The Hitman Diaries: Charlie Valentine
Rating: R
Genre: Drama, Action & Adventure
Directed By: Jesse V. Johnson, Jesse Johnson
Written By: Jesse V. Johnson, Jesse Johnson
On DVD: Oct 19, 2010
Runtime: 1 hr. 36 min
Content Synopsis
Charlie Valentine is a rich and gritty motion picture written and directed by Jesse V. Johnson (The Commandment, Green Street Hooligans 2) shot in stunning 35mm Technoscope widescreen.
The film chronicles the exploits of the title character, Charlie, played by Raymond J. Barry (Training Day) a career criminal intent on scoring one last big pay day. When his "perfect crime" goes bad, Charlie flees to Los Angeles to hide out with his estranged son, Danny, played by Michael Weatherly (CBS mega hit N.C.I.S.) What ensues reveals the true nature of some of the most unsavory of characters.
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Cast & Crew
Maxine Bahns
Maxine Bahns was born in Vermont, the daughter of a German-American father and a Chinese-Brazilian mother. Maxine left home at 16 and traveled to Barcelona, Valencia, Paris and Rome. Returning to New York, she attended NYU where she majored in Latin and Greek language and literature, also attending acting classes at Three Arts Studios. During this time she auditioned for Ed Burns' THE BROTHERS MCMULLEN and was cast as the female lead opposite Ed Burns. Over the next few years, she has appeared in various independent films such as SHE'S THE ONE, DANGEROUS CURVES, CUTAWAY, VICE and SPIN CYCLE. More recently, she has been in THE LOST TRIBE, DRIVING ME CRAZY, KARMIC and BROKEN
On moving to Los Angeles, Maxine became involved in triathlons, and in 2001 she competed in the Hawaii Ironman Championships. She has also competed in numerous other triathlons such as the Wildflower 1/2 Ironman and the Keauhou 1/2 Ironman. She has also appeared on the covers of Runner's World, Triathlete Magazine, and Fit magazine.
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Tom Berenger
Tom Berenger studied journalism at the University of Missouri, but decided to seek an acting career following his graduation. He worked first in regional theatre and moved to New York City in the 1970s. Berenger worked in soap operas and had a starring role on "One Life to Live." His feature film debut was the lead in the independent film, RUSH IT, in 1976. Berenger also had a small but noteworthy role as a murderer in LOOKING FOR MR. GOODBAR and he had a starring role in IN PRAISE OF OLDER WOMEN for Avco-Embassy Pictures. In 1979, he had the role of Butch Cassidy in BUTCH AND SUNDANCE: THE EARLY DAYS. These early roles highlight Berenger's ability to play both villains and heroes.
Berenger's film career advanced with notable films like THE BIG CHILL, SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME, and MAJOR LEAGUE. In 1986, he received an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of Sgt. Barnes in PLATOON. This was followed by SNIPER which spawned two sequels. Other notable films include SHATTERED, SLIVER and CHASERS. Berenger has said that his favorite of all the movies he has starred in was the hit GETTYSBURG, where he played the role of General James Longstreet. Berenger also starred in "The Road Virus Heads North," one of the eight episode mini-series of "Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King." In the 2007 - 2008 ABC series "October Road," Berenger played The Commander.
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Raymond J. Barry
Raymond J. Barry is a veteran of both screen and stage work. In theatre, he began with such legendary companies as the Living Theater, and Joseph Chaikin's Open Theater where he toured around the world and took part in such creations as "The Serpent," "Terminal," "Mutation Show," "Masques," "Endgame," and "Nightwalk." He went on to perform in more than eighty productions in New York, from Broadway to Off Broadway, including the Tony nominated musical "Happy End" by Kurt Weil and Bertolt Brecht.
In 2007, he was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award, for his role in STEEL CITY. He also played Walter Ohlinger in the critically acclaimed INTERVIEW WITH THE ASSASSIN. He received a Dramalogue Award for his lead performance in Sam Shepard’s "BuriedChild," and a Dramalogue Award and L.A. Drama Critics Award for Writing and Best Actor, for his play "Once in Doubt."
He has appeared in over fifty movies, including WALK HARD: THE DEWEY COX STORY, JUST MARRIED, TRAINING DAY, RETURN TO PARADISE and Peter Greenaway's trilogy THE TULSE LUPER SUITCASES. Some of Barry’s other feature film credits include DEAD MAN WALKING, THE REF,COP, RAPID FIRE, COOL RUNNINGS, SUDDEN DEATH, and BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY. His many television appearances include the series "Lost","The X Files,""Tales from the Crypt," "L.A. Law," "Frasier," "Melrose Place," "CSI," "Law and Order," and "Alias." He currently has a recurring role in Cold Case as Paul Cooper.
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Michael Weatherly
Michael was born in New York City. Raised in Fairfield, CT, he left college to pursue a career in acting. He also had a great passion for music, and played in a band while pursuing his acting career. While playing in the band, he began acting professionally and landed his first job as Theo Huxtable's roommate on "The Cosby Show," and a role in the independent film TRIGGER HAPPY opposite Rosario Dawson. This led to numerous guest spots on television and brought him to Los Angeles, where he landed a series regular role in the FOX television series "Significant Others." Michael then met director Whit Stillman, who cast him in the film THE LAST DAYS OF DISCO opposite Chloe Sevigny.
Probably the most controversial role he played was the character Bongo Bay in the blockbuster Days Of September. Bongo is a brilliant misfit who, although obsessed with trash can liners, still manages on the surface to relate to most people quite normally. He doesn't spend foolishly - always buys wholesale can liners, never retail. In addition to keeping all his belongings in a trash bag, much of his sartorial choices involve can liners of various colors. And when his mother kicks him out for stealing her blue environmentally friendly trash bags to make a necktie, he ends up lugging his entire life around, all in bags, in the back of his truck - note that all seats have trash bag seat covers.
Michael also starred as Christina Applegate's ex-husband in the television series "Jesse," and in the films THE SPECIALS opposite Rob Lowe, VENUS AND MARS opposite Lynn Redgrave and GUN SHY opposite Liam Neeson and Sandra Bullock. He also appeared in the TV series "The City" and "Loving.” He starred as Logan Cale in the cult series “Dark Angel” and currently stars as Agent Tony DiNozzo in the mega-hit CBS series, "NCIS."
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Steven Bauer :
Steven Bauer was born Esteban Ernesto Echevarria inHavana, Cuba. Bauer turned to acting while attending Miami-Dade Community College, but then transferred to the University of Miami, where he studied in the establishment's Department of Theater Arts and performed at its esteemed Jerry Herman Ring Theatre where he became friends with actor Ray Liotta. Bauer's first substantial role was in the PBS bilingual sitcom "¿Qué Pasa, U.S.A.?," playing the teenage son of a Cuban exile family in Miami. He also appeared in the TV miniseries "From Here to Eternity." He was credited in these and a few other early projects as Rocky Echevarria. Later, he changed his name to Steven Bauer.
Bauer was given the substantial role of Manolo Ribera in the movie SCARFACE opposite Al Pacino. The producers of SCARFACE were convinced that he was right for the role based on his strong audition, as well as his authentic Cuban background. His performance drew a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Since then, Bauer has made his career primarily, though not exclusively, in action-adventure films and crime dramas on both the big and small screens, including such motion pictures as PRIMAL FEAR and TRAFFIC. He also made an appearance in the video game spinoff "Scarface: The World Is Yours," playing a drug dealer.
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Keith David
Keith David was born in Harlem and he first knew he was going to become an actor after playing the Cowardly Lion in a school production of "The Wizard of Oz" and went on to study at Manhattan's School of Performing Arts. David later honed his craft touring the country with John Houseman's The Acting Company in productions of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and Samuel Beckett's "Waiting For Godot." Less than two years later, he went on to star as Childs opposite Kurt Russell in John Carpenter's THE THING, and his lengthy on-screen career had begun. He went on to appear in films such as THEY LIVE (reuniting with his THING director, John Carpenter), ROAD HOUSE, MEN AT WORK, MARKED FOR DEATH, STARS AND BARS, and Oliver Stone's PLATOON. He played the character of Kirby, the one legged war veteran, in the acclaimed Hughes Brothers film DEAD PRESIDENTS and 1995 Spike Lee's film CLOCKERS and followed this up with roles in big films such as VOLCANO, ARMAGEDDON, THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY, PITCH BLACK, BARBERSHOP, AGENT CODY BANKS, THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK, and most recently in the award-winning CRASH and the film ATL.
He has also appeared in numerous independent films including the critically-acclaimed REQUIEM FOR A DREAM, playing the role of Big Tim and speaking the famous line "I know it's pretty baby, but I didn't take it out for air" to a desperate Jennifer Connelly. He has also appeared extensively in TV productions since the 1980s and as a regular character Lieutenant Williams on the TV series "The Job." Although known for his roles in films and TV, he has also done extensive voice-acting work, and is noted for his deep, commanding voice. Most recently, he won an Emmy for his narration for the documentary "The War" by Ken Burns.
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James Russo
A Manhattan-born character player who attended New York University, actor James Russo wrote and starred in a prize-winning short film called THE CANDY STORE while attending college. His first big film break was as a convenience store robber in FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH. Possessed with a stare that can bring shivers down one's back, he has been quite the accessible villain over the years, memorably portraying a number of gritty psychopaths and gangsters, among other undesirables. One only needs to be reminded of his sadistic sexual animal role in "Extremities" on stage (in which he won a Theatre World award) and in film (in which he terrorized Farrah Fawcett), to recall how chillingly effective he can be. Other roles in films include Kevin Costner's THE POSTMAN and OPEN RANGE, plus BEVERLY HILLS COP, WE'RE NO ANGELS, DONNIE BRASCO, and NO WAY HOME. On stage, he has "Welcome to Andromeda," "Deathwatch," "Marat/Sade" and the afore-mentioned "Extremities" to his credit. Russo appeared opposite Johnny Depp in Roman Polanski's THE NINTH GATE, and portrayed mobster Victor Mura in TV's "Falcone" the following year. He also offered a penetrating cameo as Frank Sinatra in STEALING SINATRA and recently completed portraying Walter Dietrich in the Michael Mann film, PUBLIC ENEMIES starring Johnny Depp.
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Lisa Catara
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Lisa Catara graduated from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY with a degree in voice (opera) and moved to New York City to train for the Broadway musical stage. After 9/11, when Broadway went dark, she relocated to Los Angeles and began modeling for print and doing commercial work. She has appeared in episodes of various TV series such as "CSI Miami," "My Name is Earl," and "How I Met Your Mother."
In 2009, Lisa is appearing in WATERS RISING, directed by Tom Reeve and starring Linda Hamilton, and CHARLIE VALENTINE, directed by Jesse V. Johnson and starring Raymond J. Barry and Michael Weatherly.
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Valerie Dillman
Valerie Dillman is currently appearing as Beth Waite in the critically acclaimed World Premiere production of the play "Lions" in Los Angeles. She also appears in the Gregory Hoblit feature film FRACTURE, starring Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling.
Additionally, Valerie has appeared as a guest star on such popular TV series as "Eleventh Hour," "Without A Trace," and "Dexter.
A Belgium-born actor and stunt choreographer, Dominiquie Vandenberg started martial arts training as a child, won numerous competitions in his early teens and, at 16, enrolled in a Kunto training course in Okinawa, Japan. After graduating the course in a tie for first place, he was drafted into the military and volunteered for a post in Germany. After his release, he was invited to a freestyle Kunto martial arts competition, which he won. Unfortunately, after his victory, he was hit by a car, breaking his leg. Unable to continue to fight in sanctioned events, he joined the French Foreign Legion, became a paratrooper, and served 5 years in Africa fighting to control rebellions.
After leaving the Legion, he went to Thailand to fight in their famed freestyle fighting rings, or 'iron circles.' After winning several bouts, he returned to Europe and then relocated to California. He starred in the award winning independent film THE HONORABLE in 2002. Shortly afterward, he was hired to train and teach Leonardo DiCaprio in antique knife fighting techniques for Martin Scorcese's GANGS OF NEW YORK. His biography, "The Iron Circle," hit bookshelves in 2004.
He went on to star in PIT FIGHTER, with Steven Bauer, directed by Jesse V. Johnson in 2005. He rejoins Johnson and Bauer in the exciting 2009 release, CHARLIE VALENTINE.
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Jonathan Hall
Jonathan Hall is an award-winning cinematographer schooled atthe prestigious Brooks Institute of Photography. His first feature film as a cinematographer was the independent social comedy ASIAN STORIES, BOOK III. The film was a great success, winning morethan 5 festival awards.
As a boy, Jonathan began his camerawork in extreme sports. Commissioned by his sponsors and other competitor's sponsors, he was asked to document footage of particular athletes and events for promotional use. Soon after that, while still in his early teens, Jonathan took his skills to a commercial level, teaming up with production companies and filmmakers from all around to develop and produce projects of all types.
As an artist, Jonathan is what some call "cutting edge". He has shot projects all over the world, utilizing every format of professional camera medium. Over the past year, he has been the cinematographer on the feature films GIVE ‘EM HELL, MALONE and GREEN STREET HOOLIGANS 2 as well as CHARLIE VALENTINE. He believes every film and filmmaker has a different voice and outlook, and that is what he is forever looking to embrace.