Movies Til Dawn

Sorry for my prolonged absence. All I can say is that I was attacked by a massive case of blog-aversion. A few days ago I took a very slick train ride on the groovy new Acela train from New York's ugliest station (Penn, natch) to Waterford Connecticut, home of the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center . Here, over the next week, we're workshopping the musical that we're developing based on my movie "Two Family House". Retitled "Buddy's Tavern" (should have called the movie that as well and for a second I almost did--"Two Family House" is a pun title and clever though it is, it requires a viewing of the film to understand why it's called that...), the musical is frankly a hell of a piece of work if I do say so myself. The composer Kim Oler and lyricist Alison Hubbard have written a big fat score that is alternately funny and sad, moving and always insightful. We started on this process way back in 2002 and its taken us all this time to get t...

Behold "City Island's" newest fan. It's none other than the world's foremost, bestselling author James Patterson, author of at least seven thousand novels in every conceivable genre. Click here to read Mr. Patterson's movie "pick of the week " on his website/blog/whatever. I am truly complimented. And click here to read a very interesting article on this authorial force of nature that appeared in the New York Times Magazine a few months ago. Patterson is one of those never-say-never/can't/won't/impossible/unheard of types--a man who sees no boundries as to what he can accomplish in life. Quite inspiring even if detective fiction isn't necessarily your kind of thing. Clearly he has good taste in movies. And from the below commercial, one senses the guy has a sense of humor about himself as well...   Subscribe in a reader

According to this New York TImes article which appeared today, the Metropolitan Transit Authority has redrawn the subway maps for the first time in ten years... and put City Island (which had been missing from the map for years) back on the map! I take complete credit for this. Wouldn't you? Below is a MUST VIEW...a trip on the subway from 14th Street to 42nd street shot in 1905...   Subscribe in a reader

Dig New York Metro's piece on how the movie "City Island" is impacting the real estate on..."City Island." That calls for a bowl of raw Oyster stew, a City Island specialty...   Subscribe in a reader

Dig our lovely mention in yesterday's Variety. That's all ffffolkes...   Subscribe in a reader   Subscribe in a reader

Finally, a little good news at the box office. The little indie-that-could City Island has now grossed $5 million after twelve weekends in theatrical release. The Andy Garcia-Julianna Margulies family drama seems to have struck a nerve with audiences around the country despite its limited run. At its widest release, the PG-13-rated film from Raymond De Felitta (The Thing About My Folks) was in 269 theaters. This weekend it will be in 175 U.S. locations.' Hollywood Insider So there we are. Heading into our THIRTEENTH week--how many movies last that long? An eighty three percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes "tomatometer" viz: Consensus: Raymond De Felitta combines warmth, humanity, and a natural sense of humor, and is abetted by Andy Garcia and an excellent ensemble cast. More people digging the movie each weekend--our per screens actually go UP instead of the way that gravity designed things--to go DOWN. Clearly word of mouth is working. So is Anchor Bay's marketing. Dig ...