#Chris brancato

[cantsayidont]

No crunking, but lots of haterating and hollerating and even some situations:

BRUTE FORCE (1947): Aptly named prison drama about a group of convicts (including Burt Lancaster, Charles Bickford, and radio actor Howard Duff) in a battle of wills and wits with the sadistic guard captain Munsey (Hume Cronyn). Forcefully directed by Jules Dasssin and certainly vivid, but the few moments of levity the Richard Brooks screenplay provides — such as a droll flashback sequence where former conman Spencer (John Hoyt, who later played Dr. Phillip Boyce in the original STAR TREK pilot) affectionately recalls the slick dame (Anita Colby) who once robbed him with his own gun — serve mostly to demonstrate that there's not enough light moments, even for such a determinedly grim and downbeat story. Worse, since the main action takes place entirely within the prison, women (including Ella Raines, Ann Blyth, and future TV Batgirl Yvonne De Carlo as well as Anita Colby) appear only in brief flashbacks. The film's main attraction is its superb acting — and even Lancaster's brooding sex appeal is somewhat overshadowed by Hume Cronyn's towering performance as the magnificently detestable Munsey. CONTAINS LESBIANS? Nope. VERDICT: Compelling in fits and starts, and Cronyn's Munsey is one of the screen's great villains, but it's so oppressive that your attention may start to wander, especially if neither Lancaster nor Cronin is currently onscreen.

HOTEL COCAINE Season 1 (2024): Colorful but sloppy Chris Brancato crime drama, based (apparently very loosely) on the life of a real person, Cuban exile and CIA asset Roman Compte (played, weakly, by Danny Pino), who, as the general manager of Miami's Mutiny Hotel, presided over the heyday of coke-fueled late '70s South Florida hedonism. Brancato uses this as a backdrop for a disappointingly ordinary gangster story, giving Compte a fictional older brother, Nestor Cabal (Yul Vázquez), indistinguishable from Brancato's previous fictionalization of Cuban cop/gangster José Battle Sr. in GODFATHER OF HARLEM (where he was also played by Vázquez), and pitting the brothers against a renegade DEA agent (Michael Chiklis) and an invading Columbian cartel led by Gilberto Henao (Juan Pablo Raba). Despite the title, the Mutiny setting is surprisingly under-utilized; the main plot is cliché-ridden and often listless; and the action is broken up by periodic fits of weird comic relief involving nervous acid-freak hotel owner Burton Greenberg (Mark Feuerstein), including bizarre appearances by Hunter S. Thompson (John Ventimiglia) and Rick James (Larry Powell) in the first two episodes. Pino is barely adequate in the lead, and it sometimes seems like Brancato foolishly expects viewers to find Roman sympathetic, which he really never is, even compared to his antagonists. The only real reasons to bother with the show are its Latina characters, including Roman's spunky teenage daughter Valeria (Corina Bradley); his sympathetic girlfriend Marisol (Tania Watson); and in particular Gilberto's sexy and sadistic Mexican enforcer/girlfriend Yolanda (Mayra Hermosillo). Alas, Laura Gordon is awful as Roman's loyal right-hand woman Janice, while Michael Chiklis, who had made such a strong impression as the antiheroic Vic Mackey on THE SHIELD, is just laughable as DEA agent Zulio. CONTAINS LESBIANS: Not in any meaningful way. VERDICT: Never dull, but too arch to be credible and yet not over the top enough to rival De Palma's SCARFACE, and unlike the similar but better-realized GODFATHER OF HARLEM, it has no particular insights to offer about either its era or its setting.

SEX-POSITIVE (2024): Cute but very dumb sex comedy, directed by Peter Woodward (who also co-scripted with Marie Kirby) about a down-on-her-luck young woman (Katherine Ellis) who moves into a New Orleans commune and, after her initial shock has subsided, becomes part of its loose-knit polycule of ongoing sex parties. The story tries hard to live up to its title, with mixed results: It largely avoids the performative dread sex comedies often evince at the idea of same-gender sex, and it even takes a few flailing stabs at body positivity, but much of its humor is still founded on the idea that people having a lot of (semi-public, maybe mildly kinky) sex is inherently outrageous, which means that if you don't blush and giggle at the mere idea of a sex party, the movie is only occasionally funny. On the other hand, it's refreshing to see a modern sex comedy that doesn't shy away from nudity, allows the characters to actually have sex rather than just talking about it, and doesn't paint the characters' promiscuous lifestyle as a moral failing that has to eventually be recanted. CONTAINS LESBIANS: Yes, although the script leans a little too hard on the idea that anything other than complete sexual fluidity is somehow regressive. VERDICT: In a less prudish cultural climate, a low-wattage comedy like SEX-POSITIVE would barely rate a yawn, but in an era of rampant self-censorship and dreary bourgeois repression, its dopey, good-natured smuttiness is sort of endearing.

SUNRISE AT CAMPOBELLO (1960): Okay Dore Schary film adaptation (directed by Vincent Donehue) of Schary's Tony-winning play, starring Ralph Bellamy (reprising his award-winning stage role) as Franklin Delano Roosevelt, recently stricken with infantile paralysis and struggling to decide if he can still have a political future, with Greer Garson as Eleanor, Ann Shoemaker as Franklin's imperious mother Sara, and Hume Cronyn as his friend and political advisor Louis Howe. At first, both Bellamy and Garson seem like they're overplaying their roles, with a bigness more suited to stage than screen; Garson's performance never really stops feeling like caricature, but Bellamy eventually disappears into his part and becomes surprisingly convincing. Cronyn and Shoemaker are both excellent, and extensive use of location shooting (including scenes staged in the Roosevelts' actual homes) keeps the film from feeling objectionably stage-bound, but the narrative's emphasis on the heroism of overcoming chronic illness (a struggle FDR took great pains to conceal as much as possible) is awfully sticky at points, and if you're not American, you may wonder what all the fuss is about. CONTAINS LESBIANS: There have been arguments for years about Eleanor (in particular surrounding her relationship with reporter Lorena Hickok), but you'll find none of that here. VERDICT: As biopics go, it's pretty top-drawer, but if you're not a history buff or don't care about the Roosevelts, it probably won't hold your interest.

[danny-pino-group-therapy]

X

[soodimilani]

Narcos: Mexico (2018-2021)

- Walt: It’s not about Amado, man. Fuck Amado. I’m tired of fucking losing.

- Jaime: That’s not the job, Walt… chasing the win. We try and stay even. That’s all we can do.

- Walt: Sir, that’s the biggest load of bullshit I ever heard.

[perfettamentechic]

10 ottobre … ricordiamo …

10 ottobre … ricordiamo … #semprevivineiricordi #nomidaricordare #personaggiimportanti #perfettamentechic

2022: Michael Callan, Martin Harris Calinieff, attore statunitense. Iniziò ad esibirsi quindicenne nei night club, prima di trasferirsi a New York all’età di diciassette anni con lo pseudonimo “Mickey Calin“. Il successo arrivò a Broadway nel 1954. La sua ultima apparizione cinematografica risale al 2003, con il film Fratelli per la pelle. Callan fu sposato tre volte: con Carlyn Chapman dal 1960…

[brokehorrorfan]

Species II will be released on 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray on June 11 via Scream Factory. The 1998 sci-fi horror sequel is directed by Peter Medak (The Changeling).

Natasha Henstridge, Michael Madsen and Marg Helgenberger reprise their roles from the first film, joined by Mykelti Williamson, George Dzundza, James Cromwell, and Justin Lazard. Chris Brancato (Narcos, Hannibal) wrote the script.

Species II has been newly restored in 4K from the original camera negative with Dolby Vision and English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Surround and 2.0 Stereo. A preliminary list of special features is below.

Disc 1 - 4K UHD:

Audio commentary by director Peter Medak

Disc 2 - Blu-ray:

Audio commentary by director Peter Medak

Interview with actress Natasha Henstridge

Interviews with special make-up effects creator Steve Johnson, supervising cosmetic designer Leonard MacDonald, transformation supervisor Joel Harlow, and chrysalis effects supervisor William Bryan

Interview with screenwriter Chris Brancato

Special effects outtakes & behind-the-scenes footage

Uncut footage

Species II: Eve of Destruction featurette

Theatrical trailer

Still galleries – posters, lobby cards, behind-the-scenes photos, special effects behind-the-scenes photos, and H.R. Giger sketches

When countless women suffer gruesome deaths while bearing half-alien offspring, scientist Laura Baker (Marg Helgenberger) and hired assassin Press Lennox (Michael Madsen) use Eve (Natasha Henstridge), a more tempered alien clone, to find Ross and his virulent brood. But they underestimate Eve's maternal drive, and before long she escapes to mate with Ross in order to create a pure, unstoppable race that could spell doom for mankind.

Pre-order Species II.

[aragarna]

I'm back, but where was I?

Well, first in the US for work, and then at Series Mania, a big TV series festival. I saw lots of good shows, attended some great masterclasses (if by any chance you've heard about Peter Mullan destroying Kevin Spacey, that was there...).

Here were some highlights:

I'm taller than The Thing?! I could have sworn that Michael Chiklis, of Fantastic Four and The Shield fame was a giant! I'm shockitty shocked. Still scary as Hell when his clear blue eyes look right into your soul, but a tiny bit less scary than I thought LOL

Danny Pinto is barely any taller but damn is that man charming.

They were both there for Chris Brancato's new show: Hotel Cocaine. Looks pretty promising. Very 70's LOL.

Zal Batmanglij, co-creator of the OA was a big fan of Bioman as a kid. It definitely influenced the idea of the dance in the OA. I bet you'll see that dance differently from now on XD

Among the best shows we've seen: Rematch, telling the Chess match and rematch, between Gary Kasparov and Deep Blue.

And some French shows you all will probably never see.

Were present at the festival Patricia Arquette, Alex Wolff and Jeremy Irons. What do they have all in common? They were all lucky enough to work with Gabriel Byrne. It's totally irrelevant but it makes me smile.

Jeremy Irons, who will always be Aramis to me, will appear in yet another Dumas adaptation: The Count of Monte-Cristo this time. The guy is hilarious. Irons, not Monte-Cristo.

Edmond Dantes is Sam Claflin. They showed a trailer for the upcoming show and it looks pretty decent. They promised a faithful adaptation. At the very least, there'll be eye candies.

Also saw a panel for the upcoming French Zorro series starring Jean Dujardin. It's gonna be a sort of comedy sequel to the Disney show. Not sure about how I feel about it, still. I love Jean, but I don't love him.

[abraham2love]

chris brancato & paul eckstein : creator´s

serie full

godfather of harlem

[ncisladaily]

EXCLUSIVE: Erik Palladino (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) has joined the cast of Godfather of Harlem for Season 4, currently in production in New York.

Created by Chris Brancato and the late Paul Eckstein, Godfather of Harlem tells a story inspired by infamous crime boss Bumpy Johnson (Forrest Whitaker), who in the early 1960s returned from 11 years in prison to find the neighborhood he once ruled in shambles.

In Season 4, Bumpy continues his bloody war for control of Harlem against New York’s Mafia families, while contending with the emergence of a potential rival in newly arrived Black gangster Frank Lucas. After Malcolm X’s (Jason Alan Carvell) tragic death, Bumpy must also grapple with his daughter Elise’s (Antoinette Crowe-Legacy) involvement with the Black Panthers.

In a recurring role, Palladino will portray “Pino Greco,” a fearsome hitman and high-ranking underboss of the Genovese crime family. Greco is a prolific and ruthless killer who throughout the season descends into a deadly power struggle with Chin Gigante’s daughter Stella for control of the Family’s fortunes.

Ilfenesh Hadera, Lucy Fry, Antoinette Crowe-Legacy and Erik LaRay Harvey are among the cast returning for Season 4. The first three seasons are available to stream on MGM+.

Produced by ABC Signature, the series is executive produced by Brancato, Paul Eckstein, Whitaker, Nina Yang Bongiovi, James Acheson, Markuann Smith and Ray Quinlan. Michael Panes and Stephen Schiff are writing executive producers on Godfather of Harlem, and Swizz Beatz serves as executive music producer.

Palladino can next be seen in the upcoming independent film Skincare starring Elizabeth Banks. He is represented by Greene Talent and The Coronel Group.

[cantsayidont]

(HOTEL COCAINE, created by Chris Brancato and feeling like a greatly inferior spinoff of Brancato's interesting but overwrought GODFATHER OF HARLEM — including Yul Vázquez doing exactly the same "evil right-wing Santería-practicing drug-dealing Cuban exile DILF" bit he did in HARLEM, so similar that initially I thought it was supposed to be the same character — is not a good show by any standard, but it does have Mayra Hermosillo, who is so alarmingly hot that her scenes carry a risk of second-degree burns. Shame, though, about Michael Chiklis, who after working so hard to establish himself as a tough guy on THE SHIELD is back to being THE COMMISH.)

[danny-pino-group-therapy]

Great interview.

[ulkaralakbarova]

Over the summer of 1976, thirty-six bombs detonate in the heart of Cleveland while a turf war raged between Irish mobster Danny Greene and the Italian mafia. Based on a true story, Kill the Irishman chronicles Greene’s heroic rise from a tough Cleveland neighborhood to become an enforcer in the local mob. Credits: TheMovieDb. Film Cast: Danny Greene: Ray Stevenson John Nardi: Vincent D’Onofrio Joe Manditski: Val Kilmer Shondor Birns: Christopher Walken Joan Madigan: Linda Cardellini Mikey Mendarolo: Tony Darrow Ray Ferritto: Robert Davi Grace O’Keefe: Fionnula Flanagan Jerry Merke: Bob Gunton Art Sneperger: Jason Butler Harner Keith Ritson: Vinnie Jones Jack Licavoli: Tony Lo Bianco Ellie O’Hara: Laura Ramsey Mike Frato: Steve Schirripa Tony Salerno: Paul Sorvino Leo “Lips” Moceri: Mike Starr William “Billy” McComber: Marcus Thomas Frank Brancato: Vinny Vella Valet: Brian Balzerini Young Danny Greene: Cody Christian Young Billy McComber: Dante Wildern Tony Lupero: Sean O’Reily Vic Centauro: Vincent Rogo Angelini Tommy Sinito: Grant Krause Joe Buka: Jeff Chase Stan Gilroy: Jim Porterfield Undercover Cop: Jeff Wolfe Film Crew: Director: Jonathan Hensleigh Executive Producer: Tara Reid Casting: Mary Vernieu Production Design: Patrizia von Brandenstein Director of Photography: Karl Walter Lindenlaub Editor: Douglas Crise Executive Producer: Arthur M. Sarkissian Visual Effects Supervisor: Chris Ervin Producer: Al Corley Producer: Eugene Musso Unit Production Manager: Bart Rosenblatt Producer: Tommy Reid Casting: Juan Carlos Cantu Screenplay: Jeremy Walters Book: Rick Porrello Executive Producer: Jonathan Dana Costume Design: Melissa Bruning Original Music Composer: Patrick Cassidy Music Supervisor: John Bissell Production Supervisor: Michael D. Jones Art Direction: Gary Baugh Script Supervisor: Dug Rotstein Still Photographer: Kim C. Simms Set Decoration: Joan MacFarlane Production Sound Mixer: Beau Williams Second Assistant Director: Phil Robinson Stunt Double: Cassandra McCormick Movie Reviews: Kenneth Axel Carlsson: This is the story of the irishman, Danny Greene (Ray Stevenson), a corrupt union man, who ended up as sort of a Robin Hood figure of Cleveland. This is the story of how he rose in the ranks, making countless of enemies along the way. This is also the story of how they tried to kill him, but failed. I’ve never heard of Danny Greene, but the movie paints a nice realistic picture of the 1970s. This is not a pleasant world, but one where everyone is trying to get their piece of the cake. Danny himself is a hard one to figure out, is he good, is he bad? The one moment he helps out a friend in need, the next… he is killing people. I kinda like the fact that he is a person with both sides to him, allowing us to make up our own mind about him. Life is never as simple as most movies would like us to think it is. The movie itself is a little messy, and I had expected a bit more from the cast, but of course, this is a movie based on actual events and characters, and of course that means that they can’t change too much. In minor roles we find Val Kilmer and Christopher Walken, both excellent actors that tend to make quirky and interesting characters, but not so much here. Last words… a solid movie that gives us some insight into a man who really lived and breathed. It has some heart, for sure, but ain’t all that interesting when it comes down to it. I probably won’t ever see it a second time, but I definitely survived seeing it once.

[bbcviral]

Australian Streamer Stan Boards ‘Hotel Cocaine’ Crime Drama From ‘Narcos’ Creator Chris Brancato http://dlvr.it/T51v18

[franciscomaldo]

#Tania Watson #CorinaBradley y #LauraGordon se unen a elenco de serie de #MGMPlus #HotelCocaine √

La producción de la serie de Chris Brancato y Guillermo Navarro se reanuda este mes de enero en la República Dominicana después de una pausa durante las huelgas duales de WGA y SAG-AFTRA. Danny Pino / Imagen cortesía Cathrine White Tania Watson (The Head), Corina Bradley (Star-Crossed Romance) y Laura Gordon (Late Night with the Devil) se han unido a Danny Pino, Yul Vázquez, Michael Chiklis y…