Killian & the Comeback Kids: Difference between revisions
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The film was released on September 18, 2020, making ''Killian & the Comeback Kids'' one of the first new films to play in American theaters during the pandemic, and one of the only independent films released exclusively to theaters. Due to its "platform release" structure, during its first few weeks it was sometimes the only fully theatrical film opening in a given city, marking the first time in history that this happened.<ref name="suntimes">{{Cite web|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/10/6/21500485/knew-him-as-a-teen-now-chicago-native-returns-as-lead-in-new-movie-killian-the-comeback-kids|title=Knew him as teen, now Chicago native returns as lead in new movie, 'Killian & the Comeback Kids'|first=Maudlyne|last=Ihejirika|date=October 6, 2020|website=Chicago Sun-Times|access-date=December 29, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wboc.com/story/42714938/indie-music-movie-killian-the-comeback-kids-becomes-one-of-the-only-fully-theatrical-platform-releases-in-major-cinemas|title=Indie Music Movie|website=www.wboc.com|access-date=December 29, 2020}}</ref> With ''Killian & the Comeback Kids'', Purdee became the youngest director of the year with a film in major US cinemas.<ref name="lvpnews">{{Cite web|url=https://www.lvpnews.com/20201010/at-the-movies-comeback-kids-charms/|title=At the Movies: 'Comeback Kids' charms | Lehigh Valley Press|first=Paul|last=Willistein|website=www.lvpnews.com|access-date=December 29, 2020}}</ref> |
The film was released on September 18, 2020, making ''Killian & the Comeback Kids'' one of the first new films to play in American theaters during the pandemic, and one of the only independent films released exclusively to theaters. Due to its "platform release" structure, during its first few weeks it was sometimes the only fully theatrical film opening in a given city, marking the first time in history that this happened.<ref name="suntimes">{{Cite web|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/10/6/21500485/knew-him-as-a-teen-now-chicago-native-returns-as-lead-in-new-movie-killian-the-comeback-kids|title=Knew him as teen, now Chicago native returns as lead in new movie, 'Killian & the Comeback Kids'|first=Maudlyne|last=Ihejirika|date=October 6, 2020|website=Chicago Sun-Times|access-date=December 29, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wboc.com/story/42714938/indie-music-movie-killian-the-comeback-kids-becomes-one-of-the-only-fully-theatrical-platform-releases-in-major-cinemas|title=Indie Music Movie|website=www.wboc.com|access-date=December 29, 2020}}</ref> With ''Killian & the Comeback Kids'', Purdee became the youngest director of the year with a film in major US cinemas.<ref name="lvpnews">{{Cite web|url=https://www.lvpnews.com/20201010/at-the-movies-comeback-kids-charms/|title=At the Movies: 'Comeback Kids' charms | Lehigh Valley Press|first=Paul|last=Willistein|website=www.lvpnews.com|access-date=December 29, 2020}}</ref> |
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According to an early 2021 interview with the director, the film is slated to open again exclusively in cinemas that remained closed for the entirety of 2020, including those in major cities, in September 2021 before becoming available digitally. <ref>http://www.mynewyorkeye.com/podcast/being-born-in-the-business-making-films-and-diversityinclusion-in-hollywood-chat-w-filmmaker-actor-taylor-purdee</ref> |
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==Reception== |
==Reception== |
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Revision as of 21:24, 23 June 2021
| Killian & the Comeback Kids | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Taylor A. Purdee |
| Written by | Taylor A. Purdee |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Ian Mosley-Duffy |
| Music by | The Cumberland Kids |
Production company | Karmic Release Ltd. |
| Distributed by | Hope Runs High |
Release date |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Killian & the Comeback Kids is a 2020 American folk-rock musical film written and directed by Taylor A. Purdee. The film stars Purdee, John Donchak, Nathan Purdee, and Kassie DePaiva along with an ensemble cast that features Maddi Jane and Lee Grant. Killian & the Comeback Kids follows a mixed-race musician who finds himself back in his struggling rural hometown after graduating from an expensive university.
Plot
Killian returns home after his college graduation before heading off on a modest musical tour with his bandmate Ben. When Ben abandons their plan in favor of a stable A & R job Killian finds himself stuck in the once prosperous Pennsylvania steel-town. When it's announced that the major music festival that comes to town every summer is finally open to local acts, Killian gathers a group of former childhood friends and acquaintances, all of whom have returned home after college degrees, in an attempt to win the gig.[1] Elements of the film are based on the real life withdrawal of Bethlehem Steel and creation of Musikfest in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.[2]
Production
In August 2017 it was announced that filming had begun in Easton, Pennsylvania. The cast is made up largely of actor-musicians including members of the hit broadway and off-broadway shows Once (musical), Blue Man Group, Kinky Boots, and Spring Awakening.[3] The film was shot entirely on location in the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania.[2] Both the film's original soundtrack and score were written by The Cumberland Kids, a folk-rock act fronted Purdee and Liam Higgins.[4]
In 2018 it was announced via the film's social media that Maddi Jane and Lee Grant would also appear in the film.[5][6][7][8][9]
Release
During the COVID-19 pandemic it was announced that Hope Runs High had acquired distribution rights for the film.[10]
The film was released on September 18, 2020, making Killian & the Comeback Kids one of the first new films to play in American theaters during the pandemic, and one of the only independent films released exclusively to theaters. Due to its "platform release" structure, during its first few weeks it was sometimes the only fully theatrical film opening in a given city, marking the first time in history that this happened.[11][12] With Killian & the Comeback Kids, Purdee became the youngest director of the year with a film in major US cinemas.[13]
According to an early 2021 interview with the director, the film is slated to open again exclusively in cinemas that remained closed for the entirety of 2020, including those in major cities, in September 2021 before becoming available digitally. [14]
Reception
The film has received a largely enthusiastic reaction from critics, being compared favorably to the films of Alan Parker, Greta Gerwig, and John Carney's Academy Award winning "modern musical" Once.[13] Film Threat praised Purdee's complex portrait of the title character.[15] NPR WDIY also praised Purdee's performance both onscreen and musically, as well as the film's script, direction, cinematography, and "uplifting, insightful, lovely" soundtrack, saying "There's more to praise. Lots more...Killlian & the Comeback Kids lingers long after you've left the movie theatre."[16]
In February 2021,Variety dubbed the film a potential dark horse candidate for the Academy Award for Best Original Song.[17] [18]Due to the COVID-19 crisis the film would only be eligible for most other major awards in 2022.
Harry Sherer hailed the film's inversion of traditional "band movie" tropes, calling it "a fresh and unique look at the contemporary identity crisis among young adults...[moving for any] human with the capacity to feel."[19] The Chicago Sun-Times called it a "cool film with beautiful music and cinematography"[11] while Icon Magazine noted the film's “magnificent locations…great music…[it's] a folk-rock journey.” [2][4] Other standouts noted are the music by Purdee and Liam Higgins, Ian Mosely-Duffy's "inventive" cinematography, and the performances of Shannon O’Boyle, who Paul Willistein felt "registers in a break-out role as Rose," John Donchack, Shane Andries, Maddi Jane, Nathan Purdee, and Kassie DePaiva.
References
- ^ "Film | Killian and the Comeback Kids". Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ^ a b c "Pennsylvania on the road". July 13, 2018. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ^ Miller, Rudy (August 30, 2017). "Find out how to get on screen in an independent movie". lehighvalleylive.com. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ^ a b "First Song Released from New Movie Killan and The Comeback Kids: "Where We Should Be Today" is Folksy, Melodic and Meaningful". Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ^ "New Movie About Life And Folk Rock, KILLIAN AND THE COMEBACK KIDS Features Stars From Daytime, Theater And NYC Musicians". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ^ "Soap Vets Star in New Film". February 15, 2018. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ^ Wilson, Lori (February 22, 2018). "Soap Alums in 'Black Panther', 'Lost in Space', Indie Movies and Plays". Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ^ "OLTL's Kassie DePaiva and Nathan Purdee play husband and wife in Killian and the Comeback Kids". soapcentral.com. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ^ "Scene And Heard". April 16, 2018. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ^ Gans, Andrew (August 3, 2020). "Killian & the Comeback Kids, With Taylor A. Purdee, Kassie DePaiva, Shannon O'Boyle, More, Eyes Summer Release". Playbill. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ^ a b Ihejirika, Maudlyne (October 6, 2020). "Knew him as teen, now Chicago native returns as lead in new movie, 'Killian & the Comeback Kids'". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ^ "Indie Music Movie". www.wboc.com. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ^ a b Willistein, Paul. "At the Movies: 'Comeback Kids' charms | Lehigh Valley Press". www.lvpnews.com. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ^ http://www.mynewyorkeye.com/podcast/being-born-in-the-business-making-films-and-diversityinclusion-in-hollywood-chat-w-filmmaker-actor-taylor-purdee
- ^ "Killian & the Comeback Kids | Film Threat". October 5, 2020. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ^ Mazzaro, Kenneth. "Killian & the Comeback Kids | At the Movies". www.wdiy.org.
- ^ https://variety.com/2021/music/news/oscar-music-shortlist-soul-ma-raineys-black-bottom-1234897434/?fbclid=IwAR1mJm32T1603ryNCkp9DrocSGTgeGu2WPOlloMUVPujuyYmUqo_4QdohGQ
- ^ https://dittytv.com/5-questions-with-taylor-purdee-world-premiere-video/
- ^ "Movie Review of Taylor A. Purdee's Killian & The Comeback Kids- This Indie-Rock, Summer-Feeling Movie Within a Relevant Storyline is Coming to A Theater Near You - Yes During This Pandemic". Retrieved December 29, 2020.