Synopsis

Max Matteo (John Cassini), a talented character actor, can't catch a break. Despite his obvious talent, Max is always second choice to a producer's nephew, or a more marketable "name." But where talent can't beat the system, ambition can.

What do you do when only one person stands between you and your lifelong dream...every time?

Now with an undercover thespian cop (Rene Rivera) on his trail, and a girlfriend (Molly Parker) who is too good to be true, Max must struggle with the unorthodox choices he's made on his relentless road to success.

Break a Leg is an unflinching portrayal of the classic anti-hero who will sink as low as he must to get to the top. Featuring striking performances by an ensemble cast of 64.

Reviews

VARIETY REVIEW

Posted Wed., June 25, 2003
By SCOTT FOUNDAS

The kind of film that's hard to pull off without seeming terminally bitter and/orself-involved, "Break a Leg" is a Hollywood insider comedy more charming and funny than most. In fact, it's so inside it may play best to an industry crowd. But if pic's audience award win at Cinevegas is any indication, the movie isn't too insular for a general crowd. Despite the passe subject matter and lack of marquee names, more fest invites will be forthcoming and theatrical distribs ought have a look, too.

John Cassini, who co-wrote (with brother Frank), co-produced and stars, is a runt of an actor who looks like he only gets offered parts that Joe Pesci has turned down. Like Max Matteo, the down-on-his-luck bit-part player Cassini portrays, Cassini himself is about the last guy Hollywood would ever give a leading role in a high-profile picture. In the way of Nia Vardalos and "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" (or Sylvester Stallone and "Rocky" a generation before), Cassini had to make "Break a Leg" happen from scratch, and as a result his performance is imbued with a special resonance and sense of theatrical showmanship, like one given by the ever-hopeful understudy who finally gets to go on for the lead.

Pic opens with Max auditioning for a bad "Rain Man" retread. The producers ignore him, talking on cell phones as he performs. It's but the first of several dehumanizing auditions Max will go through over the course of the film. Max lives in a dreary apartment -- it has a rotary phone -- that shows this has been his way of life for a good long while. It all rings so true that when Max takes out a can of cat food to feed his pet, viewers half expect him to eat it himself; and when Max's actress friend Juliet (the lovely Jennifer Beals) asks him how much of his life he plans to spend "in acting classes, barking like a dog," it seems Max must be asking himself the very same thing.

Max continues to give it his all. But even for Max, who knows he's a good actor and wants the rest of the world to know too, starry-eyed optimism has its limits. When Juliet literally breaks her leg the night before she was to start a plum role, it gives Max an idea: If only he were to help out a bit, causing "accidents" for the competing actors, he might finally be able to get somewhere. And so, "Break a Leg" reveals its dark side, becoming a blood-and-sinew-shaded satire of slaying your way up the corporate ladder.

Of course, Max's misbehavior works in his favor. Suddenly, he isn't just getting good parts, but decent tables in good restaurants and introductions to beautiful actress-models like Kate (freckle-faced Molly Parker, looking particularly radiant). He's been transformed from shlub to stud, a bit like Paul Rudd's character in "The Shape of Things," except that Max's mellifluous muse is no ordinary femme fatale -- it's fame herself.

The Cassinis' very clever script is born from a first-hand insight (they're both actors), and it's seasoned with some particularly sharp, Zucker Brothers-style verbal-visual gags (like a literal "pissing contest" between two producers, undertaken to determine which of two potential actors is awarded a given role).

The first-time director, Monika Mitchell (who's engaged to John Cassini), has a peppy visual style and a fine sense of comic timing. But neither Mitchell nor the writers appear to know where to take the story in the end; by having Max kill (albeit unintentionally) his first "accident" victim, they box themselves in too early on. So, by the unexpectedly grisly ending, "Break a Leg" has nowhere left to go and Max is forced into some situations that feel over-the-top even by this movie's standards.

Shot, despite its small budget, in crisp 35mm by the cinematographer Eric J. Goldstein, the movie sports a modest but ample, professional look and makes fine use of its recognizable L.A. locations.

Camera (CFI color), Eric J. Goldstein; editors, Donald J. Paonessa, Lawrence Maddox; music, Roger Bellon; production designer, Renee Davenport; costume designers, Lisa Parmet, Angela Nunez; sound (Dolby), Marcus Ricaud; assistant director, Scott Forrest; casting, Susan Peck. Reviewed at Cinevegas Film Festival, Las Vegas, June 16, 2003. Running time: 97 MIN.

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Synopsis

AMY MANDELL (Julie Davis) is a 29-year old self-help author who, having been burned by men over and over, has made it her mission to convince women that they don't need men to establish their self-worth. Hence -- stay single and celibate and you will complete yourself without the help of a man.

Fine in theory - but not so fine in practice for a woman whose most intimate relationship is with her vibrator, and whose professional cynicism may be the very thing keeping her from discovering what's missing in her own life. Suffering from a deep fraud complex, Amy finds her only solace in confession, where she can truly let down her guard to the most neutral of listeners - THE PRIEST (Jeff Cesario).

Little does she know the frustrations he feels as she talks about her relationship shortcomings and colorful sexual escapades. Is he falling in love with her, or simply living vicariously through this neurotic Jewish girl who frequents his booth? Despite the persistent urgings of her happily married friends DON and ELIZABETH (Mitchell Whitfield and Jennifer Bransford), Amy refuses to entertain the possibility of giving love a chance. But when Amy meets MATTHEW STARR (Nick Chinlund), a shock jock known for his sexist on-air antics, irresistible charm, and sexual prowess, she takes on the ultimate challenge. This man calls her on her fears, and recognizes the sexual repression that is driving her nuts.

He is sure he can help. Despite the protests of her controlling publicist, JANET (Caroline Aaron), and her loyal fans, Amy finally throws down her guard and dares to experience the most elusive orgasm of all - love. "Amy's Orgasm" marks the follow-up to Julie Davis' feature debut "I Love You, Don't Touch Me!"

The film was critically acclaimed by The New York Times' Janet Maslin, who dubbed Julie "the female Woody Allen," and The Los Angeles Times' Kenneth Turan who called Julie "a fresh new voice, one that is sexy, honest and consistently funny."

Synopsis

This all-new 16-minute short film tracks the underground journey of the videotape from The Ring to The Ring Two and the thrill-seeking teens who seek to unravel its mysteries.

Distributed with Dreamworks

Synopsis

The World Festival of Sacred Music was founded on the belief that music has the ability to transcend borders and bring forth a shared hope for peace, understanding, and respect for all living things. In response to this credo literally thousands of people and hundreds of faith, arts, cultural, community, and environmental groups came together for this nine-day celebration of cross-cultural sacred expressions in music and dance, contributing their remarkable resources and talents to this non-profit project conceived by the Dalai Lama.

Catchlight Films contributed to this celebration of the human spirit by corroborating with teams of filmmakers to capture the heartbeat of this amazing event. In an unprecedented and massive effort, Catchlight Films coordinated nineteen separate teams of independent filmmakers (chosen from over sixty that applied) to work towards a common vision. This vision is a single focused documentary of individual vignettes contributed by the many acclaimed filmmakers that participated.

Bindu records has also produced a remarkable double-disk soundtrack album.

Synopsis

Based on a true story, Heart Of The Beholder is a poignant black satire, which tackles the issues of free speech, religious ethics and the American ideals.

Mike and Diane Howard are the typical young American family, living in a small suburb of St. Louis, Missouri, in search of the American Dream. Young, good looking, and with their first child on the way, Diane is always supportive of Mike with his eclectic new business ventures, which to-date, have always failed. His latest brainwave is opening the Mid-West's first VHS videocassette rental store in 1981. This time Mike has hit the jackpot. Within several years the store grows into a thriving video rental chain. Mike and Diane now live in a plush home. They have attained the American Dream. Or have they? This is a time of moral upheaval, with abortion clinics and progressive books being targeted by self-proclaimed ethical groups. Reverend Brewer leads his flock of Bible bashing followers in one such group, a religious right organization called the Citizens For Decency (CFD). They declare war on video stores carrying inappropriate films, claiming they are perverse and immoral. Films such as Taxi Driver, Agnes of God, Blazing Saddles, Animal House and Mr. Mom are all blacklisted. Even the movie Splash is targeted, allegedly promoting bestiality!

The situation worsens when Mike's stores are the only ones in St. Louis unafraid to carry Martin Scorsese's controversial film, The Last Temptation of Christ. The CFD harasses Mike and Dianne and the video store employees with pickets and boycotts, even vandalizing stores and cars. This culminates with Mike and Diane receiving death threats to their little daughter.

Proclaiming his right of free speech, Mike still refuses to buckle, which prompts Reverend Brewer to use alternate methods of persuasion. The good Reverend blackmails the sleazy county prosecuting attorney, Eric Manion with information about the latter's secret sex life so that he restores decency to the community. Manion has no choice but to comply, filing obscenity charges against Mike and confiscating the A listed movies from his stores. Mike wins the court case, but all the negative publicity and legal fees bankrupts his video rental business and eventually leads to his and Diane's separation.

Unemployed and depressed, Mike is suicidal. After dreaming of fighting back, he takes on Reverend Brewer and his CFD fanatics in a violent paint ball session, which inadvertently leads to Mike's discovering Manion's perverted sex life. A sting is set up to expose the corrupt prosecutor with Diane acting as a prostitute. In the ensuing events, everything that can go wrong does.

Ultimately, Manion is exposed and is his career is ended. Mike and Diane resume the American Dream.

Synopsis

It Can Be Done chronicles a dramatic period in Wilhelm Reich's (1897-1957) life when a veritable swarm of federal agents raids his pastoral and serene research complex in Rangeley, Maine. They descend on his home and institute like a firestorm, burning his books, destroying his lab, and confiscating key equipment and manuscripts (for later destruction?). Interrupted while treating a critically ill cancer patient, Reich fight back the only way he knows how: science. This film is a fictional interpretation of true events.

Synopsis

Amsterdam, 17th century, during the inflationary trend known as tulipmania. The tulip craze peaks with single tulip bulbs being traded evenly for houses and businesses.

Best friends Hugo and Nicholas grudgingly leave their child-hoods behind as they assume the responsibilities of their stations. Hugo begins a legal career under the tutelage of his father Gerard Meteren, first attorney of Amsterdam. Nicholas prepares to marry into a noble household arranged by his father Pieter Van Hooft, one of the premier tulip traders in Amsterdam.

However, the night of his engagement party a restless Nicholas has a less than discreet encounter with servant Carla Van Rijn that threatens to ruin his reputation and future inheritance. The responsibility falls on Hugo to defend his friend's reputation in court.

But upon investigation Hugo discovers that there is more to the case than meets the eye. And the importance of the case grows beyond protecting the good name of the wealthiest family in town. In order to safeguard the commerce that has made Holland a world presence "the powers that be" need a conviction for Carla. And in the end Hugo must decide whether or not to turn against the establishment, his best friend, and even his own father in order to do what he believes to be the right thing.

Our story climaxes in a bitter courtroom confrontation between father and son, where justice is redefined, the value of human life affirmed, and the incredible folly of tulipmania is forever uprooted.

Synopsis

Amidst one frenzied evening in a New York City bistro, lie the intrigues and adventures of a desperate waitstaff with their own hidden agendas. The individual struggles of this eclectic crew unfold as they unite under the common standard, making it through another evening with good tips and without getting fired. Tension mounts as the watchful (and tyrannical) owner courts a perspective buyer of the bistro, not so secret rendezvous are stolen in the kitchen freezer, and lifelong dreams are realized and lost in one night's dinner shift. Meanwhile there are customers that need to be fed. Relationships are forged, torn apart, danced around, and two lost souls even manage to fall in love.

Synopsis

KREWS is a gritty urban crime drama. Two while-collar computer masterminds working for a global organized crime syndicate are car-jacked by local gang members. Two contrasting worlds of crime clash as the conflict unfolds over the course of one explosive night. The climactic end, underscores the reality of greed and the brilliance of a master criminal who hopes to walk away with the jackpot.

Synopsis

A small town detective deals with the loss of his own son while trying to uncover the identity of a boy whose mummified remains are found in a box buried for fifty years.

Work has become an obsession for Detective Tom Adkins (Jon Hamm) since the disappearance of his ten-year-old son, Tommy Jr. When an early morning phone call leads him to the mangled remains of a young boy who was brutally murdered 50 years ago, Adkins takes on the case in hopes of finding absolution. His investigation leads him to a man who lived in 1958 named Matthew Wakefield (Josh Lucas) and his innocent son, John. The striking similarities in the cases pushes Adkins' obsession over the top. Barely holding onto his sanity and bound by redemption, Adkins unravels the unspeakable truth behind what happened to his son.

Synopsis

A film capturing the courage, visionary scope and pioneering spirit of Aramco through it's 75 years. A celebration of the past. A testament to the people who built a company which continually rises to meet Global changes.

Synopsis

Pat Johnson is the only Sci-Fi movie obsessed teen filmmaker in his rural home town of Wadsworth, Illinois (population 750). Pat's desire is to escape "fly-over country" for Hollywood.

He must first overcome his fear of leaving everything he knows and loves behind to chase this unlikely dream. The pending release of a new movie called "Star Wars" on 5-25-77 is instrumental in shaping Pat's destiny.

Synopsis

An effort to inspire people to focus on our interconnectedness and reflect upon the daily contributions we are making to a more harmonious world. www.sixbillionpaths.org

Synopsis

An epic Bollywood film.

Synopsis

Families in an idyllic suburban neighborhood are taunted by a mysterious doctor who moves in to town and spins a web of psychological chaos that changes their lives forever.

Synopsis

A young Parisian woman strolling through a city park, lovingly recalls her night with a great master of art. Through her seductive tale we see the master who is inspired by his beautiful muse. Her descriptions of that night are like a painter's brush strokes. Her tale of art, love, talent, and passion carries us away to another world. But when the colors of the painting are blurred, which world is reality?

Synopsis

Commercial for Kovel Fuller

Synopsis

Opening tiles for Fox TV show

Synopsis

When their friends stop believing in Santa Claus, two young boys devise an elaborate plan to prove once and for all that he exists. This Christmas...prepare to believe.

Welcome to FORT SANTA.