Exclusive: Bess Rous will round out the cast of Chris McKay’s Universal monster movie, Renfield.
She joins an ensemble that includes Nicholas Hoult, Nicolas Cage, Awkwafina, Ben Schwartz, Adrian Martinez and Shohreh Aghdashloo, as previously announced.
The film based on an original story outline by Robert Kirkman centers on Renfield (Hoult), who has grown sick and tired of his centuries as Dracula’s (Cage) lackey. The henchman finds a new lease on life and maybe even redemption when he falls for feisty, perennially angry traffic cop Rebecca Quincy (Awkwafina).
Bess will play Caitlyn, a member of a support group for people in toxic relationships.
Ryan Ridley penned the script. McKay is producing the film shooting in New Orleans with Skybound Entertainment’s film team, including Kirkman, David Alpert, Bryan Furst and Sean Furst, with his producing partner Samantha Nisenboim exec producing.
She joins an ensemble that includes Nicholas Hoult, Nicolas Cage, Awkwafina, Ben Schwartz, Adrian Martinez and Shohreh Aghdashloo, as previously announced.
The film based on an original story outline by Robert Kirkman centers on Renfield (Hoult), who has grown sick and tired of his centuries as Dracula’s (Cage) lackey. The henchman finds a new lease on life and maybe even redemption when he falls for feisty, perennially angry traffic cop Rebecca Quincy (Awkwafina).
Bess will play Caitlyn, a member of a support group for people in toxic relationships.
Ryan Ridley penned the script. McKay is producing the film shooting in New Orleans with Skybound Entertainment’s film team, including Kirkman, David Alpert, Bryan Furst and Sean Furst, with his producing partner Samantha Nisenboim exec producing.
- 2/4/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Welcome to Happiness, which originally played at festivals in 2015 and was released the following year, takes a mind-bending trip to memory and possibility through a magical door in the closet of its main character Woody (Kyle Gallner). A stellar ensemble cast includes Olivia Thirlby, Brendan Sexton III, Paget Brewster, Nick Offerman, Josh Brener, Keegan […]
The post Interview: Oliver Thompson, Paget Brewster, and Brendan Sexton III on ‘Welcome to Happiness’ (Exclusive) appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Interview: Oliver Thompson, Paget Brewster, and Brendan Sexton III on ‘Welcome to Happiness’ (Exclusive) appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 8/23/2021
- by abe
- ShockYa
04.27.17: This list is now final. While I may in the future see additional films that were released in the awards year of 2016, no more films will be added to this list. (I may add links to reviews of films listed here.)
This ranking includes only new theatrical releases viewed for the awards year of 2016 (for eligibility for the Academy Awards and the Ofcs and Awfj awards); some films released in the UK without Us releases (and so ineligible for those awards this year) may also be included, for my own bookkeeping purposes. Links go to my review. Numbers after each entry are Date First Viewed/NYC Release Date/London Release Date; year is 2016 unless otherwise noted.
worth paying multiplex prices for
[5 stars]
Arrival (10.10/11.11/11.10)
La La Land (10.07/12.09/01.13.17)
A Monster Calls (10.06/12.23/01.01.17)
The Lobster (07.16.15/05.13/10.16.15)
Zootropolis (aka Zootopia) (02.22/03.04/03.25)
A Bigger Splash (10.08.15/05.04/02.12)
Miss Sloane (11.20/11.25/05.12.17)
London Road (06.03.15/09.09/06.12.15)
The Girl with All the Gifts (07.26/02.24.17/09.23)
I, Daniel Blake...
This ranking includes only new theatrical releases viewed for the awards year of 2016 (for eligibility for the Academy Awards and the Ofcs and Awfj awards); some films released in the UK without Us releases (and so ineligible for those awards this year) may also be included, for my own bookkeeping purposes. Links go to my review. Numbers after each entry are Date First Viewed/NYC Release Date/London Release Date; year is 2016 unless otherwise noted.
worth paying multiplex prices for
[5 stars]
Arrival (10.10/11.11/11.10)
La La Land (10.07/12.09/01.13.17)
A Monster Calls (10.06/12.23/01.01.17)
The Lobster (07.16.15/05.13/10.16.15)
Zootropolis (aka Zootopia) (02.22/03.04/03.25)
A Bigger Splash (10.08.15/05.04/02.12)
Miss Sloane (11.20/11.25/05.12.17)
London Road (06.03.15/09.09/06.12.15)
The Girl with All the Gifts (07.26/02.24.17/09.23)
I, Daniel Blake...
- 4/27/2017
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
Michael Keaton is McDonalds
The Founder is a drama that tells the true story of how Ray Kroc (Keaton), a salesman from Illinois, met Mac and Dick McDonald, who were running a burger operation in 1950s Southern California. Kroc was impressed by the brothers’ speedy system of making the food and saw franchise potential. He maneuvered himself into a position to be able to pull the company from the brothers and create a billion-dollar empire.
Directed by John Lee Hancock (Saving Mr. Banks, The Blind Side) and starring Michael Keaton (Birdman, Spotlight), Nick Offerman (Fargo, Welcome to Happiness, 21 Jump Street), John Carroll Lynch (The Invitation, Ted 2), Linda Cardellini (Mad Men), B.J Novak (Inglourious Basterds) and Laura Dern (99 Homes, Jurassic Park), The Founder is released in UK cinemas 10 February.
The Founder is a drama that tells the true story of how Ray Kroc (Keaton), a salesman from Illinois, met Mac and Dick McDonald, who were running a burger operation in 1950s Southern California. Kroc was impressed by the brothers’ speedy system of making the food and saw franchise potential. He maneuvered himself into a position to be able to pull the company from the brothers and create a billion-dollar empire.
Directed by John Lee Hancock (Saving Mr. Banks, The Blind Side) and starring Michael Keaton (Birdman, Spotlight), Nick Offerman (Fargo, Welcome to Happiness, 21 Jump Street), John Carroll Lynch (The Invitation, Ted 2), Linda Cardellini (Mad Men), B.J Novak (Inglourious Basterds) and Laura Dern (99 Homes, Jurassic Park), The Founder is released in UK cinemas 10 February.
- 1/23/2017
- by admin
- Pure Movies
Peter Livolsi’s big screen adaptation of Peter Bognanni’s award-winning novel “The House of Tomorrow” has added a slew of impressive new cast members. The film, which has already started shooting in Minnesota, is set to star Ellen Burstyn, Nick Offerman, Asa Butterfield, Alex Wolff, Maude Apatow and Michaela Watkins.
The film follows “futurist, architect, and inventor R. Buckminster Fuller’s incredible story through two teens hoping to get laid, become punk gods, and survive high school.” The book was published in 2011.
Read More: Watch: Academy Award Winner Ellen Burstyn and Danny Glover Team Up in Exclusive ‘About Scout’ Trailer
The film is Livolsi’s feature debut, and he is set to serve as both writer and director on the project. He previously participated in the 2016 Sundance Screenwriters Lab and the project was a recipient of the Tribeca Film Institute Sloan Grant.
Of the news, Livolsi commented, “Peter Bognanni...
The film follows “futurist, architect, and inventor R. Buckminster Fuller’s incredible story through two teens hoping to get laid, become punk gods, and survive high school.” The book was published in 2011.
Read More: Watch: Academy Award Winner Ellen Burstyn and Danny Glover Team Up in Exclusive ‘About Scout’ Trailer
The film is Livolsi’s feature debut, and he is set to serve as both writer and director on the project. He previously participated in the 2016 Sundance Screenwriters Lab and the project was a recipient of the Tribeca Film Institute Sloan Grant.
Of the news, Livolsi commented, “Peter Bognanni...
- 7/25/2016
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
“Don’t Think Twice” follows the members of The Commune, an improv group that plays to small audiences, little money, and even less recognition. The group’s members include founder Mike (Mike Birbiglia), Jack (Keegan-Michael Key), Samantha (Gillian Jacobs), Allison (Kate Micucci), Lindsay (Tami Sagher), and Bill (Chris Gethard); they all work crappy day jobs to feed the dream of performing comedy professionally, and maybe one day being cast on “Weekend Live,” a fictional version of “Saturday Night Live.” But when one of their own actually gets cast on the show, it sends the rest of the members into an existential spiral as they face the real possibility of never actually “making it.” Amidst feelings of jealousy and despair, the group struggles to move on from the thing they love the most. Check out some exclusive stills from the film below.
Read More: ‘Don’t Think Twice’ Trailer: Mike Birbiglia...
Read More: ‘Don’t Think Twice’ Trailer: Mike Birbiglia...
- 6/29/2016
- by Vikram Murthi
- Indiewire
Its self-conscious eccentricity is so banal that it feels like a parody of “the American indie.” Behold magic rocks and a Significant fortune cookie! I’m “biast” (pro): nothing
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
Woody (Kyle Gallner: American Sniper) writes children’s books, but he’s suffering a case of writer’s block on his latest. Perhaps if he wasn’t getting constantly interrupted by strangers coming to his door — invited or directed or drawn by unknown forces — looking to go through the portal in his closet, which leads to a mysterious place Woody knows not where, because he has never been able to go through it himself. He has a pretty neighbor, Trudy (Olivia Thirlby: The Wedding Ringer), who exists solely, apparently, that he may awkwardly flirt with her, and his landlord (a completely wasted Nick Offerman:...
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
Woody (Kyle Gallner: American Sniper) writes children’s books, but he’s suffering a case of writer’s block on his latest. Perhaps if he wasn’t getting constantly interrupted by strangers coming to his door — invited or directed or drawn by unknown forces — looking to go through the portal in his closet, which leads to a mysterious place Woody knows not where, because he has never been able to go through it himself. He has a pretty neighbor, Trudy (Olivia Thirlby: The Wedding Ringer), who exists solely, apparently, that he may awkwardly flirt with her, and his landlord (a completely wasted Nick Offerman:...
- 5/20/2016
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
Bad movies are a dime a dozen, but the truly pitiable ones are few and far between. Oliver Thompson's spellbindingly awful "Welcome to Happiness" isn't much worse than most first features — and, in some respects, it's far more ambitious — but this star-studded mess is the rare film that confronts you with the helplessness of watching someone self-sabotage their own work. Unfocused and unformed in the way that only a rookie effort can be, Thompson's debut is only enjoyable in fits and starts, but most of it is touched with a guilelessness that makes it difficult to hate. Things begin with promise, as the intriguingly enigmatic opening scene sets the stage for a movie we'll never get to see. Woody, a frustrated children's lit author, played by "Veronica Mars" alum Kyle Gallner, is twiddling his thumbs at home when a young woman he's never met before knocks on his door.
- 5/19/2016
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
Has New York City’s toxic attitude finally jaded me beyond reason? I think I’m a happy person. Generally. I laugh, smile, and feel emotions, but if so, then why do I find Oliver Thompson’s Welcome To Happiness so cheerfully off-putting? It’s pretentiously good-natured, and plays like an almost two-hour music video for The Polyphonic Spree (You know, “Follow the day, and reach for the stars!” YouTube “Light & Day.”). I’d imagine this is the feeling you’d get after being force-fed an ice cream sundae by a rainbow-pooping unicorn. Thompson’s message of purity couldn’t be clearer, but I just can’t trust a person who smiles no matter what – same applies for my movies, apparently.
Kyle Gallner stars as Woody, an apartment tenant in charge of monitoring the tiny doorway that exists in his closet. At random times, people will knock on Woody’s actual door,...
Kyle Gallner stars as Woody, an apartment tenant in charge of monitoring the tiny doorway that exists in his closet. At random times, people will knock on Woody’s actual door,...
- 5/19/2016
- by Matt Donato
- We Got This Covered
When you think of short stories like W.W. Jacobs’ “The Monkey’s Paw” or Richard Matheson’s “Button, Button” (adapted to the small screen for The Twilight Zone and big for Richard Kelly’s underrated The Box), dark images of death are conjured. The consequences of earning personal reward come at great cost to those you may or may not know. They concern selfish acts that will incite chaos and a purveyor of their too-good-to-be-true opportunities who relishes in watching the destructive path cut by fate’s unyielding need to balance the scales explode. But what if this story was flipped? What if instead of supernatural dread at the hands of a grotesque figure seeking moral bankruptcy, the chance to alter destiny came from a sweet elderly couple with God-like omniscience?
Enter Oliver Thompson, the first-time writer/director of Welcome to Happiness. While the title is most definitely a philosophical...
Enter Oliver Thompson, the first-time writer/director of Welcome to Happiness. While the title is most definitely a philosophical...
- 5/17/2016
- by Jared Mobarak
- The Film Stage
Welcome To Happiness Minutehand Pictures Reviewed by: Harvey Karten, Shockya Grade: B Director: Oliver Thompson Written by: Oliver Thompson Cast: Kyle Gallner, Olivia Thirlby, Nick Offerman, Keegan-Michael Key, Brendan Sexton III, Josh Brener, Molly C. Quinn, Paget Brewster, Frances Conroy, Bess Rous, A.J. Trauth, Robert Pike Daniels Screened at: Critics’ link, NYC, 5/9/16 Opens: May 20, 2016 I’d like a dollar for everyone in the country who believes that happiness is life’s principal desideratum. While people may have different ideas about what happiness means, Wikipedia says that it is a mental or emotional state of well-being defined by positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy. The question [ Read More ]
The post Welcome to Happiness Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Welcome to Happiness Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 5/17/2016
- by Harvey Karten
- ShockYa
Courageous people are often curious to find their next intriguing and daring adventure, especially when they witness other people taking bold risks. When those thrill-seekers do ultimately engage in the life-altering experiences they have so longingly desired, the event often changes their perspective on life, and particularly makes them appreciate everything they have. That’s certainly the case with the new comedy-drama, ‘Welcome to Happiness,’ which FilmBuff is set to release in theaters and On Demand on Friday. The fantasy movie marks the feature film writing and directorial debuts of Oliver Thompson, who made the risky decision to shoot the ambitious story on an independent budget. But his visionary choice to [ Read More ]
The post Interview: Oliver Thompson Talks Welcome to Happiness (Exclusive) appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Interview: Oliver Thompson Talks Welcome to Happiness (Exclusive) appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 5/16/2016
- by Karen Benardello
- ShockYa
I would’ve thought a movie featuring a pretty impressive ensemble of actors including Kyle Gallner, Olivia Thirlby, Nick Offerman, Molly C. Quinn, Brendan Sexton III, Josh Brener, Keegan-Michael Key, Paget Brewster and Frances Conroy might’ve had a little more buzz, and while “Welcome To Happiness” did do an extensive festival circuit run, there hasn’t been much talk about the indie dramedy. But that cast […]
The post Watch: Trailer For Indie Dramedy ‘Welcome To Happiness’ With Olivia Thirlby, Nick Offerman, Keegan-Michael Key, And More appeared first on The Playlist.
The post Watch: Trailer For Indie Dramedy ‘Welcome To Happiness’ With Olivia Thirlby, Nick Offerman, Keegan-Michael Key, And More appeared first on The Playlist.
- 5/6/2016
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
Plus: FilmBuff acquires Us to Welcome To Happiness; and more
China Film Co affiliate China Film Equipment Co is at CinemaCon touting an array of technology and equipment from the country’s leading innovators.
The roster includes Star Screen and Bosste silver or white screens, CineAppo laser projector light sources, Hb-Optical reflection prisms, and Yuyu Lighting’s xenon light bulbs.
Also on show on the trade floor and suites of Caesars Palace will be product from Carandi cinema seating company, and the Freedeo 3D device.
FilmBuff has picked up Us rights to Oliver Thompson’s ensemble drama Welcome To Happiness and will release in select theatres and on VOD on May 20.Rlj Entertainment has acquired all North American rights from ICM Partners to Joe Begos’ thriller The Mind’s Eye from and plans a theatrical and VOD launch later this year.Vancouver-based Rainmaker has hired Gregory R. Little to the newly created position of svp of content...
China Film Co affiliate China Film Equipment Co is at CinemaCon touting an array of technology and equipment from the country’s leading innovators.
The roster includes Star Screen and Bosste silver or white screens, CineAppo laser projector light sources, Hb-Optical reflection prisms, and Yuyu Lighting’s xenon light bulbs.
Also on show on the trade floor and suites of Caesars Palace will be product from Carandi cinema seating company, and the Freedeo 3D device.
FilmBuff has picked up Us rights to Oliver Thompson’s ensemble drama Welcome To Happiness and will release in select theatres and on VOD on May 20.Rlj Entertainment has acquired all North American rights from ICM Partners to Joe Begos’ thriller The Mind’s Eye from and plans a theatrical and VOD launch later this year.Vancouver-based Rainmaker has hired Gregory R. Little to the newly created position of svp of content...
- 4/12/2016
- by [email protected] (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Read More: Dances With Films Festival Announces 2015 Competition Lineup Oliver Thompson managed to wrangle an impressive range of high-profile talent for his first feature film, "Welcome to Happiness," which premieres next week at the Dances With Films festival in Los Angeles. Notable cast members include Frances Conroy ("American Horror Story"), Paget Brewster ("Criminal Minds") and, of course, Nick Offerman ("Parks & Recreation"). Based on the trailer, which you can watch above exclusively on Indiewire, "Welcome to Happiness" offers up a quirky blend of fantasy, romance and comedy. Here's the official synopsis: "A children's book author, Woody Ward, is the gatekeeper to a mysterious door in his closet that only allows certain people to enter. One such person, a suicidal artist, is led down a rabbit hole of bizarre coincidences that ultimately bring him to Woody's doorstep. Though he has no idea where the door leads, Woody...
- 5/28/2015
- by Sara Itkis
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Kyle Gallner (A Nightmare On Elm Street, Veronica Mars) has joined Disney’s true-disaster picture The Finest Hours. The Craig Gillespie-directed film chronicles the massive rescue mission that’s launched when two oil tankers collided off the coast of Cape Cod in 1952. Gallner joins Chris Pine and Casey Affleck in a key role as the rescue-boat’s engineman, who feels like he has a lot to prove on the mission to save the lives of dozens of men clinging to life in the waters of the Atlantic. Paul Tamasy and Eric Johnson adapted the script from Casey Sherman and Michael J Tougias’ 2010 book. (Update: Production begins this month in Massachusetts, Disney said this morning, with Holliday Grainger also joining the cast.)
Gallner has a number of films coming out, including Sundance sensation Dear White People and the Courteney Cox-helmed Just Before I Go. He recently wrapped Clint Eastwood...
Gallner has a number of films coming out, including Sundance sensation Dear White People and the Courteney Cox-helmed Just Before I Go. He recently wrapped Clint Eastwood...
- 9/9/2014
- by Jen Yamato
- Deadline
Jack Of The Red Hearts
Famke Janssen ("X-Men") and AnnaSophia Robb ("The Carrie Diaries") have joined the cast of the indie drama "Jack Of The Red Hearts" which just began filming in New York.
Janet Grillo ("Fly Away") helms the story of a teenage con artist who tricks a desperate mother into hiring her as a live-in companion for her autistic daughter. [Source: Deadline]
Welcome to Happiness
Nick Offerman ("Parks and Recreation") has joined the cast of Oliver Thompson's metaphysical drama "Welcome to Happiness" at Minutehand Pictures. Filming is currently underway in Los Angeles.
Kyle Gallner plays a children's book author with a secret door in his closet. Offerman will play the character's father-figure and landlord. Olivia Thirlby, Molly C. Quinn, Frances Conroy, Paget Brewster, Josh Brener and Brendan Sexton III also star. [Source: Variety]
Untitled Bateman Comedy
"Bad Words" actor/director Jason Bateman will star in and direct a currently untitled FBI-themed comedy.
Famke Janssen ("X-Men") and AnnaSophia Robb ("The Carrie Diaries") have joined the cast of the indie drama "Jack Of The Red Hearts" which just began filming in New York.
Janet Grillo ("Fly Away") helms the story of a teenage con artist who tricks a desperate mother into hiring her as a live-in companion for her autistic daughter. [Source: Deadline]
Welcome to Happiness
Nick Offerman ("Parks and Recreation") has joined the cast of Oliver Thompson's metaphysical drama "Welcome to Happiness" at Minutehand Pictures. Filming is currently underway in Los Angeles.
Kyle Gallner plays a children's book author with a secret door in his closet. Offerman will play the character's father-figure and landlord. Olivia Thirlby, Molly C. Quinn, Frances Conroy, Paget Brewster, Josh Brener and Brendan Sexton III also star. [Source: Variety]
Untitled Bateman Comedy
"Bad Words" actor/director Jason Bateman will star in and direct a currently untitled FBI-themed comedy.
- 6/30/2014
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
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