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Exclusive: Skylar Astin (So Help Me Todd), Jake Cannavale (The Offer), Sabrina Bartlett (Bridgerton), Natasha Leggero (He’s Just Not That Into You), and Lil Rel Howery (Get Out) have joined Marisa Tomei and Virginia Gardner in the cast of romantic comedy F*ck Valentines Day, which is filming in Malta.

From writer Steve Bencich and director Mark Gantt, the film follows Gina (Gardner), born on the most celebrated day of love, Valentine’s Day, which she detests immensely. She is determined to stop her boyfriend from popping the question on a birthday getaway in Greece, home of her vivacious mother (Tomei). Enlisting fellow vacationers, the handsome Johnny Giovinazzo and his brassy sister Mickey, Gina hopes to delay the proposal, leading Gina to discover that she just might be with the wrong guy.

Producers are Nancy Leopardi of Indy Entertainment, John Ierardi and Bo Youngblood of Showdown Productions and Michael Cassutt.

Exclusive: Oscar winner Marisa Tomei and Fall star Virginia Gardner have been set to lead rom-com F*ck Valentine’s Day, which is due to begin production in Malta next month.

The film follows Gina (Gardner), born on the most celebrated day of love, Valentine’s Day, which she detests immensely. She is determined to stop her boyfriend from popping the question on a birthday getaway in Greece, home of her vivacious mother (Tomei). Enlisting fellow vacationers, the handsome Johnny Giovinazzo and his brassy sister Mickey, Gina hopes to delay the proposal, leading Gina to discover that she just might be with the wrong guy. Supporting cast is being finalised now.

Gravitas Ventures has acquired international rights for the film, which will be directed by Mark Gantt (Soul Mates) from a script written by Steve Bencich (The Monkey King). Producers are Nancy Leopardi of Indy Entertainment...

Filming has wrapped on a horror thriller called The Cure, and Deadline reports that the film stars Ashley Greene of the Twilight franchise and genre regular David Dastmalchian, who was recently seen in the likes of Late Night with the Devil, The Last Voyage of the Demeter, Afraid, and The Boogeyman. Newcomer Samantha Cochran also has a lead role.

Nancy Leopardi, who previously directed Nanny Cam and Lethal Seduction, was at the helm of this one, working from a screenplay by Jonathan Bernstein and James Greer, the writing duo behind Steven Soderbergh’s Unsane. The story they crafted for The Cure centers on Cochran’s character, Ally Braun, an adopted 16-year-old with a mysterious illness who learns her bio-tech billionaire parents (Dastmalchian and Greene) are harvesting her blood for nefarious purposes.

Sydney Taylor (American Born Chinese), Tyler Lawrence Gray (Wolfpack), and Dylan Flashner (Running on Empty) round out the cast.

Deadline has revealed that David Dastmalchian and Ashley Greene are set to star in the upcoming sci-fi horror film ‘The Cure.’ Joining them in this eerie venture is newcomer Samantha Cochran.

Under the direction of Nancy Leopardi and penned by Jonathan Bernstein and James Greer, the team behind ‘Unsane,’ the movie promises a gripping narrative steeped in the frights of biotechnology.

‘The Cure’ centers on Ally Braun, a role taken by Cochran, who is an adopted 16-year-old suffering from a mysterious illness.

Her journey takes a dark turn when she discovers her biotech billionaire parents, portrayed by Dastmalchian and Greene, are exploiting her illness for their own sinister purposes.

Director Leopardi has described the movie as a satirical thriller that critiques the modern billionaire class through the lens of classic horror and sci-fi films.

She aligns ‘The Cure’ with influential titles like ‘Ex-Machina’ and ‘Videodrome,’ known for their commentary on technological and societal shifts.

In-demand actor David Dastmalchian (Late Night with the Devil) will star in the upcoming sci-fi horror movie The Cure alongside Ashley Greene (Twilight) and newcomer Samantha Cochran, Deadline reports today.

The Cure is directed by Nancy Leopardi and written by Jonathan Bernstein and James Greer (Unsane).

The horror movie follows “Cochran’s Ally Braun, an adopted 16-year-old with a mysterious illness who learns her bio-tech billionaire parents (Dastmalchian and Greene) are harvesting her blood for nefarious purposes.”

Leopardi called the film “a satirical take on the modern billionaire class cloaked in a crowd-pleasing thriller,” telling Deadline, “The Cure is made in the tradition of classic horror and sci-fi films that are inspired by terrifying socio-political realities and advances in bio-technology. Like Ex-Machina, A.I., and Videodrome I believe we are on the cusp of a revolution in science and the big question is – who will benefit?”

Sydney Taylor (American Born Chinese...

Exclusive: David Dastmalchian (Late Night with the Devil), Ashley Greene (Twilight), and newcomer Samantha Cochran will topline The Cure, a horror thriller from director Nancy Leopardi that has wrapped production in Los Angeles.

Written by Jonathan Bernstein and James Greer, who penned Steven Soderbergh’s Unsane, the film centers on Cochran’s Ally Braun, an adopted 16-year-old with a mysterious illness who learns her bio-tech billionaire parents (Dastmalchian and Greene) are harvesting her blood for nefarious purposes.

In a statement to Deadline, Leopardi called the film “a satirical take on the modern billionaire class cloaked in a crowd-pleasing thriller,” adding, “The Cure is made in the tradition of classic horror and sci-fi films that are inspired by terrifying socio-political realities and advances in bio-technology. Like Ex-Machina, A.I., and Videodrome I believe we are on the cusp of a revolution in science and the big question is – who will benefit?”

Sydney Taylor...

“In Flight” is a new live-action thriller, directed by Bo Youngblood, starring Tiffany Smith, Maria Russell, Christo Fernández and Ashley Jones, opening November 15, 2024 in theaters:

“…the night before ‘Claire Reynolds' takes a trip to Paris…

“…she catches the eye of a mysterious, handsome stranger.

“That's the last thing she remembers…

“…before waking up on a plane with no recollection of what happened…”

Click the images to enlarge…...

Gravitas Ventures has acquired writer-director Eric Nazarian’s Los Angeles-set crime thriller Die Like A Man for U.S., Canada and international rights.

The coming-of-age journey follows Freddy, a 17-year-old Westsider who is given a gun and asked to prove himself to a veteran gangster he idolizes. Miguel Angel Garcia (The Long Game) stars as the conflicted teen, Cory Hardrict (Tyler Perry’s Divorce in Black) as ruthless gang father figure Solo, and Mariel Molino (NCIS Origins) as love interest Luna.

Nazarian called Die Like A Man “an honest tale about the doomed codes of machismo culture that has spiraled into worsening gun violence and inner city warfare. Freddy’s journey explores the destructive power of internalized rage and the road towards atonement.”

The film was shot entirely in Los Angeles’ inner city communities and included teaming up with famed advocate Father Gregory Boyle’s Homeboy Industries.

Nazarian’s film...

One year since launching its international sales division, Gravitas Ventures arrives in Cannes with a raft of titles including chess drama The Nana Project, and sci-fi thriller Tomorrow Before After.

The Nana Project stars Mercedes Ruehl from The Fisher King and Nolan Gould from Modern Family and is set against the competitive chess world as a woman and her grandsons take a road trip to the state championships. Robin Givens directs.

Tomorrow Before After stars Natalia Reyes from Terminator: Dark Fate as a pregnant woman who along with her dog fights to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. Alfonso Quijada directs.

Exclusive: Gravitas Ventures has acquired worldwide rights to the Showdown Productions feature In Flight, which the company is bringing to sales at the Cannes Film Festival.

From director Bo Youngblood in her debut, the indie thriller is written by John Ierardi and Drew McAnany and stars Tiffany Smith (Guardians Of the Galaxy Vol. 3) Cristo Fernández and Maria Russell (Jury Duty).

In Flight centers on Claire Reynolds (Tiffany Smith), an overachiever who graduated at the top of her class and an all-star athlete. The night before she takes a dream trip to Paris, her best friend treats her to a bon voyage toast at their favorite bar. She catches the eye of Marco (Cristo Fernández) a mysterious, charming and handsome stranger. That’s the last thing she remembers before waking up on a plane with no recollection of how she got there – and the games begin.

Gravitas Ventures has acquired worldwide rights to pool-themed drama-thriller Break and will be introducing the project to international buyers at this week’s European Film Market.

The film is also set for an April 26 US and Canada theatrical release in 120 cinemas through cloud-based delivery platform MetaMedia and its cinema partners. The theatrical release will be followed by a digital launch.

Directed by Will Wernick, 'Break' stars Darren Weiss, Victor Rasuk, Jeff Kober, Caleb Emery and Patricia Belcher. Weiss plays Eli, a young man who, following in the footsteps of his absent father, learns about the realities and dangers of the Detroit pool scene.

Exclusive: UTA on Monday announced its signing of writer, producer and executive John Ierardi for representation in all areas.

“I am beyond excited to be joining the UTA family,” Ierardi told Deadline. “The company has always been a pillar in the industry at giving creatives a voice and I couldn’t be happier to start this next chapter.”

Ierardi teamed with Bo Youngblood in 2019 to launch Showdown Productions, a production company whose mission is to produce material with a strong artistic vision that provides critical commentary on diverse social issues.

The company, where he serves as an executive, most recently wrapped production on the Will Wernick-directed pool hall drama Break, starring Victor Rasuk and Jeff Kober, as well as the thriller In Flight, which Ierardi co-wrote from his own story. Youngblood helmed the latter title, which stars Cristo Fernandez (Ted Lasso), Tiffany Smith (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3...

Exclusive: Production on the Showdown Productions thriller In Flight has wrapped. Upon completion of post-production, the project will be shopped to distribution partners.

The feature stars Cristo Fernández (Ted Lasso), Tiffany Smith (Guardians Of the Galaxy Vol. 3 ) and Maria Russell (Jury Duty).

Bo Youngblood makes her feature directorial debut with In Flight in addition to producing alongside John Ierardi for Showdown Productions along with Drew McAnany. Fernández will also executive produce through his film company Espectro Mx Films.

From writers Ierardi and McAnany, In Flight centers on Claire Reynolds (Smith), an overachiever who graduated at the top of her class and an all-star athlete. The night before she takes a dream trip to Paris, her best friend treats her to a bon voyage toast at their favorite bar. She catches the eye of Marco (Fernández) a mysterious, charming and handsome stranger. That’s the last thing she remembers before...

Exclusive: Annette Bening has been tapped to narrate the documentary War Unfolding from Sypher Studios, with Eliza Bennett, Rachel Bloom, Gary Cole, Abigail Cowen, Laura Dern, Monique Edwards, Michael C. Hall, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Paul Walter Hauser, Thurn Hoffman, Richard T. Jones, Jay Lee, Erick Lopez, Sandra Seacat, Wes Studi and DeWanda Wise among those set to appear in the film from director John B. Benitz.

Based on three New York Times bestselling books by historian Andrew Carroll and inspired by the stage play If All the Sky Were Paper, the film tells the story of Carroll, who travels the world to seek out the greatest war letters ever written. Over the past 25 years, he has preserved more than 200,000 correspondences from troops, veterans and their families, dating from the American Revolution to the present day. The letters, performed in filmed readings by War Unfolding’s cast, capture unvarnished stories and...

Coming-of-age story stars Victor Rasuk and newcomer Darren Weiss.

Los Angeles-based Showdown Productions has completed principal photography in Detroit and Los Angeles on Break, starring newcomer Darren Weiss and Victor Rasuk.

Directed by Will Wernick, who previously directed Showdown’s Safer at Home, the coming-of-age drama follows a twenty-something pool shark who learns that his absent father was a pool hall legend and must confront the realities of the game and himself.

Also starring are Jeff Kober, Caleb Emery and Patricia Belcher along with Uriah Shelton, Wendy Braun, Suzen Baraka, Braedyn Bruner and Petra C Matheson.

Break is produced by...

Batman’s butler is coming to HBO Max.

The streamer released the first trailer for Season 3 of “Pennyworth: The Origins of Batman’s Butler” on Wednesday, showcasing the newest chapter in Alfred Pennyworth’s story. The new season will premiere on Thursday, Oct. 6 with three episodes followed by one episode weekly through Nov. 24.

The DC origin series Jack Bannon as the titular butler, who is also a former British Sas soldier. He forms a security company in 1960s London and goes to work with young billionaire Thomas Wayne (Ben Aldridge) and his wife Martha (Emma Paetz) before they become Bruce Wayne’s parents. Season three of the thriller begins after a five-year time jump. Now, the civil war is over and a revolution has changed the world, ushering in a new age of super heroes and supervillains.

The cast for the series includes Bannon, Aldridge, Paetz, Paloma Faith, Ryan Fletcher,...

Crystal Reed and Tahirah Sharif have signed on to star in Dead Giveaway, an indie comedy-thriller that is being directed by Ian Kimble.

The pic, which was written by Kimble, follows Lia (Reed) and Jill (Sharif). Jill is a hard-partying Philadelphian. This has resulted in some epic nights and legendary stories. What she never expected is waking up next to a stranger who has been brutally stabbed to death in her own bed. On this particular Sunday, that is exactly what she wakes up to. She and Lia spend their day trying to solve the mystery of the cadaver in Jill’s bed and still make it to brunch in time for mimosas.

Suzann Toni and Andrew Vogel of Dynasty Pictures will produce the indie, which will film in Philadelphia, Pa.

Reed is repped by ICM Partners and Silver Lining Entertainment.

Safer At Home In Select Theaters, VOD & Digital on February 26, 2021 Distributed By: Vertical Entertainment In Select Theaters, VOD & Digital: February 26, 2021 Directed By: Will Wernick Written By: Will Wernick, Lia Bozonelis Produced By: Will Wernick, John Ierardi, Bo Youngblood Starring: Jocelyn Hudon, Emma Lahana, Alisa Allapach, Adwin Brown, Dan J. …

The post Quarantine Thriller Safer At Home – Directed by Will Wernick (Escape Room) – In Select Theaters, VOD & Digital on February 26, 2021 appeared first on Horror News | Hnn.

The Vigil: "Steeped in ancient Jewish lore and demonology, The Vigil is supernatural horror film set over the course of a single evening in Brooklyn's Hasidic Borough Park neighborhood. Low on funds and having recently left his insular religious community, Yakov (Dave Davis) reluctantly accepts an offer from his former rabbi and confidante (Menashe Lustig) to take on the responsibility of an overnight "shomer," fulfilling the Jewish practice of watching over the body of a deceased community member. Shortly after arriving at the recently departed's dilapidated house to sit the vigil, Yakov begins to realize that something is very, very wrong."

Written and Directed by Keith Thomas, Starring Dave Davis, Menashe Lustig and Lynn Cohen

Opens in Select Theaters, on Digital Platforms and VOD on February 26th

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Safer At Home: "Two years into the pandemic, a group of friends throw an online party with a night of games,...

We're back with a new installment of Horror Highlights! Watch the trailer for The Sinners, learn more about the upcoming novel Shelter for the Damned, watch the trailer for A Writer's Odyssey, and learn more about the upcoming movie Safer at Home:

The Sinners: "Seven schoolgirls, part of a clique dubbed The Sins, become the lethal target of an unknown killer after a harmless prank goes horribly wrong."

Director: Courtney Paige Writers: Courtney Paige, Erin Hazlehurst, Madison Smith Cast: Kaitlyn Bernard, Brenna Llewellyn, Brenna Coates, Keilani Elizabeth Rose, Jasmine Randhawa, Carly Fawcett, Natalie Malaika, Aleks Paunovic, Lochlyn Munro Run Time: 88 mins

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Shelter For The Damned: "While looking for a secret place to smoke cigarettes with his two best friends, troubled teenager Mark discovers a mysterious shack in a suburban field. Alienated from his parents and peers, Mark finds within the shack an escape greater than anything he has ever experienced.

Falcom acquires German-speaking Europe, Signature takes UK rights, eOne picks up for Canada.

Voltage Pictures has sold US rights to Will Wernick’s (Follow Me) upcoming pandemic thriller Safer At Home to Vertical Entertainment.

The distributor has set a February release for the film, which takes place in 2022 as a group of friends under lockdown join an online party and take what turns out to be a dangerous drug.

Safer At Home was one of the first projects to go safely into production last year during the pandemic. Wernick and Lia Bozonelis wrote the screenplay from a story by Wernick,...

Exclusive: Vertical Entertainment has acquired rights to Safer at Home, a pandemic thriller directed by Will Wernick that Voltage Pictures had introduced to buyers at last November at the virtual American Film Market. The pic, which went into production during the Covid pandemic, will now get a day-and-date release in February.

It’s the latest tie-up for Wernick, Voltage and Vertical after they worked together on Wernick’s horror thriller Follow Me (aka No Escape) last year.

Written by Wernick and Lia Bozonelis, Safer at Home is set in 2022 when the coronavirus pandemic has created mass chaos in Los Angeles and turned the city into a police state. To escape the grim reality, a group of friends get together for an online party: a night of music, drinking, games and drugs. After they collectively take a hit of what they think is molly, things go terribly wrong. The ensemble cast includes Alisa Allapach,...

Hey, NCIS fans. Recently, the wonderful folks over at CBS put out a new episode press release for their upcoming second episode for the current season 15 of their hit action/drama series "NCIS." It features a teaser description for the episode. It sounds like we'll see some pretty interesting things take place in it as McGee and Gibbs have to undergo a psych test after their awful experience in Paraguay. Elsewhere, the NCIS team investigates the dead body of a missing Navy Lieutenant and more. The press release also revealed that this is episode is entitled, "Twofer." They started off their press release by putting the dead Navy Lieutenant storyline in all caps. It reads like this: "NCIS Investigates The Murder Of A Navy Lieutenant Whose Body Was Hidden At A Local Cemetery Over A Year Ago, On “NCIS,” Tuesday, Oct. 3" In their main description, they revealed that the NCIS...

Chicago – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 15 pairs of guaranteed anytime movie tickets up for grabs to the new horror/thriller “Unsullied” from NFL superstar, Super Bowl champion and future Hall of Famer Simeon Rice! Pick your own theatre and time throughout Chicago/land!

“Unsullied,” which opened on Aug. 28, 2015 and is rated “R,” introduces Murray Gray and also stars Rusty Joiner, James Gaudioso, Erin Boyes, Cindy Karr, Nicole Paris Williams, Malone Thomas and Gene Michael from writer and director Simeon Rice and writer John Nodilo. Note: You must be 17+ to win these “R”-rated tickets.

These guaranteed anytime passes are valid at any Regal Theaters location in Chicago/land during the film’s theatrical run. These passes will be snail mailed to our winners.

To win your free “Unsullied” passes courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, just get interactive with our social media widget below. That’s it! The more social actions you complete,...