Michael Imperioli met a witch to get the film 'Summer of Sam' made.'The Sopranos' star was living at the notoriously haunted Chelsea Hotel in New York City and explained how he took supernatural steps to get the 1999 crime thriller – which he co-wrote with director Spike Lee and Victor Colicchio – through development.Speaking in the documentary 'Ghosts of the Chelsea Hotel', Michael said: "I had just begun writing 'Summer of Sam' with Victor Colicchio – we wrote that script together."I really wanted to get it made. So I met somebody who was living here who was a witch, who said he could help me get it made, but it wasn't going to happen the way I thought it would. I was very ambitious at the time and wanted to get that made, so (I) resorted to tapping into otherworldly means to get it through the studio system.
- 9/7/2023
- by Joe Graber
- Bang Showbiz
Michael Imperioli enlisted a little supernatural help a la “Bewitched” to get “Summer of Sam” greenlit.
The “Sopranos” star co-wrote the script for the film based on real-life serial killer David Berkowitz Aka the Son of Sam, who terrorized New York in 1977. “Summer of Sam” was co-written and directed by Spike Lee, with both Imperioli and Lee having cameos in the film, which was released in 1999. Mira Sorvino, Adrien Brody, Jennifer Esposito, and John Leguizamo also starred.
In a clip from upcoming documentary “Ghosts of the Chelsea Hotel (and Other Rock & Roll Stories),” directed by Danny Garcia, Imperioli recalled asking a “witch” for assistance to get the film made while living at the hotel. Imperioli moved in at age 29.
“The Chelsea is a very mythical place,” Imperioli says in the clip (via Variety). “Especially if you’re an artist in New York, it looms very large, and the idea of...
The “Sopranos” star co-wrote the script for the film based on real-life serial killer David Berkowitz Aka the Son of Sam, who terrorized New York in 1977. “Summer of Sam” was co-written and directed by Spike Lee, with both Imperioli and Lee having cameos in the film, which was released in 1999. Mira Sorvino, Adrien Brody, Jennifer Esposito, and John Leguizamo also starred.
In a clip from upcoming documentary “Ghosts of the Chelsea Hotel (and Other Rock & Roll Stories),” directed by Danny Garcia, Imperioli recalled asking a “witch” for assistance to get the film made while living at the hotel. Imperioli moved in at age 29.
“The Chelsea is a very mythical place,” Imperioli says in the clip (via Variety). “Especially if you’re an artist in New York, it looms very large, and the idea of...
- 9/6/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Michael Imperioli may be best known for playing Christopher Moltisanti on the TV series The Sopranos, but he has over 100 other screen acting credits and several writing credits (including multiple episodes of The Sopranos). His first writing credit came on 1999 crime drama Summer of Sam (watch it Here), which was directed by Spike Lee… and during an interview for the documentary Ghosts of the Chelsea Hotel (and Other Rock & Roll Stories), Imperioli revealed that he visited a witch and used otherworldly means in an effort to get Summer of Sam into production!
Scripted by Imperioli, Lee, and Victor Colicchio, Summer of Sam has the following synopsis: During the summer of 1977, a killer known as the Son of Sam keeps all of New York City on edge with a series of brutal murders. The philandering Vinny unwittingly almost becomes a victim of the psychopath, and soon he and numerous people in his orbit — including his wife,...
Scripted by Imperioli, Lee, and Victor Colicchio, Summer of Sam has the following synopsis: During the summer of 1977, a killer known as the Son of Sam keeps all of New York City on edge with a series of brutal murders. The philandering Vinny unwittingly almost becomes a victim of the psychopath, and soon he and numerous people in his orbit — including his wife,...
- 9/6/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Michael Imperioli says he took supernatural steps to help him materialize his 1999 movie “Summer of Sam.”
The “Sopranos” and “White Lotus” actor was living at the Chelsea Hotel at the time and, in a new documentary about the notoriously haunted locale, recalls meeting with a witch in order to push the crime thriller “through the studio system” in Hollywood.
“I had just begun writing ‘Summer of Sam’ with Victor Colicchio — we wrote that script together,” Imperioli says in an exclusive clip from “Ghosts of the Chelsea Hotel.” “I really wanted to get it made. So I met somebody who was living here who was a witch, who said she could help me get it made, but it wasn’t going to happen the way I thought it would. I was very ambitious at the time and wanted to get that made, so resorted to tapping into otherworldly means to get it through the studio system....
The “Sopranos” and “White Lotus” actor was living at the Chelsea Hotel at the time and, in a new documentary about the notoriously haunted locale, recalls meeting with a witch in order to push the crime thriller “through the studio system” in Hollywood.
“I had just begun writing ‘Summer of Sam’ with Victor Colicchio — we wrote that script together,” Imperioli says in an exclusive clip from “Ghosts of the Chelsea Hotel.” “I really wanted to get it made. So I met somebody who was living here who was a witch, who said she could help me get it made, but it wasn’t going to happen the way I thought it would. I was very ambitious at the time and wanted to get that made, so resorted to tapping into otherworldly means to get it through the studio system....
- 9/6/2023
- by Ethan Shanfeld
- Variety Film + TV
Cinemax's '70s action drama Quarry was among the best-looking TV shows to air in 2016, and tonight's first season finale was its most visually impressive, highlighted by a nine-plus minute Vietnam battle that looked like a "oner," showbiz parlance for a long scene filmed in a single take. There were actually a few hidden edits in there, but the great bulk of it really was shot in one take, which required an absurd amount of preparation on behalf of director Greg Yaitanes and the rest of the cast and crew. Yaitanes, a TV veteran who most recently was the producing director on Cinemax's Banshee, joined some elite company when he directed all 8 hours of this season — a feat that's placed him in impressive company with Steven Soderbergh (The Knick), Cary Joji Fukunaga (True Detective season 1), Sam Esmail (Mr. Robot season 2), and David Lynch (the upcoming Twin Peaks revival), who have...
- 10/29/2016
- by Alan Sepinwall
- Hitfix
This week I try to find some diamonds in the rough of Civil War Ii mania! Can Power Man Luke Cage Fly? What happened to Banner after Amadeus became the Hulk? Is Hank Pym really back? All these questions answered and more! Got a book you’ve been thinking about reading but want to know more before picking it up? Let me know and I’ll review a few issues for you!
Click on the images for a larger view.
Captain America: Sam Wilson #10
Story: Nick Spencer Art: Angel Unzueta Colors: Cris Peter
Review: Nick Spencer has been writing a really fun series here staring Sam Wilson as Captain America and all the trials and tribulations he has to go through carrying that moniker. Sam is a very different Cap, whereas Steve Rogers would try to stay out of the politics unless needed Sam is very much calling people...
Click on the images for a larger view.
Captain America: Sam Wilson #10
Story: Nick Spencer Art: Angel Unzueta Colors: Cris Peter
Review: Nick Spencer has been writing a really fun series here staring Sam Wilson as Captain America and all the trials and tribulations he has to go through carrying that moniker. Sam is a very different Cap, whereas Steve Rogers would try to stay out of the politics unless needed Sam is very much calling people...
- 6/25/2016
- by Jeremy Scully
- LRMonline.com
Our countdown of the top 100 films of the 21st Century (so far) concludes here with the top 25.
Click here for Part 1! (#100-76)
Click here for Part 2! (#75-51)
Click here for Part 3! (#50-26)
The first decade and a half of the 21st century has brought a lot of changes to the landscape of film. The advancement and sophistication of computers has made realistic computer generated effects a mainstay in both big-budget and small-budget films. The internet and streaming technologies have given big Hollywood new competition in films produced independently and by non-traditional means. We went from purchasing films on yards of tape to plastic disks, and now we can simply upload them to the cloud. Advertisements for films have reached a higher, more ruthless level where generating hype through trailers and teasers is crucial for a film’s commercial success. Movie attendance has fluctuated along with the economy, but that hasn...
Click here for Part 1! (#100-76)
Click here for Part 2! (#75-51)
Click here for Part 3! (#50-26)
The first decade and a half of the 21st century has brought a lot of changes to the landscape of film. The advancement and sophistication of computers has made realistic computer generated effects a mainstay in both big-budget and small-budget films. The internet and streaming technologies have given big Hollywood new competition in films produced independently and by non-traditional means. We went from purchasing films on yards of tape to plastic disks, and now we can simply upload them to the cloud. Advertisements for films have reached a higher, more ruthless level where generating hype through trailers and teasers is crucial for a film’s commercial success. Movie attendance has fluctuated along with the economy, but that hasn...
- 1/27/2016
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (G.S. Perno)
- Cinelinx
ABC has released the ten-minute presentation filmed by producers Bill Prady, Bob Kushell and Randall Einhornwhich convinced the network to reboot "The Muppets". The clip, shot in place of a pilot, premiered at Comic Con the other week to a superb reaction. The new series sees Kermit getting the gang back together again for a new show offering a look at their personal and professional lives as they reunite for a late-night talk show hosted by Miss Piggy.
Kermit is Piggy's executive producer; Gonzo is her head writer, along with Pepe and Rizzo. Scooter is the talent coordinator. Fozzie is Piggy's on-air sidekick; Bobo is the stage manager; Sam Eagle is the head of broadcast standards; the Swedish Chef is in charge of craft services and Rowlf owns a tavern across the street. It will premiere on ABC this Fall.
Kermit is Piggy's executive producer; Gonzo is her head writer, along with Pepe and Rizzo. Scooter is the talent coordinator. Fozzie is Piggy's on-air sidekick; Bobo is the stage manager; Sam Eagle is the head of broadcast standards; the Swedish Chef is in charge of craft services and Rowlf owns a tavern across the street. It will premiere on ABC this Fall.
- 7/21/2015
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
The Muppets made its Comic-Con debut on Saturday to a packed house of diehard fans of the beloved franchise with a panel that not only spotlighted Kermit, Miss Piggy and more, but also the performers behind them. Executive producers behind the ABC comedy Bill Prady (The Big Bang Theory), Bob Kushell (3rd Rock From the Sun), Randall Einhorn (Wilfred) and Bill Barretta (Swedish Chef, Pepe the King Prawn, Rowlf the Dog) were joined by Dave Goelz (Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Gonzo and Waldorf), Steve Whitmire (Beaker, Kermit, Rizzo and Statler) and Eric Jacobson (Animal, Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy and Sam Eagle) to offer a peek at what to expect from the docu-style comedy that finds Kermit and
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read more...
- 7/11/2015
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Title: Laugh Killer Laugh ITN Distribution Director: Kamal Ahmed Writer: Kamal Ahmed Cast: William Forsythe, Bianca Hunter, Tom Sizemore, Victor Colicchio, Larry Romano, Robert MacNaughton, Kevin Corrigan Running time: 100 minutes, Unrated Available In Theaters, On VOD and iTunes: April 24, 2015 Frank Stone (William Forsythe) is a theif and a killer for the mob whom is wandering through life in misery. He happens upon a creative writing class that he wants to join. He begins to pen short stories in the style of Mickey Spillane to an intrigued class; little do they all know they’re all based on real people and events. He catches the eye of one student, [ Read More ]
The post Laugh Killer Laugh Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Laugh Killer Laugh Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 4/28/2015
- by juliana
- ShockYa
Elizabeth, N.J. — A bag of uncooked ziti in the driveway, a "reserved" sign at the ice cream parlor booth where the series abruptly ended, and a framed photo at a strip club were among the tributes paid to James Gandolfini in the northern New Jersey communities where his TV character Tony Soprano lived, loved and whacked people.
The star of the HBO series about a mob boss with anxiety issues and a midlife crisis died Wednesday night in Italy of an apparent heart attack.
In neighborhoods where "The Sopranos" was shot, Gandolfini was recalled Thursday with mixed emotions: a global star who made their communities famous, but sometimes at the expense of their reputations.
Vito Mazza, who was busily preparing for an Italian-American festival in Elizabeth this weekend, said the actor had local credibility.
"He was as Jersey as it gets, through and through," he said.
The "Sopranos" star...
The star of the HBO series about a mob boss with anxiety issues and a midlife crisis died Wednesday night in Italy of an apparent heart attack.
In neighborhoods where "The Sopranos" was shot, Gandolfini was recalled Thursday with mixed emotions: a global star who made their communities famous, but sometimes at the expense of their reputations.
Vito Mazza, who was busily preparing for an Italian-American festival in Elizabeth this weekend, said the actor had local credibility.
"He was as Jersey as it gets, through and through," he said.
The "Sopranos" star...
- 6/20/2013
- by AP
- Huffington Post
Happy Holidays! We’ve selected several a variety of gift items for boys and girls that are guaranteed to spread holiday cheer and fill out those stockings.
Activision Skylanders Giants Single Character: Hothead
Skylanders Giants is one of the hottest games of the year for children and unlike most games – this one works with actual toys. You can give your kids an extra smile by picking up one or two extra Giants.
Other Characters include: Giants Bouncer, Giants Crusher, Giants Swarm
Transformers Bot Shots – Optimus Prime
Transformers Bot Shots are the perfect toy for kids on the go. They can put them in their pockets with ease and transform them to challenge friends.
Other Characters include: Barricade, Bumblebee, and Star Scream
Finding Nemo Blu-ray
One of Pixar’s best animated movies comes to home 3D and Blu-ray this year. Finding Nemo is an instant delight and will bring endless hours of viewing pleasure.
Activision Skylanders Giants Single Character: Hothead
Skylanders Giants is one of the hottest games of the year for children and unlike most games – this one works with actual toys. You can give your kids an extra smile by picking up one or two extra Giants.
Other Characters include: Giants Bouncer, Giants Crusher, Giants Swarm
Transformers Bot Shots – Optimus Prime
Transformers Bot Shots are the perfect toy for kids on the go. They can put them in their pockets with ease and transform them to challenge friends.
Other Characters include: Barricade, Bumblebee, and Star Scream
Finding Nemo Blu-ray
One of Pixar’s best animated movies comes to home 3D and Blu-ray this year. Finding Nemo is an instant delight and will bring endless hours of viewing pleasure.
- 12/3/2012
- by Bags Hooper
- BuzzFocus.com
Colicchio Prods.
NEW YORK -- One would have assumed, considering the High Times magazine pedigree and the presence of Tommy Chong in a cameo role, that this debut effort from director Alison Thompson would be a rollicking, Cheech & Chong-style comedy celebrating the joys of cannabis. But no, "High Times' Potluck" is instead a semiserious Mafia movie, albeit one in which its chief character, a droopy-eyed mob soldier, discovers the joys of getting high and dating an East Village punk rocker.
Said mafioso, Frank, is played by actor Frank Adonis, whose face may be familiar thanks to his brief roles in a trio of, yes, Martin Scorsese films. Actually, many of the faces on display here are familiar. Among those making appearances are British actor Jason Isaacs ("The Patriot"), Dan Lauria ("The Wonder Years"), Sylvia Miles, Frank Gorshin and Jason Mewes ("Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back"). (In the time since this picture was completed, of course, both Mewes and Chong have run into drug-related legal trouble.)
The often incoherent screenplay, written by Victor Colicchio (co-writer of Spike Lee's "Summer of Sam"), has to do with a suitcase full of weed that becomes up for grabs after it's stolen from a murdered downtown artist (Isaacs). Pursuing the stash is recent widower Frank, who in the course of his quest improbably becomes enamored of a gutsy punk rocker, Jade (played by Lunachicks lead singer Theo Kogan). During the course of his adventures, Frank must also contend with the reappearance of his gay son. The reunion mistakenly leads Frank's mob colleagues to think that he is gay, in one of the film's unsuccessful attempts at farcical humor.
Considering that marijuana is on such an upsurge that even Cheech & Chong are considering a comeback, the filmmakers here have wasted a major opportunity to provide what the movie's ads would have you believe "Potluck" is: a wacky, pro-stoner farce. What were they smoking?...
NEW YORK -- One would have assumed, considering the High Times magazine pedigree and the presence of Tommy Chong in a cameo role, that this debut effort from director Alison Thompson would be a rollicking, Cheech & Chong-style comedy celebrating the joys of cannabis. But no, "High Times' Potluck" is instead a semiserious Mafia movie, albeit one in which its chief character, a droopy-eyed mob soldier, discovers the joys of getting high and dating an East Village punk rocker.
Said mafioso, Frank, is played by actor Frank Adonis, whose face may be familiar thanks to his brief roles in a trio of, yes, Martin Scorsese films. Actually, many of the faces on display here are familiar. Among those making appearances are British actor Jason Isaacs ("The Patriot"), Dan Lauria ("The Wonder Years"), Sylvia Miles, Frank Gorshin and Jason Mewes ("Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back"). (In the time since this picture was completed, of course, both Mewes and Chong have run into drug-related legal trouble.)
The often incoherent screenplay, written by Victor Colicchio (co-writer of Spike Lee's "Summer of Sam"), has to do with a suitcase full of weed that becomes up for grabs after it's stolen from a murdered downtown artist (Isaacs). Pursuing the stash is recent widower Frank, who in the course of his quest improbably becomes enamored of a gutsy punk rocker, Jade (played by Lunachicks lead singer Theo Kogan). During the course of his adventures, Frank must also contend with the reappearance of his gay son. The reunion mistakenly leads Frank's mob colleagues to think that he is gay, in one of the film's unsuccessful attempts at farcical humor.
Considering that marijuana is on such an upsurge that even Cheech & Chong are considering a comeback, the filmmakers here have wasted a major opportunity to provide what the movie's ads would have you believe "Potluck" is: a wacky, pro-stoner farce. What were they smoking?...
Colicchio Prods.
NEW YORK -- One would have assumed, considering the High Times magazine pedigree and the presence of Tommy Chong in a cameo role, that this debut effort from director Alison Thompson would be a rollicking, Cheech & Chong-style comedy celebrating the joys of cannabis. But no, "High Times' Potluck" is instead a semiserious Mafia movie, albeit one in which its chief character, a droopy-eyed mob soldier, discovers the joys of getting high and dating an East Village punk rocker.
Said mafioso, Frank, is played by actor Frank Adonis, whose face may be familiar thanks to his brief roles in a trio of, yes, Martin Scorsese films. Actually, many of the faces on display here are familiar. Among those making appearances are British actor Jason Isaacs ("The Patriot"), Dan Lauria ("The Wonder Years"), Sylvia Miles, Frank Gorshin and Jason Mewes ("Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back"). (In the time since this picture was completed, of course, both Mewes and Chong have run into drug-related legal trouble.)
The often incoherent screenplay, written by Victor Colicchio (co-writer of Spike Lee's "Summer of Sam"), has to do with a suitcase full of weed that becomes up for grabs after it's stolen from a murdered downtown artist (Isaacs). Pursuing the stash is recent widower Frank, who in the course of his quest improbably becomes enamored of a gutsy punk rocker, Jade (played by Lunachicks lead singer Theo Kogan). During the course of his adventures, Frank must also contend with the reappearance of his gay son. The reunion mistakenly leads Frank's mob colleagues to think that he is gay, in one of the film's unsuccessful attempts at farcical humor.
Considering that marijuana is on such an upsurge that even Cheech & Chong are considering a comeback, the filmmakers here have wasted a major opportunity to provide what the movie's ads would have you believe "Potluck" is: a wacky, pro-stoner farce. What were they smoking?...
NEW YORK -- One would have assumed, considering the High Times magazine pedigree and the presence of Tommy Chong in a cameo role, that this debut effort from director Alison Thompson would be a rollicking, Cheech & Chong-style comedy celebrating the joys of cannabis. But no, "High Times' Potluck" is instead a semiserious Mafia movie, albeit one in which its chief character, a droopy-eyed mob soldier, discovers the joys of getting high and dating an East Village punk rocker.
Said mafioso, Frank, is played by actor Frank Adonis, whose face may be familiar thanks to his brief roles in a trio of, yes, Martin Scorsese films. Actually, many of the faces on display here are familiar. Among those making appearances are British actor Jason Isaacs ("The Patriot"), Dan Lauria ("The Wonder Years"), Sylvia Miles, Frank Gorshin and Jason Mewes ("Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back"). (In the time since this picture was completed, of course, both Mewes and Chong have run into drug-related legal trouble.)
The often incoherent screenplay, written by Victor Colicchio (co-writer of Spike Lee's "Summer of Sam"), has to do with a suitcase full of weed that becomes up for grabs after it's stolen from a murdered downtown artist (Isaacs). Pursuing the stash is recent widower Frank, who in the course of his quest improbably becomes enamored of a gutsy punk rocker, Jade (played by Lunachicks lead singer Theo Kogan). During the course of his adventures, Frank must also contend with the reappearance of his gay son. The reunion mistakenly leads Frank's mob colleagues to think that he is gay, in one of the film's unsuccessful attempts at farcical humor.
Considering that marijuana is on such an upsurge that even Cheech & Chong are considering a comeback, the filmmakers here have wasted a major opportunity to provide what the movie's ads would have you believe "Potluck" is: a wacky, pro-stoner farce. What were they smoking?...
- 12/10/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Coming after the terrific, underrated "He Got Game", Spike Lee's "Summer of Sam" rates as a disappointment for unexpected reasons. The eagerly awaited entry in the Directors Fortnight was greeted with cheers as the lights went down, but the final reaction was definitely mixed.
Sluggish in its first hour but recovering somewhat with the steadily tightening narrative threads, the Touchstone Pictures release is quite successful in dropping one into New York City on the verge of panic during the bloody spree of serial killer David Berkowitz, who called himself Son of Sam.
Lee co-wrote the script, which started as a project penned by actor Michael Imperiolli and collaborator Victor Colicchio. Herein lies the film's problems. It's not that Lee is unable to handle the explosive Italo-Bronx characters (with only a handful of minor black characters including the filmmaker himself as a newscaster) and their aggressively macho posturing -- Lee proved himself long ago a major talent who can handle just about anything -- but he fails here to create a bond between the audience and characters. Despite this, with the authentic dialogue and characterizations combined with his usual vigorous stylistic flourishes and use of cogent historical imagery, Lee has created the most believable and un-nostalgic of the recent spat of disco-era films.
Yes, it's a brutally violent film in a few places, but early reports of overly gruesome attention to the details of Berkowitz's crimes that would scare audiences off were wide of the mark. Likewise, the incendiary discussions of racial problems that have unfairly branded him as a didactic filmmaker since "Do the Right Thing" are not to be found "Summer".
The ambitious scenario he sets out to capture here narrows down to the awful misunderstandings between two longtime friends -- Vinny (John Leguizamo) and Ritchie (Adrien Brody). As temperatures soar, the killer remains at large and paranoia becomes deadly. A hairdresser who cheats frequently on his wife (Mira Sorvino), Vinny is one of the first to be seriously spooked when he sees two fresh victims at a crime scene and believes he narrowly escaped a similar fate.
With several ominous glimpses of the killer in his lair, as well as more of the recreated shootings -- usually couples in parked automobiles -- the film takes a long time to get into gear. Along with Vinny's eroding sense of camaraderie with punk-music-playing, bisexual stripper Ritchie -- who finds a steady companion with Ruby (Jennifer Esposito) -- there's plenty of pressure from his drug-dealing friends led by Joey(Michael Rispoli) to uphold the ethnic banner.
Several subplots add atmosphere but the film has plenty of that from the get-go. The desperate police turn to a local mobster for help and, during the ill-timed blackout that occurs about halfway through, the baseball-bat-wielding locals shut off and patrol the neighborhood. Meanwhile, Vinny and his sweet girlfriend have an apocalyptic breakup (one of the film's best scenes) over his infidelities that come out dramatically after a torrid orgy scene.
The performances are startlingly good, particularly the two male leads. Some of Lee's montages to pop tunes -- including two utilizing well-known the Who tunes -- are terrific, but overall the film does not build to the kind of overwhelmingly intense resolutions that climax his best works.
Summer of Sam
Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
Touchstone Pictures
A 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks Production
CREDITS
Director:Spike Lee
Screenwriters:Victor Colicchio, Michael Imperioli, Spike Lee
Producers:Spike Lee, Jon Kilik
Executive producers:Michael Imperioli, Jeri Carroll-Colicchio
Director of photography:Ellen Kuras
Production designer:Therese DePrez
Editor:Barry Alexander Brown
Music:Terence Blanchard
Costume designer:Ruth E. Carter
Casting:Aisha Coley
Color/stereo
CAST
Vinny:John Leguizamo
Ritchie:Adrien Brody
Donna:Mira Sorvino
Ruby:Jennifer Esposito
Joey T:Michael Rispoli
Woodstock:Saverio Guerra
Bobby Del Flore:Brian Tarantino
Anthony:Al Palagonia
Brian:Ken Garito
Running time -- 142 minutes...
Sluggish in its first hour but recovering somewhat with the steadily tightening narrative threads, the Touchstone Pictures release is quite successful in dropping one into New York City on the verge of panic during the bloody spree of serial killer David Berkowitz, who called himself Son of Sam.
Lee co-wrote the script, which started as a project penned by actor Michael Imperiolli and collaborator Victor Colicchio. Herein lies the film's problems. It's not that Lee is unable to handle the explosive Italo-Bronx characters (with only a handful of minor black characters including the filmmaker himself as a newscaster) and their aggressively macho posturing -- Lee proved himself long ago a major talent who can handle just about anything -- but he fails here to create a bond between the audience and characters. Despite this, with the authentic dialogue and characterizations combined with his usual vigorous stylistic flourishes and use of cogent historical imagery, Lee has created the most believable and un-nostalgic of the recent spat of disco-era films.
Yes, it's a brutally violent film in a few places, but early reports of overly gruesome attention to the details of Berkowitz's crimes that would scare audiences off were wide of the mark. Likewise, the incendiary discussions of racial problems that have unfairly branded him as a didactic filmmaker since "Do the Right Thing" are not to be found "Summer".
The ambitious scenario he sets out to capture here narrows down to the awful misunderstandings between two longtime friends -- Vinny (John Leguizamo) and Ritchie (Adrien Brody). As temperatures soar, the killer remains at large and paranoia becomes deadly. A hairdresser who cheats frequently on his wife (Mira Sorvino), Vinny is one of the first to be seriously spooked when he sees two fresh victims at a crime scene and believes he narrowly escaped a similar fate.
With several ominous glimpses of the killer in his lair, as well as more of the recreated shootings -- usually couples in parked automobiles -- the film takes a long time to get into gear. Along with Vinny's eroding sense of camaraderie with punk-music-playing, bisexual stripper Ritchie -- who finds a steady companion with Ruby (Jennifer Esposito) -- there's plenty of pressure from his drug-dealing friends led by Joey(Michael Rispoli) to uphold the ethnic banner.
Several subplots add atmosphere but the film has plenty of that from the get-go. The desperate police turn to a local mobster for help and, during the ill-timed blackout that occurs about halfway through, the baseball-bat-wielding locals shut off and patrol the neighborhood. Meanwhile, Vinny and his sweet girlfriend have an apocalyptic breakup (one of the film's best scenes) over his infidelities that come out dramatically after a torrid orgy scene.
The performances are startlingly good, particularly the two male leads. Some of Lee's montages to pop tunes -- including two utilizing well-known the Who tunes -- are terrific, but overall the film does not build to the kind of overwhelmingly intense resolutions that climax his best works.
Summer of Sam
Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
Touchstone Pictures
A 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks Production
CREDITS
Director:Spike Lee
Screenwriters:Victor Colicchio, Michael Imperioli, Spike Lee
Producers:Spike Lee, Jon Kilik
Executive producers:Michael Imperioli, Jeri Carroll-Colicchio
Director of photography:Ellen Kuras
Production designer:Therese DePrez
Editor:Barry Alexander Brown
Music:Terence Blanchard
Costume designer:Ruth E. Carter
Casting:Aisha Coley
Color/stereo
CAST
Vinny:John Leguizamo
Ritchie:Adrien Brody
Donna:Mira Sorvino
Ruby:Jennifer Esposito
Joey T:Michael Rispoli
Woodstock:Saverio Guerra
Bobby Del Flore:Brian Tarantino
Anthony:Al Palagonia
Brian:Ken Garito
Running time -- 142 minutes...
- 5/21/1999
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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