

Kristen Stewart makes her recorded music debut with “Who Laughs Last?” a new collaboration with the L.A.-based band, Lord Huron.
Stewart drives the song with a spoken-word monologue delivered across several verses, her noir-ish tale of a long, searching, late-night drive floating over a propulsive groove. Stewart’s vocals are interrupted only when Lord Huron frontman Ben Schneider jumps in to deliver the wailing chorus, “I’m gonna leave that city far behind and get a long, long way from there/I’ve got a burning feeling deep...
Stewart drives the song with a spoken-word monologue delivered across several verses, her noir-ish tale of a long, searching, late-night drive floating over a propulsive groove. Stewart’s vocals are interrupted only when Lord Huron frontman Ben Schneider jumps in to deliver the wailing chorus, “I’m gonna leave that city far behind and get a long, long way from there/I’ve got a burning feeling deep...
- 1/24/2025
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com


The formula for making a successful music biopic in modern times has relied too much on repeating the same story over and over again, just with different characters. The recurring plot of rags-to-riches to booze, drugs, and partying, then eventually hitting rock bottom, then struggling to find a way back, and finally, redemption or death (or redemption in death), has become so common that one would think that the musicians and stars whose lives those films depict have lived the most boring and unoriginal existences. While the 21st century brought about completely new trends in how to create biopics of famous people (The Social Network) being the ideal example of that), music biopics still somehow lag and tend to stick more to the old assembly-line approach. Not every single one of them is like that, however. Things to do: Subscribe to The Hollywood Insider’s YouTube Channel, by clicking here.
- 6/29/2024
- by David Tsintsadze
- Hollywood Insider - Substance & Meaningful Entertainment


2 Chainz and Ne-Yo join ‘Bmf’ (Photo Credits: Donte Maurice and Jimmy Fontaine)
2 Chainz and Ne-Yo have signed on to season three of Starz’s Bmf in recurring roles. The official announcement included details on who the Grammy Award winners will be playing:
2 Chainz will play “Stacks,” an Atlanta-born and bred distributor whose wisdom and stature command respect wherever he goes. Fiercely loyal and determined to provide for his family no matter the cost, Stacks lives by the street code and challenges Meech’s leadership style. Ne-yo will play “Rodney ‘Greeny’ Green,” a local Atlanta player who’s all about making the bag. Filled with swagger and an entrepreneurial spirit, there’s more than meets the eye to Greeny.
Season two of the gritty drama is currently airing on Fridays at midnight via the Starz app. New episodes also air on Starz at 8pm Et/Pt.
Randy Huggins is the showrunner,...
2 Chainz and Ne-Yo have signed on to season three of Starz’s Bmf in recurring roles. The official announcement included details on who the Grammy Award winners will be playing:
2 Chainz will play “Stacks,” an Atlanta-born and bred distributor whose wisdom and stature command respect wherever he goes. Fiercely loyal and determined to provide for his family no matter the cost, Stacks lives by the street code and challenges Meech’s leadership style. Ne-yo will play “Rodney ‘Greeny’ Green,” a local Atlanta player who’s all about making the bag. Filled with swagger and an entrepreneurial spirit, there’s more than meets the eye to Greeny.
Season two of the gritty drama is currently airing on Fridays at midnight via the Starz app. New episodes also air on Starz at 8pm Et/Pt.
Randy Huggins is the showrunner,...
- 2/21/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies

Grammy award-winning artists 2 Chainz (“The Enforcer”) and Ne-Yo have signed on to join Season 3 of Starz’s gritty drama “Bmf” in recurring roles.
They join an impressive guest star roster that has previously included Eminem, Serayah, Caresha “Yung Miami” Brownlee and Snoop Dogg.
2 Chainz will play Stacks, an Atlanta-born distributor whose wisdom and stature command respect wherever he goes. “Fiercely loyal and determined to provide for his family no matter the cost, Stacks lives by the street code and challenges Meech’s leadership style,” as Starz describes him.
Ne-Yo will play Rodney “Greeny” Green, a local Atlanta player whose main focus is making money. While he oozes swagger and an entrepreneurial spirit, Greeny has more to him that lies beneath the surface.
“Bmf” is a dramatic retelling of how brothers “Big Meech” Flenory and Terry “Southwest T” Flenory (Da’Vinchi) conquered the streets of Detroit in the ’80s and formed the Black Mafia Family,...
They join an impressive guest star roster that has previously included Eminem, Serayah, Caresha “Yung Miami” Brownlee and Snoop Dogg.
2 Chainz will play Stacks, an Atlanta-born distributor whose wisdom and stature command respect wherever he goes. “Fiercely loyal and determined to provide for his family no matter the cost, Stacks lives by the street code and challenges Meech’s leadership style,” as Starz describes him.
Ne-Yo will play Rodney “Greeny” Green, a local Atlanta player whose main focus is making money. While he oozes swagger and an entrepreneurial spirit, Greeny has more to him that lies beneath the surface.
“Bmf” is a dramatic retelling of how brothers “Big Meech” Flenory and Terry “Southwest T” Flenory (Da’Vinchi) conquered the streets of Detroit in the ’80s and formed the Black Mafia Family,...
- 2/21/2023
- by BreAnna Bell
- Variety Film + TV

Starz’s Bmf has added Grammy winners 2 Chainz (The Enforcer) and Ne-Yo (Dance Monsters) to its Season 3 cast in recurring roles.
2 Chainz will play “Stacks,” an Atlanta-born and bred distributor whose wisdom and stature command respect wherever he goes. Fiercely loyal and determined to provide for his family no matter the cost, Stacks lives by the street code and challenges Meech’s leadership style.
Ne-Yo will play “Rodney ‘Greeny’ Green,” a local Atlanta player who’s all about making the bag. Filled with swagger and an entrepreneurial spirit, there’s more than meets the eye with Greeny.
Season 2 of Bmf currently airs on Starz at 8 p.m. Et/Pt in the U.S. and Canada.
The series is executive produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson through his G-Unit film and television, alongside showrunner, executive producer, writer, and Detroit native Randy Huggins and interim showrunner and executive producer Heather Zuhlke. Anthony Wilson...
2 Chainz will play “Stacks,” an Atlanta-born and bred distributor whose wisdom and stature command respect wherever he goes. Fiercely loyal and determined to provide for his family no matter the cost, Stacks lives by the street code and challenges Meech’s leadership style.
Ne-Yo will play “Rodney ‘Greeny’ Green,” a local Atlanta player who’s all about making the bag. Filled with swagger and an entrepreneurial spirit, there’s more than meets the eye with Greeny.
Season 2 of Bmf currently airs on Starz at 8 p.m. Et/Pt in the U.S. and Canada.
The series is executive produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson through his G-Unit film and television, alongside showrunner, executive producer, writer, and Detroit native Randy Huggins and interim showrunner and executive producer Heather Zuhlke. Anthony Wilson...
- 2/21/2023
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV


A couple of Grammy winners are getting into business with the Bmf.
2 Chainz and Ne-Yo will recur in the Starz crime drama’s upcoming third season, TVLine has learned.
More from TVLineParty Down's Adam Scott, Jane Lynch and More Talk Cult Comedy's Evolving Buzz, the 'Treat' of Reuniting -- WatchHow to Catch Up on Party Down and Then Watch the Brand-New EpisodesParty Down Review: Is Starz's Revival Having Fun Yet? Or Is the Party Over?
Inspired by the real-life crime syndicate Black Mafia Family, Bmf stars Demetrius Flenory, Jr. and Da’Vinchi as brothers “who rose from the decaying streets of...
2 Chainz and Ne-Yo will recur in the Starz crime drama’s upcoming third season, TVLine has learned.
More from TVLineParty Down's Adam Scott, Jane Lynch and More Talk Cult Comedy's Evolving Buzz, the 'Treat' of Reuniting -- WatchHow to Catch Up on Party Down and Then Watch the Brand-New EpisodesParty Down Review: Is Starz's Revival Having Fun Yet? Or Is the Party Over?
Inspired by the real-life crime syndicate Black Mafia Family, Bmf stars Demetrius Flenory, Jr. and Da’Vinchi as brothers “who rose from the decaying streets of...
- 2/21/2023
- by Andy Swift
- TVLine.com

Updated with complete winners list: Oscar Best Picture nominee Elvis scored wins in both motion picture period make-up and hair styling categories Saturday at the 10th annual Make-up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards.
The contemporary make-up team from fellow Best Pic Oscar nominee Everything Everywhere All at Once and the special make-up effects team behind The Whale also took top honors tonight in the ceremony at the Beverly Hilton, as did Black Panther: Wakanda Forever for its contemporary hair styling.
Angela Bassett received the Distinguished Artisan Award on Saturday
Tonight’s film winners are now vying for Oscar frontrunner status in the Make-up and Hair Styling category; Elvis, Black Panther and The Whale are nominated there this year along with All Quiet on the Western Front and The Batman. Elvis and Batman were triple Muahs nominees tonight.
On the TV side tonight, multiple winners include Pam & Tommy, The Guardians of the Galaxy: Holiday Special,...
The contemporary make-up team from fellow Best Pic Oscar nominee Everything Everywhere All at Once and the special make-up effects team behind The Whale also took top honors tonight in the ceremony at the Beverly Hilton, as did Black Panther: Wakanda Forever for its contemporary hair styling.
Angela Bassett received the Distinguished Artisan Award on Saturday
Tonight’s film winners are now vying for Oscar frontrunner status in the Make-up and Hair Styling category; Elvis, Black Panther and The Whale are nominated there this year along with All Quiet on the Western Front and The Batman. Elvis and Batman were triple Muahs nominees tonight.
On the TV side tonight, multiple winners include Pam & Tommy, The Guardians of the Galaxy: Holiday Special,...
- 2/12/2023
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV


“Elvis” took the crown at the 10th annual Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards, leading all films. Presented Saturday evening at the Beverly Hilton, the Baz Luhrmann spectacle in which hair and makeup helped transform Austin Butler into Elvis Presley at every stage of his illustrious career, won two awards in the five feature-film categories, for period and/or character make-up and period and/or character hair styling.
Other film winners included “Everything Everywhere All at Once” for contemporary make-up, “The Whale” for special make-up effects and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” for contemporary hair styling.
“Elvis,” “The Whale,” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” are all nominated for the Best Makeup and Hairstyling Oscar, along with “All Quiet on the Western Front” and “The Batman.”
Since the Muahs Awards started up again after a hiatus in 2013, all but one Oscar winner for makeup and hair had previously won an award from the guild.
Other film winners included “Everything Everywhere All at Once” for contemporary make-up, “The Whale” for special make-up effects and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” for contemporary hair styling.
“Elvis,” “The Whale,” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” are all nominated for the Best Makeup and Hairstyling Oscar, along with “All Quiet on the Western Front” and “The Batman.”
Since the Muahs Awards started up again after a hiatus in 2013, all but one Oscar winner for makeup and hair had previously won an award from the guild.
- 2/12/2023
- by Libby Hill
- The Wrap

The Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild held its 10th annual awards ceremony Saturday night at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis” dominated the night with two wins for best period and/or character make-up and period and/or character hair styling. Best special make-up effects went to Adrien Morot, Kathy Tse and Chris Gallaher for “The Whale. Michelle Chung (Variety’s 10 artisans to watch recipient for hair and makeup) and the “Everything Everywhere All At Once” team took home the award for best contemporary make up, while the “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” team won for best contemporary hair.
On the TV front, Hulu’s “Pam and Tommy,” “American Horror Story: Dollhouse” and “Guardians of the Galaxy: Holiday Special” all took home awards.
Make-up artist D’Andre Michael and Muah winner Camille Friend presented the Distinguished Artisan Award to Angela Bassett.
Bassett told the room full of local 706 artisans,...
Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis” dominated the night with two wins for best period and/or character make-up and period and/or character hair styling. Best special make-up effects went to Adrien Morot, Kathy Tse and Chris Gallaher for “The Whale. Michelle Chung (Variety’s 10 artisans to watch recipient for hair and makeup) and the “Everything Everywhere All At Once” team took home the award for best contemporary make up, while the “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” team won for best contemporary hair.
On the TV front, Hulu’s “Pam and Tommy,” “American Horror Story: Dollhouse” and “Guardians of the Galaxy: Holiday Special” all took home awards.
Make-up artist D’Andre Michael and Muah winner Camille Friend presented the Distinguished Artisan Award to Angela Bassett.
Bassett told the room full of local 706 artisans,...
- 2/12/2023
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV


Starz wasted little time in securing the future of its drama Bmf.
The premium cabler has renewed the Detroit-set series for a third season on the heels of a strong debut performance for season two. Starz says the Jan. 6 premiere brought in 4.1 million viewers across all platforms over its opening weekend.
“Bmf captures the essence of Detroit through elevated, gritty storytelling and our fans have passionately responded to this show more than ever before,” said Kathryn Busby, president original programming at Starz. “Following such a strong debut with season two, we’re thrilled to continue to expand on the incredible story of the Flenory brothers as they change the game by writing their own rules. We can’t wait to see what our extraordinary producers and cast deliver next.”
Bmf is inspired by the true story of two brothers, Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory (played by his son, Demetrius Flenory Jr....
The premium cabler has renewed the Detroit-set series for a third season on the heels of a strong debut performance for season two. Starz says the Jan. 6 premiere brought in 4.1 million viewers across all platforms over its opening weekend.
“Bmf captures the essence of Detroit through elevated, gritty storytelling and our fans have passionately responded to this show more than ever before,” said Kathryn Busby, president original programming at Starz. “Following such a strong debut with season two, we’re thrilled to continue to expand on the incredible story of the Flenory brothers as they change the game by writing their own rules. We can’t wait to see what our extraordinary producers and cast deliver next.”
Bmf is inspired by the true story of two brothers, Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory (played by his son, Demetrius Flenory Jr....
- 1/18/2023
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News

Bmf is coming back for a third season.
Starz has renewed the drama series after the second season premiere on January 6.
The network said that the second season debut recorded 4.1M multi-platform viewers. The audience was also up significantly from the Season 1 finale, which drew about 2.85M live+same-day multiplatform viewers.
Bmf is inspired by two brothers Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory and Terry “Southwest T” Flenory (Da’Vinchi), who rose from the decaying streets of southwest Detroit in the late ’80s and gave birth to one of the most influential crime families in the country, Black Mafia Family.
In season two, Bmf continues to explore the brothers’ complex familial relationships with their parents Charles Flenory (Russell Hornsby) and Lucille Flenory (Michole Briana White) who seek counsel from their spiritual advisor Pastor Swift (Snoop Dogg).
Related Story We’ll Be Back: Photo Gallery Of TV Series Renewed In 2023 Related...
Starz has renewed the drama series after the second season premiere on January 6.
The network said that the second season debut recorded 4.1M multi-platform viewers. The audience was also up significantly from the Season 1 finale, which drew about 2.85M live+same-day multiplatform viewers.
Bmf is inspired by two brothers Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory and Terry “Southwest T” Flenory (Da’Vinchi), who rose from the decaying streets of southwest Detroit in the late ’80s and gave birth to one of the most influential crime families in the country, Black Mafia Family.
In season two, Bmf continues to explore the brothers’ complex familial relationships with their parents Charles Flenory (Russell Hornsby) and Lucille Flenory (Michole Briana White) who seek counsel from their spiritual advisor Pastor Swift (Snoop Dogg).
Related Story We’ll Be Back: Photo Gallery Of TV Series Renewed In 2023 Related...
- 1/18/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV

The Flenory brothers will see a third season.
Shortly after its Season 2 premiere on Jan. 6, Starz has ordered a third installment for “Bmf.” The premium cabler made the announcement on Tuesday, sharing that the drama series ranked as the most socially engaged drama across all networks over premiere weekend with 4.1 million multiplatform viewers.
“’Bmf’ captures the essence of Detroit through elevated, gritty storytelling and our fans have passionately responded to this show more than ever before,” said Kathryn Busby, president of original programming for Starz. “Following such a strong debut with season two, we’re thrilled to continue to expand on the incredible story of the Flenory brothers as they change the game by writing their own rules. We can’t wait to see what our extraordinary producers and cast deliver next.”
The story serves as a dramatic retelling of Detroit’s notorious brothers Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory and Terry...
Shortly after its Season 2 premiere on Jan. 6, Starz has ordered a third installment for “Bmf.” The premium cabler made the announcement on Tuesday, sharing that the drama series ranked as the most socially engaged drama across all networks over premiere weekend with 4.1 million multiplatform viewers.
“’Bmf’ captures the essence of Detroit through elevated, gritty storytelling and our fans have passionately responded to this show more than ever before,” said Kathryn Busby, president of original programming for Starz. “Following such a strong debut with season two, we’re thrilled to continue to expand on the incredible story of the Flenory brothers as they change the game by writing their own rules. We can’t wait to see what our extraordinary producers and cast deliver next.”
The story serves as a dramatic retelling of Detroit’s notorious brothers Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory and Terry...
- 1/18/2023
- by BreAnna Bell
- Variety Film + TV
Disney’s announcement this week that it's launching a new digital network, and tucking away its former high-profile Maker Studios acquisition, brings to a whimpering end an entire era of multi-channel network mania that gripped media companies just a couple of years ago. Good. It’s time to move to the next stage of the digital-media business, one with promise of a more sustainable future.
Maker was the biggest, brashest, and most expensive of the MCNs to be purchased by a traditional media company in the first half of this decade. Since its acquisition, however, Maker and the McN phenomenon have already become web Ancient History.
As seen in this week’s string of NewFronts presentations by increasingly sophisticated digital-media publishers old and new, it’s time for the industry to take that next step.
Yes, the online advertising business continues to be dominated by Google/YouTube and Facebook (between...
Maker was the biggest, brashest, and most expensive of the MCNs to be purchased by a traditional media company in the first half of this decade. Since its acquisition, however, Maker and the McN phenomenon have already become web Ancient History.
As seen in this week’s string of NewFronts presentations by increasingly sophisticated digital-media publishers old and new, it’s time for the industry to take that next step.
Yes, the online advertising business continues to be dominated by Google/YouTube and Facebook (between...
- 5/5/2017
- by David Bloom
- Tubefilter.com


The World's End lands in theaters everywhere on Friday, and the Edgar Wright alien-invasion/drinking comedy featuring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Martin Freeman, Rosamund Pike and Pierce Brosnan draws on a number of cinematic inspirations, from Invasion of the Body Snatchers-style sci-fi classics to The Big Chill-styled reunion movies. In fact, Wright recently assembled 14 fave influences (several of which are listed below) in a thematic, double-feature screening series at the New Beverly Cinema in Los Angeles to get audiences in the proper frame of mind.
Related Video: The Beginning of 'The World's End' at Comic-Con
The World's End follows a group of friends (including Paddy Considine and Eddie Marsan) who embark on an epic 12-pub crawl in their hometown in an effort to complete "The Golden Mile," having fallen short two decades earlier when they were teens in their prime. Back to finish what they started, the reunited...
Related Video: The Beginning of 'The World's End' at Comic-Con
The World's End follows a group of friends (including Paddy Considine and Eddie Marsan) who embark on an epic 12-pub crawl in their hometown in an effort to complete "The Golden Mile," having fallen short two decades earlier when they were teens in their prime. Back to finish what they started, the reunited...
- 8/21/2013
- Entertainment Tonight
Here's our pick of the actor's greatest scenes – but what would you add to the list?
Currently appearing alongside Simon Pegg and Nick Frost in The World's End, Paddy Considine is equally at home in comedy roles as he is playing dangerous, unhinged characters. It's not for nothing that he's known as Britain's Robert De Niro – and with his 2011 directorial debut Tyrannosaur, he ably demonstrated he's more than just a talented character actor.
Here's five of our favourite Paddy Considine moments, including suggestions from @guardianmusic followers @philgirlworld, @thetomweller, @kinnemaniac, @BassTunedToRed and @ChantelleDusett. But what have we missed? Let us know in the thread below.
1. 24 Hour Party People
Paddy plays Joy Division and New Order manager Rob Gretton in Michael Winterbottom's tribute to Factory Records and the Manchester music scene. In this scene, Rob's less-than-pleased with Tony Wilson's spending on office furniture.
Reading on mobile? Watch the clip on...
Currently appearing alongside Simon Pegg and Nick Frost in The World's End, Paddy Considine is equally at home in comedy roles as he is playing dangerous, unhinged characters. It's not for nothing that he's known as Britain's Robert De Niro – and with his 2011 directorial debut Tyrannosaur, he ably demonstrated he's more than just a talented character actor.
Here's five of our favourite Paddy Considine moments, including suggestions from @guardianmusic followers @philgirlworld, @thetomweller, @kinnemaniac, @BassTunedToRed and @ChantelleDusett. But what have we missed? Let us know in the thread below.
1. 24 Hour Party People
Paddy plays Joy Division and New Order manager Rob Gretton in Michael Winterbottom's tribute to Factory Records and the Manchester music scene. In this scene, Rob's less-than-pleased with Tony Wilson's spending on office furniture.
Reading on mobile? Watch the clip on...
- 7/19/2013
- by Adam Boult
- The Guardian - Film News
The actor's attempt to play Soho sex king Paul Raymond should have worked on paper – they share a similar look and mannerisms – but there is only one role he can play
Steve Coogan looks a bit like Paul Raymond; the two men even share the same adenoidal tic. So Coogan ought to be better placed to play Raymond in a biopic than, say, Meryl Streep was, to play Thatcher. Yet during The Look of Love, it's not the legendary entrepreneur of erotica who fills the screen: it's Alan Partridge.
The character's gestures, mannerisms and intonation hail from the Norwich ring road, not Walker's Court. More importantly, so does his soul. The Look of Love seeks to portray its protagonist as a libertine tragically confounded by doomed paternal love. Coogan's Raymond meets his daughter's demise with an agonised show of remorse; yet his pained expression doesn't have you reaching for your hanky.
Steve Coogan looks a bit like Paul Raymond; the two men even share the same adenoidal tic. So Coogan ought to be better placed to play Raymond in a biopic than, say, Meryl Streep was, to play Thatcher. Yet during The Look of Love, it's not the legendary entrepreneur of erotica who fills the screen: it's Alan Partridge.
The character's gestures, mannerisms and intonation hail from the Norwich ring road, not Walker's Court. More importantly, so does his soul. The Look of Love seeks to portray its protagonist as a libertine tragically confounded by doomed paternal love. Coogan's Raymond meets his daughter's demise with an agonised show of remorse; yet his pained expression doesn't have you reaching for your hanky.
- 4/15/2013
- by David Cox
- The Guardian - Film News
It didn't take long for Steve Coogan and Michael Winterbottom's fourth collaboration The Look of Love , based on the life of London club owner and porn publisher Paul Raymond, known as "The King of Soho," to get scooped up by IFC Films who bought the North American rights on Sunday night. Previously Coogan starred in Winterbottom's 24 Hour Party People about Factory Records owner Tony Wilson, and then teamed with Winterbottom and Rob Brydon for Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story and 2011's The Trip . This will be Winterbottom's fourth film in a row to be distributed by IFC Films following The Killer Inside Me , The Trip and last year's Trishna . In between, Winterbottom finished his five-year dramatic project Everyday , which premiered at the Telluride...
- 1/21/2013
- Comingsoon.net
Madchester inches towards the West End, Ken Loach demonstrates the wonder of socialism, and Kathryn Bigelow can't tell one London bus from another
Rave on stage
Long shot as it may be – and Trash loves a long shot – I hear there are plans to turn Madchester film comedy 24 Hour Party People into a stage musical. The film's director, Michael Winterbottom, told me that he and producer Andrew Eaton have been toying with the idea for several years and that there is even a rough script "floating around". Steve Coogan is apparently interested in reprising his part as the lead. The show would tell the story of Factory Records, its founder, Tony Wilson, and the rise and fall of bands including Joy Division, Buzzcocks, A Certain Ratio and Happy Mondays. I'd personally love to see some genteel West End theatre transformed into a hands-in -the-air, tops-off sweatbox for a while, throbbing...
Rave on stage
Long shot as it may be – and Trash loves a long shot – I hear there are plans to turn Madchester film comedy 24 Hour Party People into a stage musical. The film's director, Michael Winterbottom, told me that he and producer Andrew Eaton have been toying with the idea for several years and that there is even a rough script "floating around". Steve Coogan is apparently interested in reprising his part as the lead. The show would tell the story of Factory Records, its founder, Tony Wilson, and the rise and fall of bands including Joy Division, Buzzcocks, A Certain Ratio and Happy Mondays. I'd personally love to see some genteel West End theatre transformed into a hands-in -the-air, tops-off sweatbox for a while, throbbing...
- 1/20/2013
- by Jason Solomons
- The Guardian - Film News
We salute 50 of the finest contemporary films with budgets of less than $10million. Did your favourite make the list…?
In this age of multi-million dollar blockbusters and eye-watering fees paid to some actors, you may forget we’re in an age of austerity. However, for the vast majority of the film industry, there is no huge vat of money, nor has there ever been. But this hasn’t stopped some of the finest films of recent years being made on a relative shoe-string, and in some cases, quite literally with a shoe-string.
I reckon filmmaking thrives at the sharp end, and low budgets mean more creative ideas, and as a result, more engaging films. To prove this, here is a list of what I consider to be the finest 50 contemporary films made for under $10 million. There is a breathtaking array of recognisable genre pictures in here, too, with budgets rangin...
In this age of multi-million dollar blockbusters and eye-watering fees paid to some actors, you may forget we’re in an age of austerity. However, for the vast majority of the film industry, there is no huge vat of money, nor has there ever been. But this hasn’t stopped some of the finest films of recent years being made on a relative shoe-string, and in some cases, quite literally with a shoe-string.
I reckon filmmaking thrives at the sharp end, and low budgets mean more creative ideas, and as a result, more engaging films. To prove this, here is a list of what I consider to be the finest 50 contemporary films made for under $10 million. There is a breathtaking array of recognisable genre pictures in here, too, with budgets rangin...
- 2/2/2012
- Den of Geek
The Trip
Directed by: Michael Winterbottom
Cast: Steve Coogan, Rob Brydon, Claire Keelan, Margo Stilley
Running Time: 1 hr 47 mins
Rating: R
Release Date: June 17, 2011 (Portland)
Plot: The Observer asks Steve Coogan to tour England’s finest restaurants. When his girlfriend can’t make it, Rob Brydon, his friend and annoyance, joins him.
Who’S It For? If you are a fans of Coogan, Brydon or comedians in general this little film will be a nice fit.
Overall
Rob says, “It’s 2010, everything’s been done before.” Well, this hasn’t.
Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon play versions of themselves. They travel. They eat. Most importantly, they chat.
This is a film that attempts to feel like a documentary. While Rob looks familiar, I never watched the TV show “Little Britain” and I still haven’t seen the film Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story . I knew Steve as the...
Directed by: Michael Winterbottom
Cast: Steve Coogan, Rob Brydon, Claire Keelan, Margo Stilley
Running Time: 1 hr 47 mins
Rating: R
Release Date: June 17, 2011 (Portland)
Plot: The Observer asks Steve Coogan to tour England’s finest restaurants. When his girlfriend can’t make it, Rob Brydon, his friend and annoyance, joins him.
Who’S It For? If you are a fans of Coogan, Brydon or comedians in general this little film will be a nice fit.
Overall
Rob says, “It’s 2010, everything’s been done before.” Well, this hasn’t.
Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon play versions of themselves. They travel. They eat. Most importantly, they chat.
This is a film that attempts to feel like a documentary. While Rob looks familiar, I never watched the TV show “Little Britain” and I still haven’t seen the film Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story . I knew Steve as the...
- 6/17/2011
- by Jeff Bayer
- The Scorecard Review

Ian Curtis famously sang "Love Will Tear Us Apart," his voice haunting through radios as he rested, finally, in a grave of his own tragic making. The lead singer of Joy Division, the 1980 single became the band's biggest hit, a post-humous reminder of what could have, should have been.
Curtis' bandmates, Peter Hook, Bernard Sumner and Stephen Morris, would go on to form mega-success and pioneering band New Order, but the memory of their friend, an epileptic and tortured soul who took his own life at the age of 23, has always haunted and inspired them.
The death of the icon checked in at number 22 on The Guardian's list of the 50 biggest events in the history of indie music, a sad distinction for which Hook, the band's bassist, penned a wistful article to commemorate.
"Ian was very ill with epilepsy when we were recording the 'Closer' album. He was having a lot of blackouts,...
Curtis' bandmates, Peter Hook, Bernard Sumner and Stephen Morris, would go on to form mega-success and pioneering band New Order, but the memory of their friend, an epileptic and tortured soul who took his own life at the age of 23, has always haunted and inspired them.
The death of the icon checked in at number 22 on The Guardian's list of the 50 biggest events in the history of indie music, a sad distinction for which Hook, the band's bassist, penned a wistful article to commemorate.
"Ian was very ill with epilepsy when we were recording the 'Closer' album. He was having a lot of blackouts,...
- 6/14/2011
- by Jordan Zakarin
- Huffington Post
The ongoing collaboration between Steve Coogan and director Michael Winterbottom is the gift that keeping giving. They scored big on the small screen earlier this year with the fantastic six-part, two-hander comedy The Trip, having previously ventured into similar meta territory (and to great critical acclaim) with features 24 Hour Party People and A Cock and Bull Story.
Now The Playlist is reporting that the duo is set to reteam for an adaptation of the life of British pornographer and strip club owner Paul Raymond. Under the working title of Paul Raymond’s Wonderful World of Erotica (which sounds like it could have been one of Coogan’s comic creations for TV), the film will follow the fortunes of Raymond, a club proprietor and magazine magnate who was also an incredibly wealthy individual, owning vast amounts of property in London’s Soho area.
Raymond lived a colourful life which had its...
Now The Playlist is reporting that the duo is set to reteam for an adaptation of the life of British pornographer and strip club owner Paul Raymond. Under the working title of Paul Raymond’s Wonderful World of Erotica (which sounds like it could have been one of Coogan’s comic creations for TV), the film will follow the fortunes of Raymond, a club proprietor and magazine magnate who was also an incredibly wealthy individual, owning vast amounts of property in London’s Soho area.
Raymond lived a colourful life which had its...
- 6/1/2011
- by Adam Lowes
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
The offending, underwhelming poster/DVD cover
“Most of all, I love Manchester. The crumbling warehouses, the railway arches, the cheap abundant drugs. That’s what did it in the end. Not the money, not the music, not even the guns. That is my heroic flaw: my excess of civic pride.” – Tony Wilson (Steve Coogan)
Maybe it’s the lame poster for the film, which does kind of make it look like a Trainspotting knock off about ravers, but Michael Winterbottom’s 24 Hour Party People is criminally under-appreciated.
Yes, ecstasy and warehouse parties do come into play, but the film is really the story of the Manchester music scene, circa 1976-1992 (all the way from the days of punk to the height of the “Mad-Chester” scene) as told by Factory Records founder Tony Wilson (the ever charming Steve Coogan).
The alternate poster/DVD box. Still not that great.
Inspired after catching a Sex Pistols gig,...
“Most of all, I love Manchester. The crumbling warehouses, the railway arches, the cheap abundant drugs. That’s what did it in the end. Not the money, not the music, not even the guns. That is my heroic flaw: my excess of civic pride.” – Tony Wilson (Steve Coogan)
Maybe it’s the lame poster for the film, which does kind of make it look like a Trainspotting knock off about ravers, but Michael Winterbottom’s 24 Hour Party People is criminally under-appreciated.
Yes, ecstasy and warehouse parties do come into play, but the film is really the story of the Manchester music scene, circa 1976-1992 (all the way from the days of punk to the height of the “Mad-Chester” scene) as told by Factory Records founder Tony Wilson (the ever charming Steve Coogan).
The alternate poster/DVD box. Still not that great.
Inspired after catching a Sex Pistols gig,...
- 1/26/2011
- by George Bragdon
- OriginalAlamo.com
It must be frustrating being Steve Coogan. As the winner of numerous British Comedy and BAFTA awards (not to mention the 1992 Perrier Award, the 1997 Silver Rose of Montreux and a South Bank Show Award for his live show “The Man Who Thinks He’s It”) he’s also been listed amongst the 50 funniest acts working in British comedy as well as featuring in the Top 20 greatest comedy acts of all time as voted for by fellow comedians.
He’s forged himself a moderately successful Hollywood career and starred in a number of successful films from the likes of Sofia Coppola, Ben Stiller, Jim Jarmusch, Adam McKay and Frank Oz and starred alongside such names as Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Jackie Chan, Owen Wilson and Kirsten Dunst. And to top it all off he’s even founded his own production company, Baby Cow Productions, which itself has given birth to such...
He’s forged himself a moderately successful Hollywood career and starred in a number of successful films from the likes of Sofia Coppola, Ben Stiller, Jim Jarmusch, Adam McKay and Frank Oz and starred alongside such names as Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Jackie Chan, Owen Wilson and Kirsten Dunst. And to top it all off he’s even founded his own production company, Baby Cow Productions, which itself has given birth to such...
- 12/13/2010
- by Nick Turk
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Winterbottom has shown a determination to carry on making interesting films regardless of whether they fill multiplexes or not
Say this for Michael Winterbottom: he's a grafter. Eighteen films in 16 years and a new TV series, The Trip, just started on BBC2. For a British director, such numbers reflect something bigger than productivity – they demonstrate a determination to carry on in an industry marked by low (and falling) budgets. You might expect this to produce timid, samey films, but not in Winterbottom's case. His work skips across genres and styles: sci-fi (Code 46), western (The Claim), literary adaptation (A Cock and Bull Story), war (Welcome to Sarajevo). "It would be hard to imagine a Michael Winterbottom comedy," observed one Guardian journalist, but that was before the release of 24 Hour Party People, the film history of Factory Records in which God turns up to ask label boss Tony Wilson why...
Say this for Michael Winterbottom: he's a grafter. Eighteen films in 16 years and a new TV series, The Trip, just started on BBC2. For a British director, such numbers reflect something bigger than productivity – they demonstrate a determination to carry on in an industry marked by low (and falling) budgets. You might expect this to produce timid, samey films, but not in Winterbottom's case. His work skips across genres and styles: sci-fi (Code 46), western (The Claim), literary adaptation (A Cock and Bull Story), war (Welcome to Sarajevo). "It would be hard to imagine a Michael Winterbottom comedy," observed one Guardian journalist, but that was before the release of 24 Hour Party People, the film history of Factory Records in which God turns up to ask label boss Tony Wilson why...
- 11/4/2010
- The Guardian - Film News
The comedians play companions in their new TV series, The Trip. But their real-life relationship runs far from smoothly
It is somewhere in the region of lunchtime at the Inn at Whitewell, and from the dining room carries the gentle roar of the feast: spoons brush soup plates, wine glasses kiss, and conversation gathers and swells. Outside, it is a sharp, bright day and here in the Trough of Bowland, the light skims across the bare branches and seems to settle among the hills of the Hodder Valley.
Back indoors, sitting beside the log fire, is the comedian Rob Brydon. He is sipping a glass of red wine and surveying the local newspaper, pausing, occasionally, to bask in the warmth.
Into his post-prandial idyll stalks Steve Coogan; taller, sharper, slightly harried, he sits down heavily and scowls. Brydon, impervious, lowers his newspaper. "I have ordered you a sticky toffee pudding,...
It is somewhere in the region of lunchtime at the Inn at Whitewell, and from the dining room carries the gentle roar of the feast: spoons brush soup plates, wine glasses kiss, and conversation gathers and swells. Outside, it is a sharp, bright day and here in the Trough of Bowland, the light skims across the bare branches and seems to settle among the hills of the Hodder Valley.
Back indoors, sitting beside the log fire, is the comedian Rob Brydon. He is sipping a glass of red wine and surveying the local newspaper, pausing, occasionally, to bask in the warmth.
Into his post-prandial idyll stalks Steve Coogan; taller, sharper, slightly harried, he sits down heavily and scowls. Brydon, impervious, lowers his newspaper. "I have ordered you a sticky toffee pudding,...
- 10/26/2010
- by Laura Barton
- The Guardian - Film News
Is it acceptable for biopics to make things up – and even tell lies? Ryan Gilbey speaks to the film-makers and screenwriters who are shaking up the genre
In the opening credits of Gainsbourg, a new biopic about the legendary French singer, chain-smoker and lothario, the star is shown swimming among fish who are all puffing away on cigarettes. A little later, Gainsbourg is menaced by a four-armed monster who has sprung from a Nazi propaganda poster. Then there's the small matter of him being followed around by a life-size puppet that only he can see.
This, you realise, is not your run-of-the-mill biopic. And Gainsbourg is not the only example of how the genre is being shaken up. It used to be all about sticking to the truth, with a conventional narrative: they're born, they live, they die. Now biopics are using invention, and even lies, to tell their stories.
In the opening credits of Gainsbourg, a new biopic about the legendary French singer, chain-smoker and lothario, the star is shown swimming among fish who are all puffing away on cigarettes. A little later, Gainsbourg is menaced by a four-armed monster who has sprung from a Nazi propaganda poster. Then there's the small matter of him being followed around by a life-size puppet that only he can see.
This, you realise, is not your run-of-the-mill biopic. And Gainsbourg is not the only example of how the genre is being shaken up. It used to be all about sticking to the truth, with a conventional narrative: they're born, they live, they die. Now biopics are using invention, and even lies, to tell their stories.
- 7/18/2010
- by Ryan Gilbey
- The Guardian - Film News
This year's Hot Docs [1] festival ended a couple of weeks ago, and and only now have we finally managed to purge our thoughts on the many documentaries that we've seen this year. Jay put up a much more comprehensive post over on The Documentary Blog [2], but I have taken a selection of these reviews and reposted them here for your convenience. If you like what you see, be sure to head over there and read the rest. Also, don't forget to check out previous reviews of the following films: Teenage Paparazzo [3] The People vs. George Lucas [4] Gasland [5] Arsy-Versy [6] Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage [7] American: The Bill Hicks Story [8] The Invention of Dr Nakamats [9] 12th & Delaware [10] The Oath [11] Secrets of the Tribe [12] Capsule reviews for more films including Steven Soderbergh's And Everything is Going Fine, Chris Hegedus and D.A. Pennebaker's Kings of Pastry, and the David Lynch transcendental meditation...
- 5/21/2010
- by Sean
- FilmJunk
Welcome to the weekly Newsroom Poll, where we will give you a sneak peek into the lives and minds of some of the correspondents, writers, editors and producers here at MTVNews.com. Every week, they'll answer a poll question that will reveal some of what we talk about behind the scenes here in the newsroom. Enjoy!
This week, details surfaced about one of the most hotly anticipated albums of the fall. No, not Jay-z's The Blueprint 3 or Lil Wayne's Rebirth. We're talking about the soundtrack to "New Moon," which will likely feature contributions from Radiohead's Thom Yorke, Muse, Kings of Leon and Death Cab for Cutie. There was also the announcement of the soundtrack to "Jennifer's Body," the new Diablo Cody-penned horror film. With that, combined with the quarter-century anniversary of one of the finest film soundtracks ever constructed (that being Prince's Purple Rain), this week's question is:...
This week, details surfaced about one of the most hotly anticipated albums of the fall. No, not Jay-z's The Blueprint 3 or Lil Wayne's Rebirth. We're talking about the soundtrack to "New Moon," which will likely feature contributions from Radiohead's Thom Yorke, Muse, Kings of Leon and Death Cab for Cutie. There was also the announcement of the soundtrack to "Jennifer's Body," the new Diablo Cody-penned horror film. With that, combined with the quarter-century anniversary of one of the finest film soundtracks ever constructed (that being Prince's Purple Rain), this week's question is:...
- 7/23/2009
- by MTV News
- MTV Newsroom
Wilson To Be Remembered At 24-hour Conversation Bash
British music mogul Tony Wilson will be honoured with a 24-hour party of "intelligent conversation" in June.
The Factory Records founder, who was responsible for signing bands including Joy Division and Happy Mondays, died at the age of 57 in August 2007 after losing his battle with cancer.
Actor Steve Coogan, who played Wilson in the 2002 movie 24 Hour Party People, will team up with Factory artwork designer Peter Saville, among others, for The Tony Wilson Experience - Reification event in Manchester, England on 21 June.
The day and night event, due to take place at the city's Cathedral Gardens, will see representatives from the design and creative industries, the media and the arts join 200 students to debate how best to shape Manchester over the next generation.
Manchester City Council boss Sir Richard Leese says, "Tony gave a lot to Manchester and was fiercely proud both of his northern roots and the talent that came out of the city.
"This is going to be literally one of the most talked about, unmissable, creative 24 hours in the history of Manchester."
As Wenn previously reported, Wilson will also have a street named after him in the city.
The Factory Records founder, who was responsible for signing bands including Joy Division and Happy Mondays, died at the age of 57 in August 2007 after losing his battle with cancer.
Actor Steve Coogan, who played Wilson in the 2002 movie 24 Hour Party People, will team up with Factory artwork designer Peter Saville, among others, for The Tony Wilson Experience - Reification event in Manchester, England on 21 June.
The day and night event, due to take place at the city's Cathedral Gardens, will see representatives from the design and creative industries, the media and the arts join 200 students to debate how best to shape Manchester over the next generation.
Manchester City Council boss Sir Richard Leese says, "Tony gave a lot to Manchester and was fiercely proud both of his northern roots and the talent that came out of the city.
"This is going to be literally one of the most talked about, unmissable, creative 24 hours in the history of Manchester."
As Wenn previously reported, Wilson will also have a street named after him in the city.
- 3/24/2008
- WENN
- Quick Links > Control> Samantha Morton> Opening press conference> Anton Corbijn> Corbijn - Wikipedia> Ian Curtis fan site> Official Movie WebsiteAbout 6 weeks back we gave you readers a first glance at Sam Riley as Joy Division’s Ian Curtis in Anton Corbijn's feature film directorial debut. For those who need a refreshers' course on the matter simply read below.Control spans the last few years of Ian Curtis’ life leading up to his tragic suicide in 1980. It charts the struggle between his enduring love for his wife and his burgeoning relationship with his girlfriend, his decimating bouts with epilepsy, his incredible talent and his all consuming performances with Joy Division. The film expands on Deborah Curtis’ book ‘Touching from a Distance’, a personal account of her life with Ian Curtis. To achieve a fuller account of the man and his life, script writer Matt Greenhalgh spoke to those closest to Curtis including Annik Honore,
- 9/12/2006
- IONCINEMA.com
- Quick Links > Control > Samantha Morton > Opening press conference > Anton Corbijn > Corbijn - Wikipedia > Ian Curtis fan site > Official Movie Website > Touching from a Distance > Director's Series Vol. 6 - Work of Director Anton Corbijn (2005) General rule of thumb: biopics on singers/bands are painfully awful. I’ll let folks debate the merits of the recent Johnny Cash and Ray Charles features but this July there are a couple of legendary singers that might get a screen treatment worth the brouhaha. Commencing next week we have Todd Haynes embarking on his Bob Dylan journey with I'm not There and just a couple of weeks back Anton Corbijn started filming his directorial feature film debut with Control. Both will most likely be unveiled to the world during the same week at - Cannes 07. Today we received a first look at actor Sam Riley as Joy Division’s Ian Curtis. Fans of Curtis
- 7/29/2006
- IONCINEMA.com
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.