Produced by Kerri Borsuk, Academy Award Winner Glen Zipper (Undefeated) and Ross Dinerstein (Jiro Dreams of Sushi), Ryan Harvie and John Paul Horstmann, Morgan Spurlock’s latest documentary takes a look at a subject close to my heart… wrestling!
Morgan Spurlock Presents Bodyslam: Revenge of the Banana! follows a unique group of social outcasts who partake in the world of amateur wrestling via Ssp Wrestling (Seattle Semi-Pro Wrestling). Led by Josh Black a.k.a. “Ronald McFondle,” and Bill Bates a.k.a. “Eddie Van Glam,” by day the wrestlers are chefs, hairdressers, and delivery men, but by night these “cabaret combatants” put on raunchy matches while rabid fans chant obscenities and hurl beer cans at their heads…
It’s all fun and games until new recruit Paul a.k.a. “The Banana” joins up and plays the role of villain far too well. Banished from the group, he swears...
Morgan Spurlock Presents Bodyslam: Revenge of the Banana! follows a unique group of social outcasts who partake in the world of amateur wrestling via Ssp Wrestling (Seattle Semi-Pro Wrestling). Led by Josh Black a.k.a. “Ronald McFondle,” and Bill Bates a.k.a. “Eddie Van Glam,” by day the wrestlers are chefs, hairdressers, and delivery men, but by night these “cabaret combatants” put on raunchy matches while rabid fans chant obscenities and hurl beer cans at their heads…
It’s all fun and games until new recruit Paul a.k.a. “The Banana” joins up and plays the role of villain far too well. Banished from the group, he swears...
- 4/7/2017
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
From Kerri Borsuk, Glen Zipper (“Undefeated”) and Ross Dinerstein (“Jiro Dreams of Sushi”), along with lauded documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, comes Ryan Harvie and John Paul Horstmann’s “Bodyslam: Revenge of The Banana.” And yes, that title almost speaks for itself.
Read More: Morgan Spurlock’s New Documentary ‘Rats’ Will Definitely Make You Lose Your Lunch — Watch
The film debuted at last year’s Tribeca Film Festival and was recently acquired by Virgil Films. You too can soon experience the power of The Banana.
Per the film’s official synopsis, it “follows a unique group of social outcasts who partake in an unfamiliar world of amateur wrestling via Ssp Wrestling (Seattle Semi-Pro Wrestling.) By day they are chefs, hairdressers, and delivery men, but by night these ‘cabaret combatants’ put on raunchy matches while rabid fans chant obscenities and hurl beer cans at their heads. The de-facto spokesman of the wrestling...
Read More: Morgan Spurlock’s New Documentary ‘Rats’ Will Definitely Make You Lose Your Lunch — Watch
The film debuted at last year’s Tribeca Film Festival and was recently acquired by Virgil Films. You too can soon experience the power of The Banana.
Per the film’s official synopsis, it “follows a unique group of social outcasts who partake in an unfamiliar world of amateur wrestling via Ssp Wrestling (Seattle Semi-Pro Wrestling.) By day they are chefs, hairdressers, and delivery men, but by night these ‘cabaret combatants’ put on raunchy matches while rabid fans chant obscenities and hurl beer cans at their heads. The de-facto spokesman of the wrestling...
- 3/14/2017
- by Kerry Levielle
- Indiewire
The company has acquired world sales rights to the documentary ahead of its world premiere in Tribeca on Saturday (April 18).
Bodyslam: Revenge Of The Banana! follows Ronald McFondle, Eddie Van Glam and other social outcasts, who comprise the Seattle Semi-Pro (Ssp) Wrestlers, a family of cabaret fighters that spoofs the professionals.
The gang must fight to keep their business alive after a newcomer – Paul, The Banana – fell on the wrong end of the joke and appealed to the government to disband the Ssp.
The film is a co-production between Made With Love Productions, Zipper Brothers Films and Campfire and marks the feature directorial debut of Ryan Harvie and John Paul Horstmann.
The pair produced alongside Kerri Borsuk, Ross M Dinerstein and Glen Zipper.
“Ryan and John Paul have created a monster – but luckily it’s very funny,” said Content Media film president Jamie Carmichael. “We’re really excited to be a part of their troupe. We have a...
Bodyslam: Revenge Of The Banana! follows Ronald McFondle, Eddie Van Glam and other social outcasts, who comprise the Seattle Semi-Pro (Ssp) Wrestlers, a family of cabaret fighters that spoofs the professionals.
The gang must fight to keep their business alive after a newcomer – Paul, The Banana – fell on the wrong end of the joke and appealed to the government to disband the Ssp.
The film is a co-production between Made With Love Productions, Zipper Brothers Films and Campfire and marks the feature directorial debut of Ryan Harvie and John Paul Horstmann.
The pair produced alongside Kerri Borsuk, Ross M Dinerstein and Glen Zipper.
“Ryan and John Paul have created a monster – but luckily it’s very funny,” said Content Media film president Jamie Carmichael. “We’re really excited to be a part of their troupe. We have a...
- 4/15/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Subculture-portrait documentaries don’t get much more absurd than Bodyslam: The Revenge of the Banana, one of five films to be featured in the genre-centric Midnight section of this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. Ryan Harvie and John Paul Horstmann’s lovingly loopy movie is a study of the Seattle Semi-Professional (Ssp) Wrestling cabaret, which for a decade was put on at a city bar by misfits who found community through clotheslines and crotch-shots.
These performers are a deranged crew led by Josh Black, who takes the stage as Ronald McFondle (his finishing move? The anal fist!). Harvie and Horstmann’s nonfiction film is not only an amusing snapshot of a strange underground scene, but a bizarre real-life drama of betrayal and treachery courtesy of ...
These performers are a deranged crew led by Josh Black, who takes the stage as Ronald McFondle (his finishing move? The anal fist!). Harvie and Horstmann’s nonfiction film is not only an amusing snapshot of a strange underground scene, but a bizarre real-life drama of betrayal and treachery courtesy of ...
- 4/15/2015
- Village Voice
Read More: Tribeca Exclusive: Alice Eve and Matthew Broderick in Poster for Neil Labute's 'Dirty Weekend'Family comes in all shapes and sizes. For the Seattle Semi-Pro (Ssp) Wrestlers, they chose this family. The new film from first-time directors Ryan Harvie and John Paul Horstmann, "Bodyslam: Revenge of the Banana," follows this misfit group as they form a bond and a following, only to see turmoil rise from within. When a new wrestler, the Banana, joins the professional wrestling spoof-group he ends up on the wrong end of a joke and tries disbanding the Ssp with a little help from the government. Indiewire has an exclusive clip and poster from the documentary. Watch the clip above and check out the poster below. "Bodyslam: Revenge of the Banana" world premieres in the Spotlight section of this year's Tribeca Film Festival. Read More: 5 Observations About the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival Lineup...
- 4/14/2015
- by Travis Clark
- Indiewire
New work from William Monahan, Henry Hobson, Adrián García Bogliano and Neil Labute are among the Spotlight, Midnight and Special Screening selections announced on Thursday.
Tribeca Film Festival top brass announced the Spotlight section of 40 films comprising 23 narratives and 17 documentaries.
Twenty-four are world premieres, among them Monahan’s thriller Mojave, Labute’s Dirty Weekend and Henry Hobson’s zombie drama Maggie that Lionsgate/Roadside Attractions snapped up before Toronto before pulling the premiere.
Bogliano’s Here Comes The Devil follow-up Scherzo Diabolico plays in Midnight and is one of four world premieres in the five-strong genre strand.
Special Screenings include the world premiere of documentary Mary J. Blige – The London Sessions (pictured).
Work In Progress screenings include LoveTrue, the latest documentary from 2011 Best Documentary Feature Award winner Alma Har’el. Patrick Creadon, who directed 2011 entry Wordplay, will show a cut of All Work, All Play, which centres on the world of video game arena competitions.
“The Spotlight...
Tribeca Film Festival top brass announced the Spotlight section of 40 films comprising 23 narratives and 17 documentaries.
Twenty-four are world premieres, among them Monahan’s thriller Mojave, Labute’s Dirty Weekend and Henry Hobson’s zombie drama Maggie that Lionsgate/Roadside Attractions snapped up before Toronto before pulling the premiere.
Bogliano’s Here Comes The Devil follow-up Scherzo Diabolico plays in Midnight and is one of four world premieres in the five-strong genre strand.
Special Screenings include the world premiere of documentary Mary J. Blige – The London Sessions (pictured).
Work In Progress screenings include LoveTrue, the latest documentary from 2011 Best Documentary Feature Award winner Alma Har’el. Patrick Creadon, who directed 2011 entry Wordplay, will show a cut of All Work, All Play, which centres on the world of video game arena competitions.
“The Spotlight...
- 3/5/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
New work from William Monahan, Henry Hobson, Adrián García Bogliano and Neil Labute are among the Spotlight, Midnight and Special Screening selections announced on Thursday.
Tribeca Film Festival top brass announced the Spotlight section of 40 films comprising 23 narratives and 17 documentaries.
Twenty-four are world premieres, among them Monahan’s thriller Mojave, Labute’s Dirty Weekend and Henry Hobson’s zombie drama Maggie that Lionsgate/Roadside Attractions snapped up before Toronto before pulling the premiere.
Bogliano’s Here Comes The Devil follow-up Scherzo Diabolico plays in Midnight and is one of four world premieres in the five-strong genre strand.
Special Screenings include the world premiere of documentary Mary J. Blige – The London Sessions (pictured).
Work In Progress screenings include LoveTrue, the latest documentary from 2011 Best Documentary Feature Award winner Alma Har’el. Patrick Creadon, who directed 2011 entry Wordplay, will show a cut of All Work, All Play, which centres on the world of video game arena competitions.
“The Spotlight...
Tribeca Film Festival top brass announced the Spotlight section of 40 films comprising 23 narratives and 17 documentaries.
Twenty-four are world premieres, among them Monahan’s thriller Mojave, Labute’s Dirty Weekend and Henry Hobson’s zombie drama Maggie that Lionsgate/Roadside Attractions snapped up before Toronto before pulling the premiere.
Bogliano’s Here Comes The Devil follow-up Scherzo Diabolico plays in Midnight and is one of four world premieres in the five-strong genre strand.
Special Screenings include the world premiere of documentary Mary J. Blige – The London Sessions (pictured).
Work In Progress screenings include LoveTrue, the latest documentary from 2011 Best Documentary Feature Award winner Alma Har’el. Patrick Creadon, who directed 2011 entry Wordplay, will show a cut of All Work, All Play, which centres on the world of video game arena competitions.
“The Spotlight...
- 3/5/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
New work from William Monahan, Henry Hobson, Adrián García Bogliano and Neil Labute are among the Spotlight, Midnight and Special Screening selections announced on Thursday.
Tribeca Film Festival top brass announced the Spotlight section of 40 films comprising 23 narratives and 17 documentaries.
Twenty-four are world premieres, among them Monahan’s thriller Mojave, Labute’s Dirty Weekend and Henry Hobson’s zombie drama Maggie that Lionsgate/Roadside Attractions snapped up before Toronto before pulling the premiere.
Bogliano’s Here Comes The Devil follow-up Scherzo Diabolico plays in Midnight and is one of four world premieres in the five-strong genre strand.
Special Screenings include the world premiere of documentary Mary J. Blige – The London Sessions (pictured).
Work In Progress screenings include LoveTrue, the latest documentary from 2011 Best Documentary Feature Award winner Alma Har’el. Patrick Creadon, who directed 2011 entry Wordplay, will show a cut of All Work, All Play, which centres on the world of video game arena competitions.
“The Spotlight...
Tribeca Film Festival top brass announced the Spotlight section of 40 films comprising 23 narratives and 17 documentaries.
Twenty-four are world premieres, among them Monahan’s thriller Mojave, Labute’s Dirty Weekend and Henry Hobson’s zombie drama Maggie that Lionsgate/Roadside Attractions snapped up before Toronto before pulling the premiere.
Bogliano’s Here Comes The Devil follow-up Scherzo Diabolico plays in Midnight and is one of four world premieres in the five-strong genre strand.
Special Screenings include the world premiere of documentary Mary J. Blige – The London Sessions (pictured).
Work In Progress screenings include LoveTrue, the latest documentary from 2011 Best Documentary Feature Award winner Alma Har’el. Patrick Creadon, who directed 2011 entry Wordplay, will show a cut of All Work, All Play, which centres on the world of video game arena competitions.
“The Spotlight...
- 3/5/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
By Terence Johnson
Managing Editor
Cold in July is a classic study on when expectations for a film don’t meet reality. That’s not to say that is a bad thing as the film, a celebration of 80s pastiche and pulp noirs, the film is just different than what you think. But isn’t that what ones looks for a film, an interesting exploration of themes that aren’t what you expected?
Which is probably why this film is so difficult to review (and why there will be a spoiler section at the end of this review). The movie shows how a life can change in an instant. Richard Dane (Michael C. Hall), a mild mannered owner of a frame store, goes to investigate noises in his house one night in 1989 and ends up shooting a small time burglar Freddy Russell. After pleading self defense, he goes on about his life,...
Managing Editor
Cold in July is a classic study on when expectations for a film don’t meet reality. That’s not to say that is a bad thing as the film, a celebration of 80s pastiche and pulp noirs, the film is just different than what you think. But isn’t that what ones looks for a film, an interesting exploration of themes that aren’t what you expected?
Which is probably why this film is so difficult to review (and why there will be a spoiler section at the end of this review). The movie shows how a life can change in an instant. Richard Dane (Michael C. Hall), a mild mannered owner of a frame store, goes to investigate noises in his house one night in 1989 and ends up shooting a small time burglar Freddy Russell. After pleading self defense, he goes on about his life,...
- 1/19/2014
- by Terence Johnson
- Scott Feinberg
The San Diego Film Critics Society picked Ben Affleck's "Argo" as the Best Picture winner of their annual awards. "Argo" also won Best Director for Affleck, adapted screenplay, and editing awards.
It is interesting to note that the San Diego Film Critics also showered the underrated "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" giving the Best Supporting Actress honor to Emma Watson and best ensemble for the cast.
Here's the full list of nominations and winners (highlighted):
Best Film .
*** Argo
Django Unchained
Silver Linings Playbook
The Master
Zero Dark Thirty
Best Director .
Ang Lee, Life Of Pi
*** Ben Affleck, Argo
David O. Russell, Silver Linings Playbook
Kathryn Bigelow, Zero Dark Thirty
Paul Thomas Anderson, The Master
Best Actress .
Helen Hunt, The Sessions
Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook
Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty
*** Michelle Williams, Take This Waltz
Naomi Watts, The Impossible
Best Actor .
Bradley Cooper, Silver Linings Playbook
*** Daniel Day-Lewis,...
It is interesting to note that the San Diego Film Critics also showered the underrated "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" giving the Best Supporting Actress honor to Emma Watson and best ensemble for the cast.
Here's the full list of nominations and winners (highlighted):
Best Film .
*** Argo
Django Unchained
Silver Linings Playbook
The Master
Zero Dark Thirty
Best Director .
Ang Lee, Life Of Pi
*** Ben Affleck, Argo
David O. Russell, Silver Linings Playbook
Kathryn Bigelow, Zero Dark Thirty
Paul Thomas Anderson, The Master
Best Actress .
Helen Hunt, The Sessions
Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook
Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty
*** Michelle Williams, Take This Waltz
Naomi Watts, The Impossible
Best Actor .
Bradley Cooper, Silver Linings Playbook
*** Daniel Day-Lewis,...
- 12/12/2012
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
The San Diego Film Critics Society has announced the nominations for their annual awards and Paul Thomas Anderson's "The Master" led the pack with 9 nominations including best picture, best director and acting nods for Joaquin Phoenix (best actor), Amy Adams (best supporting actress), and Philip Seymour Hoffman (best supporting actor). "The Master" will compete against "Argo," "Django Unchained," "Silver Linings Playbook," and "Zero Dark Thirty" for the best picture category.
Here's the complete list of nominees, final voting will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 11th:
Best Film .
Argo
Django Unchained
Silver Linings Playbook
The Master
Zero Dark Thirty
Best Director .
Ang Lee, Life Of Pi
Ben Affleck, Argo
David O. Russell, Silver Linings Playbook
Kathryn Bigelow, Zero Dark Thirty
Paul Thomas Anderson, The Master
Best Actress .
Helen Hunt, The Sessions
Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook
Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty
Michelle Williams, Take This Waltz
Naomi Watts, The Impossible
Best Actor .
Bradley Cooper,...
Here's the complete list of nominees, final voting will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 11th:
Best Film .
Argo
Django Unchained
Silver Linings Playbook
The Master
Zero Dark Thirty
Best Director .
Ang Lee, Life Of Pi
Ben Affleck, Argo
David O. Russell, Silver Linings Playbook
Kathryn Bigelow, Zero Dark Thirty
Paul Thomas Anderson, The Master
Best Actress .
Helen Hunt, The Sessions
Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook
Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty
Michelle Williams, Take This Waltz
Naomi Watts, The Impossible
Best Actor .
Bradley Cooper,...
- 12/11/2012
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
Hollywood legend Faye Dunaway has lost her legal battle with a film editor after failing to show up for a court hearing. "The Story of Bonnie and Clyde" star was sued by film editor John Paul Horstmann, who accused the actress of owing him $5,780 for three weeks' unpaid work.
She was due to appear at a small claims court in Beverly Hills, California on Thursday, April 7 to battle it out with Horstmann but did not attend. According to TMZ.com, the judge issued a default judgment against the actress, who will now have to pay out the full amount.
In December 2010, Dunaway asked court officials to postpone a hearing with Horstmann to give her time to recover after she broke her wrist in a fall.
She was due to appear at a small claims court in Beverly Hills, California on Thursday, April 7 to battle it out with Horstmann but did not attend. According to TMZ.com, the judge issued a default judgment against the actress, who will now have to pay out the full amount.
In December 2010, Dunaway asked court officials to postpone a hearing with Horstmann to give her time to recover after she broke her wrist in a fall.
- 4/11/2011
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
Dunaway's No-show Costs Her Legal Battle
Hollywood legend Faye Dunaway has lost her legal battle with a film editor after failing to show up for a court hearing.
The Bonnie and Clyde star was sued by film editor John Paul Horstmann, who accused the actress of owing him $5,780 (£3,610) for three weeks' unpaid work.
She was due to appear at a small claims court in Beverly Hills, California on Thursday to battle it out with Horstmann but did not attend.
According to TMZ.com, the judge issued a default judgment against the actress, who will now have to pay out the full amount.
In December, Dunaway asked court officials to postpone a hearing with Horstmann to give her time to recover after she broke her wrist in a fall.
The Bonnie and Clyde star was sued by film editor John Paul Horstmann, who accused the actress of owing him $5,780 (£3,610) for three weeks' unpaid work.
She was due to appear at a small claims court in Beverly Hills, California on Thursday to battle it out with Horstmann but did not attend.
According to TMZ.com, the judge issued a default judgment against the actress, who will now have to pay out the full amount.
In December, Dunaway asked court officials to postpone a hearing with Horstmann to give her time to recover after she broke her wrist in a fall.
- 4/10/2011
- WENN
Faye Dunaway has a $5,000 check to write -- because the actress just Lost her bitter legal battle with a film editor ... all because she Failed to show up to the hearing. Faye was a big no-show in small claims court in Beverly Hills Thursday -- where John Paul Horstmann was ready to argue that Faye stiffed him out of three weeks worth of work ... totaling $5,780. Due to the no-show, the judge issued a default judgment...
- 4/10/2011
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Dunaway Case Delayed Over Broken Wrist
Hollywood legend Faye Dunaway has asked a judge to postpone her legal battle with a film editor after she broke her wrist in a fall.
The Chinatown star took a tumble outside a fitness centre in Los Angeles, cracking a bone in her arm and cutting her head.
Surgeons fitted a metal plate into her wrist, but she has suffered complications and now wants to delay a court case.
Her former employee, John Paul Horstmann, is taking action against Dunaway over allegations she owes him $5,780 (£3,853) for three weeks work for which he was never paid, according to TMZ.com.
Dunaway has reportedly written to the judge overseeing the case asking for more time to prepare while she recovers from her injuries. The case is due back in court next month.
The Chinatown star took a tumble outside a fitness centre in Los Angeles, cracking a bone in her arm and cutting her head.
Surgeons fitted a metal plate into her wrist, but she has suffered complications and now wants to delay a court case.
Her former employee, John Paul Horstmann, is taking action against Dunaway over allegations she owes him $5,780 (£3,853) for three weeks work for which he was never paid, according to TMZ.com.
Dunaway has reportedly written to the judge overseeing the case asking for more time to prepare while she recovers from her injuries. The case is due back in court next month.
- 12/27/2010
- WENN
Faye Dunaway suffered a broken wrist and head laceration after taking a serious tumble outside her gym in L.A. recently -- and now the injuries are holding up a $5,000 legal battle with an ex-employee. Faye sent a letter to the judge earlier this month because of her fragile condition, begging to postpone a hearing set in her case against John Paul Horstmann -- a film editor who claims the actress stiffed him out of $5,780 for three weeks of work.
- 12/27/2010
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
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