Latest news with #AManCalledOtto
Epoch Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
‘My Friends': A Novel About Living and Laughing
Author Fredrik Backman writes about suffering and how small moments of kindness and beauty can illuminate the way through it. His very successful novel, 'A Man Called Ove,' was adapted into a film in his native Sweden, as well as into a U.S. film called 'A Man Called Otto,' starring Tom Hanks. Backman's latest book, 'My Friends,' is a hilarious and tender view into the private lives of several friends who inspired a famous painting, and the young newcomer who sparks a change in all of them. The book examines how art can motivate us, what it means to be alive, and the precious gift of laughter. Lashing Out Louisa is a tall, 17-year-old foster home denizen who's about to commit an act of vandalism. 'Sometimes Louisa is a genius, but sometimes she isn't a genius,' which means sometimes she does stupid things. She's also described as being 'world-class' angry.
The Herald Scotland
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Not just any old schmaltz fest as Tom Hanks is at his US Everyman best
*** TIME was when a Saturday night movie starring Tom Hanks would have involved an expedition to the cinema. Now you can see the double Oscar-winner for free, at home, in a film on general release not that long ago (as long as you don't mind the ads). Old Hollywood would think the business had lost its collective mind. A Man Called Otto began life as a Swedish novel and film before this US remake by Marc Forster (Finding Neverland, World War Z). Tom Hanks plays a grumpy widower who thinks most of the world are idiots and a large proportion of them live in his street. Without Otto doing his morning 'rounds' and telling people off for poor parking and other crimes, it would be anarchy out there. So far, so Victor Meldrew. What are the odds, do you reckon, of Otto staying a grouch for long, maybe even doubling down on his crankiness? Perhaps in another movie universe, but on this planet, with this actor, forget it. Sure enough, a young family moves into the cul-de-sac and chips away at Otto's Easter Island exterior. Before you know it, he's doing good deeds left, right and centre. Among A-listers, what's left of them, only Hanks could get away with such an obvious schmaltz fest as A Man Called Otto. Tom Cruise would only attempt it if snow shovelling could be turned into a life-or-death stunt. Harrison Ford comes across as authentically grumpy, so that wouldn't be much fun. Clint Eastwood probably came closest in Gran Torino, though that too was a touch spiky for some. But Hanks, the heir to Jimmy Stewart as a paragon of decency? Perfect. Read more That said, credit to the Forrest Gump and Philadelphia star for sticking with the Swedish original and going to some very bleak places with the grief-stricken Otto. Otto, we learn from (too many) flashbacks is another in a long line of everyday American heroes to feature on the Hanks cv, but this one is interesting because he is ordinary to the point of almost being dull. What raises him aobve the norm is love, pure and simple. Hanks's son Truman does a fine job of playing the young Otto. It is keeping it in the family, but this is far preferable to the startling moment when Hanks appears as his younger self, complete with weird CGI face and unfeasibly dark hair. Besides staying true to the tone of the Swedish original, Hanks keeps a lid on the schmaltz by giving Otto a convincingly bad temper. Even though the targets are obvious - property developers trying to buy up the neighbourhood, etc - Hanks lets rip in spectacular fashion. As for the business model behind A Man Called Otto, it more than paid its way, being made for $50 million and grossing more than double that worldwide in cinemas. Nice guys like Hanks never finish last. Showing again Tuesday at 9pm on 4seven, and available to stream for 30 days for free on 4.
Boston Globe
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Golf comedy ‘Stick' can't get out of the rough
Owen Wilson brings his shaggy brand of charm to the role of Pryce 'Stick' Cahill, a former pro golf stud who flamed out years back, beset by grief (spoiler advisories prevent me from saying why), drinking, and disappointment. His ex-wife, Amber-Linn (Judy Greer, always a welcome presence) is tolerant but weary. His RV-driving former caddy and current barroom hustle partner, Mitts (Boston University alum Then, one day at the driving range, he hears a magical sound. It's the ball flying off the club of Santi (Peter Dager), a teen prodigy with a bit of an attitude. Pryce sees Santi as his way back to golf nirvana. But the kid was coached by his hard-ass dad, who then up and left him and his mother, Elena (promising Mexican actress Mariana Treviño, who shows sharp timing here and opposite Tom Hanks in 2022's 'A Man Called Otto'). He wants no part of competitive golf. Undeterred, Pryce cuts a check for Elena, convinces Santi that together they can make the big time, and embarks on a wild, wacky, life-affirming tour of major amateur events, with Elena, Mitts, and his RV along for the ride. Advertisement Peter Dager, Mariana Treviño, Kirstin Eggers, Marc Maron and Owen Wilson in "Stick." Apple TV+ Golf is rife with metaphors applicable to the game of life, particularly where it comes to deciding between playing it safe or letting it all hang out. A past big-screen golf comedy, which we'll get to in a moment, worked these ideas to smooth and even raunchy effect. 'Stick,' on the other hand, likes to whack you over the head with a 9-iron. The comedy feels forced, more in the vein of a middling network sitcom than a premium streaming series. The drama can be downright maudlin, especially when it tries to visualize Pryce's ruminations on his past and his might-have-beens. As Pryce tries to get his pupil to slow down and let the game come to him, it's hard not to wish 'Stick' had followed similar advice. 'Stick' also shanks its attempts at edgy nowness. Along the way the crew picks up a wild card, a young woman named Zero (Lili Kay). She describes herself as a 'genderqueer, anti-capitalist, postcolonial feminist.' Kids. They're really something, am I right? She becomes Santi's girlfriend and touchstone, which would be fine if the two actors had better chemistry and better material to work with. The series also tries to have some fun at the expense of a hyper-competitive pickleball couple, because pickleball is, you know, hot. You can sense someone standing behind the scenes of 'Stick,' constantly trying to gauge its Q Score. Advertisement There are some highlights. The brightest is Clark is actually a lot like David Simms, Kevin Costner's slick, slimy adversary, who was played by Don Johnson in the 1996 romantic golf comedy 'Tin Cup.' Come to think of it, 'Stick' has an awful lot in common with 'Tin Cup,' another story of a washed-up, impetuous golfer looking for a shot at redemption. The biggest difference is that 'Tin Cup' never sweated on the course as it mixed homespun wisdom with sex appeal. 'Stick' can't keep its cool the same way. You feel it straining to be meaningful and charming, and to fill out ten episodes. Playing golf can be frustrating. Watching a comedy about it shouldn't be. Advertisement STICK Starring Owen Wilson, Peter Dager, Lili Kay, Marc Maron, Mariana Treviño, Timothy Olyphant, and Judy Greer. On Apple TV+. Chris Vognar, a freelance culture writer, was the 2009 Nieman Arts and Culture Fellow at Harvard University.
Express Tribune
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Aimee Lou Wood joins Angelina Jolie in film adaptation of Fredrik Backman's novel 'Anxious People'
Aimee Lou Wood has joined the cast of Anxious People, a new feature directed by Marc Forster, where she will star opposite Angelina Jolie. The film, adapted from the novel by Fredrik Backman, is currently being presented to buyers at the Cannes Market by Black Bear for international rights and WME Independent for domestic distribution. Wood, known for her performances in Sex Education and The White Lotus season three, will play Grace, a would-be bank robber who inadvertently holds a group of strangers hostage during an open house the day before Christmas Eve. Jolie stars as Zara, an investment banker reluctantly present at the scene. The plot unfolds through unexpected revelations and a blend of comedy and drama as the group confronts hidden truths. The screenplay has been written by David Magee, whose credits include A Man Called Otto, Life of Pi, and Finding Neverland. The film reunites several creatives from A Man Called Otto, including producers Fredrik Wikström Nicastro and Renée Wolfe, who are working with Forster under their banner 2DUX2 alongside Hope Studios. Black Bear's broader lineup at Cannes includes Shutout from David O. Russell, starring Robert De Niro and Jenna Ortega.
Hindustan Times
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Mysskin leaks story and climax of his upcoming film Train with Vijay Sethupathi; confuses fans
Director Mysskin recently delivered an hour-long speech in Chennai about how aspirants can find their footing in the film industry. But, during the speech, he leaked the story of his upcoming film, Train, which stars Vijay Sethupathi in the lead role. Fans were confused as to why the director revealed the film's climax too early. (Also Read: Anurag Kashyap says he 'couldn't afford' daughter Aaliyah's wedding until Vijay Sethupathi helped him bag Maharaja role) At the event, Mysskin spoke about how, as a filmmaker, you need to respect the time and money of the audience who paid ₹150 or more to watch the film. He then spoke about how he was inspired to make Train and said in Tamil, as translated by TOI, 'I have travelled by train at least 300-600 times at least. Think about it, and it feels like a monstrous worm carrying children in its belly, stumbling along and taking them to wherever they need. That's how I felt when I was a child. This metaphor inspired me to make the film where thousands of people board a train, most reach safely, but some lose their lives.' He then revealed Vijay's role in the film and said, 'The protagonist wants to die, he's travelling towards death in disgust. He no longer has a reason to live. He wants to visit his wife's grave one last time to plant a sapling there before he dies. But a lot of things happen inside the stomach of this monster to make him forget his woes. The experience of his journey teaches him the value of life. How he thinks, had I not come on this journey, met these people, had this experience, he wouldn't have learnt the value of life…that's my climax.' One fan joked, 'Wake up babe, new mysskin yap dropped.' One X user thought the story seemed a little too similar to A Man Called Otto, 'In Otto the lead character lives in a gated community but, here he changed that to Train but the base storyline is same.' An X user posted a meme of Balakrishna with 'smiling with pain' written on it and said, 'Meanwhile producer Dhanu will be like.' Train is directed by Mysskin and produced by Kalaipuli S Thanu under V Creations. It stars Vijay Sethupathi, Shruti Haasan, Nassar, Sampath Raj, KS Ravikumar, and others.
