Michelle Monaghan

Dimension Picks Up PENTHOUSE NORTH Starring Michael Keaton; Tribeca Film Acquires SLEEPLESS NIGHT

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: November 4th, 2011 at 1:56 pm

We’ve got a couple of acquisition stories to report today. First up, Dimension has picked up U.S. distribution rights to the thriller Penthouse North. Directed by Joseph Ruben (Sleeping with the Enemy), the film stars Michelle Monaghan as a photojournalist blinded in Iraq who becomes entangled in a sadistic criminal’s (Michael Keaton) search for a missing fortune. The script was written by David Loughery (Lakeview Terrace), who will also produced alongside Jeff Sackman and Michael Baker. Production begins in Ottawa on December 7th.

Additionally, Tribeca Film has acquired the U.S. rights to the French thriller Sleepless Night. The film debuted to a wildly positive reception as part of the “Midnight Madness” portion of the Toronto Film Festival.  Matt caught the pic and loved it, and now Tribeca Film will release the film VOD and theatrically stateside in 2012. The story centers on an undercover cop trying to get his kidnapped son back from a drug-dealing nightclub owner. An English-language remake is already in the works at Warner Bros. You can watch the trailer for the French film here. Hit the jump to read the press releases concerning Penthouse North and Sleeplees Night.

Olivia Wilde, Michelle Monaghan, Judy Greer, Sarah Silverman, and Jessica Biel Up for BURT WONDERSTONE Female Lead

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: October 27th, 2011 at 11:53 am

Because we know you can’t get enough of shortlist stories, we’ve got yet another line-up of actresses vying for a role. Today the film in question is the magician comedy Burt Wonderstone starring Steve Carell and Jim Carrey. Deadline reports that Olivia Wilde, Michelle Monaghan, Judy Greer, Sarah Silverman, and Jessica Biel are all on the short list for the female lead in the Las Vegas-centered comedy. The film tells the story of a Vegas magician (Carell) who is upstaged by a younger, more hip magician (Carrey) after breaking up with his partner. Nevermind that Carell and Carrey are the same age.

While all the actresses mentioned are find leading ladies in their own right, no one comes close to the comedic talents of Greer in my mind. She’s been shining in supporting roles left and right for years (just thinking about her stint on Arrested Development makes me crack a smile), and it’d be great to see her go toe-to-toe with Carell and Carrey. Jason Reitman was recently commissioned to do “several weeks worth” of work on the script, previously written by Horrible Bosses scribes John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein.

Michelle Monaghan to Play Afghanistan War Veteran in FORT BLISS

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: October 24th, 2011 at 2:06 pm

Michelle Monaghan has signed on to star in the indie drama Fort Bliss. Variety reports that the actress will play a veteran of the war in Afghanistan in the pic written and directed by Claudia Myers (Kettle Fish). The story centers on a soldier who is sent home from the Afghani war after a long tour. Once stateside, she struggles to reconnect with her 5-year-old son. In addition to writing and directing, Myers will also produce the $2 million film alongside Brendan McDonald and Adam Silver. Production is set to begin next June in New Mexico. It sounds like an intriguing character drama, but films centered on the Afghanistan and Iraq wars have struggled to find audiences in the past decade. I think a small drama is the way to go, and it’ll be nice to see Monaghan stretch her acting chops in such a pic.

The actress recently starred in Machine Gun Preacher, and she’s currently filming the indie Boot Tracks with Stephen Dorff. Monaghan is also poised to star in the dark comedy thriller Better Living Through Chemistry alongside Sam Rockwell and Olivia Wilde, and the thriller Penthouse North with Michael Keaton.

TOP 5: Fantastic Fest Coverage, 50/50, MACHINE GUN PREACHER, GHOST RIDER 2, Tom Hiddleston Talks THE AVENGERS and THOR 2

by Jason Barr    Posted: October 1st, 2011 at 3:56 pm

With the fall film season now in full swing, I’m 100% ashamed to admit that I’ve yet to see two of my most anticipated fall films: Moneyball and 50/50. Now, I have every intention of ending this charade at some point this weekend but, for now, I hope you’ll give me a pass. If I’ve still yet to check them out when we meet here next week, I’ll understand if you choose to revoke my “mildly credible film blogger” credentials. In the meantime…

…In this week’s “Top 5″ installment, you can find all of our Fantastic Fest 2011 coverage. After that, interviews abound with the cast of Jonathan Levine’s dramedy 50/50, the cast, creators, and real-life inspiration for Machine Gun Preacher, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance director Brian Taylor, and Thor/The Avengers‘ Tom Hiddleston. Check out a brief recap and link to each after the jump.

Gerard Butler and Michelle Monaghan Talk MACHINE GUN PREACHER, Video Games and Karaoke

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: September 26th, 2011 at 6:58 pm

At this year’s Toronto Film Festival, I was able to speak with Gerard Butler and Michelle Monaghan about director Marc Forster’s Machine Gun Preacher.  The movie is based on the real-life story of Sam Childers (played by Butler), a former drug-dealer who turned his life around and now dedicates it to saving kidnapped and orphaned children in Sudan.  Monaghan plays his wife Lynn.  It’s a hell of a story and one that I’m glad got told.  You can watch some clips here.

During the interview, they talked about how they got involved in the project, what was it like to work for Marc Forster, and we had some fun talking about karaoke and video games.  Butler revealed he has a thing for Galaga. Hit the jump to watch.

Six Movie Clips from MACHINE GUN PREACHER

by Jason Barr    Posted: September 14th, 2011 at 11:44 am

Six new clips from director Marc Forster’s Machine Gun Preacher are now online. Starring Gerard Butler, Michelle Monaghan and Michael Shannon, the “based on a true story” pic centers on Sam Childers (Butler), a once upon a time drug dealer who turns his life around and dedicates it to saving kidnapped and orphaned children in Sudan. Hit the jump to watch some new footage from the film. Machine Gun Preacher hits limited theaters in the U.S. on September 23rd and opens in the U.K. on November 18th.

Joseph Ruben Will Direct Michael Keaton and Michelle Monaghan in Thriller PENTHOUSE NORTH

by Jason Barr    Posted: September 8th, 2011 at 1:45 pm

Veteran director Joseph Ruben will lead stars Michael Keaton and Michelle Monaghan in the psychological thriller Penthouse North. Written and co-produced by David Loughery (Obsessed), the film will center on a photojournalist (Monaghan) who has moved into a New York penthouse in an attempt to escape her sordid past. As the story goes, she becomes entangled in a criminal’s (Keaton) search for a missing fortune. According to THR, Penthouse North is scheduled to begin shooting this November in Ottawa.

As for Keaton and Monaghan, the latter can next be seen alongside Gerard Butler in Machine Gun Preacher which premieres at TIFF before hitting limited U.S. theaters on September 23rd. The former was last seen making a great turn as Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg’s captain in The Other Guys. With regards to director Joseph Ruben, Penthouse North seems to fall right in his wheelhouse as the filmmaker has made a living helming thrillers of various quality such as Dreamscape, Sleeping with the Enemy, The Good Son (a film that I still can’t refrain from yelling “He’s the one doing all of these horrible things!” while watching) and 2004′s The Forgotten starring Julianne Moore.

First Clip from MACHINE GUN PREACHER Starring Gerard Butler

by Jason Barr    Posted: September 7th, 2011 at 10:16 am

The first clip from the “based on a true story” actioner Machine Gun Preacher has landed online. Starring Gerard Butler, Michelle Monaghan and Michael Shannon, the film tells the story of Sam Childers (Butler), a converted drug-dealer who makes it his personal responsibility to save hundreds of kidnapped and orphaned children in Sudan. Like I said when the trailer was released, I think Butler is in his element here (i.e. not starring opposite Katherine Heigl in a romantic comedy) and I’m looking forward to checking it out.

Watch the clip, which features some words of inspiration from Monaghan, after the jump. Directed by Marc Forster, Machine Gun Preacher will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival before hitting select U.S. theaters on September 23rd and the U.K. on November 18th. Also, with TIFF beginning tomorrow, be on the lookout for a slew of clips from films premiering at the festival.

Trailer for MACHINE GUN PREACHER Starring Gerard Butler

by Jason Barr    Posted: August 18th, 2011 at 6:26 pm

The theatrical trailer for director Marc Forster’s (Monster’s Ball and Quantum of Solace) Machine Gun Preacher has hit the interwebs. Starring Gerard Butler, Michelle Monaghan, and Michael Shannon, the film tells the true story of Sam Childers (Butler), a former drug-dealer who goes on to save the lives of hundreds of kidnapped and orphaned kids in Sudan. While I can’t claim to be Butler’s biggest fan, I have to say that he looks to be in his element in Preacher as a hardened guy who wants to do the right thing the only way he knows how: through violence. Add that in with the fact that I’ve enjoyed much of Forster’s previous work, and Machine Gun Preacher is a film I’m looking forward to watching.

Check out the trailer after the jump. Machine Gun Preacher will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival next month and opens theatrically on September 23rd.

SOURCE CODE Blu-ray Review

by Kevin Panasiewicz    Posted: July 19th, 2011 at 7:30 am

Source Code is a fast-paced thriller in which the military can transport a soldier into the final 8 minutes of a dead man’s memory to gain access to a crime scene that has come and gone. This time-travelling plot device is more than vaguely familiar, as it is a culmination of concepts previously seen in Groundhog Day, Déjà vu, and the Quantum Leap TV series, but, when blended with a Twilight Zone-meets-Hitchcockian adventure vibe, this effort feels wholly original in a year swamped with sequels.

While not as intellectually compelling as director Duncan Jones’ Moon, it wasn’t designed to be. Where Moon was contemplative of its themes and sported a career-high turn from Sam Rockwell, this strong sophomore effort’s goal was to entertain and excite, and it fully succeeds on both counts. Duncan Jones proves he is still a talent to keep close tabs on. After living its first days on the screenplay blacklist, Source Code now finds itself readily available to the widest audience possible on home video. Hit the jump to read my review of the Source Code Blu-ray.

Marc Forster’s MACHINE GUN PREACHER Slated for September 23rd

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: July 7th, 2011 at 11:25 am

Relativity Media has picked up Marc Forster’s drama Machine Gun Preacher and will give the film a limited release on September 23rd.  The movie is based on the real-life story of Sam Childers (played by Gerard Butler), a former drug-dealer who eventually became a crusader for hundreds of refugee children in East Africa.  The film also stars Michelle Monaghan, Kathy Baker, and Michael Shannon.

Since it’s opening in limited release (most likely to build buzz for a possible awards run), it won’t really be competing against the movies opening in wide release, but here’s the list anyway: Abduction starring Taylor Lautner, the family film Dolphin Tale 3D, the action flick Killer Elite, and the sports drama Moneyball starring Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill.  Hit the jump for the press release from Relativity.

Stephen Dorff Replaces Matt Dillon in BOOT TRACKS

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: May 24th, 2011 at 6:26 pm

Stephen Dorff (Blade) will replace Matt Dillon as the male lead in director David Jacobson’s (Down in the Valley) indie flick Boot Tracks. Dorff will star alongside Ray Winstone and Michelle Monaghan in the adaptation of the Matthew F. Jones novel of the same name. In his new role, Dorff plays Charlie Rankin, an ex-con who has a fling with a former porn star (Monaghan) before setting off to complete his task: an honor-killing at the behest of a fellow inmate known as “Buddha” (Winstone), who kept Rankin relatively safe in prison in exchange for all manor of favors.

Variety originally reported that Dorff would be replacing Dillon in Boot Tracks, but did not mention any specific reasons. The actor can next be seen as Dick Shadow in this year’s Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star, where he follows in his parents’ footsteps and becomes a porn star. In two movies that probably have nothing to do with porn, you can also find the Blade villain in Tarsem Singh’s Immortals and 2012′s Officer Down. As for Winstone, the actor has quite a busy year ahead of him, but perhaps his most interesting project of note will be Hugo Cabret where he reteams with Departed director, Martin Scorsese. Michelle Monaghan, from this year’s Source Code, can be seen opposite Gerard Butler in this fall’s Machine Gun Preacher. Finally, for more on Boot Tracks, hit the jump to check out a synopsis of Jones’ novel.

SOURCE CODE Review

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: April 1st, 2011 at 9:17 am

With his 2009 film Moon, director Duncan Jones demanded that audiences sit up and take notice of smart science fiction.  Audiences then wondered why everything was so quiet, slow, and moody and became impatient for stuff to start blowing up real good.  For his second feature, Source Code, Jones has made a more accessible sci-fi that delivers on fast-paced action, lots of explosions, sharp dialogue, while still using sci-fi as a means to explore powerful themes about identity and sacrifice.  Even when the story steers towards a forced “happy” ending, it still comes up with enough ambiguity to make the trip worthwhile.

Michelle Monaghan Video Interview SOURCE CODE; Also Talks About KISS KISS BANG BANG & IRON MAN 3

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: March 31st, 2011 at 7:37 pm

Opening this weekend is Summit Entertainment’s sci-fi thriller Source Code.  Directed by Duncan Jones (who previously made the incredible Moon), the film stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga, and Jeffrey Wright.   If you aren’t familiar with the plot, Gyllenhaal stars as a soldier who wakes up in the body of a stranger on a Chicago commuter train and “learns he’s part of a government experiment called the ‘Source Code,’ a program that enables him to cross over into another man’s identity in the last 8 minutes of his life.”  If you’re nervous that Jones was a one hit wonder, don’t be.  Source Code is an intelligent thriller that’s definitely worth your time.  You can read Scott’s review here. I also definitely recommend it.

A few days ago I covered the Los Angeles press day and after the jump you can watch my conversation with Monaghan. We talked about doing press, what’s her karaoke song, did she immediately say yes when approached for the movie, did she watch Groundhog Day before filming, Quantum leap and the Easter Egg for fans of the show in Source Code, improv, and I mention my love of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and how she needs to be in Iron Man 3 (as that would reunite her with Shane Black and Robert Downey Jr.)

First 5 Minutes of SOURCE CODE Plus 4 Clips

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: March 14th, 2011 at 11:22 am

Summit has put the first five minutes of Duncan Jones’ Source Code online for your viewing pleasure.  I would advise you to not watch it.  Jones does such a great job of building momentum and helping launch you into the movie that while you’ll definitely want to see what happens next, that impulse will be diminished when you end up seeing the film since you’ll know what to expect.  Source Code is inventive, thoughtful, and thrilling and it’s best if you just go in cold.

However, if you must see parts of this movie now, then you can check out the first five minutes of the film plus four clips.  The film stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Vera Farmiga, Michelle Monaghan, and Jeffrey Wright.  Source Code opens April 1st.

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