In Roland Emmerich's "Stargate," Special Operations Colonel Jack O'Neil (played by a brilliant Kurt Russell) is as blunt as it gets. When linguist Daniel Jackson (James Spader) is invited to assist with the Stargate mission, O'Neil is frank about his disdain for an outsider involved in such a top-secret mission and exhibits little empathy when Jackson is forced to deal with an ancient civilization alone. However, when things go south, O'Neil is the first to dive into the jaws of danger, guns blazing, taking the initiative to save Jackson from the clutches of the malicious alien, Ra (Jaye Davidson). "Give my regards to King Tut, a**hole!," he yells before crushing an elevator on top of Ra's men to buy enough time for Jackson to get Sha'uri (Mili Avital) to safety.
Although "Stargate" does not offer anything novel in terms of premise, it is a fun sci-fi adventure that...
Although "Stargate" does not offer anything novel in terms of premise, it is a fun sci-fi adventure that...
- 9/15/2024
- by Debopriyaa Dutta
- Slash Film
Back in 1994, writer/director Roland Emmerich and co-writer Dean Devlin brought us the sci-fi adventure film Stargate, a box office hit that launched a franchise, being followed by multiple TV shows, books, comic books, video games, and direct-to-video features. The most popular of those follow-ups was the TV series Stargate Sg-1, which ran for ten seasons and then wrapped up with the aforementioned Dtv movies. It’s been a while since we got any new Stargate to watch, though – and not for lack of trying. Back in 2014, it was announced that Emmerich and Devlin would be rebooting the franchise with a new trilogy of films, starting the story over again from the beginning and tell it to its completion. Then developed the idea for a couple of years, but then it all fell apart. Last year, we learned that Stargate is one of the properties Amazon is looking to revive now that they required MGM,...
- 8/4/2024
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
The biblical thriller Mary has reportedly wrapped production in Morocco, and Deadline reveals that the film will feature Sir Anthony Hopkins in another royal role after portraying the former King of Asgard, Odin, as well as Lear in the Prime original film, King Lear. Hopkins plays King Herod in the thriller that’s directed by DJ Caruso, whose credits include Disturbia, Eagle Eye and the Vin Diesel actioner xXx: Return of Xander Cage. He joins newcomer Noa Cohen, who plays the titular role. Cohen was chosen after a worldwide casting search and happened to grow up an hour away from where Mary was born in Israel. Cohen can be seen in the Israeli YA series My Nephew Bentz, Infinity and the 2022 feature Silent Game.
The plot synopsis, per Deadline, reads,
“In coming-of-age story Mary, the title character is shunned following the otherworldly conception of her child and forced into hiding.
The plot synopsis, per Deadline, reads,
“In coming-of-age story Mary, the title character is shunned following the otherworldly conception of her child and forced into hiding.
- 4/10/2024
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
Exclusive: Filming has recently wrapped in Morocco on under-the-radar biblical thriller Mary, starring Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins as King Herod and emerging Israeli actress Noa Cohen as Mary.
In coming-of-age story Mary, the title character is shunned following the otherworldly conception of her child and forced into hiding. King Herod’s relentless drive to maintain power at any cost ignites the murderous pursuit of the newborn child that he believes is a threat to his reign on the throne. The film sees the young Mary and Joseph on the run and having to hide their baby, Jesus, at all costs.
The director is DJ Caruso (xXx: Return of Xander Cage), and the pic is produced by Mary Aloe, founder of Aloe Entertainment (Bruised), and Hannah Leader (Freud’s Last Session). Producing alongside were financiers Gillian Hormel (Bruised) of Ludascripts and Joshua Harris of PeachTree Media Partners (Not Without Hope).
Timothy Michael Hayes...
In coming-of-age story Mary, the title character is shunned following the otherworldly conception of her child and forced into hiding. King Herod’s relentless drive to maintain power at any cost ignites the murderous pursuit of the newborn child that he believes is a threat to his reign on the throne. The film sees the young Mary and Joseph on the run and having to hide their baby, Jesus, at all costs.
The director is DJ Caruso (xXx: Return of Xander Cage), and the pic is produced by Mary Aloe, founder of Aloe Entertainment (Bruised), and Hannah Leader (Freud’s Last Session). Producing alongside were financiers Gillian Hormel (Bruised) of Ludascripts and Joshua Harris of PeachTree Media Partners (Not Without Hope).
Timothy Michael Hayes...
- 4/10/2024
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Recently, NBC delivered the new,official synopsis/spoilers for their upcoming "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," episode 9 of season 17. The episode is entitled, "Depravity Standard," and it turns out that we're going to see some very interesting stuff go down as taking down a child abductor becomes the main focus for Lt. Benson, and more. In the new, 9th episode press release: Lt. Benson (Mariska Hargitay) will seek justice in the trial of child abductor, Lewis Hodda (returning guest star Tom Sizemore), but when a plea deal is rejected, Barba (Ra?l Esparza) is going to have to rely on decades-old evidence to make his case and will face off against former Svu colleague, Dr. Huang (guest star Bd Wong). Also starring Ice T, Kelli Giddish and Peter Scanavino. Also guest starring Robin Weigert, Alex Karpovsky, Liza Colon-Zayas, Mili Avital and Jenna Wolfe. Episode 9 is set to air on Wednesday night,...
- 11/11/2015
- by Andre Braddox
- OnTheFlix
Like mother, like daughter! David Schwimmer made a rare red carpet appearance with his wife Zoe Buckman and their adorable daughter Cleo at the 12th Annual John Varvatos Stuart House Benefit on Sunday in West Hollywood, Calif. From the brown curly locks to those beautiful blue eyes, the 4-year-old tot is the spitting image of her mom! The cute trio posed for pictures together at the star-studded event, with the pint-sized fashionista hanging onto both of her parents while sporting a navy dress and white sandals. Buckman and Schwimmer welcomed their daughter back in May 2011, after getting hitched in June 2010. The "Friends" alum has admitted that fatherhood has changed his life for the better. "Having a child has added a whole new dimension to my life," he told Seven magazine. "I’ll look at a glass or a tomato as if for the first time and wonder how it looks or tastes to her.
- 4/28/2015
- by tooFab Staff
- TooFab
In the cottage industry that was "Law & Order," one show remains: "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."
And this alone proves procedural shows can shine. Stories make sense, writing is tight, and actors are sharp. The result is a gritty drama celebrating its 300th episode Wednesday, Oct. 24.
Though the show shoots all over New York, its home base is a cavernous studio on a Hudson River pier. Here, actors, directors and producers speak with Zap2it while shooting the milestone episode.
This plot, as expected, deals with an excruciating topic -- kidnapping. As a dad bends down to retrieve a $20 bill on a subway platform, a stranger snatches his 7-year-old son and jumps onto a departing train.
The cops are off and running, stopping at nothing until they find the perps. Three actors have starred on the show since the 1999 premiere: Mariska Hargitay, Richard Belzer and Dann Florek as Detectives Olivia...
And this alone proves procedural shows can shine. Stories make sense, writing is tight, and actors are sharp. The result is a gritty drama celebrating its 300th episode Wednesday, Oct. 24.
Though the show shoots all over New York, its home base is a cavernous studio on a Hudson River pier. Here, actors, directors and producers speak with Zap2it while shooting the milestone episode.
This plot, as expected, deals with an excruciating topic -- kidnapping. As a dad bends down to retrieve a $20 bill on a subway platform, a stranger snatches his 7-year-old son and jumps onto a departing train.
The cops are off and running, stopping at nothing until they find the perps. Three actors have starred on the show since the 1999 premiere: Mariska Hargitay, Richard Belzer and Dann Florek as Detectives Olivia...
- 10/24/2012
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
An old case is coming back to haunt Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) in the 300th episode of "Law & Order: Svu." How old? It's from the show's first episode thirteen years ago.
"Svu" is celebrating the milestone by remembering the past. The episode will be focused on original players Hargitay, Richard Belzer and Dann Florek.
“I thought, if we’re doing a 300th episode, it’d be nice to have some callbacks to the first episode. So we tried to do that a couple of different ways,” Leight told TVLine.
The episode will also feature many actors who appeared in the series' first episode, but they'll be playing different roles. Here's how NBC describes the episode:
In The Series' 300Th Episode, A Child Abduction Investigation Re-opens The Thirteen Year-old Cold Case Of Another Missing Boy In the series' landmark 300th episode, a young boy from Morningside Heights is kidnapped while in the care of his father,...
"Svu" is celebrating the milestone by remembering the past. The episode will be focused on original players Hargitay, Richard Belzer and Dann Florek.
“I thought, if we’re doing a 300th episode, it’d be nice to have some callbacks to the first episode. So we tried to do that a couple of different ways,” Leight told TVLine.
The episode will also feature many actors who appeared in the series' first episode, but they'll be playing different roles. Here's how NBC describes the episode:
In The Series' 300Th Episode, A Child Abduction Investigation Re-opens The Thirteen Year-old Cold Case Of Another Missing Boy In the series' landmark 300th episode, a young boy from Morningside Heights is kidnapped while in the care of his father,...
- 10/18/2012
- by Chris Harnick
- Huffington Post
It's time for a visit to our favorite NYC address -- "666 Park Avenue" gears up for its second episode this Sunday. While a pilot tees up a story, episode 2 is the show's chance to hit a real home run and get us truly hooked... and "666 Park" has done it. Here are five things to expect from tonight's chilling second episode!
1. A group of starlings is called a murmuration... and expect a lot of birds in this episode. "I got, like, Tippi Hedren attacked!" Jane (Rachael Taylor) tells Henry (Dave Annable) -- and she's not exaggerating. But our favorite teenage clairvoyant warns Jane, "Don't mess with the birds. They're part of the Drake." People should probably learn to listen to Nona (Samantha Logan).
2. Henry is increasingly adorable. There are a few key mentions of the fact that Henry and Jane are not married, which makes us a little nervous, because we're...
1. A group of starlings is called a murmuration... and expect a lot of birds in this episode. "I got, like, Tippi Hedren attacked!" Jane (Rachael Taylor) tells Henry (Dave Annable) -- and she's not exaggerating. But our favorite teenage clairvoyant warns Jane, "Don't mess with the birds. They're part of the Drake." People should probably learn to listen to Nona (Samantha Logan).
2. Henry is increasingly adorable. There are a few key mentions of the fact that Henry and Jane are not married, which makes us a little nervous, because we're...
- 10/7/2012
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
In the criminal justice-on-tv system, few procedurals have achieved as many episodes as Law & Order: Svu. This is its 300th story.
When NBC’s Svu airs its 300th episode on Oct. 24, showrunner Warren Leight says fans should expect to see some familiar faces.
But let’s get this out of the way now: Christopher Meloni, who left the show last year, won’t reprise his role of Det. Elliot Stabler. Diehard fans will however be treated to an hour that showcases three members of the original cast – Mariska Hargitay, Dann Florek and Richard Belzer – and rewards those who’ve been watching from the start.
When NBC’s Svu airs its 300th episode on Oct. 24, showrunner Warren Leight says fans should expect to see some familiar faces.
But let’s get this out of the way now: Christopher Meloni, who left the show last year, won’t reprise his role of Det. Elliot Stabler. Diehard fans will however be treated to an hour that showcases three members of the original cast – Mariska Hargitay, Dann Florek and Richard Belzer – and rewards those who’ve been watching from the start.
- 9/21/2012
- by Kimberly Roots
- TVLine.com
We’ve been telling you that ABC‘s new series 666 Park Avenue is dark, creepy goodness, but we have a lot to learn about the show, even after screening the pilot. Word is that we’ll be seeing a number of people moving in and “out” of the luxurious digs throughout the season.
TV Guide is reporting three of those names on the register: Aubrey Dollar, Mili Avital, and Mike Doyle. Ms. Dollar will be playing Annie, an obituary writer who wants to move beyond that niche, and whom we will be seeing in Episode 4. Mili Avital will be playing a woman who is longing for romance but has a dark secret. Ooo!
Mike Doyle is reportedly playing a character who is “a powerful adversary” to Terry O’Quinn‘s Gavin. He’ll debut in the second episode and will be a recurring character. Oh dear. We’re imagining having...
TV Guide is reporting three of those names on the register: Aubrey Dollar, Mili Avital, and Mike Doyle. Ms. Dollar will be playing Annie, an obituary writer who wants to move beyond that niche, and whom we will be seeing in Episode 4. Mili Avital will be playing a woman who is longing for romance but has a dark secret. Ooo!
Mike Doyle is reportedly playing a character who is “a powerful adversary” to Terry O’Quinn‘s Gavin. He’ll debut in the second episode and will be a recurring character. Oh dear. We’re imagining having...
- 8/10/2012
- by Erin Willard
- ScifiMafia
Forget the traditional gold: Doctor Who is getting something really special for its 50th anniversary.
To mark the auspicious occasion, the BBC has commissioned a 90-minute event called An Adventure in Space and Time, reports BBC News.
Related | Doctor Who Season 7 Preview: Dinosaurs on a Spaceship! Weeping Angels! River Song!
The one-off special, written by regular Who scribe Mark Gatiss, will chronicle the real-life birth of the sci-fi franchise in the early 1960s.
“This is the story of how an unlikely set of brilliant people created a true television original,” said Gatiss, adding that he plans to explore how actor...
To mark the auspicious occasion, the BBC has commissioned a 90-minute event called An Adventure in Space and Time, reports BBC News.
Related | Doctor Who Season 7 Preview: Dinosaurs on a Spaceship! Weeping Angels! River Song!
The one-off special, written by regular Who scribe Mark Gatiss, will chronicle the real-life birth of the sci-fi franchise in the early 1960s.
“This is the story of how an unlikely set of brilliant people created a true television original,” said Gatiss, adding that he plans to explore how actor...
- 8/9/2012
- by Vlada Gelman
- TVLine.com
ABC's Sunday nights have just gotten a bit more star power as additional potential victims have been cast in the upcoming horror series "666 Park Avenue." Read on to find out who the next poor souls with dark secrets will be.
According to TV Guide, Aubrey Dollar, whose credits include “Guiding Light,” “Women’s Murder Club” and “Weeds,” will play the recurring role of Annie, an obituary writer who yearns to be a real journalist. She’ll first pop up in Episode Four. Israeli actress Mili Avital, who had a recurring role on “Damages,” will play a lonely hearts woman who pines for romance and harbors a dark twisted secret. Lastly, Mike Doyle (“Oz,” “Law & Order: Svu,” “A Gifted Man”) will play Frank Alpern, who’ll prove to be quite a powerful adversary to Terry O’Quinn’s evil Gavin. He’ll first debut in the second episode and will also recur,...
According to TV Guide, Aubrey Dollar, whose credits include “Guiding Light,” “Women’s Murder Club” and “Weeds,” will play the recurring role of Annie, an obituary writer who yearns to be a real journalist. She’ll first pop up in Episode Four. Israeli actress Mili Avital, who had a recurring role on “Damages,” will play a lonely hearts woman who pines for romance and harbors a dark twisted secret. Lastly, Mike Doyle (“Oz,” “Law & Order: Svu,” “A Gifted Man”) will play Frank Alpern, who’ll prove to be quite a powerful adversary to Terry O’Quinn’s evil Gavin. He’ll first debut in the second episode and will also recur,...
- 8/8/2012
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Terry O'Quinn's new series 666 Park Avenue has cast three new actors. The former Lost star will play the owner of a haunted apartment building on the upcoming ABC drama. Law & Order: Svu veteran Mike Doyle - who has also appeared on Oz and A Gifted Man - will first appear in episode two, playing Frank Alpern, nemesis of Gavin (O'Quinn). Aubrey Dollar (Weeds) will make her debut as Annie, an aspiring journalist, in the show's fourth episode, TV Guide reports. The third cast addition is Mili Avital (Damages), who will appear as a single woman who yearns (more)...
- 8/8/2012
- by By Morgan Jeffery
- Digital Spy
"We've got an incredibly diverse audience. It's big and getting bigger. That gives us a lot of latitude," Hulu's Svp of content Andy Forssell told the Television Critics Association during the fall previews on Tuesday.
Hulu's new summer programming slate reflects that diversity. After launching its first original scripted series Battleground in February, Hulu is continuing its commitment to creating new programs and distributing curated content from around the web, networks and globe. Check out its summer lineup:
Prisoners of War
The nine-time Israeli Emmy Award-winning series starring Mili Avital and Ishai Golan inspired Showtime's critically acclaimed Homeland.
Read More >...
Hulu's new summer programming slate reflects that diversity. After launching its first original scripted series Battleground in February, Hulu is continuing its commitment to creating new programs and distributing curated content from around the web, networks and globe. Check out its summer lineup:
Prisoners of War
The nine-time Israeli Emmy Award-winning series starring Mili Avital and Ishai Golan inspired Showtime's critically acclaimed Homeland.
Read More >...
- 8/1/2012
- by Hanh Nguyen
- TVGuide - Breaking News
The distinction goes to Keshet Broadcasting’s Prisoners Of War (Hatufim), which was written and directed by Gideon Raff and became the country’s highest-rated TV drama. The story line will be familiar to fans of Showtime’s Homeland– it was based on the Israeli series. It’s about two soldiers trying to reintegrate with society, and reconnect with their families, after 17 years in an enemy prison. A military psychologist becomes suspicious when it turns out that their accounts of their captivity don’t match. Secret service agents launch an investigation to determine who they really are and what they’re hiding. The 10-part series stars Yael Abecassis, Mili Avital, Yoram Tolledano, Assi Cohen and Ishai Golan. It premieres on Hulu and Hulu Plus this Saturday, July 14.
- 7/13/2012
- by DAVID LIEBERMAN, Executive Editor
- Deadline TV
Hulu is set to premiere the critically acclaimed Israeli drama series ‘Prisoners of War’ tomorrow, marking the on-demand streaming website’s first foreign-language exclusive series. The show was written and directed by Gideon Ratt, and was the highest-rated Israeli TV Drama, winning nine Israeli Emmy Awards. ‘Prisoners of War’ stars Yael Abecassis, Mili Avital, Yoram Tolledano, Assi Cohen and Ishai Golan. The ten-part drama series follows two soldiers as they struggle to reintegrate into society after spending 17 years in an enemy prison. As the two struggle to reacquaint themselves with their families, the two are also thrust into the national spotlight as heroes. After the two soldiers return home, they’re [ Read More ]...
- 7/13/2012
- by Karen Benardello
- ShockYa
The Anchor Bay Entertainment re-release of director Theresa Connelly's, 1998 Fox Searchlight, comedy-drama, "Polish Wedding", is now available on DVD :
"...'Jadzia' is the matriarch of a family of four sons and a daughter. The household also includes the eldest son's wife—a Syrian-American whom Jadzia calls 'Gypsy'. Jadzia is married to 'Bolek', but having a long-term relationship with 'Roman'. Her daughter 'Hala' then becomes pregnant by a neighborhood cop and her family pressures him into marrying her..."
Cast includes Claire Danes, Jon Bradford, Lena Olin, Ramsey Krull, Gabriel Byrne, Daniel Lapaine, Rachel Morrin, Rebecca Morrin, Mili Avital, Steven Petrarca, Brian Hoyt, Christina Romana Lypeckyj, Adam Trese, Peter Carey, Rade Šerbedžija and Kristen Bell.
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Polish Wedding"...
"...'Jadzia' is the matriarch of a family of four sons and a daughter. The household also includes the eldest son's wife—a Syrian-American whom Jadzia calls 'Gypsy'. Jadzia is married to 'Bolek', but having a long-term relationship with 'Roman'. Her daughter 'Hala' then becomes pregnant by a neighborhood cop and her family pressures him into marrying her..."
Cast includes Claire Danes, Jon Bradford, Lena Olin, Ramsey Krull, Gabriel Byrne, Daniel Lapaine, Rachel Morrin, Rebecca Morrin, Mili Avital, Steven Petrarca, Brian Hoyt, Christina Romana Lypeckyj, Adam Trese, Peter Carey, Rade Šerbedžija and Kristen Bell.
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Polish Wedding"...
- 1/22/2012
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
David Schwimmer will soon walk down the aisle with photographer girlfriend Zoe Buckman. On Sunday, March 14, his representative has through Entertainment Weekly broken the news that the actor known as paleontologist Ross Geller on NBC sitcom "Friends" and his girlfriend of three years has got engaged.
This will be the first marriage for both the 43-year-old and his longtime girlfriend. The actor who voices Melman in "Madagascar" and its sequel first met 24-year-old Zoe when he was in London to direct his 2007 comedy "Run Fatboy Run". Before dating Zoe, he was romantically involved with singer Natalie Imbruglia and actress Mili Avital.
David Schwimmer rose to stardom with "Friends" in which he stars opposite Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matthew Perry, Lisa Kudrow and Matt LeBlanc. He has since made an appearance in several other TV series as well as movies, and branched out to serve behind the lens. The "Nothing But the Truth...
This will be the first marriage for both the 43-year-old and his longtime girlfriend. The actor who voices Melman in "Madagascar" and its sequel first met 24-year-old Zoe when he was in London to direct his 2007 comedy "Run Fatboy Run". Before dating Zoe, he was romantically involved with singer Natalie Imbruglia and actress Mili Avital.
David Schwimmer rose to stardom with "Friends" in which he stars opposite Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matthew Perry, Lisa Kudrow and Matt LeBlanc. He has since made an appearance in several other TV series as well as movies, and branched out to serve behind the lens. The "Nothing But the Truth...
- 3/15/2010
- by celebrity-mania.com
- Celebrity Mania
From Friends to fiancé. Leaving bachelorhood behind him, David Schwimmer is set to marry his longtime girlfriend Zoe Buckman, according to Entertainment Weekly. The actor, 43, best known as Dr. Ross Gellar, and Buckman, a 24-year-old British photographer, reportedly met in 2007 when he was working in London on Run Fatboy Run, his feature film directorial debut. It will be the first marriage for both. Before he found love with Buckman and decided to settle down, Schwimmer previously dated "Torn" singer Natalie Imbruglia and actress Mili Avital among others.
- 3/14/2010
- E! Online
David Schwimmer who played Ross Geller in the cult series ''Friends'' is ending his days as a bachelor as he is now planning to pop the question to his English girlfriend Zoe Buckman. The 43-year-old actor who played Jennifer Aniston''s character Rachel Green''s boyfriend in the hit series, plans to marry the part-time photographer, who is 20 years his junior, reported Daily Mail online.The couple met in 2007 when Zoe was working as a waitress and served at Schwimmer''s table at the Cuckoo Club in London''s West End. At the time he was directing the movie ''Run Fatboy Run'' in East London.Now Zoe has left her home in Stoke Newington and moved to the Us to live with the actor. "David is smitten with Zoe and says she is the one.Things have moved very fast. He wanted to see how they got along living...
- 3/14/2010
- Filmicafe
Noodle
Santa Barbara International Film FestivalNorma Prods./EZ Films
SANTA BARBARA -- East meets the Western Wall in "Noodle", an engaging odd-couple comedy about a widowed El Al flight attendant whose deported Chinese cleaning lady leaves her with a little souvenir in the form of her young son. It recently screened at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
Although such higher-profile Israeli imports as "The Band's Visit" and "Jellyfish" have been receiving recent attention, "Noodle", which also has been making the film fest rounds (it nabbed the Jury Special Grand Prize honors at the Montreal World Film Festival), is the kind of universal crowd-pleaser that works as effectively in English as it does in Hebrew and Mandarin.
In other words, it should eventually find its way to a domestic distributor, especially considering its American remake potential.
Given that the melancholy Miri (Mili Avital) has in fact lost two husbands to combat, it's understandable that she has shut herself off emotionally rather than risking being hurt again.
There's no shortage of distraction in her crowded Tel Aviv apartment, which she shares with her judgmental, sarcastic sister, Gila (a scene-stealing Anat Waxman, who took home an Israeli Academy Award for her performance), whose own marriage to Miri's supportive colleague, Izzy (Alon Aboutboul), is seriously deteriorating.
But though Miri, 39, leads a worldly existence thanks to her globe-trotting job, she finds herself at loose ends when her maid asks her to watch her withdrawn 6-year-old son (the expressive Baoqui Chen) for an hour but never returns to fetch him.
It turns out the illegal immigrant was deported back to Beijing. The boy knows little Hebrew and even less English, but ultimately the two manage to find a way into each other's hearts.
Formulaic stuff, to be sure, but when done as competently as "Noodle", it's a formula that can't miss.
Directing from a script written with Shemi Yarhin, Ayelet Menahemi keeps everything moving at a nimble pace while holding the sentimental aspect in check thanks to the ample humor, especially where the witty Waxman is concerned.
Her dysfunctional sibling relationship with Avital lends the picture a sassy bite, even as the bond between herself and the boy she calls "Noodle" (which is at least a bit better than his earlier, decidedly un-PC nickname, Mao Tse-tung) follows a comfortably well-traveled path.
SANTA BARBARA -- East meets the Western Wall in "Noodle", an engaging odd-couple comedy about a widowed El Al flight attendant whose deported Chinese cleaning lady leaves her with a little souvenir in the form of her young son. It recently screened at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
Although such higher-profile Israeli imports as "The Band's Visit" and "Jellyfish" have been receiving recent attention, "Noodle", which also has been making the film fest rounds (it nabbed the Jury Special Grand Prize honors at the Montreal World Film Festival), is the kind of universal crowd-pleaser that works as effectively in English as it does in Hebrew and Mandarin.
In other words, it should eventually find its way to a domestic distributor, especially considering its American remake potential.
Given that the melancholy Miri (Mili Avital) has in fact lost two husbands to combat, it's understandable that she has shut herself off emotionally rather than risking being hurt again.
There's no shortage of distraction in her crowded Tel Aviv apartment, which she shares with her judgmental, sarcastic sister, Gila (a scene-stealing Anat Waxman, who took home an Israeli Academy Award for her performance), whose own marriage to Miri's supportive colleague, Izzy (Alon Aboutboul), is seriously deteriorating.
But though Miri, 39, leads a worldly existence thanks to her globe-trotting job, she finds herself at loose ends when her maid asks her to watch her withdrawn 6-year-old son (the expressive Baoqui Chen) for an hour but never returns to fetch him.
It turns out the illegal immigrant was deported back to Beijing. The boy knows little Hebrew and even less English, but ultimately the two manage to find a way into each other's hearts.
Formulaic stuff, to be sure, but when done as competently as "Noodle", it's a formula that can't miss.
Directing from a script written with Shemi Yarhin, Ayelet Menahemi keeps everything moving at a nimble pace while holding the sentimental aspect in check thanks to the ample humor, especially where the witty Waxman is concerned.
Her dysfunctional sibling relationship with Avital lends the picture a sassy bite, even as the bond between herself and the boy she calls "Noodle" (which is at least a bit better than his earlier, decidedly un-PC nickname, Mao Tse-tung) follows a comfortably well-traveled path.
- 2/12/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Warren sets table for indie 'Eat'
NEW YORK -- Lesley Ann Warren is teaming with an ensemble cast that includes Jack Klugman, Michael Lerner, Shiri Appleby and Mili Avital for Twin Falls Idaho producer Steven J. Wolfe's indie feature When Do We Eat. Eat revolves around a Passover seder at which the family patriarch is slipped a dose of Ecstasy by one of his kids, "igniting conflict and chaos on the way to healing and redemption," the filmmakers said. The comedy -- by helmer Salvador Litvak -- also features Ben Feldman, Max Greenfield, Adam Lamberg, Meredith Scott Lynn and Cynda Williams. Nina Davidovich Litvak penned the screenplay. Amy Salko Robertson is serving as co-producer. Said Wolfe: "The fun of this film was putting together the perfect dysfunctional family. When you combine such well-respected actors as Michael Lerner, Lesley Ann Warren and the legendary Jack Klugman with such an unbelievably gifted ensemble, the humor and comic timing on the set each day makes it hard to feel like you're really at work." The film is shooting in Los Angeles. Warren is repped by Innovative Artists and Acronym Entertainment.
- 12/23/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Schwimmer To Wed?
David Schwimmer is poised to become the next Friends star to wed, according to pals. The 37-year-old actor, who plays Ross Geller on the hit sitcom, has proposed to girlfriend Carla Alapont, and the two are secretly putting their wedding plans together. A source tells America's The Globe magazine, "They don't want to wait too long to get married. They told me it will be early in the new year." Schwimmer's past romances have included Natalie Imbruglia, lawyer Sarah Trimble and Stargate star Mili Avital.
- 11/7/2003
- WENN
Tara Snubs Carson For David
Actress Tara Reid is snubbing attentions from ex-fiance Carson Daly in favour of a new romance with David Schwimmer. Tara split from MTV host Carson earlier this year, while David split from long-time love Mili Avital last month. And despite reports of a reconciliation, Tara, 26, has fallen for the charms of Friends actor David, 35, since the meeting at a resort opening in Las Vegas last month. A friend says, "Tara and David were both on the rebound from bitter breakups. Now Carson can't seem to get the message that she's not going to come crawling back to him. He's been besieging Tara with phone calls in recent weeks with an eye toward reconciliation. He also showed up at Tara's celeb- studded birthday bash at the club Eugene in Manhattan, spending all evening bending her ear in a private booth. But Tara was just being kind. Now she's fed up with the frantic messages from Carson. Tara is never coming back." And another pal of the couple, says Tara has been staying at David's home in the Hancock park area of Los Angeles. The pal explains, "Carson broke Tara's heart and Mili broke David's. And in Las Vegas, David and Tara found each other. How serious their relationship is, it's too soon to tell. But they've given each other a new lease on life."...
- 12/14/2001
- WENN
Young Girl, Monsoon
There are few things more intimidating than a teenage girl in full tantrum mode, and James Ryan's film captures that complex mixture of adolescent stubbornness and burgeoning womanhood with uncanny precision.
His debut feature, "The Young Girl and the Monsoon" is about the complex relationship be-tween a weekend dad and his 13-year-old daughter. It is a well-written and -acted drama that, while it suffers from a certain talky, stagebound quality, bears the stamp of psychological truth.
Terry Kinney, in his first feature starring role, plays Hank, an award-winning, divorced photojournalist about to turn 40 who is coping with several problems in his life. He's facing serious career competition from his best friend, even while he's in the running for a major award that he feels guilty about competing for because his photo was staged. And his gorgeous, much younger girlfriend, Erin (Mili Avital), who also happens to be a model who makes $10,000 a week (we should all have such problems), is raising issues about commitment and her desire to have a baby.
When Hank's ex-wife gets remarried and embarks on an extended honeymoon, he is suddenly saddled with Constance (Ellen Muth), their 13-year-old daughter with issues of her own. Hank, unused to the demands of fatherhood and the particular concerns of a teenager, soon finds himself desperately attempting to cope with a person whose range of expression veers from a petulant whine to howls of outrage.
The strength of the film lies in Ryan's ability to make us care about all of his characters and to make them highly credible and specific. Although the film never reaches any great dramatic heights, it presents a series of small moments that reverberate with the messiness and complexity of truth.
Adding greatly to the overall effect is the highly talented cast. Kinney, masterful at portraying aggrieved characters (as evidenced by his superb work on HBO's "Oz"), makes Hank highly sympathetic in spite of the character's self-absorption. And Muth, a 19-year-old actress who does an excellent job of playing much younger, excellently conveys Constance's childishness and blossoming sexuality.
Avital is highly appealing and low-key as the frustrated girlfriend, and Diane Venora has some terrific moments as Hank's boss and ex-college girlfriend who impulsively jumps into the sack with him one night, only to wake up in a state of embarrassed mortification.
THE YOUNG GIRL AND THE MONSOON
Artistic License Films
Director-screenwriter: James Ryan
Executive producers: Richard Mehrlich, Beverly Mehrlich
Director of photography: Ben Wolf
Production designer: Tina Manfredi
Editor: John David Allen
Music: David Carbonara
Color/stereo
Cast:
Hank: Terry Kinney
Constance: Ellen Muth
Erin: Mili Avital
Giovanna: Diane Venora
Jack: Tim Guinee
Running time -- 90 minutes
No MPAA rating...
His debut feature, "The Young Girl and the Monsoon" is about the complex relationship be-tween a weekend dad and his 13-year-old daughter. It is a well-written and -acted drama that, while it suffers from a certain talky, stagebound quality, bears the stamp of psychological truth.
Terry Kinney, in his first feature starring role, plays Hank, an award-winning, divorced photojournalist about to turn 40 who is coping with several problems in his life. He's facing serious career competition from his best friend, even while he's in the running for a major award that he feels guilty about competing for because his photo was staged. And his gorgeous, much younger girlfriend, Erin (Mili Avital), who also happens to be a model who makes $10,000 a week (we should all have such problems), is raising issues about commitment and her desire to have a baby.
When Hank's ex-wife gets remarried and embarks on an extended honeymoon, he is suddenly saddled with Constance (Ellen Muth), their 13-year-old daughter with issues of her own. Hank, unused to the demands of fatherhood and the particular concerns of a teenager, soon finds himself desperately attempting to cope with a person whose range of expression veers from a petulant whine to howls of outrage.
The strength of the film lies in Ryan's ability to make us care about all of his characters and to make them highly credible and specific. Although the film never reaches any great dramatic heights, it presents a series of small moments that reverberate with the messiness and complexity of truth.
Adding greatly to the overall effect is the highly talented cast. Kinney, masterful at portraying aggrieved characters (as evidenced by his superb work on HBO's "Oz"), makes Hank highly sympathetic in spite of the character's self-absorption. And Muth, a 19-year-old actress who does an excellent job of playing much younger, excellently conveys Constance's childishness and blossoming sexuality.
Avital is highly appealing and low-key as the frustrated girlfriend, and Diane Venora has some terrific moments as Hank's boss and ex-college girlfriend who impulsively jumps into the sack with him one night, only to wake up in a state of embarrassed mortification.
THE YOUNG GIRL AND THE MONSOON
Artistic License Films
Director-screenwriter: James Ryan
Executive producers: Richard Mehrlich, Beverly Mehrlich
Director of photography: Ben Wolf
Production designer: Tina Manfredi
Editor: John David Allen
Music: David Carbonara
Color/stereo
Cast:
Hank: Terry Kinney
Constance: Ellen Muth
Erin: Mili Avital
Giovanna: Diane Venora
Jack: Tim Guinee
Running time -- 90 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 5/11/2001
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
David Schwimmer A Free Man
Actor David Schwimmer and Mili Avital have called it quits - because he couldn't handle the pressure of marriage. Israeli-born Avital wanted to walk down the aisle after attending the wedding of Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt. A source says, "David couldn't take the pressure. She pushed so hard for marriage that she pushed him away. At one time Mili was the perfect girl for David." But insiders say there were other cracks in the relationship, "Even though he had that incredible $750, 000 payday, he thought Mili was too extravagant. When all is said and done, the hype over Jennifer and Brad's wedding was the undoing of David and Mili."...
- 9/26/2000
- WENN
Julia's 2,000 Mile Love Trip
Hollywood star Julia Roberts flew 2, 000 miles for a showdown with boyfriend Benjamin Bratt after rumours that he was getting close with his sexy female co-star, Mili Avital. Roberts was furious that the pair were reported to be getting friendly on set. An insider on the set of the movie After the Storm (2000) says, "Ben and Mili were seen everywhere together, laughing and having a good time. " Julia is said to be very much in love with Ben who she has been dating for two years and arrived in Belize from hollywood where she spent five nights with Ben at the Yacht Club Villa. The insider says, "They didn't look happy and hardly went out. But as soon as Julia left Ben and Mili were together again."...
- 4/10/2000
- WENN
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