CA$H REVIEW: BREAKING HOLLYWOOD RULES

From The Florida Times-Union Jacksonville.com
Submitted by: Sharon Y. Cobb

CASH REVIEW: BREAKING HOLLYWOOD RULES

Writer/director Stephen Milburn Anderson wrote this script in the Nineties and sat on it until he could make the movie his way. Not giving in to the hellish Hollywood development machine, Anderson and his producers bring us a “genre” film gone rogue.


Read the rest of the review here

Character, CASH, Comedy...and Bean

By Myriam Lechuga

In a thriller about a nice couple being held hostage by an unpredictable criminal the last thing one may expect to find is comedy. But comedy is what we do find in CASH.

Though there are scenes that are written and acted to be humorous, a great deal of the comedy is character driven. The funniest character of them all is Pyke as played by Sean Bean. The laughter comes from either Pyke’s reaction to the other characters or the other characters’ reaction to Pyke’s very precise, but slightly skewed, world view. After all, would your average criminal demand a “have a nice day” from someone they’ve almost beaten to a pulp? However, when we laugh at that scene, we are also a bit horrified at ourselves for doing so. This is very clever of writer/director Stephen Milburn Anderson to have the audience feel complicit in this dangerous game.

Some of the funniest scenes are between Pyke and the various everyday people he encounters on his way to finding and recovering the money he feels belongs to him and his brother. Of course the British accent, and the” ever so polite” way he introduces himself in people’s lives keeps us, as well as the actors on screen, slightly off balance. Kudos go to Mike Starr, Antony Thekkek, Glenn Plummer, Michael Mantell , and Josh Blue, for memorable scenes with Sean Bean as Pyke . Next time I need to get a loan from my neighborhood bank I’m taking Pyke with me!

Anderson takes a risk by making some of the humor politically incorrect. It works in this case because Pyke is clearly a “stranger in a strange land”, sartorially and in every other way. It works also because Sean Bean always makes his villains human and even charming. You know when you’re watching the film you should fear and hate Pyke, yet our sympathies are surprisingly swayed towards him, and against our hostage couple, all through the film. That is how an actor weaves his magic.

I am sure Sean Bean had a great deal of fun playing Pyke and his twin brother Reece. He creates a full human being (or two) on screen from his quirks and mannerisms, to his impeccable suits and ties, to his determined, yet mocking delivery of the dialog. The movie revolves around him, and even the hostage couple, Sam (Chris Hemsworth) and Leslie(Victoria Profeta) Phelan, are reacting to Pyke /Sean for most of the film rather than driving the movie action forward. More surprising then is the moment when performances and actions take an unexpected turn.

CASH’s hidden treasure is in its unexpected humor, clever characters, and memorable performances by supporting players and leading actors alike. Go and see CASH.

The film opens nationwide in the US on April 9.

CASH RED CARPET PREMIERE IN LAS VEGAS!!!

L to R, Antony Thekkek, Stephen Milburn Anderson, Victoria Profeta,
Mike Starr, Naveen Chathappuram, Greg Fawcett

by Traci Moore and Myriam Lechuga

The world premiere of CASH in Las Vegas on March 25th was a beautiful, star-filled night both inside and out the gorgeous Palms Casino Resort. We arrived and saw everyone setting up for the big event. Photographers were everywhere, a myriad of lights were set up and of course the staging area was set for the stars of the long awaited Sean Bean film, CASH!

Everyone jostled into place as the stars and the hard working people behind the scenes of CASH trooped in front of the press to take their place in the limelight to celebrate their achievement of bringing the independent film CASH to the cinematic screen at long last!

Unfortunately, Sean Bean could not be there for reasons of current commitments, he was in the midst of two films, The Lost Future and the prequel to Death Race 2000 in South Africa, and flying to the Ukraine for more filming, and could not break away from his schedule but sent his sincere regrets at not being able to be there for this very special film. Co-star Chris Hemsworth could not be there as well, as he was also on location in New Mexico filming Thor with director Kenneth Brannagh.

Stephen Milburn Anderson

First up was the director of CASH, Stephen Milburn Anderson. This iconoclastic director looked very dapper as he posed for the cameras, managing to look modest yet proud in bringing his creation to the cinema without the aid of a major studio. No mean feat for anyone in the entertainment industry in these days and times.

L to R, Stephen Milburn Anderson, Victoria Profeta,

Mike Starr, Naveen Chathappuram

A stunning Victoria Profeta stepped up to the carpet, looking gorgeous in a beautiful Temperley dress. Then came Mike Starr, a very gifted character actor that we all know from countless films including Goodfellas and who shares a memorable scene with Sean. He was affable and talkative, fielding questions and comments alike. Next, Greg Fawcett who plays the news anchor in CASH showed a charm and zaniness in front of cameras, fans, and his entourage as he strutted his stuff on the red carpet as well. You could tell this group of people really love their work!

L to R, Prema Thekkek, Nithya Madhavan, Azeeza Desai,

Naveen Chathappuram, Zeenat Desai, Chelses Venkadathu.

Then the hard working crew from behind the scenes made their appearance. The film’s producer Naveen Chathappuram arrived with his beautiful wife, Priya, followed by the film’s Executive producer, Prema Thekkek and husband and actor, Antony Thekkek, who also plays a part in CASH. We were then greeted by the marketing team of CASH: the Director of Marketing, Azeeza Desai, Director of Media, Zeenat Desai, Digital Arts Coordinator Nithya Madhavan, and Documentary Editor and Creative Director, Chelses Venkadathu.

L, Priya Chathappuram, R, Naveen Chathappuram

L to R, Azeeza Desai, Naveen Chathappuram, Zeenat Desai

Now it was time to take our seats in the theater to finally, FINALLY see the long awaited screening of Sean Bean’s latest film CASH! But first…a few words from its glorious sponsors. Stephen spoke and emphasized to the audience that CASH was a truly independent film. He explained that though many independent films may get made and some may be good and some may be bad getting this film actually made and into the cinema at last was the true measure of success for any film and he was greeted with a great round of applause. Naveen then came up and made a very humble and sincere speech about how it took more than seven years to get to the point we were all at this evening, showing this film a movie theater screen. He thanked everyone and said he couldn’t have done it without the help of all those involved.

Executive producer Prema Thekken came up and talked about what a great experience it had been to work on her first American film and how wonderful the entire team had been. She was followed by her husband and fellow producer and actor Antony Thekken. Antony explained that he was a very well known actor in India and when he read the script an performed his part in the film he thought he had a serious dramatic role. Imagine his surprise when he saw the film and realized that under Stephen’s expert direction he had one of the most comedic roles in CASH. The audience broke out in laughter along with Antony.

We were all getting restless to find out about CASH for ourselves! Then the lights went down, the film started and the long awaited credits for CASH began to roll…

Coming Up Next — Our Review!!!

L to R, Traci Moore (Cash the Film Fan Blog) Serna, Melise Leech (Sean Bean Online)
Myriam Lechuga (Cash the Film Fan Blog) Sable Crow (Sean Bean Online)


DON'T FORGET -- CASH OPENS
NATIONWIDE
APRIL 9TH!!!!

CASH is the Must See Film of 2010

We are thrilled about all the fantastic press coverage for CASH since the announcement of the film’s March 26 US theatrical release date. All agree CASH is the must see Indie Film of 2010.

The press buzz started in the summer of 2009 when Variety tweeted the CASH producers about the film's success at Cannes:

www.variety.com

The buzz in the press has only gotten bigger after the recent announcement that Los Angeles distributor Roadside Attractions will open the film theatrically on March 26th. Below is just a sampling of the CASH coverage:

Screen Rant says:

After having a good showing and building up a decent amount of steam at last year’s American Film Market, the film Cash has been floating around, working on a distribution deal. The news now is that Three Good Men, the studio behind Cash, has struck a deal with Roadside Attractions for a theatrical release on March 26th, 2010 and Lionsgate will handle the DVD release. That’s good news for fans of both Bean and Hemsworth.

www.screenrant.com

The Hollywood Reporter says:

The Chicago-set action thriller features Hemsworth and Profeta as a couple who find a suitcase full of cash that brings with it a sinister character played by Bean.

www.hollywoodreporter.com


ScreenDaily says:

Roadside Attractions has acquired all US rights to the crime thriller Ca$h starring Sean Bean and newcomer Chris Hemsworth.
Roadside will release the film theatrically on March 26 and Lionsgate will handle DVD and other US ancillary markets through the partners’ output deal.

wwww.screendaily.com

Moviehole- Hemsworth Flick Bowing March 26:

Chris Hemsworth had been in the U.S. only a few weeks when he auditioned for CA$H. We saw immediate potential in him, and CA$H became his first film, added Anderson.

www.moviehole.net


Cinematical says:

Stephen Milburn Anderson's thriller CA$H, stars Chris Hemsworth (the upcoming Thor) and Victoria Profeta as a struggling couple. They find a suitcase full of money, which brings "strange and sinister" Sean Bean to their door.

www.cinematical.com

Congratulations to CASH for all the great press coverage. We can't wait for the film to open on March 26.

Exciting Times Ahead!

Note: It's CASH--not CA$H

Stephen Milburn Anderson’s CASH (CA$H), starring Sean Bean and Chris Hemsworth, will release this Spring; announcement is placed on www.thefilmcash.com amidst concerns that fans will confuse Anderson’s CASH for a low budget film of the same name.

CASH (CA$H), starring Sean Bean (Lord of the Rings, Percy Jackson & the Olympians) and Chris Hemsworth (Star Trek, Thor), will release Spring of 2010, states the official website for the film (www.thefilmcash.com).

The clarification comes at a time when a low budget film of the same name, starring a cast of unknowns, has appeared online.

“We wish the other film good luck, and want to reassure Sean Bean and Chris Hemsworth fans that CASH, directed by Stephen Milburn Anderson, will release this Spring. You can expect an official announcement by early February,” said producer Naveen Chathappuram.

The film bearing the same name was previously titled “Bullets, Blood & a Fistful of Ca$h.”

One Sean Bean fan page suggests that the sudden name change may have occurred to “piggyback” off of marketing efforts and pre-release buzz on Anderson’s CASH; the film has already established a firm fan base through an innovative marketing strategy.

“There’s been a lot of anticipation building up for CASH,” said blogger Carol at The Mighty Bean. “CASH will bring two hot and current actors, Sean Bean and Chris Hemsworth, together on one screen. The excitement has been building up for some time now.”

The film had a successful run at Cannes due to its marketing campaign, which will expand nationally once the release date and distributor is announced.

CASH is a quirky psychological thriller that explores the power money wields over humans. In CASH, the bad economy has taken a toll on Sam (Chris Hemsworth) and Leslie's (Victoria Profeta) marriage and finances. When the couple finds a suitcase full of cash, they think their luck will take a turn for the better... Until the strange and sinister criminal Pyke Kubic (Sean Bean) arrives at their doorstep, looking to collect what he believes is rightfully his. As Pyke leads Sam and Leslie on a tumultuous adventure through the streets of Chicago, each are pulled into a desperate spiral of deception and violence, all in the name of cash. Joining Anderson and Chathappuram is executive producer Prema Thekkek.

CASH is made by Three Good Men, in association with Immortal Thoughts, Golden Wings Cinema and Tomahawk Films. Media 8 Entertainment, which produced and distributed the Academy Award winning Monster, acts as the World Sales Agent for the film.

Just How Far is Too Far?

In Stephen Milburn Anderson’s film CASH! he explores the theme of how far will a person allow themselves to be pushed. How far will someone go before they stop themselves under the guise of an authority figure. Do they stop themselves? Can they? When Pyke Kubik comes into the Phelans lives, we see Sam and Leslie perform acts they normally wouldn’t. How to explain this all too common response? Is this the dark side, the bad side that is inherent in all human beings? Seeing evil in another person is one thing but what happens when you see it in yourself...and do its bidding?

Stephen Milburn Anderson talks about using this theme in CASH:



Ordinary people, simply doing their jobs, and without any particular hostility on their part, can become agents in a terrible destructive process. Moreover, even when the destructive effects of their work become patently clear, and they are asked to carry out actions incompatible with fundamental standards of morality, relatively few people have the resources needed to resist authority.
Milgram, Stanley. (1974), "The Perils of Obedience". Harper's Magazine. Abridged and adapted from Obedience to Authority.

To learn more about Stanley Milgram’s Experiment and its impact check out these two links:


http://vodpod.com/watch/1434401-the-milgram-experiment

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/12/19/milgram.experiment.obedience/#cnnSTCVideo

Why Are Women Attracted to Bad Boys?

by Myriam Lechuga and Traci Moore

Ah yes. Why are women attracted to bad boys? In this special Ca$h! trailer we'll see Director Stephen Milburn Anderson discuss the main themes of Ca$h and the age old conundrum of women who are attracted to bad boys will be examined in his exciting new film.

Since this all neatly ties into the Ca$h! film starring our favorite villain/bad boy Sean Bean we want to know what is it that attracts a woman to someone so bad? In films, television and even real life, women seem to love bad boys. What makes a bad boy so darn attractive? Irresistible? Hot? Is it the risk, the danger, the rebellion? Are nice guys just boring? Too predictable? Unexciting? Just too…nice?

Check out the following clips featuring Sean Bean and Chris Hemsworth. Which character would you want to end up with after all was said and done?

SEAN BEAN

CHRIS HEMSWORTH

And guys—we want to hear from you as well. Do you see yourself as a good guy or a bad guy? What do you think of women being attracted to bad boys? Does it make you want to act up? Or do nice guys finish last and usually end up getting the girl?

Comments

It's the reason why most women like to wear men's shirts, even though the sleeves hang down over their fingertips. The same reason they get all gooey when their fella wraps them in his jacket at the first hint of a chill breeze. We don't NEED to be protected, but we LIKE it. We like men because they're not women - and we equate that 'bad' behaviour with their physical, mental, and emotional ability to take care of us in a pinch.

Lighty

Apart from that it happens in RL to nice, everyday women that run off with that guy fixing their car, that one who has too many tattoos. I think it's a combination of physical attraction, hormones, the urge to do something dangerous, something thrilling and maybe most of all fun.
Govi

I guess this topic is much more complex, and I guess the exact answer on "why bad boys" doesn't exist. For some ladies it is a question of thrills, and for some it's about power. But for some unfortunate ones, it is about fear, and powerlessness. I'm not sure that came out right....If a women is strong enough to handle "bad boys" that can be exciting and so, but if a women is not strong enough and lives a life of submission and fear, and so on....So many wonder why those women don't leave, and I actually don't know why. Love, security, right and wrong treatment.

Lady Blue

I dated a bad boy along time ago and he shook me from my hum drum life and gave me new purpose. He showed me that life isn't boring! Without it I would never have ventured off to another country to work and would never have met my husband!

Donnadoobie

I don't go for the nice, predictable men who put out the garbage and help around the house. They are simply not interesting enough. I myself am quite boring so I need someone else to bring some excitement in my life and frankly, I'd rather have a bad boy who makes a lot of money so I can hire someone to do the housework.

Blue Jay

I believe its due to the basic human instinct to survive and reproduce. A bad boy will fight, takes risks, not be afraid to stamp out the competition. Think of rutting deers. The alpha stag has proved himself in the rutt and attracts the most does because they see his DNA as a better prospect for the survival of the young.

Southernbelle

I'll think more about why we like the bad boys, the truth is that they are more attractive, and I’m not referring to the physical, than the good boys, I think we all have a touch of wickedness in us, (and that’s what attracts us. )

Galamb

I really don't believe Sean is a bad boy...I believe as an actor he has so much more to offer. I loved him in LOTR, in that part he showed real, deep and honest emotions of human internal struggles. I think he's much more appealing when playing characters who are fighting for something, someone, or against an injustice.

Beachrose

Women like things that are enigmatic or puzzling and a lot of the time I think they're trying to save people. Not to make the bad boy good but to understand him and master it or something, like a challenge.

Anonymous

Because bad boys have an aura of masculinity, independence and confidence, these are traits that are very attractive to women . Because women want to "save" and "rehabilitate" the bad boy.

Catgirl

So perhaps the ideal is a reformed bad boy, someone who is interesting and exciting, a manly man who will 'fight' for us, who is independent of the crowd and does his own thing on his own terms, but who does also have integrity and a caring and sensitive side, and who wears a green uniform - oops, am I getting too specific??!!

Lotte

It's worth the risk to give up the safety of the good guy ....better to have tried. Deep down we're not the the type that matches the bad boy... we try to make ourselves feel interesting by wanting the bad boy.. .usually the more popular one but it' s not for us.

Dougal_al

Click on Comments below and let us know your thoughts!

Thank you to The Mighty Bean and Sean Bean Online for their contributions and cooperation.

Hot of the Press ! Ca$h! News from the Evanston Review

Northfield producer shows Chicago's potential in 'Ca$h'

May 21, 2009

By J.T. MORAND jtmorand@pioneerlocal.com

Movie producer Naveen Chathappuram wants to solidify Chicago as a movie-making locale.

At the same time, "Ca$h," Chathappuram's first major motion picture shot in Chicago intended for wide distribution, is putting the producer's company, Immortal Thoughts Productions, on the map.

Chathappuram, who was raised in Downers Grove and attended Columbia College, always thought Chicago, with all its dichotomies, was overlooked by Hollywood. He opened the Immortal Thoughts office in Northfield and set his sights on producing movies in the Windy City.

"My aim was to shoot in Chicago. It just went with my vision," he said. "To me, L.A. has gotten old, it's gotten boring to me."

"Ca$h" addresses the old dilemma of greed vs. morality, but it's not stale. The issue is being scrutinized today more than ever.

In this psychological thriller, some good fortune lands in the lap of a Chicago couple down on their luck, Sam and Leslie Phelan, played by Chris Hemsworth and Victoria Profeta. But, when the sinister Pyke Kubic, played by Sean Bean, shows up, the couple's fortune could be more trouble than it's worth. The couple is dragged by Kubic through one hair-raising situation after another on the streets of Chicago.



Immortal Thoughts has produced a couple films called "Beyond the Sun," a low budget effort in 2001, and "Nothing But Life," featuring some Bollywood stars and released in India in 2005. "Ca$h" was written and directed by Stephen Milburn Anderson, who also directed "South Central," "Hearts of Stone," and "Dead Men Can't Dance" among other films.

Anderson wrote the script, originally called, "The Root of All Evil," in 1993, because he was fascinated by the influence of money at that time. Fast forward 16 years, when swindlers like Bernie Madoff, sub prime mortgages and exorbitant bonuses for executives of failing companies dominate the news. Money still seems to be the root of all evil.

"It's come to be incredibly apropos," Anderson said of the story.

"I can't believe how relevant it is to these times," Chathappuram added.

Chathappuram said if a script doesn't grab him in the first five pages, he sets it down.

But, "Ca$h" was different.

"I read the whole script," he said. "It was very captivating."

Anderson originally set the film in Los Angeles, but changed his mind after visiting Chicago at the request of Chathappuram, who said Chicago was the better city in which to shoot. He agreed that Chicago, a city he'd never been to before, was better suited to "Ca$h."

He said the Phelans are more Chicagoan than they are Angelino -- they're rooted, hard-working and down to earth.

"In L.A., people are there for a job," he said. "But in Chicago, people are there because they like to live there."

Anderson, who lives in New Mexico, said another of his scripts, which is about to start shooting, is also set in the Windy City.

"I fell in love with Chicago," he said.

Producer and director are confident "Ca$h" will get picked up because it addresses many of today's financial concerns such as foreclosure, debt, unemployment and desperation in an action-packed way. They're anticipating a fall release in wide distribution.

Media 8 Entertainment, which produced and distributed the Academy Award-winning "Monster," is serving as the sales agent for "Ca$h," which was shown at the March du Film at the Cannes Film Festival last week with hopes of finding a distributor for the film.

Plus, the rising star power of Hemsworth, who appears at the beginning of the new "Star Trek" blockbuster as James T. Kirk's father and the always threatening Bean, whose works include "Lord of the Rings," "National Treasure" and "The Hitcher," are strong selling points.

"That," Chathappuram said, "is going to add to the glow of our film."

For source of article and more photos of CASH! click on link below:

http://www.pioneerlocal.com/evanston/entertainment/1576706,entertainment-north-cash-052109-s1.article


2009 Digital Chicago, Inc.

Photos: CASH! The Film Fan Blog thanks CASH!