Director Sam Raimi’s film Darkman was first released in 1990, and in recent years Scream Factory has brought that movie and its direct-to-video sequels Darkman II: The Return of Durant and Darkman III: Die Darkman Die to Blu-ray. Last month, the company announced that they’ll be giving Darkman a 4K release on February 20th – and since then they’ve revealed that this release will include deleted scenes that weren’t on their previous Blu-ray release of the film, plus a fan commentary by Scare Me and Werewolves Within director (and Darkman superfan) Josh Ruben!
Scream Factory is accepting pre-orders for multiple editions of this release. You can get the 4K / Blu-ray combo on its own, get it in a limited edition steelbook, get the steelbook with a prism sticker and poster, get the steelbook with a prism sticker, poster, a pin, and lobby cards, get the regular collector’s...
Scream Factory is accepting pre-orders for multiple editions of this release. You can get the 4K / Blu-ray combo on its own, get it in a limited edition steelbook, get the steelbook with a prism sticker and poster, get the steelbook with a prism sticker, poster, a pin, and lobby cards, get the regular collector’s...
- 1/5/2024
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Before he made his Spider-Man trilogy and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, but after he unsuccessfully tried to get the job directing a Batman or The Shadow movie, Sam Raimi made his debut in the superhero world with a character he created: Darkman. Raimi’s film Darkman was first released in 1990, and in recent years Scream Factory has brought that movie and its direct-to-video sequels Darkman II: The Return of Durant and Darkman III: Die Darkman Die to Blu-ray. Now the company has announced that they’ll be giving Darkman a 4K release on February 20th!
Scream Factory hasn’t announced what special features will be found on the 4K release, but they are accepting pre-orders for it. You can get the 4K / Blu-ray combo on its own, get it in a limited edition steelbook, get the steelbook with a prism sticker and poster, get the steelbook with a prism sticker,...
Scream Factory hasn’t announced what special features will be found on the 4K release, but they are accepting pre-orders for it. You can get the 4K / Blu-ray combo on its own, get it in a limited edition steelbook, get the steelbook with a prism sticker and poster, get the steelbook with a prism sticker,...
- 12/8/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
We're back with another edition of Horror Highlights! In today's installment, watch the short film Insecticide, learn more about the new comic book series Black of Heart, watch the trailer for The Last Exorcist, and read an interview with the director of Cruiser!
Watch the Short Film Insecticide: "I made a short horror film during lockdown with my wife that I thought might be of interest - we both suffer from Anxiety Disorder so our mental health during this new paranoid way of living has reached new and old heights - it's the first time I've properly picked up my old Dslr in 3 years.
I wanted to channel what I was feeling and inject the anxious, paranoiac claustrophobia of right now into a short work by setting myself ground rules - That constant nervous energy must be present even behind the camera in every aspect of making this, so...
Watch the Short Film Insecticide: "I made a short horror film during lockdown with my wife that I thought might be of interest - we both suffer from Anxiety Disorder so our mental health during this new paranoid way of living has reached new and old heights - it's the first time I've properly picked up my old Dslr in 3 years.
I wanted to channel what I was feeling and inject the anxious, paranoiac claustrophobia of right now into a short work by setting myself ground rules - That constant nervous energy must be present even behind the camera in every aspect of making this, so...
- 9/3/2020
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
The found-footage horror feature Cruiser is dropping on VOD later this month. Starring Tony winner Shuler Hensley, Matt Bauman, Brandon Carroll and Lori Beth Sikes, the Gravitas Ventures picture tells the story of a mysterious, hulking figure who begins a night of carnage and terror in a small Georgia town after murdering a police officer and stealing his patrol car. It will be available Aug. 25.
"It brings a unique cinematic style to the telling of a found-footage horror film," director Randy Ser tells The Hollywood Reporter.
The mayhem is recorded in cinematic found-footage style, all captured through ...
"It brings a unique cinematic style to the telling of a found-footage horror film," director Randy Ser tells The Hollywood Reporter.
The mayhem is recorded in cinematic found-footage style, all captured through ...
The found-footage horror feature Cruiser is dropping on VOD later this month. Starring Tony winner Shuler Hensley, Matt Bauman, Brandon Carroll and Lori Beth Sikes, the Gravitas Ventures picture tells the story of a mysterious, hulking figure who begins a night of carnage and terror in a small Georgia town after murdering a police officer and stealing his patrol car. It will be available Aug. 25.
"It brings a unique cinematic style to the telling of a found-footage horror film," director Randy Ser tells The Hollywood Reporter.
The mayhem is recorded in cinematic found-footage style, all captured through ...
"It brings a unique cinematic style to the telling of a found-footage horror film," director Randy Ser tells The Hollywood Reporter.
The mayhem is recorded in cinematic found-footage style, all captured through ...
Long before Spider-Man got rebooted and any wolves got punched in The Grey, Sam Raimi and Liam Neeson collaborated on a superhero flick with a Gothic love story that was a hit with both audiences and critics.
To celebrate the release of the Darkman: Collector's Edition, Scream Factory is sponsoring an amazing contest. Two winners will receive a Darkman: Collector's Edition Blu-ray each, and one Grand Prize winner will get both a Darkman: Collector's Edition Blu-ray And a limited-edition 18"x24" poster (only 200 have been printed) featuring the newly commissioned artwork!
Dread Central readers can to enter this contest by sending us an E-mail Here including your Full Name and Mailing Address. We’ll take care of the rest.
If the link doesn't work for you (because your browser is not set up with your email program), email us directly at [email protected] with the subject line...
To celebrate the release of the Darkman: Collector's Edition, Scream Factory is sponsoring an amazing contest. Two winners will receive a Darkman: Collector's Edition Blu-ray each, and one Grand Prize winner will get both a Darkman: Collector's Edition Blu-ray And a limited-edition 18"x24" poster (only 200 have been printed) featuring the newly commissioned artwork!
Dread Central readers can to enter this contest by sending us an E-mail Here including your Full Name and Mailing Address. We’ll take care of the rest.
If the link doesn't work for you (because your browser is not set up with your email program), email us directly at [email protected] with the subject line...
- 2/24/2014
- by KW Low
- DreadCentral.com
What an amazing week for TV fans. As if you didn’t have enough stacking to do with the new, brilliant season of “House of Cards” on Netflix, there are four other full seasons in this week’s What to Watch that you really should watch front to back. And then there’s the still-amazing “Darkman,” a cult classic that perfectly captures Sam Raimi’s skill at controlled chaos. Finally, we have two ’80s horror flicks in one set in “Bad Dreams” and “Visiting Hours.” Check ‘em all out (Ok, you can skip the genre stinkers).
Game of Thrones: The Complete Third Season
Photo credit: HBO
“Game of Thrones: The Complete Third Season”
One of the best shows on TV gets the glorious, fantastic, always-perfect HBO treatment, complete with absolutely perfect HD transfers and enough special features to stop a TV fan in their tracks. 12 audio commentaries! The...
Game of Thrones: The Complete Third Season
Photo credit: HBO
“Game of Thrones: The Complete Third Season”
One of the best shows on TV gets the glorious, fantastic, always-perfect HBO treatment, complete with absolutely perfect HD transfers and enough special features to stop a TV fan in their tracks. 12 audio commentaries! The...
- 2/18/2014
- by [email protected] (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
From his modest start in that ramshackle cabin in the woods what must seem like a lifetime ago, Sam Raimi has become one of the more versatile and beloved directors in Hollywood. With Scream Factory's Blu-ray release of Darkman today, we bring you our Top 9 Sam Raimi Films - Horror and Otherwise.
We're going to keep this list to films directed by Raimi. If we were to include the movies he's acted in, or god forbid produced, we'd be here all night. But a few of his production credits like 30 Days of Night, both of The Grudge films, Boogeyman, The Possession, Timecop and of course the Evil Dead remake are noteworthy.
Some honorable directorial mentions include his most recent, Oz the Great and Powerful. It might not have been the epic it was billed to be, but it looked fantastic; and when you manage to haul in half a billion...
We're going to keep this list to films directed by Raimi. If we were to include the movies he's acted in, or god forbid produced, we'd be here all night. But a few of his production credits like 30 Days of Night, both of The Grudge films, Boogeyman, The Possession, Timecop and of course the Evil Dead remake are noteworthy.
Some honorable directorial mentions include his most recent, Oz the Great and Powerful. It might not have been the epic it was billed to be, but it looked fantastic; and when you manage to haul in half a billion...
- 2/18/2014
- by Scott Hallam
- DreadCentral.com
Darkman is the reason that I was so excited when it was announced that Sam Raimi would be bringing Spider-Man, my favorite comic book character, to the big screen. Unfortunately, Spider-Man turned out to be a huge disappointment, but we’ll always have Darkman as Raimi’s superb “comic book” film. Of course, the truth of the matter is that Darkman wasn’t based on a comic book, rather a short story Raimi wrote paying homage to old B-rate Mummy movies. Despite that, it still shares many of the same characteristics of even the modern day “revamped” comic book epics. And, despite some dated visuals, it still very much holds up to this day. This is a film that I do try and revisit as often as possible, but as many movies that gets stacked upon my desk, it has been since the initial Universal Blu-ray was released back in...
- 2/17/2014
- by Shawn Savage
- The Liberal Dead
Thanks to Scream Factory, Sam Raimi’s Darkman is headed to Blu-ray on February 18th and we’ve been provided with the original trailer, clips, and high-resolution stills from the movie:
“Crime has a new enemy, and justice has a brand new face. Fans of visionary director Sam Raimi (The Spider-Man trilogy) know well the story of Dr. Peyton Westlake and his tragic transformation into the action hero known as Darkman. Based on Raimi’s short story “The Darkman,” the popular crime-fighting master of disguises comes to life in the 1990 film adaptation Darkman, starring three-time Golden Globe® nominee Liam Neeson (Taken) and Oscar® winner Frances McDormand (Fargo). Directed by Sam Raimi, this explosive, action-packed thriller also stars Colin Friels (Dark City), Larry Drake (Dr. Giggles), Dan Hicks (Evil Dead 2) and Nicholas Worth (Swamp Thing) and features soundtrack by award-wining composer Danny Elfman. On February 18, 2014, Scream Factory™ will release Darkman Collector’S Edition Blu-ray,...
“Crime has a new enemy, and justice has a brand new face. Fans of visionary director Sam Raimi (The Spider-Man trilogy) know well the story of Dr. Peyton Westlake and his tragic transformation into the action hero known as Darkman. Based on Raimi’s short story “The Darkman,” the popular crime-fighting master of disguises comes to life in the 1990 film adaptation Darkman, starring three-time Golden Globe® nominee Liam Neeson (Taken) and Oscar® winner Frances McDormand (Fargo). Directed by Sam Raimi, this explosive, action-packed thriller also stars Colin Friels (Dark City), Larry Drake (Dr. Giggles), Dan Hicks (Evil Dead 2) and Nicholas Worth (Swamp Thing) and features soundtrack by award-wining composer Danny Elfman. On February 18, 2014, Scream Factory™ will release Darkman Collector’S Edition Blu-ray,...
- 2/6/2014
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Crime has a new enemy, and justice has a brand new face. Fans of visionary director Sam Raimi (The Spider-Man trilogy) know well the story of Dr. Peyton Westlake and his tragic transformation into the action hero known as Darkman. Based on Raimi’s short story “The Darkman,” the popular crime-fighting master of disguises comes to life in the 1990 film adaptation Darkman, starring three-time Golden Globe® nominee Liam Neeson (Taken) and Oscar® winner Frances McDormand (Fargo). Directed by Sam Raimi, this explosive, action-packed thriller also stars Colin Friels (Dark City), Larry Drake (Dr. Giggles), Dan Hicks (Evil Dead 2) and Nicholas Worth (Swamp Thing) and features soundtrack by award-wining composer Danny Elfman. On February 18, 2014, Scream Factory™ will release Darkman Collector’S Edition Blu-ray, featuring all-new interviews with Liam Neeson, Frances McDormand, Larry Drake, Danny Hicks, make-up effects artist Tony Gardner, production designer Randy Ser, art director Philip Dagort and much more!
- 1/5/2014
- by ComicMix Staff
- Comicmix.com
Long before shootin' web with Spiderman, Sam Raimi made Darkman, a superhero flick that was fully his own. Scream Factory kicks off 2014 in style with one of their famous Collector's Edition Blu-ray releases of the 1990 film, and you'll find all the info here!
From the Press Release
Scream Factory will release Darkman Collector’S Edition Blu-ray, featuring all-new interviews with Liam Neeson, Frances McDormand, Larry Drake, Danny Hicks, make-up effects artist Tony Gardner, production designer Randy Ser, art director Philip Dagort and much more! This definitive collector’s edition also contains a collectible cover featuring newly rendered retro-style artwork, a reversible cover wrap with original theatrical key art. A must-have for loyal fans, movie collectors and pop culture and comic book enthusiasts to complete their entertainment library, Darkman Collector’S Edition Blu-ray is priced to own at $29.93 Srp.
In the darkest hour, there’s a light that shines on every human being,...
From the Press Release
Scream Factory will release Darkman Collector’S Edition Blu-ray, featuring all-new interviews with Liam Neeson, Frances McDormand, Larry Drake, Danny Hicks, make-up effects artist Tony Gardner, production designer Randy Ser, art director Philip Dagort and much more! This definitive collector’s edition also contains a collectible cover featuring newly rendered retro-style artwork, a reversible cover wrap with original theatrical key art. A must-have for loyal fans, movie collectors and pop culture and comic book enthusiasts to complete their entertainment library, Darkman Collector’S Edition Blu-ray is priced to own at $29.93 Srp.
In the darkest hour, there’s a light that shines on every human being,...
- 1/3/2014
- by John Squires
- DreadCentral.com
On February 18th, Scream Factory will release a Blu-ray collector’s edition of Darkman. Here’s a look at the official cover art and list of bonus features:
“Crime has a new enemy, and justice has a brand new face. Fans of visionary director Sam Raimi (The Spider-Man trilogy) know well the story of Dr. Peyton Westlake and his tragic transformation into the action hero known as Darkman. Based on Raimi’s short story “The Darkman,” the popular crime-fighting master of disguises comes to life in the 1990 film adaptation Darkman, starring three-time Golden Globe® nominee Liam Neeson (Taken) and Oscar® winner Frances McDormand (Fargo). Directed by Sam Raimi, this explosive, action-packed thriller also stars Colin Friels (Dark City), Larry Drake (Dr. Giggles), Dan Hicks (Evil Dead 2) and Nicholas Worth (Swamp Thing) and features soundtrack by award-wining composer Danny Elfman.
On February 18, 2014, Scream Factory™ will release Darkman Collector’S Edition Blu-ray,...
“Crime has a new enemy, and justice has a brand new face. Fans of visionary director Sam Raimi (The Spider-Man trilogy) know well the story of Dr. Peyton Westlake and his tragic transformation into the action hero known as Darkman. Based on Raimi’s short story “The Darkman,” the popular crime-fighting master of disguises comes to life in the 1990 film adaptation Darkman, starring three-time Golden Globe® nominee Liam Neeson (Taken) and Oscar® winner Frances McDormand (Fargo). Directed by Sam Raimi, this explosive, action-packed thriller also stars Colin Friels (Dark City), Larry Drake (Dr. Giggles), Dan Hicks (Evil Dead 2) and Nicholas Worth (Swamp Thing) and features soundtrack by award-wining composer Danny Elfman.
On February 18, 2014, Scream Factory™ will release Darkman Collector’S Edition Blu-ray,...
- 1/3/2014
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
The Art Directors Guild announced its nominees for the 2008 Excellence in Production Design Awards. The much beloved "The Dark Knight" is one of the nominees in the Fantasy film category.
Adg members will vote for the winners by Feb. 12th, and the awards gala will be a Valentine for the top dogs for it will be held Feb. 14th at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
Click Read More to see the complete list of nominees for the best Production Design in 2008.
13th Annual Art Directors Guild Excellence in Production Design Awards
Nominations
Period Films
Changeling
Production Designer: James J. Murakami
The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
Production Designer: Donald Graham Burt
Doubt
Production Designer: David Gropman
Frost/Nixon
Production Designer: Michael Corenblith
Milk
Production Designer: Bill Groom
Fantasy Films
The Dark Knight
Production Designer: Nathan Crowley
Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull
Production Designer: Guy Hendrix Dyas
Iron Man...
Adg members will vote for the winners by Feb. 12th, and the awards gala will be a Valentine for the top dogs for it will be held Feb. 14th at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
Click Read More to see the complete list of nominees for the best Production Design in 2008.
13th Annual Art Directors Guild Excellence in Production Design Awards
Nominations
Period Films
Changeling
Production Designer: James J. Murakami
The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
Production Designer: Donald Graham Burt
Doubt
Production Designer: David Gropman
Frost/Nixon
Production Designer: Michael Corenblith
Milk
Production Designer: Bill Groom
Fantasy Films
The Dark Knight
Production Designer: Nathan Crowley
Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull
Production Designer: Guy Hendrix Dyas
Iron Man...
- 1/11/2009
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
All You Need
The characters of "All You Need" need a referee -- and the viewer could use a scorecard to keep track of the play-by-play action that occurs during one year in the lives of a seemingly together American family.
"Need", which had its world premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, is a talky, mostly civilized group meltdown with strongest prospects as a cable item.
A small theatrical release is a possibility for a film with much verbal spiciness but no interfamilial nastiness so dire that viewers will be haunted. In any event, it's up to lead Kellie Martin (NBC's "ER," the CBS telefilm "About Sarah") to lure in the young and mature female audience the U.S. indie needs to survive in unkindly and even combative marketplaces. Tyro director Randy Ser co-wrote the screenplay with fellow producer Sam Hensley Jr., and there are some undeniably effective sequences and performances in "Need".
Given the subject matter of alcoholism, divorce, marital infidelity and starting over in life, Ser and Hensley show admirable restraint and strive for an actor's showcase, which will be good enough for those viewers in the mood for a round of predictable ups and downs in the scripted "real world."
The table is set for a magnificent Thanksgiving dinner, with three married sisters (Martin, Kayren Ann Butler, Amy Raymond) joining their mother (Janet Carroll), father (Robert Pine) and forgetful granny (Gloria Le Roy). Although sundry spouses and grandchildren attend, the celebration turns sour, like so many before it, when old habits lead to unpleasant behavior by the clan's soused matriarch (Carroll).
It's only the beginning for Beth (Martin), who loses her husband Sean Patrick Murphy) to another woman and goes through a numbing divorce. There to represent her and go the extra step of proposing they have an affair is the lawyer husband (Chris Shea) of one unsuspecting sister (Butler), while the other sis (Raymond) starts talking about sexual role-playing games and eventually ends her marriage in a flurry of scandalous developments.
But it's Mom who becomes such a problem that the sisters get a court order to force her to go into treatment for alcoholism, while cowardly Dad offers no solutions and won't abandon his mate. To put it another way: moms and dads -- can't understand them, can't stand under them. The filmmakers and performers are admirably in sync, and the ultimate message Beth gets out of it is "sail away, free bird."
ALL YOU NEED
Klag Prods.
Director: Randy Ser
Screenwriters: Sam Hensley Jr., Randy Ser
Producers: Sam Hensley Jr., Randy Ser, Mike Gabrawy
Executive producer: Randy Holleschau
Director of photography: Jim Orr
Production designer: Erik Olson
Editor: Kimberly Rettberg
Costume designer: Emma Trenchard
Music: David Bergeaud
Casting: Elisabeth Jereski
Color/stereo
Cast:
Beth Sabistan: Kellie Martin
Faran Crenshaw: Kayren Ann Butler
Missy Rampley: Amy Raymond
Jane Sabistan: Janet Carroll
Earl Sabistan: Robert Pine
Nana Sabistan: Gloria Le Roy
Chuck Starnes: Sean Patrick Murphy
Roger Crenshaw: Chris Shea
Running time -- 98 minutes
No MPAA rating...
"Need", which had its world premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, is a talky, mostly civilized group meltdown with strongest prospects as a cable item.
A small theatrical release is a possibility for a film with much verbal spiciness but no interfamilial nastiness so dire that viewers will be haunted. In any event, it's up to lead Kellie Martin (NBC's "ER," the CBS telefilm "About Sarah") to lure in the young and mature female audience the U.S. indie needs to survive in unkindly and even combative marketplaces. Tyro director Randy Ser co-wrote the screenplay with fellow producer Sam Hensley Jr., and there are some undeniably effective sequences and performances in "Need".
Given the subject matter of alcoholism, divorce, marital infidelity and starting over in life, Ser and Hensley show admirable restraint and strive for an actor's showcase, which will be good enough for those viewers in the mood for a round of predictable ups and downs in the scripted "real world."
The table is set for a magnificent Thanksgiving dinner, with three married sisters (Martin, Kayren Ann Butler, Amy Raymond) joining their mother (Janet Carroll), father (Robert Pine) and forgetful granny (Gloria Le Roy). Although sundry spouses and grandchildren attend, the celebration turns sour, like so many before it, when old habits lead to unpleasant behavior by the clan's soused matriarch (Carroll).
It's only the beginning for Beth (Martin), who loses her husband Sean Patrick Murphy) to another woman and goes through a numbing divorce. There to represent her and go the extra step of proposing they have an affair is the lawyer husband (Chris Shea) of one unsuspecting sister (Butler), while the other sis (Raymond) starts talking about sexual role-playing games and eventually ends her marriage in a flurry of scandalous developments.
But it's Mom who becomes such a problem that the sisters get a court order to force her to go into treatment for alcoholism, while cowardly Dad offers no solutions and won't abandon his mate. To put it another way: moms and dads -- can't understand them, can't stand under them. The filmmakers and performers are admirably in sync, and the ultimate message Beth gets out of it is "sail away, free bird."
ALL YOU NEED
Klag Prods.
Director: Randy Ser
Screenwriters: Sam Hensley Jr., Randy Ser
Producers: Sam Hensley Jr., Randy Ser, Mike Gabrawy
Executive producer: Randy Holleschau
Director of photography: Jim Orr
Production designer: Erik Olson
Editor: Kimberly Rettberg
Costume designer: Emma Trenchard
Music: David Bergeaud
Casting: Elisabeth Jereski
Color/stereo
Cast:
Beth Sabistan: Kellie Martin
Faran Crenshaw: Kayren Ann Butler
Missy Rampley: Amy Raymond
Jane Sabistan: Janet Carroll
Earl Sabistan: Robert Pine
Nana Sabistan: Gloria Le Roy
Chuck Starnes: Sean Patrick Murphy
Roger Crenshaw: Chris Shea
Running time -- 98 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 7/8/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
All You Need
The characters of "All You Need" need a referee -- and the viewer could use a scorecard to keep track of the play-by-play action that occurs during one year in the lives of a seemingly together American family.
"Need", which had its world premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, is a talky, mostly civilized group meltdown with strongest prospects as a cable item.
A small theatrical release is a possibility for a film with much verbal spiciness but no interfamilial nastiness so dire that viewers will be haunted. In any event, it's up to lead Kellie Martin (NBC's "ER," the CBS telefilm "About Sarah") to lure in the young and mature female audience the U.S. indie needs to survive in unkindly and even combative marketplaces. Tyro director Randy Ser co-wrote the screenplay with fellow producer Sam Hensley Jr., and there are some undeniably effective sequences and performances in "Need".
Given the subject matter of alcoholism, divorce, marital infidelity and starting over in life, Ser and Hensley show admirable restraint and strive for an actor's showcase, which will be good enough for those viewers in the mood for a round of predictable ups and downs in the scripted "real world."
The table is set for a magnificent Thanksgiving dinner, with three married sisters (Martin, Kayren Ann Butler, Amy Raymond) joining their mother (Janet Carroll), father (Robert Pine) and forgetful granny (Gloria Le Roy). Although sundry spouses and grandchildren attend, the celebration turns sour, like so many before it, when old habits lead to unpleasant behavior by the clan's soused matriarch (Carroll).
It's only the beginning for Beth (Martin), who loses her husband Sean Patrick Murphy) to another woman and goes through a numbing divorce. There to represent her and go the extra step of proposing they have an affair is the lawyer husband (Chris Shea) of one unsuspecting sister (Butler), while the other sis (Raymond) starts talking about sexual role-playing games and eventually ends her marriage in a flurry of scandalous developments.
But it's Mom who becomes such a problem that the sisters get a court order to force her to go into treatment for alcoholism, while cowardly Dad offers no solutions and won't abandon his mate. To put it another way: moms and dads -- can't understand them, can't stand under them. The filmmakers and performers are admirably in sync, and the ultimate message Beth gets out of it is "sail away, free bird."
ALL YOU NEED
Klag Prods.
Director: Randy Ser
Screenwriters: Sam Hensley Jr., Randy Ser
Producers: Sam Hensley Jr., Randy Ser, Mike Gabrawy
Executive producer: Randy Holleschau
Director of photography: Jim Orr
Production designer: Erik Olson
Editor: Kimberly Rettberg
Costume designer: Emma Trenchard
Music: David Bergeaud
Casting: Elisabeth Jereski
Color/stereo
Cast:
Beth Sabistan: Kellie Martin
Faran Crenshaw: Kayren Ann Butler
Missy Rampley: Amy Raymond
Jane Sabistan: Janet Carroll
Earl Sabistan: Robert Pine
Nana Sabistan: Gloria Le Roy
Chuck Starnes: Sean Patrick Murphy
Roger Crenshaw: Chris Shea
Running time -- 98 minutes
No MPAA rating...
"Need", which had its world premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, is a talky, mostly civilized group meltdown with strongest prospects as a cable item.
A small theatrical release is a possibility for a film with much verbal spiciness but no interfamilial nastiness so dire that viewers will be haunted. In any event, it's up to lead Kellie Martin (NBC's "ER," the CBS telefilm "About Sarah") to lure in the young and mature female audience the U.S. indie needs to survive in unkindly and even combative marketplaces. Tyro director Randy Ser co-wrote the screenplay with fellow producer Sam Hensley Jr., and there are some undeniably effective sequences and performances in "Need".
Given the subject matter of alcoholism, divorce, marital infidelity and starting over in life, Ser and Hensley show admirable restraint and strive for an actor's showcase, which will be good enough for those viewers in the mood for a round of predictable ups and downs in the scripted "real world."
The table is set for a magnificent Thanksgiving dinner, with three married sisters (Martin, Kayren Ann Butler, Amy Raymond) joining their mother (Janet Carroll), father (Robert Pine) and forgetful granny (Gloria Le Roy). Although sundry spouses and grandchildren attend, the celebration turns sour, like so many before it, when old habits lead to unpleasant behavior by the clan's soused matriarch (Carroll).
It's only the beginning for Beth (Martin), who loses her husband Sean Patrick Murphy) to another woman and goes through a numbing divorce. There to represent her and go the extra step of proposing they have an affair is the lawyer husband (Chris Shea) of one unsuspecting sister (Butler), while the other sis (Raymond) starts talking about sexual role-playing games and eventually ends her marriage in a flurry of scandalous developments.
But it's Mom who becomes such a problem that the sisters get a court order to force her to go into treatment for alcoholism, while cowardly Dad offers no solutions and won't abandon his mate. To put it another way: moms and dads -- can't understand them, can't stand under them. The filmmakers and performers are admirably in sync, and the ultimate message Beth gets out of it is "sail away, free bird."
ALL YOU NEED
Klag Prods.
Director: Randy Ser
Screenwriters: Sam Hensley Jr., Randy Ser
Producers: Sam Hensley Jr., Randy Ser, Mike Gabrawy
Executive producer: Randy Holleschau
Director of photography: Jim Orr
Production designer: Erik Olson
Editor: Kimberly Rettberg
Costume designer: Emma Trenchard
Music: David Bergeaud
Casting: Elisabeth Jereski
Color/stereo
Cast:
Beth Sabistan: Kellie Martin
Faran Crenshaw: Kayren Ann Butler
Missy Rampley: Amy Raymond
Jane Sabistan: Janet Carroll
Earl Sabistan: Robert Pine
Nana Sabistan: Gloria Le Roy
Chuck Starnes: Sean Patrick Murphy
Roger Crenshaw: Chris Shea
Running time -- 98 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 3/15/2001
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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