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Pro-Family Film Shunned by Hollywood Now a Great Success (55 weeks running!)
Life Site ^ | January 4, 2004

Posted on 01/06/2005 6:11:28 AM PST by NYer

GRAND RAPIDS, January 5, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A film rejected by Hollywood distributors has set a record for the longest test screening in history -- 55 weeks -- set at the Michigan theatre where it has been playing since December 2003. The pro-family, feel-good comedy, Uncle Nino, out-endured every other film released in the US in 2004, including The Passion of the Christ.

Made for only US $2.9 million and shot in 25 days, Uncle Nino is the story of "an eccentric Italian relative whose visit helps heal a fractured American family," according to a telegraph.co.uk report.

The test-screening was expected to last two weeks, but because of the massive popularity at the Grand Rapids cinema where it debuted, Uncle Nino continues to be shown.

Hollywood distributors all initially rejected the movie. The Grand Rapids theatre that screened the movie did so only after being persuaded by a friend of the film's creator. The producers have finally landed a distribution contract and Uncle Nino will be released in the U.S. in February, and Internationally later in 2005.

The film is the work of Chicago director Robert Shallcross, writer of the 1994 movie Little Giants, who has spent the intervening years directing television commercials.

"I wanted to tell a story about an American family that was missing out on some of the simple, important pleasures in life," he said. He said the hectic pace of advertising that left him little time to spend with his four children was the inspiration for writing the movie.

Actor Pierrino Mascarino, who plays the Italian uncle, has traveled on several occasions to the Grand Rapids cinema, "appearing at screenings unannounced and in character and hugging audience members as they leave."

Read Telegraph coverage: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;session...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Philosophy; US: Michigan
KEYWORDS: boxoffice; filmindustry; hollywood; moviereview; potc; unclenino
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To: NYer

Sounds good. I look forward to seeing the film.


41 posted on 01/06/2005 9:51:20 AM PST by mowkeka
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To: hemi dawg
A collection of colorful expletive deletives REALLY LOUD

When you never use them in standard conversation and then blurt one out when you are really, really angry, anyone who knows you pauses as if you've just fired off a gun. "REALLY LOUD" just doesn't compare.

42 posted on 01/06/2005 9:54:47 AM PST by Question_Assumptions
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To: Tanniker Smith
I have to get out more.

Go see The Incredibles. It should be at or near the top of your list.

43 posted on 01/06/2005 9:56:06 AM PST by Question_Assumptions
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To: Rutles4Ever

How could you compare the two performances. That's what's so stupid about awards. Both did great jobs with the material they had. I for one, thought Spanglish was a wonderful movie with a great message.


44 posted on 01/06/2005 9:59:43 AM PST by Hildy ( To work is to dance, to live is to worship, to breathe is to love.)
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To: Question_Assumptions
Seems like a good backhanded slap at both the playboy lifestyle and anti-family feminism to me.

Excellent call. I never thought of that. It might also be a backhanded slap at the idealism of youth that always thinks it knows more than its elders.

Shalom.

45 posted on 01/06/2005 9:59:48 AM PST by ArGee (After 517, the abolition of man is complete)
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To: NYer

Thanks. I'll have to check it out.


46 posted on 01/06/2005 10:00:35 AM PST by WolfRunnerWoman (I want closure on the word "closure".)
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To: 26lemoncharlie

I'm always suspect of people who are proud they don't go to movies. I once dated a guy who told me that his hero was a Professor of his who was so "enlightened," so "brilliant" that he didn't even know, when it came up in a conversation, who Mickey Mouse was. I broke up with this guy. Popular culture is important to gauge the growth and (sometimes) decline of a Society. Not too mention it's just fun sometimes. If you do your homework, you can find movies that are good. But to say that you're somehow better for not going to any is, in my opinion, ignorant.


47 posted on 01/06/2005 10:03:00 AM PST by Hildy ( To work is to dance, to live is to worship, to breathe is to love.)
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Did anyone else see the documentary "America's Heart and Soul"? Just a little documentary telling the stories of everyday Americans doing extraordinary things... Cinematography was absolutely phenomenal.

It was a limited release in September... I guess it was just too patriotic for the MSM to mention it.

Raven6

48 posted on 01/06/2005 10:05:06 AM PST by Raven6
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To: sartorius

yes, thank you, good advice. I'll watch it first with the audio tuned to the director/actor commentary--if that is available on the dvd.


49 posted on 01/06/2005 10:30:07 AM PST by hemi dawg
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To: Hildy

When one steps out of the mainstream, one is often rewarded with a fresh perspective on life.
(compare FR to MSM)
In USA society, maybe everywhere, there is an obsession with what is on TV or at the movies.
The feeling is--what ELSE are you going to do with your time?
When you step out of that stream, you see that it is all just another time-wasting vanity. There is no creative production on the viewer's part--merely a fun ride on the emotional roller-coaster. And "thinking" movies are a poor substitute for reading the book.
And there is no real social experience--other than being able to talk about the movie later with friends.
Many people use movies to AVOID talking to others.
It is a very sad date in my opinion.
Isn't it amazing, when friends or relatives visit, and we should have so much to say, and instead we sit mutely being entertained?
Or worse, INFLUENCED, by pathetic Hollywood values?

So, yes, there is a certain superiority to using one's time more productively or efficiently or SOCIALLY.
Of course, one might just get oneself into trouble--Better to remain passive!


50 posted on 01/06/2005 10:50:25 AM PST by hemi dawg
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Comment #51 Removed by Moderator

To: Tanniker Smith

what about Team America.
I heard that it is absolutely outrageous but also conservative in theme.


52 posted on 01/06/2005 10:53:09 AM PST by hemi dawg
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To: hemi dawg
Didn't get to see it. Hopefully, I'll get to rent it.
My wife likes the "South Park" guys (at least when they're doing South Park) and she's surprised that I like it and don't get as offended as she thinks I should be.

Let's just say that I could read between the lines (so to speak) and knew that these guys weren't liberals long before they mentioned it to anyone. They aint exactly conservatives, but, well, their Barbra Streisand episode speaks wonders.

And, I think my wife would hate Team America. She's moved toward the Dark Side in recent years (as the tagline suggests).

TS

53 posted on 01/06/2005 11:58:57 AM PST by Tanniker Smith (I didn't know she was a liberal when I married her.)
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To: hemi dawg

Sorry, I'd respond, but I'm off to see the movie SIDEWAYS! Heard it was great.


54 posted on 01/06/2005 12:16:50 PM PST by Hildy ( To work is to dance, to live is to worship, to breathe is to love.)
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To: Hildy

Enjoy! We'll be continuing multiple thought-provoking discussions until you return. And then we'll stop and listen to your movie review. ;-)


55 posted on 01/06/2005 12:23:09 PM PST by hemi dawg
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To: Raven6

I saw America's Heart and Soul....not too many people did...you had to pay attention to catch it...was gone in 27 days.

Domestic: $314,402

DOMESTIC SUMMARY
Opening Weekend: $134,939
(98 theaters, $1,376 average)
% of Total Gross: 42.9%

Widest Release: 98 theaters

Close Date: July 29, 2004


56 posted on 01/06/2005 12:36:27 PM PST by BurbankKarl
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To: ArGee
Excellent call. I never thought of that. It might also be a backhanded slap at the idealism of youth that always thinks it knows more than its elders.

Probably a bit of that, too. Those scenes are done as rough B&W interviews made to look really old and the characters are all clearly a bit too cocky. But my main point is that the film clearly refutes those comments rather than endorsing them, which is what I'd expect in a lesser film (e.g., the incomprehensibly stupid digression in Van Helsing where the friar goes out of his way to commit adultery with a town woman for no reason reason at all, other than to prove that he's above strict Cathoic morality I suppose).

57 posted on 01/06/2005 1:51:04 PM PST by Question_Assumptions
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To: mike182d

Though it does have some dicey themes for children 12 and under (like the villain's blonde girl seemingly going after Mr. Incredible).


58 posted on 01/06/2005 2:17:41 PM PST by undirish01 (Go Irish! If only we can get the theology dept. turned around.)
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To: sartorius

Hotel Rwanda is my pick for film of the year. If you haven't seen it, you should. Sort of an African Shindler's List.


59 posted on 01/06/2005 2:20:23 PM PST by Military family member (Go Colts!)
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To: hemi dawg
OK I'm back from viewing SIDEWAYS (and eating way too much popcorn I must say.) Hemi, you can stop reading now as I am about to give my review of SIDEWAYS.

a mild two thumbs up. Paul Giamatti turned in an incredible, Academy Award calibre performance. All in all the acting was very good. Surprised about Haden-Church..didn't know he had it in him. He's now going to have a career. Some very beautiful moments. I learned things about wine I didn't know, things I didn't really care to know, but all in all, a good film for adults.

60 posted on 01/06/2005 5:00:06 PM PST by Hildy ( To work is to dance, to live is to worship, to breathe is to love.)
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