Movies 'Til Dawn Blog

CITY ISLAND: MEET MICHAEL MALAKOV

Here is the great Alan Arkin (represented both in the flesh and in portraiture prominently displayed behind him) in the role of acting teacher Michael Malakov, whose class Vince Rizzo (Andy Garcia) attends. In talking with Alan before filming his scenes, I suggested that Malakov might not be a complete

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CITY ISLAND: THOUGHTS ON THE CODE (AND MAKE OUT SCENES)

Yes, dear readers, I’ve heard you loud and clear. The make out session is on its way. But first… I thought, while I had your attention, I’d attempt to interest a few of the newer readers of this modest blog who joined us once production commenced on “City Island” to

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CITY ISLAND: MOVIE CRAZY

Sorry for the unexpected hiatus–I returned home to LA after sixteen weeks in New York this past weekend and found myself far more exhausted than I expected to be. The past four months of filmmaking have been essentially riding a wild bull–starting with our prep period in late May/early June,

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CITY ISLAND: THE DENISE THING

Forgive the shameless self-promotion (to say nothing of the unattractive need to point out positive things about myself), but click here to read an excellent review of my last film, a documentary soon to be released on DVD called “Tis Autumn; The Search For Jackie Paris”. The film is rolling out theatrically

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CITY ISLAND: THIS IS MY WEEKEND?

Welcome to City Island. Above is a view of this magical and strange place where I am currently living, working and blogging. We wrapped our first week of shooting Friday night at eleven PM. I took off for the city in the morning and somehow a day and a half

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CITY ISLAND: ON TWO WHEELS

Today I met the liquor store owners. They were relaxing, in the shady (as in dark, not dodgy) store eating mangoes. They gave me gifts and advice; below is the ‘Official’ postcard for City Island from JGL Wines & Liquors. Go there, they are lovely and sell intoxicating substances. Bonus!

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THE FABULOSITY OF J. MARGULIES

This past Wednesday, I became the luckiest filmmaker in New York when the fabulous Julianna Margulies leapt aboard the runaway train known as “City Island” and agreed to play Andy Garcia’s wife, Joyce Rizzo. How the hell can a movie be one week away from shooting and still not have such an

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CITY ISLAND: THE ALAN ARKIN OF IT ALL

The great actor, writer, director, comedian, folk-singer and children’s book writer Alan Arkin is–I’m proud to say–a member of the “City Island” cast, playing a slightly worn out acting teacher named Michael Malakov. Though he appears in only a handful of scenes, Malakov is an important character as he is

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CITY ISLAND: PRODUCTION DAY 1 OF 28

One of my directing mentors, Edward Dmytryk (“Caine Mutiny”, “Murder My Sweet”) once told me that he always picked simple things to do on the first day of a movie since he it always took him a day to brush the cobwebs out of his eyes, get his footing and

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