News

Chicago – Filmmaker James Ponsoldt has earned the moniker “veteran” in front of his name, after notable hits like “The Spectacular Now,” “The End of the Tour” and “The Circle” (with Tom Hanks). He’s back with a seasonal film called “Summering,” featuring four girls going through their own “Stand by Me” moment.

Ponsoldt’s latest film was co-written with Benjamin Percey, and it’s possibly his most romantic. It’s a quasi-reimagining of the “Stand By Me” story … but this time it’s a group of girl pre-teens that discover a dead body, and are celebrating their long grade school bond right before transitioning to middle school. Instead of going to the authorities regarding their find, they decide to investigate on their own, leading to the last adventure of their summer and the path to whatever is coming next. The cast includes Sarah Cooper, Megan Mullally, Ashley Madekwe and Lake Bell as their mothers.

Nobody sets out to make a bad movie. So why did cautionary tech thriller “The Circle” — adapted by lauded writer-director James Ponsoldt (“The Spectacular Now,” “The End of the Tour”) and beloved novelist Dave Eggers from his own 2013 bestseller — earn such negative reviews (43 on Metacritic, 17 on Rotten Tomatoes) and bomb at the box office ($9.3 million in 3,163 theaters)?

The movie went wrong in five significant ways.

1. The movie was foreign financed.

“The Circle” was developed by A-list ex-DreamWorks producers Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald’s Parkes+MacDonald Image Nation, which raised financing from Imagenation Abu Dhabi Fz and foreign sales company FilmNation on the power of Tom Hanks, who was the first star on board via his Playtone banner.

In order to raise an $18-million budget, globally bankable star Emma Watson was cast in a central leading role that demanded she be in every scene. Veering in tone from satiric comedy to naturalistic drama,...

Nobody sets out to make a bad movie. So why did cautionary tech thriller “The Circle” — adapted by lauded writer-director James Ponsoldt (“The Spectacular Now,” “The End of the Tour”) and beloved novelist Dave Eggers from his own 2013 bestseller — earn such negative reviews (43 on Metacritic, 17 on Rotten Tomatoes) and bomb at the box office ($9.3 million in 3,163 theaters)?

The movie went wrong in five significant ways.

1. The movie was foreign financed.

“The Circle” was developed by A-list ex-DreamWorks producers Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald’s Parkes+MacDonald Image Nation, which raised financing from Imagenation Abu Dhabi Fz and foreign sales company FilmNation on the power of Tom Hanks, who was the first star on board via his Playtone banner.

In order to raise an $18-million budget, globally bankable star Emma Watson was cast in a central leading role that demanded she be in every scene. Veering in tone from satiric comedy to naturalistic drama,...

Fierce, committed and above all, tough — these are the words that collaborators use to describe producer Robin O’Hara, a longtime fixture of the New York independent film scene, who died suddenly last week after complications from cancer treatment.

When O’Hara’s business and life partner Scott Macaulay of Forensic Films posted the sad news on Facebook last Wednesday, hundreds of prominent filmmakers, former crewmembers, and friends from across the independent film world offered an outpouring of condolences, remembrances, and testimonies about O’Hara’s importance in nurturing their art and their careers.

As “Saving Face” director Alice Wu wrote, “She was brilliant and mercurial and hilarious and terrifying. She gave no fucks — unless she did give a fuck — and then she gave everything. Anyone who has been lucky enough to be in her orbit never lets go. She pushed us all … and we became better people.”

Echoing Wu,...

Filming is underway for the big screen adaptation of Dave Eggers’ novel, The Circle. Emma Watson, Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, and John Boyega are among the previously announced cast. Now the Hollywood Reporter is announcing that Ellar Coltrane is joining the film. This will be Coltrane’s first film since last year’s Oscar winning drama Boyhood.

The story revolves around privacy in this digital age with Watson playing a young woman who gets a job with a big technology company. That company, called the Circle, has some very non-traditional ideas about individual privacy and Coltrane is set to play a character out to get off the grid and away from big brother oversight. Hanks is playing a key executive at the company.

The film will be directed by James Ponsoldt. His previous features include The Spectacular Now (2013), Smashed (2012) and Off the Black (2006). Both The Spectacular Now and Smashed were...

I’ve only been to the Sundance Film Festival once, but every single year I’m on the lookout for which titles from Park City could make the transition to the Academy Award race late in the year. Sundance this year had a handful of offerings that meet such criteria, but none captured my interest as much as The End of the Tour. The movie, from up and coming ace filmmaker James Ponsoldt, captured some of the fest’s best reviews and did in fact create some awards buzz, so today’s debut of a Trailer for the film (which you can see below) has me very excited about its possibilities. If you’re not aware about the flick at all from Sundance, it’s a look at the time spent between Rolling Stone writer David Lipsky and the celebrated late author David Foster Wallace, while the former interviews the latter for an article.

James Ponsoldt is a Sundance veteran. After his 2006 debut, "Off the Black," he returned in 2012 and 2013 with "Smashed" and "The Spectacular Now" (respectively), and now he's back with "The End of the Tour," a unique portal into the enigmatic mind of writer David Foster Wallace. The film has garnered positive reactions from critics, who highlight Jason Segel's transformative performance as one of the actor's best yet. Ponsoldt shares the challenges of portraying Wallace onscreen for the first time: "I hope the audience feels that their intelligence was respected." What's your film about, in 140 characters or less? The story of the intense, surprising five-day 1996 interview between “Rolling Stone” reporter David Lipsky and acclaimed novelist David Foster Wallace. Now, what's it Really about? Meeting someone you respect/admire from a distance – and realizing that they’re far more complicated...

Three times lucky and fourth time the charm? Depending on who ask, The End of the Tour, the book to screen adaptation of David Lipsky’s “Although Of Course You End Up Becoming Yourself” would be welcomed with both anticipation and trepidation (the Wallace clan haven’t warmed up to the idea). James Ponsoldt, a specialist in the human condition, has a road-tripper that fills out a certain quota: high profile sales items (at this point we have no idea if Sony might be selling or keeping) with attention-getting topliners in Jason Segel and Jesse Eisenberg. Ponsoldt’s entire feature filmography has screened in Park City, but this is perhaps the least likely candidate to premiere this January as the shooting budget on this road-tripper was perhaps larger than that of Off the Black (2006), Smashed (2012) and The Spectacular Now (2013) combined. Production began at the beginning of ’14 and Sony acquired all...

This time last year, director James Ponsoldt released Smashed, a feature focusing on the turbulent relationship between two young alcoholics, and it’s a theme he’s explored once again, this time in The Spectacular Now. However his latest offering is a far more polished and poignant piece of cinema.

Miles Teller plays Sutter, a confident, self-assured high school student who cares more about partying than he does about studying – never to be seen without his trusty hip flask. However his nonchalant philosophy towards life takes a dramatic change when he takes a liking to Aimee (Shailene Woodley), a far more innocent, and less popular classmate. Though initially he is trying to make his ex-girlfriend (Brie Larson) jealous, he soon develops feelings for his new crush, though his influence over her may just be more damaging that he’d like to believe.

Though going back a few years from his protagonists in Smashed,...

A new, occasional column here at Filmmaker, “The Shooting Schedule” looks at film production through the prism of a single shoot day. I peruse a film’s call sheet and production report and ask the director questions solely based on what I see there. To launch the column, I couldn’t think of anyone better to talk to than my friend James Ponsoldt, whose third feature, The Spectacular Now, opens today. A contributor to Filmmaker — and a director whose first feature, Off the Black, Robin O’Hara and I produced — Ponsoldt has made with The Spectacular Now an indelible teen romance …...

"I like emotional experiences - when I go into an art museum, or listen to an album, or see a movie, I like to feel something deeply." One of my favorite indie films this year is The Spectacular Now (watch the trailer), a superb coming-of-age film starring Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley directed by James Ponsoldt. It first premiered at Sundance, where the year before Ponsoldt brought his second film Smashed, and in 2006 premiered his first film Off the Black. I love Ponsoldt's films and I finally met up with him in New York this past weekend for an interview. It ended up becoming a fantastic discussion on storytelling. One quote: "Don't judge your characters... Just look at them, let them bet he best advocate for themselves." James is actually a journalist too, writing for places like Filmmaker magazine, which he references at one point. Photo above is from the Walker Art Center premiere.

A24's The Spectacular Now opens in theaters on August 2nd, 2013, starring Divergent's Shailene Woodley as well as Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Miles Teller, Kyle Chandler, Brie Larson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Kaitlyn Dever, Bob Odenkirk and Andre Royo. We invite you to check out the new trailer, and the wonderfully-designed poster for the film below that. The Spectacular Now is directed by James Ponsoldt, whom I had the pleasure of speaking to a while back for Off the Black. (500) Days of Summe scribes Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber wrote the screenplat based on the novel by Tim Tharp. Sutter Keely (Miles Teller) lives in the now. It’s a good place for him. A high school senior, charming and self-possessed, he’s the life of the party, loves his job at a men’s clothing store, and has no plans for the future. A budding alcoholic, he’s never far from his supersized,...

"Then she falls for you... what happens then?" A24 has finally unveiled a trailer for one of our favorite films of Sundance 2013, James Ponsoldt's The Spectacular Now, another fantastic coming-of-age love story starring Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley. This indie gem is from the same guys who wrote 500 Days of Summer and tells an amusing, heartwarming, riveting story of young love and growing up. Ponsoldt is one of my favorite directors around, I love the performances he captures. Shailene more than anyone melts my heart. Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Brie Larson and Kyle Chandler make appearances, too. Enjoy! Watch the first trailer for James Ponsoldt's The Spectacular Now, originally from MTV: A hard-partying high school senior's philosophy on life changes when he meets the not-so-typical "nice girl." The Spectacular Now is directed by up-and-coming American filmmaker James Ponsoldt, of the films Off the Black and Smashed previously. The screenplay...

Indiewire's epic summer movie preview is completed today with part 5 of our series highlighting 50 indie films we think you should see this summer. Head back over to part 1 for a full introduction and the first batch of films and to part 2 and part 3 and part 4 for the previous sets (all of which are, like below, listed in alphabetical order). The Spectacular Now (August 2) Director: James Ponsoldt Cast: Miles Teller, Shailene Woodley, Brie Larson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kyle Chandler Distributor: A24 Criticwire Average: 23 critics gave it an A- average. Why is it a "Must See"? This Sundance alum -- one of the definite highlights of the fest -- features an intriguing collaboration between James Ponsoldt, whose “Off the Black” and “Smashed” were keenly observed dramas, and screenwriters Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber, whose “(500) Days of Summer” brought true independent spirit to the romantic comedy genre. Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley.

Title: The Spectacular Now Director: James Ponsoldt Starring: Miles Teller, Shailene Woodley, Brie Larson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kyle Chandler Alcoholism has been the subject of many films, and was even at the center of director James Ponsoldt’s first two features,Off the Black and Smashed. For his latest endeavor into addiction, Ponsoldt takes on Tim Tharp’s novel, which follows high school senior Sutter Keely (Miles Teller), a class clown with a flask always at the ready who finds himself suddenly attracted to the sweet Aimee Finicky (Shailene Woodley) after waking up on her lawn after an alcohol-induced blackout. The Spectacular Now is an endearing, entertaining story laced with [ Read More ]

The post The Spectacular Now Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.

James Ponsoldt is no stranger to the Sundance Film Festival. His last two feature films, Smashed and Off the Black, both premiered in Park City, with Smashed winning a Special Jury Prize in 2012. The Spectacular Now, Ponsoldt’s third film, premieres today. Working from the novel by Tim Tharp of the same name, (500) Days of Summer‘s screenwriters Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber adapted the story about a popular high school boy with an emerging drinking problem who finds himself drawn to a girl of a lesser social status. Miles Teller (Project X) and Shailene Woodley (The Descendants) star …...

With post-production only beginning in late August, it might be too much of a rush job for James Ponsoldt to make it three for three at Sundance in 2013. His sophomore feature Off the Black (Sundance 06′) was followed up with/by Smashed, (in personal top 5 from last year’s edition) which paid off huge dividends for the filmmaker as he then lensed The Spectacular Now, a gig written by 500 Days of Summer scribes Michael H. Weber and Scott Neustadter and starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Smashed lead) alongside Shailene Woodley, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Brie Larson.

Gist: This follows a teenage girl (Woodley) who convinces an alcoholic high school senior that his philosophy of living only for the moment may not be all it’s cracked up to be.

Production Co./Producers: 21 Laps Entertainment’s Shawn Levy, Michelle Krumm, Andrew Lauren and Tom McNulty

Prediction: Premieres section

U.S. Distributor: Rights Available...

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

One of the best recent films about addiction of any kind, Smashed serves as familiar material for director James Ponsoldt, whose previous film Off the Black piercingly examined the chronic alcoholism of an ageing baseball umpire. This time opting to observe the effects of alcohol addiction upon younger subjects, Ponsoldt mines co-writer Susan Burke’s own substance abuse issues to produce a riveting, affecting, superbly acted drama.

As much as it is about alcoholism, Smashed is first and foremost a love story; the opening scenes of the film in which we meet married couple Kate (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and Charlie (Aaron Paul), it is clear that their mutual love of alcohol only strengthens their bond and enhances their love for one another. Ponsoldt also plausibly demonstrates how they function – albeit scarcely – in their day-to-day lives; Charlie lives off his rich parents, while Kate teaches young schoolchildren,...

The Oscar buzz has been surrounding Mary Elizabeth Winstead for her performance in Smashed all year, since the film debuted at Sundance back in January, where it jointly won the Special Jury Prize.

I absolutely loved the film when it continued its festival circuit at Tiff, and with the film currently in limited release in the Us, Sony have finally announced that they’ll be releasing the film here in the UK on 14th December.

Winstead stars opposite Aaron Paul, with the leading duo playing a functioning alcoholic couple, and when the former realises what a mess her life has become, her path to sobriety is not an easy one.

“Kate and Charlie like to have a good time. Their marriage thrives on a shared fondness for music, laughter . . . and getting smashed. When Kate’s partying spirals into hard-core asocial behavior, compromising her job as an elementary schoolteacher, something’s got to give.

In the indie comedy Smashed from co-writer/director James Ponsoldt, Mary Elizabeth Winstead plays Kate, an elementary school teacher who hits rock bottom with her love of alcohol, which is supported by her husband Charlie (Aaron Paul of “Breaking Bad”). In a decision that tests the cohesion of the marriage, Kate decides to give Alcoholics Anonymous a try (where a character played by Octavia Spencer of The Help becomes her sponsor). Nick Offerman plays a co-worker of Kate’s with his own history of substance abuse.

Lead actress Winstead has become increasingly visible in Hollywood, with roles like Bruce Willis’ on-screen daughter in Live Free or Die Hard (and the upcoming A Good Day to Die Hard), Ramona Flowers in Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, and even a lead part in last fall’s The Thing.

Director James Ponsoldt, who co-wrote the film with Susan Burke, also directed the film...

Chicago – The recovery of an alcoholic is rarely told honestly in film, and by making it about the relationships, writer/director James Ponsoldt has achieved that truth. It helps that his lead actor is the illustrious Mary Elizabeth Winstead (“Scott Pilgrim vs. the World”).

Ponsoldt and Winstead team up to deliver a poignant and special character in Kate Hannah, who recognizes her own culpability in the party life just in time. How it will affect her marriage with Charlie (Aaron Paul) or her job is another side of that coin, and it turns up in unexpected ways. This is Ponsoldt’s second major film – after “Off the Black” in 2006 – and deals with a time of life and an age group that is not often seen dealing with the complex issues of recovery.

Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Kate Hannah in ‘Smashed’

Photo credit: Sony Pictures Classic

Mary Elizabeth Winstead and James Ponsoldt talked to HollywoodChicago.

Kate Hannah (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) is a devoted elementary school teacher who, early in James Ponsoldt’s new film Smashed, shows up for work with a wicked hangover and vomits in front of her students. Forced to explain her behavior, she tells her class and colleagues that she’s pregnant. The lie leaves her feeling awful, and it’s soon clear to Kate that she needs to back away from the bottle. After all, this isn’t a one-off incident. She and her husband Charlie (Aaron Paul) are almost constantly drunk, and it’s pretty clear to her that they live for booze as much as they live for one another. Charlie agrees to cut back, then quickly jumps ship, and their differing views about Kate’s sobriety—she needs the positive reinforcement of Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, he hates the slogans and rules that accompany her recovery—causes a rift in their marriage.

Leaving Los Angeles: Ponsoldt’s Feature of Addiction & Recovery Anchored by Strong Lead

Director James Ponsoldt follows up his under seen 2006 debut Off the Black with Smashed, an excellent, albeit hard sell drama about one woman’s decision to battle her alcohol addiction. But Ponsoldt has hardly made the downer it would seem to be on paper, avoiding both despair and schmaltzy melodrama for a realistic, down to earth depiction of the pitfalls on the way to making a better life for yourself. While there’s not much in the way of surprise here narrative wise, Ponsoldt has managed to bring us one of this year’s best acting performances with Mary Elizabeth Winstead, whose name, in a fair world, would be seriously considered for recognition come awards season.

Kate (Winstead) and Charlie (Aaron Paul) are a young married couple that like to have a good time. It seems that...

Sony Pictures Classics has released the first trailer, four clips, and a poster for the indie drama Smashed, the latest from director James Ponsoldt (Off the Black). Mary Elizabeth Winstead stars as Kate, a teacher whose life revolves around drinking and partying with her husband Charlie (Breaking Bad's Aaron Paul). With her job on the line, Kate decides to get sober, a choice which may threaten every aspect of her life. Take a look at new footage from this Sundance sensation, along with the one-sheet.

Smashed - Trailer

Smashed - Kate's AA Speech

Smashed - Saw You Drinking

Smashed - First Date

Smashed - Humiliating

Kate and Charlie like to have a good time. Their marriage thrives on a shared fondness for music, laughter... and getting smashed. When Kate's partying spirals into hard-core asocial behavior, compromising her job as an elementary school teacher, something's got to give. But change isn't exactly a cakewalk.

James Ponsoldt’s Smashed debuted at Sundance this year to brilliant early reviews, with a particular focus on its leading couple, Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World) and Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad), for having given such exceptional performances.

Talk has been buzzing ever since for the possibility of a Best Actress nomination for Winstead at the Oscars, and with the film about to screen at Tiff, Sony Pictures Classics have now released the first clip.

“Kate and Charlie like to have a good time. Their marriage thrives on a shared fondness for music, laughter . . . and getting smashed. When Kate’s partying spirals into hard-core asocial behavior, compromising her job as an elementary schoolteacher, something’s got to give. But change isn’t exactly a cakewalk. Sobriety means she will have to confront the lies she’s been spinning at work, her troubling relationship with her mother, and the...

From Sony Pictures Classics comes three new clips and ten photos from the upcoming dark dramedy Smashed, starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, The Thing) and Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad) as a young couple who are essentially bonded over their mutual alcoholism and affection for getting smashed.

In the film, Kate (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and Charlie (Aaron Paul) like to have a good time. Their marriage thrives on a shared fondness for music, laughter . . . and getting smashed. When Kate’s partying spirals into hard-core asocial behavior, compromising her job as an elementary schoolteacher, something’s got to give. But change isn’t exactly a cakewalk. Sobriety means she will have to confront the lies she’s been spinning at work, her troubling relationship with her mother, and the nature of her bond with Charlie.

Additional cast include Anjini Taneja Azhar, Brad Carter, Bree Turner, Carol Avery, Kyle Gallner,...

Watch new clips from Smashed, starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Aaron Paul and Octavia Spencer. The Sony Pictures Classics release opens on October 12th under the helm of James Ponsoldt (Off the Black). Also in nthe cast of the drama seen at this year's Sundance Film Festival, are Megan Mullally and Mary Kay Place. Kate and Charlie are a young married couple whose bond is built on a mutual love of music, laughter and drinking...especially the drinking. When Kate's drinking leads her to dangerous places and her job as a school teacher is put into jeopardy, she decides to join AA and get sober. With the help of her friend and sponsor Jenny, and the vice principal at her school, the awkward, but well intentioned...

Watch new clips from Smashed, starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Aaron Paul and Octavia Spencer. The Sony Pictures Classics release opens on October 12th under the helm of James Ponsoldt (Off the Black). Also in nthe cast of the drama seen at this year's Sundance Film Festival, are Megan Mullally and Mary Kay Place. Kate and Charlie are a young married couple whose bond is built on a mutual love of music, laughter and drinking...especially the drinking. When Kate's drinking leads her to dangerous places and her job as a school teacher is put into jeopardy, she decides to join AA and get sober. With the help of her friend and sponsor Jenny, and the vice principal at her school, the awkward, but well intentioned...

James Ponsoldt’s Smashed debuted at Sundance at the start of the year to brilliant reviews, coming away from the festival with an award in hand and early buzz for Oscar-worthy performances from its leading stars, Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World) and Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad).

Last week, we heard that Sony Pictures Classics had set the film’s Us release date for 12th October, and now we’ve got nine new images to share, giving us a look a transformed Winstead, significantly more washed-out than we’re used to seeing her, on her path to sobriety.

“Kate and Charlie like to have a good time. Their marriage thrives on a shared fondness for music, laughter . . . and getting smashed. When Kate’s partying spirals into hard-core asocial behavior, compromising her job as an elementary schoolteacher, something’s got to give. But change isn’t exactly a cakewalk.

Starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World) and Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad) in the leads, Smashed debuted at Sundance this year to incredibly strong reviews, and jointly won the Special Jury Prize for Excellence in Independent Film Producing.

Sony Classics acquired Us distribution, and have now set the release date for the film as 12th October.

“Kate and Charlie like to have a good time. Their marriage thrives on a shared fondness for music, laughter . . . and getting smashed. When Kate’s partying spirals into hard-core asocial behavior, compromising her job as an elementary schoolteacher, something’s got to give. But change isn’t exactly a cakewalk. Sobriety means she will have to confront the lies she’s been spinning at work, her troubling relationship with her mother, and the nature of her bond with Charlie.”

Starring alongside Winstead and Paul will be Octavia Spencer (The Help), Nick Offerman...

After her breakout turn in "The Descendants," Shailene Woodley has been understandably inundated with offers for movies. And while she reportedly turned down the seemingly-unnecessary remake of "Carrie," it seems she has finally decided to keep doing what she does best, and has signed up for a role playing a teenager who's got trouble in front of her.

Variety reports that Woodley has taken the lead role in the coming-of-age dramedy "The Spectacular Now," which will follow the "Secret Life of the American Teenager" actress as she tries to convince an alcoholic high school senior that his reckless philosophy of living for the moment may have its faults. The plot details don't offer much outside of its modified "After School Special" tagline, but the pedigree of talent suggests that there might be something more here. The script is from "(500) Days of Summer" scribes Scott Neustadter and Michael Weber, based on Tim Tharp's award-winning novel,...

Shailene Woodley, who stars on the ABC Family series The Secret Life of the American Teenager, made a big-screen splash last year in Alexander Payne's drama The Descendants, co-starring George Clooney and Judy Greer. Woodley continued to build upon her big-screen bio by joining The Spectacular Now, based on Tim Tharp’s novel about a popular high school senior named Sutter who changes his hard-partying ways after becoming friends with a female outcast named Aimee Finicky. Woodley joined the movie as Aimee with indie filmmaker James Ponsoldt (Smashed, Off the Black) directing. Woodley also remained attached to Bert V. Royal’s teen comedy A Thousand Words or Less.

Shailene Woodley, who stars on the ABC Family series The Secret Life of the American Teenager, made a big-screen splash last year in Alexander Payne's drama The Descendants, co-starring George Clooney and Judy Greer. Woodley continued to build upon her big-screen bio by joining The Spectacular Now, based on Tim Tharp’s novel about a popular high school senior named Sutter who changes his hard-partying ways after becoming friends with a female outcast named Aimee Finicky. Woodley joined the movie as Aimee with indie filmmaker James Ponsoldt (Smashed, Off the Black) directing. Woodley also remained attached to Bert V. Royal’s teen comedy A Thousand Words or Less.

Sony Pictures Classics has announced that they have acquired all worldwide rights to Smashed. The film, directed by James Ponsoldt (Off The Black), is produced by Jonathan Schwartz (Like Crazy) and Andrea Sperling (Like Crazy) of Super Crispy Entertainment, who were honored at Sundance this year with a Special Jury Prize for Excellence in Independent Film Producing, as well as Jennifer Cochis. The film is executive produced by Audrey and Zygi Wilf. Spc previously worked with Sperling on the 2005 feature, The Quiet.

Smashed premiered at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival to positive reviews and stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World), Emmy Award® winner Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad), Academy Award® winner Octavia Spencer (The Help), Nick Offerman (Parks & Recreation), Emmy Award® winner Megan Mullally (Will & Grace) and Emmy Award® winner Mary Kay Place (Big Love; Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman).

In Smashed, Kate and Charlie like to have a good time.

One month after we reported that Sony Pictures Classics were “on the verge of picking up” Smashed, Deadline has come in with a press release confirming this acquisition. As you may already know, the film at hand is a drama about the perils of alcoholism, which stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Aaron Paul, Octavia Spencer, Nick Offerman, and Megan Mullaly, and is directed by James Ponsoldt. Our reaction out of Sundance was one of all-around positivity, with special notice going to Winstead‘s peformance; that’s the primary hook, as far as I’m concerned. Hearing that everything else works alongside it is icing on the cake, if you will.

Read the full press release below:

New York (March 5, 2012) – Sony Pictures Classics announced today that they have acquired all worldwide rights to Smashed. The film, directed by James Ponsoldt (Off The Black), is produced by Jonathan Schwartz (Like Crazy) and Andrea Sperling...

Sony Pictures Classics announced today that they have acquired all worldwide rights to Smashed. The film, directed by James Ponsoldt (Off the Black), is produced by Jonathan Schwartz (Like Crazy) and Andrea Sperling (Like Crazy) of Super Crispy Entertainment, who were honored at Sundance this year with a Special Jury Prize for Excellence in Independent Film Producing, as well as Jennifer Cochis. The film is executive produced by Audrey and Zygi Wilf. Spc previously worked with Sperling on the 2005 feature, The Quiet.

Smashed premiered at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival to positive reviews and stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World), Emmy Award winner Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad), Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer (The Help), Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation), Emmy Award winner Megan Mullally (Will & Grace) and Emmy Award winner Mary Kay Place (Big Love; Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman).

In Smashed, Kate and Charlie like to have a good time.

Sony Pictures Classics has confirmed its acquistion of worldwide rights to "Smashed," starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead ("Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World"), Aaron Paul ("Breaking Bad") and Oscar-winner Octavia Spencer. The film premiered at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. In the drama, Winstead plays an alcoholic elementary school teacher who decides to go sober and change her life for the better. No release date has been announcened of yet. Full release below: Sony Pictures Classics Gets Smashed New York (March 5, 2012)- Sony Pictures Classics announced today that they have acquired all worldwide rights to Smashed. The film, directed by James Ponsoldt (Off The Black), is produced by Jonathan Schwartz (Like Crazy) and Andrea Sperling (Like Crazy) of Super Crispy Entertainment, who were honored at Sundance this year with a Special Jury Prize for Excellence in Independent Film Producing, as well as Jennifer...

New York (March 5, 2012) – Sony Pictures Classics announced today that they have acquired all worldwide rights to Smashed. The film, directed by James Ponsoldt (Off The Black), is produced by Jonathan Schwartz (Like Crazy) and Andrea Sperling (Like Crazy) of Super Crispy Entertainment, who were honored at Sundance this year with a Special Jury Prize for Excellence in Independent Film Producing, as well as Jennifer Cochis. The film is executive produced by Audrey and Zygi Wilf. Spc previously worked with Sperling on the 2005 feature, The Quiet. Smashed premiered at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival to positive reviews and stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World), Emmy Award® winner Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad), Academy Award® winner Octavia Spencer (The Help), Nick Offerman (Parks & Recreation), Emmy Award® winner Megan Mullally (Will & Grace) and Emmy Award® winner Mary Kay Place (Big Love; Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman). In Smashed, Kate and Charlie like to have a good time.

Smashed picked up by Sony Pictures Classics, starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Octavia Spencer. In Smashed, Kate and Charlie like to have a good time. Their marriage thrives on a shared fondness for music, laughter . . . and getting smashed. When Kate’s partying spirals into hard-core asocial behavior, compromising her job as an elementary schoolteacher, something’s got to give. But change isn’t exactly a cakewalk. Sobriety means she will have to confront the lies she’s been spinning at work, her troubling relationship with her mother, and the nature of her bond with Charlie. Also in the cast of the James Ponsoldt (Off the Black) film are Aaron Paul, Megan Mullally and Mary Kay Place. Jonathan Schwartz, Andrea Sperling and Jennifer Cochis produced Smashed, which won the Special Jury Prize at this year's Sundance Film Festival, and was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize (Dramatic)...

Smashed picked up by Sony Pictures Classics, starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Octavia Spencer. In Smashed, Kate and Charlie like to have a good time. Their marriage thrives on a shared fondness for music, laughter . . . and getting smashed. When Kate’s partying spirals into hard-core asocial behavior, compromising her job as an elementary schoolteacher, something’s got to give. But change isn’t exactly a cakewalk. Sobriety means she will have to confront the lies she’s been spinning at work, her troubling relationship with her mother, and the nature of her bond with Charlie. Also in the cast of the James Ponsoldt (Off the Black) film are Aaron Paul, Megan Mullally and Mary Kay Place. Jonathan Schwartz, Andrea Sperling and Jennifer Cochis produced Smashed, which won the Special Jury Prize at this year's Sundance Film Festival, and was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize (Dramatic)...

Smashed picked up by Sony Pictures Classics, starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Octavia Spencer. In Smashed, Kate and Charlie like to have a good time. Their marriage thrives on a shared fondness for music, laughter . . . and getting smashed. When Kate’s partying spirals into hard-core asocial behavior, compromising her job as an elementary schoolteacher, something’s got to give. But change isn’t exactly a cakewalk. Sobriety means she will have to confront the lies she’s been spinning at work, her troubling relationship with her mother, and the nature of her bond with Charlie. Also in the cast of the James Ponsoldt (Off the Black) film are Aaron Paul, Megan Mullally and Mary Kay Place. Jonathan Schwartz, Andrea Sperling and Jennifer Cochis produced Smashed, which won the Special Jury Prize at this year's Sundance Film Festival, and was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize (Dramatic)...

Filmmaker James Ponsoldt's feature debut Off The Black premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2006. It was met with a lackluster response, but everyone seemed to praise the performances despite the troubled screenplay. After seeing last year's heavily buzzed-about film Like Crazy, Mary Elizabeth Winstead contacted producer Jonathan Schwartz and Andrea Sperling because she wanted to be in a film like the one they produced. This year, Ponsoldt, Schwartz and Sperling returned to Park City Utah with Smashed, which features a must-see tour de force performance from Winstead. The character-driven script follows a teacher dealing with alcoholism, and the problems that her marriage poses in her efforts to become sober. Winstead plays the teacher, and Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad) plays her almost-always drunk husband. The story is basic and obvious (as in that it has the standard after school special character arc) but the details are polished and authentic-feeling.

Conflict-of-interest note: As most of you know, I produce films in addition to editing Filmmaker. Others on our team do as well. “By filmmakers, for filmmakers,” our marketing tagline has long been, and I like to think that our experience gives the magazine insight as well as strong bullshit detector. Being aware of my multiple hats, however, I generally exclude projects I produce from the magazine and site. That’s why you’ve never read about films like Off the Black, Saving Face and Raising Victor Vargas in Filmmaker. (Sorry, directors!) But when it comes to the following story of interest to independent filmmakers, I’ll make an exception because it would be wrong to not cover it and disingenuous not to acknowledge my own films in this mix. Hopefully by adding my own experience I add something to the story. And if anyone wants advice on re-delivering 20-year old films,...

Anderson executive producer Terence Noonan has signed with Apa. The five-time Daytime Emmy Award winner most recently served as supervising producer of Harpo's syndicated The Dr. Oz Show. Noonan’s other credits include producing The Rosie O'Donnell Show and serving as supervising producer for Ellen, among others. He also created TLC's DC Cupcakes and Travel Channel's A Slice of Brooklyn. James Ponsoldt, co-writer and director of 2012 Sundance selection Smashed, has signed with UTA. Ponsoldt previously directed the Nick Nolte-starring indie drama Off The Black. He is also represented by manager Brad Petrigala of Brillstein Entertainment Partners and lawyer Andrew

read more...

#59. Smashed - James Ponsoldt An integral part of the indie filmmaking scene, when not contributing to Filmmaker Magazine helmer James Ponsoldt (pictured above) appears to be busy mounting his next project and five yearsafter his breakout debut Off the Black (a Sundance entry in 2006) we now have his sophomore pic - a dramedy featuring Breaking Bad's Aaron Paul along with Mary Elizabeth Winstead. Look for Smashed to grab a U.S Dramatic or Premieres spot. Gist: Co-written by James Ponsoldt and Susan Burke, this is the story of a married couple whose bond is built on a mutual love of alcohol gets their relationship put to the test when the wife decides to get sober and begins attending AA. Producers: Jennifer Cochis (Douchebag), Jonathan Schwartz (Like Crazy) and Andrea Sperling (Sympathy for Delicious)(Ioncinema.com Preview Page // IMDb Link)  ...

Mary Elizabeth Winstead, who really made a name for herself playing Ramona Flowers last summer in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, and Aaron Paul, Emmy Award-winner for TV’s Breaking Bad, have both in negotiations to lead the indie dramedy, Smashed, Variety report.

The film will be made at the excellently named Super Crispy Entertainment, who recently made the indie film, Like Crazy, starring Felicity Jones, Anton Yelchin, and Jennifer Lawrence, which won the Grand Jury Prize for a Dramatic Film earlier this year at Sundance.

They’re clearly starting to prove themselves capable of making great films with a terrific cast on a low budget, and Smashed will hopefully be another prime example. Along with Winstead and Paul, Octavia Spencer, star of the forthcoming The Help, and Nick Offerman, star of TV’s Parks and Recreation, are also in talks to join the film.

Smashed is to be loosely...

[1] We write up casting stories [2] several times a day here at /Film, but it's not every day we come across an ensemble cast as intriguing as this one. Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Aaron Paul, Nick Offerman, and Octavia Spencer are set to team up for the indie marriage dramedy Smashed, from director James Ponsoldt (Off the Black). If you, like me and much of the Internet, are a fan of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Breaking Bad, and Parks & Recreation, I probably don't have to explain to you what's so exciting about that roster. Though I am torn between hoping that Smashed will allow them to stretch and demonstrate their range as actors, and wishing that I could just watch a movie about Ramona Flowers, Jesse Pinkman, Ron Swanson, and Minny Jackson from The Help hanging out. More details after the jump. Inspired by Blake Edwards' 1962 film Days of Wine and Roses,...

Aaron Paul ("Breaking Bad"), Mary Elizabeth Winstead ("Scott Pilgrim"), Nick Offerman ("Parks and Recreation") and Octavia Spencer ("The Help") are all said to be up for roles in James Ponsoldt's indie drama "Smashed" for Super Crispy Entertainment reports Variety.

Considered a modern version of "Days of Wine and Roses", Winstead and Paul would play a married couple with a shared penchant for drinking who have their lives turned upside down when Winstead's character decides to go sober.

Spencer would play a friend and AA sponsor of Winstead, while Offerman would play an assistant principal at an elementary school. Susan Burke co-wrote the script with Ponsoldt ("Off the Black") .

Jonathan Schwartz, Jennifer Cochis and Andrea Sperling are producing.

Super Crispy Entertainment is in negotiations for actress Mary Elizabeth Winstead to join the cast of “Smashed.” Variety has also reported the production company is also in talks with Aaron Paul (“Breaking Bad”), Octavia Spencer (“The Help”) and Nick Offerman (“Parks and Recreation”) to join the cast. The film is a contemporary take on Blake Edward’s 1962 drama “Days of Wine and Roses” about a couple’s bond built around the mutual love of alcohol. However, their relationship is put to the test when the wife becomes sober. Winstead and Paul will play the loving alcoholic couple. Spencer will play Winstead’s friend and Alcoholic Anonymous sponsor. Offerman is offered to play the assistant principal at the elementary school in which where one of the couple teaches at. “Smashed” will be directed by James Ponsoldt (“Off the Black”) from a script he wrote with Susan Burke.Source: Variety...

After battling alien life forms in this fall’s The Thing prequel, Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim vs The World) could sure use a drink. So it’s fitting that Winstead’s in negotiations to join the indie drama Smashed, which focuses on a married couple who are brought together by booze. Completing the partnership is Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad) who is no stranger to portraying a man with an addiction. I’d imagine that Paul’s character in Smashed will be slightly less tweaked out than the meth-cooking Jesse, as he will be romancing Winstead and seducing her with his passion for alcohol. Loosely based off of the 1962 film, Days of Wine and Roses, Smashed explores what happens to their relationship when Winstead’s character makes a move towards sobriety and attends AA. James Ponsoldt (Off the Black) will direct from a script co-written with Susan Burke. Hit the...