The Doobie Brothers’ reunion with Michael McDonald is stretching beyond their upcoming tour, as the band has confirmed they’re back in the studio working on a new album.
McDonald rejoined The Doobie Brothers for their 50th anniversary tour in 2021 (originally scheduled for ’20), which was recently expanded into this summer with Steve Winwood and Robert Cray as support. Those early concerts were the group’s first with McDonald in 25 years, and now they’re recording their first collection of new material together since 1980’s One Step Closer.
Get The Doobie Brothers Tickets Here
Guitarist/vocalist Pat Simmons announced the news on Facebook. “We are very close to finishing up an album’s worth of new songs. We’re lucky once again to have John Shanks producing and Michael McDonald joining in with us on this one!” Simmons wrote, noting that they’re targeting “a Spring/Summer release.” “It’s the...
McDonald rejoined The Doobie Brothers for their 50th anniversary tour in 2021 (originally scheduled for ’20), which was recently expanded into this summer with Steve Winwood and Robert Cray as support. Those early concerts were the group’s first with McDonald in 25 years, and now they’re recording their first collection of new material together since 1980’s One Step Closer.
Get The Doobie Brothers Tickets Here
Guitarist/vocalist Pat Simmons announced the news on Facebook. “We are very close to finishing up an album’s worth of new songs. We’re lucky once again to have John Shanks producing and Michael McDonald joining in with us on this one!” Simmons wrote, noting that they’re targeting “a Spring/Summer release.” “It’s the...
- 3/6/2024
- by Ben Kaye
- Consequence - Music
The Doobie Brothers have scheduled an extensive US tour in summer 2024.
The tour will see Tom Johnston, Michael MacDonald, Pat Simmons, and John McFee continue their reunion by playing shows in 37 cities, including in several markets that the band has not played in several years. As an added bonus, Robert Cray and Steve Winwood will take turns serving as the tour’s primary support. Check out the full list of dates below.
A Live Nation ticket pre-sale is set for Thursday, January 25th (use access code Spotlight), with a public on sale following on Friday, January 26th via Ticketmaster.
Once tickets are on sale, you can also find them at StubHub, where orders are 100% guaranteed through StubHub’s FanProtect program. StubHub is a secondary market ticketing platform, and prices may be higher or lower than face value, depending on demand.
Get The Doobie Brothers Tickets Here
To celebrate their 50th anniversary,...
The tour will see Tom Johnston, Michael MacDonald, Pat Simmons, and John McFee continue their reunion by playing shows in 37 cities, including in several markets that the band has not played in several years. As an added bonus, Robert Cray and Steve Winwood will take turns serving as the tour’s primary support. Check out the full list of dates below.
A Live Nation ticket pre-sale is set for Thursday, January 25th (use access code Spotlight), with a public on sale following on Friday, January 26th via Ticketmaster.
Once tickets are on sale, you can also find them at StubHub, where orders are 100% guaranteed through StubHub’s FanProtect program. StubHub is a secondary market ticketing platform, and prices may be higher or lower than face value, depending on demand.
Get The Doobie Brothers Tickets Here
To celebrate their 50th anniversary,...
- 1/22/2024
- by Scoop Harrison
- Consequence - Music
Rolling Stone interview series Unknown Legends features long-form conversations between senior writer Andy Greene and veteran musicians who have toured and recorded alongside icons for years, if not decades. All are renowned in the business, but some are less well-known to the general public. Here, these artists tell their complete stories, giving an up-close look at life on music’s A list. This edition features saxophonist Eddie Manion.
If you say say “Bruce Springsteen’s saxophonist” to most rock fans, their minds understandably go to Clarence Clemons or his nephew,...
If you say say “Bruce Springsteen’s saxophonist” to most rock fans, their minds understandably go to Clarence Clemons or his nephew,...
- 3/27/2023
- by Andy Greene
- Rollingstone.com
It’s a very musical episode! Director and Tfh Guru, Allan Arkush, returns to talk about his favorite rock and roll movies with hosts Josh Olson and Joe Dante.
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
No Nukes (1980)
Amazing Grace (2018) – Dennis Cozzalio’s Oscar nominee reactions
The Magnificent Ambersons (1942) – Glenn Erickson’s Criterion Blu-ray review
Get Crazy (1983) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary
Rock ‘n’ Roll High School (1979) – Eli Roth’s trailer commentary
Blackboard Jungle (1955) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary
Rock, Rock, Rock! (1956) – Jesus Treviño’s trailer commentary
Mister Rock And Roll (1957)
Go, Johnny, Go! (1959) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary
Hail Hail Rock And Roll! (1987) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary
The Girl Can’t Help It (1956) – Dan Ireland’s trailer commentary
Hellzapoppin’ (1941)
Innerspace (1987) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
Almost Famous (2000) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary
Wayne’s World (1992)
The Graduate (1967) – Neil Labute’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Criterion Blu-ray review
Scorpio Rising...
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
No Nukes (1980)
Amazing Grace (2018) – Dennis Cozzalio’s Oscar nominee reactions
The Magnificent Ambersons (1942) – Glenn Erickson’s Criterion Blu-ray review
Get Crazy (1983) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary
Rock ‘n’ Roll High School (1979) – Eli Roth’s trailer commentary
Blackboard Jungle (1955) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary
Rock, Rock, Rock! (1956) – Jesus Treviño’s trailer commentary
Mister Rock And Roll (1957)
Go, Johnny, Go! (1959) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary
Hail Hail Rock And Roll! (1987) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary
The Girl Can’t Help It (1956) – Dan Ireland’s trailer commentary
Hellzapoppin’ (1941)
Innerspace (1987) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
Almost Famous (2000) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary
Wayne’s World (1992)
The Graduate (1967) – Neil Labute’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Criterion Blu-ray review
Scorpio Rising...
- 12/7/2021
- by Kris Millsap
- Trailers from Hell
Eric Clapton’s friends and collaborators discuss the rock legend’s anti-lockdown stance — and defend him against allegations of racism — in a new report.
Following a string of anti-vaccine and anti-lockdown tracks, Rolling Stone detailed Clapton’s descent from just speaking about his vaccine skepticism to actually bankrolling it.
Clapton’s associates are similarly perplexed by his recent stance, with many labeling Clapton as largely apolitical. “He’s the anti-Bono,” Clapton’s former label manager Bill Oakes told the Washington Post. “He is the epitome of someone who is there for the music,...
Following a string of anti-vaccine and anti-lockdown tracks, Rolling Stone detailed Clapton’s descent from just speaking about his vaccine skepticism to actually bankrolling it.
Clapton’s associates are similarly perplexed by his recent stance, with many labeling Clapton as largely apolitical. “He’s the anti-Bono,” Clapton’s former label manager Bill Oakes told the Washington Post. “He is the epitome of someone who is there for the music,...
- 11/11/2021
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
Thirty years ago this week, Stevie Ray Vaughan played the final show of his career when he opened up for Eric Clapton at the Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy, Wisconsin. Shortly after the concert ended, Vaughan and three members of Clapton’s crew boarded a helicopter to travel to Chicago’s Midway Airport. It was a foggy evening and the pilot crashed into a ski hill near the venue shortly after takeoff, killing Vaughan and everyone else on board.
Vaughan and his band Double Trouble spent the summer...
Vaughan and his band Double Trouble spent the summer...
- 8/27/2020
- by Andy Greene
- Rollingstone.com
Swampy blues-rock pioneer Tony Joe White was playing and creating right up until his unexpected death in 2018, sitting in with everyone from Foo Fighters to Robert Cray. The latter enlisted White for his 2017 album Robert Cray & Hi Rhythm, delivering fierce versions of White compositions “Aspen, Colorado” and “Don’t Steal My Love.” On his new album That’s What I Heard, Cray pays tribute to his old friend with the brand new song “To Be With You.”
It’s a heartfelt performance, with Cray’s gentle guitar work setting a reflective tone.
It’s a heartfelt performance, with Cray’s gentle guitar work setting a reflective tone.
- 2/27/2020
- by Joseph Hudak
- Rollingstone.com
Eric Clapton and his Crossroads Guitar Festival will return for the first time in six years, setting up in Dallas, Texas this September with a lineup that boasts Gary Clark, Jr., Bonnie Raitt, Jeff Beck, Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill and more. The festival will take place September 20th and 21st at the American Airlines Center.
The stacked lineup also boasts Peter Frampton, Zz Top’s Billy Gibbons, the Buddy Guy Band, Joe Walsh, James Bay, Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi, Los Lobos, Keb Mo, Sonny Landreth, Pedro Martins and Robert Randolph.
The stacked lineup also boasts Peter Frampton, Zz Top’s Billy Gibbons, the Buddy Guy Band, Joe Walsh, James Bay, Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi, Los Lobos, Keb Mo, Sonny Landreth, Pedro Martins and Robert Randolph.
- 3/28/2019
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
The Rolling Stones unearthed several live performances for their upcoming release, Voodoo Lounge Uncut, which arrives November 16th via Eagle Vision. The new project comprises a concert film and live album, and is centered around a reissue of a 1995 TV special that captured the Stones’ November 25th, 1994 gig at the Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida.
On tour in support of their 1994 LP Voodoo Lounge, the concert famously featured cameos from Sheryl Crowe, Bo Diddley and Robert Cray. Along with the original concert film, Voodoo Lounge Uncut will boast never-before-seen...
On tour in support of their 1994 LP Voodoo Lounge, the concert famously featured cameos from Sheryl Crowe, Bo Diddley and Robert Cray. Along with the original concert film, Voodoo Lounge Uncut will boast never-before-seen...
- 9/25/2018
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
Chuck Berry Hail! Hail! Rock ‘N’ Roll screens Thursday March 8th at 7:00pm at Schlafly Bottleworks (7260 Southwest Avenue Maplewood, Mo 63143). This is part of the A Film Series “Culture Shock” Film Fest which has moved to the second Thursday of every month.
On October, 18th 1986, on the sixtieth birthday of Chuck Berry, there was a concert at the Fox Theater in his hometown Saint Louis. With Chuck Berry Hail! Hail! Rock ‘N’ Roll, director Taylor Hackford does a phenomenal job in this movie. Chuck Berry, one of the most complicated and conflicted figures in the history of rock and pop music is rich territory and Hackford managed to catch Berry in all of his many guises – charming, professional, intelligent, thoughtful, bitter, petulant, unprofessional, difficult, and combative. What really marks this movie as a superior documentary is Hackford refusal to judge Berry to focus on just documenting the man and...
On October, 18th 1986, on the sixtieth birthday of Chuck Berry, there was a concert at the Fox Theater in his hometown Saint Louis. With Chuck Berry Hail! Hail! Rock ‘N’ Roll, director Taylor Hackford does a phenomenal job in this movie. Chuck Berry, one of the most complicated and conflicted figures in the history of rock and pop music is rich territory and Hackford managed to catch Berry in all of his many guises – charming, professional, intelligent, thoughtful, bitter, petulant, unprofessional, difficult, and combative. What really marks this movie as a superior documentary is Hackford refusal to judge Berry to focus on just documenting the man and...
- 3/2/2018
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Chuck Berry passed away on March 18 in Missouri, Variety reports. The 90-year-old guitarist was a cornerstone of rock and roll music, with energetic hits from the ’50s such as “Maybellene” and “Roll Over Beethoven.” He is also credited with perfecting onstage swagger, posing with his guitar and rocking out in a way that heavily influenced countless bands, from The Rolling Stones to Bruce Springsteen and beyond. Outside of effectively creating rock music, Berry also had a defining impact on the film industry, soundtracking two of cinema’s most iconic scenes and influencing scores of filmmakers and actors.
Read More: Bill Paxton Dead at 61: Emmy-Winning ‘Big Love’ and ‘Titanic’ Actor Passes Away From Surgical Complications
Quentin Tarantino famously used “You Can Never Tell” during the Vincent and Mia dance scene in “Pulp Fiction:”
But even that cultural touchstone is eclipsed by Marty McFly’s cover of “Johnny B. Goode...
Read More: Bill Paxton Dead at 61: Emmy-Winning ‘Big Love’ and ‘Titanic’ Actor Passes Away From Surgical Complications
Quentin Tarantino famously used “You Can Never Tell” during the Vincent and Mia dance scene in “Pulp Fiction:”
But even that cultural touchstone is eclipsed by Marty McFly’s cover of “Johnny B. Goode...
- 3/19/2017
- by William Earl
- Indiewire
Taylor Hackford, director of the 1987 concert documentary “Hail! Hail! Rock ‘n’ Roll,” on Saturday paid tribute to the rock icon Chuck Berry, who died earlier that day at age 90. “Chuck Berry was the greatest creative force in the birth of Rock & Roll – that’s a fact,” the Oscar-winning director wrote. “That’s why we all came together in 1986 to celebrate him in my film, ‘Hail, Hail, Rock & Roll': Keith Richards (Music Director), Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, Linda Ronstadt, Julian Lennon, Etta James, Robbie Robertson and Bruce Springsteen.” Hackford also acknowledged the music icon’s reputation for causing a...
- 3/19/2017
- by Thom Geier
- The Wrap
Thelma & Louise, which has managed to become both a quintessential girl power and road trip film, turns 25 this year. To help celebrate, we're taking a look back down the long dusty road that Thunderbird traveled and rounding up some of the best bits of trivia from the iconic film. 1. George Clooney really wanted to play J.D. And boy it haunted him. Clooney auditioned five times and obviously did not get it. Morose over the state of his career and the missed opportunity, he didn't see the film for years: "I was really stuck doing a lot of bad TV at that time.
- 5/23/2016
- by Alex Heigl, @alex_heigl
- PEOPLE.com
Thelma & Louise, which has managed to become both a quintessential girl power and road trip film, turns 25 this year. To help celebrate, we're taking a look back down the long dusty road that Thunderbird traveled and rounding up some of the best bits of trivia from the iconic film. 1. George Clooney really wanted to play J.D. And boy it haunted him. Clooney auditioned five times and obviously did not get it. Morose over the state of his career and the missed opportunity, he didn't see the film for years: "I was really stuck doing a lot of bad TV at that time.
- 5/23/2016
- by Alex Heigl, @alex_heigl
- PEOPLE.com
New York — Eric Clapton's Crossroads festival has become the mecca for riff worshippers, so it was appropriate that guitar deity Keith Richards made a surprise appearance to perform with Clapton.
The Rolling Stone received perhaps the most sustained standing ovation of the night as he joined his old pal toward the end of Crossroads, a two-night concert festival at Madison Square Garden that brought together a dazzling array of guitar masters, from John Mayer to Jeff Beck to legends like Buddy Guy, and of course, Clapton and Richards.
Richards – whose Stones announced another tour earlier this month – flashed his typical wry smile to the crowd before joining Clapton in playing the blues standard and Clapton favorite "Key to the Highway. "
"Now we're gonna rock it up," Richards said before launching into "Sweet Little Rock N' Roller."
Richards' appearance was only the beginning of Clapton's hour-plus-long set, which included hits...
The Rolling Stone received perhaps the most sustained standing ovation of the night as he joined his old pal toward the end of Crossroads, a two-night concert festival at Madison Square Garden that brought together a dazzling array of guitar masters, from John Mayer to Jeff Beck to legends like Buddy Guy, and of course, Clapton and Richards.
Richards – whose Stones announced another tour earlier this month – flashed his typical wry smile to the crowd before joining Clapton in playing the blues standard and Clapton favorite "Key to the Highway. "
"Now we're gonna rock it up," Richards said before launching into "Sweet Little Rock N' Roller."
Richards' appearance was only the beginning of Clapton's hour-plus-long set, which included hits...
- 4/14/2013
- by AP
- Huffington Post
John Mayer and Jeff Beck have joined the lineup for Eric Clapton's 2013 Crossroads Guitar Festival. Clapton is moving next year's festival to Madison Square Garden in New York City following two consecutive years in Chicago. Joining Mayer and Beck on the Crossroads Guitar Festival line-up are Vince Gill, Robert Cray, Brad Paisley, Taj Mahal, Los Lobos and Earl Klugh. Blues legends Bb King and the Allman Brothers Band (more)...
- 11/29/2012
- by By Justin Harp
- Digital Spy
The Grammy Foundation will host One Night Only: A Celebration Of The Live Music Experience — the 14th Annual Grammy Foundation Music Preservation Project — featuring live musical performances and historical footage from preservation archives.
Television personality and entrepreneur Sharon Osbourne and Grammy-winning guitarist Steve Vai will be the evening’s co-hosts, and rock icon and philanthropist Bret Michaels will perform as the closing act.
Additional performers include Grammy winners Robert Cray, Jonny Lang, Shelby Lynne, and Mavis Staples; current Grammy nominees Dave Koz and Ledisi; and the Colburn Orchestra, A Fine Frenzy, winner of the Queen Extravaganza contest Marc Martel, finalist on season one of NBC’s “The Voice” Beverly McClellan, and Tyrese. The evening’s musical director will be Darrell Brown, songwriter/producer, Recording Academy Trustee, and Grammy Foundation Board member. Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy and the Grammy Foundation, will be in attendance, along with other...
Television personality and entrepreneur Sharon Osbourne and Grammy-winning guitarist Steve Vai will be the evening’s co-hosts, and rock icon and philanthropist Bret Michaels will perform as the closing act.
Additional performers include Grammy winners Robert Cray, Jonny Lang, Shelby Lynne, and Mavis Staples; current Grammy nominees Dave Koz and Ledisi; and the Colburn Orchestra, A Fine Frenzy, winner of the Queen Extravaganza contest Marc Martel, finalist on season one of NBC’s “The Voice” Beverly McClellan, and Tyrese. The evening’s musical director will be Darrell Brown, songwriter/producer, Recording Academy Trustee, and Grammy Foundation Board member. Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy and the Grammy Foundation, will be in attendance, along with other...
- 1/27/2012
- Look to the Stars
The Grammy Foundation will host One Night Only: A Celebration Of The Live Music Experience — the 14th Annual Grammy Foundation Music Preservation Project — on Thursday, Feb. 9 at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills, California.
One Night Only: A Celebration Of The Live Music Experience will explore the history and evolution of live concert performances and celebrate the various and invaluable contributions of those events, the key players behind them, and their influence on the American cultural landscape. The event will feature live musical performances and archival footage.
Hosted by television personality Sharon Osbourne, performers will include Grammy winners Robert Cray, Jonny Lang and Mavis Staples; current Grammy nominees Dave Koz and Ledisi; and A Fine Frenzy, the Colburn Orchestra, Trombone Shorty, and Tyrese, as well as other artists to be announced shortly. The evening’s musical director will be Darrell Brown, songwriter/producer, Recording Academy Trustee and Grammy Foundation Board member.
One Night Only: A Celebration Of The Live Music Experience will explore the history and evolution of live concert performances and celebrate the various and invaluable contributions of those events, the key players behind them, and their influence on the American cultural landscape. The event will feature live musical performances and archival footage.
Hosted by television personality Sharon Osbourne, performers will include Grammy winners Robert Cray, Jonny Lang and Mavis Staples; current Grammy nominees Dave Koz and Ledisi; and A Fine Frenzy, the Colburn Orchestra, Trombone Shorty, and Tyrese, as well as other artists to be announced shortly. The evening’s musical director will be Darrell Brown, songwriter/producer, Recording Academy Trustee and Grammy Foundation Board member.
- 1/17/2012
- Look to the Stars
This year, Chicago’s Alligator Records will celebrate their 40th anniversary. To commemorate four decades of putting out blues and rock records, Alligator will release a two-disc compilation representing the label’s definitive sound. The Alligator Records 40th Anniversary Collection will feature the likes of Koko Taylor, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, Albert Collins, Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, Shemekia Copeland, Mavis Staples and more....
- 2/21/2011
- Pastemagazine.com
Sometimes when I've got TV on more for background noise than for entertainment purposes (hello "Criminal Minds" marathons!) I tend to notice certain commercials more frequently. One of the commercials, or series of commercials really, that I've been noticing more frequently these days is the State Farm commercials with the dark haired tall guy who wants to tell you all about how awesome State Farm is, except whenever all these commercials come on all I can think is "Why Are You So Creepy?!?" I can't quite pin point what I find so off putting about him, but it doesn't help that the first commercials I saw with him involved him looming around while stuff happened to other people and then twisting it in a way that related back to car insurance and made him sound like a car insurance obsessed stalker. The fact that he's constantly smiling doesn't make the whole thing any better.
- 7/28/2010
- by Intern Rusty
COP LAND
Miramax Films
A solidly entertaining drama that stays true to the independent spirit of its filmmakers, including the casting of heavyweights Sylvester Stallone and Robert De Niro in less-than-glamorous roles, Miramax's "Cop Land" has a good shot at leggy boxoffice success based on upbeat word-of-mouth and critical support.
Writer-director James Mangold ("Heavy") wrangles an impressive cast working for scale -- including Harvey Keitel, Ray Liotta, Janeane Garofalo, Peter Berg, Robert Patrick, Michael Rapaport and Annabella Sciorra -- and spins a compelling tale of cancerous corruption within a secretive group of New York's finest who have settled in the fictional New Jersey burg of Garrison.
With solid production design by Lester Cohen and costumes by Ellen Lutter, the editing by Craig McKay is also on the nose. Howard Shore's fine score is assisted by songs from Bruce Springsteen, Robert Cray and Boz Scaggs (HR 8/11).
David Hunter
CAREER GIRLS
October Films
"Career Girls" is Mike Leigh lite. Coming off the much-lauded, emotionally taut "Secrets & Lies," the acclaimed filmmaker cleanses the artistic palate with another tale of two women, only this time the seemingly slight story -- about two former roommates who are reunited six years later -- generates more laughter than tears.
But while humor abounds, the reflective piece nevertheless carries an emotional heft that tends to sneak up on the viewer after the fact. It's a testament to Leigh's tremendous skills as a storyteller and the splendid performances of his leads, Katrin Cartlidge ("Breaking the Waves") and newcomer Lynda Steadman (HR 8/7).
Michael Rechtshaffen
G.I. JANE
Buena Vista Pictures
A Tom Cruise movie without Tom's magic smile, an Arnold Schwarzenegger adventure without the muscular machismo, Sharon Stone crossing her legs: Imagine more of the same, star vehicles with the star's best assets not used.
Thus marches out Hollywood Pictures' "G.I. Jane", Demi Moore as a Navy S.E.A.L. trainee with her head sheared bald and her body completely covered in military gear. Although there is novelty in seeing the one spot of Moore's anatomy we haven't been exposed to, this formulaic movie is not likely to detonate more than mediocre boxoffice for Buena Vista.
Basically "Top Gun" without the high-flying acrobatics and the good-old-boy charm, "G.I. Jane" is an ultra-serious tract about an underdog's battle against the big bad establishment, in this case, the first female Navy S.E.A.L. vs. the institutional harassment of the military machine.
Special praise to cinematographer Hugh Johnson for the charged scopings and Trevor Jones for the ear-blasting score (HR 8/8-10).
Duane Byrge
Other reviews
Also reviewed last week were "Def Jam's How to Be a Player" (HR 8/6) and "Free Willy 3: The Rescue" (8/8-10).
Miramax Films
A solidly entertaining drama that stays true to the independent spirit of its filmmakers, including the casting of heavyweights Sylvester Stallone and Robert De Niro in less-than-glamorous roles, Miramax's "Cop Land" has a good shot at leggy boxoffice success based on upbeat word-of-mouth and critical support.
Writer-director James Mangold ("Heavy") wrangles an impressive cast working for scale -- including Harvey Keitel, Ray Liotta, Janeane Garofalo, Peter Berg, Robert Patrick, Michael Rapaport and Annabella Sciorra -- and spins a compelling tale of cancerous corruption within a secretive group of New York's finest who have settled in the fictional New Jersey burg of Garrison.
With solid production design by Lester Cohen and costumes by Ellen Lutter, the editing by Craig McKay is also on the nose. Howard Shore's fine score is assisted by songs from Bruce Springsteen, Robert Cray and Boz Scaggs (HR 8/11).
David Hunter
CAREER GIRLS
October Films
"Career Girls" is Mike Leigh lite. Coming off the much-lauded, emotionally taut "Secrets & Lies," the acclaimed filmmaker cleanses the artistic palate with another tale of two women, only this time the seemingly slight story -- about two former roommates who are reunited six years later -- generates more laughter than tears.
But while humor abounds, the reflective piece nevertheless carries an emotional heft that tends to sneak up on the viewer after the fact. It's a testament to Leigh's tremendous skills as a storyteller and the splendid performances of his leads, Katrin Cartlidge ("Breaking the Waves") and newcomer Lynda Steadman (HR 8/7).
Michael Rechtshaffen
G.I. JANE
Buena Vista Pictures
A Tom Cruise movie without Tom's magic smile, an Arnold Schwarzenegger adventure without the muscular machismo, Sharon Stone crossing her legs: Imagine more of the same, star vehicles with the star's best assets not used.
Thus marches out Hollywood Pictures' "G.I. Jane", Demi Moore as a Navy S.E.A.L. trainee with her head sheared bald and her body completely covered in military gear. Although there is novelty in seeing the one spot of Moore's anatomy we haven't been exposed to, this formulaic movie is not likely to detonate more than mediocre boxoffice for Buena Vista.
Basically "Top Gun" without the high-flying acrobatics and the good-old-boy charm, "G.I. Jane" is an ultra-serious tract about an underdog's battle against the big bad establishment, in this case, the first female Navy S.E.A.L. vs. the institutional harassment of the military machine.
Special praise to cinematographer Hugh Johnson for the charged scopings and Trevor Jones for the ear-blasting score (HR 8/8-10).
Duane Byrge
Other reviews
Also reviewed last week were "Def Jam's How to Be a Player" (HR 8/6) and "Free Willy 3: The Rescue" (8/8-10).
- 8/12/1997
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A solidly entertaining drama that stays true to the independent spirit of its filmmakers, including the casting of heavyweights Sylvester Stallone and Robert De Niro in less-than-glamorous roles, Miramax's "Cop Land" has a good shot at leggy boxoffice success based on upbeat word-of-mouth and critical support.
Writer-director James Mangold ("Heavy") wrangles an impressive cast working for scale -- including Harvey Keitel, Ray Liotta, Janeane Garofalo, Peter Berg, Robert Patrick, Michael Rapaport and Annabella Sciorra -- and spins a compelling tale of cancerous corruption among a secretive group of New York's finest who have settled in the fictional New Jersey burg of Garrison.
Having gained some 40 pounds for the role, Stallone indeed looks chunky and plays the sleepy, docile Sheriff Freddy Heflin with sluggishness to spare in a largely commendable performance as a half-deaf small-town dreamer. With his sad, deputy-dog visage and muted delivery, Stallone is not given much in the way of memorable dialogue, but he makes the character work, and the climactic action sequence is one of his best in a long career of blowing away bad guys.
The kind of palooka who has yet to replace his LP of "The River" with a CD and carries a torch for the local Jersey girl (Sciorra) he saved from drowning -- the reason for his loss of hearing in one ear -- Freddy once longed to be a big-city cop but had to settle for policing them. As such, he has a mickey-mouse job in the safest place in America, as long as he keeps his mouth shut and doesn't pay too close attention.
In the fashion of a John Sayles film, Mangold peels back the veils of romance and myth and reveals the emotional extremes and cynical personal agendas of the group associated with town kingpin Ray (Keitel), the respected officer who first led the move of cops out of the city to Garrison and used his mob ties to make it happen. In the process, tough-guy Ray has had to cover up mistakes and eliminate problems.
A hard-charging internal affairs investigator (De Niro) has long suspected Ray of vigilante activities and worse, but his jurisdiction stops at the George Washington Bridge -- the site of a highway shooting involving a young NYPD hothead (Rapaport), who fakes his death rather than face criminal charges. When all signs point to Garrison as the safe haven for Rapaport's character, De Niro tries but initially fails to involve Freddy.
Loyal to Ray, but starting to listen to scheming loner cop Figgis (Liotta), Freddy gradually realizes that he doesn't like how the town has turned out. The suspicious death of Joey (Berg), the unfaithful husband of Sciorra's unhappy character, ups the stakes, but the investigation by De Niro has been abruptly terminated and Freddy's sharp new deputy (Garofalo) high-tails it out of town.
Threatened by Ray's volatile comrade (Patrick) but befriended by the former's wife (Cathy Moriarty), Freddy decides to take action and bring in Rapaport's character, which leads to a high-noon showdown with Ray and his goons. Throughout, Mangold and director of photography Eric Edwards keep the visual style restrained but effective.
With solid production design by Lester Cohen and costumes by Ellen Lutter, the editing by Craig McKay is also on the nose. Howard Shore's fine score is assisted by songs from Bruce Springsteen, Robert Cray and Boz Scaggs.
COP LAND
Miramax Films
A Woods Entertainment production
Writer-director James Mangold
Producers Cary Woods,
Cathy Konrad, Ezra Swerdlow
Executive producers Bob Weinstein,
Harvey Weinstein, Meryl Poster
Director of photography Eric Edwards
Editor Craig McKay
Production designer Lester Cohen
Costume designer Ellen Lutter
Music Howard Shore
Color/stereo
Cast:
Freddy Heflin Sylvester Stallone
Ray Donlan Harvey Keitel
Gary Figgis Ray Liotta
Moe Tilden Robert De Niro
Joey Randone Peter Berg
Deputy Cindy Betts Janeane Garofalo
Jack Rucker Robert Patrick
Murray Babitch Michael Rapaport
Liz Randone Annabella Sciorra
Rose Donlan Cathy Moriarty
Running time -- 105 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
Writer-director James Mangold ("Heavy") wrangles an impressive cast working for scale -- including Harvey Keitel, Ray Liotta, Janeane Garofalo, Peter Berg, Robert Patrick, Michael Rapaport and Annabella Sciorra -- and spins a compelling tale of cancerous corruption among a secretive group of New York's finest who have settled in the fictional New Jersey burg of Garrison.
Having gained some 40 pounds for the role, Stallone indeed looks chunky and plays the sleepy, docile Sheriff Freddy Heflin with sluggishness to spare in a largely commendable performance as a half-deaf small-town dreamer. With his sad, deputy-dog visage and muted delivery, Stallone is not given much in the way of memorable dialogue, but he makes the character work, and the climactic action sequence is one of his best in a long career of blowing away bad guys.
The kind of palooka who has yet to replace his LP of "The River" with a CD and carries a torch for the local Jersey girl (Sciorra) he saved from drowning -- the reason for his loss of hearing in one ear -- Freddy once longed to be a big-city cop but had to settle for policing them. As such, he has a mickey-mouse job in the safest place in America, as long as he keeps his mouth shut and doesn't pay too close attention.
In the fashion of a John Sayles film, Mangold peels back the veils of romance and myth and reveals the emotional extremes and cynical personal agendas of the group associated with town kingpin Ray (Keitel), the respected officer who first led the move of cops out of the city to Garrison and used his mob ties to make it happen. In the process, tough-guy Ray has had to cover up mistakes and eliminate problems.
A hard-charging internal affairs investigator (De Niro) has long suspected Ray of vigilante activities and worse, but his jurisdiction stops at the George Washington Bridge -- the site of a highway shooting involving a young NYPD hothead (Rapaport), who fakes his death rather than face criminal charges. When all signs point to Garrison as the safe haven for Rapaport's character, De Niro tries but initially fails to involve Freddy.
Loyal to Ray, but starting to listen to scheming loner cop Figgis (Liotta), Freddy gradually realizes that he doesn't like how the town has turned out. The suspicious death of Joey (Berg), the unfaithful husband of Sciorra's unhappy character, ups the stakes, but the investigation by De Niro has been abruptly terminated and Freddy's sharp new deputy (Garofalo) high-tails it out of town.
Threatened by Ray's volatile comrade (Patrick) but befriended by the former's wife (Cathy Moriarty), Freddy decides to take action and bring in Rapaport's character, which leads to a high-noon showdown with Ray and his goons. Throughout, Mangold and director of photography Eric Edwards keep the visual style restrained but effective.
With solid production design by Lester Cohen and costumes by Ellen Lutter, the editing by Craig McKay is also on the nose. Howard Shore's fine score is assisted by songs from Bruce Springsteen, Robert Cray and Boz Scaggs.
COP LAND
Miramax Films
A Woods Entertainment production
Writer-director James Mangold
Producers Cary Woods,
Cathy Konrad, Ezra Swerdlow
Executive producers Bob Weinstein,
Harvey Weinstein, Meryl Poster
Director of photography Eric Edwards
Editor Craig McKay
Production designer Lester Cohen
Costume designer Ellen Lutter
Music Howard Shore
Color/stereo
Cast:
Freddy Heflin Sylvester Stallone
Ray Donlan Harvey Keitel
Gary Figgis Ray Liotta
Moe Tilden Robert De Niro
Joey Randone Peter Berg
Deputy Cindy Betts Janeane Garofalo
Jack Rucker Robert Patrick
Murray Babitch Michael Rapaport
Liz Randone Annabella Sciorra
Rose Donlan Cathy Moriarty
Running time -- 105 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
- 8/11/1997
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Seen in only two known photographs but heard in more than a dozen of his landmark recordings, blues legend Robert Johnson is investigated and his life re-created in Peter W. Meyer's strong film, which screens this afternoon at the 1997 Pan African Film Festival at the Magic Johnson Theatres after premiering locally in the fest last weekend.
"Can't You Hear the Wind Howl? The Life & Music of Robert Johnson" is narrated and hosted on-screen by Danny Glover, while contemporary blues musician Kevin Moore (a k a Keb' Mo') portrays Mississippi Delta bluesman Johnson in atmospheric black-and-white inserts.
With few details of Johnson's life recorded and verifiable, the filmmakers are lucky to have such willing interview subjects as Johnny Shines, now deceased, who played, traveled and competed with Johnson in the 1930s, and Honeyboy Edwards, who was present at the musician's uninvestigated murder by poisoning in 1938.
From "Crossroads Blues", about a guitar player who makes a pact with the devil, to such gems as "Hell Hound on My Trail", Johnson had a unique style and sound, which he picked up from playing mostly in juke joints and on the streets. For the Vocalion label, he recorded 29 songs, and was admired by his peers for the ability to play the guitar like a "piano."
Johnson's story is sketchy, with many long trips and many girlfriends. His classic "Love in Vain" was written about one Willie Mae Powell, one of several contemporaries of Johnson interviewed for the film. There's a healthy heaping of myth, including childhood friend Wink Clark recalling Johnson's first homemade guitar.
Keith Richards and Eric Clapton get in a few quick licks on Johnson's musical legacy. And breaking from the strict documentary format, Meyer's film mixes vintage footage with new material that evokes rough, Depression-era America, but serves mostly to canonize Johnson.
There is mention of his womanizing and heavy drinking, but a note he supposedly wrote as he lay dying in bed finds him looking forward to redemption. Johnson was only 27 when he was murdered in Mississippi, possibly by a jealous husband.
CAN'T YOU HEAR THE WIND HOWL?
THE LIFE & MUSIC OF ROBERT JOHNSON
Sweet Home Pictures
A Peter Meyer film
Producer-director-editor:Peter W. Meyer
Co-producer:Constance Meyer
Executive producers:Thom Havens, Philipp Nick
Writers:Jean Compton, Peter W. Meyer
Directors of photography:Phillip C. Pfeiffer, Ken Mandel
Color/black and white
With:Johnny Shines, Honeyboy Edwards, Robert Cray, Danny Glover, Kevin Moore, John Hammond
Running time -- 77 minutes
No MPAA rating...
"Can't You Hear the Wind Howl? The Life & Music of Robert Johnson" is narrated and hosted on-screen by Danny Glover, while contemporary blues musician Kevin Moore (a k a Keb' Mo') portrays Mississippi Delta bluesman Johnson in atmospheric black-and-white inserts.
With few details of Johnson's life recorded and verifiable, the filmmakers are lucky to have such willing interview subjects as Johnny Shines, now deceased, who played, traveled and competed with Johnson in the 1930s, and Honeyboy Edwards, who was present at the musician's uninvestigated murder by poisoning in 1938.
From "Crossroads Blues", about a guitar player who makes a pact with the devil, to such gems as "Hell Hound on My Trail", Johnson had a unique style and sound, which he picked up from playing mostly in juke joints and on the streets. For the Vocalion label, he recorded 29 songs, and was admired by his peers for the ability to play the guitar like a "piano."
Johnson's story is sketchy, with many long trips and many girlfriends. His classic "Love in Vain" was written about one Willie Mae Powell, one of several contemporaries of Johnson interviewed for the film. There's a healthy heaping of myth, including childhood friend Wink Clark recalling Johnson's first homemade guitar.
Keith Richards and Eric Clapton get in a few quick licks on Johnson's musical legacy. And breaking from the strict documentary format, Meyer's film mixes vintage footage with new material that evokes rough, Depression-era America, but serves mostly to canonize Johnson.
There is mention of his womanizing and heavy drinking, but a note he supposedly wrote as he lay dying in bed finds him looking forward to redemption. Johnson was only 27 when he was murdered in Mississippi, possibly by a jealous husband.
CAN'T YOU HEAR THE WIND HOWL?
THE LIFE & MUSIC OF ROBERT JOHNSON
Sweet Home Pictures
A Peter Meyer film
Producer-director-editor:Peter W. Meyer
Co-producer:Constance Meyer
Executive producers:Thom Havens, Philipp Nick
Writers:Jean Compton, Peter W. Meyer
Directors of photography:Phillip C. Pfeiffer, Ken Mandel
Color/black and white
With:Johnny Shines, Honeyboy Edwards, Robert Cray, Danny Glover, Kevin Moore, John Hammond
Running time -- 77 minutes
No MPAA rating...
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.