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Crime dramas typically do everything they can to throw the audience off the trail of the story's mystery, and sometimes supernatural or surreal elements come into play because of this. Making the audience question what's real and what's imagined is a great way to build unreliable narrators and a sense of dread throughout the episodes. Sometimes, these aspects of the plot can get so outlandish that the series becomes almost absurdist. However, this isn't necessarily a bad thing since this distinguishes the show from the competition. There is no shortage of supernatural series and crime dramas out there.

There are many underrated recent detective TV shows that use these elements to make their stories unforgettable since a surreal tone sets apart a thriller series. TV is flooded with true crime dramas and docuseries that terrify the audience through realism. However, utilizing surrealism to communicate the horrors that people are capable...

Overlong and erratically paced, Brendan Kyle Cochrane’s New York City-based “Equal Standard” opens with a self-conscious scene that heavy-handedly hints at an impending tragedy. There in the sun-dappled kitchen of the happy Jones family, Detective Chris (Tobias Truvillion), Sergeant Jackie (Syleena Johnson) and their adorable daughter lovingly go about their rosy morning routine, while an over-sentimental score embellished with stark notes of caution (one of the film’s various recurring motifs of unsubtlety) accompanies the perfect picture. As the doting husband and wife exchange their daily goodbyes before taking off for their high-risk professions, there is so much weight and emphasis placed on the concerned Jackie when she says “Be safe” that you prophetically know Chris is soon going to need that advice.

Aiming to be “The Wire” of the Black Lives Matter era with a multi-pronged yarn penned by first-time feature writer Taheim Bryan, “Equal Standard” sadly exhibits...

Striving to obtain the acceptance from their parents that they so desperately desire is one of the most powerful motivators for many adults to improve themselves, no matter what they’ve already accomplished and achieved in life. That’s certainly the case for actor Chris Kerson’s character of Paddy in the new comedy, ‘Last Call.’ Paddy is […]

The post Interview: Chris Kerson Talks Last Call (Exclusive) appeared first on Shockya.com.

The cast is rounding out for the upcoming Paulo Pilladi-directed comedy, Crabs In a Bucket, which was also written by Pilladi, alongside Greg Lingo. The pair are new on the scene, but have certainly gotten a solid cast to lead their story along. The cast includes Taryn Manning (Orange is the New Black), Zach McGowan (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Jamie Kennedy (the Scream movies), Bruce Dern (Nebraska), Jack McGee (The Fighter), Chris Kerson (True Detective), and Jeremy Piven (Entourage).

Deadline reports the following synopsis for the film:

The plot follows real estate developer Mick (Piven), who returns to his offbeat Philly childhood neighborhood for his mother’s Irish wake and discovers he’s been willed their ill-fated pub that his sleazy boss, Mr. Delvecchio (Pastore), wants to raze to gentrify the neighborhood. As Mick reconnects with his father Laurence (McGee) and deadbeat brother Dougal (McGowan), his old cronies remind him that...

Exclusive: Golden Globe-winning Entourage alum Jeremy Piven, Oscar nominee Bruce Dern, Taryn Manning of Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black, Zach McGowan and Jamie Kennedy are attached to star in Crabs in a Bucket, an indie comedy from Future Proof Films, Cornell Ventures, and Jars Media Group.

Paolo Pilladi is directing the film from a script he wrote with Greg Lingo. Additional cast includes Jack McGee, Jason James Richter, Royce Johnson, Chris Kerson, Lauren Francesca, Betsy Beutler, Peter Patrikios, Natasha Coppola-Shalom, and Garry Pastore.

The plot follows real estate developer Mick (Piven), who returns to his offbeat Philly childhood neighborhood for his mother’s Irish wake and discovers he’s been willed their ill-fated pub that his sleazy boss, Mr. Delvecchio (Pastore), wants to raze to gentrify the neighborhood. As Mick reconnects with his father Laurence (McGee...

Stars: John Travolta, Spencer Rocco Lofranco, Kelly Preston, Pruitt Taylor Vince, William DeMeo, Leo Rossi, Chris Kerson, Stacy Keach, Ashley Drew Fisher, Chris Mulkey | Written by Leo Rossi, Lem Dobbs | Directed by Kevin Connolly

John Travolta’s ten-year passion project, titled Gotti, has had a troubled road to production, numerous setbacks from many issues that range from lawsuits brought on – with the infamous casting of Joe Pesci, who was cast and allegedly put on considerable weight for said role, only to be negotiated for a smaller less significant part in the production, leading to a still ongoing lawsuit. The casting of Lindsay Lohan caused a catastrophe with numerous filming days wasted and her eventual firing resulted in further delays. Meanwhile, further issues with directors caused riffs with story and studio, reinforced with the tragic and untimely death of Travolta’s son Jett Travolta, who tragically passed away at the age...

Tony Sokol Sep 27, 2017

John Travolta stars in Gotti, for which a new trailer has just been released

“Let me tell you, New York City is the greatest city in the world. I was a kid in these streets and I made it the top,” John Travolta says as John Gotti in the trailer for the upcoming biopic Gotti. If anyone could claim “My Way” as a theme song it was the Dapper Don of the Gambino Crime Family.

Gotti “made his bones doing a piece of work for Don Carlo Gambino,” the trailer tells us. From that day on, the Teflon Don was a man on the rise. Gotti has a similar look to Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas. The film will tell Gotti’s story over three decades, but will largely focus on the years after he was made boss by killing the top guy and then assuming his place.

John Travolta's trademark smile and charisma go a long way to help him transform into the late John Gotti, nicknamed Teflon Don, for upcoming flick Gotti.

The film, due out in December, will chronicle the mafia kingpin's rise to power in New York City over the course of three decades. In a new trailer released Tuesday, Travolta-as-Gotti exudes confidence as he intones over flashing scenes of the city, "New York is the greatest city in the world – my city."

"I was a kid in these streets, and I made it to the top,...

Leading today’s Horror Highlights is four clips from IFC Midnight’s Antibirth. Following Danny Perez’s trippy debut, is a new trailer for Daylight’s End, Kickstarter information on Steve Johnson’s Rubberhead Sex, Drugs, and Special FX, and release details for a Slime City double feature Blu-ray.

Watch Four Clips from Antibirth: “Hard-drinking, pill-popping, bong-ripping Lou (Natasha Lyonne) and her best friend Sadie (Chloë Sevigny) spend their days adrift in a druggy haze. But one wild night out becomes a bad trip that never ends when Lou wakes up with symptoms of an unexplained, highly abnormal pregnancy. Who—or what—is growing inside her? As her due date approaches with alarming swiftness, the fear, paranoia, and conspiracy theories begin to pile up. Spiked with blasts of hallucinatory color, surreal shocks, and subversive comedy, the audacious feature debut from Danny Perez is a no-holds-barred descent into delirium.”

Written and directed by Danny Perez,...

True Detective June 2015 Episode Titles, Plots, Air Dates, TV Promos. HBO has released the True Detective: Season 2 episode titles, official plot synopses, and the air dates for the June 2015 episodes of its cop TV series. The True Detective episodes discussed are episodes 9-10. The two new True Detective: Season 2 TV commercials are entitled ‘Chaos’ and ‘Stand.’

On the two True Detective: Season 2 TV spots:

In the first trailer, Los Angeles detective Ray Velacro (Colin Farrell), a corrupt cop under the control of crime lord Frank Semyon (Vince Vaughn), asks if he is even supposed to solve the case he’s investigating. Seymon also says at one point, “I need a direction to turn, or I may just start pulling down walls.”

The second trailer is a wordless, pulse-pouding look at the four main characters, including Ventura County Sheriff’s detective Ani Bezzerides (Rachel McAdams) and motorcyle...

HBO is now entering the heavy promotion stage for "True Detective" Season 2, which stars Rachel McAdams, Vince Vaughn, Colin Farrell, and Taylor Kitsch and premieres June 21. The network recently shared two new teasers, even letting some of the high-profile cast occasionally speak instead of just looking menacing or depressed:

HBO also issued materials with more details on what will happen in the first two episodes, which air in June, listing more cast members and guest stars.

What's The Show About?

A bizarre murder brings together three law-enforcement officers and a career criminal, each of whom must navigate a web of conspiracy and betrayal in the scorched landscapes of California in "True Detective."

Colin Farrell plays Ray Velcoro, a troubled detective whose allegiances are torn between his masters in a corrupt police department and the mobster who owns him. Vince Vaughn portrays Frank Semyon, a criminal and entrepreneur in danger of...

True Detective 2 and all its stressful, chaotic madness is almost here, but first the network has a couple more teasers up its sleeves — in the form of an extended synopsis and first-episode details. As you know, "a bizarre murder brings together three law-enforcement officers and a career criminal." That quad is portrayed by Colin Farrell, Taylor Kitsch, Rachel McAdams, and Vince Vaughn, respectively, and they're all going to dive into a mess tied to the United States' transportation system. (Kelly Reilly, Christopher James Baker, Afemo Omilami, Chris Kerson, James Frain, Lolita Davidovich, W. Earl Brown, David Morse, and Rick Springfield will round out some of the ancillary roles.) So just how messy is that mess?Well, here's the extended synopsis for the season: Colin Farrell (Golden Globe winner for “In Bruges”) plays Ray Velcoro, a troubled detective whose allegiances are torn between his masters in a corrupt police department...

Two intriguing casting announcements for the second season of HBO’s hit anthology series True Detective are making the rounds online today, with word that About Cherry breakout Ashley Hinshaw and “Jessie’s Girl” singer Rick Springfield have both landed roles.

Deadline reports that Hinshaw, who toplined recent found-footage horror The Pyramid and whose TV work includes True Blood and the upcoming Marvel’s Agent Carter, has been tapped for a multi-episode arc on the second season. She’ll play a troubled starlet.

Meanwhile, Springfield himself revealed his involvement in the second season of True Detective, tweeting out the following on late Wednesday:

Just finished my 1st day of shooting for season 2 of HBO’s True Detective. What a great script. Working w/ Colin Farrell & Rachel McAdams!

— Rick Springfield (@rickspringfield) December 11, 2014

It’s unclear who Springfield is playing, or how substantial the singer-turned-actor’s role is. Since “Jessie’s Girl,...

The upcoming horror film ‘Daylight’s End’ is offering insight into how the dwindling human race is banding together to protect and save what’s left of humanity in a new sneak preview promo trailer, posted on Vimeo page. The action-sci-fi independent film, which was shot in Dallas, was directed by William Kaufman, and written by Chad Law. The film stars Johnny Strong, Chris Kerson, Chelsea Edmundson, Louis Mandylor, Gary Cairns, Mark Hanson, Lance Henriksen, Hakeem Kae-Kazim and Heather Kafka. ‘Daylight’s End,’ a post-apocalyptic zombie thriller, is set years after a mysterious plague has devastated the planet and turned most of humanity into blood-hungry creatures that roam by night. A rogue drifter [ Read More ]

The post Daylight’s End Offers Insight in Sneak Preview Promo Trailer appeared first on Shockya.com.

Summary:  'Cost of a Soul' attempts to portray the gritty reality of veterans returning to their broken city.

Cost of a Soul is a bold attempt at contemporary film noir, telling the story of two Iraqi veterans returning home to the slums of Philadelphia to find their family life and neighborhood in disarray.  It's a disturbing and grim look into the reality of the two characters, Tommy Donahue and Dd Davis (played by Chris Kerson and Will Blagrove respectively), and how their attempts to leave behind the violence and heartbreak of war is futile.

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Director Sean Kirkpatrick discusses his directorial debut Cost of a Soul, shooting in Philadelphia, landing distribution, and much more

Every year, hundreds of independent filmmakers scrape together money to make their films, with hopes of getting into festivals, and bigger hopes of being picked up by a distributor. Sean Kirkpatrick is one of those filmmakers, who brought his directorial debut Cost of a Soul, to numerous film festivals, although he couldn't secure distribution. Fortunately, the AMC Theater chain held a contest entitled The Big Break Movie Contest, which Cost of a Soul won, earning exclusive distribution in AMC Theaters starting on May 20. I recently had the chance to chat with director Sean Kirkpatrick about his experience in making Cost of a Soul. Here's what he had to say.

I noticed you were a production assistant before becoming a director, and I remembered a story about Eli Roth, how he was...

By Sean Kirkpatrick (writer-director, “Cost of a Soul”)

(May 2011)

It all began with Francis Ford Coppola’s “Apocalypse Now.” Although it is one of my favorites, the movie itself was not what inspired me to become a filmmaker. Rather it was the sadistic realization of the pain, struggle and hardship that must go into creating something you so strongly believe in.

I saw filmmaking as my opportunity to conquer the “impossible.” I was enraptured by the amount of determination, persistence and purpose put into the making of Coppola’s 1979 masterpiece. From that point on, my life was dedicated to conquering the impossible, and I would forge myself into a talented writer-director or die trying.

It was because of the tenacity I learned from “Apocalypse Now” that I was able to make my first feature film, a film that was also said to be “impossible.”

After graduating from college and working...

By Sean Kirkpatrick (writer-director, “Cost of a Soul”)

(May 2011)

It all began with Francis Ford Coppola’s “Apocalypse Now.” Although it is one of my favorites, the movie itself was not what inspired me to become a filmmaker. Rather it was the sadistic realization of the pain, struggle and hardship that must go into creating something you so strongly believe in.

I saw filmmaking as my opportunity to conquer the “impossible.” I was enraptured by the amount of determination, persistence and purpose put into the making of Coppola’s 1979 masterpiece. From that point on, my life was dedicated to conquering the impossible, and I would forge myself into a talented writer-director or die trying.

It was because of the tenacity I learned from “Apocalypse Now” that I was able to make my first feature film, a film that was also said to be “impossible.”

After graduating from college and working...

Reviewed by James Scarborough

(May 2011)

Directed/Writen by: Sean Kirkpatrick

Starring: Chris Kerson, Will Blagrove, Mark Borkowski, Judy Jerome, Maddie Morris Jones, Gregg Almquist, Nakia Dillard and Daveed Ramsay

War may be hell, but, as laid out in “The Cost of a Soul,” written and directed by Sean Kirkpatrick, the home front isn’t so cool either. Structured as an out-of-the-frying-pan-into-the-fire Grand Guignol, it tells the tale of two men from Philadelphia linked anonymously by a common mission in Iraq who meet in an explosive, brutal series of tit-for-tat, inter-neighborhood reprisals. Studded with raw and powerful performances and direction that screams without success for order in a universe gone awry, it asks the too-little-asked question: Just what exactly are we fighting for if not for a better life at home?

Two young men, Tommy Donahue (Chris Kerson) and Dd Davis (Will Blagrove), enlist to fight in Iraq, motivated more to...

Reviewed by James Scarborough

(May 2011)

Directed/Writen by: Sean Kirkpatrick

Starring: Chris Kerson, Will Blagrove, Mark Borkowski, Judy Jerome, Maddie Morris Jones, Gregg Almquist, Nakia Dillard and Daveed Ramsay

War may be hell, but, as laid out in “The Cost of a Soul,” written and directed by Sean Kirkpatrick, the home front isn’t so cool either. Structured as an out-of-the-frying-pan-into-the-fire Grand Guignol, it tells the tale of two men from Philadelphia linked anonymously by a common mission in Iraq who meet in an explosive, brutal series of tit-for-tat, inter-neighborhood reprisals. Studded with raw and powerful performances and direction that screams without success for order in a universe gone awry, it asks the too-little-asked question: Just what exactly are we fighting for if not for a better life at home?

Two young men, Tommy Donahue (Chris Kerson) and Dd Davis (Will Blagrove), enlist to fight in Iraq, motivated more to...

Sean Kirkpatrick’s crime drama Cost Of A Soul won the “Big Break Movie Contest,” which gives first-time feature filmmakers a shot at distribution in 50 AMC Theaters. And give the judges credit: They didn’t pick some wan relationship dramedy, littered with big-name actors looking to boost their indie cred. Cost Of A Soul is a scrappy little beast, full of unfamiliar faces and tough-guy attitude, shot in stylishly desaturated color-tones. It’s a lousy movie, but it has spunk. Cost Of A Soul stars Chris Kerson and Will Blagrove as soldiers who return from Iraq to their respective ...

Title: Cost of a Soul Director: Sean Kirkpatrick Starring: Chris Kerson (‘Henry’s Crime), Will Blagrove (‘How Do You Know’), Judy Jerome (‘Bedwetter’), Gregg Almquist (TV’s ‘The Practice’) Social commentary isn’t usually the first thing movie audiences think of when they watch films to be entertained. However, first time screenwriter/director Sean Kirkpatrick instantly grabs hold of the viewers of his full-length feature debut, ‘Cost of a Soul,’ by breaking the stereotype that dramatic interpretations of real-life issues can’t be captivating. His brave determination to show that continued violence hinders the growth of a community continuously shines through in the crime drama. ‘Cost of a Soul’ follows two wounded soldiers, Tommy Donahue...

Cost of a Soul star Chris Kerson talks about this powerful indie project, shooting in Philadelphia, working with director Sean Kirkpatrick, and much more.

Cost of a Soul is a movie most have likely not heard of, unless you were a regular on the festival circuit over the past few years. This drama, which centers on two Iraq War veterans who return to their hometown of North Philadelphia, and who both fall into troubling circumstances, played at the 2010 Hollywood Film Festival, 2010 Cinequest, 2011 Philadelphia Cinefest, where it won the Audience Award, and many others. Yet, despite all these rounds on the festival circuit, Cost of a Soul still hadn't been picked up by a distributor, until a unique opportunity came along. The AMC Theater chain announced The Big Break Movie Contest, which granted the winner distribution in 50 AMC theaters across the country. Cost of a Soul, which is the directorial debut of Sean Kirkpatrick,...

Rogue and AMC Movie Theaters “Big Break Contest” winner, Cost Of A Soul marks the stunning debut of first time director Sean Kirkpatrick. Along with the film’s stars Chris Kerson and Will Blagrove, Kirkpatrick sat down with us to discuss what it was like making the film and how it feels to finally have their hard work out there.

Read our roundtable interview with actors Chris Kerson and Will Blagrove, who portray Tommy Donahue and Dd Davis, respectively, in the new independent crime drama ‘Cost of a Soul.’ The movie follows the two soldiers who have recently returned home to North Philadelphia after serving in Iraq. Tommy and Dd must not only readjust to civilian life, but learn how to cope with the crime, violence and drugs that are plaguing the streets of their slum neighborhood. Rogue will release ‘Cost of a Soul’ into 50 theaters across the country on May 20, 2011, as part of the AMC Independent program. Kerson and Blagrove discuss, among other things, how they...

Cost of a Soul is directed by Sean Kirkpatrick and stars Chris Kerson, Will Blagrove, Judy Jerome, Mark Borkowski, Gregg Almquist and Maddie M. Jones. This film opens in theaters on May 20th, 2011.

Story:

Cost of a Soul is the gritty tale of two wounded veterans who return home to the ghetto they joined the military to escape. As they struggle for redemption, their own families become entangled in a web of crime, corruption and violence. The film was shot in the spirit of the 1940′s film noir, but set in the modern context of a Philadelphia ghetto neighborhood. The locations used during production were some of the most violent neighborhoods in America as Kirkpatrick’s goal was to embrace the reality of the situation within those neighborhoods.

Cost of a Soul

Directed by: Sean Kirkpatrick

Starring: Chris Kerson, Will Blagrove, Mark Borkowski

Rating: R

Release Date: May 20, 2011

Trailer Score: 5/10

Thoughts by Tsr: Unfortunately, the trailer starts off strong. The music and the brutal imagery work together to create a surprisingly visceral portrayal of the war. It’s definitely an attention grabber, which is always good for business, but sadly, it feels as if they didn’t put forth the same effort and painstaking dedication to the rest of the trailer.

As soon as Cost of a Soul turns to color, it devolves into an over saturated exercise in sensory overload. The main issue with the trailer seems to be that I have no idea what it’s selling except excitement. There’s no sincerity to what I’m seeing or hearing. Rather, it felt like they searched the movie’s running time for all instances of someone...

New images are in from Cost of a Soul, starring Chris Kerson, Will Blagrove, Mark Borkowski, Judy Jerome and Maddie Morris. Relativity Media's release is directed and written by Sean Kirkpatrick who produces along with Edward J. Eberwine III and Jonathan Risinger. Cost of a Soul Synopsis: Wounded in the war, Tommy Donahue and Dd Davis return home from Iraq to their North Philadelphia slum neighborhood. Tommy returns home to his wife, Faith, whom he abandoned while she was pregnant. He meets his four-year-old daughter, Hope, for the first time, and she begins to melt his frozen heart. Dd faces the pressure to save his younger brother, James, from becoming a victim of the streets. Meanwhile their oldest brother, Darnell, has risen to become the neighborhood kingpin. The two find themselves trapped in the same slums they joined the military to escape from....

New images are in from Cost of a Soul, starring Chris Kerson, Will Blagrove, Mark Borkowski, Judy Jerome and Maddie Morris. Relativity Media's release is directed and written by Sean Kirkpatrick who produces along with Edward J. Eberwine III and Jonathan Risinger. Cost of a Soul Synopsis: Wounded in the war, Tommy Donahue and Dd Davis return home from Iraq to their North Philadelphia slum neighborhood. Tommy returns home to his wife, Faith, whom he abandoned while she was pregnant. He meets his four-year-old daughter, Hope, for the first time, and she begins to melt his frozen heart. Dd faces the pressure to save his younger brother, James, from becoming a victim of the streets. Meanwhile their oldest brother, Darnell, has risen to become the neighborhood kingpin. The two find themselves trapped in the same slums they joined the military to escape from....