In recent years Paul Verhoeven's Hollywood films have been going through something of a critical revaluation. Flesh + Blood is now being appreciated as an allegory of Nazi Germany, Martin (Rutger Hauer) as Hitler, the Cardinal (Ronald Lacey) Goebbels and Agnes (Jennifer Jason Leigh), complicit in her own rape, the March Violets. Starship Troopers is a parody of totalitarian propaganda. Someday Showgirls may be seen as a cutting critique slashing at the Hollywood system and the American Dream. Everyone can have their piece of apple pie as long as they are willing to exploit and abuse.
RoboDoc documents the filming of RoboCop, Verhoeven's satire on the privatisation and militarisation of policing and corporate America's fascistic tendencies.
At almost five hours long, what you get to see is an almost shot for shot 'making of' documentary. It starts at the beginning with script writing and production through to filming, editing and.
RoboDoc documents the filming of RoboCop, Verhoeven's satire on the privatisation and militarisation of policing and corporate America's fascistic tendencies.
At almost five hours long, what you get to see is an almost shot for shot 'making of' documentary. It starts at the beginning with script writing and production through to filming, editing and.
- 10/6/2023
- by Donald Munro
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Few deaths in the "Indiana Jones" films as quite as unforgettable as that of Pat Roach's Nazi mechanic in "Raiders of the Lost Ark." Upon spotting Indy (Harrison Ford) duking it out with one of his fellow Nazi handymen near a plane preparing to take off, Roach's nameless, burly villain smiles to himself as he removes his shirt, clearly itching for a fight. He proceeds to give Indy quite the thrashing and might've well won their match, had he bothered to turn around in time and spot the spinning airplane propellor bearing down on him.
Roach had a knack for playing the heel, starting with his run on the British wrestling circuit. Having earned a black belt in Judo before becoming the National Judo Champion in 1960, Roach spent the next decade wrestling under such personas as "Big" and "Lord" Pat Roach, squaring off against the likes of Dwayne Johnson's grandfather,...
Roach had a knack for playing the heel, starting with his run on the British wrestling circuit. Having earned a black belt in Judo before becoming the National Judo Champion in 1960, Roach spent the next decade wrestling under such personas as "Big" and "Lord" Pat Roach, squaring off against the likes of Dwayne Johnson's grandfather,...
- 8/14/2023
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
Here’s the thing: you can argue for another Indiana Jones film as the archaeologist’s greatest adventure, but then Raiders comes along and outshines it with a light that reduces all who disrespect it to dust. Raiders is a perfect film: if it had flaws they’d be like the scar on Harrison Ford’s chin: a flourish to set off the perfection of the rest. If Raiders had a flaw (see Note 2), it would be like the deliberate mistake that master Persian carpet weavers introduce to their intricate patterns so that they don’t challenge God himself. And if this film teaches us anything, it’s that challenging God is not a good idea. The other are (mostly) astonishingly great because they’re a lot like Raiders. Raiders is astonishingly great because it is a perfect film.
First and foremost, that’s down to Steven Spielberg, which explains...
First and foremost, that’s down to Steven Spielberg, which explains...
- 6/21/2023
- by Helen O'Hara
- Empire - Movies
This post contains spoilers for "John Wick: Chapter 4."
John Wick finds himself on a journey to freedom and salvation in "John Wick: Chapter 4," and the path to his destination is a tricky one. Danger lurks in almost every city he sets foot in, and death follows him wherever he goes. Among the many obstacles in his path, apart from the ruthless Marquis (Bill Skarsgård), is Scott Adkins' Killa, an eccentric member of the High Table who loves toying with his adversaries before taking them out. In the attempt to be re-inducted into the Ruska Roma, John sets out to meet Killa and ends up in a stalemate when other players, who want him dead for personal reasons, convene at Killa's nightclub.
Adkins underwent an intense transformation to play the formidable German High Table member, taking inspiration from many sources to create an ex-assassin whose menace now has an edge.
John Wick finds himself on a journey to freedom and salvation in "John Wick: Chapter 4," and the path to his destination is a tricky one. Danger lurks in almost every city he sets foot in, and death follows him wherever he goes. Among the many obstacles in his path, apart from the ruthless Marquis (Bill Skarsgård), is Scott Adkins' Killa, an eccentric member of the High Table who loves toying with his adversaries before taking them out. In the attempt to be re-inducted into the Ruska Roma, John sets out to meet Killa and ends up in a stalemate when other players, who want him dead for personal reasons, convene at Killa's nightclub.
Adkins underwent an intense transformation to play the formidable German High Table member, taking inspiration from many sources to create an ex-assassin whose menace now has an edge.
- 5/14/2023
- by Debopriyaa Dutta
- Slash Film
"Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" features the triumphant return of Harrison Ford as the world's greatest treasure hunter, this time trading his traditional World War II adventures for the Space Race in 1969. The Nazis haven't disappeared, though, as the film's villainous Jürgen Voller, played by Mads Mikkelson, is working for NASA while secretly threatening the world with a conspiracy related to the moon landing. Despite his employment under the U.S. government, Herr Voller hasn't seemed to have lost his penchant for Nazi fashion, his black leather jacket and conniving-looking rounded glasses remarkably similar to Major Arnold Toht's evil outfit from "Raiders of the Lost Ark."
Still, Mikkelson has stated that there's no real connection between his character and Toht besides their Nazi affiliations and fashion preferences. It seems as if Voller is more of a mastermind schemer hiding in the shadows, in contrast to the brazenly evil Toht.
Still, Mikkelson has stated that there's no real connection between his character and Toht besides their Nazi affiliations and fashion preferences. It seems as if Voller is more of a mastermind schemer hiding in the shadows, in contrast to the brazenly evil Toht.
- 4/24/2023
- by Andrew Housman
- Slash Film
The “John Wick” franchise has a reputation for razzle-dazzle filmmaking and serving as demo reels for some of the world’s finest – or at least most promising – action movie stars. “John Wick: Chapter 4” is no exception, with Donnie Yen taking center stage alongside franchise star Keanu Reeves, as Hiroyuki Sanada and Marko Zaror lend prestige and support. Bringing the opposite of “prestige,” at least in terms of the role he plays in the Chad Stahelski-directed actioner, is Scott Adkins.
Adkins has made a name for himself as one of the preeminent filmmakers in the world of direct-to-consumer (DVD/VOD/streaming/etc.) action movies. The likes of Adkins, Michael Jai White, Tony Jaa, Jean Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren hold court in low-budget genre flicks helmed by directors like Isaac Florentine, Jesse V. Johnson, Christian Sesma, and the Kirby Brothers, that emphasize quality action sequences delivered with visual...
Adkins has made a name for himself as one of the preeminent filmmakers in the world of direct-to-consumer (DVD/VOD/streaming/etc.) action movies. The likes of Adkins, Michael Jai White, Tony Jaa, Jean Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren hold court in low-budget genre flicks helmed by directors like Isaac Florentine, Jesse V. Johnson, Christian Sesma, and the Kirby Brothers, that emphasize quality action sequences delivered with visual...
- 3/23/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
From the bullwhip to his iconic fedora, there's plenty about Dr. Henry Jones Jr. that has amazed and delighted movie fans throughout the years. Ever since Indiana Jones made his big-screen debut in 1981's "Raiders of the Lost Ark," action-packed cinema has never quite been the same. With Harrison Ford leading the way and John Williams' marching score soundtracking each nail-biting quest, the franchise swiftly became a living embodiment of its own tagline: "If adventure has a name, it must be Indiana Jones."
Cut to today, and Dr. Jones' tomb-raiding exploits aren't over just yet. With Ford's fifth, and presumably final, adventure due to arrive in 2023, "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" looks to end Indy's journey with a time-hopping bang, this time under the directorial eye of filmmaker James Mangold, who takes the reins from original series helmsman Steven Spielberg. While we'll have to wait a few months...
Cut to today, and Dr. Jones' tomb-raiding exploits aren't over just yet. With Ford's fifth, and presumably final, adventure due to arrive in 2023, "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" looks to end Indy's journey with a time-hopping bang, this time under the directorial eye of filmmaker James Mangold, who takes the reins from original series helmsman Steven Spielberg. While we'll have to wait a few months...
- 12/25/2022
- by Simon Bland
- Slash Film
Fresh off Empire’s first look at Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones 5 via this month’s cover comes a batch of new images giving us a clear look at Ford’s older Indy, plus Mads Mikkelsen and Boyd Holbrook’s characters. Looking at Mikkelsen, he seems to be a dead ringer for Ronald Lacey’s Toht from Raiders of the Lost Ark, and indeed the Empire story confirms Jones will once again be fighting Nazis – in 1969. According to the report, the premise revolves around the space race, which, as screenwriter Jez Butterworth notes, “the simple fact is that the moon-landing program was run by a bunch of ex-Nazis.” He notes the conflict revolves around “how ‘ex’ they are is the question. And it gets up Indy’s nose…”
The story reveals that while Mikkelsen may look like Toht, he’s actually playing a character named Voller, who is apparently based on Wernher von Braun.
The story reveals that while Mikkelsen may look like Toht, he’s actually playing a character named Voller, who is apparently based on Wernher von Braun.
- 11/20/2022
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
It is almost time to go on one (presumably) last ride with Indiana Jones, as Harrison Ford is putting on the fedora once again for "Indiana Jones 5." One can only hope that this will turn out to be a more fitting send-off for Ford's iconic character than "Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." Whether or not there is a future beyond that is another question entirely. So, what is this follow-up going to look like? We don't have a trailer just yet, but what we do have are some fresh new images from the D23 convention floor!
Our very own Ethan Anderton is on hand at D23 to bring the happenings to you, dear readers, as they happen. Today, he brings us these photos of "Indy 5" from Disney's big expo, which consist of some new costumes from the film, as well as some rather intriguing concept art. Truthfully, they raise more questions than answers,...
Our very own Ethan Anderton is on hand at D23 to bring the happenings to you, dear readers, as they happen. Today, he brings us these photos of "Indy 5" from Disney's big expo, which consist of some new costumes from the film, as well as some rather intriguing concept art. Truthfully, they raise more questions than answers,...
- 9/9/2022
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
"We could've ruled the world together!" Studiocanal UK has revealed a new trailer for the 4K restoration re-release of the campy action classic Red Sonja, which originally opened in July of 1985. The movie was a follow-up to Conan the Destroyer, which was a huge success the year before, so they made another just like it. Directed by Richard Fleischer, the epic 80s fantasy action film Red Sonja has been restored in 4K Uhd with a score from the legendary Academy Award-Winning composer Ennio Morricone. Based on stories by the creator of Conan the Barbarian, Robert E. Howard and featuring new original artwork by the artist Renato Casaro (seen below). The fearless warrior Red Sonja sets out to avenge her family's murder and rid her kingdom from the tyrannical rule of evil Queen Gedren. This one stars Brigitte Nielsen as Red Sonja, Arnold Schwarzenegger as Kalidor, Sandahl Bergman, Paul Smith, Ernie Reyes Jr,...
- 7/7/2022
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
4K discs are selling like hotcakes so it’s only natural for studios to give Home Theater fanatics the biggest vintage blockbusters. George Lucas and Steven Spielberg’s hyper-efficient, no-loitering juggernaut is a return to the joys of serial action thrills, one ‘did you see that?’ bravura sequence after another. Harrison Ford’s Indiana Jones is pitted against Paul Freeman’s villainous Belloq, and the might of Jehovah combats the Nazis. Accept the proposition that Adolf Hitler was ‘nuts about the occult’ and everything else will make logical sense. The picture hasn’t dated at all — it overflows with Gee-Whiz excitement that makes Marvel exploits play like weak tea.
Raiders of the Lost Ark 4K
4K Ultra HD + Digital / Steelbook
Paramount
1981 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 115 min. / Street Date June 14, 2022 / Available from / 30.99
Starring: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, Ronald Lacey, John Rhys-Davies, Denholm Elliott, Alfred Molina, Wolf Kahler, Anthony Chinn, Pat Roach,...
Raiders of the Lost Ark 4K
4K Ultra HD + Digital / Steelbook
Paramount
1981 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 115 min. / Street Date June 14, 2022 / Available from / 30.99
Starring: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, Ronald Lacey, John Rhys-Davies, Denholm Elliott, Alfred Molina, Wolf Kahler, Anthony Chinn, Pat Roach,...
- 6/7/2022
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Today marks the 60th birthday of one of the finest and most underrated actors working: the great Jennifer Jason Leigh. Aside from a brief dalliance with the mainstream in the early 90s, her 40+ year career has been spent largely in independent cinema, from her beginnings elevating schlock like Eyes of a Stranger to her most recent role in Lena Dunham’s Sundance 2022 entry, Sharp Stick.
Leigh has never shown any interest in airing any part of her life offscreen in public. This is likely one of the reasons she has gone under the radar throughout her career. She has amassed huge respect in the industry, but her lack of interest in trophy chasing has meant she has just one Oscar nomination to her name and her pursuit of privacy and choice of roles that she’s never been a huge star. I get the feeling that’s exactly how she wants it.
Leigh has never shown any interest in airing any part of her life offscreen in public. This is likely one of the reasons she has gone under the radar throughout her career. She has amassed huge respect in the industry, but her lack of interest in trophy chasing has meant she has just one Oscar nomination to her name and her pursuit of privacy and choice of roles that she’s never been a huge star. I get the feeling that’s exactly how she wants it.
- 2/5/2022
- by Sam Inglis
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Some movies just don’t get the respect they deserve, which cues pushy reviewers to sing their praises. Forget everything you’ve read and give this Roman Polanski picture a chance — it’s the classiest Halloween treat ever, a lavish blend of Hammer horror, slapstick comedy and wistful romance — plus a vampire horde more balefully scary than a carload of zombies. It’s the beloved Sharon Tate’s best picture, and its vampire king is an original apart from Bela Lugosi and Chris Lee’s Draculas — an aristocratic one-percenter on a satanic mission to put all of humanity in a graveyard of the undead. Warners’ Panavision-Metrocolor restoration is drop-dead beautiful. And they’ve even revived Frank Frazetta’s original ‘jolly chase’ poster art.
The Fearless Vampire Killers or: Pardon Me, But Your Teeth Are in My Neck
Blu-ray
Warner Archive Collection
1967 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 107 91 min. / Dance of the Vampires, Your...
The Fearless Vampire Killers or: Pardon Me, But Your Teeth Are in My Neck
Blu-ray
Warner Archive Collection
1967 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 107 91 min. / Dance of the Vampires, Your...
- 10/8/2019
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
It’s a Brit sex comedy that addresses the basic facts about boy-girl petting — and not much else. A noted ‘adult’ role for Hayley Mills, it pairs her with an unlikable Oliver Reed, trying his damnedest to affect natural charm. Was Reed the reason Hayley chose as her next picture a story about a lady studying penguins?
Take a Girl Like You
Blu-ray
Twilight Time
1970 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 98 min. / Street Date June 19, 2018 / Available from the Twilight Time Movies Store / 29.95
Starring: Hayley Mills, Oliver Reed, Noel Harrison, John Bird, Sheila Hancock, Ronald Lacey, Penelope Keith, Imogen Hassall, Pippa Steel, George Woodbridge.
Cinematography: Dick Bush
Film Editor: Jack Harris, Rex Pyke
Original Music: Stanley Myers
Written by George Melly
Produced by Hal E. Chester
Directed by Jonathan Miller
Wait a minute — when exactly did they finally stop calling young women, ‘birds?’
When the Hollywood studios all but collapsed at the end of the 1960s,...
Take a Girl Like You
Blu-ray
Twilight Time
1970 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 98 min. / Street Date June 19, 2018 / Available from the Twilight Time Movies Store / 29.95
Starring: Hayley Mills, Oliver Reed, Noel Harrison, John Bird, Sheila Hancock, Ronald Lacey, Penelope Keith, Imogen Hassall, Pippa Steel, George Woodbridge.
Cinematography: Dick Bush
Film Editor: Jack Harris, Rex Pyke
Original Music: Stanley Myers
Written by George Melly
Produced by Hal E. Chester
Directed by Jonathan Miller
Wait a minute — when exactly did they finally stop calling young women, ‘birds?’
When the Hollywood studios all but collapsed at the end of the 1960s,...
- 6/30/2018
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Few latecomer ’60s spy movies were big successes. This amusing Brit effort sank without a trace, perhaps taking with it the career of the talented Tom Courtenay as a leading man. The comic tale pits an underachieving, cheeky London lad against an intelligence conspiracy that wouldn’t be doing anybody much harm — if they didn’t insist on murdering people.
Otley
Blu-ray
Powerhouse Indicator (UK)
1969 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 92 min. / Available at The Ph page / Street Date March 19, 2018 / £15.99
Starring: Tom Courtenay, Romy Schneider, Alan Badel, James Villiers, Leonard Rossiter, James Bolam, Fiona Lewis, Freddie Jones, James Cossins, James Maxwell, Edward Hardwicke, Ronald Lacey, Phyllida Law, Geoffrey Bayldon, Frank Middlemass.
Cinematography: Austin Dempster
Film Editor: Richard Best
Art Direction: Carmen Dillon
Original Music: Stanley Myers
Written by Dick Clement, Ian la Frenais from a book by Martin Waddell
Produced by Bruce Cohn Curtis, Carl Foreman
Directed by Dick Clement
The British film...
Otley
Blu-ray
Powerhouse Indicator (UK)
1969 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 92 min. / Available at The Ph page / Street Date March 19, 2018 / £15.99
Starring: Tom Courtenay, Romy Schneider, Alan Badel, James Villiers, Leonard Rossiter, James Bolam, Fiona Lewis, Freddie Jones, James Cossins, James Maxwell, Edward Hardwicke, Ronald Lacey, Phyllida Law, Geoffrey Bayldon, Frank Middlemass.
Cinematography: Austin Dempster
Film Editor: Richard Best
Art Direction: Carmen Dillon
Original Music: Stanley Myers
Written by Dick Clement, Ian la Frenais from a book by Martin Waddell
Produced by Bruce Cohn Curtis, Carl Foreman
Directed by Dick Clement
The British film...
- 3/24/2018
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
The new branded line Shout Selects chooses Buckaroo for special-special edition treatment, with a long making-of docu just like the ones from the heyday of DVD. And this oddest of oddball sci-fi pictures has a backstory worth documenting. The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension Blu-ray Shout Select 1984 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 102 min. / Street Date August 16, 2016 / 34.93 Starring: Peter Weller, John Lithgow, Ellen Barkin, Jeff Goldblum, Christopher Lloyd, Lewis Smith, Rosalind Cash, Robert Ito, Pepe Serna, Ronald Lacey, Matt Clark, Clancy Brown, Carl Lumbly, Vincent Schiavelli, Dan Hedaya, Bill Henderson, Damon Hines, Billy Vera Cinematography Fred J. Koenekamp Production Designer J. Michael Riva Art Direction Richard Carter, Stephen Dane Film Editor George Bowers, Richard Marks Original Music Michael Boddicker Written by Earl Mac Rauch Produced by Sidney Beckerman, Neil Canton, W.D. Richter Directed by W.D. Richter
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
Not content with its already well appointed special Blu-ray editions,...
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
Not content with its already well appointed special Blu-ray editions,...
- 8/2/2016
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Kayti Burt Jun 13, 2019
We're looking at three examples of how Raiders of the Lost Ark still affects pop culture's biggest stories.
Raiders of the Lost Ark is a great landmark of modern cinema directed by Steven Spielberg from a story by George Lucas. A tribute to the adventure serials of the 1930s and 1940s, Raiders of the Lost Ark was greatly influenced by what had come before in blockbuster movie cinema and would go on to influence action adventure film and TV that would come after.
read more: The Best Summer Movies of All Time
We could spend an entire book outlining the ways in which the Indiana Jones franchise not only changed action cinema, but continues to influence contemporary pop culture to this day. Instead, let's honor the film's anniversary by looking at how Raiders of the Lost Ark has specifically influenced three of the most important TV and...
We're looking at three examples of how Raiders of the Lost Ark still affects pop culture's biggest stories.
Raiders of the Lost Ark is a great landmark of modern cinema directed by Steven Spielberg from a story by George Lucas. A tribute to the adventure serials of the 1930s and 1940s, Raiders of the Lost Ark was greatly influenced by what had come before in blockbuster movie cinema and would go on to influence action adventure film and TV that would come after.
read more: The Best Summer Movies of All Time
We could spend an entire book outlining the ways in which the Indiana Jones franchise not only changed action cinema, but continues to influence contemporary pop culture to this day. Instead, let's honor the film's anniversary by looking at how Raiders of the Lost Ark has specifically influenced three of the most important TV and...
- 6/9/2016
- Den of Geek
By Tim Greaves
Numerous actors have occupied the role of Sherlock Holmes over the decades, some more suited to the shoes of author Arthur Conan Doyle's famous consulting detective than others. One of the finest portrayals is that by Ian Richardson. Yet, sadly, his is also one that is often overlooked, not leastways because he played the character just twice (in a pair of 1983 films made for television), but also because his light was to be quickly eclipsed a year later by the arrival on TV screens of Jeremy Brett, whose interpretation of Holmes is considered by many to be the definitive one.
Sy Weintraub – who produced several Tarzan movies throughout the 60s and was executive producer on the popular long-running Ron Ely TV series –teamed up with Otto Plaschkes (whose producer credits include Georgie Girl and The Holcroft Covenant) with the intention of making several Holmes adventures headlining Richardson.
Numerous actors have occupied the role of Sherlock Holmes over the decades, some more suited to the shoes of author Arthur Conan Doyle's famous consulting detective than others. One of the finest portrayals is that by Ian Richardson. Yet, sadly, his is also one that is often overlooked, not leastways because he played the character just twice (in a pair of 1983 films made for television), but also because his light was to be quickly eclipsed a year later by the arrival on TV screens of Jeremy Brett, whose interpretation of Holmes is considered by many to be the definitive one.
Sy Weintraub – who produced several Tarzan movies throughout the 60s and was executive producer on the popular long-running Ron Ely TV series –teamed up with Otto Plaschkes (whose producer credits include Georgie Girl and The Holcroft Covenant) with the intention of making several Holmes adventures headlining Richardson.
- 5/10/2016
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Stars: Peter Weller, John Lithgow, Christopher Lloyd, Jeff Goldblum, Ellen Barkin, Lewis Smith, Rosalind Cash, Robert Ito, Pepe Serna, Ronald Lacey, Matt Clark, Clancy Brown, William Traylor, Carl Lumbly, Vincent Schiavelli | Written by Earl Mac Rauch | Directed by W.D. Richter
Arrow Video know their cult movies, you just have to look at the ones they’ve released to see that. If you were to ask the question, how crazy can a cult movie be? I think you just have to look at their latest release for that. The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension is probably one of the strangest (yet still good) Eighties movies you’ll ever see.
When Buckaroo Banzai (Peter Weller), the brilliant physicist-neurosurgeon-martial arts master-secret-rock star manages to use the Oscillation Overthruster to travel to the 8th dimension he draws the attention of the Red Lectroids (an alien race obviously.) Working with Banzai’s...
Arrow Video know their cult movies, you just have to look at the ones they’ve released to see that. If you were to ask the question, how crazy can a cult movie be? I think you just have to look at their latest release for that. The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension is probably one of the strangest (yet still good) Eighties movies you’ll ever see.
When Buckaroo Banzai (Peter Weller), the brilliant physicist-neurosurgeon-martial arts master-secret-rock star manages to use the Oscillation Overthruster to travel to the 8th dimension he draws the attention of the Red Lectroids (an alien race obviously.) Working with Banzai’s...
- 7/22/2015
- by Paul Metcalf
- Nerdly
From early Bond to 21st century sci-fi, here's Ryan's pick of 11 unforgettable villain pairings from action cinema history...
You're generally lucky if a movie has one genuinely great villain in it, let alone two. This is probably because creating a villain takes great acting and writing - it's one thing to create a preening character who stomps around a story doing unpleasant things, but creating a villain who's three-dimensional, witty, scary and above all memorable requires considerable skill.
Every so often, a movie comes along which gives us not one, but two classic villains, with the personality of one complementing the other. A familiar dynamic was once laid out by Steven Spielberg: one is smart and eloquent , while the other is the tougher, more violent of the pair. It's a template that we've seen time and again in cinema, but it's only occasionally that both characters leap from the screen.
You're generally lucky if a movie has one genuinely great villain in it, let alone two. This is probably because creating a villain takes great acting and writing - it's one thing to create a preening character who stomps around a story doing unpleasant things, but creating a villain who's three-dimensional, witty, scary and above all memorable requires considerable skill.
Every so often, a movie comes along which gives us not one, but two classic villains, with the personality of one complementing the other. A familiar dynamic was once laid out by Steven Spielberg: one is smart and eloquent , while the other is the tougher, more violent of the pair. It's a template that we've seen time and again in cinema, but it's only occasionally that both characters leap from the screen.
- 2/25/2015
- by ryanlambie
- Den of Geek
“Marion, don’t look at it. Shut your eyes, Marion, don’t look at it no matter what happens.” Fans of 1981’s Raiders of the Lost Ark remember this warning from Indiana Jones as the Nazis opened the Ark. But Major Arnold Ernst Toht of the Gestapo saw the horrors of the Ark with wide eyes. He let out a shrill scream… before his skin melted, and now a new candle pays tribute to the memorable special effects moment.
Depicting the sinister Gestapo agent’s face that’s contorted in a final scream, the Melting Toht Candle is now available to pre-order for $31.59 and is slated for a 2015 release from Firebox. We have the item’s official details and images below (via Firebox). If you’re interested in this item, then you might also dig Firebox’s Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Monkey Brains Bowl.
“If you’ve...
Depicting the sinister Gestapo agent’s face that’s contorted in a final scream, the Melting Toht Candle is now available to pre-order for $31.59 and is slated for a 2015 release from Firebox. We have the item’s official details and images below (via Firebox). If you’re interested in this item, then you might also dig Firebox’s Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Monkey Brains Bowl.
“If you’ve...
- 12/1/2014
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
This is the coolest damn candle that has ever been created! It features Major Arnold Ernst Toht (Ronald Lacey) from Steven Spielberg’s Raiders of the Lost Ark, and his face melts as the candle burns. As awesome as this is, they could have taken it a step further by including a skeleton underneath. It’s still a perfect way to set the mood for a nice romantic evening with your wife, husband, girlfriend, or boyfriend. Nothing can get any better than eating a candlelit dinner while watching Toht’s face melt. I should get a bunch of these for the holidays! You can pick one up at Firebox for $31.39. Here are some points details that they give:
"Celebrate one of the greatest special-effects deaths in movie history" "Wax replica of sadistic Gestapo agent Toht – spectacles, fedora n' all" "Thankfully it melts a lot slower than his face does in...
"Celebrate one of the greatest special-effects deaths in movie history" "Wax replica of sadistic Gestapo agent Toht – spectacles, fedora n' all" "Thankfully it melts a lot slower than his face does in...
- 11/20/2014
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
It might be the 30th anniversary of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, but for some reason the celebration hasn't been as rampant for the adventure sequel that's actually a prequel as it has been for Ghostbusters. However, when it comes to Raiders of the Lost Ark, there's something pretty awesome that has just surfaced online that might be the greatest piece of movie merchandise ever made. From Firebox, the same people making the Temple of Doom bowl that makes it look like you're eating monkey brains, you can get yourself a candle that looks like Major Arnold Ernst Toht (Ronald Lacey). Look! Here's a look at the awesome Raiders of the Lost Ark Major Toht candle from Firebox (via Toybox): Thanks to friend of the site Max Taylor for bringing this to our attention. It's the only thing he's good for. The candle looks just as you...
- 11/19/2014
- by Ethan Anderton
- firstshowing.net
Review Ron Hogan 24 Jun 2013 - 09:00
Falling Skies season 3 isn't quite firing on all cylinders, but it's not far off. Here's Ron's review of the latest episode...
This review contains spoilers.
3.4 At All Costs
Falling Skies has put out four episodes thus far this season, and three of those have featured some very expensive-looking special effects and, most tellingly, gun battles of one sort or another. At its heart, Falling Skies is a parable for the Revolutionary War, and as such it needs to have actual war-like things happening. Especially considering that the Espheni know where the humans are holed up and keep launching combat missions against them, you would think having combat would be an integral part, though for too many episodes the fighting has taken a back seat to the talking.
That's part of the show's appeal and part of the show's problem. When Falling Skies leans...
Falling Skies season 3 isn't quite firing on all cylinders, but it's not far off. Here's Ron's review of the latest episode...
This review contains spoilers.
3.4 At All Costs
Falling Skies has put out four episodes thus far this season, and three of those have featured some very expensive-looking special effects and, most tellingly, gun battles of one sort or another. At its heart, Falling Skies is a parable for the Revolutionary War, and as such it needs to have actual war-like things happening. Especially considering that the Espheni know where the humans are holed up and keep launching combat missions against them, you would think having combat would be an integral part, though for too many episodes the fighting has taken a back seat to the talking.
That's part of the show's appeal and part of the show's problem. When Falling Skies leans...
- 6/24/2013
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Henchmen are one of the unsung heroes of cinema. They do the dirty jobs that no one else wants to do, and they keep the good guy from resting on his laurels by challenging him to some sort of entertaining action sequence. Sure, they may not be the smartest or the best-looking, but they serve a purpose and make movies more entertaining. Here is our list that honors the best henchmen of all time.
If there’s a big-time baddie in a movie, you can almost be certain that he didn’t rise up to prominence by himself. He had to have help, and that help usually came from henchmen. Not only do they make the bad guy better, they also make the good guy look good by getting beaten up and/or dying easily. Therefore, although it is a job with unique perks, it’s still a tough job.
If there’s a big-time baddie in a movie, you can almost be certain that he didn’t rise up to prominence by himself. He had to have help, and that help usually came from henchmen. Not only do they make the bad guy better, they also make the good guy look good by getting beaten up and/or dying easily. Therefore, although it is a job with unique perks, it’s still a tough job.
- 1/30/2013
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (G.S. Perno)
- Cinelinx
Raiders Of The Lost Ark
Stars: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, John Rhys-Davies, Denholm Elliot, Ronald Lacey | Written by Lawrence Kasdan | Directed by Steven Spielberg
“Professor Indiana Jones (Ford) may seem like an ordinary Joe teaching his university class, but under the combed hair and reading glass lies the soul and spirit of an adventurer. After being recruited to help with a matter of national security, Indy must embark on a mission to find the Ark of the Covenant before the malicious Nazis wreak havoc with the powerful antiquity”.
It seems fantastically coincidental that as Raiders of the Lost Ark graces the screen for the first time in 31 years (and resurrected in incredible IMAX ratio) Lawrence of Arabia similarly gets an additional release and restoration. Lean’s epic and Spielberg’s iconic masterpiece only share some similarities but they both currently advertise the magnum opus of filmmaking.
For a decade seemingly shrouded in remakes,...
Stars: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, John Rhys-Davies, Denholm Elliot, Ronald Lacey | Written by Lawrence Kasdan | Directed by Steven Spielberg
“Professor Indiana Jones (Ford) may seem like an ordinary Joe teaching his university class, but under the combed hair and reading glass lies the soul and spirit of an adventurer. After being recruited to help with a matter of national security, Indy must embark on a mission to find the Ark of the Covenant before the malicious Nazis wreak havoc with the powerful antiquity”.
It seems fantastically coincidental that as Raiders of the Lost Ark graces the screen for the first time in 31 years (and resurrected in incredible IMAX ratio) Lawrence of Arabia similarly gets an additional release and restoration. Lean’s epic and Spielberg’s iconic masterpiece only share some similarities but they both currently advertise the magnum opus of filmmaking.
For a decade seemingly shrouded in remakes,...
- 9/19/2012
- by Piers McCarthy
- Nerdly
Photo: Paramount Pictures Movie: Raiders of the Lost Ark Release Year: 1981 Studio: Paramount Pictures Director: Steven Spielberg Starring: Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones, Karen Allen as Marion Ravenwood, Paul Freeman as Dr. Rene Belloq, Ronald Lacey as Major Arnold Toht, John Rhys-Davies as Sallah and Denholm Elliott as Dr. Marcus Brody Cinematographer: Douglas Slocombe (The Italian Job (1969), Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Kind Hearts and Coronets) Photo: Paramount Pictures Photo: Paramount Pictures Photo: Paramount Pictures Photo: Paramount Pictures Photo: Paramount Pictures Photo: Paramount Pictures Photo: Paramount Pictures Photo: Paramount Pictures Photo: Paramount Pictures Photo: Paramount Pictures Photo: Paramount Pictures Photo: Paramount Pictures Photo: Paramount Pictures Photo: Paramount Pictures Photo: Paramount Pictures Photo: Paramount Pictures Photo: Paramount Pictures Photo: Paramount Pictures Photo: Paramount Pictures Photo: Paramount Pictures Photo: Paramount Pictures Photo: Paramount Pictures...
- 9/17/2012
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Chicago – For the first time ever, Indy’s in IMAX! In this HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 25 pairs of run-of-engagement, anytime movie passes up for grabs for the special, one-week theatrical return of “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark”! Also, the “Indiana Jones: The Complete Adventures” Blu-ray box set releases on Sept. 18, 2012!
This theatrical engagement runs Sept. 7, 2012 through Sept. 14, 2012! Pick your own showing! These anytime movie passes are valid Monday, Sept. 10, 2012 through Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012 at select AMC theatres in the Chicago and Chicagoland area. These showings are open to paying customers, so seating is first-come, first-served for our winners.
“Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark,” which hit theatres in 1981 and won four Oscars, stars Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Alfred Molina, Paul Freeman, Ronald Lacey, John Rhys-Davies, Denholm Elliott, Wolf Kahler, Anthony Higgins, Vic Tablian, Don Fellows, William Hootkins and Bill Reimbold from director...
This theatrical engagement runs Sept. 7, 2012 through Sept. 14, 2012! Pick your own showing! These anytime movie passes are valid Monday, Sept. 10, 2012 through Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012 at select AMC theatres in the Chicago and Chicagoland area. These showings are open to paying customers, so seating is first-come, first-served for our winners.
“Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark,” which hit theatres in 1981 and won four Oscars, stars Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Alfred Molina, Paul Freeman, Ronald Lacey, John Rhys-Davies, Denholm Elliott, Wolf Kahler, Anthony Higgins, Vic Tablian, Don Fellows, William Hootkins and Bill Reimbold from director...
- 9/6/2012
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Motion pictures have been in existence for over a century, so it’s quite obvious that there are more than just the ten actors previously mentioned in the last article who have achieved immortality on the strength of one unforgettable film performance. After a bit of extensive research I have managed to find ten more actors who, for various reasons, will always be remembered for their one role. Some of these actors went on to achieve major Hollywood success while others completely disappeared from view leaving their one film as the sole legacy of their work in the industry.
So for the cult movie enthusiasts everywhere, here is another assortment of classic screen villains. I’m glad to say that the following list has not been restricted to those in the horror genre. Villainy exists everywhere in movie land!
10. Carlos Villarias (Dracula, 1930)
As an obligation to the Hispanic community, Universal’s head of foreign production,...
So for the cult movie enthusiasts everywhere, here is another assortment of classic screen villains. I’m glad to say that the following list has not been restricted to those in the horror genre. Villainy exists everywhere in movie land!
10. Carlos Villarias (Dracula, 1930)
As an obligation to the Hispanic community, Universal’s head of foreign production,...
- 9/4/2012
- Shadowlocked
After a decade of marketing materials for The Dark Knight Rises, some excellent and some bland, the IMAX poster for Christopher Nolan’s forthcoming Batman movie finally reveals its true nature: epic and terrifyingly God-like. No more hiding what it is, this poster is distilled hubris. The kind of one sheet that will slap you in the face and then sleep with a beloved family member. Fair warning – it already melted Ronald Lacey’s face, so be careful: This seriously looks like something out of the Book of Revelation.
- 7/6/2012
- by Cole Abaius
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Chicago – We agree that it’s sometimes exploitative to re-release a hit film from long, long ago so a studio can newly bloat previously fat wallets. But, sometimes, you’re happily exploited, such as with the Music Box Theatre’s re-release of the newly digitally-restored “Raiders of the Lost Ark”. It’s 1981 Indiana Jones, people. Enough said.
In this special edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we’ve got 25 admit-two run-of-engagement movie passes for you to the 30th-anniversary, two-week engagement of Harrison Ford’s “Raiders of the Lost Ark” at Chicago’s Music Box Theatre!
“Raiders of the Lost Ark” from director Steven Spielberg also stars Karen Allen, Alfred Molina, Paul Freeman, Ronald Lacey, John Rhys-Davies, Denholm Elliott, Wolf Kahler, Anthony Higgins, Vic Tablian, Don Fellows, William Hootkins, Bill Reimbold, Fred Sorenson and Patrick Durkin from writers Lawrence Kasdan and George Lucas.
To win your free pass to the 30th-anniversary...
In this special edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we’ve got 25 admit-two run-of-engagement movie passes for you to the 30th-anniversary, two-week engagement of Harrison Ford’s “Raiders of the Lost Ark” at Chicago’s Music Box Theatre!
“Raiders of the Lost Ark” from director Steven Spielberg also stars Karen Allen, Alfred Molina, Paul Freeman, Ronald Lacey, John Rhys-Davies, Denholm Elliott, Wolf Kahler, Anthony Higgins, Vic Tablian, Don Fellows, William Hootkins, Bill Reimbold, Fred Sorenson and Patrick Durkin from writers Lawrence Kasdan and George Lucas.
To win your free pass to the 30th-anniversary...
- 11/17/2011
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
It’s the one aspect of humanity that binds the demographics; the one thing that’s on everyone’s mind, young or old. Whether you’ve come to terms with your mortality or not, Hollywood thrives off it and the simple fact that you just can’t look away.
Many films exist and across them countless characters shuffle off the mortal coil; some nobly while others pointlessly, some even to the audiences’ collective groan of derision (two words: Mace Windu). Regardless of their dramatic accomplishment, movie deaths present a director with an opportunity to invoke empathy at the most primal level – sure Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) was an asshole throughout Die Hard but it’s hard not to acknowledge his humanity given his expression of mortal terror as he falls from the Nakatomi Plaza rooftop.
Done well, movie deaths make dramatic statements. They’ll kick-start a narrative or punctuate it with tragedy.
Many films exist and across them countless characters shuffle off the mortal coil; some nobly while others pointlessly, some even to the audiences’ collective groan of derision (two words: Mace Windu). Regardless of their dramatic accomplishment, movie deaths present a director with an opportunity to invoke empathy at the most primal level – sure Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) was an asshole throughout Die Hard but it’s hard not to acknowledge his humanity given his expression of mortal terror as he falls from the Nakatomi Plaza rooftop.
Done well, movie deaths make dramatic statements. They’ll kick-start a narrative or punctuate it with tragedy.
- 9/25/2011
- by Stuart Bedford
- Obsessed with Film
Raiders Of The Lost Ark
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan
Story by George Lucas and Philip Kaufman
Starring Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, John Rhys-Davies, Ronald Lacey
Score by John Williams
Released June 12, 1981 (U.S.)
The 1970s announced the finest era of the summer movie blockbuster. Two of the biggest movies of that decade, Star Wars and Jaws, defined the summer movie season. These movies, directed by George Lucas and Steven Spielberg respectively, are still heralded by us – the geeks. Most of us would not be here writing and reading this very website if it were not for these movies (my name is Obi-Dan for crying out loud!). This movie-making dream team came together to create one of the greatest action adventure movies ever made: Raiders Of The Lost Ark.
From a story by George Lucas and Phillip Kaufman, who had recently co-written the screenplay for...
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan
Story by George Lucas and Philip Kaufman
Starring Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, John Rhys-Davies, Ronald Lacey
Score by John Williams
Released June 12, 1981 (U.S.)
The 1970s announced the finest era of the summer movie blockbuster. Two of the biggest movies of that decade, Star Wars and Jaws, defined the summer movie season. These movies, directed by George Lucas and Steven Spielberg respectively, are still heralded by us – the geeks. Most of us would not be here writing and reading this very website if it were not for these movies (my name is Obi-Dan for crying out loud!). This movie-making dream team came together to create one of the greatest action adventure movies ever made: Raiders Of The Lost Ark.
From a story by George Lucas and Phillip Kaufman, who had recently co-written the screenplay for...
- 6/12/2011
- by Obi-Dan
- Geeks of Doom
As Halloween approaches, what better time to salute the greatest shrieks of terror in TV and cinema? Here’s Jeff’s top ten...
With Halloween lurking in the near future, now is surely the time for studios to release horror movies en masse, for grocery stores to stock aisles full of candy, and for Den Of Geek to run an article like this one.
10. Jaws - Susan Backlinie
Jaws has a plethora of great sounds. One could talk endlessly about John Williams' infamous two-note ostinato, the best fingernails against blackboard screech in the history of cinema, or even the ka-ching! of movie theatre cash registers in the summer of 75.
What gives that film its immediate, visceral impact is the shark attack in the opening minutes of the film. Poor Chrissie (Backlinie) makes the fatal horror movie mistake of getting drunk, trying to pick up a guy, and taking her clothes off.
With Halloween lurking in the near future, now is surely the time for studios to release horror movies en masse, for grocery stores to stock aisles full of candy, and for Den Of Geek to run an article like this one.
10. Jaws - Susan Backlinie
Jaws has a plethora of great sounds. One could talk endlessly about John Williams' infamous two-note ostinato, the best fingernails against blackboard screech in the history of cinema, or even the ka-ching! of movie theatre cash registers in the summer of 75.
What gives that film its immediate, visceral impact is the shark attack in the opening minutes of the film. Poor Chrissie (Backlinie) makes the fatal horror movie mistake of getting drunk, trying to pick up a guy, and taking her clothes off.
- 10/20/2010
- Den of Geek
This week's roundup of DVD releases include fan favorites from TV, a scarred comic book antihero, the next installment of The Lost Boys, the requisite creature features, a Roger Corman set, and SyFy's apocalyptic view of the world. Also, don't forget to check out the soundtrack from the hottest vampire TV show right now (well, there's only one playing currently) at the very end of this list.
While waiting for your orders to arrive by mail, you can always catch up on Camera Obscura for free with our Episode 1-7 episodes & recap or watch the newest episodes on Dailymotion. You can also learn all about creature making from our Q&A With Camera Obscura's FX Maestro Jeff Farley.
On with the list....
Jonah Hex
Directed by Jimmy Hayward
Out of the pages of the legendary comics and graphic novels steps Jonah Hex (review), a scarred drifter and bounty hunter...
While waiting for your orders to arrive by mail, you can always catch up on Camera Obscura for free with our Episode 1-7 episodes & recap or watch the newest episodes on Dailymotion. You can also learn all about creature making from our Q&A With Camera Obscura's FX Maestro Jeff Farley.
On with the list....
Jonah Hex
Directed by Jimmy Hayward
Out of the pages of the legendary comics and graphic novels steps Jonah Hex (review), a scarred drifter and bounty hunter...
- 10/12/2010
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
I love a good death scene. Ronald Lacey's Arnold Toht in Raiders of the Lost Ark. Samuel L. Jackson's Russell Franklin in Deep Blue Sea. Sean Bean's Boromir in Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. ("My brother...my captain...my king." Cue: me, sobbing.) So imagine my disappointment upon seeing 2012. (Warning: Spoilers Ahead.) I finally caught up with last weekend's box-office champ, and though I agreed with our critic Lisa Schwarzbaum, finding the film to be a fun spectacle, I couldn't get over one of the most nonsensical and unnecessary death scenes I've seen...
- 11/21/2009
- by Kate Ward
- EW.com - PopWatch
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