Moviefone Editorial

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  • ‘I Can Only Imagine 2’ Interview: Milo Ventimiglia and More

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    Opening in theaters on February 20th is ‘I Can Only Imagine 2’, which was directed by Andrew Erwin (‘American Underdog’) and Brent McCorkle (‘Jesus Revolution’) and serves as a sequel to 2018’s ‘I Can Only Imagine’.

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    Written by musician Bart Millard, the film stars John Michael Finley (‘Faith of Angels’) as Millard, and Milo Ventimiglia (‘This Is Us’) as musician Tim Timmons, along with Sophie Skelton (‘Outlander’), Arielle Kebbel (‘John Tucker Must Die’), Trace Adkins (‘The Lincoln Lawyer’), and Dennis Quaid (‘The Substance’).

    (L to R) Milo Ventimiglia and Tim Timmons discuss 'I Can Only Imagine 2'.
    (L to R) Milo Ventimiglia and Tim Timmons discuss ‘I Can Only Imagine 2’.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Milo Ventimiglia and Tim Timmons about their work on ‘I Can Only Imagine 2’, Ventimiglia’s first reaction to the screenplay and his approach to playing Tim, and Timmons reaction to having a film made about his life.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Ventimiglia and Timmons, Dennis Quaid, Arielle Kebbel, John Michael Finley, Sophie Skelton, Sammy Dell, musician Bart Millard, and director Andrew Erwin.

    Related Article: Milo Ventimiglia Talks ‘Land of Bad’ and Working with Liam and Luke Hemsworth

    Milo Ventimiglia as Tim in 'I Can Only Imagine 2'. Photo: Jake Giles Netter.
    Milo Ventimiglia as Tim in ‘I Can Only Imagine 2’. Photo: Jake Giles Netter.

    Moviefone: To begin with, Milo, can you talk about your first reaction to the screenplay and your approach to playing Tim?

    Milo Ventimiglia: I mean it’s a different kind of “double G.” It’s not the ‘Gilmore Girls’, it’s “grief and gratitude”. I mean what an honor to know Tim and be able to share his story through what it is that I do in front of the camera. But we had a beautiful script and a nice pathway to tell this story of grief and gratitude and connection and walking through the fires of life and coming out the other end and being able to still represent love and share love and all of that. I mean for me as an artist, you want to be a part of projects that are going to impact people, make them feel, make them cry, make them laugh, make them think, and then hopefully take to action what you feel and think and cry out in that moment of watching a 90-minute movie. Then, how do you put that into your own life? How do you get through those struggles of life? How do you help somebody in your community in those struggles? Because, as Tim says, life is hard, but if you’re carrying that gratitude with the grief and the hard moments, you’re doing great. Remember, these things can exist and be there sharing the same space. You can hold onto them and give respect to each of them and still move forward positively with grace. It’s just a wonderful reminder. I know, for me, especially in a moment where I needed it, given my life and the loss that my family had this year, but also the great birth we had with our daughter and just tons of things. But what a wonderful gift it has been for me this year.

    (L to R) Tim Timmons and Milo Ventimiglia as Tim on the set of 'I Can Only Imagine 2'. Photo Credit: Jake Giles Netter.
    (L to R) Tim Timmons and Milo Ventimiglia as Tim on the set of ‘I Can Only Imagine 2’. Photo Credit: Jake Giles Netter.

    MF: Finally, Tim, what was it like for you to have Milo play you in this movie and bring your story of survival to the big screen?

    Tim Timmons: I mean I never saw this coming, which I know sounds cliche and cheesy because the movie is about this, but my goal was just to wake up. They gave me five years to live 25 years ago, and I still have tumors on my liver wearing out my heart. But this bald guy got to wake up again today. So, when I’m sober enough just in life to live with that awareness, waking up again becomes the gift. Literally the gift that I get is that I get to wake up again. If I get up again today, I get to hang with you and Milo today. Tomorrow, if I wake up again, what else could happen?

    Editorial Note: Krisily Fernstrom conducted this interview and contributed to this article.

    'I Can Only Imagine 2' opens in theaters on February 20th.
    ‘I Can Only Imagine 2’ opens in theaters on February 20th.

    What is the plot of ‘I Can Only Imagine 2’?

    After the breakout success of the song “I Can Only Imagine,” MercyMe’s Bart Millard (John Michael Finley) is living the dream—sold-out arenas, a devoted fan base, and a thriving career. But behind the spotlight, Bart’s past threatens the family he’s built, especially the fragile bond with his son, Sam (Sammy Dell). When hopeful newcomer Tim Timmons (Milo Ventimiglia) joins the band for their biggest tour yet, he unknowingly brings a renewed gratitude to Bart’s life through their unlikely friendship. Bart soon discovers that Tim carries hardships—and secrets—of his own, forcing him to face his past and repair his relationships with Sam and his wife, Shannon (Sophie Skelton), before fame costs him what matters most.

    Who is in the cast of ‘I Can Only Imagine 2’?

    • John Michael Finley as Bart Millard
    • Milo Ventimiglia as Tim Timmons
    • Sophie Skelton as Shannon Street
    • Arielle Kebbel as Hilary Timmons
    • Sammy Dell as Sam Millard
    • Trace Adkins as Scott Brickell
    • Dennis Quaid as Arthur Millard
    (L to R) Arielle Kebbel as Hilary and Milo Ventimiglia as Tim in 'I Can Only Imagine 2'. Photo Credit: Jake Giles Netter.
    (L to R) Arielle Kebbel as Hilary and Milo Ventimiglia as Tim in ‘I Can Only Imagine 2’. Photo Credit: Jake Giles Netter.

    List of Milo Ventimiglia Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Tickets: ‘I Can Only Imagine 2’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Milo Ventimiglia Movies On Amazon

  • Best Football Movies To Watch On Super Bowl Sunday

    Best Football Movies of All Time.
    Best Football Movies of All Time.

    “Are you ready for some Football?”

    Super Bowl LX is scheduled for Sunday, February 8th and it promises to be an unforgettable game between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots.

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    However,  if you still need your football fix, Moviefone has compiled a list of 30 of the best football movies of all time for you to watch after the game.

    These football movies cover what happens both on and off the field, and best of all, every movie here is streaming right now, so you can get started watching any of them immediately.

    Let’s begin!

    Related Article: Tyriq Withers Talks ‘HIM’ Digital Release and Working with Marlon Wayans

    30. ‘The Blind Side‘ (2009)

    (L to R) Quinton Aaron and Sandra Bullock in 'The Blind Side.' Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.
    (L to R) Quinton Aaron and Sandra Bullock in ‘The Blind Side.’ Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.

    The story of Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) a homeless and traumatized boy who became an All American football player and first round NFL draft pick with the help of a caring woman (Sandra Bullock) and her family

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    29. ‘American Underdog‘ (2021)

    American Underdog tells the inspirational true story of Kurt Warner (Zachary Levi), who went from a stockboy at a grocery store to a two-time NFL MVP, Super Bowl champion, and Hall of Fame quarterback. The film centers on Warner’s unique story and years of challenges and setbacks that could have derailed his aspirations to become an NFL player – but just when his dreams seemed all but out of reach, it is only with the support of his wife, Brenda (Anna Paquin) and the encouragement of his family, coaches, and teammates that Warner perseveres and finds the strength to show the world the champion that he already is.

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    28. ‘Radio‘ (2003)

    High school football coach Harold Jones (Ed Harris) befriends Radio (Cuba Gooding Jr.), a mentally-challenged man who becomes a student at TL Hanna High School in Anderson South Carolina. Their friendship extends over several decades where Radio transforms from a shy tormented man into an inspiration to his community.

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    27. ‘Gridiron Gang‘ (2006)

    Under the leadership of their counselor (Dwayne Johnson), teenagers at a juvenile detention center gain selfesteem by playing football together.

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    26. ‘All the Right Moves‘ (1983)

    Sensitive study of a headstrong high school football star (Tom Cruise) who dreams of getting out of his small Western Pennsylvania steel town with a football scholarship. His equally ambitious coach (Craig T. Nelson) aims at a college position resulting in a clash which could crush the players dreams.

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    25. ‘The Underdoggs‘ (2024)

    (L to R) Snoop Dogg as Jaycen "2 J's" Jennings and Mike Epps as Kareem in director Charles Stone III's 'The Underdoggs,' an Amazon MGM Studios film. Photo credit: Jacob Kemp. © 2024 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    (L to R) Snoop Dogg as Jaycen “2 J’s” Jennings and Mike Epps as Kareem in director Charles Stone III’s ‘The Underdoggs,’ an Amazon MGM Studios film. Photo credit: Jacob Kemp. © 2024 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Jaycen ‘Two Js’ Jennings (Snoop Dogg) is a washed-up former pro football star who has hit rock bottom. When he is sentenced to do community service coaching the Underdoggs, an unruly pee-wee football team in his hometown, he sees it mostly as an opportunity to rebuild his public image. But in the process, he may just turn his life around and rediscover his love of the game.

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    24. ‘The Longest Yard‘ (2005)

    Pro quarterback Paul Crewe (Adam Sandler) and former college champion and coach Nate Scarboro (Burt Reynolds) are doing time in the same prison and are asked to put together a team of inmates to take on the guards. Crewe enlists the help of Scarboro to coach the inmates to victory in a football game fixed to turn out quite another way.

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    23. ‘The Program‘ (1993)

    Several players from different backgrounds try to cope with the pressures of playing football at a major university. Each deals with the pressure differently some turn to drinking others to drugs and some to studying.

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    22. ‘The Best of Times‘ (1986)

    A smalltown loser (Robin Williams) determines to have one more shot at the big time by winning a football game.

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    21. ‘Varsity Blues‘ (1999)

    In small-town Texas, high school football is a religion, 17-year-old schoolboys carry the hopes of an entire community onto the gridiron every Friday night. When star quarterback Lance Harbor (Paul Walker) suffers an injury, the Coyotes are forced to regroup under the questionable leadership of John Moxon (James Van Der Beek), a second-string quarterback with a slightly irreverent approach to the game.

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    20. ‘The Longest Yard‘ (1974)

    Burt Reynolds in 1974's 'The Longest Yard.' Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    Burt Reynolds in 1974’s ‘The Longest Yard.’ Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    A football player-turned-convict (Burt Reynolds) organizes a team of inmates to play against a team of prison guards. His dilemma is that the warden (Eddie Albert) asks him to throw the game in return for an early release but he is also concerned about the inmates lack of self-esteem.

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    19. ‘The Waterboy‘ (1998)

    Bobby Boucher (Adam Sandler) is a water boy for a struggling college football team. The coach (Henry Winkler) discovers Boucher’s hidden rage makes him a tackling machine whose bone-crushing power might vault his team into the playoffs.

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    18. ‘Jerry Maguire‘ (1996)

    Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise) used to be a typical sports agent willing to do just about anything he could to get the biggest possible contracts for his clients plus a nice commission for himself. Then one day he suddenly has second thoughts about what he’s really doing. When he voices these doubts he ends up losing his job and all of his clients save Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding Jr.) an egomaniacal football player.

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    17. ‘Invincible‘ (2006)

    Inspired by the true story of Vince Papale (Mark Wahlberg), a man with nothing to lose who ignored the staggering odds and made his dream come true. When the coach of Papale’s beloved hometown football team hosted an unprecedented open tryout, the public consensus was that it was a waste of time – no one good enough to play professional football was going to be found this way.

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    16. ‘Leatherheads‘ (2008)

    A light hearted comedy about the beginnings of Professional American Football. When a decorated war hero (George Clooney) and college all star (John Krasinski) is tempted into playing professional football. Everyone see the chance to make some big money, but when a reporter digs up some dirt on the war hero… everyone could lose out.

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    15. ‘HIM‘ (2025)

    Marlon Wayans is Isaiah (back, pointing) and Tyriq Withers is Cam (foreground) in 'HIM', directed by Justin Tipping. Photo: Universal Pictures.
    Marlon Wayans is Isaiah (back, pointing) and Tyriq Withers is Cam (foreground) in ‘HIM’, directed by Justin Tipping. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    After suffering a potentially career-ending brain trauma, Cameron Cade (Tyriq Withers) receives a lifeline when his hero, legendary eight-time Championship quarterback and cultural megastar Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans), offers to train Cam at Isaiah’s isolated compound that he shares with his celebrity influencer wife. But as Cam’s training accelerates, Isaiah’s charisma begins to curdle into something darker.

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    14. ‘Necessary Roughness‘ (1991)

    When the Texas Southern Armadillos football team is disqualified for cheating and poor grades, the University is forced to pick from a team that actually goes to school. Will they even win a single game?

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    13. ‘North Dallas Forty‘ (1979)

    A semi-fictional account of life as a professional football player. Loosely based on the Dallas Cowboys team of the early 1970s.

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    12. ‘80 for Brady‘ (2023)

    Inspired by the true story of four best friends (Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Rita Moreno and Sally Field) living life to the fullest when they take a wild trip to the 2017 Super Bowl LI to see their hero Tom Brady play.

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    11. ‘Draft Day‘ (2014)

    At the NFL Draft, general manager Sonny Weaver (Kevin Costner) has the opportunity to rebuild his team when he trades for the number one pick. He must decide what he’s willing to sacrifice on a life-changing day for a few hundred young men with NFL dreams.

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    10. ‘The Replacements‘ (2000)

    Keanu Reeves in 'The Replacements'. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.
    Keanu Reeves in ‘The Replacements’. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.

    Maverick old-guard coach Jimmy McGinty (Gene Hackman) is hired in the wake of a players’ strike to help the Washington Sentinels advance to the playoffs. But that impossible dream hinges on whether his replacements can hunker down and do the job, including washed up Quarterback Shane Falco (Keanu Reeves). So, McGinty dusts off his secret dossier of ex-players who never got a chance (or screwed up the one they were given) and knits together a bad-dream team of guys who just may give the Sentinels their title shot.

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    9. ‘Brian’s Song‘ (1971)

    Based on the real-life relationship between teammates Brian Piccolo (James Caan) and Gale Sayers (Billy Dee Williams) and the bond established when Piccolo discovers that he is dying.

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    8. ‘Heaven Can Wait‘ (1978)

    Joe Pendleton (Warren Beatty) is a quarterback preparing to lead his team to the Super Bowl when he is almost killed in an accident. An overanxious angel plucks him to heaven only to discover that he wasn’t ready to die, and that his body has been cremated. A new body must be found, and that of a recently-murdered millionaire is chosen. His wife and accountant—the murderers—are confused by this development, as he buys the L.A. Rams in order to once again quarterback them into the Super Bowl.

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    7. ‘Wildcats‘ (1986)

    Molly (Goldie Hawn) is a high school track coach who knows just as much about football as anyone else on the planet. When a football coach’s position becomes vacant, she applies for the job, despite snickers from fellow staff members and her former husband.

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    6. ‘We Are Marshall‘ (2006)

    When a plane crash claims the lives of members of the Marshall University football team and some of its fans, the team’s new coach (Matthew McConaughey) and his surviving players try to keep the football program alive.

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    5. ‘The Last Boy Scout‘ (1991)

    (L to R) Bruce Willis and Damon Wayans in 'The Last Boy Scout'. Photo: Warner Bros.
    (L to R) Bruce Willis and Damon Wayans in ‘The Last Boy Scout’. Photo: Warner Bros.

    When the girl (Halle Berry) that detective Joe Hallenback (Bruce Willis) is protecting gets murdered, the boyfriend (Damon Wayans) of the murdered girl attempts to investigate and solve the case. What they discover is that there is deep seated corruption going on between a crooked politician and the owner of a pro football team.

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    4. ‘Rudy‘ (1993)

    Rudy (Sean Austin) grew up in a steel mill town where most people ended up working, but wanted to play football at Notre Dame instead. There were only a couple of problems. His grades were a little low, his athletic skills were poor, and he was only half the size of the other players. But he had the drive and the spirit of five people and has set his sights upon joining the team.

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    3. ‘Friday Night Lights‘ (2004)

    A small, turbulent town in Texas obsesses over their high school football team to an unhealthy degree. When the star tailback, Boobie Miles (Derek Luke), is seriously injured during the first game of the season, all hope is lost, and the town’s dormant social problems begin to flare up. It is left to the inspiring abilities of new coach Gary Gaines (Billy Bob Thornton) to instill in the other team members — and, by proxy, the town itself — a sense of self-respect and honor.

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    2. ‘Remember the Titans‘ (2000)

    After leading his football team to 15 winning seasons, coach Bill Yoast (Will Patton) is demoted and replaced by Herman Boone (Denzel Washington) – tough, opinionated and as different from the beloved Yoast as he could be. The two men learn to overcome their differences and turn a group of hostile young men into champions.

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    1. ‘Any Given Sunday‘ (1999)

    (L to R) Jamie Foxx, Al Pacino and Denis Quaid in 'Any Given Sunday'. Photo: Warner Bros.
    (L to R) Jamie Foxx, Al Pacino and Denis Quaid in ‘Any Given Sunday’. Photo: Warner Bros.

    A star quarterback (Dennis Quaid) gets knocked out of the game and an unknown third stringer (Jamie Foxx) is called in to replace him. The unknown gives a stunning performance and forces the ageing coach (Al Pacino) to reevaluate his game plans and life. A new co-owner/president (Cameron Diaz) adds to the pressure of winning. The new owner must prove herself in a male dominated world.

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  • ‘Broke’ Interview: Wyatt Russell and Dennis Quaid

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    Available on digital beginning May 6th is the new Western sports drama ‘Broke’, which was written and directed by Carlyle Eubanks (‘The Signal’), and stars Wyatt Russell (‘Thunderbolts*’), Dennis Quaid (‘The Substance’), Mary McDonnell (‘Dances with Wolves’), and Tom Skerritt (‘Top Gun’).

    Related Article: Kurt Russell and Wyatt Russell Talk Apple TV+’s ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’

    (L to R) Wyatt Russell and Dennis Quaid in 'Broke'. Photo: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.
    (L to R) Wyatt Russell and Dennis Quaid in ‘Broke’. Photo: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Wyatt Russell and Dennis Quaid about their work on ‘Broke’, if as a former professional hockey player Russell could relate to what his character is going through, why Quaid’s character is so hard on his son, working with actress Mary McDonnell, training for the horse-riding scenes, and how they shot the snowstorm sequence.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interview.

    (L to R) Dennis Quaid and Wyatt Russell star in 'Broke'.
    (L to R) Dennis Quaid and Wyatt Russell star in ‘Broke’.

    Moviefone: To begin with, Wyatt, as a former professional hockey player, could you relate to what your character is going through and his passion for his sport?

    Wyatt Russell: That was one of the original draws for me, to be honest, the authenticity of what this world brought. I don’t like doing any sports movies. I don’t like watching any sports movies, to be honest, that feel inauthentic. This felt very authentic. I asked the director, “Do you know about this world?” He was like, “Yeah, because this is what I do when I’m not writing or directing movies.” I felt like I was in good hands, and I just knew that so much of what True goes through in the story is what I went through in hockey. I had concussions. Doctors tell you not to play. You feel like you get better, you go back, you have other issues, and you just won’t let them take you off the ice. In this instance, you can’t rip me off the horse, and you just got to keep getting back on. I went through it. I had to finally have someone tell me, “You can’t play anymore,” for me to stop playing and enter a life of the arts. It was just so different from what I was doing. I know it sounds crazy, and people are like, “Well, I don’t understand.” You didn’t do it. I was there doing it. When you must change gears like that, it’s daunting. It’s a whole new life. It’s a whole new you. You must change your identity, and so a lot of that was played into the film.

    MF: Dennis, can you talk about your character’s relationship with his son, the tough love that he gives him, and working on that dynamic with Wyatt?

    Dennis Quaid: Carlyle, who wrote the script and directed it, just from the first page, it is descriptions, which I say I’d never read except here. He’s so authentic, just the way he describes shooing a horse and what goes through there. Does this guy really know these people? He knew this life, and this world. These are men that don’t even know their own feelings. Forget about expressing them, which is gargantuan. The littlest breakthrough is a big one in a sense. He’s a guy out there trying to make it and trying to pass something important onto his sons, based upon the way he grew up, which is all we ever know. I think a lot of people can relate with that. I had Wyatt to do this with, which we had a good relationship to begin with. He knows what he is doing, and he’s very authentic. So, I wanted to be a part of it.

    Wyatt Russell in 'Broke'. Photo: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.
    Wyatt Russell in ‘Broke’. Photo: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

    MF: Wyatt, what kind of training did you do to prepare for the bronco-riding scenes?

    WR: I’ve done a lot of movies where I had to have horse training. I always would talk to the horse guys and be like, “Can I come out again?” Because it’s fun to learn. They’re always amazing people too. We had the eight-time national cutting champion, and I was like, “Can you teach me how to do stuff?” They’re free lessons. This was something I got to be able to go do and do a little bit of what I think is exciting to do on horseback. With Carlyle, we worked on roping skills, which was a big one because that wasn’t something that I was comfortable doing. I hadn’t done any of that. There was a lot of little things that we worked on, just the little details, so it didn’t look like I didn’t know what I was doing, or I hadn’t done that before. But you can tell when someone gets up on a horse immediately whether they’re a rider. I like being able to be authentic in things, and it was what I felt I could bring to this because I did have some ability.

    MF: Dennis, had you ever worked with actress Mary McDonnell before and what was it like working with her on this project?

    DQ: No, that was really a first. Gosh, she’s good. She made it seem so real to me as well, those people who live out there and what their life is like and what they endure. It really felt like a marriage, with a history to it.

    Dennis Quaid in 'Broke'. Photo: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.
    Dennis Quaid in ‘Broke’. Photo: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

    MF: Finally, Wyatt, can you talk about shooting the snowstorm scenes, and were you as cold and miserable as it seemed like you were while you were shooting them?

    WR: We made this movie for very little money, and we had to have a snowstorm. We shot it in two seasons, obviously, but we had to have a snowstorm. It had to happen. It wasn’t happening. But suddenly, boom, we get a cold snap. It was a negative 35 degrees in Wisdom, Montana. There’s no service up there. We had a skeleton crew wherever we were. There were two days, one where I had to go in the river, which is gnarly. The other one was where I had to bury myself in snow and pop up out of it. I had to be under there for a few minutes, until they set the camera up, and then I hear, “Okay, action.” Then I pop up, and I’ve got snow everywhere. I had a little snorkel. We didn’t have anything. My trailer was a rental car. We didn’t have any money. I was producing the movie. I was like, “Hey, get used to being uncomfortable”. I’m in a jean jacket and jeans, and let’s go. I’d come home, and I’d take a cold shower. I learned this. I would come home, and I would take a cold shower every night, because getting comfortable made it way worse. So, for that two-and-a-half weeks, I tried to stay as uncomfortable as possible because the more comfortable I got with being uncomfortable, the easier it became. Not so horrible. The weather was too gnarly to get warm and cozy.

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    What is the plot of ‘Broke’?

    A bronc rider (Wyatt Russell) in denial about his fading rodeo career battles against brain injury and a sudden blizzard while reflecting on how it became so difficult to achieve his dreams.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Broke’?

    • Wyatt Russell as True Brandywine
    • Dennis Quaid as George Brandywine
    • Auden Thornton as Ali
    • Mary McDonnell as Kathy Brandywine
    • Tom Skerritt as Cliff
    'Broke' will be available on VOD beginning May 6, 2025.
    ‘Broke’ will be available on VOD beginning May 6, 2025.

    List of Wyatt Russell Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Wyatt Russell Movies on Amazon

     

     

  • Movie Review: ‘The Substance’

    Demi Moore in 'The Substance'. Photo: Mubi.
    Demi Moore in ‘The Substance’. Photo: Mubi.

    Opening in theaters September 20 is ‘The Substance,’ directed by Coralie Fargeat and starring Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, and Dennis Quaid.

    Related Article: Dennis Quaid and Penelope Ann Miller Talk ‘Reagan’ and His Legacy

    Initial Thoughts

    Coralie Fargeat’s 2017 feature debut, ‘Revenge,’ was supposed to be a feminist spin on the well-worn rape-revenge horror tropes so common in genre fare – and handled with varying quality — from ‘I Spit on Your Grave‘ to ‘The Nightingale.’ But ‘Revenge’ didn’t so much subvert those tropes as rehash them once again, as if shifting to a female gaze could somehow absolve the film of the film’s still exploitational imagery.

    “The Substance” is a different animal altogether. While no one is going to accuse Fargeat’s epic second feature of a light touch or subtlety, this is a feminist body horror tale that utilizes its own tropes to hammer home its point and subvert its own exploitational imagery, telling a story about identity, aging, standards of beauty, and the price of celebrity that is equal parts poignant, hilarious, and utterly gross (in a good way). All of it’s anchored by Demi Moore in what may be her finest performance ever, while Margaret Qualley provides equally superb support – as two sides of the same shattered person.

    Story and Direction

    'The Substance'. Photo: Mubi.
    ‘The Substance’. Photo: Mubi.

    Moore plays Elisabeth Sparkle, a one-time A-list actor who has settled (or really, been forced) into a second career as the host of a morning fitness TV show, where she shows off her still-fit body every day – until she’s abruptly fired on her 50th birthday by the loathsome head of her network, Harvey (Dennis Quaid), who’s looking for younger flesh. Suffering minor injuries in a car accident on her way home from their meeting, Elisabeth is given a flash drive by a nurse at the ER that leads her to a company which makes a serum called “the Substance.”

    According to the company – represented only by an emotionless voice on the phone – the serum will create a beautiful, younger, “perfect” version of its user. The catch is that it’s only viable for seven days before the new version and the original must switch places again for a week. Elisabeth proceeds to order the serum and inject it, leading to a painful process in which the new, younger, “hotter” version of her – named Sue (Margaret Qualley) – is born out of her own back as she slips into her week-long coma.

    Sue quickly auditions for and lands Elisabeth’s old job hosting the fitness show, with a lustful Harvey and his fellow execs propelling her to greater heights of fame. As the “real” Elisabeth sinks into depression and jealousy, letting herself go as she mopes around her high-rise apartment during her weeks of being “active,” Sue breaks the rules to extend her use of the serum past the mandated seven-day period – with results that go from disturbing to repulsive to eventually all-out horrifying.

    Margaret Qualley in 'The Substance'. Photo: Mubi.
    Margaret Qualley in ‘The Substance’. Photo: Mubi.

    Directed with an increasingly gonzo fervor by Fargeat, who also wrote the deliciously satirical screenplay, ‘The Substance’ plays like a mix of early David Cronenberg and Peter Jackson, wielding the satirical bludgeon of Paul Verhoeven and anchored by the feminist fury of the speech Greta Gerwig wrote for America Ferrera in ‘Barbie.’ The visual effects supervised by Bryan Jones (mostly practical) are grotesque and in-your-face, yet take every miracle drug and body “enhancement” to its extreme conclusion, showing us the dark path that garbage like Ozempic and Botox and endless plastic surgeries lead women down in pursuit of ridiculous, just-out-of-reach standards of beauty.

    Unlike ‘Revenge,’ ‘The Substance’ explores objectification but doesn’t get trapped in it. Moore and Qualley are frequently nude or barely dressed, but there’s nothing sexual about the way the film treats them; Qualley in particular, her body tight, blemish-free, and practically glowing, never seems quite real in the glaring eye of the TV cameras that follow Sue incessantly. And even with the gruesome repercussions once Sue deviates from the serum’s required dosages and timespan, in some ways the most disgusting sight of the movie is a close-up of Dennis Quaid’s mouth as he slurps and smacks his way through a plate full of shrimp at lunch while firing Elisabeth.

    ‘The Substance’ does go on a bit too long at 140 minutes, but Fargeat almost never loses control of the material or tone. The movie becomes just as much of an assault on the senses as the nonstop gamut of sexed-up female bodies constantly thrown at us in commercials, videos, TV series, and movies, but that’s the point: to pummel us into submission and force us to watch the bloody aftermath of the pressure put on women to look, sound, and feel like flawless carnal goddesses whose silky outer shells belie the rot within that’s been thrust upon them.

    The Cast

    Margaret Qualley in 'The Substance'. Photo: Mubi.
    Margaret Qualley in ‘The Substance’. Photo: Mubi.

    As a middle-aged actress in her early 60s, Demi Moore knows full well what this movie is about and throws herself fearlessly into the role of Elisabeth, creating a complex, shattering, yet witty performance that may simply be the best she’s ever offered. When we first meet her, Elisabeth is not exactly happy but doing her best to navigate the cruel currents of a business that has gradually cast her out. Her desperation drives her to extremes of physical and psychological pain and Moore bares it all (literally and figuratively), her own howls of frustration and anger coming through some of the heaviest makeup during the latter stages of Elisabeth’s decline. This is dig-deep, raw stuff from an actor who was often dismissed as just a pretty face.

    Qualley matches Moore beat for beat, playing the darker flipside to Elisabeth as her potential for narcissism and instant gratification gets unwittingly realized via Sue. Qualley – who’s having a damn fine year between her work in this, ‘Kinds of Kindness,’ and the otherwise dreary ‘Drive-Away Dolls’ – gives us fleeting glimpses of Moore’s Elisabeth that flicker across Sue’s porcelain surface like shadows on a bright screen. Sue’s physical perkiness is matched by her seemingly innocent persona, but her manipulative edge reinforces the notion of how Hollywood forces women to act despicably toward themselves and other women just to stay on top.

    We have to tip our hat to Quaid as well, who too often spends his time these days in faith-based movies but who portrays (the perhaps intentionally-named) Harvey as the ultimate, lip-smacking, lecherous distillation of every male show biz exec who thinks he’s in control and that whatever fleeting power he has gives him dominion over others, especially women.

    Final Thoughts

    Demi Moore in 'The Substance'. Photo: Mubi.
    Demi Moore in ‘The Substance’. Photo: Mubi.

    As hinted earlier, ‘The Substance’ does not hide its agenda nor its intentions. The movie goes for broke with everything, from the leave-it-all-on-the-field performances to the crazily tilting, spinning camera angles to the sizzling editing and pulsating score (by Raffertie). Its third-act ballet of body horror may turn some queasier viewers off, but that’s kind of the point – what women are forced to do to keep up with the standards imposed on them is a physical corruption that almost certainly has after-effects we don’t even know about yet. ‘The Substance’ manifests that bitter truth in ways that are incisively funny, deeply sad, and profoundly unsettling.

    ‘The Substance’ receives 8.5 out of 10 stars.

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    What is the plot of ‘The Substance’?

    A former A-list actor (Demi Moore), her career on the decline as she is aged out of the business, takes a mysterious drug that transforms her into a younger, perfected version of herself (Margaret Qualley). But she soon discovers that there are horrifying ramifications if the rules on taking the substance are not followed to the letter.

    Who is in the cast of ‘The Substance’?

    'The Substance'. Photo: Mubi.
    ‘The Substance’. Photo: Mubi.

    Demi Moore Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Tickets: ‘The Substance’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Demi Moore Movies on Amazon

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  • ‘Reagan’ Interview: Dennis Quaid and Penelope Ann Miller

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    Opening in theaters on August 30th is the new biopic ‘Reagan’, which tells the life story of the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan.

    Directed by Sean McNamara (‘Soul Surfer’), the film stars Dennis Quaid (‘Any Given Sunday’) as Reagan, Penelope Ann Miller (‘Carlito’s Way’) as his wife Nancy, and Jon Voight (‘Heat’) as Viktor Ivanov.

    (L to R) Penelope Ann Miller and Dennis Quaid star in 'Reagan'.
    (L to R) Penelope Ann Miller and Dennis Quaid star in ‘Reagan’.

    Related Article: 20 Best Movies About American Presidents

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Dennis Quaid and Penelope Ann Miller about their work on ‘Reagan,’ approaching the iconic roles of Ron and Nancy, the love they shared, his Presidential accomplishments, and bringing this story to the big screen.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Quaid, Miller, and Jon Voight.

    Dennis Quaid in 'Reagan'. Photo: MJM Entertainment.
    Dennis Quaid in ‘Reagan’. Photo: MJM Entertainment.

    Moviefone: To begin with, Dennis, you have portrayed real people on screen in the past, but what was your approach to playing someone as iconic as President Reagan?

    Dennis Quaid: Well, with all real people, I want to play them from their point of view, which with Reagan was very hard to get to. For one thing, he wasn’t around for me to ask him all the penetrating questions that I’m not sure he’d answer anyway. But he was a great communicator. Everybody I talked to said there was this private wall inside of Reagan, that was almost impenetrable, that I think Nancy got a glimpse into. So, it was figuring out what that was that was key to me, because I didn’t want to do an impression, an impersonation, or a love letter, because he was my favorite president. I wanted to play him warts and all.

    (Left) Penelope Ann Miller in 'Reagan'. Photo: MJM Entertainment.
    (Left) Penelope Ann Miller in ‘Reagan’. Photo: MJM Entertainment.

    MF: Penelope, can you talk about your approach to playing the First Lady and how she truly loved, supported, and protected her husband?

    Penelope Anne Miller: I mean, in essence, that really was, I guess, what she felt her purpose was, was to be there for her husband, who she was fiercely devoted to, fiercely protective of, and had an incredible belief in. It was a great love story really. I think reading her autobiography, I got more of a sense of who she was as a human being, which I in turn didn’t want to do some characterization of somebody. I really wanted to capture, embody the essence of the person, sort of somewhat channel her. But honestly, the wigs helped, the wardrobe, all of that helped me carry her in a way that I wouldn’t have without all the incredible creative team behind us and the writing and the direction and then playing opposite Dennis. I think we had a great rapport and worked well together. We have very similar styles of working.

    (L to R) Penelope Ann Miller and Dennis Quaid in 'Reagan'. Photo: MJM Entertainment.
    (L to R) Penelope Ann Miller and Dennis Quaid in ‘Reagan’. Photo: MJM Entertainment.

    MF: Dennis, how would you describe Ron and Nancy’s relationship?

    DQ: The heart of the movie is a love story, really, and in that it just shows, a great, strong relationship that brings out your best self. There would not have been a President Reagan without Nancy, that’s for sure. That’s what (Penelope) did. She did channel her. It was easy working with her. It just made my job so much easier.

    Dennis Quaid in 'Reagan'. Photo: MJM Entertainment.
    Dennis Quaid in ‘Reagan’. Photo: MJM Entertainment.

    MF: Dennis, before becoming President, Ronald Reagan was an actor and there was a performative aspect to his famous speeches. Can you talk about recreating some of those speeches for this movie and did you incorporate that into your performance?

    DQ: He himself said that the greatest role he ever played was President the United States. He knew how to play that well. They called him the Great Communicator. He could disarm people. He always opened with a joke. He could disarm people, from Gorbachev to Nancy. Man, as far as America goes, he was the epitome of an American president. It’s about us in a way. It’s about all of us. A president’s a reflection of people that elected him. It is about us back then. You see it, depending on your age, you’ll see what this country was like, and what it still can be.

    (L to R) Dennis Quaid and Penelope Ann Miller in 'Reagan'. Photo: MJM Entertainment.
    (L to R) Dennis Quaid and Penelope Ann Miller in ‘Reagan’. Photo: MJM Entertainment.

    MF: Finally, can you both talk about shooting the scene in the hospital between Ron and Nancy after the assassination attempt on the President’s life?

    PAM: He made jokes after his assassination when he was in the hospital to the doctors and even to Nancy when he woke up. I mean, just the fact that he was able to charm people and that he always wanted to disarm people, make people feel welcome and warm and engage with them.

    DQ: Here he is, he’s on the operating table and already they put the anesthesia on him and he’s already asleep, but he woke up just as they’re getting ready to make the incision, with a bullet like an inch from his heart. He woke up and he saw these doctors above him, and he goes, “I hope you’re all Republicans.”

    PAM: In turn, they said, “We are today, sir. We are today.” It was very sweet. But, I mean the movie I think shows a lot of things that you wouldn’t have seen. Obviously, there’s the public personas, but then there’s the behind the scenes and I think that’s what makes it interesting to watch. I want to see what I didn’t know. It’s not some history lesson or political drama. It’s really a biopic about human beings, mainly Ronald, but also their love story as well and what made these people become who they became and very iconic.

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    What is the plot of ‘Reagan’?

    The film follows Ronald Reagan’s (Dennis Quaid) life from his childhood to his years as president of the United States, told by Viktor Ivanov (Jon Voight), a former KGB agent.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Reagan’?

    Dennis Quaid in 'Reagan'. Photo: MJM Entertainment.
    Dennis Quaid in ‘Reagan’. Photo: MJM Entertainment.

    Other Biopics about American Presidents:

    Buy Tickets: ‘Reagan’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Dennis Quaid Movies On Amazon

     

  • 20th Century Studios Plans ‘Enemy Mine’ Remake

    Dennis Quaid and Louis Gossett Jr. in 'Enemy Mine'.
    (L to R) Dennis Quaid and Louis Gossett Jr. in ‘Enemy Mine’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

    Preview:

    • ‘Star Trek: Picard’ showrunner Terry Matalas will write an ‘Enemy Mine’ remake.
    • It’ll adapt the 1985 cult sci-fi movie.
    • No director is attached yet.

    Such was the impact of his work on ‘Star Trek: Picard’ (where he joined as a writer in Season 2 and then took Season 3, the last hurrah for the show, to new heights as showrunner) that Terry Matalas is a man very much in demand.

    Just last month, we learned that Matalas had been hired to oversee the new Marvel series spun off from ‘WandaVision’, which will follow the continuing adventures of Paul Bettany’s android character.

    And that’s not all. Now, via The Hollywood Reporter, we know that he’ll also be working for another arm of Disney –– 20th Century Studios, which has put a remake of ‘Enemy Mine’ into development, with Matalas on script duty.

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    What’s the story of ‘Enemy Mine’?

    Dennis Quaid and Louis Gossett Jr. in 'Enemy Mine'.
    (L to R) Dennis Quaid and Louis Gossett Jr. in ‘Enemy Mine’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

    With mankind locked in desperate combat against a reptilian alien species, ‘Enemy Mine’ sees Dennis Quaid’s human pilot Davidge and Louis Gossett Jr.’s opposite number Drac crash landing on a desolate planet.

    Both have deep-seated hatred for one another but are forced to overcome their prejudices to survive. Things are taken up a notch when the human pilot must take care of the alien’s baby when the reptilian is no longer able.

    The original movie was based on a novella by the sci-fi author Barry B. Longyear. The novella was originally published in Isaac Asimov’s ‘Science Fiction’ magazine in 1979, winning the Nebula Award that year for best novella. It was followed by two sequels and eventually published as a trilogy titled ‘The Enemy Papers’.

    So if the new take on ‘Enemy Mine’ does well, you can expect Disney, never a company to let a franchise opportunity to go unexplored, to order at least one sequel.

    Related Article: Dennis Quaid Talks ‘The Long Game’ and Working with Jay Hernandez

    Who made the original ‘Enemy Mine’?

    Dennis Quaid and Louis Gossett Jr. in 'Enemy Mine'.
    (L to R) Dennis Quaid and Louis Gossett Jr. in ‘Enemy Mine’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

    Working from a script by Ed Khmara, German filmmaker Wolfgang Petersen made his English-language debut with the movie, taking it over after 20th Century Fox fired original director Richard Loncraine during production.

    The clash, which necessitated reshooting the film, ballooned the budget, with more woe coming when the movie crash landed at the box office.

    Since then, however, it has been re-evaluated as a cult movie, which goes some way to explain why it has been targeted for a remake. With any luck, the new film will have less of a chaotic production process.

    Who is making the new ‘Enemy Mine’?

    Jonathan Frakes as Riker and Patrick Stewart as Picard on the Paramount+ original series 'Star Trek: Picard.'
    (L to R) Jonathan Frakes as Riker and Patrick Stewart as Picard on the Paramount+ original series ‘Star Trek: Picard.’ Photo: Trae Paatton/Paramount+ © 2022 CBS Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    So far, Matalas is the only person on the creative side hired to work on the movie, no director or producer is so far attached. 20th Century Studios boss Steve Asbell is overseeing development.

    Since it is at a very early stage in the process, the new ‘Enemy Mine’ does not yet have a release date.

    Dennis Quaid and Louis Gossett Jr. in 'Enemy Mine'. Photo: 20th Century Fox.
    (L to R) Dennis Quaid and Louis Gossett Jr. in ‘Enemy Mine’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘Enemy Mine’:

    Buy Louis Gossett, Jr. Movies On Amazon

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  • ‘The Long Game’ Exclusive Interview: Dennis Quaid

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    Opening in theaters on April 12th, available to rent or own digitally on April 30th and available on DVD June 11th,  is the new sports drama ‘The Long Game,’ which was based on a true story and was directed by Julio Quintana (‘Blue Miracle’). The movie stars Jay Hernandez (‘Suicide Squad’), Dennis Quaid (‘The Rookie,’ ‘Any Given Sunday’), and Cheech Marin (‘Champions’).

    Related Article: Colin Ford Talks ‘The Hill’ and Rickey Hill’s Real Life Story

    Dennis Quaid talks 'The Long Game'.
    Dennis Quaid talks ‘The Long Game’.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Dennis Quaid about his work on ‘The Long Game,’ the true story it is based on, his character, reuniting with Jay Hernandez on screen, and why he likes working with director Julio Quintana.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interview.

    Dennis Quaid in 'The Long Game'.
    (Right) Dennis Quaid in ‘The Long Game’. Photo: Courtesy of Anita Gallón.

    Moviefone: To begin with, what was your first reaction to the screenplay and learning of the true story that the movie is based on?

    Dennis Quaid: I grew up in Texas and I had never heard of this story before. That’s how I choose my projects that I do is by reading the script. When I read a script for the first time, I’m a first-time audience member. So, it’s the story that really gets me. I know by page 30 if it’s going to be good or not. This one really grabbed me, and I thought it was very relevant, especially today, in our times that we’re going through, to tell this story. These five Mexican American kids who are living down on the border, they’re caddies at a country club where they can’t play. They really don’t feel like they fit in in America. They go across the border to where their parents came from, and they don’t feel at home in Mexico as far as being accepted. So, they’re walking that line between two worlds. They love golf and they couldn’t play at this country club. They built their own golf course in the desert, this rudimentary course, and they started a golf team in their high school. Then, they won the Texas State Championship the very first year at the country club where they couldn’t play. So that changed their lives, that story. In fact, one of the real guys came to our set. He’s in his eighties now, and he served in Vietnam. He’s a proud American and a proud veteran. This story, I’m glad it’s coming to the screen, but that’s a brick in the wall of our story of America that we’re building and it’s an ongoing thing.

    MF: Can you talk about Frank’s reluctance to accept the assistant coach position and how he ends up really caring for these boys?

    DQ: Well, I think my character, he represents those guys who went off and fought in World War II, and really sacrificed. They came back a little lost and they settled in and hardly talked about the war. They just went along to get along. He represents a status quo in a sense. Even though he is the pro of the country club, these people, the members, they’re his boss. But there’s something in him with these boys that they’re so genuine about what they want to do, and sees them work so hard at it, and it touches something in him about what’s right. So, he helps them, and he helps them by teaching them golf. He’s the white face that gets them into these tournaments. The trouble with everything is if you weren’t a white guy back in the ’50s, it was a tougher life. But it’s a beautiful story and it’s about where we were back then. It’s about how far we’ve come and it’s about how important where we come from is and how we should hold on to that, because it’s all part of the story of America.

    Jay Hernandez and Dennis Quaid in 'The Long Game'.
    (L to R) Jay Hernandez and Dennis Quaid in ‘The Long Game’. Photo: Courtesy of Anita Gallón.

    MF: Can you talk about Frank’s friendship with JB, the respect he has for him and what he’s trying to achieve?

    DQ: The story was that Frank was a captain in the army in World War II, and JB was under him. He was one of his soldiers that went into battle. JB saved Frank’s life. So, after the war, he is beholden to him. He wouldn’t be walking around if not for that. JB had a dream of belonging to this country club, and Frank tries to help him get in, but (he can’t) because of the color of his skin. It’s like we were equal over there fighting for America, but you come back and it’s not so equal. That bothers Frank. He is willing to help him out, but there’s also, so much to do.

    MF: Can you talk about working with Jay Hernandez?

    DQ: He’s good in this movie. He’s such a good actor. It’s kind of full circle because a very similar movie, ‘The Rookie’ that I did 20 years ago, I played a baseball player, and it was an underdog type of story. My character was a coach of a high school team, and Jay was one of my student athletes in that, but now he’s the coach. So, it’s kind of full circle. He’s a great actor. The confidence that he has, and we all get deeper over the years, don’t we? We all have different starting points, but he was deep already back then, but he’s really matured into a good actor.

    Jay Hernandez in 'The Long Game'.
    Jay Hernandez in ‘The Long Game’. Photo: Courtesy of Anita Gallón.

    MF: Finally, what was it like reuniting with your ‘Blue Miracle’ director, Julio Quintana on ‘The Long Game’?

    DQ: We did ‘Blue Miracle’ together, and if it wouldn’t have been for that, this wouldn’t have come about. He’s such a good writer and he’s a great director. I think we’ve caught him right when he’s about to blow up. Because he has a lot of stories to tell that are a little offbeat of what you might think of in independent film. He has a blending of family, authenticity and of American stories from a very different point of view. He’s a great director.

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    What is the plot of ‘The Long Game’?

    The film tells the true story of the San Felipe Mustangs, a group of Mexican American youths located in Del Rio, Texas. In the 1950s, the group set out to play golf at a white country club in town. Despite prejudice, the Mustangs overcame these obstacles to become the 1957 Texas state champions.

    Who is in the cast of ‘The Long Game’?

    The cast of 'The Long Game'.
    The cast of ‘The Long Game’. Photo: Courtesy of Anita Gallón.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘The Long Game’:

    Buy Tickets: ‘The Long Game’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Dennis Quaid Movies On Amazon

  • ‘Lawmen: Bass Reeves’ Interview: Series Creator Chad Feehan

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    Premiering on Paramount+ beginning November 5th is the new Western series ‘Lawmen: Bass Reeves,’ which stars David Oyelowo (‘Selma’) as the title character and was created by Chad Feehan (‘Paranormal Activity 4’) and executive produced by Taylor Sheridan (‘Yellowstone’).

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with series creator Chad Feehan about ‘Lawmen: Bass Reeves,’ the historical figure it is based on, his research, production challenges, and working with Taylor Sheridan.

    'Lawmen: Bass Reeves' creator Chad Feehan.
    ‘Lawmen: Bass Reeves’ creator Chad Feehan.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch the interview.

    Moviefone: To begin with, how familiar were you with Bass Reeves and his legend before beginning this series?

    Chad Feehan: I was familiar with the mythology of Bass Reeves. I grew up in Texas, I heard stories about him, but those stories were the gun slinging law man pursuing the most hardened criminals in the Wild West. This sort of iconic Black law figure from the era. They sort of implanted themselves in my brain and never left, and they would get reactivated periodically. Recently, Texas Monthly did a big spread on Bass Reeves. Damon (Lindelof) obviously paid a little homage to Bass Reeves in ‘Watchmen,’ but it wasn’t until I first sat down with David Oyelowo, and then based on that conversation scoured the internet, that I really began to understand the breadth of the man’s life and why his legacy deserves to be told in this fashion.

    David Oyelowo as Bass Reeves in 'Lawmen: Bass Reeves' streaming on Paramount+, 2023.
    David Oyelowo as Bass Reeves in ‘Lawmen: Bass Reeves’ streaming on Paramount+, 2023. Photo Credit: Emerson Miller/Paramount+.

    MF: Can you talk about the research you did for this series, and did you learn anything that surprised you?

    CF: A lot of things. With the pilot, for example, I didn’t know that Bass was forced to accompany George Reeves into various battles in the Civil War. That was quite surprising to me. I didn’t know that he escaped enslavement and lived amongst American Indians and Indian territory for several years. The notion of reconstruction, that era of American history was a little nebulous to me. So, learning more about that was surprising. So, there were surprises at every turn.

    David Oyelowo as Bass Reeves and Shea Whigham as George Reeves in 'Lawmen: Bass Reeves' streaming on Paramount+, 2023.
    (L to R) David Oyelowo as Bass Reeves and Shea Whigham as George Reeves in ‘Lawmen: Bass Reeves’ streaming on Paramount+, 2023. Photo Credit: Emerson Miller/Paramount+.

    MF: How much of the show is based in facts and how much creative license did you take?

    CF: We know that he was married to Jenny Reeves. It’s been reported that she was the love of his life. We knew that he had a plethora of children. Unequivocally, we know that he spoke native languages. David Oyelowo and I are both dedicated husbands and fathers, and what we tapped into that we were able to also understand about Bass to a degree, is by the nature of our professions, we often must leave our family for months on end. It’s extraordinarily painful to do, and it can cause heartache not only for you, but for your loved ones. So, we wanted to dramatize that because we felt as if Bass may have experienced that same heartache of, you have to leave your family for two months.

    Related Article: Executive Producer Michael Hirst Talks MGM+’s ‘Billy the Kid’ Season 2

    Lauren E. Banks as Jennie Reeves and David Oyelowo as Bass Reeves in 'Lawmen: Bass Reeves' streaming on Paramount+, 2023.
    (L to R) Lauren E. Banks as Jennie Reeves and David Oyelowo as Bass Reeves in ‘Lawmen: Bass Reeves’ streaming on Paramount+, 2023. Photo Credit: Emerson Miller/Paramount+.

    MF: As a showrunner, can you talk about the challenges of making a Western series?

    CF: I was involved in every single sort of decision, whether it be picking a location, the design of the Reeve’s house, the wardrobe, the horses. But I had the most incredible collaborators. The wranglers that Taylor Sheridan has accumulated to train these actors and to manage these horses, they’re remarkable talents at what they do. So, I was deeply involved in every step of the way, but at the same time, I had these incredible collaborators and craftspeople who, my job was to tell them the intent and get out of the way.

    David Oyelowo as Bass Reeves and Dennis Quaid as Sherrill Lynn in 'Lawmen: Bass Reeves' streaming on Paramount+, 2023.
    (L to R) David Oyelowo as Bass Reeves and Dennis Quaid as Sherrill Lynn in ‘Lawmen: Bass Reeves’ streaming on Paramount+, 2023. Photo Credit: Emerson Miller/Paramount+.

    MF: Finally, what has your experience been like working with executive producer Taylor Sheridan?

    CF: I’m incredibly grateful to Taylor for entrusting me with this opportunity. He gave me an enormous amount of freedom and autonomy to craft this narrative and then lead the production. At the same time, there was enormous peace in knowing that I had this backstop behind me, somebody as talented and as successful as he is. So, he would read a script and he would say, “Hey, what about adding a scene like this here?” Not surprisingly, it took a script that sang and made it really sing. During production, he’s built this machine that’s so efficient that makes his shows, and I was a beneficiary of getting to experience that machine and have that machine come on board this show. I don’t think we could’ve come close to doing what we did if this crew that has made all these great Westerns together weren’t at our disposal. Then in post, again, he sprinkled some of that magic storytelling dust that seems endless for him, that he can do time and time again. So, I felt enormous pressure, not only to honor Bass, but to live up to the Taylor Sheridan universe. But I also had great comfort in knowing that that backstop was there to support me.

    David Oyelowo as Bass Reeves in 'Lawmen: Bass Reeves' streaming on Paramount+, 2023.
    David Oyelowo as Bass Reeves in ‘Lawmen: Bass Reeves’ streaming on Paramount+, 2023. Photo Credit: Emerson Miller/Paramount+.

    What is the plot of ‘Lawmen: Bass Reeves’?

    ‘Lawmen: Bass Reeves’ reveals the untold story of the most legendary lawman in the Old West, Bass Reeves (David Oyelowo). The anthology series follows the journey of Reeves and his rise from enslavement to law enforcement as the first Black U.S. Marshal west of the Mississippi. Despite arresting over 3,000 outlaws during his career, the weight of the badge was heavy, and he wrestled with its moral and spiritual cost to his beloved family.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Lawmen: Bass Reeves’?

    David Oyelowo as Bass Reeves in 'Lawmen: Bass Reeves' streaming on Paramount+, 2023.
    David Oyelowo as Bass Reeves in ‘Lawmen: Bass Reeves’ streaming on Paramount+, 2023. Photo Credit: Emerson Miller/Paramount+.

    Movies Similar to ‘Lawmen: Bass Reeves:’

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  • ‘The Hill’ Exclusive Interview: Colin Ford

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    Opening in theaters on August 25th is the new biographical sports drama ‘The Hill,’ which is based on the true story of Rickey Hill and was directed by Jeff Celentano (‘Breaking Point’).

    What is the plot of ‘The Hill’?

    Based on a true story, growing up impoverished in small-town Texas, young Rickey Hill (Jesse Berry) shows an extraordinary ability for hitting a baseball, despite being burdened by leg braces from a degenerative spinal disease. His stern, pastor father (Dennis Quaid) discourages Rickey from playing baseball to protect him from injury, and to have him follow in his footsteps and become a preacher. As a young man, Rickey (Colin Ford) becomes a baseball phenomenon. His desire to participate in a try-out for a legendary major league scout divides the family and threatens Rickey’s dream of playing professional baseball.

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    Who is in the cast of ‘The Hill’?

    Moviefone had the pleasure of speaking with Colin Ford earlier this summer about his work on ‘The Hill,’ learning of Rickey Hill’s incredible true story, his approach to playing him, Rickey’s relationship with his father, working with Dennis Quaid, playing baseball authentically on camera, why he relates to Rickey Hill’s story, and what he hopes audiences take away from seeing the movie.

    Colin Ford stars in 'The Hill.'
    Colin Ford stars in ‘The Hill.’

    You can read our full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Ford, Bonnie Bedelia, and director Jeff Celentano.

    Moviefone: To begin with, what was your first reaction to reading the screenplay and learning about Rickey Hill’s incredible real life story?

    Colin Ford: I think my first reaction was,”Oh my gosh, the stuff that this guy went through to achieve his dreams.” I think it was just that. It’s like the adversity that he faced, the trials and tribulations. The faith that he had in himself, and belief that he had in himself in order to achieve his dreams. All of that was very attractive to me. Then you have all the little extras. They’re not really extras, they’re key points too. You got Dennis Quaid, you got baseball, you got director Jeff Celentano, and writers Angelo Pizzo and Scott Marshall Smith. So it’s like all of these factors encompassing into this dream gig.

    MF: What was your approach to playing Rickey and what research did you to prepare for the role?

    CF: Well, I was super lucky. Jeff Celentano was very hands-on and he actually had a direct relationship with Rickey. So after I signed on very early, I got to begin to have conversations with Rickey. He was on set sometimes, and so he would share stories and things like that. But for me, when I delve into a character, it’s really important that I feel like if I’m playing somebody that really existed, to do them justice. I certainly hope to get their stamp of approval at the end. So in regards to the physicality of the stuff, it was really important to get with Rickey and start working on baseball swing stuff, and leg limp stuff. All of the physical stuff was really important to dial in before stepping onto set.

    Colin Ford stars as Rickey Hill in 'The Hill,' a Briarcliff Entertainment release.
    Colin Ford stars as Rickey Hill in ‘The Hill,’ a Briarcliff Entertainment release.
    Credit: Briarcliff Entertainment / ©2023 Briarcliff Entertainment.

    MF: Did you have baseball experience before making this movie, or did you work with a coach to make the baseball scenes as authentic as possible?

    CF: I did work with a coach for about three months leading up until filming. But I did have some baseball experience from my little league days and my middle school, and high school days. I stopped in about ninth grade in high school. So I definitely had some polishing to do before stepping onto set. We were going to be filming in the year 2019, and then the pandemic hit and we had some delays. Then 2021 rolled around when ultimately we did film. In between that time, I went under a transformation myself. I only weighed 120 pounds and I got up to weigh to 180 pounds by the time we started filming. So it was a whole lot of transformations that were coming to play; baseball, physicality, everything.

    MF: Can you talk about Rickey’s difficult relationship with his father, and what was it like for you to work on that relationship with Dennis Quaid?

    CF: Yeah, no, it was amazing. Getting to work with Dennis was a dream in itself. But kind of trying to dial in that relationship between Rickey and his father was interesting because, just to share a little story. My father, who’s very supportive of my dreams as an actor now, at one point in time, wanted me to pursue more of an academic career. Similarly to how Pastor Hill wants Rickey to follow in his own footsteps. I had plans of my own, just like Rickey has plans of his own. Ultimately, I think that that sort of mindset that I had with my father lent to the same mindset that Ricky had with his father under different circumstances. Then on set, Dennis and I just got to play. We just got to mess around, chat a little bit about those types of things, and everything just fell into place. He’s a wonderful scene partner.

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    Colin Ford stars as Rickey Hill and Dennis Quaid as Pastor James Hill in 'The Hill,' a Briarcliff Entertainment release.
    (L to R) Colin Ford stars as Rickey Hill and Dennis Quaid as Pastor James Hill in ‘The Hill,’ a Briarcliff Entertainment release.
    Credit: Briarcliff Entertainment / ©2023 Briarcliff Entertainment.

    MF: So, you were really able to relate personally with certain aspects of Rickey’s story?

    CF: I think so, yeah. I mean, everybody’s journey is different and I don’t want to compare mine to the other. But I definitely try to find similarities and things I can pinpoint in my own life that are easy to draw on for the character.

    MF: Finally, what do you hope audiences take away from watching this movie and learning of Rickey Hill’s story?

    CF: I hope that audiences take away that with a good support system, with the right family and belief, self-belief system in yourself, that you can truly achieve anything. A little bit of faith along the way is all you need.

    Colin Ford stars as Rickey Hill in 'The Hill,' a Briarcliff Entertainment release.
    Colin Ford stars as Rickey Hill in ‘The Hill,’ a Briarcliff Entertainment release.
    Credit: Briarcliff Entertainment / ©2023 Briarcliff Entertainment.

    This interview was accomplished prior to the start of the SAG-AFTRA strike.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘The Hill:’

    Buy Tickets: ‘The Hill’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Dennis Quaid Movies On Amazon

     

  • ‘Strays’ Interview: Director Josh Greenbaum

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    Opening in theaters on August 18th is the new comedy ‘Strays,’ which was directed by Josh Greenbaum (‘Barb & Star Go To Vista Del Mar’).

    What is the plot of ‘Strays’?

    When a gullible Border Terrier named Reggie (Will Ferrell) is abandoned on the streets by his selfish and ruthless owner Doug (Will Forte), an animal-hating drug addict who never wanted him, he teams up with other strays including a street-wise Boston Terrier named Bug (Jamie Foxx), an Australian Shepherd named Maggie (Isla Fisher), and a therapy Great Dane named Hunter (Randall Park) to get revenge on Doug.

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    Who is in the cast of ‘Strays’?

    • Will Ferrell as the voice of Reggie
    • Jamie Foxx as the voice of Bug
    • Will Forte as Doug
    • Isla Fisher as the voice of Maggie
    • Randall Park as the voice of Hunter
    • Josh Gad as the voice of Gus
    • Harvey Guillén as the voice of Shitstain
    • Rob Riggle as the voice of Rolf
    • Brett Gelman as Willy
    • Sofía Vergara as the voice of Deliliah the Couch
    • Dennis Quaid as himself

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with director Josh Greenbaum about his work on ‘Strays,’ making a hard R-rated version of ‘Homeward Bound,’ his first reaction to the screenplay, the challenges of directing an all dog cast, working with Will Ferrell and Jamie Foxx, and their characters onscreen chemistry.

    'Strays' director Josh Greenbaum.
    ‘Strays’ director Josh Greenbaum.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch the interview.

    Moviefone: To begin with, is it fair to say that this movie is a comedic hard R-rated version of ‘Homeward Bound,’ and what was your first reaction to Dan Perrault’s screenplay?

    Josh Greenbaum: I think so. I think that’s totally fair. Well, when I first saw the log line, which was, as you can imagine, absurd. It was a little dog, Reggie, who gets abandoned by his mean owner Doug, meets some strays, and then wants to get revenge by biting Doug’s most beloved body part off. I thought, “This sounds amazing. But it sounds a little insane, which I love.” But to be honest, I wondered, “Oh, is it just going to be a dog spoof movie,” to your question of is it just an R-rated ‘Homeward Bound.’ I think it delivered on what I needed and wanted from that of, “Okay, we do subvert the genre and have our fun in moments.” But what really jumped out at me was, “This actually is a fully formed script on its own,” and in a way, made me think of, certainly, wonderful movies like ‘40 Year Old Virgin,’ ‘Bridesmaids’ and ‘Superbad,’ but also ‘Stand By Me,’ and I thought about ‘Breaking Away,’ these films about four friends who go on a journey, and grow, and are underdogs. So, in a way, I think I was always searching for that film, and weirdly it came across my desk in the form of an R-rated dog movie. So, that I think is when I finally hooked in and said, “Oh, this movie’s funny, outrageous and does subvert the dog genre and brings it into the adult world.” But I just love that it actually had heart and functioned on its own as its own story.

    Director Josh Greenbaum on the set of 'Strays.'
    Director Josh Greenbaum on the set of ‘Strays.’

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    MF: Can you talk about the challenges of directing an all dog cast and the VFX you had to utilize to ensure their safety?

    JG: First of all, one of the things I stated when I came on board to direct was I would really like to utilize real dogs as much as possible, mostly because I wanted it to feel really real, I think, for adult audiences to enjoy this. I’ve had dogs my whole life. I live with dogs. I own two dogs now, one of whom I adopted from the movie, who was little puppy Reggie, now lives with us, and I have “Will Ferrell” running around my house. So, I wanted it to feel really grounded and the more it was the more it felt like it was right for adult audiences. I think if it was overly anthropomorphized or overly CG with big expressions, it works with children, but not for adults. I think that I pull out and pull back when I see that kind of work done. So, we only really leaned on the incredible CG and visual effects, obviously, to have them talk. We were unsuccessful training the dogs to talk. But to get them talking, occasionally we would add a little extra emotion here and there. But again, I tried to get the emotion out of the performance of the dog on set. If I needed a dog confused, I wouldn’t have it furrow its brow. I’d have it cock its head sideways the way dogs do. Then, of course, anytime it was anything remotely unsafe for a dog to do, we would go to a full CG dog. So, we have, as an example, a sequence, not giving too much away, but it’s in our trailers, where an eagle comes into the story and you don’t obviously want to mix small dogs with birds of prey. So, that becomes an obvious choice to go to a full CG dog.

    Bug (Jamie Foxx) and Reggie (Will Ferrell) in 'Strays,' directed by Josh Greenbaum.
    (L to R) Bug (Jamie Foxx) and Reggie (Will Ferrell) in ‘Strays,’ directed by Josh Greenbaum.

    MF: Finally, can you talk about Bug and Reggie’s friendship and creating that relationship in the recording studio with Jamie Foxx and Will Ferrell?

    JG: I mean, at its core, I think this film, it’s about a few things. It’s certainly about being in a toxic, unhealthy relationship with someone and getting out of it, and how your friends help you through that and find your own sense of self-worth again. I think at the center of that is this relationship between Bug and Reggie. So, casting Will Ferrell and Jamie Foxx, and having them in the voiceover booth working together was just, for me, just magic to watch. They played off of each other so well. They’ve never been in a film together! This is really their first time, and you can feel their chemistry instantly. I mean, both in the film, but I remember being in that voiceover booth and watching these two guys hit the ball back and forth, and it was just a joy to watch. But, yeah, it’s a very sweet relationship. They have differing life philosophies. One is overly optimistic and believes you can trust everyone and put your love in everything, which there’s some validity to that. The other one, I think, has been burned and says, “No, don’t do that. You should protect yourself, close down, don’t trust anyone. Just look after yourself.” For me, that richness, of a thematic conversation to anchor a film on is great. Even though it’s an outrageous, really funny, really fun time of a movie, there’s something really palpable, emotional, and sweet at the center with these two characters. Of course, there’s no one better than Will Ferrell and Jamie Foxx to bring that to life. So, I felt very lucky to have them as my two leads of this movie.

    Director Josh Greenbaum with Reggie on the set of 'Strays.'
    Director Josh Greenbaum with Reggie on the set of ‘Strays.’

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    Buy Tickets: ‘Strays’ Movie Showtimes

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