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Motion Picture Corporation of America

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Motion Picture Association of America.
Motion Picture Corporation of America
IndustryEntertainment
Founded1986; 38 years ago (1986)
Founders
HeadquartersCentury City, Los Angeles, California, United States
Key people
Brad Krevoy
ProductsLow-budget films
Parent
Websitempcafilm.com

Motion Picture Corporation of America (MPCA) is an American film production company specializing in the production, acquisition and distribution of low-budget films.

History

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MPCA was founded in 1986 by longtime business partners, Brad Krevoy and Steve Stabler. During the company's formative years, they produced films such as; Purple People Eater (1988) with Ned Beatty; Back to Back (1989), starring Bill Paxton and Apollonia Kotero; and the sex comedy Miracle Beach (1992).

Dumb and Dumber

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Having been rejected by each major film studio, Bobby and Peter Farrelly pitched the script of Dumb and Dumber to MPCA, which released it in 1994.

Dumb and Dumber opened and remained at number 1 on the U.S. box office for 4 weeks.[1] The film went on to gross $127 million domestically and $120 million overseas for a worldwide total of $247 million, with just a $16 million budget.[2] The film was one of the highest grossing comedies of the '90s. Combined with its ancillary and video sales, the film is estimated to have grossed over half a billion dollars.[3]

The success of Dumb and Dumber helped get the Farrellys' passion project, Kingpin, off the ground. It was released in July 1996, starring Woody Harrelson, Randy Quaid, and Bill Murray. The movie was a commercial disappointment, grossing only $27 million against a $25 million budget over the course of its theatrical run, although it did receive critical praise.[4] Roger Ebert and gave it 3 and a half stars out 4, praising the film's daring comedy.[5] Kingpin became a cult film when released to home video.[6]

MPCA went on to produce more big-budget studio comedies, including Beverly Hills Ninja starring Chris Farley and Jungle 2 Jungle with Tim Allen. It also produced the autobiographical comedy Threesome, written and directed by Andrew Fleming, and starring Lara Flynn Boyle, and Stephen Baldwin. The film grossed just under $15 million domestically.[7] Roger Ebert gave the film three out of four stars, praising the film's honest characterization and strong dialogue.[8]

Acquisition by Orion

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Prior to its acquisition by Metromedia International Group, MPCA had a first-look producing deal with Paramount Pictures in November 1995. A first-look deal with Sony Pictures in the late 1990s resulted in more than 10 productions for the studio.

In 1996, MPCA was purchased by John Kluge's Metromedia International Group. Metromedia had just purchased the independent production company Orion Pictures out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy. When MPCA was merged into the company, Krevoy and Stabler took over as co-presidents of Orion Pictures and were given a six-picture deal.[9]

At Orion, Krevoy and Stabler oversaw the production, acquisition, and distribution of Orion's motion picture and television programming. They produced films for Academy Award-winner Tom Schulman (Dead Poets Society) and released films such as 1997's Academy Award and Golden Globe nominee for Best Foreign Language Film, Prisoner of the Mountains (directed by Sergei Bodrov); and the acclaimed Ulee's Gold (directed by Victor Nunez and presented by Jonathan Demme). Ulee's Gold was a critical hit and won Peter Fonda his first and only Golden Globe for Best Actor. Fonda also received his first and only Oscar nomination for Best Actor.

After two years of ownership, Metromedia sold Orion Pictures to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). Krevoy was able to take the MPCA name back as part of his original deal.[10]

Independent company

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In 1998, MPCA returned to being an independent company, producing films such as Joe and Max, Bookies, and Boat Trip, starring Cuba Gooding Jr., Horatio Sanz, Vivica A. Fox, and Roger Moore for Artisan Entertainment and Lionsgate.

In 2004 MPCA produced the drama A Love Song for Bobby Long, starring John Travolta and Scarlett Johansson. The film was well received by audiences and critics, with Roger Ebert awarding it 3 out of 4 stars.[11] The film also earned Scarlett Johansson a Golden Globe nomination.

MPCA produced the 2009 war drama Taking Chance, based on the true experiences of Lt. Colonel Michael Strobl, who wrote about his time in the widely circulated article "Taking Chance Home".[12] The film was directed by Ross Katz and starred Kevin Bacon and screened at the Sundance Film Festival before premiering on HBO. Mary McNamara of the Los Angeles Times wrote that the film "doesn't miss a single emotional pressure point – Katz clearly believes in the power and necessity of catharsis."[13] Taking Chance received a total of 27 award nominations, winning 6, including one for Kevin Bacon for Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television. The film was also nominated for a string of Primetime Emmy awards, as well as nominations in the SAG, PGA, DGA, ACE, ASC, and WGA awards. It also won the prestigious Humanitas Prize.

MPCA has produced a string of straight-to-DVD action movies, with four including Cuba Gooding, Jr. These included Linewatch (2008); Hardwired (2009), which also starred Val Kilmer; Ticking Clock (2011); and One in the Chamber (2012), which also featured 80's action star, Dolph Lundgren. It produced two movies with Samuel L. Jackson: Arena (2011) and Meeting Evil (2012), and with action star Jean-Claude Van Damme: Assassination Games (2011); and Six Bullets (2012).

In 2011, MPCA made Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 for Disney, a sequel to the 2008 comedy Beverly Hills Chihuahua. Most of the original cast returned, and the film did well in the home video market with sales of over $30 million.[14]

Since 2013, MPCA has produced made-for-television Christmas films for Netflix and the Hallmark Channel.

Awards and nominations

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Academy Awards

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Year Film Category Recipient(s) Result
1997 Prisoner of the Mountains Best Foreign Language Film Sergey Bodrov, Carolyn Cavallero, Boris Giller, and Eduard Krapivsky Nominated
1998 Ulee's Gold Best Actor in a Leading Role Peter Fonda Nominated

Golden Globes

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Year Film Category Recipient(s) Result
2000 Annie Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television Kathy Bates Nominated
2010 Taking Chance Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film Kevin Bacon Won
Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television Fred Berger, Lori Keith Douglas, Ross Katz, Brad Krevoy, Frank Schaeffer, William Teitler, and Cathy Wischner-Sola Nominated

Primetime Emmy Awards

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Year Film Category Recipient(s) Result
2009 Taking Chance Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Miniseries or a Movie Lee Percy and Brian A. Kates Won
Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special Ross Katz Nominated
Outstanding Main Title Design Michael Riley, Dan Meehan, and Bob Swensen Nominated
Outstanding Music Composition for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special Marcelo Zarvos Nominated
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie Kevin Bacon Nominated
Outstanding Television Movie Brad Krevoy, Cathy Wischner-Sola, Ross Katz, William Teitler, and Lori Keith Douglas Nominated
Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Miniseries or a Movie T.J. O'Mara and Rick Ash Nominated
Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special Michael Strobl and Ross Katz Nominated
Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or Movie Dan Leigh, James Donahue, Ron von Blomberg, and HBO Nominated
Outstanding Sound Editing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special Frank Gaeta, Rickley W. Dumm, David Grant, Tim Boggs, Johnny Caruso, Catherine Harper, Christopher Moriana, and HBO Nominated
Year Film Category Recipient(s) Result
2000 Annie Outstanding Choreography Rob Marshall Won
Outstanding Music Direction Paul Bogaev Won
Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special Stephen Hendrickson, Edward L. Rubin, and Archie D'Amico Nominated
Outstanding Casting for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special Marcia Turner, Rosalie Joseph, and Valorie Massalas Nominated
Outstanding Cinematography for a Miniseries or Movie Ralf D. Bode Nominated
Outstanding Costumes for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special Shay Cunliffe and Patricia McLaughlin Nominated
Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special Rob Marshall Nominated
Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Miniseries or a Movie Scott Vickrey Nominated
Outstanding Hairstyling for a Miniseries or a Movie Matthew Kasten, Mishell Chandler, and Natasha Ladek Nominated
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie Kathy Bates Nominated
Outstanding Television Movie Craig Zadan, Neil Meron, Chris Montan, Marykay Powell, and John Whitman Nominated
Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Miniseries or a Movie Edward L. Moskowitz, Terry O'Bright, and Keith Rogers Nominated

Filmography

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Films

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Television films

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  • Sketch Artist (1992)
  • Ring of the Musketeers (1992)
  • Love, Cheat & Steal (1993)
  • Sketch Artist II: Hands That See (1995)
  • Johnny & Clyde (1995)
  • Breakfast with Einstein (1998)
  • Route 9 (1998)
  • Absence of God (1999)
  • Annie (1999)
  • A Family in Crisis: The Elian Gonzales Story (2000)
  • Joe and Max (2002)
  • Borderline (2002)
  • Pavement (2002)
  • Bugs (2003)
  • Pumpkinhead: Ashes to Ashes (2006)
  • Pumpkinhead: Blood Feud (2007)
  • Taking Chance (2009)
  • Mothman (2010)
  • Witchville (2010)
  • William & Catherine: A Royal Romance (2011)
  • A Princess for Christmas (2011)
  • TalhotBlond (2012)
  • The Sweeter Side of Life (2012)
  • Heebie Jeebies (2012)
  • Flying Monkeys (2012)
  • When Calls the Heart (2012) (TV Movie)
  • The Christmas Spirit (2012)
  • A Royal Christmas (2014)
  • When Calls the Heart (2014–Present) (TV Series)
  • Murder, She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery (2015)
  • Murder, She Baked: A Plum Pudding Murder Mystery (2015)
  • Crown for Christmas (2015)
  • A Christmas Detour (2015)
  • A Christmas Melody (2015)
  • Mariah Carey's Merriest Christmas (2015) (TV Special)
  • Murder, She Baked: A Peach Cobbler Mystery (2016)
  • Flower Shop Mystery: Mum's the Word (2016)
  • Flower Shop Mystery: Snipped in the Bud (2016)
  • Murder, She Baked: A Deadly Recipe (2016)
  • The Wedding March (2016)
  • Flower Shop Mystery: Dearly Depotted (2016)
  • For Love & Honor (2016)
  • A Wish for Christmas (2016)
  • Every Christmas Has a Story (2016)
  • I'll Be Home for Christmas (2016)
  • The National Christmas Tree Lighting (2016) (TV Special)
  • Love on Ice (2017)
  • A Royal Winter (2017)
  • Campfire Kiss (2017)
  • Murder, She Baked: Just Desserts (2017)
  • Wedding March 2: Resorting to Love (2017)
  • My Favorite Wedding (2017)
  • The Saint (2017)
  • Darrow & Darrow (2017)
  • Christmas in Angel Falls (2017)
  • Christmas Encore (2017)
  • My Secret Valentine (2018)
  • Wedding March 3: Here Comes the Bride (2018)
  • Royal Hearts (2018)
  • A Royal Matchmaker (2018)
  • Darrow & Darrow: In the Key of Murder (2018)
  • Wedding March 4: Something Old, Something New (2018)
  • Darrow & Darrow: Body of Evidence (2018)
  • Christmas in Love (2018)
  • Return to Christmas Creek (2018)
  • Christmas at the Palace (2018)
  • Pride, Prejudice, and Mistletoe (2018)
  • Christmas at Grand Valley (2018)
  • Winter Love Story (2019)
  • The 27th Annual Movieguide Awards (2019) (TV Special)
  • Wedding March 5: My Boyfriend's Back (2019)
  • A Taste of Summer (2019)
  • The Crossword Mysteries: A Puzzle to Die For (2019)
  • Angel Falls: A Novel Holiday (2019)
  • Christmas in Rome (2019)
  • Sense, Sensibility & Snowmen (2019)
  • When Hope Calls (2019–Present) (TV Series)
  • A Valentine's Match (2020)
  • Country at Heart (2020)
  • Sweet Carolina (2021)

References

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  1. ^ "Dumb and Dumber". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
  2. ^ "Dumb and Dumber". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
  3. ^ Kaufman, Lloyd. (2009). Produce Your Own Damn Movie!. Burlington: Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-08-092788-6. OCLC 466443796.
  4. ^ "Kingpin". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
  5. ^ Ebert, Roger. "Kingpin movie review & film summary (1996) | Roger Ebert". www.rogerebert.com. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
  6. ^ "Kingpin: The Farrelly Brothers' Biggest Flop and Greatest Triumph | Splitsider". 2014-05-20. Archived from the original on 2014-05-20. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
  7. ^ "Threesome". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
  8. ^ Ebert, Roger. "Threesome movie review & film summary (1994) | Roger Ebert". www.rogerebert.com. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
  9. ^ "Coming soon, to very few theaters". Los Angeles Times. 2005-02-21. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
  10. ^ Weiner, Rex (1997-07-11). "MGM ends Orion orbit". Variety. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
  11. ^ Ebert, Roger. "A Love Song for Bobby Long movie review (2005) | Roger Ebert". www.rogerebert.com. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
  12. ^ "Taking Chance Home". BlackFive. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
  13. ^ "Review: HBO's 'Taking Chance'". Los Angeles Times. 2014-09-16. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
  14. ^ "Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 (2011) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
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