Danielle Johnsen, Author at The Playlist

Review: ‘Freakanomics’ Doesn’t Quite Make The Leap From Page To Screen

Danielle Johnsen — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 03:03:00 +0000

“Freakanomics,” the anthology-style documentary adaptation of the bestselling book from economist Steven D. Levitt and author Stephen J. Dubner, is a mishmash of interesting concepts, with less interesting direction. The book, which discussed and analyzed popular culture theories through economic data points, doesn’t lend itself well to a big screen adaptation. Documentaries, when done well, seem to have their “story” evolve throughout, but when adapting a book of this type – the story is essentially written for you.

Continue reading Review: ‘Freakanomics’ Doesn’t Quite Make The Leap From Page To Screen at The Playlist.

Emma Stone, Mia Wasikowska & Lily Collins Enter The Mix For Female Leads In ‘Spider-Man’

Danielle Johnsen — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 01:15:00 +0000

Director Marc Webb is getting closer to finding Peter Parker a leading lady or two for the upcoming “Spider-Man” reboot. After Andrew Garfield was announced as have secured the lead, there has been much speculation on who would be jumping into the role of Mary Jane Watson. But sources close to the production say that is not the only lead female role Webb has been testing actresses for, so comic book fans rejoice as it seems Gwen Stacy will also be making an appearance.

Continue reading Emma Stone, Mia Wasikowska & Lily Collins Enter The Mix For Female Leads In ‘Spider-Man’ at The Playlist.

TIFF ’10: ‘Easy A’ Is The Clever & Funny Teen Comedy We Were All Hoping For

Danielle Johnsen — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 19:07:00 +0000

There is nothing better than a perfectly guilt free teen comedy that begs to be watched on repeat, and “Easy A” lives up to the early buzz, and is definitely one we won’t mind watching again soon. With a perfect cast, literate and witty dialogue coupled with a protagonist that you can’t help but fall in love with, this modernized retelling of “The Scarlet Letter” is easily one of the best teen comedies to be released in the past ten years.

Continue reading TIFF ’10: ‘Easy A’ Is The Clever & Funny Teen Comedy We Were All Hoping For at The Playlist.

‘I Don’t Care About Your Band’ Says Lizzy Caplan, Will Ferrell & Adam McKay (For HBO)

Danielle Johnsen — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:14:00 +0000

HBO is once again betting on the ladies. Deadline Hollywood is reporting that Lizzy Caplan has teamed up with Will Ferrell and Adam McKay’s Gary Sanchez to develop Julie Klausner’s hilarious memoir, “I Don’t Care About Your Band,” into a comedy series for the network.

Caplan, whose series “Party Down” was just canceled by Starz after its second season, is also producing and looking to star in the comedic exploration of sex, dating and stand up material.

Continue reading ‘I Don’t Care About Your Band’ Says Lizzy Caplan, Will Ferrell & Adam McKay (For HBO) at The Playlist.

‘Yogi Bear’ Gets Teaser Trailer, Kids Still Wondering What A Yogi Bear Is

Danielle Johnsen — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:06:00 +0000

Another day, another unnecessary big screen adaptation. This time it’s a 3D, live-action version of the classic cartoon “Yogi Bear.” Do kids even know who or what Yogi Bear is nowadays? Warner Bros. seems to believe so, as does Dan Aykroyd and Justin Timberlake, who voiced the characters of Yogi Bear and Boo Boo. Aykroyd and Timberlake surely have better things creatively to do with their time than this, but easy paychecks will certainly do crazy things to folks.

Continue reading ‘Yogi Bear’ Gets Teaser Trailer, Kids Still Wondering What A Yogi Bear Is at The Playlist.

‘The Extra Man’ Director Shari Springer Berman Talks Loveable Assholes, Why She Made ‘The Nanny Diaries,’ & Missing Harvey Pekar

Danielle Johnsen — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 21:19:00 +0000

Shari Springer Berman and her husband-directing partner Robert Pulcini certainly have an affinity for eccentrics. The couple who made their narrative debut with the critical smash, “American Splendor,” based on the life of late comic novelist Harvey Pekar, continue their love affair with their latest “The Extra Man.”

The charming indie comedy based on Brooklyn writer Jonathan Ames’ novel of the same name, follows the relationship and education between Henry Harrison and Louis Ives.

Continue reading ‘The Extra Man’ Director Shari Springer Berman Talks Loveable Assholes, Why She Made ‘The Nanny Diaries,’ & Missing Harvey Pekar at The Playlist.

‘Extra Man’ Star Paul Dano Doesn’t Shy Away From Blockbusters Or Cross-Dressing Lingerie Scenes

Danielle Johnsen — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:01:00 +0000

New York based actor Paul Dano has had the fortunate opportunity in his short career to work with some of the strongest actors of our generation. Easily moving from huge, hyped blockbusters to small indies hasn’t phased Dano and he seems to enjoy the challenge of being put in situations that aren’t entirely comfortable to him.

In his latest, “The Extra Man,” Dano plays Louis Ives, an insecure teacher, whose need to figure himself out gets him fired and left searching for both work and a life in New York City.

Continue reading ‘Extra Man’ Star Paul Dano Doesn’t Shy Away From Blockbusters Or Cross-Dressing Lingerie Scenes at The Playlist.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt Has A Musical Project In The Works

Danielle Johnsen — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 21:36:00 +0000

We could soon see Joseph Gordon-Levitt singing in the rain or possibly on Broadway, for that matter. The actor recently sat down with The Advocate to promote his latest film “Inception,” and discussed his interest in following up his song-and-dance routine from “500 Days of Summer” with a true blue musical.

Gordon-Levitt cryptically told the mag, “I don’t want to spoil it, but there is something in the works, man, and I can’t wait.” And given his experience on both the big screen and his rendition of “Make ‘Em Laugh” during his opening monologue on “Saturday Night Live,” we’re curious to see where we will see Joseph putting his moves to good use.

Continue reading Joseph Gordon-Levitt Has A Musical Project In The Works at The Playlist.

Emma Stone, Woody Harrelson, Andy Samberg, Patricia Clarkson, Richard Jenkins & More Join ‘Friends With Benefits’

Danielle Johnsen — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 14:26:00 +0000

Emma Stone and “Zombieland” co-star Woody Harrelson will attempt to battle romantic comedy cliches as opposed to zombies in the upcoming “Friends With Benefits.” The two are set to join Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis, in the film about a headhunter (Timberlake) who recruits an editor (Kunis) to run a men’s magazine, with the two eventually agreeing to sleep together with no strings attached. Of course, things get complicated when the guy falls for the girl, who’s dating someone else.

Continue reading Emma Stone, Woody Harrelson, Andy Samberg, Patricia Clarkson, Richard Jenkins & More Join ‘Friends With Benefits’ at The Playlist.

Steve Zahn, Peter Dinklage & Ryan Kwanten Will LARP In ‘Knights of Badassdom’

Danielle Johnsen — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 19:33:00 +0000

Let the LARPing continue. Steve Zahn, Peter Dinklage and Ryan Kwanten will team up for Joe Lynch’s upcoming “Knights of Badassdom.” The “Wrong Turn 2” director is set to begin principal photography on the project very soon, and while the full plot details have yet to be released, we do know this horror-comedy will feature the bizarre world of live-action role playing, better known as LARP. The film will follow a group of larpers who “conjure up a demon from hell by mistake and must deal with the consequences.”

Kwanten, best known as the playboy with a heart of mush Jason Stackhouse on HBO’s “True Blood,” told Access Hollywood that ‘Knights’ is “like ‘Shaun of the Dead’ meets ‘Role Models.’ It’s a real black comedy”.

Continue reading Steve Zahn, Peter Dinklage & Ryan Kwanten Will LARP In ‘Knights of Badassdom’ at The Playlist.

Review: The Joke Comes First For ‘Joan Rivers: A Piece Of Work’

Danielle Johnsen — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 12:45:00 +0000

With the media in full reality overdrive, it’s refreshing to see an unflinching documentary that delves into what it’s really like to be famous. “Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work,” which opens to a limited run this Friday, is an intimate and intriguing look at a year in the life of the comedic pioneer. The film opens with a close-up on Joan Rivers, sans makeup, and we are subtly informed that this will be not your typical fluff piece, but a more pointed look at the woman behind the face.

Continue reading Review: The Joke Comes First For ‘Joan Rivers: A Piece Of Work’ at The Playlist.

Watch: Trailer For Newsroom Comedy ‘Morning Glory’ Starring Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford & Diane Keaton

Danielle Johnsen — Wed, 26 May 2010 12:36:00 +0000

Rachel McAdams seems to be moving into America’s Sweetheart territory with her latest turn in “Morning Glory.” Paramount has released its first trailer for the upcoming comedy starring McAdams, Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton, Jeff Goldblum and Patrick Wilson.

McAdams stars as Becky Fuller, a type-A overworked TV news producer, who after being fired is forced to take a position on a last-place morning show called “Daybreak” and turn the falling ratings around. Never the type to run from a challenge, Fuller decides to reach out and get former TV legend Mike Pomeroy (Ford) to join Colleen Peck (Keaton) to host the failing news program.

Continue reading Watch: Trailer For Newsroom Comedy ‘Morning Glory’ Starring Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford & Diane Keaton at The Playlist.

Paramount & Rob Reiner Want To Revisit The Set Of ‘Soapdish’

Danielle Johnsen — Wed, 26 May 2010 12:05:00 +0000

Apparently Hollywood has run out of script ideas because we will soon be seeing a remake of “Soapdish” on the big screen, courtesy of Paramount Pictures. The ensemble comedy with a stellar cast focused on the real-life drama that was happening behind-the-scenes on a successful soap opera set.

In the original, Sally Field was Celeste Tallbert, star of “The Sun Also Sets,” a Susan Lucci type soap opera superstar, whose deep dark secrets were far more interesting than her character’s.

Continue reading Paramount & Rob Reiner Want To Revisit The Set Of ‘Soapdish’ at The Playlist.

New Line Takes On ‘Mean Moms’ With Adam Shankman

Danielle Johnsen — Thu, 20 May 2010 15:15:00 +0000

Finally a concept Hollywood can get right — “Mean Moms.”

Adam Shankman will be producing a big screen adaptation of Rosalind Wiseman’s “Queen Bee Moms and King Pin Dads: Dealing with the Parents, Teachers, Coaches, and Counselors Who Can Make — or Break — Your Child’s Future,” a spiritual sequel of sorts to “Mean Girls” that will follow the struggle of a suburban mom in finding herself when she moves her family to a chi-chi neighborhood.

Continue reading New Line Takes On ‘Mean Moms’ With Adam Shankman at The Playlist.

Watch: Trailer & Clip For Documentary ‘Joan Rivers: A Piece Of Work’

Danielle Johnsen — Thu, 13 May 2010 21:11:00 +0000

“Can we talk?” We get to see Joan Rivers open up for the cameras both behind the scenes and on stage for her new documentary, “Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work” with the first official trailer hitting the web. The 76-year-old working comedian, who helped pave the way for the likes of Kathy Griffin, Sarah Silverman and Chelsea Handler, openly discusses the highs and lows in both her career and her personal life in the film produced by IFC and Break Thru.

Continue reading Watch: Trailer & Clip For Documentary ‘Joan Rivers: A Piece Of Work’ at The Playlist.

Jessica Biel & Luke Evans To Make Music Together In ‘Vivaldi’

Danielle Johnsen — Wed, 12 May 2010 20:54:00 +0000

Jessica Biel will soon be revisiting the past. The actress is in negotiations to play singer Anna Tessieri Giro, better known as protege and muse to famous composer Antonio Vivaldi, in “Vivaldi”. Luke Evans, who recently starred in “Clash of the Titans” as Apollo, will portray Vivavldi in the period romance that will reportedly focus on the “love affair” between the two. Written by Kevin Lund and T.J. Scott, the film will dig into the protege/mentor relationship Giro and Vivaldi created, which led to the creation of Vivaldi’s most famous piece of work “The Four Seasons.” Patricia Riggen will direct and produce, along with Micheal Mosca and the project will be selling in the Cannes marketplace.

Continue reading Jessica Biel & Luke Evans To Make Music Together In ‘Vivaldi’ at The Playlist.

Rachel Weisz Gives Details On Karyn Kusama’s Body-Horror Project, ‘The Invisible X,’ But It Won’t Be Coming Soon

Danielle Johnsen — Thu, 06 May 2010 22:04:00 +0000

Last fall, director Karyn Kusama (“Jennifer’s Body”) announced she would be working on a David Cronenberg-esque “body horror movie” starring actress Rachel Weisz.

While Kusama started out promisingly with “Girl Fight” and then not-so-promisingly with “Æon Flux” and the aforementioned Diablo Cody-penned teen horror starring Megan Fox, the idea of an old-school body horror pic in the vein of Cronenberg is definitely an intriguing concept.

Chatter about the film has been mostly non-existent, but speaking to MTV, Weisz delivered some details and the film’s actual title, which is also being called an indie thriller.

Continue reading Rachel Weisz Gives Details On Karyn Kusama’s Body-Horror Project, ‘The Invisible X,’ But It Won’t Be Coming Soon at The Playlist.

Review: Alex Gibney Digs Into Political Drama With ‘Casino Jack and The United States of Money’

Danielle Johnsen — Thu, 06 May 2010 21:30:00 +0000

With America so polarized and divided over politics, it almost seems impossible to entertain and educate an audience with a political documentary that isn’t divisive — that is unless you’re are Alex Gibney. No stranger to muckraking documentaries, as he just premiered two at the Tribeca Film Festival, Oscar-winner Gibney is literally the voice of “Casino Jack and the United States of Money.” The film delves into the story of possibly the most infamous lobbyist to date, Jack Abramoff and his stranglehold on D.C.

Continue reading Review: Alex Gibney Digs Into Political Drama With ‘Casino Jack and The United States of Money’ at The Playlist.

Michel Gondry Talks ‘Green Hornet’: Says No Lone Ranger & Confirms 3D Footage Will Debut At ComicCon

Danielle Johnsen — Wed, 05 May 2010 17:41:00 +0000

Not sure how we could have grown tired of a film that will not be released for another six months, but it happened. “Green Hornet,” has consistently evoked controversy since the project’s inception; the unknown final product has sparked such a great deal of coverage that we can’t even fathom what will occur when it is finally released early next year. First, we learned the movie’s release date was being pushed back so that the necessary changes and filming could be made to turn this into a 3D vehicle.

Continue reading Michel Gondry Talks ‘Green Hornet’: Says No Lone Ranger & Confirms 3D Footage Will Debut At ComicCon at The Playlist.

Kevin James Brings ‘The Boom’ To Sony, Lines Up Another Comedy For The Studio

Danielle Johnsen — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0000

On the tail of the bizarre/surprising box office success that was “Paul Blart: Mall Cop”, which pulled in nearly $150 million at the box office last year, Sony Pictures is betting on Kevin James. Variety reports that the studio, along with Columbia Pictures, have greenlit the upcoming action comedy “Here Comes the Boom” with James set to star. Filming on the comedy, which was penned by James and “Zookeeper” writer Rock Reuben, could begin as early as January 2011.

Continue reading Kevin James Brings ‘The Boom’ To Sony, Lines Up Another Comedy For The Studio at The Playlist.