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...
You have me at a disadvantage--where is your bio?
7 of them happy--its just an old joke. Its all good.
If that line is confusing, I should change it.
I said 7 because that's how many years we waited to have kids and for those 7 glorious years, I was my wife's little baby and loved every second of it. After the kids...I can't get any positive attention anymore!
Honestly speaking, having kids is a major pain.
Parenthood has its high points, obviously, and one kinda has to do it--I mean, it's expected of one. But, I often fantasize about a kid-free life...selfish pleasures...freedom...The grass is always greener on the other side I guess.
Maybe I should go see it now, considering I live five or six miles from the theater, eh?
What the deuce is it to me? You say that we go around the sun. If we went around the moon it would not make a pennyworth of difference to me or my work."
- Sherlock Holmes, "A Study in Scarlet"
;')
Yes, and remember My Big Fat Greek Wedding? Good films made for a couple million are out grossing some of those couple hundred million dollar dogs that Hollywood is producing. Face it, Hollywood, the supposed center of creativity, has gone stale.
Has Joe Mantegna in it as well!
A PRO NRA gun guy!
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