ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

A number of keen observers of MANHATTAN NIGHT have noticed a unique wire sculpture of an animal, head hidden behind Steven Berkoff in the the scene when Adrien Brody's character is first summoned to Hobbs' office.  Some have pondered at the symbolism : Is Hobbs a sly fox hiding his head from the shame of his secret?  For those who have listened to the Blu Ray/ DVD commentary have learned, it is a fox!  The sculpture is a one of a kind by artist Mark Holme as part of his amazing Wild Wire series.  Click on the fox to see more of the amazing collection.

Production designer Lisa Myers and I had fun designing the Hobbs office.  When we knew we wanted a painting to go behind him, the image of the shark about to eat the man lost in the water sprung to mind from my childhood.  That painting "Watson and The Shark" by John Singleton Copley, was part of Reader Digest book of paintings that fascinated/ scared  me when I was around 6 or 7 years old.   More on the painting by clicking below.

Lisa was able to get a high res digital copy from the National Museum of Art and print it on canvas for the set.   Many artists work can be seen in this film, but wanted to shout these out in this scene.   All part of the fun of making a movie.

Blu Ray and DVD Released!

One of the many fun things about making a movie is putting together the BONUS material for the DVD/Blu Ray. (BTW if you haven't upgraded to Blu Ray yet, join us in HD) Was a blast to do the audio commentary with Campbell Scott and Cinematographer David Tumblety. The discs also feature some insightful behind the scenes, as well as 4 extended scenes in the bonus section: Porter and Caroline's first night (gold from Adrien Brody and Yvonne Strahovski that I hated to lose), Simon's proposal (in one long take in a tour deforce by Campbell) Simon and Billy negotiating with the prostitute (again in one take with great performances from Campbell, Will Beinbrink, and Maria Christina Oliveras,) and Porter confronting Hobbs (Adrien and Steven Berkoff toe to toe). So while the movie can be viewed or owned on cable on demand, and iTunes and Amazon right now, the real fun of the Blu Ray/DVD is all the bonus fun, reviewed well here by Ken Tasho (both Blu Ray and DVD have all the bonus material and also come with a code for a digital copy to own as well btw)

OH CANADA!

This past Friday, Manhattan Nocturne (Canadian title) had it's Canadian Premiere as part of the Wilson Oakville Film Festival.  The entire OFFA team and the great audience made me feel so welcome.  From the red carpet to the Q&A and afterparty, there was so much appreciation for this film.  Most especially for the performances of Adrien Brody, Yvonne Strahovski, Campbell Scott, Jennifer Beals, Linda Lavin and Steven Berkoff.  Thank you OFFA for a memorable and wonderful weekend!  On a side note, I took advantage of being close enough to visit my favorite building in Toronto, location of the Rush Moving Pictures album cover.   

INTERVIEW WITH ME ON BORROWING TAPE

Check out this great site for film lovers and the interview we did about working on Manhattan Night.

Adrien Brody, Colin Harrison and Me on AOL BUILD talking Manhattan Night

Just realizing I hadn't posted this on the blog.  This was one of the most fun interviews ever. Click below to watch!

YVONNE ON CARSON DALY

Thanks Carson Daly for the great spotlight on Yvonne in Manhattan Night!

CANADIAN PREMIERE!

Excited for the Manhattan Nocturne (AKA Manhattan Night) Canadian premiere at the Gala Friday June 24th at the Willson Oakville Film Festival.  Looking forward to doing Q&A following the screening as well.  Come on out for the fun - click thru image for tickets!

REAL CLEAR LIFE

Real Clear Life asks my top 5 noir films and how they influenced Manhattan Night...

MANHATTAN NIGHT OPENS TODAY!

The day has finally arrived!  Here's a rundown of where you can see the movie.  Check your regular listings for exact theater and times but you will find the movie in the following cities:

Atlanta

Boston

Cleveland

Los Angeles

Minneapolis

New York City

Orlando

Philadelphia

Phoenix

Providence (East Providence)

Seattle - Tacoma

Washington DC

The film is also available On Demand on most major cable carriers.  Use search function to find it and enjoy in the comfort of home (with the room as dark as possible).

In addition to the 7:05 AMC Empire 25 Times Square in NYC screening tonight (which is sold out but other times are not yet)  I will attend the special screening at Ridgefield Playhouse tomorrow night 5/21 as part of the new Ridgefield Independent Film Festival (RIFF)  with Q&A and cocktail reception to follow.  Still some seats avail at riff.website.   Sunday night 5/22 I'll be at the 7:15 showing in East Providence with the hometown crowd.   Tickets available online, though sound like they are going fast.

Thanks for the tremendous support of this dream come true.  I couldn't be more excited, proud and grateful.

RIFF Q&A

I'm getting excited to do the Q&A at RIFF on May 21! Makes me start thinking of all the great memories in making Manhattan Night. This photo was snapped during our first morning on set together doing the first scene of the day. (Where Porter is on a story at the beginning of the movie). Adrien asked if Porter should be wearing a hat in that scene. The hat was Adrien's idea and it was a great one because it would pay off in later scenes as well. We would also always check in about if Porter should be chewing gum in a scene. On page 3 of the novel Manhattan Nocturne it says that Porter chewed a lot of bubble gum. There was a rational to the gum chewing in our movie thinking. It went with Porter on the beat - process related, literally "chewing on it" as he worked on his stories. It also calmed Porter when he had to face something unpleasant or stressful. Or it was a reward to follow such a thing, reminding him of his childhood. Nostalgic and soothing. So before each set up of an exterior scene we'd look at each other and say "hat"? "gum"? After a while we both had the same intuitive sense and that turned into "hat and gum" or "No hat, no gum" "hat no gum" or "gum no hat" One of the many things that I loved about working with Adrien is that he also valued the choices in the tiniest details and appreciated the consideration tree that comes with them. Anyway, lots to share for that Q&A! Looking forward to your questions!

Tickets available here  

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ridgefield-independent-film-festival-riff-tickets-21724005084 

ADRIEN TO BE ON KELLY & MICHAEL MONDAY MORNING!

TUNE IN TO SEE ADRIEN BRODY TALKING ABOUT  MANHATTAN NIGHT on LIVE WITH KELLY AND MICHAEL Monday morning on ABC - check listings for timing where you are!

SPECIAL SCREENINGS OF MANHATTAN NIGHT

As a filmmaker, there's the thrill of the process, and the work, and the craft, the art as a goal, and with it, the millions of choices in how to tell the story.  For the last many years I have focussed on a feature film project that captured my imagination in a unique and powerful way.   Reading the novel Manhattan Nocturne by Colin Harrison in 1999 set in motion a line of dominos that come rumbling down the stretch next month as the film "Manhattan Night" starring Adrien Brody, Yvonne Strahovski, Campbell Scott and Jennifer Beals gets release by Lionsgate Premiere in select theaters around the country and on various digital and cable platforms to watch at home.  Now as a filmmaker there's the shift to this movie having a life of it's own as I become the observer to see what effect did those millions of choices have on this audience versus that audience.  It's a different kind of thrill, as strangers and dear family alike take it in - each with distinct filters, some similar, many not.  All in the eons of tradition back to cave people around the fire listening to stories.  It's a humbling kind of thrill.

There are two special screenings of Manhattan Night that I would love to see you at.   The first is May 21 st at the Ridgefield Playhouse at 7pm.  This will be the first theatrical showing in Connecticut and vicinity as part of the brand new Ridgefield Independent Film Festival who is hosting a Q&A and cocktail reception to follow as well.  You can get tickets now at Riff Tickets.

The second is May 22nd also at 7pm, when I will be visiting my hometown to go to a showing at the East Providence 10 where the film will be playing that week.  When I was a kid the theater was called the Four Seasons, and was my favorite place to see a movie.  So it's a particular thrill to return home and share this long journey with the family and friends who remember me setting off to the big city to make my filmmaker dreams come true all those years ago.  Please join us if you nearby.  It's what makes the special screenings special.

TRAILER AND POSTER PREMIERE ON IMDB.COM

Excited to announce the trailer and poster for Manhattan Night (based on the novel Manhattan Nocturne by Colin Harrison) starring Adrien Brody, Yvonne Strahovski, Campbell Scott and Jennifer Beals released today on the homepage of imdb.com in the Indie Focus section and on the movie page!

manhattannighttrailer

Mark your calendars and get out the word.  Movie opens in theaters in select cities and also on demand everywhere on Friday May 20th.  If you are near a theater playing it, I highly encourage you to get to it opening weekend! 

On the Saturday night May 21 at 7pm, we will be at the Ridgefield Playhouse for a special screening followed by Q&A and a cocktail reception hosted by.the inaugural Ridgefield Independent Film FestivalAll you Westchester friends please come out for the fun and to support RIFF.    You can buy tickets now at 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ridgefield-independent-film-festival-riff-tickets-21724005084 by clicking on the green “Get Tickets” button.

On Sunday May 22, I’ll be at the 7pm (ish) screening in RI at the East Providence 10.  All you fam, friends, Feehanites, come on out!  

U.S. NEW TITLE!

The movie we've been working on based on the novel "Manhattan Nocturne" by Colin Harrison,  is now titled "Manhattan Night" for the U.S. audiences.  If you are in another english speaking country it will still be Manhattan Nocturne.  If you are in a non-english speaking country, it will be translated into the primary language.  Update your google alerts for "Manhattan Night" !