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"What if I told you I had the cure for the opioid crisis in my hand?" The Orchard has released an official trailer for a (potentially controversial) medicinal health documentary titled A Leaf of Faith, the latest film from doc director Chris Bell. Even though the title might make you think this doc is about medicinal marijuana, it's actually about another kind of potent, powerful plant - one called "Kratom". Grown in Southeast Asia, the plant is part of the coffee family and is, supposedly, a safe and effective alternative to medicinal opioid painkillers. Why is this important? Because opioids are the leading cause of accidental death in the United States. Really. Which is a bit freaky, but it's true. "Join Chris Bell as he explores the natural world of this never before known harmless leaf that could be the perfect human medicine, while providing answers to all his questions...

A kidnapper gets more than he bargained for in Pet. Starring Dominic Monaghan, Ksenia Solo, and Jennette McCurdy, the psychological horror film has been acquired by Orion Pictures and Samuel Goldwyn Films, with Us theatrical, VOD, and DVD release dates slated for December.

Press Release: Los Angeles, CA (October 4, 2016) – Orion Pictures and Samuel Goldwyn Films announced today that they have acquired the psychological thriller Pet, directed by Carles Torrens and written by Jeremy Slater. The film stars Dominic Monaghan (Lost, The Lord Of The Rings Series), Ksenia Solo (Black Swan, Lost Girl), and Jennette McCurdy (iCarly, Sam & Cat). Pet had its World Premiere at the 2016 South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin. Orion Pictures and Samuel Goldwyn Films will release the film in U.S. theaters and on demand on December 2, 2016, and it will be available on DVD on December 27.

In the vein of Hard Candy and Gone Girl, Pet...

Farmington-Hills based nonprofit organization kickstART farmington announced the film lineup and schedule for the 2016 Greater Farmington Film Festival earlier this month and it looks like they will be offering a great selection of films this year. The Greater Farmington Film Festival takes place March 3-6, 2016 with a selection of recently released feature films and documentaries that engage the heart and mind, explore important contemporary issues, and inspire action: good films for a better world.

You can find the full film line up and schedule for the 2016 Greater Farmington Film Festival below. Overall, the festival provides a unique opportunity for audiences to enjoy these inspiring films as none of these films have been released widely in Michigan, and several will enjoy their Michigan debut.

In addition, the Greater Farmington Film Festival invites the public to attend the 2016 Festival Preview Party on Thursday evening, February 18th, from 7:00-10:00 Pm at...

Prescription Thugs Samuel Goldwyn Films Reviewed by: Harvey Karten for Shockya. D-based on Rotten Tomatoes Grade: B- Director: Chris Bell Written by: Josh Alexander Cast: Chris Bell, Mike “Mad Dog” Bell, Mark Bell, Rosemary Bell, Mike Bell, Chris Leben, Ryan Sakoda, Matt “Horshu” Wiese, Richard Taite, Ted Lieu, Gwen Olsen, David Healy Screened at: Critics’ link, NYC, 1/20/16 Opens: January 22, 2016 Chris Bell, whose previous documentary “Bigger Stronger Faster” dealt with steroid abuse, takes on Big Phama, a conglomerate of companies that make prescription drugs and whose executives could well be in that frequently maligned richest one percent of the U.S. Mr. Bell is no Michael Moore, though in [ Read More ]

The post Prescription Thugs Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.

Samuel Goldwyn Films has acquired the worldwide rights to the documentary “Prescription Thugs,” a chronicle of the legal prescription drug business in America, the company announced Wednesday. Chris Bell, whose 2008 doc “Bigger Stronger Faster” looked at competition bodybuilding, co-directed the film with Josh Alexander and Greg Young; Alexander also scripted, while Young edited. The film is executive produced by Vince Vaughn, Joel Cheatwood and Peter Billingsley, and premiered at the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival. Also Read: 'Franny' Starring Richard Gere, Dakota Fanning, Theo James Sells to Samuel Goldwyn Films In “Prescription Thugs,” Bell sets out to investigate pharmaceutical companies and doctors,...

Read More: Meet the 2015 Tribeca Filmmakers #1: Chris Bell Almost Died Making 'Prescription Thugs' "Prescription Thugs," Chris Bell's exposé of the prescription drug business, has been picked up for worldwide distribution by Samuel Goldwyn Films.  The film is a follow-up to Bell's 2008 "Bigger Faster Stronger," and follows the filmmaker's journey into the nature of prescription drug addiction through his own firsthand experience as well as through interviews with sports veterans and everyday people. Actor Josh Alexander ("Made for Each Other," "My Best Friend's Girl") wrote the film and Greg Young edited it. Alexander and Young also served as co-directors alongside Chris Bell. "I could not be happier that Samuel Goldwyn Films will be distributing 'Prescription Thugs,' enabling our story to reach a broad and diverse audience," said Bell. "Samuel Goldwyn Films has shown in the past their commitment to films that...

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...