"My Pounds of Flesh..."
Two-time Saturn Award* winner writer/producer Brian Patrick O’Toole began his career in the
Entertainment Industry as a literary agent with the Leslie Kallen
Literary Agency and the Helen Garrett Talent Agency before moving on to
film producing. Mr. O’Toole’s work as a script consultant has given him
the opportunity to work closely with many producers and directors,
including Howard Kazanjian, Sydney Pollack, George Romero, Guillermo
Del Toro, Dan Curtis, Hector Elizondo, Mickey Borofsky and Neil
Marshall, to name a few. He studied extensively with UCLA’s Chairman of
Screenwriting Richard Walter and was a member of the Player’s Workshop
of the Second City in Chicago.
Mr. O’Toole’s screenwriting and producing career spans over 20 years within which he resurrected the werewolf genre with DOG SOLDIERS, put scares back into the ghost story with BOO!, combined horror with comedy in CEMETERY GATES, and was one of the first independent filmmakers to use a computer generated character in SLEEPSTALKER: THE SANDMAN'S LAST RITES. In 2007, Mr. O’Toole wrote and produced his first digital films: the zombie actioner EVILUTION and the suspense-thriller BASEMENT JACK. His films have received numerous awards from U.S. and International film festivals. Outside the horror genre, Mr. O’Toole has co-produced the festival favorite NEO NED and the action thriller DEATH VALLEY. In May 2010, he was given the honor of adapting parts one and two of Ayn Rand's novel ATLAS SHRUGGED. He is currently on-board writing Part Three of the trilogy. Beyond film, Mr. O'Toole wrote a monthly column for Fangoria magazine from 2005-2011 commenting on the world of horror video gaming, as well as writing for Official PlayStation Magazine and Ultimate Gamer.
*Academy of Science-Fiction, Fantasy and Horror - 2002 Dog Soldiers and 2012 Atlas Shrugged - Part I
Mr. O’Toole’s screenwriting and producing career spans over 20 years within which he resurrected the werewolf genre with DOG SOLDIERS, put scares back into the ghost story with BOO!, combined horror with comedy in CEMETERY GATES, and was one of the first independent filmmakers to use a computer generated character in SLEEPSTALKER: THE SANDMAN'S LAST RITES. In 2007, Mr. O’Toole wrote and produced his first digital films: the zombie actioner EVILUTION and the suspense-thriller BASEMENT JACK. His films have received numerous awards from U.S. and International film festivals. Outside the horror genre, Mr. O’Toole has co-produced the festival favorite NEO NED and the action thriller DEATH VALLEY. In May 2010, he was given the honor of adapting parts one and two of Ayn Rand's novel ATLAS SHRUGGED. He is currently on-board writing Part Three of the trilogy. Beyond film, Mr. O'Toole wrote a monthly column for Fangoria magazine from 2005-2011 commenting on the world of horror video gaming, as well as writing for Official PlayStation Magazine and Ultimate Gamer.
*Academy of Science-Fiction, Fantasy and Horror - 2002 Dog Soldiers and 2012 Atlas Shrugged - Part I
Some bits and pieces...
ATLAS SHRUGGED - PART II
Screenwriter (based on Ayn Rand's novel)
Released nationwide on October 12, 2012 in 1,012 theaters
Released on Home Video on February 19, 2013 through 20th Century-Fox
"The second third of Ayn Rand’s long novel comes to the screen with an entirely new cast and director (John Putch); only producers John Aglialoro and Harmon Kaslow and writer Brian Patrick O’Toole (joined by Duke Sandefur and Duncan Scott) are back from before. Still, the result is the same: a respectable effort hampered less by its limited budget than by the dogmatic contrivances of Rand’s plot and the straw-man polemics of her wooden, declamatory dialogue."
Jim Lane - Newsreview.com
Pointedly, the country is going down the tubes, to the point where Washington moves in to require those few successful big businesses that remain to submit to government control. Fighting this with every fiber are railway tycoon Dagny Taggart (Samantha Mathis, replacing Taylor Schilling) and steel magnate Henry Rearden (Jason Beghe, taking over from Grant Bowler). In the most politically pointed scene, the fiercely defiant Rearden is called before a judiciary panel empowered to enforce the government takeover of his giant business as well as imprison him, but he stands his ground with impressive resilience that rouses the spectators and wilts the judges.
Otherwise, there are plenty of spinning wheels involving Dagny's efforts to start a little motor she's found that might hold the solution to the world's energy problems (one tank of gas costs her $865), Dagny's betrayal by her limp-willed brother James (Patrick Fabian, replacing Matthew Marsden), Rearden's difficulties with his estranged wife Lillian (Kim Rhodes) and the ongoing disappearances of leading minds and talents from all walks of life. The question “Who is John Galt?” keeps coming up, to the annoyance of Dagny, who uncharacteristically drops out of the rat race for a while until her final date with destiny that sets up Part III. Todd McCarthy (The Hollywood Reporter)
Awards
* 2013 "Best DVD/Blu-ray" nominee - The Academy of Science Fiction, Horror, and Fantasy's Saturn Award
(Awards announced June, 2013)
* 2013 "Worst Director/Worst Screenplay" nominee - The Golden Raspberry Award's Razzie Award
(Lost categories to Twilight: Breaking Dawn - Part II)
* 2013 Motion Picture Institute's "Liberty in Film" Award WINNER: "Best Adaptation of an Impossible to Adapt Book"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VcHkLWplPQ - around the 2:00 minute mark
Released on Home Video on February 19, 2013 through 20th Century-Fox
"The second third of Ayn Rand’s long novel comes to the screen with an entirely new cast and director (John Putch); only producers John Aglialoro and Harmon Kaslow and writer Brian Patrick O’Toole (joined by Duke Sandefur and Duncan Scott) are back from before. Still, the result is the same: a respectable effort hampered less by its limited budget than by the dogmatic contrivances of Rand’s plot and the straw-man polemics of her wooden, declamatory dialogue."
Jim Lane - Newsreview.com
Pointedly, the country is going down the tubes, to the point where Washington moves in to require those few successful big businesses that remain to submit to government control. Fighting this with every fiber are railway tycoon Dagny Taggart (Samantha Mathis, replacing Taylor Schilling) and steel magnate Henry Rearden (Jason Beghe, taking over from Grant Bowler). In the most politically pointed scene, the fiercely defiant Rearden is called before a judiciary panel empowered to enforce the government takeover of his giant business as well as imprison him, but he stands his ground with impressive resilience that rouses the spectators and wilts the judges.
Otherwise, there are plenty of spinning wheels involving Dagny's efforts to start a little motor she's found that might hold the solution to the world's energy problems (one tank of gas costs her $865), Dagny's betrayal by her limp-willed brother James (Patrick Fabian, replacing Matthew Marsden), Rearden's difficulties with his estranged wife Lillian (Kim Rhodes) and the ongoing disappearances of leading minds and talents from all walks of life. The question “Who is John Galt?” keeps coming up, to the annoyance of Dagny, who uncharacteristically drops out of the rat race for a while until her final date with destiny that sets up Part III. Todd McCarthy (The Hollywood Reporter)
Awards
* 2013 "Best DVD/Blu-ray" nominee - The Academy of Science Fiction, Horror, and Fantasy's Saturn Award
(Awards announced June, 2013)
* 2013 "Worst Director/Worst Screenplay" nominee - The Golden Raspberry Award's Razzie Award
(Lost categories to Twilight: Breaking Dawn - Part II)
* 2013 Motion Picture Institute's "Liberty in Film" Award WINNER: "Best Adaptation of an Impossible to Adapt Book"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VcHkLWplPQ - around the 2:00 minute mark
ATLAS SHRUGGED - PART I
Screenwriter (based on Ayn Rand's novel)
_
Limited Theatrical Release (April 15, 2011); Home Video Debut (November 8, 2011)
“The directing and dialogue (screenplay by Brian Patrick O’Toole) take a difficult subject with no action and turn out a fast, sleek and handsome movie that pulled this reviewer — no fan of Ayn Rand or epic book-to-movie conversions — right in.”
Chris Bedford – Dailycaller.com
“The highlight of the film is its script written by Brian O’Toole. Witty and full of attitude, it successfully and faithfully adapts the novel to the screen. Part of what keeps this film enjoyable throughout is that you can hear Ayn Rand’s attitude shine through in the dialogue. The theme was well preserved. This is a war between creators and blood suckers.”
Judd Weiss – Hustlebear.com
“Overall, I thought Brian condensed scenes deftly. For example, he has Dagny visit Rearden to make a deal for Rearden Metal rails (chapter 4 in the novel) at the same the first heat is being poured (Chap 2). That’s economical; it intensifies the drama of their connection and highlights by contrast the deadness of Rearden’s family life in the next scene. That’s one of many examples. Of the new scenes that Brian created, the ones in which Galt appears struck me as especially tricky to get right. I know there were lots of changes in the writing and film-editing, but I think it came out just right. And it led to a really dynamite ending—which I have no intention of revealing. You will just have to see the movie.”
David Kelley – Founder & Executive Director of the Atlas Society
Ayn Rand's controversial bestseller is the basis for this potent drama about Dagny Taggart, a fiercely independent railroad tycoon determined to use innovative technology and enterprising partners to revive her business, no matter the personal cost. (netflix.com)
Awards
* 2012 "Best DVD" Saturn Award WINNER - The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror
Limited Theatrical Release (April 15, 2011); Home Video Debut (November 8, 2011)
“The directing and dialogue (screenplay by Brian Patrick O’Toole) take a difficult subject with no action and turn out a fast, sleek and handsome movie that pulled this reviewer — no fan of Ayn Rand or epic book-to-movie conversions — right in.”
Chris Bedford – Dailycaller.com
“The highlight of the film is its script written by Brian O’Toole. Witty and full of attitude, it successfully and faithfully adapts the novel to the screen. Part of what keeps this film enjoyable throughout is that you can hear Ayn Rand’s attitude shine through in the dialogue. The theme was well preserved. This is a war between creators and blood suckers.”
Judd Weiss – Hustlebear.com
“Overall, I thought Brian condensed scenes deftly. For example, he has Dagny visit Rearden to make a deal for Rearden Metal rails (chapter 4 in the novel) at the same the first heat is being poured (Chap 2). That’s economical; it intensifies the drama of their connection and highlights by contrast the deadness of Rearden’s family life in the next scene. That’s one of many examples. Of the new scenes that Brian created, the ones in which Galt appears struck me as especially tricky to get right. I know there were lots of changes in the writing and film-editing, but I think it came out just right. And it led to a really dynamite ending—which I have no intention of revealing. You will just have to see the movie.”
David Kelley – Founder & Executive Director of the Atlas Society
Ayn Rand's controversial bestseller is the basis for this potent drama about Dagny Taggart, a fiercely independent railroad tycoon determined to use innovative technology and enterprising partners to revive her business, no matter the personal cost. (netflix.com)
Awards
* 2012 "Best DVD" Saturn Award WINNER - The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror
BASEMENT JACK
Screenwriter - Producer
_ Premiered on the U.K. cable network Zone Horror; Premiered on Chiller in the US on March 18, 2011
“A fun throwback to ‘80s slashers but unique enough to stand on its own. It didn’t need to fall back on familiar and stereotypical slashertropes (well, except for a few – the killer always comes back to life!)and was unique enough to keep my attention throughout its entire running time.”
Fatally-Yours.com
“This is what a new version of Halloween should have been and Basement Jack is full of homages to that film. This is the film that would have kicked ass in the Grindhouses on “The Deuce.” This nasty little fucker should get a theatrical release.”
Scars magazine
"The fight scenes were choreographed brilliantly for the most part. Both of Karen’s battles with Jack are masterfully done and very entertaining to watch. The interactions between characters were, as I said before, very well done."
MikesFilmTalk.com
“…could be one of the true horror highlights of the last decade.”
The Rock Machine
As the lone survivor of a spree of murders perpetrated by Basement Jack (Eric Peter-Kaiser) -- a 17-year-old psychopath with mommy issues -- Karen Cook (Michele Morrow) has lived in fear that one day, he'd be released from the state mental institution. Eleven years later, he is. When a new spate of murders signals that Jack has returned to his twisted ways, Karen vows to hunt him down and kill him before he can do the same to her. (netflix.com)
Awards
2008 Claw Awards - Terror Film Festival - Philadelphia, PA
* Best Actor - Eric Peter-Kaiser
* Best Supporting Actress - Lynn Lowry
* Best Cinematographer/Cinematography - Mathew Rudenberg
* Best Score - Alan Howarth
2008 Southern Appalachian International Film Festival (SOAPIFF) - Erwin, TN
Winner: Best Horror Film
BOO!
Producer
_
As seen on the SyFy Channel
“A scary little flick, combining a traditional ghost story with contemporary gross-out horror and creating in the process an effective, and terrifying, synthesis of styles.”
Tony Whitt – Now Playing Magazine
Some hospitals don’t have the 13th Floor. Santa Mira Hospital shouldn’t have had a third. It’s something a group of five college students discover when they enter an abandoned hospital on Halloween night only to discover that rumors about the place being haunted are very real. Running into other people who are trapped in the hospital, they uncover the truth about a vengeful spirit who is hell bent on making sure no one, except himself, gets out alive. (amazon.com)
As seen on the SyFy Channel
“A scary little flick, combining a traditional ghost story with contemporary gross-out horror and creating in the process an effective, and terrifying, synthesis of styles.”
Tony Whitt – Now Playing Magazine
Some hospitals don’t have the 13th Floor. Santa Mira Hospital shouldn’t have had a third. It’s something a group of five college students discover when they enter an abandoned hospital on Halloween night only to discover that rumors about the place being haunted are very real. Running into other people who are trapped in the hospital, they uncover the truth about a vengeful spirit who is hell bent on making sure no one, except himself, gets out alive. (amazon.com)
CEMETERY GATES
Screenwriter - Producer
_
Premiered on UK cable network Zone Horror; Available uncut on HULU.COM as of 2016
“One of the best horror spoofs I’ve seen in a long time…”
Annie Riordan – JoeHorror.com
“Cemetery Gates is THE film to see this year… a brilliant horror flick.”
AnthroFred – Slasherpool.com
“Shows repeated glimpses of genuine wit and intelligence…”
Chadwick H. Saxelid – Clueless Observations
A giant mutated Tasmanian Devil is stolen from a lab by two eco-activists and escapes near an old cemetery where a group of unsuspecting college students are making a zombie film. The hideous creature takes up residence in the old mining tunnels beneath the graveyard, feasting on both the living and the dead. Meanwhile, the two scientists responsible for the deformed creature are desperately searching the countryside witnessing the carnage of their poor little "Precious". Their search leads them down a path of mutilated corpses as they continually miss the creature. Experience the terror and fear, as one by one, the young filmmakers fall victim to the ravenous beast! (amazon.com)
Premiered on UK cable network Zone Horror; Available uncut on HULU.COM as of 2016
“One of the best horror spoofs I’ve seen in a long time…”
Annie Riordan – JoeHorror.com
“Cemetery Gates is THE film to see this year… a brilliant horror flick.”
AnthroFred – Slasherpool.com
“Shows repeated glimpses of genuine wit and intelligence…”
Chadwick H. Saxelid – Clueless Observations
A giant mutated Tasmanian Devil is stolen from a lab by two eco-activists and escapes near an old cemetery where a group of unsuspecting college students are making a zombie film. The hideous creature takes up residence in the old mining tunnels beneath the graveyard, feasting on both the living and the dead. Meanwhile, the two scientists responsible for the deformed creature are desperately searching the countryside witnessing the carnage of their poor little "Precious". Their search leads them down a path of mutilated corpses as they continually miss the creature. Experience the terror and fear, as one by one, the young filmmakers fall victim to the ravenous beast! (amazon.com)
DEATH VALLEY (aka MOJAVE)
Producer
_
Premiered on Showtime in March 2010
“Astonishingly polished and gracefully executed… 3.5 out of 4”
Heidi Martinuzzi – Film Threat
“A masterpiece of mayhem…”
Movies Online.com
A weekend of desert debauchery turns into a battle for survival for a quartet of friends -- including Josh (Eric Christian Olsen) and Daniel (Rider Strong) -- when they run afoul of a nasty biker gang led by the vicious Dom (Dash Mihok). After the sadistic thugs kill one of the foursome and gravely injure another, Josh decides to even the score in this edgy indie thriller also starring Vince Vieluf and Genevieve Cortese. (netflix.com)
Premiered on Showtime in March 2010
“Astonishingly polished and gracefully executed… 3.5 out of 4”
Heidi Martinuzzi – Film Threat
“A masterpiece of mayhem…”
Movies Online.com
A weekend of desert debauchery turns into a battle for survival for a quartet of friends -- including Josh (Eric Christian Olsen) and Daniel (Rider Strong) -- when they run afoul of a nasty biker gang led by the vicious Dom (Dash Mihok). After the sadistic thugs kill one of the foursome and gravely injure another, Josh decides to even the score in this edgy indie thriller also starring Vince Vieluf and Genevieve Cortese. (netflix.com)
DOG SOLDIERS
Producer
_
International Theatrical Release; SyFy Channel Original Film (2002);
“One of the most gloriously unsubtle and adrenalized extreme shockers since The Evil Dead”
Mark Rahner – Seattle Times
“The biggest opening in UK history of a British horror film”
UK Film Council
Brian Patrick O'Toole "Is credited by David E. Allen for coming up with a significant sub-plot in Dog Soldiers (2002)."
IMDB.COM
This lean, efficient horror flick stands well above most bloated blockbusters. Dog Soldiers follows a military squad on a training mission in the Scottish wilds, where they run into a pack of werewolves. There's nothing fancy about the plot--the soldiers hole up in a farmhouse and desperately try to fend off the werewolves until dawn--but the script is full of smart dialogue and clever ideas, the direction is dynamic, and the performances (from Kevin McKidd, Sean Pertwee, Emma Cleasby, and Liam Cunningham, among a solid cast of relative unknowns) are strong and committed throughout. Dog Soldiers pays homage to Night of the Living Dead, Aliens, and The Evil Dead, among other films, but the references are woven into the fabric of the movie. An unpretentious, tension-inducing flick like this is a pleasant reminder that even crude special effects can be more evocative than expensive computer flashiness. -- Bret Fetzer (amazon.com)
Awards
International Theatrical Release; SyFy Channel Original Film (2002);
“One of the most gloriously unsubtle and adrenalized extreme shockers since The Evil Dead”
Mark Rahner – Seattle Times
“The biggest opening in UK history of a British horror film”
UK Film Council
Brian Patrick O'Toole "Is credited by David E. Allen for coming up with a significant sub-plot in Dog Soldiers (2002)."
IMDB.COM
This lean, efficient horror flick stands well above most bloated blockbusters. Dog Soldiers follows a military squad on a training mission in the Scottish wilds, where they run into a pack of werewolves. There's nothing fancy about the plot--the soldiers hole up in a farmhouse and desperately try to fend off the werewolves until dawn--but the script is full of smart dialogue and clever ideas, the direction is dynamic, and the performances (from Kevin McKidd, Sean Pertwee, Emma Cleasby, and Liam Cunningham, among a solid cast of relative unknowns) are strong and committed throughout. Dog Soldiers pays homage to Night of the Living Dead, Aliens, and The Evil Dead, among other films, but the references are woven into the fabric of the movie. An unpretentious, tension-inducing flick like this is a pleasant reminder that even crude special effects can be more evocative than expensive computer flashiness. -- Bret Fetzer (amazon.com)
Awards
- Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films: Saturn Award – Best DVD Release 2002
- Brussels International Festival of Fantasy Films: Golden Raven & Pegasus Audience Award
- Cinenygma-Luxembourg International Film Festival: Grand Prize (silver)
- Fangoria Magazine’s 2002 Chainsaw Award: Best Limited-Release/Direct-to-Video Release
EVILUTION
Screenwriter - Producer
_
Premiered on the UK cable network Zone Horror – Premiered on Chiller in the US on March 9, 2011; Available through Amazon's Video Service
"Its low-budget mastery, combined with its above average gore pieces,makes it one of the best indie zombie flicks of the last year.”
Moviecynic.com
“Well-written story, diverse characters, interesting antagonists in the zombie-like infected, and a modestly decent level of entertainment value.”
Horror Movies and Stuff.com
“…fun, slickly produced…more scares than laughs…”
Mike Everleth – Bad Lit. com
"Evilution stands as a credible low-budget, mixed-genre DVD entry, a horror-infused tale of mutant military engineering that metes out appropriate levels of gore and thrill while also rooting its story in actual characters."
Shareddarkness.com
“You get a kickass opening followed by an actual story and that rare thing you almost never find in the big-budgeted Hollyweird horror movies – character development - followed by a tense, action packed and blood-soaked last act that once again proves the indie horror scene is alive and well!!"
Horrornews.net
"That the film is a low budget affair is obvious, but, despite the small budget the film still delivers in a lot of areas. The zombie attacks are choreographed very well and range from funny to scary. That the director and the crew were fans of post-apocalyptic zombie films was obvious. They did a brilliant job of coming up with a different way to deal with the zombies and I enjoyed the film immensely."
Mikesfilmtalk.com
"Writer O’Toole is the man behind one of my favorite underrated indie gems from 2006, CEMETARY GATES, as well as the forthcoming BASEMENT JACK, a flick I’ve been looking forward to seeing for quite some time now, which also, from what I’ve heard, employs many of the same cast & crew from EVILUTION. EVILUTION’s title is more than just a play on words, or even a double-entendre, if you will, as you’ll find out when you watch it for yourself. The movie itself is, pun intended, infectious."
Craig McGee, HNN
After the U.S. military bungles a plot to use an alien life form to resurrect dead soldiers, young scientist Darren (Eric Peter-Kaiser) steals the organism to conduct his own experiments. But when the virus escapes, an infection turns his neighbors into crazed monsters. Now Darren and a ragtag team of survivors must figure out a way to stop the infection from spreading to the rest of the population in this gripping sci-fi thriller. (netflix.com)
Awards
2008 Chicago Horror Film Festival
* Best Actor - Eric Peter-Kaiser
* Best Special Effects
2008 FANGORIA Weekend of Horrors
Official Selection: NYC, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago
Premiered on the UK cable network Zone Horror – Premiered on Chiller in the US on March 9, 2011; Available through Amazon's Video Service
"Its low-budget mastery, combined with its above average gore pieces,makes it one of the best indie zombie flicks of the last year.”
Moviecynic.com
“Well-written story, diverse characters, interesting antagonists in the zombie-like infected, and a modestly decent level of entertainment value.”
Horror Movies and Stuff.com
“…fun, slickly produced…more scares than laughs…”
Mike Everleth – Bad Lit. com
"Evilution stands as a credible low-budget, mixed-genre DVD entry, a horror-infused tale of mutant military engineering that metes out appropriate levels of gore and thrill while also rooting its story in actual characters."
Shareddarkness.com
“You get a kickass opening followed by an actual story and that rare thing you almost never find in the big-budgeted Hollyweird horror movies – character development - followed by a tense, action packed and blood-soaked last act that once again proves the indie horror scene is alive and well!!"
Horrornews.net
"That the film is a low budget affair is obvious, but, despite the small budget the film still delivers in a lot of areas. The zombie attacks are choreographed very well and range from funny to scary. That the director and the crew were fans of post-apocalyptic zombie films was obvious. They did a brilliant job of coming up with a different way to deal with the zombies and I enjoyed the film immensely."
Mikesfilmtalk.com
"Writer O’Toole is the man behind one of my favorite underrated indie gems from 2006, CEMETARY GATES, as well as the forthcoming BASEMENT JACK, a flick I’ve been looking forward to seeing for quite some time now, which also, from what I’ve heard, employs many of the same cast & crew from EVILUTION. EVILUTION’s title is more than just a play on words, or even a double-entendre, if you will, as you’ll find out when you watch it for yourself. The movie itself is, pun intended, infectious."
Craig McGee, HNN
After the U.S. military bungles a plot to use an alien life form to resurrect dead soldiers, young scientist Darren (Eric Peter-Kaiser) steals the organism to conduct his own experiments. But when the virus escapes, an infection turns his neighbors into crazed monsters. Now Darren and a ragtag team of survivors must figure out a way to stop the infection from spreading to the rest of the population in this gripping sci-fi thriller. (netflix.com)
Awards
2008 Chicago Horror Film Festival
* Best Actor - Eric Peter-Kaiser
* Best Special Effects
2008 FANGORIA Weekend of Horrors
Official Selection: NYC, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago
NEO NED
Producer
_
Starring Jeremy Renner – 2010 Academy Award Best Actor Nominee for “The Hurt Locker” and 2011 Best Supporting Actor Nominee for “The Town”
“A stark, well-acted and very dramatic story…”
Jeffery Lyons - NBC
"…Has what fans of independent film are looking for – atmosphere, humanity and just a dash of fantastic drama.”
John Anderson – Variety
“…Exactly the kind of production – scrappy, flawed and a little odd – that should exemplify the very notion of independent film.”
Mark Olsen – Los Angeles Times
Looking for belonging, young Ned (Jeremy Renner) falls in with a group of neo-Nazi skinheads and soon lands in a mental asylum after getting entangled in a racially driven homicide. But the arrival of a beautiful black woman (Gabrielle Union) -- who believes she's possessed by Adolf Hitler -- sets the stage for an unlikely romance and plants the seeds of Ned's redemption. Cary Elwes also stars in this engaging indie gem.(netflix.com)
Awards
Starring Jeremy Renner – 2010 Academy Award Best Actor Nominee for “The Hurt Locker” and 2011 Best Supporting Actor Nominee for “The Town”
“A stark, well-acted and very dramatic story…”
Jeffery Lyons - NBC
"…Has what fans of independent film are looking for – atmosphere, humanity and just a dash of fantastic drama.”
John Anderson – Variety
“…Exactly the kind of production – scrappy, flawed and a little odd – that should exemplify the very notion of independent film.”
Mark Olsen – Los Angeles Times
Looking for belonging, young Ned (Jeremy Renner) falls in with a group of neo-Nazi skinheads and soon lands in a mental asylum after getting entangled in a racially driven homicide. But the arrival of a beautiful black woman (Gabrielle Union) -- who believes she's possessed by Adolf Hitler -- sets the stage for an unlikely romance and plants the seeds of Ned's redemption. Cary Elwes also stars in this engaging indie gem.(netflix.com)
Awards
- Slamdance: Audience Award (Best Film)
- Palm Beach International Film Festival: Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress and Best Actor
- San Diego Film Festival: Audience Award (Best Film)
SLEEPSTALKER: THE SANDMAN'S LAST RITES
Producer
_
As seen on the SyFy Channel & TNT’s MonsterVision with Joe Bob Briggs
“An unforgettably eerie sandcastle of a killer… triumphs as a solid example of formula filmmaking. B+”
J.R. Taylor – Entertainment Weekly
“A strong thriller: it’s very well paced with some impressive visuals, skilled cinematography, wonderfully gritty locations and a nightmarish musical score. All shine through the budget restraints to create a very effective re-working of the undead serial killer tale.”
Jamie Halliday – Pantechnicon Magazine
When he was a child, Griffin (Jay Underwood) witnessed the murder of his parents by a lullaby-singing, sand-sprinkling serial killer who thought he was "The Sandman" (Michael Harris). Seventeen years later, Griffin has grown up to be an aspiring journalist, but his parent's killer only now is being put to death. Before the Sandman is executed, he invokes a black-magic ritual that allows him to come back to life as a creature of sand who can change shape at will. His mission: to end Griffin's life, which mysteriously assures him immortality. Although this diverting B-movie thriller gets grounded by low-grade effects, it works around it via Michael G. Wojciechowski's stylish cinematography; the Sandman scattering to envelope one victim and later flying through air conditioning vents as a cloud of dust are effective. Despite some contrived moments and the mixed acting abilities of the supporting cast, SleepStalker keeps things moving thanks to director/co-screenwriter Turi Meyer's confident guidance, good performances from Underwood and Harris, and an appropriately self-conscious sense of humor. (But keep an eye out for two blatant continuity errors.) The creepy opening is quite memorable. -- Bryan Reesman (amazon.com)
As seen on the SyFy Channel & TNT’s MonsterVision with Joe Bob Briggs
“An unforgettably eerie sandcastle of a killer… triumphs as a solid example of formula filmmaking. B+”
J.R. Taylor – Entertainment Weekly
“A strong thriller: it’s very well paced with some impressive visuals, skilled cinematography, wonderfully gritty locations and a nightmarish musical score. All shine through the budget restraints to create a very effective re-working of the undead serial killer tale.”
Jamie Halliday – Pantechnicon Magazine
When he was a child, Griffin (Jay Underwood) witnessed the murder of his parents by a lullaby-singing, sand-sprinkling serial killer who thought he was "The Sandman" (Michael Harris). Seventeen years later, Griffin has grown up to be an aspiring journalist, but his parent's killer only now is being put to death. Before the Sandman is executed, he invokes a black-magic ritual that allows him to come back to life as a creature of sand who can change shape at will. His mission: to end Griffin's life, which mysteriously assures him immortality. Although this diverting B-movie thriller gets grounded by low-grade effects, it works around it via Michael G. Wojciechowski's stylish cinematography; the Sandman scattering to envelope one victim and later flying through air conditioning vents as a cloud of dust are effective. Despite some contrived moments and the mixed acting abilities of the supporting cast, SleepStalker keeps things moving thanks to director/co-screenwriter Turi Meyer's confident guidance, good performances from Underwood and Harris, and an appropriately self-conscious sense of humor. (But keep an eye out for two blatant continuity errors.) The creepy opening is quite memorable. -- Bryan Reesman (amazon.com)