Saturday, March 9, 2013
stars, sex and nudity buzz : 03/10/2013
Nude 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' scene revealed
Emilia Clarke fans can save their cash — here’s the nude scene that sent them into a photo-snapping frenzy during Broadway’s “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” this week.
The “Game of Thrones” starlet drops her towel and takes a bubble bath with co-star Cory Michael Smith during the play, which on Monday caused rabid “Thrones” fans to takes pictures of her in theater, The Post first reported.
The best views, insiders say, are from the Cort Theatre’s balcony and mezzanine seats.
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SXSW Review: Bryan Poyser's Austin Love Letter 'The Bounceback' A Sweet, Competent Antidote to Studio Romcoms
"The Bounceback," a step up in scale for the director, bears a closer resemblance to a studio-produced romcom, and suffers to some degree by comparison to his rowdier, unpredictable earlier works. However, compared to the current mainstream standards for the genre, the movie is a smart, refreshing cut above that channels the intelligence found in Poyser's other movies into a more common mold.
It's also a blatant love letter to his hometown, shot at major cultural hotspots of Austin's downtown scene such as the Alamo Drafthouse, which really does host Air Sex Tournaments like the one featured in the movie. The formulaic plot gets an extra jolt of energy from the proverbial "Keep Austin Weird" mentality that informs each scene. It's here that the soft-spoken Stan (Michael Stahl-David) arrives on a whim when he discovers that recent ex Cathy (Ashley Bell) has traveled there for the weekend to visit their mutual friend Kara (Sara Paxton). In the tradition of the classic comedy of remarriage, "The Bounceback" centers on Stan's crazed attempt to rejuvenate a relationship that may or may not have already lost its potential. This is essence of Poyser's "Lovers of Hate" as well, but "The Bounceback" trades that gloomy vision for a bittersweet approach.In the swiftly edited opening montage, we witness Stan and Cathy's initial courtship and sexual compatibility before learning of their parting of ways -- Cathy to New York City to attend medical school and David to Los Angeles in vain pursuit of a filmmaking career. Still unable to move on, Stan spots Cathy's Facebook announcement of her Austin plans and decides to launch a clandestine mission to win her back, crashing with Kara's recent ex, the goofball Jeff (Zach Cregger) without explaining his real motives to anyone.
As with "Lovers of Hate," in which one character hides in a condo while listening to his girlfriend cavort with his brother, the two protagonists spend much of the time in close proximity but not directly interacting with each other. Despite his attempts to track Cathy down, Stan winds up hauled around town by the reckless Jeff, who has been training with his peers for an air sex championship as a means of irreverent revenge against Kara. The air sex performances in the movie provide slapstick interludes in between the softer developments, as both Cathy and Stan meet potential new love interests during their wild nights out, forcing them to reconsider their priorities.
Setting aside the incredulous serendipity of these simultaneous developments, the parallel dramas unfold with competent will-they-or-won't-they tension sustained by amusing performances -- in both cases more from the actors positioned in secondary roles for comic relief. Cregger's Jeff is the movie's Jason Segel-like man-child, his air sex antics and foul-mouthed bids for horny excursions providing some of the funnier bits; he's nicely complimented by Paxton, whose untempered demeanor keeps the situation unpredictable.
When the two women meet a pair of brothers during their first night out, Kara's ability to assert control over her rambunctious suitor provides the movie with a comedic highlight only matched later by an air sex showdown with her former lover. Unfortunately, with such energy meted out to the supporting cast, both Jeff and Cathy come across as fairly bland creations stuck in a less inspired dramatic take on the same scenario.
The screenplay, co-written by David DeGrow Shotwell and Steven Walters, takes fewer risks when exploring Jeff and Cathy's conundrum, but hits an entertaining groove when toying with their mutual romantic dysfunction through a series of charmingly awkward text message exchanges that drive the plot forward.
While utterly watchable for most of its running time, "The Bounceback" rarely goes in any surprising directions, eventually arriving at the heartwarming finale that it has been hinting at all along. Clichéd lessons abound -- "people always want what they can't have," says one of the crew -- but the script treats them with a gentle touch that keeps the pace brisk and enjoyable. Poyser's direction relies heavily on the engine of chatter driving the movie, but "The Bounceback" smartly shuts up when passing glances do the trick. Arriving at the uplifting conclusion that mainstream comedies reach for in simpler terms, "The Bounceback" displays a mature approach to average material. Poyser doesn't do anything we haven't seen before, but the familiar ingredients are done just right.
Criticwire grade: B
HOW WILL IT PLAY? Ready-made for SXSW where it premiered, "The Bounceback" may have a tough time finding a wider audience, but its accessible narrative could help it perform decently on VOD.
THE BOUNCEBACK is funny, charming & oh so Austin. Kinda like a raunchy sex comedy version of a @cheesynuggets movie. Glad I saw it at #SXSW.
— Ryland Aldrich (@RylandAldrich) March 9, 2013
Can confirm. #AirSex RT @mattdentler: After seeing the movie THE BOUNCEBACK, I expect Air Sex becoming one of the memes for SXSW 2013.
— Direct Current Labs (@DCLaboratories) March 9, 2013
THE BOUNCEBACK wants to be a kind of Austin Swingers (with air sex). Has moments but not well structured & leads not fleshed out. #sxsw
— Erik Childress (@EriktheMovieman) March 9, 2013
Sara Paxton is the bomb in The Bounceback at #sxsw Girl is off the rails funny. Nigel Smith Indiewire
— The Bounceback (@The_Bounceback) March 10, 2013
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Producer Braxton Pope, Writer Bret Easton Ellis, and star James Deen talk the future of film, working with Lindsay Lohan, and their new Kickstarted movie 'The Canyons'.
It's Not 'The Hills'
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A look at behind the scenes from my shoot with actress Ashley Hinshaw for Zink magazine's spring 2013 issue.
New 'Plus One' Image Teases College Party of the Year
Dennis Iliadis' supernatural thriller will have its world premiere during the Midnighters section of the fest.
The film follows three college friends (Rhys Wakefield, Colleen Dengel and Logan Miller) who go to the biggest party of the year. But a mysterious phenomenon disrupts the bash, sparking a series of strange events and pushing the party into chaos. The three challenged to keep their friendship together and -- more important -- try to stay alive.
Iliadis' credits include horror remake The Last House on the Left, which grossed $45.3 million worldwide in 2009. Plus One's screenplay was written by Bill Gullo.
Plus One will premiere during the genre-heavy Midnighters section of the fest.
Here, The Hollywood Reporter exclusively hosts a new image from the film. In it, three party attendees (Dengel, Miller and Rohan Kymal) are provided with a feast for their eyes -- a naked woman (Crystal Lo) covered in sushi.
Here are the SXSW screenings for Plus One:
11:30 p.m. Sunday, March 10, Alamo Ritz 1 and 2
7:45 p.m. Monday, March 11, Violet Crown 3 and 4
11:59 p.m. Thursday, March 14, Alamo Ritz 1
Meet the 2013 SXSW Filmmakers #31: Dennis Iliadis' John Hughes-Inspired Thriller 'Plus One'
Greek horror director Dennis Iliadis, perhaps best known for his 2009 "The Last House on the Left" remake, comes to SXSW Midnight with his new, original film, shot by "The Master" DP Mihai Malaimare Jr.
What it's about: 3 college friends go to the big party of the summer, each on a grand mission. A supernatural phenomenon happens that could give them a second chance- or change them forever.
About the filmmaker: I was born in Greece, and my first American film was the "Last House on the Left" remake. After that I got attached to some big studio projects ("The Birds,""Jekyll") which were moving too slowly so I realized I had to generate my own material alongside. I had written my previous films as well as stuff for the theatre so that was no issue- I actually realized that was something I should never have stopped. So I came up with the story for Plus One, then wrote a very detailed treatment outlining the beats and character’s journeys. I brought that to Tim Perell who is a friend and a great producer who has successfully ventured from the commercial to the edgiest. He loved the concept so then we brought on board Bill Gullo, a new york writer, to flesh it out into a screenplay while we stayed very involved in the writing process. It’s a very interesting project because it’s kind of high concept while taking immense risks. It takes a number of very familiar elements- the crazy college party movie, sci fi phenomena, teens in danger- and spins them to a totally unexpected direction.
What else do you want audiences to know about your film? It is not a horror movie- although it has quite a few horror movie elements. There’s comedy too. And a great twisted love story. It shares the strong thriller element that all my movies have: once things start happening, there is no time for stasis; characters will reach to their furthest-and more interesting- extremes.
What was your biggest challenge in developing this project? I guess the biggest challenge was purely technical. We needed visual effects that technology had only quite recently made possible but also needed to push them in ways that you haven’t seen before. They had to be seamless while the camera movement and physical interaction was almost prohibitive. When you see the movie you’ll understand what I mean… I have to thank two amazing vfx companies, Lola and Hydraulx, from the bottom of my heart for accepting to come on board as co-producers, embracing the challenge and doing phenomenal work. Without them this movie wouldn’t exist.
What would you like SXSW audiences to come away with after seeing your film? I’d like SXSW audiences to come in knowing as little as possible, leaving any ‘baggage’ at the door. Based on test audience reactions so far, there will be a LOT to talk about at the end of the screenings.
Did any specific films inspire you? With my enormously talented DP - Mihai Malaimare Jr. ("The Master"- we watched a lot of American teen movies: all John Hughes, "Superbad," "Can’t Hardly Wait," "Project X," "Chronicle"... For the darker turns, there were no specific references/inspirations. I guess we already had it in us.
What do you have in the works? Right now I have two studio projects in development. And one in Europe, just to keep things balanced.
* Expecting loads of nudity from the way Iliadis talked about extremes. Natalie Hall is the babe I watching out for besides Ashley. It's her first racy role and the Canadian could shocked us into ejaculation.
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SXSW Futures: 'A Teacher' Breakout Will Brittain Brings Racy Sundance Hit Home to Austin
More About Him: Brittain grew up wanting to play football and act. After sustaining an injury in his senior year, he decided to turn all his attention towards acting, enrolling in the University of Texas' acting program. He booked "A Teacher" while still enrolled.
Congratulations on the film getting picked up by Oscilloscope. That’s huge news.
Thank you!
Given that the SXSW screenings are going to be a homecoming of sorts for you, what’s going through your mind?
I’m really excited to see how people accept the film here in Austin opposed to at Sundance. I think it’ll be well received because it pretty much has been so far, but it’s really exciting knowing that some of my friends and family will be able to see it and some of the people who are in the industry who live here in Austin.
Congratulations on the film getting picked up by Oscilloscope. That’s huge news.
Thank you!
Given that the SXSW screenings are going to be a homecoming of sorts for you, what’s going through your mind?
I’m really excited to see how people accept the film here in Austin opposed to at Sundance. I think it’ll be well received because it pretty much has been so far, but it’s really exciting knowing that some of my friends and family will be able to see it and some of the people who are in the industry who live here in Austin.
Did you get to share it with any friends and family at Sundance or are they going to be seeing it for the first time?They’re all going to be seeing it for the first time. None of my friends or family members have seen it yet.
Just given the subject matter are you kind of wary of your parents seeing this film?
I mean, not really. I’m nervous about what they think about it but they know what it’s about. I don’t think it’s that big of a deal, to me, really. I’m nervous about my girlfriend seeing it.
Why is that?
I just wouldn’t think it’s something you really want to watch, your boyfriend making out and doing love scenes with another woman. It’s pretty tough to see. She understands and everything, but it’s going to be tough for her to watch the film.
Has she met Lindsay [Burdge]?
No, but we are getting together before SXSW, because she’s gonna be in Austin shooting a movie so we’re going to try and get together and do dinner or something like that.
Get the nerves out of the way before the show.
Right, right.
Yeah, it was crazy. It was a life-changing experience, definitely. It was awesome that the film went so well and that we had so many really amazing people there. A lot of things started happening really fast...signing with Paradigm, and going out to LA about a week after Sundance, met more really cool people. It’s just been this sort of really crazy ride ever since then. It’s been great, I couldn’t be happier.
I ran into Hannah [Fidell] at a screening the other night and she told me since Sundance you've been going out for these “Hunger Game” type of auditions.
Well I auditioned for a film called “Divergent,” with Neil Burger, for several different roles for that. I got really close on all of them; didn’t end up booking, unfortunately. I auditioned for this film called “Endless Love” which is shooting here in Austin, and I’m still up for the lead role in that along with Liam Hemsworth and another actor, I can’t remember his name. So I’m waiting to hear back on that. And I auditioned for several pilots that are coming up. So things are good, I’ve had a lot of auditions lately and they’ve all been going really well, and I’ve been getting good traction among the casting directors. I auditioned for “Unbroken,” which is the Lou Zamperini story that Angelia Jolie is directing. It’s been great! It’s been crazy.
So you’re managing to actually get seen for stuff despite living in Austin, which is pretty remarkable.
Yeah! I’ve been able to submit tapes, and I actually had to fly out to LA to audition for “Unbroken,” but I mean, it was definitely worth the trip to do that. It was an amazing opportunity just to be able to get in the room for that film.
Back when you initially got the role in “A Teacher,” I’m guessing you never thought all of this would come. Or did you, based on the quality of the script and the talent?
I knew that…. I didn’t know that much about film at all, but I knew that it was a fantastic script, that Lindsay was a fantastic actress, and Hannah was a great director. I knew that from the very first audition, you could just tell. So I knew it was definitely something that I wanted to do. I didn’t even know how the process worked, with films getting into festivals and all that; it was such a completely new world to me. So as we were shooting the film I was just constantly asking Lindsay and Hannah questions about that – what is the best thing that could happen? And they said, to get into Sundance, and I said what are the chances of that happening? And they’re like, “well, you know, I mean… We’ll see?” So when it happened, it was just kind of like, “whoa, what? This is awesome!” So I knew I was with some really talented people for the get-go, but I had no clue it was going to be this big.
* If a guy thinks the love scenes are too sexy for his girlfriend, then I really expect nudity of some kind from easy-on-eye Lindsay Burdge.
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