Posts tagged Billy Bob Thornton
Review: Eagle Eye (2008)

Note: This article was originally published in Technician on September 29, 2008.

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Eagle Eye preposterous, yet fun

It's that time of the year again. With the glow of summer blockbusters fading away, and fall Oscar contenders yet to be released, movie-goers are stuck with a batch of movies that didn't quite make the cut into either category. Amongst the teen sex comedies and indie dramas though, "Eagle Eye" aims to attract action fans with a fast-paced story and a who-dun-it mystery. Is it good? Not really, but you'll probably be having too much fun to care.

The plot follows Jerry Shaw (Shia Labeouf), a broke copy store employee who returns home one evening to find his apartment filled with explosives and forged documents. To avoid being caught by the FBI, he's forced to obey the instructions of a mysterious woman who has the ability to manipulate technology to track his every move. Along the way he's joined by a young woman (Michelle Monaghan), who is coerced into helping him after her son's life is threatened. Rosario Dawson and Billy Bob Thornton play government agents trying to avert what may or may not be a terrorist plot. Cue bullets, explosions and political intrigue.

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ReviewsAndrew JohnsonBilly Bob Thornton, D.J. Caruso, Eagle Eye, Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson, Shia LabeoufComment
Feature: The Polish Brothers and Billy Bob Thornton

Note: This article was originally published in Technician on February 22, 2007.

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Actors, Directors factor their kids into filmmaking

Apparently anyone can go into space these days.

Just ask twin filmmakers Mark and Michael Polish. Mark cowrote the new family film The Astronaut Farmer with his brother, who also directed. The movie follows a farmer who builds a rocket in his barn with the intention of going into space, and how this impacts his family and even the entire nation. It's an idea that's been a few years in the making.

"The initial idea came in around 2002. We pulled it out in 2005. The total writing took around 6 months," Mark said. "We did extensive research. It's called Google."

Famed actor and director Billy Bob Thornton stars as the protagonist.

"I loved the script. After doing a few comedies in a row I really wanted to do this. It was a great experience," Thornton said.

Bruce Willis and Bruce Dern also appear in the film, both of whom are friends of Thornton. It's a detail, according to the actor, that made the acting process much more enjoyable.

"When you're working with friends, it's like a vacation together because we don't get to see each other a lot. The whole cast was terrific to work with," Thornton said.

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FeaturesAndrew JohnsonBilly Bob Thornton, Mark Polish, Michael Polish, Northfolk, Polish Brothers, The Astronaut FarmerComment
Feature: Billy Bob Thornton and Jon Heder talk School For Scoundrels

Note: This article was originally published in Technician on September 28, 2006.

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A tale of two 'Scoundrels'

It's hard to imagine two actors that contrast as much as Billy Bob Thornton and Jon Heder. One is an Oscar-award winner known for his dramatic roles. The other is a newcomer to Hollywood who burst onto the scene in a screwball comedy. However, the actors are teaming up in School For Scoundrels, the latest comedy directed by Todd Phillips (Road Trip, Old School). Yet though their acting styles are tremendously different, both found the concept of the film appealing and intriguing.

"School For Scoundrels was a well-written script and I like Todd Phillips," Thornton said. "It's funny because I've always wanted to play a teacher in a movie, like maybe a college professor or something like that. But, in more of a drama and something really depicting school life the way it really is, and it's just kind of odd that I ended up playing up a teacher like this."

Heder said he was looking to get out of Napoleon's shadows by playing a character that has a conflict.

"You know the nerds and the dorks out there have a lot of conflict. So, I guess I'm attracted to those characters more," Heder said.

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FeaturesAndrew JohnsonBilly Bob Thornton, Jon Heder, School For Scoundrels, Todd PhillipsComment