A brand new episode of Collector’s Call is set to air on Me-tv on Sunday, May 26, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. The episode, will feature Robert Baker, a collector who owns an impressive array of toys and action figures from the 1970s and 1980s. In this episode, Robert Baker gives viewers an insight into his […]
Collector’s Call: Robert Baker: Toys...
Collector’s Call: Robert Baker: Toys...
- 5/25/2024
- by Riley Avery
- MemorableTV
The episode of Best Horror Movie You Never Saw covering Puppet Master vs. Demonic Toys was Written by Cody Hamman, Edited by Paul Bookstaber, Narrated by Kier Gomes, Produced by John Fallon and Tyler Nichols, and Executive Produced by Berge Garabedian.
Need a horror movie to watch on Christmas? There are plenty to choose from. The classic slashers Black Christmas and Silent Night, Deadly Night. The thrills of P2. The brutality of the French film Inside. The insanity of Gremlins. But how about a movie where the lives of millions of children hang in the balance? Where a demonic force wants to unleash tiny terrors on the world… and they can only be stopped by a group of tiny heroes. We’re talking about Puppet Master vs. Demonic Toys (watch it Here) – and if you haven’t added this one to your Christmas viewing rotation, it’s the Best Horror Movie You Never Saw.
Need a horror movie to watch on Christmas? There are plenty to choose from. The classic slashers Black Christmas and Silent Night, Deadly Night. The thrills of P2. The brutality of the French film Inside. The insanity of Gremlins. But how about a movie where the lives of millions of children hang in the balance? Where a demonic force wants to unleash tiny terrors on the world… and they can only be stopped by a group of tiny heroes. We’re talking about Puppet Master vs. Demonic Toys (watch it Here) – and if you haven’t added this one to your Christmas viewing rotation, it’s the Best Horror Movie You Never Saw.
- 12/11/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
This Sunday at 9:31 Pm on History, “The Toys That Built America” dives into Season 3 Episode 11 with “Most Valuable Toys.” Offering a nostalgic trip down memory lane, this episode explores the remarkable journey of cherished toys over the last three decades. Viewers are in for a treat as the show delves into the extraordinary prices people have paid to acquire the toys that hold a special place in their hearts.
As the episode unfolds, expect a captivating narrative that highlights the sentimental value and cultural impact of these iconic playthings. Whether it’s vintage action figures, classic board games, or timeless dolls, “The Toys That Built America: Most Valuable Toys” provides an engaging perspective on the enduring allure of these childhood treasures.
For enthusiasts of pop culture, toy history, and the sentimental significance of cherished playthings, this episode promises an insightful and entertaining exploration of the most valuable toys that have shaped generations.
As the episode unfolds, expect a captivating narrative that highlights the sentimental value and cultural impact of these iconic playthings. Whether it’s vintage action figures, classic board games, or timeless dolls, “The Toys That Built America: Most Valuable Toys” provides an engaging perspective on the enduring allure of these childhood treasures.
For enthusiasts of pop culture, toy history, and the sentimental significance of cherished playthings, this episode promises an insightful and entertaining exploration of the most valuable toys that have shaped generations.
- 12/10/2023
- by Jules Byrd
- TV Everyday
[Editor’s Note: Tubefilter Charts is a weekly rankings column from Tubefilter with data provided by GospelStats. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a top number ranking of YouTube channels based on statistics collected within a given time frame. Check out all of our Tubefilter Charts with new installments every week right here.]
Scroll down for this week’s Tubefilter Chart, which is brought to you by Bio Sites from Squarespace.
Individual creators had a strong showing in this week’s U.S. Top 50. Four of the five channels with the most views on YouTube this week are named after a person rather than a brand.
The #1 channel, however, is an outlier. It’s not named after an individual, but rather two things that toddlers love.
Chart Toppers
Toys and Colors is a self-explanatory channel. It’s a destination for bright, fun-loving videos that celebrate the power of play. It’s also, as of this week, the most-watched YouTube channel of the moment.
Scroll down for this week’s Tubefilter Chart, which is brought to you by Bio Sites from Squarespace.
Individual creators had a strong showing in this week’s U.S. Top 50. Four of the five channels with the most views on YouTube this week are named after a person rather than a brand.
The #1 channel, however, is an outlier. It’s not named after an individual, but rather two things that toddlers love.
Chart Toppers
Toys and Colors is a self-explanatory channel. It’s a destination for bright, fun-loving videos that celebrate the power of play. It’s also, as of this week, the most-watched YouTube channel of the moment.
- 11/20/2023
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
The Toys That Built America Season 3 Episode 5 Mighty Mutant Mayhem Airs November 12 2023 on History
On Sunday, November 12, 2023, at 10:00 Pm, History Channel takes viewers on a nostalgic journey with the latest episode of “The Toys That Built America.” In Season 3, Episode 5, titled “Mighty Mutant Mayhem,” the focus turns to the late 1980s when the action figure market witnessed the high-kicking entry of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
This episode delves into the impact these pizza-loving, crime-fighting turtles had on the toy industry. As the Turtles clawed their way to success, they paved the path for a new breed of martial arts action figures. However, their dominance is soon challenged by a formidable rival – the mighty morphin phenomenon.
Expect a engaging exploration of the cultural and commercial significance of these iconic action figures. The episode is a trip down memory lane for those who grew up during this era, and an educational peek into the world of toys for a new generation.
Tune in for...
This episode delves into the impact these pizza-loving, crime-fighting turtles had on the toy industry. As the Turtles clawed their way to success, they paved the path for a new breed of martial arts action figures. However, their dominance is soon challenged by a formidable rival – the mighty morphin phenomenon.
Expect a engaging exploration of the cultural and commercial significance of these iconic action figures. The episode is a trip down memory lane for those who grew up during this era, and an educational peek into the world of toys for a new generation.
Tune in for...
- 11/5/2023
- by Jules Byrd
- TV Everyday
Producer Charles Band, founder of Full Moon, started dreaming of having the Puppet Master characters cross over with the Demonic Toys characters while he was bringing the first Demonic Toys movie into the world back in 1992 – in fact, during the behind-the-scenes Video Zone that was put together for the release of Demonic Toys, Band revealed that Full Moon was considering having the puppets and toys face off in Puppet Master 4. That didn’t happen, Puppet Master 4 ended up being something totally different, but the idea of Puppet Master vs. Demonic Toys was kept alive for over a decade. Unfortunately, Band didn’t get the chance to produce the film when it was made. He had to sell off the rights to the Sci-Fi Channel, and they made the Puppet Master vs. Demonic Toys movie that was released in 2004. But now the crossover is finally happening under the Full Moon banner…...
- 11/1/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
This episode of the Horror TV Shows We Miss video series was Written and Narrated by Niki Minter, Edited by Adam Walton, Produced by John Fallon, and Executive Produced by Berge Garabedian.
I’m always looking forward to that magical time of year. As I’ve gotten older things have changed, but the feelings I get have not. What I’m talking about is obviously Halloween. Not even just Halloween, special Halloween programming. For me, it all started with It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, the The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror and then just got better and better.
Anyone remember Snick or Treat? Each year there was some kind of game or call-in number and you could win cool prizes like glow in the dark shirts, video games, VHS tapes of your favorite Nick shows, Pizza Hut gift cards, a TV, a Nickelodeon jean jacket, and I think they...
I’m always looking forward to that magical time of year. As I’ve gotten older things have changed, but the feelings I get have not. What I’m talking about is obviously Halloween. Not even just Halloween, special Halloween programming. For me, it all started with It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, the The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror and then just got better and better.
Anyone remember Snick or Treat? Each year there was some kind of game or call-in number and you could win cool prizes like glow in the dark shirts, video games, VHS tapes of your favorite Nick shows, Pizza Hut gift cards, a TV, a Nickelodeon jean jacket, and I think they...
- 10/26/2023
- by Niki Minter
- JoBlo.com
I have been a fan of Charles Band‘s company Full Moon since I was a kid, and the Puppet Master franchise ranks as one of my favorites – but I can’t say I have ever looked at the puppet characters in these films and wondered what it would be like if their looks were transformed into a shoe. But that’s exactly what the folks at the shoe company Bull Airs have been thinking. They have announced that a shoe inspired by the look of iconic puppet Blade will be going on sale at noon (Eastern time) on Friday, October 6th!
The Blade shoe will have a limited run of 250 and will sell for the price of $350.
Sizes: Mens US 4-15
Youth Sizes: Youth 1-3
Comes in Puppet Master-themed Collector’s Box, hand numbered. A select number will be signed by Charles Band.
The shoe that has been given...
The Blade shoe will have a limited run of 250 and will sell for the price of $350.
Sizes: Mens US 4-15
Youth Sizes: Youth 1-3
Comes in Puppet Master-themed Collector’s Box, hand numbered. A select number will be signed by Charles Band.
The shoe that has been given...
- 10/4/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Michael Gambon, the decorated Irish actor who portrayed Albus Dumbledore in several Harry Potter movies and also appeared in films like The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou and The King’s Speech, has died at the age of 82.
Gambon passed away “peacefully in hospital” following a bout of pneumonia, his family said in a statement released on Thursday.
Gambon took on the role of Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts, following Richard Harris’ death in 2002. Gambon played the character in six Harry Potter films, beginning with 2004’s Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Over his decade-long career, Gambon won four BAFTAs, three Oliver Awards, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for services to drama. He is widely recognized as one of Ireland’s all-time great actors.
His film credits also included Fantastic Mr. Fox, Toys, Sleep Hollow, Kingsman: The Golden Circle, and Paddington 2.
Gambon passed away “peacefully in hospital” following a bout of pneumonia, his family said in a statement released on Thursday.
Gambon took on the role of Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts, following Richard Harris’ death in 2002. Gambon played the character in six Harry Potter films, beginning with 2004’s Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Over his decade-long career, Gambon won four BAFTAs, three Oliver Awards, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for services to drama. He is widely recognized as one of Ireland’s all-time great actors.
His film credits also included Fantastic Mr. Fox, Toys, Sleep Hollow, Kingsman: The Golden Circle, and Paddington 2.
- 9/28/2023
- by Scoop Harrison
- Consequence - Film News
We’ve all probably seen the portmanteau Barbenheimer a thousand times this summer, as movie-goers headed out for double features of Barbie and Oppenheimer. Two movies that couldn’t be more different from each other, but happened to have the same theatrical release date. There have also been all sorts of poster and imagery mash-ups – and now we can share the news that the mad geniuses at Full Moon Features are taking the Barbenheimer insanity a step further. They’re already in pre-production on a wild comedy titled Barbenheimer! Along with this announcement comes the unveiling of promotional teaser art, and we have the Exclusive first look at that artwork at the bottom of this article.
We don’t have information on who’s writing or directing Barbenheimer, but we do have a synopsis: Deep within Dollsville, a group of fed-up female dolls – led by the brilliant Dr. Barbenheimer – build an atomic bomb.
We don’t have information on who’s writing or directing Barbenheimer, but we do have a synopsis: Deep within Dollsville, a group of fed-up female dolls – led by the brilliant Dr. Barbenheimer – build an atomic bomb.
- 8/30/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Plot: After her foster mother is killed by the demonic jack-in-the-box Jack Attack, 16-year-old Lily is placed with another family… and then Jack Attack returns to wipe them out as well.
Review: Back in 1992, Full Moon introduced horror fans to the Demonic Toys. Four tiny terrors that look like something you’d find in a kid’s playroom, but are actually homicidal servants to demonic masters. There was Jack Attack, a clown jack-in-the-box with a maniacal laugh, sharp teeth, and a tentacle tail; Grizzly Teddy, a vicious teddy bear; Mister Static, a robot that rolls on tank treads and fires deadly lazers from its gun arms; and mouthy baby doll Baby Oopsie. The Demonic Toys never gained as much popularity as the puppets from Full Moon’s Puppet Master series, but they did get a franchise of their own. They battled a miniature Tim Thomerson in Dollman vs. Demonic Toys...
Review: Back in 1992, Full Moon introduced horror fans to the Demonic Toys. Four tiny terrors that look like something you’d find in a kid’s playroom, but are actually homicidal servants to demonic masters. There was Jack Attack, a clown jack-in-the-box with a maniacal laugh, sharp teeth, and a tentacle tail; Grizzly Teddy, a vicious teddy bear; Mister Static, a robot that rolls on tank treads and fires deadly lazers from its gun arms; and mouthy baby doll Baby Oopsie. The Demonic Toys never gained as much popularity as the puppets from Full Moon’s Puppet Master series, but they did get a franchise of their own. They battled a miniature Tim Thomerson in Dollman vs. Demonic Toys...
- 8/17/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Who’s ready to feel old? School of Rock is celebrating its twentieth anniversary this September with the School of Rock 20th Anniversary Steelbook Blu-ray! Paramount Home Entertainment is pulling out all the stops for this glorious presentation, packing the release with more raised horns than a sold-out Metallica concert at Madison Square Garden!
Initially released in October 2003, Richard Linklater directs School of Rock from a script by Mike White. Jack Black stars in this heartfelt, laugh-out-loud comedy with Joan Cusack, Sarah Silverman, Mike White, Miranda Cosgrove, Rivkah Reyes, and more!
In School of Rock, Black’s struggling musician character, Dewey Finn, poses as a substitute teacher at a prestigious school where he convinces his students to form a rock band for an upcoming Battle of the Bands. Finn doesn’t take long to forge an unbreakable bond with the kids, as their love for rock and roll leads to...
Initially released in October 2003, Richard Linklater directs School of Rock from a script by Mike White. Jack Black stars in this heartfelt, laugh-out-loud comedy with Joan Cusack, Sarah Silverman, Mike White, Miranda Cosgrove, Rivkah Reyes, and more!
In School of Rock, Black’s struggling musician character, Dewey Finn, poses as a substitute teacher at a prestigious school where he convinces his students to form a rock band for an upcoming Battle of the Bands. Finn doesn’t take long to forge an unbreakable bond with the kids, as their love for rock and roll leads to...
- 7/31/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
U.S. actor Robin Wright will be awarded the President’s Award at the 57th Karlovy Vary Film Festival’s closing ceremony. In honor of Wright, it will screen “The Princess Bride.”
Wright is best known for her performance in Netflix series “House of Cards.” She earned three Golden Globe nominations and a win in 2014. She earned five Screen Actors Guild award nominations for the show, and received five consecutive Emmy nominations.
In 2017, Wright played Lieutenant Joshi in “Blade Runner 2049,” and Amazon warrior General Antiope in “Justice League” and Patty Jenkins’ “Wonder Woman.” The following year, she reprised her role as Antiope in “Wonder Woman 1984.” She will be seen this Fall starring opposite Millie Bobby Brown in the fantasy film “Damsel,” and co-starring with Tom Hanks in “Here,” directed by Robert Zemeckis.
Her first two nominations, a Golden Globe and a SAG, came as early as 1995 for her...
Wright is best known for her performance in Netflix series “House of Cards.” She earned three Golden Globe nominations and a win in 2014. She earned five Screen Actors Guild award nominations for the show, and received five consecutive Emmy nominations.
In 2017, Wright played Lieutenant Joshi in “Blade Runner 2049,” and Amazon warrior General Antiope in “Justice League” and Patty Jenkins’ “Wonder Woman.” The following year, she reprised her role as Antiope in “Wonder Woman 1984.” She will be seen this Fall starring opposite Millie Bobby Brown in the fantasy film “Damsel,” and co-starring with Tom Hanks in “Here,” directed by Robert Zemeckis.
Her first two nominations, a Golden Globe and a SAG, came as early as 1995 for her...
- 6/20/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Actress and director Robin Wright will be honored with the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival’s President’s Award, a lifetime achievement honor, during the event’s closing ceremony next month, organizers said on Tuesday. They also unveiled that Bobby Farrelly’s Champions, starring Woody Harrelson, would close the festival’s 57th edition and that it would pay homage to legendary independent film producer Christine Vachon.
This year’s edition of the Czech festival runs Friday, June 30-Saturday, July 8.
“Robin Wright is an award-winning actress and philanthropist who is carving an indelible mark in Hollywood,” the festival said. “She recently directed, and starred in, her first feature film, Land, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Shortly after the release of Land, she directed several episodes of the award-winning drama series Ozark and Tell Me Lies. Wright found her love of directing on the hit Netflix series House of Cards,...
This year’s edition of the Czech festival runs Friday, June 30-Saturday, July 8.
“Robin Wright is an award-winning actress and philanthropist who is carving an indelible mark in Hollywood,” the festival said. “She recently directed, and starred in, her first feature film, Land, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Shortly after the release of Land, she directed several episodes of the award-winning drama series Ozark and Tell Me Lies. Wright found her love of directing on the hit Netflix series House of Cards,...
- 6/20/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In the very first Video Zone (the behind-the-scenes featurette attached to most of Full Moon’s films throughout the ‘90s) that played after the end credits rolled on Puppet Master II, Charles Band likened the independent studio’s movies to comic books. He said that he hoped to create franchises out of many if not all of them, to follow along with the various adventures from movie-to-movie, to even pair up and cross over certain characters. The comparison was made very early on in Full Moon’s run; this was barely over a year after the release of Puppet Master, which had been the company’s debut feature. Yet it proved to be more true than any fan at the time could have imagined.
Many of those series continue to this day, many of them have had crossovers—whether it be title fights like Dollman vs. Demonic Toys, Gingerdead Man vs.
Many of those series continue to this day, many of them have had crossovers—whether it be title fights like Dollman vs. Demonic Toys, Gingerdead Man vs.
- 6/1/2023
- by Nat Brehmer
- bloody-disgusting.com
David O. Russell made his comeback last year with “Amsterdam,” his first movie since 2015’s “Joy.” But neither critics nor audiences took to the period ensemble film that much. Maybe Russell will fare better in one of his two upcoming projects. First, there’s “Super Toys” with Sacha Baron Cohen and Keke Palmer. And now Deadline reports that Russell also has, “Madden,” about NFL legend John Madden, in the works with Amazon/MGM, with Will Ferrell in talks to star.
Continue reading ‘Madden’: Will Ferrell In Talks To Play The NFL Icon In David O. Russell’s Upcoming Film For Amazon/MGM at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘Madden’: Will Ferrell In Talks To Play The NFL Icon In David O. Russell’s Upcoming Film For Amazon/MGM at The Playlist.
- 5/26/2023
- by Ned Booth
- The Playlist
Exclusive: Will Ferrell is in huddling to star as the NFL’s John Madden in Madden, a theatrical feature to be directed for Amazon/MGM by five-time Oscar nominee David O. Russell (American Hustle), multiple sources tell Deadline.
Amazon had no comment.
The project has been percolating for some time. It is based on a Black List script by Cambron Clark, and Russell had been doing a rewrite when everything stopped with the writer’s strike.
A Prime Video Sports Original, Madden tells the story of one of the larger-than-life personalities to grace an NFL sideline. All Madden ever wanted was to be a head coach and he was one of the best ever. After winning the Super Bowl, the stress of the job began to destroy him. It forced him away from his dream job, and the film focuses on his friendship with Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis, and...
Amazon had no comment.
The project has been percolating for some time. It is based on a Black List script by Cambron Clark, and Russell had been doing a rewrite when everything stopped with the writer’s strike.
A Prime Video Sports Original, Madden tells the story of one of the larger-than-life personalities to grace an NFL sideline. All Madden ever wanted was to be a head coach and he was one of the best ever. After winning the Super Bowl, the stress of the job began to destroy him. It forced him away from his dream job, and the film focuses on his friendship with Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis, and...
- 5/26/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Yeardley Smith is an American actress, artist and writer. She is best known for voicing Lisa Simpson on The Simpsons.
Yeardley Smith Biography: Age, Early Life, Family, Education
Yeardley Smith was born on July 3, 1964 (Yeardley Smith: Age 58) in Paris, France to Joseph Smith and Martha Mayor. The family moved to Washington D.C. in 1966 where Smith’s father worked as the first obituary writer for The Washington Post and her mother worked as a paper conservator for the Smithsonian Institute.
In an exclusive interview with uInterview, Smith revealed how she got started acting.
“There was a woman in my neighborhood in Washington, D.C. who used to put on, in the summer she would gather up all the kids, she had eight kids of her own, all the kids in the neighborhood and we would lip sync to songs like from Sound of Music or Fiddler on the Roof or...
Yeardley Smith Biography: Age, Early Life, Family, Education
Yeardley Smith was born on July 3, 1964 (Yeardley Smith: Age 58) in Paris, France to Joseph Smith and Martha Mayor. The family moved to Washington D.C. in 1966 where Smith’s father worked as the first obituary writer for The Washington Post and her mother worked as a paper conservator for the Smithsonian Institute.
In an exclusive interview with uInterview, Smith revealed how she got started acting.
“There was a woman in my neighborhood in Washington, D.C. who used to put on, in the summer she would gather up all the kids, she had eight kids of her own, all the kids in the neighborhood and we would lip sync to songs like from Sound of Music or Fiddler on the Roof or...
- 5/7/2023
- by Hailey Schipper
- Uinterview
Yesterday, we shared the news that Full Moon’s Puppet Master franchise will continue with another solo puppet entry (like 2020’s Blade: The Iron Cross and last year’s Puppet Master: Doktor Death), Puppet Master: Furnace Leech Woman. And that’s not the only Full Moon franchise that’s about to get a new sequel. The Demonic Toys series is also continuing with movies that focus on just one of the evil toys at a time, and after making Baby Oopsie, Baby Oopsie 2: Murder Dolls, and Baby Oopsie 3: Burn Baby Burn, writer/director William Butler is now diving into a different Demonic Toys spin-off: Demonic Toys: Jack Attack.
In the latest episode of his Full Moon Universe YouTube show, Full Moon founder Charles Band said that Demonic Toys: Jack Attack will be filming in Cleveland, Ohio, and production is set to begin in just two weeks. Plot details are being kept under wraps,...
In the latest episode of his Full Moon Universe YouTube show, Full Moon founder Charles Band said that Demonic Toys: Jack Attack will be filming in Cleveland, Ohio, and production is set to begin in just two weeks. Plot details are being kept under wraps,...
- 3/16/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Keke Palmer and Sacha Baron Cohen have boarded “Super Toys,” the next film from “American Hustle” and “Amsterdam” director David O. Russell, sources have confirmed to IndieWire.
News of the film comes ahead of the European Film Market, which runs from February 16-22. FilmNation Entertainment will handle international sales of the feature during the market, a representative told IndieWire, while CAA Media Rights represents the film’s U.S. rights. Charles Roven and Matthew Budman serve as the producers of the project.
Russell will write and direct the feature, which stars Palmer and Cohen as 70’s toy sales reps “on a life and death mission to save themselves, their marriage and their live-wire twelve-year-old daughter, on the road in middle America,” per the logline.
“Super Toys” will be Russell’s 11th feature film, and follows last year’s “Amsterdam.” That ensemble comedy starring Christian Bale, John David Washington, and Margot Robbie...
News of the film comes ahead of the European Film Market, which runs from February 16-22. FilmNation Entertainment will handle international sales of the feature during the market, a representative told IndieWire, while CAA Media Rights represents the film’s U.S. rights. Charles Roven and Matthew Budman serve as the producers of the project.
Russell will write and direct the feature, which stars Palmer and Cohen as 70’s toy sales reps “on a life and death mission to save themselves, their marriage and their live-wire twelve-year-old daughter, on the road in middle America,” per the logline.
“Super Toys” will be Russell’s 11th feature film, and follows last year’s “Amsterdam.” That ensemble comedy starring Christian Bale, John David Washington, and Margot Robbie...
- 2/9/2023
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
Despite being one of his generation’s biggest stars, Robin Williams still wasn’t immune to career disappointment. At the peak of his popularity, in the early 1990s, Williams even had a falling out with Disney over Aladdin, blemishing one of his most celebrated roles. While Aladdin surged to international success, it overshadowed the outlook of Toys, a personal project for Williams that ended up one of the few bombs of his legendary career.
Robin Williams didn’t like the way ‘Aladdin’ was marketed
Robin Williams was at the top of his game when he sat down with Disney in 1991 to begin work on Aladdin. Seeing Williams’ explosive talent as perfect for animation, Disney execs teamed him up with animator Eric Goldberg to see how to turn standup routines into movie magic. According to an interview with Goldberg in the L.A. Times, Williams immediately saw the comedic angle for the...
Robin Williams didn’t like the way ‘Aladdin’ was marketed
Robin Williams was at the top of his game when he sat down with Disney in 1991 to begin work on Aladdin. Seeing Williams’ explosive talent as perfect for animation, Disney execs teamed him up with animator Eric Goldberg to see how to turn standup routines into movie magic. According to an interview with Goldberg in the L.A. Times, Williams immediately saw the comedic angle for the...
- 1/28/2023
- by Produced by Digital Editors
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Scenic Artist Michael Denering will be honored in February with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Art Directors Guild.
Denering is best known for his creative painting of artwork for Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, Toys, Die Hard, Batman Returns, Jurassic Park and Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
The honors stem from the Scenic, Title & Graphic Artists d will be presented at the 27th Annual Adg Awards. The ceremony also honors winners in 14 categories of production design and will be held at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown in the Wilshire Grand Ballroom. This is the first of four Lifetime Achievement Awards to be announced by the Art Directors Guild.
“Michael Denering is what his colleagues have referred to as a ‘dynamic’ scenic artist,” said Clint Schultz, Stg Council Chair. “From his beginnings painting scenery at CBS Television City to his many years at Warner Brothers Studios, Mike’s career...
Denering is best known for his creative painting of artwork for Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, Toys, Die Hard, Batman Returns, Jurassic Park and Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
The honors stem from the Scenic, Title & Graphic Artists d will be presented at the 27th Annual Adg Awards. The ceremony also honors winners in 14 categories of production design and will be held at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown in the Wilshire Grand Ballroom. This is the first of four Lifetime Achievement Awards to be announced by the Art Directors Guild.
“Michael Denering is what his colleagues have referred to as a ‘dynamic’ scenic artist,” said Clint Schultz, Stg Council Chair. “From his beginnings painting scenery at CBS Television City to his many years at Warner Brothers Studios, Mike’s career...
- 12/22/2022
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Robert De Niro will star in the Warner Bros. mob drama Wise Guys from director Barry Levinson, Deadline can confirm. The project reunites the duo following their collaborations on the Emmy-nominated HBO TV movie The Wizard of Lies, which had De Niro playing Bernie Madoff, and Magnolia Pictures’ 2008 dramedy, What Just Happened, as well as the director’s earlier films Wag the Dog and Sleepers.
Wise Guys is a period piece tells the story of Vito Genovese and Frank Costello, a pair of Italian Americans running two separate crime families during the mid-20th century. Genovese tried and failed to assassinate Costello in 1957, though the latter wound up taking his leave from the mob after being injured during the attempt on his life. We hear that De Niro will be taking on both key roles in the film eyed for release in theaters.
Oscar-nominated Goodfellas scribe Nicholas Pileggi penned the...
Wise Guys is a period piece tells the story of Vito Genovese and Frank Costello, a pair of Italian Americans running two separate crime families during the mid-20th century. Genovese tried and failed to assassinate Costello in 1957, though the latter wound up taking his leave from the mob after being injured during the attempt on his life. We hear that De Niro will be taking on both key roles in the film eyed for release in theaters.
Oscar-nominated Goodfellas scribe Nicholas Pileggi penned the...
- 8/16/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
"I'm just giving you a chance to lose with a little dignity!" HBO has revealed the first official trailer for The Survivor, a WWII biopic from filmmaker Barry Levinson. This premiered at the 2021 Toronto Film Festival last fall and received mostly positive reviews then. Levinson's biographical drama stars Ben Foster as boxer Harry Haft, who struggles to carry on after fighting to survive in the Holocaust. Post World War II, Harry Haft is a boxer who fought fellow prisoners in the concentration camps to survive. Haunted by memories and guilt, he attempts to use high-profile fights against boxing legends like Rocky Marciano as a way to find his first love again. In addition to Ben Foster, the impressive cast includes Danny DeVito, John Leguizamo, Peter Sarsgaard, Billy Magnussen, Paul Bates, Anthony Molinari as Rocky Marciano, as well ...
- 3/23/2022
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
The idea of a focus on the soundtrack work of Hans Zimmer was an exciting prospect. How can I spin this subject and create a new way to approach these popular scores that are loved by so many? The task itself was far more daunting; scouring through Zimmer’s filmography felt like being an archivist, for a film composer only active since the mid 80s, his output is significant. He’s one of the most famous contemporary film composers on the world stage today; the type whose fans create YouTube videos of hours-long ultimate Zimmer loops and purchase his instrumental sample packs for their digital audio workstation software. In a popular culture that feels despondent towards cinema and the many players involved in the making of it, Zimmer strikes out as a household name.In going about this mix, Zimmer’s whole filmography is explored. His cherished signature sounds are represented: tribal instruments,...
- 2/28/2022
- MUBI
What a strange career Barry Levinson has had. The Baltimore-born filmmaker burst onto the scene in 1982 with “Diner” and embarked on a winning streak that’s still somewhat astonishing — his hits from the period included “Tin Men,” “Good Morning, Vietnam,” “Rain Man,” and “Bugsy.” And then came 1992’s “Toys,” and after it, a steady cascade of real clunkers: “Jimmy Hollywood,” “Disclosure,” “Sphere,” “Envy,” “Man of the Year,” “Rock the Kasbah,” and so on.
Continue reading ‘The Survivor’: Barry Levinson’s Boxing Biopic With Ben Foster Both Embraces & Subverts Its Formulas [TIFF Review] at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘The Survivor’: Barry Levinson’s Boxing Biopic With Ben Foster Both Embraces & Subverts Its Formulas [TIFF Review] at The Playlist.
- 9/15/2021
- by Jason Bailey
- The Playlist
Concept artist John Eaves will be honored with the Art Directors Guild’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the 25th annual Adg Awards.
Presented to Eaves by Emmy-nominated production designer Herman Zimmerman, the award will recognize his role in bringing iconic sci-fi concepts and sets to life, for Marvel, the Star Trek franchise and more.
“For the past 36 years, John’s work as a Production Illustrator has been an integral part of over 100 films and television shows,” said Tim Wilcox, Adg Illustrators & Matte Artists Council Chair. “From props, to sets, to vehicles, to gadgets, and, most prominent and recognizable, a small fleet of starships for the Star Trek franchise, John has inspired many and left an amazing mark on our industry. We celebrate his creativity, talent, and contributions to the Craft.”
Boasting a 36-year career in film and TV, Eaves has worked as a concept artist on over 100 award-winning motion picture franchises,...
Presented to Eaves by Emmy-nominated production designer Herman Zimmerman, the award will recognize his role in bringing iconic sci-fi concepts and sets to life, for Marvel, the Star Trek franchise and more.
“For the past 36 years, John’s work as a Production Illustrator has been an integral part of over 100 films and television shows,” said Tim Wilcox, Adg Illustrators & Matte Artists Council Chair. “From props, to sets, to vehicles, to gadgets, and, most prominent and recognizable, a small fleet of starships for the Star Trek franchise, John has inspired many and left an amazing mark on our industry. We celebrate his creativity, talent, and contributions to the Craft.”
Boasting a 36-year career in film and TV, Eaves has worked as a concept artist on over 100 award-winning motion picture franchises,...
- 3/31/2021
- by Patrick Hipes and Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Roadside Attractions has released the first trailer for “Pinocchio,” Italian filmmaker Matteo Garrone’s mature contemporary riff on the classic fairytale. The film premiered to rave reviews earlier this year at the Berlin International Film Festival, where it garnered attention for Garrone’s layered storytelling, imaginative visuals, and zany surrealist flourishes. This live-action “Pinocchio” stars Oscar winner Roberto Benigni as puppetmaker Geppetto, and features a breakout performance from young newcomer Federico Ielapi as the little wooden boy.
Here’s the official synopsis: “Shot in stunning Italian locations, Matteo Garrone’s rich world of mystery and wonder stars Academy Award-winning actor Roberto Benigni as Geppetto, the old woodcarver whose puppet creation, Pinocchio, magically comes to life with dreams of becoming a real boy. Easily led astray, Pinocchio (nine-year-old Federico Ielapi) tumbles from one misadventure to another as he is tricked, kidnapped and chased by bandits through a wonderful world full of...
Here’s the official synopsis: “Shot in stunning Italian locations, Matteo Garrone’s rich world of mystery and wonder stars Academy Award-winning actor Roberto Benigni as Geppetto, the old woodcarver whose puppet creation, Pinocchio, magically comes to life with dreams of becoming a real boy. Easily led astray, Pinocchio (nine-year-old Federico Ielapi) tumbles from one misadventure to another as he is tricked, kidnapped and chased by bandits through a wonderful world full of...
- 12/10/2020
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
Quentin Tarantino loves his weird and obscure horror films, so when he recommends you watch something, you know you’re in for a treat. His latest Halloween recommendation? The 1974 slasher film “Devil Times Five,” also known as “People Toys” in certain territories.
Read More: The Best Horror Films Of 2020 (So Far)
Tarantino took the time to praise “Devil Times Five” during a PaleyFest panel promoting the second season of Eli Roth’s “History of Horror” show.
Continue reading ‘Devil Times Five’: Quentin Tarantino Recommends You Watch This Obscure ’70s Slasher For Halloween at The Playlist.
Read More: The Best Horror Films Of 2020 (So Far)
Tarantino took the time to praise “Devil Times Five” during a PaleyFest panel promoting the second season of Eli Roth’s “History of Horror” show.
Continue reading ‘Devil Times Five’: Quentin Tarantino Recommends You Watch This Obscure ’70s Slasher For Halloween at The Playlist.
- 10/24/2020
- by Rafael Motamayor
- The Playlist
Hulu is moving ahead with Dopesick, an 8-episode limited series focused on America’s opioid crisis, brandishing promising marquee names in headliner Michael Keaton, Oscar-winning director Barry Levinson, Emmy-winning writer/showrunner Danny Strong and veteran Emmy-winning producer Warren Littlefield.
The series, a production of Fox 21 Television Studios eyed for 2021, adapts author Beth Macy’s 2018 journalistic book, Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors and the Drug Company that Addicted America. Hulu’s series, like the book, will focus on the ordeal of a Virginia mining town, with Keaton starring as Samuel Finnix, who’s described as “an old-school doctor who approaches his practice with kindness and compassion, but finds himself embroiled in Big Pharma’s deadly secret.” Yet, the series will also intersect “unsparing yet deeply human portraits” of families affected by the pill-pushing encroachment of monolithic companies, all while attempting to shine “a hopeful light” for the future. As Bert Salke, President,...
The series, a production of Fox 21 Television Studios eyed for 2021, adapts author Beth Macy’s 2018 journalistic book, Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors and the Drug Company that Addicted America. Hulu’s series, like the book, will focus on the ordeal of a Virginia mining town, with Keaton starring as Samuel Finnix, who’s described as “an old-school doctor who approaches his practice with kindness and compassion, but finds himself embroiled in Big Pharma’s deadly secret.” Yet, the series will also intersect “unsparing yet deeply human portraits” of families affected by the pill-pushing encroachment of monolithic companies, all while attempting to shine “a hopeful light” for the future. As Bert Salke, President,...
- 6/17/2020
- by Joseph Baxter
- Den of Geek
While Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker has continued to divide fans, I think most can agree that the first season of The Mandalorian on the Disney+ streaming service was a hell of a lot of fun. The second season of the series will be launching later this year, but Hot Toys will soon be giving the titular bounty hunter and his young companion the 1/6th scale collectible treatment, so best to prepare…...
- 3/19/2020
- by Kevin Fraser
- JoBlo.com
Stars: Ethan Taylor, Robert Nairne, Lucy-Jane Quinlan, Philip Ridout, Darrie Gardner, Charles Abomeli, Stacey Lynn Crowe, Simon Balfour | Written and Directed by Lawrence Fowler
When a museum is donated a vintage Jack-In-The-Box, it s not long before staff member Casey starts to think that the creepy clown doll inside has a life of its own. As he discovers his colleagues are dying, one by one, Casey realises it’s up to him to find a way to end the nightmare or become another victim of the box’s curse…
Clowns. Bloody terrifying if done right. And in horror movies clowns are usually, no matter, the budget, creepy bastards you want to get away from as soon as possible. But what about a Jack-in-the-Box? Technically a clown yes, but hampered by – you know – being attached to a box. Though that didn’t stop the creepy jack-in-the-box from Demonic Toys did it?...
When a museum is donated a vintage Jack-In-The-Box, it s not long before staff member Casey starts to think that the creepy clown doll inside has a life of its own. As he discovers his colleagues are dying, one by one, Casey realises it’s up to him to find a way to end the nightmare or become another victim of the box’s curse…
Clowns. Bloody terrifying if done right. And in horror movies clowns are usually, no matter, the budget, creepy bastards you want to get away from as soon as possible. But what about a Jack-in-the-Box? Technically a clown yes, but hampered by – you know – being attached to a box. Though that didn’t stop the creepy jack-in-the-box from Demonic Toys did it?...
- 3/10/2020
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Yet another YouTube star is breaking into the toy biz.
Blippi, a beloved creator of YouTube's preschool set, is rolling out his Blippi Toy line this month at various online and physical retailers across the U.S. and U.K. The line is being manufactured by Jazwares, a toy company that is also readying products alongside Australian kids' channel Ckn Toys.
Blippi is the character creation of edu-tainer Stevin John, a self-described entrepreneur-turned-YouTube monolith with a background in brand development, digital content creation, and online marketing. The adventurous Blippi character that John created is beloved for his orange and blue attire, comical mannerisms, and friendly demeanor. He operates four YouTube channels that have amassed more than 12 billion lifetime views and 20 million subscribers globally, with standalone Spanish- and German-language hubs.
Blippi Toys will comprise figures, vehicles, plushies, and educational sets that seek to help two-to-seven-year-olds become more curious about the world around them.
Blippi, a beloved creator of YouTube's preschool set, is rolling out his Blippi Toy line this month at various online and physical retailers across the U.S. and U.K. The line is being manufactured by Jazwares, a toy company that is also readying products alongside Australian kids' channel Ckn Toys.
Blippi is the character creation of edu-tainer Stevin John, a self-described entrepreneur-turned-YouTube monolith with a background in brand development, digital content creation, and online marketing. The adventurous Blippi character that John created is beloved for his orange and blue attire, comical mannerisms, and friendly demeanor. He operates four YouTube channels that have amassed more than 12 billion lifetime views and 20 million subscribers globally, with standalone Spanish- and German-language hubs.
Blippi Toys will comprise figures, vehicles, plushies, and educational sets that seek to help two-to-seven-year-olds become more curious about the world around them.
- 1/23/2020
- by Geoff Weiss
- Tubefilter.com
Aaron Sagers Dec 20, 2019
This article is presented by eBay
The Star Wars saga is more than just the film franchise that changed popular culture, it’s also an ongoing tale of merchandise. Apologies to Woody, Buzz, and the toys in that other Disney-owned property, Star Wars is the best, biggest toy story.
Not only did George Lucas alter the way licensing deals are made, but Star Wars toys also changed the popular format of action figures, and even kickstarted a collecting craze that continues today. According to Sharon Scott, historian and author of Toys and American Culture: An Encyclopedia, consumers took note when well-preserved Star Wars toys started becoming collectible – and worth a bit of money. “From the 1980s onward, it became common for Americans to purchase toys and keep them for collectible purposes,” she writes.
But that journey to the shelves began with the near Force-sensitive foresight of George Lucas.
This article is presented by eBay
The Star Wars saga is more than just the film franchise that changed popular culture, it’s also an ongoing tale of merchandise. Apologies to Woody, Buzz, and the toys in that other Disney-owned property, Star Wars is the best, biggest toy story.
Not only did George Lucas alter the way licensing deals are made, but Star Wars toys also changed the popular format of action figures, and even kickstarted a collecting craze that continues today. According to Sharon Scott, historian and author of Toys and American Culture: An Encyclopedia, consumers took note when well-preserved Star Wars toys started becoming collectible – and worth a bit of money. “From the 1980s onward, it became common for Americans to purchase toys and keep them for collectible purposes,” she writes.
But that journey to the shelves began with the near Force-sensitive foresight of George Lucas.
- 12/20/2019
- Den of Geek
The Art Directors Guild said Tuesday that Jack Johnson, whose credits as an illustrator include Goonies and Edward Scissorhands, will receive the guild’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the 24th annual Adg Awards. The ceremony is set for February 1 in the Wilshire Grand Ballroom at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown.
Johnson’s honor, from the guild’s Illustrators and Matte Artists Council, round out the four lifetime Adg awards for 2020 from each of the organization’s four crafts. As already announced, Joe Alves will receive the award from the Art Directors Council; Denis Olsen from the Scenic, Title and Graphic Artists Council; and Stephen Myles Berger from the Set Designers and Model Makers Council.
Johnson’s more than 60 film credits as a production illustrator, conceptual artist or art director include Toys, Jurassic Park III, Pleasantville, Big Fish, The Perfect Storm, Jerry Maguire, Independence Day, Beetlejuice, The Color Purple and Star Trek: The Motion Picture.
Johnson’s honor, from the guild’s Illustrators and Matte Artists Council, round out the four lifetime Adg awards for 2020 from each of the organization’s four crafts. As already announced, Joe Alves will receive the award from the Art Directors Council; Denis Olsen from the Scenic, Title and Graphic Artists Council; and Stephen Myles Berger from the Set Designers and Model Makers Council.
Johnson’s more than 60 film credits as a production illustrator, conceptual artist or art director include Toys, Jurassic Park III, Pleasantville, Big Fish, The Perfect Storm, Jerry Maguire, Independence Day, Beetlejuice, The Color Purple and Star Trek: The Motion Picture.
- 11/12/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
For those of you who enjoy watching the Netflix series The Toys That Made Us, you might be happy to learn that there’s a spinoff series coming called The Movies That Made Us. The series will use the same format that they’ve been using for the Toys series, but it will focus on the movies that we grew up with!
The first season of The Movies That Made Us will specifically deal with films from the 80s and those films will include Die Hard, Ghostbusters, Dirty Dancing, and Home Alone. Yeah, I know that Home Alone was released in 1990, but they decided to squeeze it in with the other 80s films anyway.
While talking about the new series with Den of Geek, creator Brian Volk-Weiss explained, “For Home Alone, we wanted a comedy. That was one thing. We really wanted to do a holiday movie. This show is...
The first season of The Movies That Made Us will specifically deal with films from the 80s and those films will include Die Hard, Ghostbusters, Dirty Dancing, and Home Alone. Yeah, I know that Home Alone was released in 1990, but they decided to squeeze it in with the other 80s films anyway.
While talking about the new series with Den of Geek, creator Brian Volk-Weiss explained, “For Home Alone, we wanted a comedy. That was one thing. We really wanted to do a holiday movie. This show is...
- 10/18/2019
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
We are hearing a few new things from the streaming service Quibi this week as they are building up the titles that they are prepping to bring to their service. Just yesterday we reported that the new series The Fugitive, based on the 1993 film, is landing at Quibi, with Kiefer Sutherland and Boyd Holbrook starring.
We also know there will be a Varsity Blues series, as well as a horror series from the great Steven Spielberg. There are many more things, but I think the streamer still has an uphill battle against some of the giants who are already established or who have a crazy bounty to bring to the table. So it’s nice to hear the new content is still coming. I’m ready to be won over.
The newest series we have info on is a book to series adaptation from the James Patterson novel Toys. The...
We also know there will be a Varsity Blues series, as well as a horror series from the great Steven Spielberg. There are many more things, but I think the streamer still has an uphill battle against some of the giants who are already established or who have a crazy bounty to bring to the table. So it’s nice to hear the new content is still coming. I’m ready to be won over.
The newest series we have info on is a book to series adaptation from the James Patterson novel Toys. The...
- 9/19/2019
- by Jessica Fisher
- GeekTyrant
In today’s TV news roundup, Netflix releases “Raising Dion’s” trailer and announces a number of premiere dates for its original series.
Dates
Netflix announced the premiere dates for several of its new and returning original series: Season 2 of “Carmen Sandiego” will launch Oct. 1; Deon Cole’s standup special “Deon Cole: Cole Hearted” will launch Oct. 8; Season 2 of “Insatiable” will launch Oct. 11; and Chef David Chang’s food series “Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner” will launch Oct. 23.
Crackle announced that “Going From Broke,“ which will tackle the issue of America’s growing student loan debt, will premiere Oct. 17. The show is hosted by Chegg CEO Dan Rosensweig, who, along with financial expert Danetha Doe, will go one-on-one with young people living in Los Angeles to change their habits, gain financial confidence and become the boss of their own lives. The show comes from executive producer Ashton Kutcher, Matador Content and...
Dates
Netflix announced the premiere dates for several of its new and returning original series: Season 2 of “Carmen Sandiego” will launch Oct. 1; Deon Cole’s standup special “Deon Cole: Cole Hearted” will launch Oct. 8; Season 2 of “Insatiable” will launch Oct. 11; and Chef David Chang’s food series “Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner” will launch Oct. 23.
Crackle announced that “Going From Broke,“ which will tackle the issue of America’s growing student loan debt, will premiere Oct. 17. The show is hosted by Chegg CEO Dan Rosensweig, who, along with financial expert Danetha Doe, will go one-on-one with young people living in Los Angeles to change their habits, gain financial confidence and become the boss of their own lives. The show comes from executive producer Ashton Kutcher, Matador Content and...
- 9/18/2019
- by BreAnna Bell
- Variety Film + TV
To this day, Robin Williams remains a comedy icon, and even though he is gone, the legacy of his film work lives on. That legacy is a large part of the new documentary “Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind,” which is currently showing and streaming on HBO. Equally adept at outrageous comedy and sensitive drama, Williams was a one-of-a-kind performer, one whose unique style will likely never be equaled. He tragically died on August 11, 2014.
After success as a stand-up comic and television stardom via “Mork and Mindy,” Williams turned to film and achieved success far beyond what his TV success could have indicated. He won an Academy Award for “Good Will Hunting” (1997), one of four Oscar nominations he earned in his career. Williams also earned two Screen Actors Guild Awards (for 1996’s “The Birdcage” and “Good Will Hunting”) and received nine Golden Globe nominations, winning statues for 1987’s “Good Morning, Vietnam,...
After success as a stand-up comic and television stardom via “Mork and Mindy,” Williams turned to film and achieved success far beyond what his TV success could have indicated. He won an Academy Award for “Good Will Hunting” (1997), one of four Oscar nominations he earned in his career. Williams also earned two Screen Actors Guild Awards (for 1996’s “The Birdcage” and “Good Will Hunting”) and received nine Golden Globe nominations, winning statues for 1987’s “Good Morning, Vietnam,...
- 7/30/2018
- by Tom O'Brien and Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
This weekend, Academy Award-winning director Barry Levinson (“Rain Man”) will be honored with the Crystal Globe for outstanding artistic contribution to world cinema at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival in the Czech Republic. Levinson’s feature filmmaking career has been long and varied, having started with writing for Mel Brooks before directing movies that ranged from the personal (“Diner”) to Robin Williams comedies to Oscar-nominated dramas to prescient political satires and Al Pacino-starring biopics (“Paterno” “You Don’t Know Jack”).
Hollywood no longer makes the type of mid-budget, theatrically released feature films Levinson became known for, but he doesn’t share many of his contemporaries’ dismay about the industry’s significant shift toward TV and streaming. A decade before “The Sopranos” and “The Wire” helped usher in the current “Peak TV” wave, Levinson and his Baltimore Pictures was responsible for introducing then-reporter David Simon to TV with “Homicide: Life on the Street...
Hollywood no longer makes the type of mid-budget, theatrically released feature films Levinson became known for, but he doesn’t share many of his contemporaries’ dismay about the industry’s significant shift toward TV and streaming. A decade before “The Sopranos” and “The Wire” helped usher in the current “Peak TV” wave, Levinson and his Baltimore Pictures was responsible for introducing then-reporter David Simon to TV with “Homicide: Life on the Street...
- 7/6/2018
- by Chris O'Falt
- Indiewire
Sometimes a director’s vision for a film isn’t realized upon its initial release, but is later understood and appreciated. Such is the case with Barry Levinson’s “Toys,” which he discussed with Variety’s Peter Debruge for our Critics Corner series at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival.
The “Rain Man” director said he conceived “Toys” in the midst of being captivated by the idea of presenting military equipment and weaponry in a happy, Willy-Wonka-esque-toy-factory fashion. However, despite being shrugged off during its opening in 1992, Levinson said younger audiences have begun to appreciate the Robin Williams-starrer today.
“I thought, if we do it in these primary colors and it all looks like it’s happy and fun, but it’s really a dark comedy underneath it, rather than presenting it as a dark comedy,” Levinson said. “It’s only in the last few years where a whole new generation sort of sees it,...
The “Rain Man” director said he conceived “Toys” in the midst of being captivated by the idea of presenting military equipment and weaponry in a happy, Willy-Wonka-esque-toy-factory fashion. However, despite being shrugged off during its opening in 1992, Levinson said younger audiences have begun to appreciate the Robin Williams-starrer today.
“I thought, if we do it in these primary colors and it all looks like it’s happy and fun, but it’s really a dark comedy underneath it, rather than presenting it as a dark comedy,” Levinson said. “It’s only in the last few years where a whole new generation sort of sees it,...
- 7/5/2018
- by Ellis Clopton
- Variety Film + TV
"The Furniture," by Daniel Walber, is our weekly series on Production Design. You can click on the images to see them in magnified detail.
Today marks the 25th anniversary of Barry Levinson’s Toys, a film you don’t hear about very much anymore. It wasn’t exactly beloved at the time, certainly, and wound up with a Razzie nomination for Worst Director. However, it also showed up at the Oscars, receiving nominations for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design. At the very least, it remains a pleasant reminder that sometimes even flops are given a fair shake by the Academy’s craft branches.
And now, in the dramatically different context of 2017, it deserves some renewed attention. Its critique of militarism and toxic masculinity has aged surprisingly well, as have the more committed of the performances. Joan Cusack’s absurd turn as the eternally childlike Alsatia is at the top of the list.
Today marks the 25th anniversary of Barry Levinson’s Toys, a film you don’t hear about very much anymore. It wasn’t exactly beloved at the time, certainly, and wound up with a Razzie nomination for Worst Director. However, it also showed up at the Oscars, receiving nominations for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design. At the very least, it remains a pleasant reminder that sometimes even flops are given a fair shake by the Academy’s craft branches.
And now, in the dramatically different context of 2017, it deserves some renewed attention. Its critique of militarism and toxic masculinity has aged surprisingly well, as have the more committed of the performances. Joan Cusack’s absurd turn as the eternally childlike Alsatia is at the top of the list.
- 12/18/2017
- by Daniel Walber
- FilmExperience
The Toyman Toy Show in St. Louis has been going strong for over 26 years now and just keeps getting bigger and better! The fun takes place seven times a year at The Machinists Hall 12365 St Charles Rock Road in Bridgeton, Mo 63044. There are over 130 vendors at the Toyman Toy Show spread out over 225 tables. all selling vintage toys, comics, dolls, diecast cars, movie memorabilia, and more as well as cosplayers and artists. It’s an unbelievable amount of fun for only $5 and this next show, you’ll have the opportunity to meet a Gremlin and a Power Ranger!
The next Toyman Show is December 10th from 9:00a to 3:00p and Voice Actor Mark Dodson and Power Rangers star Mike Ginn will be in attendance!
Mark Dodson was the voice of Salicious Crumb in Return Of The Jedi and Mogwai in Gremlins. His other voice credits include Day Of The Dead...
The next Toyman Show is December 10th from 9:00a to 3:00p and Voice Actor Mark Dodson and Power Rangers star Mike Ginn will be in attendance!
Mark Dodson was the voice of Salicious Crumb in Return Of The Jedi and Mogwai in Gremlins. His other voice credits include Day Of The Dead...
- 11/28/2017
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Ryan Lambie Mar 22, 2017
Fearsome monsters, grasping hands, and a suggestive tree. Here are 10 fantasy movie moments that scarred us as kids...
Sooner or later, you're going to see a scary movie. Whether you sneak down and watch a horror film on late night television, watch a Nightmare On Elm Street sequel round a friend's house or watch clips of slasher movies on YouTube, horror movies are always out there, waiting in the wings for the young and curious.
See related The Last Kingdom series 2 episode 1 review The Last Kingdom series 2: politics, battles and arselings What can we expect from new BBC drama, The Last Kingdom?
But long before most of us graduate to the stage of our lives where we start seeking out 18-rated movies of gore and terror, we reliably encounter scary moments in what might initially seem to be harmless family adventure films.
The 1980s was an...
Fearsome monsters, grasping hands, and a suggestive tree. Here are 10 fantasy movie moments that scarred us as kids...
Sooner or later, you're going to see a scary movie. Whether you sneak down and watch a horror film on late night television, watch a Nightmare On Elm Street sequel round a friend's house or watch clips of slasher movies on YouTube, horror movies are always out there, waiting in the wings for the young and curious.
See related The Last Kingdom series 2 episode 1 review The Last Kingdom series 2: politics, battles and arselings What can we expect from new BBC drama, The Last Kingdom?
But long before most of us graduate to the stage of our lives where we start seeking out 18-rated movies of gore and terror, we reliably encounter scary moments in what might initially seem to be harmless family adventure films.
The 1980s was an...
- 3/21/2017
- Den of Geek
Five of Robin Williams’ friends and colleagues celebrated the opening of the SAG-aftra Foundation’s Robin Williams Center for Entertainment and Media in New York on Wednesday by remembering the life and and work of Williams. In honor of his more than 40-year career that included more than 100 performances in TV and film, the SAG-aftra Foundation dedicated its new 154-seat screening room to the memory and legacy of Williams.
Watch: Bobcat Goldthwait Opens Up About Directing His Best Friend Robin Williams in ‘Larry King Now’ Clip
On hand for the event were Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, Hank Azaria, Bonnie Hunt and director Barry Levinson, who directed Williams in three films: “Good Morning, Vietnam,” “Toys” and “Man of the Year.” Each member of the panel spoke at length, remembering Williams and sharing insights into his personality. “He was not a sports guy,” Crystal said. “I would ask him who he rooted for,...
Watch: Bobcat Goldthwait Opens Up About Directing His Best Friend Robin Williams in ‘Larry King Now’ Clip
On hand for the event were Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, Hank Azaria, Bonnie Hunt and director Barry Levinson, who directed Williams in three films: “Good Morning, Vietnam,” “Toys” and “Man of the Year.” Each member of the panel spoke at length, remembering Williams and sharing insights into his personality. “He was not a sports guy,” Crystal said. “I would ask him who he rooted for,...
- 10/6/2016
- by Graham Winfrey
- Indiewire
Conan O’Brien will take Comic-Con’s Hall H stage on Saturday, July 23rd to host Warner Bros. Pictures’ anticipated presentation, teasing Suicide Squad, Kong: Skull Island, Wonder Woman, and more:
Press Release: (July 11, 2016 – Burbank, CA) – Warner Bros. Pictures will once again commandeer the convention when the Studio’s biggest stars, DC’s best Super Heroes and “worst” Super-Villains, fantastic beasts great and small and more head to this year’s Comic-Con International: San Diego.
On Saturday, July 23, beginning at 11:30 a.m., Warner Bros. will showcase several of its most-anticipated upcoming feature releases in its Hall H presentation, headed up by master of ceremonies Conan O’Brien:
• “Wonder Woman” stars Gal Gadot, Chris Pine and Connie Nielsen and director Patty Jenkins.
• “Suicide Squad” stars Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman, Viola Davis, Jai Courtney, Jay Hernandez, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Scott Eastwood, Cara Delevingne, Adam Beach and Karen Fukuhara,...
Press Release: (July 11, 2016 – Burbank, CA) – Warner Bros. Pictures will once again commandeer the convention when the Studio’s biggest stars, DC’s best Super Heroes and “worst” Super-Villains, fantastic beasts great and small and more head to this year’s Comic-Con International: San Diego.
On Saturday, July 23, beginning at 11:30 a.m., Warner Bros. will showcase several of its most-anticipated upcoming feature releases in its Hall H presentation, headed up by master of ceremonies Conan O’Brien:
• “Wonder Woman” stars Gal Gadot, Chris Pine and Connie Nielsen and director Patty Jenkins.
• “Suicide Squad” stars Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman, Viola Davis, Jai Courtney, Jay Hernandez, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Scott Eastwood, Cara Delevingne, Adam Beach and Karen Fukuhara,...
- 7/12/2016
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
This summer, Super-Villains will take over in the highly anticipated big screen action adventure Suicide Squad, marking the theatrical debut of some of the most beloved bad guys in the DC Universe, including Deadshot™, Harley Quinn™, Killer Croc™, Katana™ and Enchantress™, and bringing back to the big screen one of the most dangerous villains of all time, The Joker™. The Super-Villains will unite in an action-packed adventure that will have moviegoers on the edge of their seats, and Warner Bros. Consumer Products (Wbcp) has done some teaming up of its own, partnering with its licensees around the world for its global licensing and merchandising program in support of the film. Written and directed by David Ayer and from Warner Bros. Pictures, Suicide Squad hits theaters August 5, 2016.
Pam Lifford, President, Warner Bros. Consumer Products said:
“Suicide Squad marks the theatrical debut of several of the most recognized, fan-favorite DC Super-Villains, and...
Pam Lifford, President, Warner Bros. Consumer Products said:
“Suicide Squad marks the theatrical debut of several of the most recognized, fan-favorite DC Super-Villains, and...
- 6/8/2016
- by Kellvin Chavez
- LRMonline.com
Last week, fellow columnist Molly Jackson and I had a conversation about binge watching on Netflix. Specifically about Young Justice, which she wrote about here. The reason it came up was because people have been encouraged to binge watch Young Justice in order to convince Netflix to pick up the show to give it another season. Young Justice is far from the only example of this at the most popular streaming service around.
Netflix has been breaking new ground lately by not breaking any new ground at all. By that I mean they’ve been at the forefront of offering people a whole hell of a lot of what we already know we like, but, technically, it’s new now! Even when they give us something “new” it’s almost always a vehicle for an already well established, accomplished actor, comedian, or creator with a long resume. I understand that this is an arguable point,...
Netflix has been breaking new ground lately by not breaking any new ground at all. By that I mean they’ve been at the forefront of offering people a whole hell of a lot of what we already know we like, but, technically, it’s new now! Even when they give us something “new” it’s almost always a vehicle for an already well established, accomplished actor, comedian, or creator with a long resume. I understand that this is an arguable point,...
- 3/22/2016
- by Joe Corallo
- Comicmix.com
Warner Bros. have announced some new details today on the upcoming soundtrack for Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, including a full list, special versions, and more. Come inside to check it out.
We're almost there people, we're just a couple months away from seeing two of comics' biggest icons battle it out on the big screen together, and WB is stepping up their marketing. Toys and other merchandise are beginning to hit store shelves, but movie fans are always eager to get their hands (ears) on the film's score. Today, we have some details on the upcoming soundtrack release.
WaterTower Music announced today the March 18 release of the soundtrack to the upcoming feature film “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” a collaborative effort by film composers Hans Zimmer and Junkie Xl (aka Tom Holkenborg). Available digitally, on CD, 2-disc deluxe CD, and on Limited Edition 3-disc deluxe vinyl the...
We're almost there people, we're just a couple months away from seeing two of comics' biggest icons battle it out on the big screen together, and WB is stepping up their marketing. Toys and other merchandise are beginning to hit store shelves, but movie fans are always eager to get their hands (ears) on the film's score. Today, we have some details on the upcoming soundtrack release.
WaterTower Music announced today the March 18 release of the soundtrack to the upcoming feature film “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” a collaborative effort by film composers Hans Zimmer and Junkie Xl (aka Tom Holkenborg). Available digitally, on CD, 2-disc deluxe CD, and on Limited Edition 3-disc deluxe vinyl the...
- 1/21/2016
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (Jordan Maison)
- Cinelinx
“Long live rock and roll!” Turns out that this is really true. I mean the Rolling Stones are still filling up arenas well past the usual retirement age, as does Paul McCarthy (excuse me, Sir Paul!). Well, some of those rockers do slow down a bit and ease into more pop ballads and standards. We saw that earlier this year with Al Pacino as Danny Collins. Is the same true for their managers and agents? Hey, Christopher Plummer took on that role with Al. This new film’s focus on one such aging music agent, a fellow who will never let go of the beat, the melody. And what actor still embodies rock star cool? How about Mr. Bill Murray. Tossing him into the music scene should guarantee big laughs, but how about stranding him in the volatile Middle East for a fish out of water twist? With the bullets...
- 10/23/2015
- by Jim Batts
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.