Posts Tagged ‘knuckle draggers’

LOS ANGELES PREMIERE

of

KNUCKLE DRAGGERS

special screening

August 12, 7:30pm
Laemmle’s Sunset 5
800 Sunset Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90046

Buy Tickets Now! Click here

Partners in Crime Films is proud to announce the Los Angeles premiere for a special feature film screening in association with the HollyShorts Film Festival at the Laemmle Sunset 5, August 12th at 7:30pm.

Knuckle Draggers is taking the festival circuit by storm with only three festivals under its belt it has already claimed 5 Awards.

o    Two “Rising Star” awards at the Delray Beach Film Festival “Outstanding Feature by a New Filmmaker/ Producer”- Paul J. Alessi and “Best Close-up” in a feature film- Serah D’Laine
o    ReelHeART Film Fest in Toronto Knuckle Draggers grabs “Best Editing” – Alex Ranarivelo, “Best Feature Film” – 2nd place Alex Ranarivelo and “Best Actor” – Paul J. Alessi.

Come meet some of the cast Ross McCall, Paul J. Alessi, Amie Barsky, Danielle Nicolet, Justin Baldoni, Serah D’Laine, Jennifer Alden and Omar Gooding along with the Director Alex Ranarivelo.

“It’s fun, clever, witty and well-acted.” – RamasScreen.com

“All in all a telling slice-of-life, well worth-watching” – CultFilmz.com

“The movies pacing is excellent, it moves from scene to scene seamlessly” – CraveOnline.com

“A relationship roller coaster ride with funny highs and dramatic lows.” – MovieVine.com

Thanks for all your support,
Paul J. Alessi
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1568493/
http://www.pauljalessi.com

Knuckle Draggers is taking the festival circuit by storm with only three festivals under its belt it has already claimed 5 Awards. Taking home two “Rising Star” awards – at the Delray Beach Film Festival “Outstanding Feature by a New Filmmaker/ Producer” & “Best Close-up” in a feature film, and from the ReelHeART Film Fest in Toronto Knuckle Draggers grabs “Best Editing” – Alex Ranarivelo, “Best Feature Film” – 2nd place Alex Ranarivelo and “Best Actor” – Paul J. Alessi. Partners in Crime Films is proud to announce the Los Angeles premiere for a special feature film screening in association with the HollyShorts Film Festival at the Laemmle Sunset 5, August 12th at 7:30pm. Buy tickets now

“Comes at us with an undertone that makes it relatable and compelling” – Screen Rant

“It’s fun, clever, witty and well-acted” – Ramas Screen

“All in all a telling slice-of-life, well worth-watching” – Cult Movies

“The movies pacing is excellent, it moves from scene to scene seamlessly” – Crave Online

“A relationship roller coaster ride with funny highs and dramatic lows.” – Movie Vine

Written and directed by Alex Ranarivelo, produced by Paul J. Alessi, and co-produced by Amie Barsky and Baptiste DeRivel. Knuckle Draggers takes a humorous but very real look at the state of modern male/female relationships. Knuckle Draggers is the relationship movie from a male perspective.

The story follows Ethan, an all around nice guy who gets dumped because he wasn’t able to provide his fiancée with the plush, stable life her friends were living. Desperate to get her back, he seeks help from his older brother Kyle, a tough talking sexist who seems to have a way with the ladies. Kyle gives Ethan a crash course on women and dating much to the disgust of some of Ethan’s female friends. Just when it seems Kyle’s misogynistic theories are about to prove themselves true, things take an unexpected turn and force Ethan, Kyle and their friends to reassess their views on relationships.

In the spirit of movies like Swingers and Brothers McMullen, Knuckle Draggers gives us a unique point of view, a timely message, and a lot of heart. Not another indie film about friends hanging out, Knuckle Draggers provokes questions about what modern couples want versus what they need, and how their needs may not have evolved much from those of our caveman ancestors.

Scottish actor Ross McCall heads a dynamic ensemble cast in the lead role of ‘Ethan’. His credits include the HBO miniseries ‘Band of Brothers’ and most recently ‘Crash’, the Starz TV series. Paul J. Alessi, plays ‘Kyle’, Ethan’s sexist outspoken brother. His credits include the Ten ‘til Noon and the TV series Desire. Omar Gooding plays Ethan’s best friend ‘Russell’. Omar’s credits include ‘Baby Boy’, the HBO series ‘Deadwood’ and he’s just joined the cast of the upcoming Jerry Bruckheimer TV series ‘Miami Trauma’. Amie Barsky plays ‘Patricia’, Ethan’s strong-minded female best friend. The film also includes Danielle Nicolet ‘The Starter Wife’, Justin Baldoni ‘Heroes’, Serah D’Laine ‘General Hospital’ and Jennifer Alden ‘Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen’.

Knuckle Draggers features a musical score by Austin Wintory, whose credits include the multiple award-winning Captain Abu Raed. A dynamic soundtrack accompanies the score, including tracks by J Mello & Dave Navarro, Tyler Hilton, Marching Band, and Jennifer Love-Hewitt & Sophie B. Hawkins.

The Los Angeles Premiere takes place Wednesday, August 12th at 7:30pm., at the Laemmle Sunset 5, 8000 Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood, 90046, 323-848-3500

For all inquiries please contact Paul J. Alessi at Paul@partnersincrimefilms.com.

See the trailer at www.KnuckleDraggersTheMovie.com

Knuckle Draggers is a humorous but very real look at the state of modern male-female relationships. Written and directed by Alex Ranarivelo, produced by Paul J. Alessi, and co-produced by Amie Barsky and Baptiste DeRivel, the film is a relationship movie from a male perspective. The story follows Ethan, an all around nice guy who gets dumped because he wasn’t able to provide his fiancée with the plush, stable life her friends were living. Desperate to get her back, he seeks help from his older brother Kyle, a tough talking sexist who seems to have a way with the ladies. Kyle gives Ethan a crash course on women and dating much to the disgust of some of Ethan’s female friends. Just when it seems Kyle’s misogynistic theories are about to prove themselves true, things take an unexpected turn and force Ethan, Kyle, and their friends to reassess their views on relationships.
Knuckle Draggers will have its Canadian premiere at the ReelHeART International Film Festival (which runs in Toronto from June 22-26) on Saturday, June 27 at 7:15 p.m. after a sold-out World Premiere in Newport Beach California, and two “Rising Star” awards: Outstanding Feature by a New Filmmaker/ Producer & Best Close-Up in a feature film at the DelRay Beach Film Festival.
Knuckle Draggers is a film about friends, provokes questions about what modern couples want versus what they need, and how their needs may not have evolved much from those of our caveman ancestors.
Scottish actor Ross McCall heads a dynamic ensemble cast in the lead role of Ethan. His credits include the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers and most recently Crash, the Starz TV series.
Omar Gooding plays Ethan’s best friend Russell. Gooding’s credits include Baby Boy, the HBO series Deadwood, and he’s just joined the cast of the upcoming Jerry Bruckheimer TV series Miami Trauma.
Amie Barsky plays Patricia, Ethan’s strong-minded female best friend.
Paul J. Alessi, plays Kyle, Ethan’s sexist, outspoken brother. His credits include the Ten til Noon and the TV series Desire.

While the Hollywood producer was born in the U.S., Alessi has Italian roots – his grandparents were originally from Sicily (specifically from Linguaglossa, which is in the province of Catania), but eventually emigrated to the U.S. in search of a new life.

Alex Ranarivelo (the director) is your associate in the film company Partners in Crime Films. Why did the two of you decide to make a comedy?
“I tend to make the “bad boy” projects and I wanted to do a film that was more mainstream that could touch a wider audience. I felt Knuckle Draggers had a strong script with many extremely relatable story lines. Ranarivelo and I have made shorts films, commercials and music videos, and we wanted to tackle a feature film together.”

I have read that it was sheer fate that you began your career as an actor. Is this true?
“I guess you could say that it was fate. While I was living in New York I was working on a construction site finishing up a job for a clothing line. One of the models didn’t show up for an event, so they asked me if I would take his place. At first I was not interested but after they told me how much they would pay I jumped on board and I haven’t looked back.”

You have been in 11 movies where you have played parts like a psychopath, a rapist, a serial killer, and a marine in Iraq. Which one of these “bad boy” roles do you most identify with?
“Wow, I’d have to say that when I am breaking down a character I always find something to identify with in each role, but honestly as a “bad boy” role I identify the best with a “gangster.”

Your movie Knuckle Draggers will be presented at Toronto’s ReelHeART Film Festival. What are your expectations?
“We are very honoured and excited to be chosen as the closing night film. I expect to have a great time and that Knuckle Draggers will be well received. If by some chance we win an award I will do my very bad interpretation of an Irish jig!”.

Knuckle Draggers will be presented as the official closing night film at ReelHeART International Film Festival on Saturday June 27 at 7:15 p.m. at Innis Town Hall, Innis College, 2 Sussex Street, University of Toronto campus (1 block south of St. George subway station).

Knuckle Draggers takes a daring look at how relationships work from the POV of a “real man”.

The story starts out following Ethan (played by Band of Brothers‘ Ross McCall).  Ethan can be way too polite for his own good and lacks the defining edge that helps him stand out, whether it be at work or in the dating scene.

Ethan gets dumped by his fiancee in a brash way and his brother Kyle steps up to help him not only get through the ordeal, but to help Ethan “man up” and recognize what it’s all about in the world of dating.  It’s a rather touching process to see Kyle care enough about his brother to tackle this daunting case of helping Ethan grow.

Kyle, played by Paul J. Alessi, echoes the approach of the infamous Tom Leykis in regards to what makes a relationship with a woman work. To the chivalrous, it’s frightening, while the “dogs” of the male gender will tell ya they told you so.

In the story, Kyle is brave enough to spout his beliefs in mixed company and tends to catch flak from the opposite gender for his sexist observations on how women choose men with money.  I cringed as he spouted his rhetoric.

Ethan, meanwhile, while desperate to get back together with his ex, encounters a revelation about her that makes what Kyle has been saying seem perfectly sensible, if you can believe that.  I think it’s a revelation that many men may have experienced at one time or another.

During the course of the movie, Kyle’s outspoken views sink into the minds of the rest of the group.  This has an interesting effect on the interaction between some members of the small knit group and things change for everyone in one way or another.  Some of the cast include Omar Gooding (Deadwood, and Jerry Bruckheimer’s new show Miami Trauma), Justin Baldoni (Heroes) and Danielle Nicolet (The Starter Wife).

Actress and co-producer of Knuckle Draggers, Amie Barsky, plays Patricia, a good friend of Ethan’s.  Patricia has her own surprising journey along the way to Ethan’s enlightenment.

There are times in the movie where I thought the filmmakers were starting to drag on with a particular scene, but each scene culminates with the message it is supposed to deliver and moves on with the next one, almost on queue.

I found Knuckle Draggers compelling.  It doesn’t surprise me that it will be the closing-night film at the ReelHeART International Film Festival in June, or that Knuckle Draggers won two ‘Rising Star’ awards at the Delray Beach Film Festival, one of them being “Outstanding Feature by a New Filmmaker/Producer”.  It also had a sold-out World Premiere at the 2009 10th annual Newport Beach Film Festival.

If you look closely, you might recognize some of the cast.  Alessi, who plays Kyle, is also the film’s producer.

The film opens and closes on what looks like the very same scene.  It started to confuse me, but eventually the irony of the end twist will make perfect sense. Everything in this film comes together just like it’s supposed to…  I think.  I won’t say anymore.  You’ll have to try to catch the film to trace the path of each character’s personal journey alongside Ethan as he tries to figure out his love life.

Knuckle Draggers is written and directed by Alex Ranarivelo, produced by Paul J. Alessi, and co-produced by Amie Barsky, Baptiste DeRivel, and Lamese Williams.

This movie is not for everyone, but for those who enjoy this sort of fare, or know someone who might, this is a fun flick.  It delivers a great message that’s a little bit different than expected and I found it had a rather satisfying ending.

Screen Rant Exclusive:

Knuckle Draggers hasn’t seen a full release yet, but is shopping for a distributor as we speak.  Paul J. Alessi (with his producer’s hat on) told me that the film is being received very well and has a few really good offers on the table that could even result in a limited theatrical release and a worldwide DVD release. He’s also indicated that there is some interest being shown towards a possible TV series based on the film.

If you live in the Los Angeles area, the film has an exclusive engagement at the HollyShorts Film Festival Special Feature screening at Laemmle Sunset 5 on August 12th 2009.  You’ve heard it here first.

Knuckle Draggers will be the closing night ceremony film at the ReelHeART International Film Festival (RHIFF) in June 2009.

Main A, 7:15 PM ReelHeART Main “A” Program – Innis Town Hall, Innis College, – 2 Sussex Street, U of T Campus, Toronto, M5S 1J5 – (1 block south of St. George Subway)

Click Here to buy tickets

Come meet some of the cast Ross McCall, Paul J. Alessi, Serah D’Laine, Amie Barsky and the Director Alex Ranarivelo.

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Knuckle Draggers wins two “Rising Star “awards at the Delray Beach Film Festival.

Serah D’Laine takes the “Frownie” for Best Close Up in a Motion Picture and Paul J. Alessi takes the “Stella Artois” for Outstanding Feature by a New Filmmaker/Producer.

http://www.pauljalessi.com

http://www.knuckledraggersmovie.com