‘The Big Ugly’ premieres this weekend, featuring local filmmakers, actors and crew

The Big Ugly features Ohio filmmakers, talent and crew

The Big Ugly features Ohio filmmakers, talent and crew

“The Big Ugly,” a new drama by Ohio filmmaker Scott Wiper, premieres this weekend at the Dixie Twin Drive-In starting on Friday, July 24, followed by video-on-demand screenings next week.

The film features actors Vinnie Jones, Ron Perlman and Malcolm McDowell, along with filmmakers, actors and crew from all over Ohio, including Dayton.

Neeyln (Vinnie Jones) has always been the loyal enforcer for crime boss Harris (Malcolm McDowell) back in London, taking care of problems and people that disrupt his illicit business. When Harris strikes a deal with an old friend – American oilman Preston (Ron Perlman) – they find themselves in the wild hills of West Virginia.

Contracts are signed and the whiskey flows in celebration, but overnight Neelyn’s girlfriend disappears, last seen with Preston’s wayward son Junior. Lines are drawn between family and friends, but nothing will stop Neelyn from getting answers — and retribution.

Scott Wiper, the writer and director of “The Big Ugly,” grew up in Granville, Ohio. He is known for his films The Cold Light of Day (2012), The Condemned (2007) and Pearl Harbor (2001).

Karri O’Reilly of Dayton served as a producer on film. She worked with Wiper on his early films in the ’90s. The filming took place in Morehead, Kentucky.

Other Ohioans were involved in making the film including makeup artists Anne Taylor and Jaclyn Laravie, best boy grip Kevin Martt, grip Mike Salamone, along with Jane Streeter, Jessalyn Lauree, David Gewertz, and many more. Wiper estimated that about 75% of the film’s crew is from Ohio.

Actor David Myers Gregory stars in "The Big Ugly"

Credit: Contributed

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Credit: Contributed

One of the cast, David Myers Gregory, is an actor from Dayton. He’s also appeared in the films Dark Waters (2019), Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019) and Little Evil (2017). Gregory is represented by PCG Talent, who have been casting local actors in movies filmed in Ohio for years, from their offices in Dayton, Cincinnati and Columbus.

Many of the local film crew will meet up this Sunday at the Dixie Drive-In to see the film on the big screen. Gates open at 8 p.m., the film will begin at 9:30 p.m. There will be a brief Q & A before the screening.

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Want to go?

What: The Big Ugly

Where: Dixie Twin Drive-In, 6201 N. Dixie Drive, Dayton

When: Showings on Friday, July 24, Sunday, July 26, Tuesday, July 28, Wednesday, July 29 and Thursday, July 30. View on screen 1 from 9:30 p.m. – 11:20 p.m. Rated R.

NOTE: Dixie Twin Drive-In will be closed to the public for general movie admission on Saturday, July 25 for the pre-sale ticketed Blake Shelton and guests concert. Movies to resume Sunday, July 26.

Cost: Adults (13 & up): $10, Children (Ages: 12 – 5): $5, Children (Ages: 4 & under): Free, Military Discount: $1

More info: https://dixietwin.com/

Find more information on how to watch from home here: https://thebiguglymovie.com/buy/

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