News

Exclusive: UTA has inked actor, director, and writer Jake Allyn for representation in all areas.

The news follows Allyn completing principal photography on his upcoming true-life drama Clean Hands, which he wrote and directed, starring Zach Braff and Esther McGregor alongside Abigail Spencer, Holt McCallany, and Lucas Till.

Set in Hagerstown, Maryland—a Baltimore suburb situated along the notorious “Heroin Highway”—Clean Hands examines the American drug crisis through the story of a father and daughter on opposite sides of the law. The film is based on the true story of Kevin Simmers (Braff), a police officer turned recovery advocate, and his daughter Brooke (McGregor).

Clean Hands marks Allyn’s second feature behind the camera. He made his directorial debut with Ride, which he also wrote and starred in. The film, a poignant exploration of amateur rodeo and addiction in the Heartland, follows three generations of bull riders, and was notably filmed at live rodeos.

More often than not, when you hear some movie fans of a certain age complain “They sure don’t make them like they used to,” they’re referring to, and likely wishing for, something on the order of “The Last Rodeo.” Smoothly directed by Jon Avnet from a script he co-wrote with lead actor Neal McDonough and Derek Presley, this thoroughly predictable but undeniably engaging faith-based drama is an inoffensively old-fashioned entertainment that, with only minor tweaking, could pass for a Walt Disney Studios release of yore.

McDonough, a veteran actor frequently seen as a black-hearted tough customer in such TV series as “Justified,” “The Flash” and “Yellowstone,” and most recently showcased as a worthy foil for Sylvester Stallone in “Tulsa King,” is every bit as effective here as a character who remains staunchly on the side of the angels. McDonough plays Joe Wainwright, a former champion bull rider who...

Exclusive: Academy Award winner Wendy Finerman, American Ninja Warrior host Matt Iseman, Revelations Entertainment boss Lori McCreary and This is Us star Jon Huertas are among the judges of a short film competition designed to celebrate healing and hope.

They will form a judging panel for Hero’s Journey: The Posttraumatic Growth Story Challenge, which has been created by the Boulder Crest Foundation, in association with online community portal Tongal and New York’s Atlantic Pictures.

The competition plans to celebrate films that turn “struggle into strength” and is being held to mark the third annual Posttraumatic Growth Day on June 13. The Ptg concept highlights how struggle can lead to profound growth and transformation, and that trauma can be the precursor to something extraordinary.

On the Hero’s Journey judging panel are Finerman, who for her work on Forrest Gump was the first female producer to win an Oscar; doctor-turned-comedian...

Exclusive: Abigail Spencer (Suits), Holt McCallany (Mindhunter), and Lucas Till (MacGyver) have been tapped for supporting roles in Clean Hands, the true-life drama from writer-director Jake Allyn on which we were first to report last month.

The trio is set to star opposite previously announced leads Zach Braff and Esther McGregor, with production now underway.

Set in Hagerstown MD, a Baltimore suburb along the infamous “Heroin Highway,” Clean Hands explores the American drug crisis through the lens of a father-daughter duo caught on opposing sides of the law, based on the harrowing story of hero drug cop turned recovery advocate Kevin Simmers (Braff) and his daughter Brooke (McGregor).

Spencer will portray Kevin’s wife Dana, while McCallany will play Maryland Congressman David Trone and Lucas Till will play Sheriff’s Deputy Dormer.

Producers include Conor Allyn of Margate House Films, Brian Loschiavo of Riverside Entertainment, James Suttles and Jason Winn of WW / Sf Entertainment,...

Exclusive: Zach Braff and Esther McGregor are set to lead in the true story Clean Hands based on the life of hero drug cop turned recovery advocate Kevin Simmers and his daughter Brooke.

The project from director-writer Jake Allyn is an exploration of the American drug crisis and “the thin blue line” from the opposing eyes of cop and addict who were also father and daughter. Cameras will roll in April-May with Laray Mayfield currently casting.

In Hagerstown MD, a Baltimore suburb along the infamous “Heroin Highway”, Kevin Simmers led a drug taskforce built on incarceration. That is, until his 19-year-old daughter Brooke began struggling with addiction. Together, they faced a tragic, triumphant, and truly unbelievable two-year battle. Kevin used Brooke has his own confidential informant and faced betrayal by those he trusted most. Eventually, Kevin turned in his badge to create Brooke’s House,...

Jake Allyn and Sarah Fisher in Someone Like You on Great American Family [Image Karen Kingsbury Productions on YouTube]

The latest adaptation of best-selling author Karen Kingsbury is Someone Like You, set to premiere on Great American Family. Kingsbury has authored many novels and short stories and this is one of her most popular novels to be adapted for TV. Meanwhile, not only did she author the book, she is making the movie herself.

Karen Kingsbury book Someone Like You to air on Great American Family Sarah Fisher [Image Karen Kingsbury Productions on YouTube]

As reported by Parade, one of Karen Kingsbury’s most popular novels is Someone Like You, which is being adapted as a movie on Great American Family. The author is adapting the work and said of the book:

Of all the books I have written, Someone Like You is easily my readers’ favorite. The only way to make the movie in my heart was to make it myself.

On top of telling a story about rodeo life, Jake Allyn’s Ride (now streaming on Paramount+) pushes viewers into its bruising highs and devastating lows. As both director and star, Allyn delivers a film that mixes the raw intensity of the sport with an unflinching look at addiction, family, and sacrifice. With veteran actors like C. Thomas Howell, Annabeth Gish, and Forrie J. Smith adding emotional weight, Ride walks a fine line between heartfelt storytelling and grim reality. But does it manage to stay on its feet, or does it stumble under the weight of its ambitions?

What Is Ride About?

Set against the unforgiving backdrop of the rodeo circuit, Ride follows a young cowboy, John Hawkins (Jake Allyn), who is grappling with more than just the demands of the sport. As he chases his dream of becoming a rodeo champion, he also battles an opioid addiction—a struggle...

Venom: The Last Dance is wrapping up its time in theaters, meaning that its final box office haul is now available. According to Box Office Mojo as of Sunday, December 8, the Tom Hardy-starring film has a domestic haul of $139 million and a foreign gross of $333 million, adding up to $473 million globally. Given Venom 3's reported budget of $120 million, this makes the film a modest success. However, it comes up short when compared to the other films in the series with 2018's Venom and 2021's Venom: Let There Be Carnage grossing about $213 domestically.

Top Earning Films of 2024, As Of 12/8/24

Film

Global Box Office

1. Inside Out 2

$1.7 Billion

2. Deadpool & Wolverine

$1.3 Billion

3. Despicable Me 4

$969 Million

4. Dune: Part Two

$714 Million

5. Moana 2

$600 Million

6. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

$571 Million

7. Kung Fu Panda 4

$547 Million

8. Venom: The Last Dance

$473 Million

9. Wicked

$455 Million

10. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

$451 Million

Aside from how it stacks up with the rest of the Venom trilogy,...

Knull, the presumed arch-villain of Sony's Spider-Man Universe, could have been a lot more terrifying in Venom: The Last Dance if he looked a little more similar to the recently revealed concept art. Knull is the eldritch god of darkness and one of Marvel's most genuinely terrifying villains in both appearance and power. Unfortunately, he remained off-screen for most of the movie - though audiences were granted a slightly clearer look at Andy Serkis' villain in the post-credits scene for Venom: The Last Dance, which also teased his return in the future.

Concept artist Karl Lindberg recently unveiled original concept art for Knull on ArtStation (shared by TheVenomSite on X), proving that his face reveal at the end of Venom: The Last Dance could have been a lot more terrifying. The art introduces a lot more red to Knull's color scheme as he sits on a throne that evokes...

2024 has produced a few movies which critics and audiences can't seem to agree on, and their Rotten Tomatoes scores highlight the way they have split opinion. Rotten Tomatoes gives two scores to a movie. The "Tomatometer" score measures critical opinions based on published reviews, while the newly-revamped "Popcornmeter" score offers a way for audiences to log their own opinions. It's often the case that these two scores are very close to one another, but a few movies break the system.

More often that not, if there's a big difference between a Tomatomer score and a Popcornmeter score, it's because a movie is a simple crowdpleaser that critics don't care for. Critics are more focused on the craft of a movie and the ideas behind it. Many people also think like this, of course, but the majority of the public rate a movie based on how entertaining it is. Movies like...

Venom: The Last Dance is currently making waves at the box office, but a fourth film in the movie franchise has not been confirmed yet. As of right now, the film is living up to its title, serving as the final appearance for Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock aka Venom. However, it seems that Sony is not done with the anti-hear just yet, as a new Marvel rumor suggests that Agent Venom is the next film in the franchise.

According to Daniel Richtman, Sony is developing an Agent Venom film in the wake of the final installment of the Venom trilogy starring Tom Hardy. Of course, this is only a rumor and should be stressed as such. However, considering the studio is always looking to make more Spider-Man-related films, continuing to cash in on their most successful Marvel franchise makes a lot of sense. Agent Venom would be a natural continuation of the storyline too,...

Set in the small town of Stephenville, Texas, Jake Allyn’s directorial debut Ride delves into the storied world of American rodeo. Taking on both acting and writing duties, Allyn populates the film with a cast of real-life rodeo riders, bringing an authentic feel to the characters and atmosphere. Leading the cast is veteran actor C. Thomas Howell as John, a rancher struggling to save his young daughter Virginia from cancer. Playing John’s son Peter fresh out of prison is Allyn himself, joined by rodeo legend Forrie J. Smith as his grandfather Al.

Facing skyrocketing medical bills, the family is plunged into crisis. With insurance unable to cover an expensive experimental treatment, John is desperate to raise the funds on his own. Meanwhile, Peter, plagued by past mistakes, returns to competing in rodeos and his dangerous lifestyle. As financial pressure mounts, a reckless plan is hatched that propels the story towards high-stakes drama.

Ride has a unique plot with unexpected twists, setting it apart from similar films in the same genre. The talented cast, including C. Thomas Howell, Annabeth Gish, and Jake Allyn, deliver standout performances that elevate Ride. The narrative structure can make the plot convoluted at times, leaving the audience confused by the disjointed ending.

On the surface, Ride is a typical film about a family of bull riders. Its talented cast and unique story set it apart from similar projects, resulting in a movie that leaves an impression despite its occasional confusing moments. The 2024 crime drama, directed by Jake Allyn (who plays Peter) and written by him and Josh Plasse (who portrays Peter's brother), revolves around the Hawkins a family living in Texas whose son just got out of prison after serving a four-year sentence and whose daughter is battling cancer.

Ride (2024)

Director Jake AllynRelease Date June 14, 2024Writers Josh Plasse,...

Quick Links Families Can Be Messy in Ride Veteran Stars, Thanks for Your Service

When a film achieves a certain level of authenticity, it doesn't ultimately matter if the subject is foreign territory to the viewer. Maybe you grew up around bull riders, or maybe your only experience is riding a mechanical bull at that one bar in Hollywood that offers one.

Ride, in actor Jake Allyn's directorial debut, offers authenticity to the max as it brings us down south and explores a tough industry that may or may eat its young, as they say. From a layered and heartfelt script he wrote with co-star Josh Plasse, Allyn (No Man's Land) achieves true stardom here in a genuinely impactful drama that delves deep into universal issues such as addiction, losing health battles, messy families, and more. It's a can't-miss for folks in the Lone Star State and really anyone...

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C. Thomas Howell stars in Jake Allyn's new rodeo drama, Ride, about the struggles of three generations of bull riders and their attempts to raise money for a young girl's cancer treatment. While Howell's character doesn't compete in any rodeos during Ride, just one look at his cowboy hat-wearing persona and withered look and you can tell he's been around the block in this biz as he watches his son (Allyn) try to make a name for himself in the same sport. In real life, Howell has been acting since his childhood years and is still keeping busy with projects today. "I was 13 when I did E.T., and I was 15 when I did The Outsiders," he said, continuing:

"I had a career as a young boy that I never anticipated, and I was very grateful for it. But I'm almost 58 now...

If you’re going to set your movie somewhere in the intersection of two worlds fraught with danger — say, bull-riding competitions and hardcore crime — it’s always a good idea to cast actors who look and sound comfortable, and credible, in both places. There are quite a few things to admire in “Ride,” director Jake Allyn’s suspenseful drama about a rodeo family driven to extremes while trying to pay their young daughter’s medical bills. But the first thing that sticks out is how much verisimilitude lead players C. Thomas Howell and Forrie J. Smith bring to the table. If you look at their backgrounds, that shouldn’t come as a surprise.

Howell may still be best remembered by fans for his roles in Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Outsiders” (“Look! It’s Ponyboy!”) and John Milius’ “Red Dawn.” But in addition to the scads of other movie and TV credits on his resume,...

Some traits skip a generation. Others, such as bull riding, don't necessarily follow the same pattern. Ride, a triumphant new indie film out of Texas, explores three generations in this tough industry and all that it has to offer. From director-star Jake Allyn (No Man's Land), Ride also benefits from an extremely talented supporting cast, including veteran character actor and former rodeo star C. Thomas Howell (The Outsiders). The heartfelt new drama is set in modern Texas but basks in decades-old traditions that have taken their toll on a hardened family trying to make it in the rodeo biz amid skyrocketing inflation and more. You'll jump for joy at times and find yourself hugging your pillow for comfort at others.

It's a wild ride, pun intended, and we recently caught up with Allyn and Howell in separate interviews to learn more about their real-life passion for rodeos, past work with certain icons,...

Your browser does not support the video tag. Screen Rant presents a clip from the upcoming crime drama Ride. Ride was directed and co-written by Jake Allyn, who also stars in the film alongside C. Thomas Howell and Annabeth Gish. The movie is an expression of versatility for Howell, whose recent and upcoming projects include the biopic Reagan and the Netflix comedy Obliterated.

Ride is a new crime drama from Well Go USA Entertainment, and Screen Rant has a clip from the movie. The modern western story was directed by Jake Allyn, written by Allyn and Josh Plasse, and is Allyns directorial debut. Allyn also stars in the film alongside C. Thomas Howell, Annabeth Gish, Forrie J. Smith, and Laci Kaye Booth.

Screen Rant is happy to present a clip from Ride centered on stars C. Thomas Howells John Hawkins and Annabeth Gishs Sheriff Monica Hawkins. Despite the fact that...

"We've got ourselves a Texas-sized showdown!" Well Go USA has revealed an official trailer for an indie thriller titled Ride, marking the feature directorial debut of Texas actor Jake Allyn. This is set to open in theaters and on VOD together in June this summer. Three generations of bull riders fight to raise money to transfer the family's young daughter to a better cancer hospital. Set in Stephenville TX, Ride explores rodeo, addiction in the Heartland, and the cowboy's place in modern America. A retired bull rider teams up to pull off a bank robbery, but when the heist goes wrong they end up on the run from police. Starring C. Thomas Howell as John Hawkins, with a cast including Annabeth Gish, Jake Allyn, Patrick Murney, Josh Plasse, Laci Kaye Booth, Scott Reeves, with Zia Carlock and Forrie J. Smith as Al. This looks solid, a very Texas film about...

Get ready for an intense new episode of “NCIS: Hawai’i” airing this Monday at 10:00 Pm on CBS! In Season 3 Episode 9, titled “Spill the Tea,” viewers will be drawn into a high-stakes investigation as NCIS and the NCIS Elite team join forces to solve a murder with far-reaching implications.

When a high-value bioweapons expert is found murdered in a secure facility, the NCIS team must spring into action to track down the killer before they strike again. With the clock ticking and the stakes higher than ever, tensions run high as the investigation uncovers a web of deception, betrayal, and deadly secrets.

As the team races against time to unravel the truth, they soon discover that the murder is just the tip of the iceberg, and an even deadlier threat looms on the horizon. With lives hanging in the balance, the pressure is on for NCIS to stop the killer...

NCIS: Hawai’i fans, we’ve got a fresh off the press preview for the new Season 3 Episode 9 episode titled Spill the Tea!

Find out everything you need to know about the Spill the Tea episode of NCIS: Hawai’i, including a full preview, videos, release date, cast information and how to watch!

NCIS: Hawai’i Spill the Tea Season 3 Episode 9 Preview

Get ready for an intense and action-packed episode of “NCIS: Hawai’i” titled “Spill the Tea,” airing on CBS at 10:00 Pm on April 29, 2024. In this gripping installment, viewers will be taken on a thrilling ride as NCIS and the NCIS Elite team unite to solve a high-stakes murder case with far-reaching consequences.

When a high-value bioweapons expert is found murdered within a secure facility, the stakes couldn’t be higher. As the investigation unfolds, Special Agent Jane Tennant and her team must race against the clock to track down the killer before they strike again.

April began with showers, plus a tiny regional earthquake on the East Coast, but that didn’t keep anyone away from theaters, even if it was a slower weekend than much of March. Read on for the weekend box office report.

There was little surprise that Warner Bros.’ “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” would win its second weekend at #1. Despite dropping 60% from its fantastic opening weekend, it still was able to take first place with an estimated $31.7 million to bring its total to $135 million after crossing the $100 million mark in its first week. It also passed the $361 million mark globally, with another $59.3 million grossed overseas this weekend.

The weekend offered two new wide releases in Dev Patel‘s directorial debut, the action-thriller “Monkey Man,” and 20th Century’s horror prequel “The First Omen,” the former released into 3,029 theaters vs. “The First Omen’s” 3,375 theaters. “Monkey Man” came into the...

From director Tyler Russell, a 2024 version of Someone Like You will soon hit theaters and later be released on streaming.

2024's Someone Like You is a romance film based on the novel by New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury and stars Sarah Fisher, Jake Allyn, and Lynn Collins.

In the novel, a young woman discovers her life was built on lies, uncovers a hidden sibling, and confronts her identity with the help of one man's love and support.

Read full article on The Direct.

Someone Like You boasts a strong cast of actors led by Sarah Fisher and Jake Allyn.

The new 2024 romance movie is based on Karen Kingsbury’s novel of the same name.

Someone Like You tells the story of Dawson Allen as he tries to search for the missing twin sister of the love of his life, London Quinn. Upon finding the twin, he unexpectedly falls in love with her, leading to an emotional decision that could change his life.

Read full article on The Direct.

No dart gun, or First Omen, or Monkey Man will put Legendary/Warner Bros’ Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire to sleep this weekend. The pic, after an unexpected $80 million Easter weekend start, will continue to rumble with a 55%-60% second-weekend drop to between $32M-$36M. Through four days, the Adam Wingard-directed Monsterverse title stands at $87.7M, fueled by 57% of K-12 schools out Monday and another 14% colleges. Expect more cash today as, per Comscore, there are 28% of K-12 school out, and 5% universities.

Currently, both First Omen and Monkey Man are expected to come in around the same level — $12M to low teens. 20th Century Studios’ First Omen, despite being an R-rated horror movie, skews a little bit more female, while Universal/Monkeypaw’s Dev Patel feature directorial debut is more men.

Both...

Kirsten Dunst, Henry Cavill, Mike Faist, Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, Dev Patel, and Bill Skarsgård

Photo: A24, Lionsgate, Amazon MGM, Universal, Lionsgate

As is its wont, March was in like a lion and out like a lamb, leaving behind a bevy of blockbuster movies in its wake. But this lamb’s...

“Someone Like You” is a new romance drama, written and directed by Tyler Russell, based on the book by Karen Kingsbury, starring Sarah Fisher, Jake Allyn and Lynn Collins, opening April 2, 2024 in theaters:

‘…shocking news hits after young architect ‘Dawson Gage’ loses his best friend, ‘London Quinn’.

‘Now in his heartbreak, Dawson is compelled to launch an impossible search for London's secret twin sister. But along the way, Dawson never planned to fall in love…”

Click the images to enlarge…...

After a stellar March outing in theaters, featuring the release of Dune: Part Two and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, April is looking to continue the trend with several major films. After a slow start to 2024, March picked up the slack. Hopefully, these upcoming films, including Dev Patel's directorial debut, a Nicolas Cage flick, and Alex Garland's latest thriller, will see audiences return to theaters.

In addition to these highly anticipated movies, next month's list includes a beautiful romance film based on a #1 New York Times Best Seller alongside films starring prominent actors such as Henry Cavill and Sean Astin. So, without further ado, here is every movie coming to theaters in April 2024.

Someone Like You Watch It in Theaters on Apr. 2

Someone Like You, directed by Tyler Russell, is an upcoming romance film based on Karen Kingsbury's #1 NewYork Times Best Seller. Starring Jake Allyn and...

[Warning: The below contains Major spoilers for Season 1 of The Baxters] Kari Baxter (Ali Cobrin) is put through the emotional wringer in the first season of The Baxters, Prime Video’s new faith-driven drama series based on Karen Kingsbury’s novel series. Her husband, Tim (Brandon Hirsch), leaves her for Angela (Taylour Paige), one of his college students. Kari soon discovers she’s pregnant. Tim does come back to Kari, but their happy ending is tragically cut short. Tim is killed by a student who wanted revenge after Angela fled. Kari is forced to raise her newborn daughter without Tim. Below, Cobrin takes inside the jaw-dropping Season 1 finale, Kari’s relationship with ex-boyfriend Ryan (Jake Allyn), and whether or not Kari’s capable of forgiving the man who killed her husband. How did you react when you learned that after this intense journey to save their marriage, Tim was going to die? Ali Cobrin: Karen Kingsbury, the author of...

Beginning this week, tune into “The Baxters,” based on Karen Kingsbury’s New York Times Best-Selling book series. The drama series follows two parents and their five adult children as they navigate life’s ups and downs. With a lot of faith, love, and support from their relatives, they can handle even the most sour situations that may come their way. Don’t miss “The Baxters” series premiere, which streams exclusively on Amazon Prime Video on Thursday, March 28. You can watch The Baxters: Season 1 with a 30-Day Free Trial of Amazon Prime Video.

How to Watch ‘The Baxters’ Series Premiere When: Thursday, March 28, 2024 Stream: Watch with a 30-Day Free Trial of Amazon Prime Video. 30-Day Free Trial$8.99+ / month amazon.com About ‘The Baxters’ Series Premiere

“The Baxters” Season 1 introduces Elizabeth and John Baxter and their five grown children. The close-knit family members are each in different life stages. In the series premiere,...

“Someone Like You” is a new romance drama, written and directed by Tyler Russell, based on the book by Karen Kingsbury, starring Sarah Fisher, Jake Allyn and Lynn Collins, opening April 2, 2024 in theaters:

‘…shocking news hits after young architect ‘Dawson Gage’ loses his best friend, ‘London Quinn’.

‘Now in his heartbreak, Dawson is compelled to launch an impossible search for London's secret twin sister. But along the way, Dawson never planned to fall in love…”

Click the images to enlarge…...

The Baxters has a premiere date. Prime Video has announced the arrival date for the new family drama with the release of a preview. Ten episodes have been produced for season one.

Starring Roma Downey, Ted McGinley, Ali Cobrin, Masey McLain, Josh Plasse, Cassidy Gifford, Reilly Anspaugh, Emily Peterson, and Brandon Hirsch, the series is based on the novel series by Karen Kingsbury. The story follows the lives of Elizabeth and John and their five adult children. Season one will feature guest appearances by Kathie Lee Gifford, Jake Allyn, Damien Leake, and Orel De La Mota.

Read More…...

Directed by Remy Grillo, The Resurrection of Charles Manson has recently been released by XYZ Films and we have an exclusive clip just for Daily Dead readers!

The story surrounds a young couple hoping to create an aesthetically pleasing audition tape for an up-and-coming Charles Manson film. But when the couple chooses an eclectic desert Airbnb as the perfect backdrop, the dark events of the audition material slowly slip into their reality... Eventually, they find themselves intertwined in an occult leader (Grillo)’s sinister plot.

Dare Angel produced in partnership with Mi Nene. Producers include Josh Plasse, Shakira Barrera, Conor Allyn, Johnny James Fiore, Benjamin Anderson, Jake Allyn and Fabio Lo Fria. Nidal Kahl, Bobby McMichael, Chido Nwokocha, and Dennis Echelberger Executive Produced.

It was announced last year that XYZ Films had acquired all North American rights to the film. The rights for the domestic distribution deal were brokered by...

We’ve been following the progress of the cult horror film The Resurrection of Charles Manson for a while now, ever since it was first announced under the title Man’s Son. Now the film – which counts Frank Grillo (Boss Level) as a cast member and marks the feature directorial debut of Remy Grillo, who happens to be Frank Grillo’s son – is set to receive a digital release on March 16th, and with that date just a week away a trailer has arrived online. You can watch it in the embed above.

Scripted by Josh Plasse and Brev Moss, The Resurrection of Charles Manson was “inspired by modern occult activity in the California desert”. The story goes like this: A couple goes to the desert for a romantic weekend and shoot an audition for a role in an upcoming film. Their holiday quickly turns deadly as they are the target...

Exclusive: C. Thomas Howell (The Outsiders), Annabeth Gish (The Haunting of Hill House) and Forrie J. Smith (Yellowstone) are set to play a small-town Texas family of bull riders in crime pic Ride.

Writer-actor Jake Allyn’s directorial debut, which was written by Josh Plasse and Allyn (No Man’s Land), has a North American theatrical and home entertainment distribution deal with Well Go USA.

Set amid amateur rodeo in Stephenville, Texas, a fading town known as the “Cowboy Capital,” the film takes a look at heartland America, the modern cowboy and eight-second miracles. Desperate to raise money for his daughter’s cancer treatment and met with a faceless hospital system that asks for insurance before medical records, former bull rider John Hawkins (Howell) must partner with his estranged son and rising bull rider Peter (Allyn) on a money heist. They get it done in cowboy fashion but are left murderers,...

Earlier this year, we followed the progress of a cult horror film called Man’s Son, which counts Frank Grillo (Boss Level) as a cast member and marks the feature directorial debut of Remy Grillo. Who happens to be Frank Grillo’s son. XYZ Films picked up the North American distribution rights to the film back in April, with the plan being to release it later this year or sometime in early 2023. And now our friends at Bloody Disgusting have found out exactly when XYZ Films plans to give the film an On Demand and Digital release: February 16th. When the movie makes its way out into the world, it won’t be going by the title Man’s Son any longer. It’s now called The Resurrection of Charles Manson.

Scripted by Josh Plasse and Brev Moss, The Resurrection of Charles Manson was “inspired by modern occult activity in...

Exclusive: Rob Morgan (Smile) will produce and star in the crime film Dixie Crystal, based on the real-life FBI Operation of the same name, from brother filmmakers Conor and Jake Allyn (No Man’s Land).

The film from Riverside Entertainment and Stride Management centers on FBI special agent Jim Anderson (Morgan), who faces the overwhelming job of ridding methamphetamine from Harlan, Kentucky — a sprawling mountain ghetto policed by only a handful of lawmen. Over the course of the pic, Jim finds himself pitted against a former coal union boss turned drug kingpin. With a different skin color and a badge that means little in the hollers, he recruits local cop, Harlan native and recovering addict Cam (Jake Allyn) to assist. They start an investigation into locally made meth, or “Dixie Crystal,” and the locals behind it. But the deeper the investigation goes, the more Jim realizes that the drugs he’s chasing,...

Exclusive: Karen Kingsbury’s Someone Like You Starring Sarah Fisher And Jake Allyn With Lynn Collins, Robyn Lively, and Bart Johnson Begins Production In October.

Karen Kingsbury Productions announces Someone Like You as the first novel to screen adaptation from the company. Starring Sarah Fisher (Degrassi: The Next Generation) and Jake Allyn, and featuring Lynn Collins, Robyn Lively, Bart Johnson and Scott Reeves.

Filming for Someone Like You will begin in October in and around Nashville, with principal photography set to wrap in November and a tentative release planned for Fall 2023. The script was written by Kingsbury and Tyler Russell, with Kingsbury executive producing and Russell directing.

Someone Like You is a...

Exclusive: Will Peltz (Unfriended), Sarah Dumont (Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse) and Sydelle Noel (Glow) have signed on to star alongside Frank Grillo, Jaime King, Katherine Hughes and Josh Plasse in the horror-thriller Man’s Son, with Voltage Pictures coming aboard to launch international sales ahead of the upcoming Marché du Film.

The XYZ Films title from director Remy Grillo centers on a young couple (Hughes and Plasse) hoping to create an aesthetically pleasing audition tape for an up-and-coming Charles Manson film. When they choose an eclectic desert Airbnb as the perfect backdrop, the dark events of the audition material slowly slip into their reality, until they find themselves intertwined in an occult, sinister plot led by King and Grillo’s characters.

Plasse and Brev Moss wrote the script, which is inspired by modern occult activity in the California desert, with production to kick off in Yucca Valley, California this month.

Exclusive: Katherine Hughes (Echo 3) and Josh Plasse (iCarly) have signed on to star alongside Frank Grillo and Jaime King in the horror-thriller Man’s Son, which Remy Grillo is directing for XYZ Films.

The story surrounds a young couple (Hughes and Plasse) hoping to create an aesthetically pleasing audition tape for an up-and-coming Charles Manson film. But when they choose an eclectic desert Airbnb as the perfect backdrop, the dark events of the audition material slowly slip into their reality… Eventually, they find themselves intertwined in an occult, sinister plot led by King and Grillo’s characters.

Plasse and Brev Moss wrote the script, which is inspired by modern occult activity in the California Desrt. King’s Hooligan Dreamers Productions is producing in partnership with Dare Angel, Mi Nene and Margate House Films. Plasse, Shakira Barrera, Conor Allyn, Johnny James Fiore, Benjamin Anderson, Jake Allyn, Fabio Lo Fria, King and Emma Comley are producing,...

Exclusive: Jaime King (Black Summer) has signed on to star alongside Frank Grillo in the thriller Man’s Son, which his son Remy Grillo is directing for XYZ Films.

The story surrounds a young couple hoping to create an aesthetically pleasing audition tape for an up-and-coming Charles Manson film. But when the couple chooses an eclectic desert Airbnb as the perfect backdrop, the dark events of the audition material slowly slip into their reality… Eventually, they find themselves intertwined in an occult, sinister plot led by King and Grillo’s characters.

Josh Plasse and Brev Moss penned the script for the pic, which is going before cameras in Yucca Valley, California this month. King’s Hooligan Dreamers Productions will produce in partnership with Dare Angel, Mi Nene and Margate House Films. Plasse, Shakira Barrera, Conor Allyn, Johnny James Fiore, Benjamin Anderson, Jake Allyn, Fabio Lo Fria, King and Emma Comley are producing,...

Exclusive: XYZ Films has acquired North American rights to the upcoming horror-thriller Man’s Son, starring Frank Grillo and to be directed by his son, Remy Grillo, with plans for a domestic release either later this year or early next year.

The story surrounds a young couple hoping to create an aesthetically pleasing audition tape for an up-and-coming Charles Manson film. But when the couple chooses an eclectic desert Airbnb as the perfect backdrop, the dark events of the audition material slowly slip into their reality… Eventually, they find themselves intertwined in an occult leader (Grillo)’s sinister plot.

Josh Plasse and Brev Moss wrote the script for the project that Dare Angel is producing in partnership with Mi Nene, which will go before cameras in Yucca Valley, California this month. Plasse, Shakira Barrera, Conor Allyn, Johnny James Fiore, Benjamin Anderson, Jake Allyn and Fabio Lo Fria are producing, with Nidal Kahl,...

Exclusive: Well Go USA Entertainment has inked a deal to distribute and exec produce the rodeo crime drama Ride, alongside Conor Allyn and Jake Allyn’s Margate House Films—the company behind modern western No Man’s Land, the Tribeca-premiering I’m No Longer Here and the historical biopic Edge of the World starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers.

The film directed by Jake Allyn (No Man’s Land) is launching production in July in Stephenville, TX, the town commonly regarded as the rodeo circuit’s own “Cowboy Capital of the World.” It centers on former bull rider John Hawkins, who faces his toughest ride yet when his daughter’s cancer unexpectedly comes out of remission. Desperate to raise money for her treatment, and rejected by countless hospitals and rigid insurance policies, John abandons his principles—and, simultaneously, his sheriff wife—to partner with his estranged son Peter on a last-resort scramble for money.

This contemporary western about a young Texan fugitive who flees south of the border is handsomely shot but didactic

Just north of the border between the United States and Mexico, the Greer family – patriarch Bill (Frank Grillo), mom Monica (Andie MacDowell), and grown sons Lucas (Alex MacNicoll) and Jackson (Jake Allyn) – work the land as ranchers. They raise cattle, ride horses and, being red-blooded Texan types, play sports – in Jackson’s case well enough that he’s got a chance to go pro as a baseball player. They also spend the odd evening riding the range with a vigilante militia group, rounding up immigrants who may have crossed the border illegally, to “help” the border patrols. On one such night, Jackson joins his dad and big brother, even though they try to keep him out of this sort of thing so he can get out of Dodge and become a...

Oscar-winning “Hurt Locker” producer-sales agency Voltage Pictures has rolled out sales on one of its key titles at next week’s European Film Market, Conor Allyn’s thriller “No Man’s Land.”

Set in modern-day Guanajuato and starring Jake Allyn, Frank Grillo, Andie MacDowell, George Lopez, Alex MacNicoll and Jorge A. Jimenez, “No Man’s Land” was released in the U.S. by IFC Films on Jan. 22, opening on over 250 screens and bowing as No. 2 for new releases and No. 3 for independent streaming films on iTunes.

International sales on “No Man’s Land” include the U.K. (Signature), Australia and New Zealand (Rialto), Italy (Leone) and pay TV Asia (Fox/Disney). Voltage has also closed Benelux (Just Media), Portugal (Cinemundo), Middle East (Front Row) and South Africa (Filmfinity).

Directed by Conor Allyn from a screenplay by Jake Allyn co-written by David Barraza, the thriller follows Jackson’s as he goes on the run...

Exclusive: Samuel Goldwyn Films has acquired U.S. rights to Margate House Films’ Edge of the World (previously known as Rajah), starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers (The Tudors), Josie Ho (Dream Home) and Dominic Monaghan (Lord of the Rings).

Rob Allyn penned the script and produced the period adventure film alongside sons and partners Conor and Jake Allyn via their production company Margate House Films, together with Ho and Conroy Chan for 852 Films. Samuel Goldwyn is planning a release in June.

Helmed by Sundance and Venice alum Michael Haussman, the movie charts the true story of Sir James Brooke, the English adventurer who partly inspired Rudyard Kipling story The Man Who Would Be King and Joseph Conrad novel Lord Jim. Brooke fought pirates and slavery to rule a kingdom larger than England in the jungles of Sarawak, Borneo, where the movie was filmed with support from the Sarawak Tourism Board and...

When brothers Jake and Conor Allyn were growing up, they had something of an unusual family tradition.

Whenever they would go to the movies, their dad, Rob, had a tendency to choose something that wasn’t exactly age-appropriate for his young kids.

That’s how Jake came to perform a monologue from “Braveheart” in his elementary school talent show while the other students were singing along to Aaron Carter songs.

Child-friendly or not, the Mel Gibson epic that easily earned its R-rating instilled in the siblings a deep love of movies and inspired them to start making their own homemade films. As kids, they borrowed their parent’s camcorder to capture footage around the block. They even got savvy with special effects, setting off their own fireworks for dramatic flair.

Nearly two decades later, Jake, 30, and Conor, 34, are still making what they refer to as personal home videos. The only difference?...

No Man's Land is a well-meaning, but inherently flawed western drama. A Texas border rancher's son flees into Mexico after accidentally killing an immigrant boy. The film attempts to humanize the thorny issue of illegal immigration from multiple points of view. Its goals are admirable, but the narrative succumbs to contrivances and simplistic exposition. The reversal of fortune storyline becomes clichéd through unrealistic plot developments. That said, No Man's Land can be appreciated for its noble efforts.

No Man's Land opens with the Greer family working diligently to corral their cattle. Bill Greer (Frank Grillo) has trained his two sons, Lucas (Alex MacNicoll) and Jackson (Jake Allyn), to be more than competent horsemen. He and his wife (Andie MacDowell) are especially excited about Jackson's future prospects. He's been invited to try out for the New York Yankees minor league baseball team. The Greers face a constant struggle on the ranch.

A nice-enough young man kills a nice boy. One is Mexican, the other white. One will be buried. The other will learn an edifying lesson about bias. Can you guess which is which? The Tex-Mex border drama “No Man’s Land” — in select theaters, on digital platforms and VOD — arrives at a time when the good intentions of white filmmakers are often not good enough to address the grievances of filmgoers of color. Filmmaking brothers Conor and Jake Allyn strive to take on — and humanize — the tensions around migration in their drama that starts off in the titular area between the Rio Grande and the Texas border and then follows its hero on a reverse migration south into Mexico.

Rending events and soulful reckoning take place for all concerned, but the movie’s most dire consequences are reserved for characters who are Mexican. That says something about the filmmaker’s ambitions...

There’s a fundamental problem at the center of Conor Allyn’s No Man’s Land: the tragic event sparking its introspective yet superficially transformative journey isn’t accidental. The fact that every synopsis and description of it uses that word only helps to prove that its story is being told from a privileged and biased perspective. Jackson Greer isn’t cleaning his gun when he shoots and kills a Mexican boy trespassing on his father’s property. He didn’t think the gun was unloaded when he pulled the trigger. The sole reason Jackson was even there that night was because he believed he had business to finish. He believed he had to help save his family’s ranch.

Did he intend to kill a child? No. Did he intend to kill anyone? No. But a lack of intent doesn’t make the deed accidental. It makes it a mistake.