After six weeks of shooting across around the Lakeshore of West Michigan the movie “What’s Wrong With Virginia” has wrapped production.

The movie starring Jennifer Connelly, Ed Harris, Emma Roberts, Amy Madigan and Harrison Gilbertson wrapped Tuesday and now moves into the post-production phase.

The film, Directed by Oscar winning writer Dustin Lance Black (”Milk”) and produced locally by TicTock Studios of Holland shot scenes in Holland, Grand Haven (City Hall), South Haven (North Beach), and Zeeland.

The movie is set in Virginia and is about a sheriff (Harris) that sees his state senate bid slide away from him when his daughter begins to date the son of a woman (Connelly) with whom the sheriff has engaged in a 20-year affair.

In a text message from TicTock Studios twitter page on Tuesday, producers thanked the cast and crew:  “That’s a wrap! After 6 weeks of filming, we’re off to post-production! Thanks to all the cast and crew for putting up with the MI weather!”

Previous stories about “What’s Wrong with Virginia”:
10/20/09: Call for extras / local actors chosen from August casting call
9/17/09: Location scouting for “What’s Wrong with Virginia” house
8/11/09: Casting change, open casting call for “What’s Wrong with Virginia”
5/18/09: “What’s Wrong with Virginia” coming to Michigan

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Michigan Casting Services is looking for as many people as possible on Monday, October 26th to create a crowd for a beach boardwalk scene in the movie “What’s Wrong With Virginia” starring Jennifer Connelly, Ed Harris, Emma Roberts, Amy Madigan and Harrison Gilbertson.

The opportunity is open to anyone interested in participating.  Filming will take place on October 26 in South Haven, Michigan, weather permitting.   To register and to get more information, go to www.TicTockStudios.com and click on “Casting”.

Requirements for extras on the day of filming:
- Flexibility with time and schedule
- Willingness to stay for the entire shoot (up to 12 hours)
- Prepared to withstand possible cold temperatures. 
- You will be required to come in summer attire (warmer clothes may be worn over the summer attire when not filming)
- Under 18 years of age needs parent/guardian permission

The film is written and directed by Dustin Lance Black (”Milk”) and is produced by TicTock Studios of Holland.

ADDITIONAL INFO FROM PRESS RELEASE:
In August, Michigan Casting Services held an open casting call and nearly 1,000 people were interviewed for a wide range of roles including speaking roles, stand-ins, and extras.   150 people received a call back to audition for roles big and small.  18 people were hired for speaking roles, 35 were hired as recurring background actors, and another 34 were hired as stand-ins.

Those include Dan Waterhouse of Holland, cast as Officer Lee, who is Sheriff Tipton’s (Ed Harris), right hand man.  Kevin Brown, a truck driver from Galesburg was cast as Jerry, the husband of
Betty (Carrie Preston) and neighbor of Virginia (Jennifer Connelly).   Jack Rutledge, a retired resident of Lowell was cast as the security guard at a bank that Virginia tries to rob.    In a supporting
role, Paul Walter Hauser of Hemlock was cast as Dale, the best friend of the lead character Emmett (Harrison Gilbertson).

Previous stories about “What’s Wrong with Virginia”:
9/17/09: Location scouting for “What’s Wrong with Virginia” house
8/11/09: Casting change, open casting call for “What’s Wrong with Virginia”
5/18/09: “What’s Wrong with Virginia” coming to Michigan

– 

Follow my updates on twitter: http://twitter.com/aaronlafferty

Add to your RSS feed: http://feeds2.feedburner.com/woodtv8-blogs-laff-at-the-movies?format=html

YouTube Highlights:
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Maggie Grace talks about “Taken”, “Lost”, and the possibility of filming in Michigan

CLICK HERE TO WATCH Maggie Grace interview

Actress Maggie Grace talks to Laff at the Movies about the movie “Taken” out on DVD this week.   In the movie, she co-stars with Liam Neeson and Famke Janssen.   The movie was released earlier this year and surpassed expectations, making $144 million in the U.S. during 15 weeks of release.

Maggie talks about the movie, working with Neeson, her next projects, why “chances are good” she could be in a movie shot in Michigan, and if we might see her again on ABC’s “Lost”. 

Taraji P. Henson talks about “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”

CLICK HERE TO WATCH Taraji P. Henson interview

Taraji P. Henson talks about makeup, the story and what attracted her to playing Brad Pitt’s mom in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”.  She also talks about what’s ahead in her career.

Robert Osborne helps preview the Oscars

CLICK HERE TO WATCH Robert Osborne interview or watch it through woodtv’s YouTube page.

Robert Osborne, Oscar Historian and host of Turner Classic Movies, gave me his picks for the 81st Annual Oscars, including what he thinks could be some upsets.   He also gave us some historical perspective on this year’s oscars.

 Brendan Fraser talks about “Inkheart” and more

CLICK HERE TO WATCH Brendan Fraser interview (also linked on WOODTV YouTube page)

Actor Brendan Fraser talks about his new movie “Inkheart”, the unusual way he was recruited to the movie, how hard it is to make a movie, the prospects of making movies in Michigan and his appearance in this summer’s upcoming movie “G.I. Joe”.

He’s a down-to-earth interview and a guy who called me “dude” at least twice… and with his story about parachuting G.I. Joe figures, this has to be one of my favorite interviews so far.

 Joey Fatone talks about Golden Globes and more

CLICK HERE TO WATCH Joey Fatone talks about Golden Globes 

From NSYNC to “Dancing with the Stars” to “The Singing Bee”… Joey Fatone is back on the red carpet again with Lisa Rinna *before* The Golden Globe Awards on January 11th, 2009 on the TV Guide Network.

I talked to Joey via satellite about covering the red carpet, talking to celebrities, what movies he likes and what’s up with NBC’s ”The Signing Bee”?

 Jon Voight talks to Laff at the Movies about “Pride and Glory” and more

CLICK HERE TO WATCH Jon Voight interview 

Jon Voight talks to Laff at the Movies about his movie “Pride and Glory”… a role that happened very quickly for him… working with Edward Norton and Colin Farrell and other ‘younger’ actors… he also talked about playing George Washington in the Michael Moore spoof “An American Carol”, his upcoming projects (”Four Christmases” and a 3rd “National Treasure”), and the possibility of making movies in Michigan.

 Maggie Gyllenhaal talks to Laff at the Movies about “Dark Knight” and more

CLICK HERE TO WATCH Maggie Gyllenhaal interview 

Maggie Gyllenhaal talks to Laff at the Movies about hosting an eco-friendly Fashion Show called “Fashionably Natural”… how some movies try to be environmentally friendly… about her role in “The Dark Knight”… gives a surprising answer to the Academy Award buzz about Heath Ledger… talks briefly about the 2006 movie “Stranger than Fiction” with Will Ferrell, Dustin Hoffman, and Emma Thompson… two of her upcoming films (2009 releases)… and about making movies in Michigan.

 Ed Harris talks to Laff at the Movies about “Appaloosa”

CLICK HERE TO WATCH Ed Harris interview 

Ed Harris talks to Laff at the Movies about his roles as roducer/Director/Writer/Star of the movie “Appaloosa”, getting the cast of Viggo Mortensen, Renee Zelwegger, and Jeremy Irons to join the project, the risks/rewards of doing a Western, and the new tax incentives bringing movies to Michigan… that he hadn’t heard of… until our interview on October 1st, 2008.

 Joe Pantoliano talks to Laff at the Movies about 25th Anniversary of “Risky Business” and more

CLICK HERE TO WATCH Joe Pantoliano interview

Actor Joe Pantoliano talks to Laff at the Movies about the Special 25th Anniversary Edition DVD of “Risky Business” (with Tom Cruise and Rebecca DeMornay).   Joey Pants”, as he’s often called, also talked about a recent movie he filmed in Detroit “The Job” with Ron Pearlman… and about making movies in Michigan.

He talked about his battle with depression and the organization he started called ”No Kidding, Me Too”, go to the website: http://www.nkm2.org/.

We also talked about past projects: Ralph in “The Sopranos”, Teddy in “Memento”, Cypher in “The Matrix”, Captain Howard in “Bad Boys”, and “bound man” in “Unknown”.

Follow my updates on twitter: http://twitter.com/aaronlafferty

Add to your RSS feed: http://feeds2.feedburner.com/woodtv8-blogs-laff-at-the-movies?format=html

YouTube Highlights: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=WOODTV8&view=videos&query=laff+at+the+movies

 If you like Westerns, you’ll like this movie more than the average audience… and while its central theme of the friendship between the characters played by Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen will keep you interested, its lingering moments and lengthy shots may have you checking the time until this nearly two-hour long movie wraps up.

 “Appaloosa”

(2008) (rated: R for some violence and language) (1 hr, 54 min)

Starring: Ed Harris, Viggo Mortensen, Jeremy Irons, Renee Zellweger, Timothy V. Murphy, James Gammon, Timothy Spall, Tom Bower, Rex Linn, Lance Henriksen, Luce Rains, James Tarwater

Genre: Western/Drama

The Plot: Two friends hired to police a small town that is suffering under the rule of a rancher find their job complicated by the arrival of a young widow.

MY TAKE (spoiler free):

Please don’t get me wrong… I appreciate great landscapes and cinematography… they are a great device for putting the audience in the setting and reminding them they are still there… but where so many great movies use the device to perfection, it may be “Appaloosa”’s achilles heel.

Of course, I did go into this movie with the knowledge that the movie would have some lingering shots – since Ed Harris told us that when I talked to him  about “Appaloosa”, but I didn’t think all those long shots would add up so much!

While this movie fights to conform to the typical modern western (with the lengthy shots and limited action sequences), its is well made with great lines, some humor, really good cinematography, and good costumes and set design.

There’s more dialogue and focus on relationships (Ed and Viggo), than ”shoot ‘em up” action sequences – although I really didn’t mind that – it felt like we were following the characters along in a sort of “day in the life” of a lawman story.

Harris and Mortensen were perfect for these roles… the relationship they cultivate in this movie gives you the feeling these two guys have been enforcing the law for years together…. their relationship has a lot of depth and layers… but is woven well into the plot.

The villian glove fits Jeremy Irons (despite the british accent), … the supporting cast was solid… but Reneè didn’t fit this movie… the other women in the movie fit well, but I just wasn’t buying all of Reneè’s performance… it seemed forced or unnatural like she wasn’t comfortable with the character…. she wanted to be in the movie… but her acting just didn’t work here.

THE BOTTOM LINE: 

The version we see in the theaters could have been the Director’s cut that is re-released months after the movie is seen in theaters, but because of lingering shots, slow plot moments, and limited action… I give it 6.9 out of 10…. just short of recommending you to see it at the theater.    I wouldn’t be surprised to see an Academy Award nomination from this movie – although it may be more in the line of screenplay, costumes, set design, or cinematography.

So what did you think?  Please post a comment!

“Appaloosa” poster courtesy New Line Cinema

Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/aaronlafferty

  CLICK ON THIS TO WATCH

Ed Harris talks to Laff at the Movies about his roles as Producer/Director/Writer/Star of the movie “Appaloosa”, getting the cast of Viggo Mortensen, Renee Zelwegger, and Jeremy Irons to join the project, the risks/rewards of doing a Western, and the new tax incentives bringing movies to Michigan… that he hadn’t heard of… until our interview on October 1st.

(clips from ”Appaloosa” courtesy Warner Bros., clip from “A History of Violence” courtesy New Line Cinema)

enjoy

CHECK OUT my interview with Joe Pantoliano (”Risky Business”, “The Sopranos”, “The Matrix”, “Bad Boys”)

Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/aaronlafferty

 Robert Osborne talks Oscars with Laff at the Movies
TO WATCH - CLICK HERE, THEN CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO PLAY THE INTERVIEW (or watch it through woodtv’s YouTube page)

What a fun interview: Robert Osborne, Oscar Historian and host of Turner Classic Movies, gave me his picks for the 81st Annual Oscars, including what he thinks could be some upsets.   He also gave us some historical perspective on this year’s oscars, says that this year, movies that weren’t nominated weren’t really snubbed, just outperformed by other movies.   He also talks about getting a “well rounded education in film” by watching classic movies.

 Brendan Fraser talks about “Inkheart” and more

CLICK HERE TO WATCH Brendan Fraser interview (also linked on WOODTV YouTube page)

Actor Brendan Fraser talks about his new movie “Inkheart”, the unusual way he was recruited to the movie, how hard it is to make a movie, the prospects of making movies in Michigan and his appearance in this summer’s upcoming movie “G.I. Joe”.

He’s a down-to-earth interview and a guy who called me “dude” at least twice… and with his story about parachuting G.I. Joe figures, this has to be one of my favorite interviews so far.

 Joey Fatone talks about Golden Globes and more

CLICK HERE TO WATCH Joey Fatone talks about Golden Globes 

From NSYNC to “Dancing with the Stars” to “The Singing Bee”… Joey Fatone is back on the red carpet again with Lisa Rinna *before* The Golden Globe Awards on January 11th, 2009 on the TV Guide Network.

I talked to Joey via satellite about covering the red carpet, talking to celebrities, what movies he likes and what’s up with NBC’s ”The Signing Bee”?

 Jon Voight talks to Laff at the Movies about “Pride and Glory” and more

CLICK HERE TO WATCH Jon Voight interview 

Jon Voight talks to Laff at the Movies about his movie “Pride and Glory”… a role that happened very quickly for him… working with Edward Norton and Colin Farrell and other ‘younger’ actors… he also talked about playing George Washington in the Michael Moore spoof “An American Carol”, his upcoming projects (”Four Christmases” and a 3rd “National Treasure”), and the possibility of making movies in Michigan.

 Maggie Gyllenhaal talks to Laff at the Movies about “Dark Knight” and more

CLICK HERE TO WATCH Maggie Gyllenhaal interview 

Maggie Gyllenhaal talks to Laff at the Movies about hosting an eco-friendly Fashion Show called “Fashionably Natural”… how some movies try to be environmentally friendly… about her role in “The Dark Knight”… gives a surprising answer to the Academy Award buzz about Heath Ledger… talks briefly about the 2006 movie “Stranger than Fiction” with Will Ferrell, Dustin Hoffman, and Emma Thompson… two of her upcoming films (2009 releases)… and about making movies in Michigan.

 Ed Harris talks to Laff at the Movies about “Appaloosa”

CLICK HERE TO WATCH Ed Harris interview 

Ed Harris talks to Laff at the Movies about his roles as roducer/Director/Writer/Star of the movie “Appaloosa”, getting the cast of Viggo Mortensen, Renee Zelwegger, and Jeremy Irons to join the project, the risks/rewards of doing a Western, and the new tax incentives bringing movies to Michigan… that he hadn’t heard of… until our interview on October 1st, 2008.

 Joe Pantoliano talks to Laff at the Movies about 25th Anniversary of “Risky Business” and more

CLICK HERE TO WATCH Joe Pantoliano interview

Actor Joe Pantoliano talks to Laff at the Movies about the Special 25th Anniversary Edition DVD of “Risky Business” (with Tom Cruise and Rebecca DeMornay).   Joey Pants”, as he’s often called, also talked about a recent movie he filmed in Detroit “The Job” with Ron Pearlman… and about making movies in Michigan.

He talked about his battle with depression and the organization he started called ”No Kidding, Me Too”, go to the website: http://www.nkm2.org/.

We also talked about past projects: Ralph in “The Sopranos”, Teddy in “Memento”, Cypher in “The Matrix”, Captain Howard in “Bad Boys”, and “bound man” in “Unknown”.