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It seems the Archieverse is even more connected than we thought. On Feb. 21, Katy Keene's Lucy Hale was spotted out on a lunch date with Riverdale's Skeet Ulrich. During the meal, the 31-year-old actress was seen playfully holding hands with the 51-year-old actor across the table before leaning in for a kiss. Later on, the couple were photographed out on a stroll in Los Angeles, complete with masks.

It's unclear how the two connected, although it's entirely possible they met through their involvement in the "Archieverse"; during its fourth season, Riverdale shared a crossover episode with Katy Keene. Lucy was previously linked to The Bachelor's Colton Underwood, although he refuted the claims in August 2020. Most recently, Skeet dated model Megan Blake Irwin from May 2020 to September 2020. Prior to that, he was married to Georgina Cates - with whom he shares 19-year-old twins Jakob and Naiia - from 1997 to 2005 and...

British screenwriter and playwright Charles Wood, known for such productions as “The Charge of the Light Brigade,” “Tumbledown” and “Iris,” has died at the age of 87.

His death, on Saturday, was confirmed to Variety by his agent Sue Rodgers at Independent Talent.

Born into a theater family, he began working in his local theater when he was a teen. After studying theatrical design at art college, he spent several years in the British army. After an assortment of jobs, he began to write professionally from 1959, with the completion of his play “Prisoner and Escort,” drawing on his army experience.

His first screenplay was 1965 comedy “The Knack … and How to Get It,” based on Anne Jellicoe’s play. Directed by Richard Lester, and starring Rita Tushingham and Michael Crawford, it won the Palme d’Or at Cannes. Wood was nominated for the BAFTA for British screenplay.

Among many films with Lester,...

Welcome to The B-Side, from The Film Stage. Here we talk about movie stars and not the movies that made them famous or kept them famous, but the ones they made in between.

Today we cross the pond to talk about Hugh Grant, the floppy-haired Brit who made his fortune in rom-coms and never felt great about it. Though he is in character actor mode now–currently in Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen–we look back to the 90s and his stratospheric rise to stardom. Conor and I are joined by Joseph Galbo, a good friend and big-time film fan who does impressive work for the wonderfully bizarre Uscpsc, the social media account for the Us Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Our movies include the little-seen Mike Newell picture An Awfully Big Adventure, the incredibly charming The Englishman who Went up a Hill but Came down a Mountain, the high concept Extreme Measures,...

Riverdale fans know Skeet Ulrich as Jughead Jones’ dad, Fp — but before he played the leader of the Southside Serpents on the CW series, the actor made a name for himself in ’90s movies like Scream and The Craft.

After 28 years in the business, Ulrich talks his career comeback and embracing a whole new generation of fans in this week’s issue of People, on newsstands now.

“ certainly has a rabid fan base,” says Ulrich, 47. “I arrived in Vancouver last month and had teenagers waiting to get pictures with me. It’s the strangest thing. I have kids their age!

Skeet Ulrich is well-known for playing Jughead's dad on Riverdale and the psycho killer in Scream, but in real life, he's a huge family man. The 47-year-old actor is a loving dad to twins Naiia and Jakob, whom he shares with his ex-wife Georgina Cates. Aside from gushing about his 16-year-olds (and leaving sweet comments on their pages), he isn't shy about posting pictures of his girlfriend Rose Costa's precious little boy, William Luca Costa-Marsden, whom she shares with ex James Marsden. Small world, huh? See even more sweet pictures of Skeet's sweet little family ahead.

Stars: Johnny Knoxville, Jackson Nicoll, Greg Harris, Georgina Cates, Kamber Hejlik, Jill Kill, Spike Jonze, Catherine Keener | Written by Jeff Tremaine, Johnny Knoxville | Directed by Jeff Tremaine

One thing I wondered when watching Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa was how many of the “real” people were actually planted, call me cynical but it is something that you can’t help but think, especially when the joke seems to go a little too far. Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa .5 answers this question by not only revealing some of the scenes that never made it to the movie but also giving a glimpse behind the scenes of the film.

When I started to watch Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa .5 I expected to be watching the film again but with the added scenes, but this is not what you get. This is more of a documentary looking at the making of the film and...

Following the success of Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa in theaters and home video formats, Paramount Home Media Distribution has debuted Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa .5 on Digital HD starting today, June 3, ahead of the Blu-ray and DVD release on July 8. This new release includes previously-unseen footage that wasn't included in the theatrical presentation of Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa, including new pranks featuring Spike Jonze as Gloria and Catherine Keener as Ellie, the wife of Johnny Knoxville's 86-year-old alter-ego Irving Zisman. If you can't wait another month for the Blu-ray and DVD release, then you're in luck, because we have a contest lined up where fans can win a code to redeem Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa .5 on Digital HD through a number of digital stores such as Amazon Instant Video, CinemaNow, Google Play, iTunes, Sony Entertainment Network, Target Ticket, Vudu and Xbox Video. These prizes will be gone before you know it,...

Stars: Johnny Knoxville, Jackson Nicoll, Greg Harris, Georgina Cates, Kamber Hejlik, Jill Kill, Spike Jonze, Catherine Keener | Written by Jeff Tremaine, Johnny Knoxville | Directed by Jeff Tremaine

If there is anything surprising about Jackass it’s that there is still life in the formula and Johnny Knoxville is still a part of it. The fact is though Bad Grandpa shows that the concept that actually still work and can evolve into something a little more substantial. Basing the stunts around two characters and sticking to a storyline may sound like a risky move, but surprisingly it works.

The story basic as it is sees Johnny Knoxville play the part of Irving Zisman who when his wife dies thinks he’s finally got his freedom and can do what he wants. When his daughter ends up in prison though he soon finds himself stuck with his grandson Billy (Jackson Nicoll) who...

Paramount Home Media Distribution has released last year's outrageous comedy Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD this week, giving fans a chance to watch Johnny Knoxville as 86-year-old Irving Zisman from the comfort of their own home. Jackson Nicoll co-stars as Irving's grandson Billy, who goes on a road trip across the country with his grandpa, shocking everyone they encounter with their crass behavior. Even if you watched this hidden-camera comedy during its theatrical run, the Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD offers bonus footage that wasn't seen in theaters. We have a contest lined up where one lucky fan can win a copy of the Blu-ray signed by Johnny Knoxville himself, with our first prize winners taking home the Blu-ray. These prizes will be gone before you know it, so take a look at how you can win below.

Grand Prize Winner Receives:

Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa...

When the 86th Annual Academy Awards nominations were announced today, Hollywood heavyweights such as Tom Hanks and Oprah Winfrey were among the notable snubs, as they failed to earn nods for their performances in Captain Phillips and Lee Daniels' the Butler. However, one of the more surprising nominees this morning was Stephen Prouty for Best Makeup and Hairstyling in the raucous comedy Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa, where the 42-year-old Johnny Knoxville was convincingly transformed into the 86-year-old Irving Zisman. To celebrate this prestigious honor, Paramount Home Media Distribution has provided us with a behind-the-scenes featurette from the upcoming Blu-ray release on January 28, that centers on the makeup process Johnny Knoxville had to go through each day, and also features interviews with Johnny Knoxville and the director. Plus, we also have quotes from Johnny Knoxville and makeup artist/Oscar nominee Stephen Prouty who share their thoughts about today's big news.

Stephen Prouty...

Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa was one of last year's big surprise hits, coming out of nowhere to dominate the box office. On its way to over $100 million, the comedy is coming home on Blu-ray January 28th. To usher in the release, we caught up with director Jeff Tremaine, the master chef behind all of the Jackass movies. He let us in on the making of the film itself, some of the challenges it posed and where they plan to go in the future.

Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa is interesting in that it takes a different approach than past films in the Jackass franchise. It sets up a clear narrative, with Johnny Knoxville never breaking character as the 86 year-old Irving Zisman, though most of the interactions seen in the film between him, his on-screen grandson Billy (played by the greatest child actor of his time Jackson Nicoll) and the people around them are completely real.

Just after our report regarding Paramount's live Twitter party for the uncut Digital HD release of Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa, the studio has released a red band trailer full of R-rated footage that wasn't shown in theaters. Johnny Knoxville and Jackson Nicoll star as a grandfather and grandson who turn heads with their outrageous behavior during a road trip across the country. Check out this footage, if you're over the age of 18, and clickHere to find out more about the Twitter party with star Johnny Knoxville, along with details on how you could win a trip to Las Vegas.

The uncut Digital HD version of Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa is currently available on digital stores such as CinemaNow, iTunes, Sony Entertainment Network, Target Ticket, Vudu and Xbox Video. The Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD will be released on January 28th.

Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa was released October 25th, 2013 and stars Johnny Knoxville,...

Paramount Home Media Distribution (Phmd) is helping kick off the New Year with an extended, unrated cut of the blockbuster hit comedy Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa arriving on Digital and Digital HD January 3, 2014. Fans will also have the chance to watch the movie along with the film's star, Johnny Knoxville and enter for a chance to win great prizes during a live Twitter viewing party beginning at 5:00 p.m. Pt on January 3rd. Complete details for the sweepstakes can be found at GrandpasBadBoard.com. Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa will be available to download or stream at digital stores including CinemaNow, iTunes, Sony Entertainment Network, Target Ticket, Vudu and Xbox Video.

In conjunction with the Digital debut of the unrated cut and Twitter party with Johnny Knoxville, Phmd will also host a live Grandpa's Bad Board game event. Starting today fans can visit GrandpasBadBoard.com to register, then on January...

Paramount Home Media Distribution (Phmd) is helping kick off the New Year with an extended, unrated cut of the blockbuster hit comedy Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa arriving on Digital and Digital HD January 3, 2014. Fans will also have the chance to watch the movie along with the film's star, Johnny Knoxville and enter for a chance to win great prizes during a live Twitter viewing party beginning at 5:00 p.m. Pt on January 3rd. Complete details for the sweepstakes can be found at GrandpasBadBoard.com. Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa will be available to download or stream at digital stores including CinemaNow, iTunes, Sony Entertainment Network, Target Ticket, Vudu and Xbox Video.

In conjunction with the Digital debut of the unrated cut and Twitter party with Johnny Knoxville, Phmd will also host a live Grandpa's Bad Board game event. Starting today fans can visit GrandpasBadBoard.com to register, then on January...

"The year's funniest movie" (Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune), the boisterous road trip Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa hits the gas on January 28, 2014 when it arrives on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and VOD from Paramount Home Media Distribution. Jackass ringleader Johnny Knoxville reprises his role as 86-year-old Irving Zisman in the story of a crotchety old man unexpectedly saddled with the care of his 8-year-old grandson, Billy (Jackson Nicoll). The two generations of troublemakers soon develop a bond, as they hustle their way across the heartland of America pursuing hijinks and pulling pranks on unsuspecting, real-life people-all of whom had no idea they were starring in a hidden camera film and "one of the sharpest comedies of the year."(Scott Bowles, USA Today).

Here's what Johnny Knoxville had to say about all the extra footage found on the unrated Blu-ray.

"We had so much hilarious footage that we had to cut for various reasons,...

Stars: Johnny Knoxville, Jackson Nicoll, Greg Harris, Georgina Cates, Kamber Hejlik, Jill Kill, Spike Jonze, Catherine Keener | Written by Jeff Tremaine, Johnny Knoxville | Directed by Jeff Tremaine

Everyone’s heard of the Jackass movies even if they haven’t seen them. Movies where people with an extremely high pain threshold put their minds and bodies to the test in various dares and pranks. These movies have been put to the test in the public’s eye as an interactive form of movie watching where the main characters (in what could almost be considered a documentary style) play pranks on the public and on each other and, so far, the films have been welcomed into society.

Bad Grandpa, the story of 85 year old Irving Zisman (Johnny Knoxville), a man whose wife just died, has been just as well received in the past few weeks as a new kind of Jackass movie…...

In Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa, Johnny Knoxville returns to his hidden camera comedy hijinks – this time dressed as 86-year old grandpa, Irving Zisma. Following the death of his wife Ellie (modeled after Catherine Keener), Irving sets out on a two-fold mission: 1) get laid and 2) deliver his 8-year old grandson Billy (Jackson Nicoll) to his father across the country – after the boy’s mother Kimmy (Georgina Cates) is forced to serve jail time.

In traditional Jackass brand fashion, the cross-country trip puts the unlikely pair in a series of awkward (and over-the-top) situations as Irving, a self-absorbed, reckless, and horny senior, attempts to honor Ellie’s memory, balance his newfound freedom as an eligible bachelor, and successfully care for Billy until he can dump him ...

Click to continue reading ‘Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa’ Review

The post ‘Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa’ Review appeared first on Screen Rant.

With just one day left until Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa hits theaters, Paramount Pictures has released one final clip from this outlandish comedy. Johnny Knoxville stars as 86-year-old Irving Zisman, who goes on a journey across the country with his young grandson Billy (Jackson Nicoll), when they happen upon a beauty contest for young girls. Watch what happens in what might be the strangest pageant scene since Little Miss Sunshine.

86 year-old Irving Zisman is on a journey across America with the most unlikely companion, his 8 year-old Grandson Billy in Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa. This October, the signature Jackass character Irving Zisman (Johnny Knoxville) and Billy (Jackson Nicoll) will take movie audiences along for the most insane hidden camera road trip ever captured on film.

Along the way Irving will introduce the young and impressionable Billy to people, places and situations that give new meaning to the term childrearing. The duo will encounter male strippers,...

Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa finally gets the gloriously R rated Red Band trailer that it deserves. Are you man enough to keep up with Irving Zisman and his grandson? The 86-year-old is having way too much fun in this questionable and offensive footage that you can only watch if you are of legal retirement age. Prepare those dentures and hold on, it's going to be one heck of a ride.

Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa comes to theaters October 25th, 2013 and stars Johnny Knoxville, Spike Jonze, Jackson Nicoll, Georgina Cates, Blythe Barrington-Hughes, Kassidy Hejlik, Brittany Mumford, Kamber Hejlik. The film is directed by Jeff Tremaine.

Jackass front man Johnny Knoxville resurrects Oap character Irving Zisman for his very own movie, Bad Grandpa. We first saw the 90-year-old’s high jinx back on MTV in 2001. He seems to be doing well and aging backwards as he’s now 86 years old in this – must be the fresh cheek of youth rubbing off on him from grandson Billy (Jackson Nicoll) who comes along for the ride. Fear not, this is Jackass with the crude knob turned down a touch but the odd toilet humour gag and latex prosthetics body parts are on show.

Zisman has just lost his wife, had his eight-year-old grandson he barely knows dumped on him by his junkie daughter Kimmy (Georgina Cates) who scarpers at Mum’s (co-writer Spike Jonze in drag) funeral to avoid doing jail-time, and is then forced to make the trip across America to hand his grandson over to his waster father he detests.

Chicago – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film with our unique social giveaway technology, we have 50 pairs of advance-screening movie passes up for grabs to the highly anticipated new comedy “Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa” starring Johnny Knoxville!

“Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa,” which is rated “R” and opens on Oct. 25, 2013, also stars Spike Jonze, Jackson Nicoll, Georgina Cates, Blythe Barrington-Hughes, Kassidy Hejlik, Kamber Hejlik and Brittany Mumford from writer and director Jeff Tremaine and writers Johnny Knoxville, Spike Jonze, Fax Bahr and Adam Small. Note: You must be 17+ to win and attend this “R”-rated screening.

To win your free “Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa” passes courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, just get interactive with our unique Hookup technology below. That’s it! This screening is on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013 at 7 p.m. in downtown Chicago. The more social actions you complete, the more points you score and the higher yours odds of winning!

Irving (Johnny Knoxville) and Billy (Jackson Nicoll) will be presenting all of the best footage from their summer road trip in theaters everywhere on October 25. But first, this unlikely duo have brought us their private scrapbook, which includes over 25 never-before-seen photos as this wicked and wild pair of outlaws wheel and deal their way across America. Get a firsthand peek into their first ever Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa adventure.

Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa comes to theaters October 25th, 2013 and stars Johnny Knoxville, Jackson Nicoll, Georgina Cates, Blythe Barrington-Hughes. The film is directed by Jeff Tremaine.

Showing some love to his Dutch fans, Johnny Knoxville showed up at a photocall for “Bad Grandpa” in Amsterdam, Netherlands today (October 7).

The “Jackass” star headed over to Sofitel The Grand Hotel all done up in full old man mode as he posed with fans and hammed it up for the press.

In the film, slated to hit theaters on October 25, Knoxville stars alongside Spike Jonze, Jackson Nicoll, and Georgina Cates.

Per the synopsis, “86-year-old Irving Zisman is on a journey across America with the most unlikely companion: his 8 year-old grandson, Billy.”...

86 year-old Irving Zisman is on a journey across America with the most unlikely companion, his 8 year-old Grandson Billy in Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa. Real people. Real reactions. Real messed up. Watch the first clip "Broken Ride".

This October, the signature Jackass character Irving Zisman (Johnny Knoxville) and Billy (Jackson Nicoll) will take movie audiences along for the most insane hidden camera road trip ever captured on camera.

Along the way Irving will introduce the young and impressionable Billy to people, places and situations that give new meaning to the term childrearing. The duo will encounter male strippers, disgruntled child beauty pageant contestants (and their equally disgruntled mothers), funeral home mourners, biker bar patrons and a whole lot of unsuspecting citizens.

Real people in unreal situations, making for one really messed up comedy.

Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa comes to theaters October 25th, 2013 and stars Johnny Knoxville, Jackson Nicoll, Georgina Cates, Blythe Barrington-Hughes.

86-year-old Irving Zisman (Johnny Knoxville) is a very bad influence on his grandson Billy (Jackson Nicoll) as they crash a wedding, wreck a funeral and put a kiddy ride to the ultimate test in the latest TV spot for Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa. Real people. Real situations. One very 'Bad' Grandpa...

Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa comes to theaters October 25th, 2013 and stars Johnny Knoxville, Jackson Nicoll, Georgina Cates, Blythe Barrington-Hughes. The film is directed by Jeff Tremaine.

86-year-old Irving Zisman only gets one can into his six-pack before fading into a deep nap on a park bench with his grandson in the third poster for Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa, a new hidden-camera comedy from Johnny Knoxville starring Fun Size breakout child actor Jackson Nicoll. In theaters this October.

Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa comes to theaters October 25th, 2013 and stars Johnny Knoxville, Jackson Nicoll, Georgina Cates, Blythe Barrington-Hughes. The film is directed by Jeff Tremaine.

Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa star Irving Zisman (Johnny Knoxville) may not be the best grandfather in the world, but at least he knows enough not to get behind the wheel after having too many beers. Unfortunately for Irving's grandson Billy (Jackson Nicoll), that means he literally has to cart grandpa around, as seen in the latest poster. Take a look at this one-sheet for director Jeff Tremaine's hidden camera comedy, in theaters October 25.

86 year-old Irving Zisman is on a journey across America with the most unlikely companion, his 8 year-old Grandson Billy in Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa. This October, the signature Jackass character Irving Zisman (Johnny Knoxville) and Billy (Jackson Nicoll) will take movie audiences along for the most insane hidden camera road trip ever captured on camera.

Along the way Irving will introduce the young and impressionable Billy to people, places and situations that give new meaning to the term childrearing.

Did you know that Sunday, September 8 is National Grandparent's Day? Neither did I, but, thankfully, Irving Zisman (Johnny Knoxville) has debuted three PSAs to promote the holiday, as well as the upcoming comedy Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa. Watch as Irving asks grandchildren around the world for condoms and a full massage during this annual event. Plus, in case you missed it last month, you can take a look at the full trailer for director Jeff Tremaine's comedy, in theaters on October 25.

Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa comes to theaters October 25th, 2013 and stars Johnny Knoxville, Jackson Nicoll, Georgina Cates, Blythe Barrington-Hughes. The film is directed by Jeff Tremaine.

Until Paramount announced an October 25 release date for Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa last month, many didn't even know the project existed, having been shot in secret earlier this year. Now we already have a trailer and the first poster, featuring Johnny Knoxville as Irving Zisman and Jackson Nicholl as his young grandson. As you can see in this one-sheet, Irving certainly lives up to his title in director Jeff Tremaine's hidden-camera comedy. We also included the trailer in case you missed it the first time around.

Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa comes to theaters October 25th, 2013 and stars Johnny Knoxville, Jackson Nicoll, Georgina Cates, Blythe Barrington-Hughes. The film is directed by Jeff Tremaine.

Burt Reynolds and William Forsythe play a couple of middle-aged Miami-based hitmen whose target is the doppelganger of Hollywood hooker Angela (Georgina Cates). Fleeing from the hit, Angela and her musician/cabbie buddy Walter (Balthazar Getty) seeks sanctuary with a drug dealer and two bitching draq queens only for their gun-toting nemeses to turn up on the doorstep. Tarantino-style farcical violence from director Clive Fleury.

Neve Campbell, one of the stars of the hit horror movie series Scream, quietly filed for divorce months ago, but she isn’t the first of those related to the film to do so. Is there a curse on the Scream cast?

Talk about your horror plot lines! It seems like if you step on the set of Scream, your relationship is headed for trouble. Neve Campbell’s divorce filing recently surfaced, but she isn’t the first cast member to have marital problems. Is there a curse on the horror franchise?

Just this year, three of the main cast members from the Kevin Williamson horror series have filed for divorce. True, two of them are divorcing each other, but still…a connection between marriage issues and the Scream franchise seems inevitable. Take a look at the list of cast members who have had love funerals. May their marriage, relationships,...

Ready to sub in at a moment’s notice, 8-year-old Jakob Dylan Ulrich posed with dad Skeet Ulrich at the Chelsea vs. Inter Milan match of the 2009 World Football Challenge in Pasadena, Calif., on July 21.

Jakob and his twin sister Naiia Rose are Skeet’s children with ex-wife Georgina Cates, whom he divorced in 2005 after eight years of marriage.

Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage Posted in Dads, Kids, Main, Multiples...

DVD Playhouse—June 2009

By

Allen Gardner

The International (Sony) An Interpol agent (Clive Owen) joins forces with a Manhattan D.A. (Naomi Watts) to bring down an arms dealing ring and a corrupt global banking cartel that’s funding them. Superlative thriller was oddly ignored by critics and audiences alike, but expertly blends intelligence (courtesy screenwriter Eric Warren Singer’s masterfully-crafted script) and full-throttle action (director Tom Tykwer stages one of the great film shoot-outs in New York’s iconic Guggenheim Museum), making this dynamite thriller reminiscent of the best work from masters such as John Frankenheimer and Robert Aldrich. Armin Mueller-Stahl is wonderful as a world-weary covert op. Bonuses: Extended scene; Featurettes; Trailer. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.

The Jack Lemmon Film Collection(Sony) Five films from the two-time Oscar winning actor, focusing on his early career: Phfft! is a zippy comedy from 1954, one of Lemmon’s earliest films, in which...

Successful music video and commercial director David Dobkin, like bosses Ridley and Tony Scott before him, makes a notable feature debut with "Clay Pigeons", a quirky, darkly comedic thriller.

While the logistics of character motivation don't appear to be particularly embraced by fellow newcomer Matt Healy's playful script, the gathered ensemble of indie faves (including Janeane Garofalo, Vince Vaughn and Joaquin Phoenix) makes it all quite entertaining.

Recently screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, the Gramercy release should hit the specialty market target while establishing Dobkin as one to watch.

Set in the fictional, comatose town of Mercer, Mont., the seamy intrigue kicks in early with laconic protagonist Clay Bidwell (Phoenix) finding himself staring into a gun barrel being trained on him by his best buddy Earl (Gregory Sporleder). Seems Earl has some pretty convincing evidence that Clay's been carrying on with his very willing wife, but rather than kill him, he plans to use Clay's gun to do himself in, thereby intending to frame him for his apparent murder.

With Earl having successfully carried out his deed, the panic-stricken Clay runs to the newly widowed Amanda (Georgina Cates) for help, but she makes it very clear she wants no part in the whole situation other than to resume their Wednesday afternoon trysts. Left to his own devices, Clay will make the first of many bad decisions.

Just when it seems things couldn't get any worse, along comes Lester Long (Vaughn), a swaggering James Dean wannabe with a greasy, ingratiating manner and a fake laugh who's intent on being Clay's new best friend at any cost.

Meanwhile, astute FBI Agent Dale Shelby (Garofalo) has been sniffing around investigating the disappearances of a number of local women, and despite assurances to the contrary from the fatherly town sheriff (Scott Wilson), Clay's looking to be a prime suspect.

While Healy's script ultimately offers surprisingly few surprises, there's a nicely warped sense of irrelevance to the proceedings -- a body pops up in the middle of a fishing expedition with a minimum of histrionics; the narcoleptic sheriff's deputy (Vince Vieluf) is actually named Deputy Barney -- that keep things blackly amusing.

Among the standout performances in the uniformly able cast are heavies Vaughn and Cates, who play their nasty characters with relish. Vaughn lays on the smarm factor thickly while actress Cates ("An Awfully Big Adventure") sheds her customarily refined British accent for her take-no-prisoners, cold-hearted hussy role.

Behind-the-camera, music videographer-turned-cinematographer Eric Edwards ("To Die For", "Cop Land") bathes the picture in what can best be described as sun-drenched noir. Composer John Lurie's idiosyncratic score blends nicely with the similarly eclectic song selection by Mary Ramos and Michelle Kuznetsky, which runs the gamut from Pat Boone and Elvis Presley to Lyle Lovett and Sister Hazel.

CLAY PIGEONS

Gramercy

Director: David Dobkin

Screenwriter: Matt Healy

Producers: Ridley Scott, Chris Zarpas

Executive producers: Tony Scott, Guy East, Nigel Sinclair

Director of photography: Eric Edwards

Production designer: Clark Hunter

Editor: Stan Salfas

Costume designer: Laura Goldsmith

Music supervisors: Mary Ramos, Michelle Kuznetsky

Music: Rod Lurie

Casting: Risa Bramon Garcia, Randi Hiller

Color/stereo

Cast:

Lester Long: Vince Vaughn

FBI Agent Dale Shelby: Janeane Garofalo

Clay Bidwell: Joaquin Phoenix

Amanda: Georgina Cates

Sheriff Mooney: Scott Wilson

Earl: Gregory Sporleder

Deputy Barney: Vince Vieluf

Agent Reynard: Phil Morris

Running time -- 104 minutes

MPAA rating: R...