Mike Binder
Encyclopedia
Mike Binder is an American
film director, screenwriter, producer and actor.
, one of the city's suburbs, and attended Camp Tamakwa
, which formed the basis for his 1993 film Indian Summer
. Beginning his career as a screenwriter and standup comedian, he had a banner month in March 1990 with the March 9 theatrical premiere of his first screenplay
, Coupe de Ville
, directed by Joe Roth
and co-produced by Mike, and his own HBO stand up comedy special, broadcast the following night, March 10. Binder's own directorial debut was with his second screenplay, 1992's Crossing the Bridge
. His standing in the industry further increased with his 20-episode 2001-02 HBO comedy series, The Mind of the Married Man
, which he co-wrote, co-directed and starred in as the central character "Micky Barnes". His independently-produced film The Sex Monster
won "Best Film" and Binder won "Best Actor" at the 2001 Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen
.
Binder wrote and directed three mid-2000s films in which he also played supporting roles. The first, The Upside of Anger
, starring Joan Allen
and Kevin Costner
, premiered at the January 2005 Sundance Film Festival
; thirteen months later, Man About Town with Ben Affleck
, was first seen at the February 2006 Santa Barbara International Film Festival
and, after another thirteen months, Reign Over Me with Adam Sandler
, was released in March 2007. The three films were produced by Alex Gartner (Upside of Anger), Michael Rotenberg (Man About Town and Reign over Me), and Binder's younger brother, Jack Binder
, with whom Mike formed Sunlight Productions
.
As an actor Binder was featured in Steven Spielberg
's Minority Report
with Tom Cruise
, and Rod Lurie's The Contender with Joan Allen
, Gary Oldman
, and Jeff Bridges
. His latest film is Rebecca Miller
's 2009 The Private Lives of Pippa Lee
with Robin Wright Penn, Alan Arkin
, and Julianne Moore
.
As a writer, he has written screenplays for Steven Spielberg, Tom Cruise
, Julia Roberts
, Robert Zemeckis
, Jim Carrey
, Adam Sandler
, and Tim Allen
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
film director, screenwriter, producer and actor.
Life and career
A native of Detroit, Mike Binder grew up in BirminghamBirmingham, Michigan
Birmingham is a city in Oakland County of the U.S. state of Michigan and an affluent suburb of Detroit. As of the 2010 census, the population was 20,103...
, one of the city's suburbs, and attended Camp Tamakwa
Algonquin Provincial Park
Algonquin Provincial Park is a provincial park located between Georgian Bay and the Ottawa River in Central Ontario, Canada, mostly within the Unorganized South Part of Nipissing District. Established in 1893, it is the oldest provincial park in Canada. Additions since its creation have increased...
, which formed the basis for his 1993 film Indian Summer
Indian Summer (1993 film)
Indian Summer is a 1993 comedy drama film written and directed by Mike Binder. The movie was filmed and set on-location at Camp Tamakwa, a summer camp located in Ontario, Canada, where Binder himself had attended in his childhood...
. Beginning his career as a screenwriter and standup comedian, he had a banner month in March 1990 with the March 9 theatrical premiere of his first screenplay
Screenplay
A screenplay or script is a written work that is made especially for a film or television program. Screenplays can be original works or adaptations from existing pieces of writing. In them, the movement, actions, expression, and dialogues of the characters are also narrated...
, Coupe de Ville
Coupe de Ville (film)
Coupe de Ville is a 1990 American comedy-drama film directed by Joe Roth. It stars Daniel Stern, Arye Gross, and Patrick Dempsey as three very different brothers asked by their father to drive the titular Cadillac Coupe DeVille from Detroit to Miami....
, directed by Joe Roth
Joe Roth
Joe Roth is an American film executive, producer and film director. He co-founded Morgan Creek Productions in 1987 and was chairman of 20th Century Fox , Caravan Pictures , and Walt Disney Studios before founding Revolution Studios in 2000.-Life and career:Roth was born in New York, New York,...
and co-produced by Mike, and his own HBO stand up comedy special, broadcast the following night, March 10. Binder's own directorial debut was with his second screenplay, 1992's Crossing the Bridge
Crossing the Bridge
Crossing the Bridge is an American film starring Josh Charles, Stephen Baldwin and Jason Gedrick.Characters Mort Golden , Tim Reese and Danny Morgan are friends who embark on a dangerous drug-smuggling venture.The film was created by Mike Binder and loosely based on Binders' friends during the...
. His standing in the industry further increased with his 20-episode 2001-02 HBO comedy series, The Mind of the Married Man
The Mind of the Married Man
The Mind of the Married Man is a television series that ran on the HBO network for two seasons consisting of twenty episodes between September 2001 and November 2002. The story attempts to focus on the challenges of modern-day married life from a male perspective.The show drew mixed reviews from...
, which he co-wrote, co-directed and starred in as the central character "Micky Barnes". His independently-produced film The Sex Monster
The Sex Monster
The Sex Monster is a 1999 American comedy film directed and written by Mike Binder.- Plot :A neurotic businessman tries to improve his sex life with his wife by encouraging her to have a threesome involving another woman. Fortunately, she likes the idea. Unfortunately, she decides that she...
won "Best Film" and Binder won "Best Actor" at the 2001 Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen
Aspen
Populus section Populus, of the Populus genus, includes the aspen trees and the white poplar Populus alba. The five typical aspens are all native to cold regions with cool summers, in the north of the Northern Hemisphere, extending south at high altitudes in the mountains. The White Poplar, by...
.
Binder wrote and directed three mid-2000s films in which he also played supporting roles. The first, The Upside of Anger
The Upside of Anger
The Upside of Anger is a 2005 American romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Mike Binder and set in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan...
, starring Joan Allen
Joan Allen
Joan Allen is an American actress. She worked in theatre, television and film during her early career, and achieved recognition for her Broadway debut in Burn This, winning a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play in 1989.She has received three Academy Award nominations;...
and Kevin Costner
Kevin Costner
Kevin Michael Costner is an American actor, singer, musician, producer, director, and businessman. He has been nominated for three BAFTA Awards, won two Academy Awards, and two Golden Globe Awards. Costner's roles include Lt. John J...
, premiered at the January 2005 Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
; thirteen months later, Man About Town with Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck
Benjamin Géza Affleck-Boldt , better known as Ben Affleck, is an American actor, film director, writer, and producer. He became known with his performances in Kevin Smith's films such as Mallrats and Chasing Amy...
, was first seen at the February 2006 Santa Barbara International Film Festival
Santa Barbara International Film Festival
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival is a film festival and non-profit organization, established in 1985, that showcases independent American and international films. The SBIFF line-up includes 20 world premieres and 11 U.S. premieres, with newly expanded 11-day festival...
and, after another thirteen months, Reign Over Me with Adam Sandler
Adam Sandler
Adam Richard Sandler is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, musician, and film producer.After becoming a Saturday Night Live cast member, Sandler went on to star in several Hollywood feature films that grossed over $100 million at the box office...
, was released in March 2007. The three films were produced by Alex Gartner (Upside of Anger), Michael Rotenberg (Man About Town and Reign over Me), and Binder's younger brother, Jack Binder
Jack Binder
Jack Binder is an American film and television producer and second unit director active since 1985. With older brother Mike Binder, a writer, actor and director, he is co-owner of Sunlight Productions. He formed Michigan Film Production to provide information on the Michigan Film Incentives...
, with whom Mike formed Sunlight Productions
Sunlight Productions
Writer-director-actor Mike Binder formed Sunlight Productions with his brother Jack Binder as a vehicle to produce and promote comedy films and television projects...
.
As an actor Binder was featured in Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg
Steven Allan Spielberg KBE is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, video game designer, and studio entrepreneur. In a career of more than four decades, Spielberg's films have covered many themes and genres. Spielberg's early science-fiction and adventure films were seen as an...
's Minority Report
Minority Report (film)
Minority Report is a 2002 American neo-noir science fiction film directed by Steven Spielberg and loosely based on the short story "The Minority Report" by Philip K. Dick. It is set primarily in Washington, D.C...
with Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise
Thomas Cruise Mapother IV , better known as Tom Cruise, is an American film actor and producer. He has been nominated for three Academy Awards and he has won three Golden Globe Awards....
, and Rod Lurie's The Contender with Joan Allen
Joan Allen
Joan Allen is an American actress. She worked in theatre, television and film during her early career, and achieved recognition for her Broadway debut in Burn This, winning a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play in 1989.She has received three Academy Award nominations;...
, Gary Oldman
Gary Oldman
Gary Leonard Oldman is an English actor, voice actor, filmmaker and musician.A member of the 1980s Brit Pack, Oldman came to prominence via starring roles in British films Meantime , Sid and Nancy and Prick Up Your Ears , with his performance in the latter bringing him his first BAFTA Award...
, and Jeff Bridges
Jeff Bridges
Jeffrey Leon "Jeff" Bridges is an American actor and musician. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Otis "Bad" Blake in the 2009 film Crazy Heart....
. His latest film is Rebecca Miller
Rebecca Miller
Rebecca Augusta Miller is an American film director, screenwriter and actress, most known for her films Personal Velocity: Three Portraits , The Ballad of Jack and Rose, and Angela,and The Private Lives of Pippa Lee all of which she wrote and directed.-Life and career:Born in Roxbury,...
's 2009 The Private Lives of Pippa Lee
The Private Lives of Pippa Lee
The Private Lives of Pippa Lee is a 2009 American drama film written and directed by Rebecca Miller. The screenplay is based on her novel of the same title. The film premiered on February 9, 2009, at the 59th Berlin International Film Festival and was shown at the Sydney Film Festival and the...
with Robin Wright Penn, Alan Arkin
Alan Arkin
Alan Wolf Arkin is an American actor, director, musician and singer. He is known for starring in such films as Wait Until Dark, The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming, The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, Catch-22, The In-Laws, Edward Scissorhands, Glengarry Glen Ross, Marley & Me, and...
, and Julianne Moore
Julianne Moore
Julianne Moore is an American actress and a children's book author. Throughout her career, she has been nominated for four Oscars, six Golden Globes, three BAFTAs and nine Screen Actors Guild Awards....
.
As a writer, he has written screenplays for Steven Spielberg, Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise
Thomas Cruise Mapother IV , better known as Tom Cruise, is an American film actor and producer. He has been nominated for three Academy Awards and he has won three Golden Globe Awards....
, Julia Roberts
Julia Roberts
Julia Fiona Roberts is an American actress. She became a Hollywood star after headlining the romantic comedy Pretty Woman , which grossed $464 million worldwide...
, Robert Zemeckis
Robert Zemeckis
Robert Lee Zemeckis is an American film director, producer and screenwriter. Zemeckis first came to public attention in the 1980s as the director of the comedic time-travel Back to the Future film series, as well as the Academy Award-winning live-action/animation epic Who Framed Roger Rabbit ,...
, Jim Carrey
Jim Carrey
James Eugene "Jim" Carrey is a Canadian-American actor and comedian. He has received two Golden Globe Awards and has also been nominated on four occasions. Carrey began comedy in 1979, performing at Yuk Yuk's in Toronto, Ontario...
, Adam Sandler
Adam Sandler
Adam Richard Sandler is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, musician, and film producer.After becoming a Saturday Night Live cast member, Sandler went on to star in several Hollywood feature films that grossed over $100 million at the box office...
, and Tim Allen
Tim Allen
Tim Allen is an American comedian, actor, voice-over artist, and entertainer, known for his role in the sitcom Home Improvement...
.