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There are certain movie stars who have "It" the second they walk in front of a camera. It might not happen for them immediately, but all casting directors and filmmakers had to do was watch a minute or two of Cary Grant, Marlene Dietrich, Carole Lombard, or Paul Newman to know that they'd be topping marquees and posters for decades to come. For Gen X-ers, the same could be said of Denzel Washington, Julia Roberts, Tom Cruise, and Halle Berry. For Millennials and Zoomers, you've got Michael B. Jordan, Florence Pugh, Glen Powell, and Sydney Sweeney.

Some future movie stars don't pop like this. They need seasoning and, most importantly, the right role to demonstrate that they're capable of carrying a movie. I don't think anyone envisioned Gene Hackman as a leading man until they saw him whoop it up as Buck Barrow in "Bonnie and Clyde," nor was Renée Zellweger...

Denzel Washington is one of the finest actors in the history of Hollywood. With two Academy Awards under his belt, as well as a string of successful blockbusters, he is one of those rare actor who can do it all. Star of stage and screen, the movie star has been in the business for nearly five decades and is showing no signs of slowing down. He has worked with some of the biggest directors, like Ridley Scott, Robert Zemeckis, and Spike Lee. He has also co-starred alongside the legendary likes of Viola Davis, Tom Hanks, and Meryl Streep.

With a legacy of unforgettable movies already ensured, Washington has chosen to fill out his filmography with a lot of versatile projects. This includes an array of action adventures and gritty dramas. His ability to command the screen is incomparable, and he can play kind and generous as well as scary and...

Filmmaker Edward Zwick, whose credits include About Last Night, Glory, Legends of the Fall, The Siege, The Last Samurai, Blood Diamond, Defiance, Love & Other Drugs, Pawn Sacrifice, and Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (not to mention co-creating Thirtysomething), recently published a memoir called Hits, Flops, and Other Illusions: My Fortysomething Years in Hollywood (pick up a copy Here). This book contains some very interesting passages – like the one on Zwick’s Jack Reacher regrets, and another where he reveals how impressed Denzel Washington was by Matt Damon’s performance when they were on the set of Zwick’s 1996 film Courage Under Fire.

Zwick wrote, “As we finished Matt’s coverage, Denzel caught my eye and nodded approvingly. Later, he took me aside. ‘Who is that kid?’ he asked. I told him it was Matt’s first big role. ‘Damn,’ he said. ‘Better get my game on. He almost blew me off the screen.

Exclusive: The long-in-coming return of the musical based on Jerry Lewis’ The Nutty Professor, and a new musical adaptation of the Richard Dreyfuss 1995 film Mr. Holland’s Opus, will receive major regional theater stagings this year, with Maine’s nationally recognized Ogunquit Playhouse announcing the productions for its 2022 season.

This summer’s staging of The Nutty Professor, based on Lewis’ 1963 comedy, with music by Marvin Hamlisch and book and lyrics by Rupert Holmes, will be the first production of the musical since a planned Broadway-bound Nashville world premiere directed by Lewis himself was scuttled 10 years ago with the death of Hamlisch. The musical has not been staged since.

The Ogunquit production, set for July 1 to August 6, will be directed by Marc Bruni, director of the Tony-winning Broadway musical Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Casting has not been announced.

Following the Nutty Professor engagement, Ogunquit will present the world premiere of Mr. Holland’s Opus,...

Hello, everyone! I hope you didn’t eat too many people for Thanksgiving! In today’s episode, I get to recommend some holiday reading for you. It’s a battle between a real-life horror one side, facing off against one of literature’s most… Continue Reading →

The post Horrible Imaginings Podcast #163: Dracula vs. Hitler! A Conversation with Author Patrick Sheane Duncan! appeared first on Dread Central.

What if Dracula were brought back to life to fight the Nazis? Acclaimed Hollywood screenwriter Patrick Sheane Duncan (Mr. Holland’s Opus, Courage Under Fire, Nick of Time) answers this question in his new novel, Dracula vs. Hitler, a spirited and… Continue Reading →

The post It’s Dracula vs. Hitler in New Book Coming in October appeared first on Dread Central.

The king of the ghouls fights one of history’s most malevolent madmen in this stirring new novel. File this under “The Greatest Concepts in Horror History”. Well, at least this reader/writer finds it irresistible. And frankly, I’d rather only associate with those who feel the same. It seems that Hollywood screenwriter Patrick Sheane Duncan, the…

The post Vampires Fight Nazis in Dracula Vs Hitler! appeared first on Shock Till You Drop.

Little Red Wagon

Directed by David Anspaugh

Written by Patrick Sheane Duncan

USA, 2012

In many ways, the true story of Zach Bonner, the protagonist of the new family drama Little Red Wagon, is a crying shame. No doubt, his determination to help out as many homeless families in Florida as possible is admirable and inspiring. But Zach is, when the film begins in 2004, just 8 years old. That he first is able to get his local neighborhood to pitch in for hurricane victims, and then walk from Tampa to Tallahassee to get the word out to the state government about homeless youth, is truly impressive. Why, though, does it take a kid to make us realize and confront the disturbing plight of homelessness in America? If for no other reason, Little Red Wagon is worth seeing; its good intentions sometimes can’t obscure the flawed narrative structure, but it’s still a pleasant,...

This heartfelt movie is based on the true story of an 8-year-old boy who set out to help homeless children and wound up spearheading a full-blown crusade. Director David Anspaugh (Rudy, Hoosiers) and screenwriter Patrick Sheane Duncan (Mr. Holland’s Opus, Courage Under Fire) are nothing if not sincere, and tell their story in an appealing, straightforward manner. But I fear that their film may be dismissed by some critics as do-gooder fare or a dose of sugar-coated medicine. How you see it may be determined by your worldview and your level of cynicism. Chandler Canterbury is winning, and completely convincing, as Zach Bonner, an 8-year-old Florida boy who, with the innocence of...

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Inspiring movies are the latest trend in cinema due to the smashing success of The Blind Side and, most recently, Dolphin Tale. Big Miracle, about humans like Drew Barrymore and John Kosinski working to save whales who are trapped, is the next commercial film to be released. Filmmakers are turning to another tail in which to tell their tale: dogs. Until Tuesday is being adapted from a book by Iraq war vet Army Capt. Luis Carlos Montalvan who was having problems adjusting upon returning home due to his injuries both physical and mental. He met service dog Tuesday, a golden retriever who had worked in the prison system and in boys homes but had trust issues. The two took to each other and healed each other.

Patrick Sheane Duncan (he wrote Mr. Holland's Opus, Courage Under Fire and 1983 animated TV series "He Man and Masters of the Universe") will adapt for Waterman Entertainment.

Inspiring movies are the latest trend in cinema due to the smashing success of The Blind Side and, most recently, Dolphin Tale. Big Miracle, about humans like Drew Barrymore and John Kosinski working to save whales who are trapped, is the next commercial film to be released. Filmmakers are turning to another tail in which to tell their tale: dogs. Until Tuesday is being adapted from a book by Iraq war vet Army Capt. Luis Carlos Montalvan who was having problems adjusting upon returning home due to his injuries both physical and mental. He met service dog Tuesday, a golden retriever who had worked in the prison system and in boys homes but had trust issues. The two took to each other and healed each other.

Patrick Sheane Duncan (he wrote Mr. Holland's Opus, Courage Under Fire and 1983 animated TV series "He Man and Masters of the Universe") will adapt for Waterman Entertainment.

Waterman Entertainment has acquired the rights to the New York Times bestseller "Until Tuesday" -- and has attached "Mr. Holland's Opus" writer Patrick Sheane Duncan to adapt it, the company anounced Monday. "Until Tuesday" is about Army Capt. Luis Carlos Montalván's true story about his return from two tours of duty in Iraq. During the war, he sustained traumatic brain injury, post traumatic stress disorder and other injuries. The pressures of life were overwhelming for the captain. And then he met Tuesday, a golden retriever that became his service dog and best friend. “Captain...

Waterman picks up Luis Carlos Montalván's Until Tuesday for film adaptation The dog drama Until Tuesday is being scripted by Patrick Sheane Duncan, based on the work by former Army Captain Luis Carlos Montalván. Variety reports that Waterman Entertainment made the announcement today and plans to start production on Until Tuesday's adaptation some time in summer, 2012. Until Tuesday is a moving story which focuses on Montalván who logged two tours of duty in Iraq and had to deal with the pressures of his physical wounds, brain injury and post-traumatic stress, until he met Tuesday, a golden retreaver trained to assist the disabled. The canine who had lived amongst prisoners and at a home for troubled boys, could not connect with anyone, until meeting Montalván.

Waterman picks up Luis Carlos Montalván's Until Tuesday for film adaptation The dog drama Until Tuesday is being scripted by Patrick Sheane Duncan, based on the work by former Army Captain Luis Carlos Montalván. Variety reports that Waterman Entertainment made the announcement today and plans to start production on Until Tuesday's adaptation some time in summer, 2012. Until Tuesday is a moving story which focuses on Montalván who logged two tours of duty in Iraq and had to deal with the pressures of his physical wounds, brain injury and post-traumatic stress, until he met Tuesday, a golden retreaver trained to assist the disabled. The canine who had lived amongst prisoners and at a home for troubled boys, could not connect with anyone, until meeting Montalván.

Chandler Canterbury ("Knowing," "Repo Men"), Anna Gunn ("Breaking Bad," "Deadwood"), Frances O’Connor ("A.I.," "Timeline"), Dylan Matzke and Daveigh Chase have all joined the cast of "Little Red Wagon" for Anonymous Content.

The project is inspired by the true story of youth advocate Zach Bonner who in 2005, at age seven, formed a Tampa-based nonprofit foundation to aid the 1.3 million homeless children in the United States.

David Anspaugh ("Rudy," "Hoosiers") directs from an original screenplay by Patrick Sheane Duncan ("Mr. Holland's Opus"). Dr. Michael Guillen and David Kanter will produce.

Shooting kicked off this week in Charleston, South Carolina.

Chandler Canterbury and Anna Gunn join Little Red WagonChandler Canterbury, Anna Gunn, Frances O'Connor, Dylan Matzke and Daveigh Chase have boarded the indie drama Little Red Wagon, based on the true story of 12-year-old homeless-youth advocate Zach Bonner, according to Variety.

David Anspaugh is directing from a script by Patrick Sheane Duncan.

Canterbury will play Bonner as an eight-year-old living in Tampa, Fla., with his mother (Gunn) and sister (Chase).

In the wake of Hurricane Charley, Zach uses his toy wagon to collect water, food and clothing for families made homeless by the storm, which leads him to found the Little Red Wagon Foundation and create "Zach Packs," backpacks filled with life's bare essentials plus a toy.

O'Connor portrays a newly widowed woman and Matzke plays her young son who land up in a shelter after a series of hardships.

Production began Monday in Charleston, S.C.

Little Red Wagon...

Cameras started rolling today in Charleston, Sc on Little Red Wagons, an inspirational tale of a pint-sized philanthropist directed by David Anspaugh (Rudy, Hoosiers). In the film, eight-year-old Tampa resident Zach Bonner founds “the Little Red Wagon Foundation and creates ‘Zach Packs,’ backpacks filled with life’s bare essentials – plus a toy, to show homeless kids that someone cares about them.” Awww.

The cast includes Chandler Canterbury (Knowing), Anna Gunn (Breaking Bad), Frances O’Connor (Artificial Intelligence: AI), Daveigh Chase (Big Love) and newcomer Dylan Matzke. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Here’s the official press release:

Cameras Roll On “Little Red Wagon” To Star

Chandler Canterbury, Anna Gunn, Frances O’Connor,

Dylan Matzke & Daveigh Chase

Feature Film Inspired by Extraordinary Kid Philanthropist Zach Bonner

Charleston, Sc (May 24, 2010) – Principal photography begins today in Charleston, Sc on Little Red Wagon, based on the life of Zach Bonner, whose...

David Anspaugh ("Rudy," "Hoosiers") is set to direct "Little Red Wagon" for Anonymous Content says Celebrifi.

The project is inspired by the true story of youth advocate Zach Bonner who in 2005, at age seven, formed a Tampa-based nonprofit foundation to aid the 1.3 million homeless children in the United States.

Patrick Sheane Duncan ("Mr. Holland's Opus") penned the script. Dr. Michael Guillen and David Kanter will produce. Shooting kicks off this Spring.

David Anspaugh has signed to direct the inspirational tale "Little Red Wagon," based on the story of 12-year-old Zach Bonner, an advocate for homeless youth.

Patrick Sheane Duncan ("Mr. Holland's Opus") is writing the screenplay about Bonner, who as a 7-year-old used his wagon to collect water and supplies in Tampa, Fla., for victims of 2004's Hurricane Charley. A year later, he formed the Little Red Wagon nonprofit to help underprivileged kids.

The film is being funded by the John Templeton Foundation through the Philanthropy Project and will be produced in association with Anonymous Content. Launched in 2007 through a Templeton Foundation grant, the Philanthropy Project is a nonprofit that uses the moving image to inspire citizen philanthropy.

Producing are the Philanthropy Project's Michael Guillen and Anonymous' David Kanter, with Barbara Kelly and Anonymous' Steve Golin as executive producers.

Principal photography is expected to begin in the spring as Bonner launches...

Award-winning director David Anspaugh (Rudy, Hoosiers) has finalized an agreement to direct Little Red Wagon, a feature film written by Patrick Sheane Duncan (Mr. Holland's Opus) and inspired by the true story of 12-year-old homeless youth advocate Zach Bonner. Funded by the John Templeton Foundation (Templeton.org) under the auspices of its Philanthropy Project, and produced in association with Anonymous Content, the film is executive produced by Steve Golin of Anonymous Content and Barbara Kelly and produced by Philanthropy Project's Dr. Michael Guillen, a best-selling author and three-time Emmy winner known for his 14-year post as ABC News science editor, in partnership with David Kanter of Anonymous Content.

Principal photography is expected to begin this spring, coinciding with Zach Bonner's "March Across America" - launching in Tallahassee on April 7 and culminating in Los Angeles in September - to raise awareness and funds for homeless children in America.

"Little Red Wagon is an inspiring,...

November 28, 1995

WILD BILL

MGM/UA

For Wild Bill Hickok, it all ended not with a bang but with a derringer. So goes the sage philosophizing of this reverent but cut-the-boots-off demhythologizing of one of the West's legendary gunmen. Western fans and film buffs will ensure some early select-site appeal for this release, but the film's repetitive cadence of Wild Bill's grubby, gun-happy life will not hit the mark with mainstream audiences.

Starring Jeff Bridges as the sullen, quick-to-draw Hickok and featuring a terrific assemblage of players to flesh out the cast of colorful characters that surrounded Bill's violent, dissipated life, this Walter Hill film is a smart and curious mix of John Ford legendry and Robert Altman revisionism. Set primarily in the mudhole, frontier towns of the Plains states in the 1800s, "Wild Bill" most resembles in tone and outlook "McCabe and Mrs. Miller". With its golden, browned hues, virulent imagery and coarse textures -- pinewood caskets, roaming pigs, unwashed Yahoos -- "Wild Bill" scrapes the glamor off the dimestore novelizing of Wild Bill's "legendary life."

In Hill's shrewd, alternately romantic and unremittingly realistic scenario, we see "the stuff of legends" is not exactly constituted by valor, selflessness or decency. Certainly, with his flowing locks and shooting prowess, Bill was a coot to be reckoned with, though not exactly charismatic. As we see in this squinty, hard-eyed homage, he was, at heart, a cold-blooded, depressive wastrel. Although Hill's screenplay includes ample and amusing apologia for Bill's baser qualities through the the voice-over of a witty, educated Englishman (John Hurt), who is enamored with Bill, we see repeatedly that Bill's actions and motivations are cruel, heartless and reprehensible.

As Hickok, Bridges, once again, gives a terrific, wart-and-all portrayal, never undercoating the gunslinger with any cheap, heart-tugging theatrics (HR 11/17).

Duane Byrge

NICK OF TIME

Paramount

Paramount's "Nick of Time" is a fleck of formula, but it's a tight, solidly crafted thriller from producer-director John Badham that should win solid support from teens and twenties at the boxoffice. Starring Johnny Depp, "Nick" should be a winning pick in time on the rental circuit.

An ordinary-man-in-jeopardy tale goosed with a ticking clock, "Nick" is an elemental genre piece with Depp starring as, basically, the man in the gray flannel suit. A somewhat nebbish accountant, Warren (Depp) and his young daughter arrive at L.A.'s Union State with some distressing baggage, pyschologically speaking: They've just come from the funeral of Depp's ex-wife, who is the mother of his daughter. Like Cary Grant in a number of Hitchcock chillers, Warren is simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, picked out by two desperado assassins with appropriate nomenclatures, Mr. Smith (Chrisopher Walken) and Ms. Jones (Roma Maffia). They kidnap the pair from the busy station and lay down their ultimatum to Warren -- kill a female guest in the nearby Bonaventure Hotel within the next hour or never see your daughter again.

Although Patrick Sheane Duncan's scenario offers little in the way of surprises for even a moderately sophisticated moviegoer, it's a taut story with sympathetic underpinnings. What the story may lack in sophistication is nicely juiced by Badham's kinetic direction.

Depp is credible as the ordinary decent man who must reach within to save the day. Admittedly, his physicality and somewhat subdued performance are both pluses and minuses: He's definitely solid as an ordinary man but ultimately lacks the panache and adrenaline-pumped resourcefulness of predecessors in the genre -- Grant, and Harrison Ford, among others (HR 11/22).

Duane Byrge...