns out that they also kill. After witnessing them murder a homosexual in the name of religion, the boys try to escape.

Red State was released on Blu-ray and DVD on October 18th, 2011
Photo credit: Lionsgate

Without spoiling anything about a script filled with WTF moments, the government eventually gets involved as the ATF (led by John Goodman) comes down on the compound, essentially in an effort to wipe it and all of its residents off the face of the Earth. A heated gun battle ensues but the shifting allegiances here are one of the most fascinating elements of Smith’s script. We watch Cooper do horrendous, horrible things to the point that one would assume that Goodman and his team will be painted as good guys when they arrive. That’s not exactly the case and I like that Smith basically turns his focus to the people caught in the middle when all Hell breaks loose.

The DVD of “Red State” includes several deleted scenes, featurettes, and a ton of Smodcast commentaries. Smith has never been afraid to talk about his work (he’s probably tweeting about it right now) and it’s nice to have someone so revealing about his process. “Red State” and its unusual distribution angered a few critics at Sundance (many of whom I think were still smarting over the feeling that those of us who supported Smith in his early days were now of no use to him simply because we hated “Cop Out.”) I think history will be kind to “Red State” and it is clearly already growing a loyal following (as many Smith films do). Whatever one says about the film, it was a daring move on the part of its director. Those who complained about Smith delivering the same kind of movie repeatedly should have at least given credit for the attempt at a new direction. I always knew he had it in him. I’m just happy he let it out. And, more than any time since his early days, I’m REALLY curious about what he’s going to do next.

Special Features:
o “The Making Of Red State” Documentary
o “Red State Of The Union” SModcasts
o The Sundance Speech with Introduction by Kevin Smith
o A Conversation with Michael Parks with Introduction by Kevin Smith
o Deleted Scenes with Introductions by Kevin Smith
o Trailers with Introduction by Kevin Smith
o Poster Gallery with Introduction by Kevin Smith

“Red State” stars Michael Angarano, Kyle Gallner, John Goodman, Melissa Leo, and Michael Parks. It was written and directed by Kevin Smith. It is rated R and was released on Blu-ray and DVD on October 18th, 2011.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 25 Pairs of Chicago Passes to ‘Beautiful Boy’ With Oscar Nominee Michael Sheen

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 16:15:24 -0400

CHICAGO – In our latest drama edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 25 admit-two passes up for grabs to the advance Chicago screening of the new film “Beautiful Boy” with Oscar nominee Michael Sheen and Maria Bello!

“Beautiful Boy” also stars Logan South, Kyle Gallner, Bruce French, Austin Nichols, Gregory Alpert, Deidrie Henry, Alan Tudyk, Moon Bloodgood, Brooke Lyons, Nigel Gibbs and Michael Call from director Shawn Ku and writers Michael Armbruster and Shawn Ku.

To win your free pass to the advance Chicago screening of “Beautiful Boy” courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, just answer our question below. That’s it! This screening is on Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at 7 p.m. in downtown Chicago. Directions to enter this Hookup and immediately win can be found beneath the graphic below.

The movie poster for “Beautiful Boy” with Oscar nominee Michael Sheen and Maria Bello.
Image credit: Anchor Bay Films

Here is the plot description for “Beautiful Boy”:

“Beautiful Boy” is an unconventional love story that explores the journey of a married couple on the verge of separation. They must turn to each other to overcome unimaginable heartbreak as well as brave the intense media scrutiny following their son’s shocking act of violence. Bill (Michael Sheen) and Kate’s (Maria Bello) already strained marriage is tested as they realize all they have left with each other is their shared grief and confusion along with the unfortunate legacy of their son.

While they struggle numbly through the media onslaught and the awkward pity from relatives and friends, the life-altering event forces Bill and Kate to face their feelings of guilt, rage, blame, self-discovery and ultimately hope so they can finally see each other and their chance for happiness again with clear eyes.

The movie trailer for “Beautiful Boy” can be watched now below.

To secure your free tickets now, make sure you’re logged into your HollywoodChicago.com account. If you don’t yet have one, you can quickly register here. Having an account with a valid e-mail address is required. Then, simply add a new comment in the form below. In your comment, include an answer to this question:

How can parents get on with life, and each other, after the loss of a child?

Like all Hookups here, this HollywoodChicago.com Hookup is simple: Just submit your comment below and we will award 25 admit-two tickets randomly via e-mail for our “Beautiful Boy” Hookup. Winners need to arrive early as seats are consumed on a first-come, first-served basis. Note: Our “Super 8” Hookup is on the same day around the same time as this “Beautiful Boy” Hookup. You can enter both Hookups, but you can only win one. Good luck!

Disclaimer
HollywoodChicago.com LLC is a promotional partner with the studio and
its partners and doesn’t assume any liability for this giveaway.

Tell Your Friends About HollywoodChicago.com on Facebook & Twitter

Along with entering yourself in this Hookup, tell your friends you’ve found the best source for regular entertainment giveaways by liking HollywoodChicago.com on Facebook and following us on Twitter! The more people who follow us, the better giveaways we can offer you!

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Publisher
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

Blu-Ray Review: ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ Remake Fails Completely

BrianTT — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 16:59:59 -0400

CHICAGO – The irony of Samuel Bayer’s remake of the Wes Craven classic, “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” is that most viewers will have more trouble staying awake than combatting actual fear. The saddest thing about this failed effort is that it could tarnish the reputation of Wes Craven’s brilliant original for a new generation. Ignore the new film. Just go rent the original.

Television Rating: 1.0/5.0

Of course, that sounds cliched and something that critics say about remakes far too often (although my recent 5-star review of “Let Me In” should make clear that I don’t believe all remakes to be worthless), but Bayer’s “A Nightmare on Elm Street” fails even if you ignore all comparisons to the first film. In fact, it fails in comparison to most of the awful sequels and a majority of the films inspired by Craven’s tale of Freddy Krueger. We don’t need comparisons to illustrate why the new “Nightmare” simply doesn’t work — it’s not scary, it’s poorly directed and horribly edited, the cast and their characters are forgettable at best, and the script is straight-up awful.

A Nightmare on Elm Street was released on Blu-ray and DVD on October 5th, 2010
Photo credit: MPI/IFC

Writers Wesley Strick and Eric Heisserer work from a script only loosely based on the original film. In fact, the new movie only bears a “characters based on” credit and picks up in full Freddy mode with the death of a teenager (Kellan Lutz of “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse”) in a diner. The man with the striped sweater and clawed hand has returned. He’s back to take the lives of the children who accused the human Freddy of child abuse before being burned alive.

A Nightmare on Elm Street was released on Blu-ray and DVD on October 5th, 2010
Photo credit: MPI/IFC

Jackie Earle Haley steps into the role made famous by Robert Englund and he uses much of the same ferocious energy he brought Rorscach in “Watchmen” but his performance is buried under some of the most poorly-designed makeup in years. The reimagined Freddy looks more like an alien than a burn victim. And he’s buried even further by over-used genre camera and sound effects to the point that it’s impossible to truly assess Haley’s performance, a shame because he’s typically such a strong actor without the cinematic clutter.

Freddy works his way through Kris Fowles (Katie Cassidy), Jesse Braun (Thomas Dekker), Quentin Smith (Kyle Gallner), and Nancy Holbrook (Rooney Mara, currently delivering a great performance in “The Social Network”), but none of the victims develop any personality at all. They essentially have one-word character descriptions that pass as development in Strick and Heisserer’s script. Horror films regularly feature characters that serve little purpose beyond being victims for the big bad but rarely has one been populated entirely with such characters. Still, even through all of it, one can see the potential in Mara (who was recently tapped to star in David Fincher’s “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”). The same can not be said for the awful Gallner and Dekker.

I know — who cares about performances and character in a remake of “A Nightmare on Elm Street”? You just want the movie to be scary enough for your date to jump into your lap on Blu-ray date night. That’s unlikely. None of the horror scenes are well-staged enough to be scary. Bayer brings way too much of his music video background (making great clips for Garbage, Metallica, and The Smashing Pumpkings) to this material. The whole thing has the sheen and over-effects of a music video and there’s never been an MTV clip that would be effectively scary for 90 minutes (except for maybe Justin Bieber).

The dream sequences are cut together so poorly that impossible to tell what’s going on that you’re even supposed to be scared by. Close-ups of Freddy’s face and claws are intercut with loud music and a jump cut as the team behind this “Nightmare” have tried to pull the wisecracking humor from the franchise but left nothing in its place. A boring teenager falls asleep, the next five minutes look like a Metallica video, repeat.

Despite the failure of “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” the film admittedly has a strong HD transfer on Blu-ray, as Warner Bros. continues to be at the forefront of this technology. Their HD video is simply the best of any of the major companies today. As for special features, they’re pretty scant with just a few deleted scenes (including an alternate opening and ending), some picture-in-picture details, and a brief making-of featurette.

“A Nightmare on Elm Street” stars Jackie Earle Haley, Katie Cassidy, Kyle Gallner, Rooney Mara, Thomas Dekker, and Kellan Lutz. It was written by Wesley Strick and Eric Heisserer and directed by Samuel Bayer. Available on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD, On Demand and for Download 10/5! Check out the official site to get your own copy.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ Remake Plays Like a Bad Dream

BrianTT — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:59:09 -0400

CHICAGO – Samuel Bayer’s remake of Wes Craven’s “A Nightmare on Elm Street” may be about repressed memories coming back in horrific ways, but it ironically ends up one of the least memorable films of 2010 to date. Not as abrasive as the “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” remakes and not as dumb as “The Amityville Horror,” “A Nightmare on Elm Street” is merely forgettable; something never said about the influential original.

Rating: 1.0/5.0

When Platinum Dunes, the production company behind remakes of “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” “The Amityville Horror,” “The Hitcher,” and “Friday the 13th” that range from mediocre to awful, announced they were tackling Freddy Krueger and “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” I’ll admit that I was somehow still cautiously optimistic. It’s the way of a horror fan. We’ve sat through so many bad sequels just in the hope that a filmmaker would find what once worked about a character or a concept. And when they hired the great Jackie Earle Haley (“Watchmen”) to play Krueger, I thought that Dunes had a clear chance to improve their critical track record. Clearly, I was dreaming.

Read Brian Tallerico’s full review of “A Nightmare on Elm Street” in our reviews section.

Of course, it’s easy to write off a critic who says “see the original” (although the recently-released Blu-ray of the title proves how well the film has held up over the last quarter-century). It’s what we’re “supposed” to say. But let me be clear: Samuel Bayer’s “A Nightmare on Elm Street” wouldn’t work even if the original never existed. In fact, it would probably be even LESS effective as the iconic imagery of Freddy Krueger and the goodwill horror fans for the series is the only way some may overlook this one’s flaws.

So loosely based on the original that it merely has a “characters based on” credit for Wesley Strick and Eric Heisserer’s script, the new “A Nightmare on Elm Street” picks up with Freddy in full kill mode, taking out a sleep-deprived teen (Kellan Lutz of “The Twilight Saga: New Moon”) in a diner that also happens to be populated with the other faces that will soon meet the sharp end of Krueger’s claw - Kris Fowles (Katie Cassidy), Jesse Braun (Thomas Dekker), Quentin Smith (Kyle Gallner), and Nancy Holbrook (Rooney Mara).

Continue reading for Brian Tallerico’s full “A Nightmare on Elm Street” review.

‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ stars Jackie Earle Haley, Katie Cassidy, Kyle Gallner, Rooney Mara, Thomas Dekker, and Kellan Lutz. It was written by Wesley Strick and Eric Heisserer and directed by Samuel Bayer. It opened on April 30th, 2010. It is rated R.

A scene from New Line Cinema’s horror film, A Nightmare On Elm Street.
Photo credit: Photo Courtesy of New Line Cinema

Slideshow: 26-Image Gallery For ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ With Jackie Earle Haley

BrianTT — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 22:12:27 -0400

CHICAGO – This 26-image slideshow contains all of the official press images for Samuel Bayer’s “A Nightmare on Elm Street” with Jackie Earle Haley, Rooney Mara, Kyle Gallner, Katie Cassidy, Thomas Dekker, Kellan Lutz, Clancy Brown, Connie Britton, and Lia D. Mortensen. It was written by Wesley Strick and Eric Heisserer. The film opens on April 30th, 2010.

Official Synopsis: “Nancy, Kris, Quentin, Jesse and Dean all live on Elm Street. At night, they’re all having the same dream—of the same man, wearing a tattered red and green striped sweater, a beaten fedora half-concealing a disfigured face and a gardener’s glove with knives for fingers. And they’re all hearing the same frightening voice…

One by one, he terrorizes them within the curved walls of their dreams, where the rules are his, and the only way out is to wake up.

But when one of their number dies a violent death, they soon realize that what happens in their dreams happens for real, and the only way to stay alive is to stay awake. Turning to each other, the four surviving friends try to uncover how they became part of this dark fairytale, hunted by this dark man. Functioning on little to no sleep, they struggle to understand why them, why now, and what their parents aren’t telling them.

Buried in their past is a debt that has just come due, and to save themselves, they will have to plunge themselves into the mind of the most twisted nightmare of all… Freddy Krueger.”

You can click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through this slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. Photos #1-3 are credited to Peter Sorel, photos #4-6 are credited to Dale Robinette, and photos #7-26 are courtesy of New Line Pictures.

Elm_Street_01: Katie Cassidy as Kris
Elm_Street_02: (L-r) Katie Cassidy as Kris, Thomas Dekker as Jesse and Rooney Mara as Nancy
Elm_Street_03: (L-r) Katie Cassidy as Kris and Julianna Damm as Little Kris
Elm_Street_04: Director Samuel Bayer on the set
Elm_Street_05: (L-r) Director Samuel Bayer with Rooney Mara on the set
Elm_Street_06: Rooney Mara as Nancy (foreground) and Jackie Earle Haley as Freddy Krueger
Elm_Street_07: Kellan Lutz as Dean
Elm_Street_08: A scene from New Line Cinema’s horror film, A Nightmare On Elm Street
Elm_Street_09: Kellan Lutz as Dean
Elm_Street_10: Kyle Gallner as Quentin and Thomas Dekker as Jesse
Elm_Street_11: Jackie Earle Haley as Freddy Krueger
Elm_Street_12: (L-r) Rooney Mara as Nancy and Thomas Dekker as Jesse
Elm_Street_13: Kyle Gallner as Quentin
Elm_Street_14: Jackie Earle Haley as Freddy Krueger
Elm_Street_15: Kyle Gallner as Quentin
Elm_Street_16: Jackie Earle Haley as Freddy Krueger
Elm_Street_17: Rooney Mara as Nancy
Elm_Street_18: Jackie Earle Haley as Freddy Krueger
Elm_Street_19: (L-r) Rooney Mara as Nancy and Kyle Gallner as Quentin
Elm_Street_20: (L-r) Christian Stolte as Jesse’s father, Clancy Brown as Alan, Quentin’s father and Connie Britton as Dr. Gwen Holbrook, Nancy’s mother
Elm_Street_21: Rooney Mara as Nancy
Elm_Street_22: Rooney Mara as Nancy
Elm_Street_23: Katie Cassidy as Kris
Elm_Street_24: Thomas Dekker as Jesse
Elm_Street_25: Katie Cassidy as Kris
Elm_Street_26: Jackie Earle Haley as Freddy Krueger

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

‘Jennifer’s Body’ a Bloody, Out-of-Body Dud For Oscar-Winning ‘Juno’ Scribe Diablo Cody

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 02:01:00 -0400

CHICAGO – For Oscar-winning “Juno” writer Diablo Cody, writing “Jennifer’s Body” with “Transformers” star Megan Fox and “Mamma Mia!” star Amanda Seyfried as the two lead women was as much of an out-of-body experience as Charlize Theron’s against-type role in 2003’s “Monster”. The difference? Theron nailed it; Cody bloodied this bold opportunity.

Rating: 1.5/5.0

Since our Nov. 2007 interview with Cody for the Oscar-winning “Juno,” she’s as quick with her wit in person as she is with her pen for the screen.

While an early reading of the “Jennifer’s Body” script showed promise, once it hit the screen Cody’s razor-sharp wit was blunted against the mismatched backdrop of two female leads who couldn’t sell the script and the overarching horror tone that the talented Cody hasn’t yet mastered.

Read Adam Fendelman’s full review of “Jennifer’s Body” in our reviews section.

Like “Juno,” you still hear Cody’s obscure and uniquely twisted pop-culture references. Like “Juno,” you once again travel with Cody as she deftly maneuvers the cliché without being so.

Like “Juno,” Cody has found another way to inject the importance of relationships into strong female roles. But “Jennifer’s Body” more than disappoints – and, in fact, offends considering the prodigy who wrote it – on three primal levels.

“Jennifer’s Body” from Oscar-winning “Juno” writer Diablo Cody and director Karyn Kusama stars Megan Fox, Amanda Seyfried, Johnny Simmons, Adam Brody, J.K. Simmons, Amy Sedaris, Ryan Levine, Juan Riedinger, Colin Askey, Chris Pratt, Juno Ruddell, Kyle Gallner and Josh Emerson. The film, which was released nationwide on Sept. 18, 2009, is rated “R” for sexuality, bloody violence, language and brief drug use with a 102-minute running time.

Continuing reading for Adam Fendelman’s full “Jennifer’s Body” review.

The insatiable appetite of Jennifer (Megan Fox) takes her on the prowl for a meaty snack in “Jennifer’s Body”.
Photo credit: Doane Gregory, 20th Century Fox

Continuing reading for Adam Fendelman’s full “Jennifer’s Body” review.

Two New Pictures of Megan Fox in Diablo Cody’s ‘Jennifer’s Body’

BrianTT — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 14:26:45 -0400

CHICAGO – On September 18th, Megan Fox, the star of “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” will star in a comedy/horror hybrid called “Jennifer’s Body” and we’ve got two new pics and the official poster for this Twentieth Century Fox film.

The official synopsis from the studio reads: “When small-town high school hottie Jennifer (Megan Fox) is possessed by a hungry demon, guys who never stood a chance with her, take on new luster in the light of Jennifer’s insatiable appetite. From the Oscar-winning screenwriter of “Juno.””

“Jennifer’s Body” was Megan Fox, Amanda Seyfried, Johnny Simmons, Adam Brody, J.K. Simmons, Amy Sedaris, Chris Pratt, Juno Ruddell, and Kyle Gallner. It was written by Diablo Cody and directed by Karyn Kusama (“Girlfight,” “Aeon Flux”).

Megan Fox in Jennifer’s Body.
Photo credit: Doane Gregory

(L to R) Johnny Simmons and Megan Fox in Jennifer’s Body.
Photo credit: Doane Gregory

Jennifer’s Body.
Photo credit: Fox

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ Casting Agency Confirmed For Chicago Filming

HollywoodChicago.com — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:38:51 -0400

CHICAGO – The 2010 reboot of “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” which will be directed by Samuel Bayer with characters from Wes Craven and Jackie Earle Haley (Rorschach in the recent “Watchmen” film) starring as Freddy Krueger, is filming in Chicago.

Robert Englund as Freddy Krueger in “A Nightmare on Elm Street” in 1984.
Photo credit: New Line Cinema

At HollywoodChicago.com, we will be one of your best places to learn about the new film, casting for it and much more just as we were an excellent source of local and insider information for “Public Enemies” with Johnny Depp and “The Dark Knight” when they filmed in Chicago.

For starters, we are pleased to confirm to you the casting agency for the Chicago production of “A Nightmare on Elm Street”. We have learned and can confirm that it’s Atmosphere Casting.

You can ask for Jon Kinnas by name at Atmosphere Casting. If you’re an actor, with that information you’ll now know what to do.

One of the best ways for talent and fans to keep updated with the Chicago production of “A Nightmare on Elm Street” is to stay tuned to HollywoodChicago.com and follow this already helpful thread for the film where readers assisted us in confirming the casting agency.

If you comment there once and choose to receive e-mail replies, you’ll be all set.

Following the “A Nightmare on Elm Street” film in 1984, the Samuel Bayer reboot is slated to open on April 16, 2010. In addition to featuring Jackie Earle Haley as Freddy Krueger, Kyle Gallner has also been cast as Quentin.

Update on April 15, 2009 at 2:32 a.m.: Full details about the Chicago casting call for “A Nightmare on Elm Street” are now in from Atmosphere Casting! Shooting is set to begin on May 5, 2009 and run until July 2009. Read all about it here.

Read and follow our “A Nightmare on Elm Street” forum thread!

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com