When Roger Corman died on May 9 at age 98, the film world lost one of its great independent film legends. Over the course of his seven decade career, Corman directed over 55 films and received more than 500 producing credits, creating work that helped serve as the launchpad for major Hollywood stars and filmmakers like Peter Fonda, Frances Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, James Cameron, Peter Bogdanovich, and Jonathan Demme. And yet, from his first film to his last, Corman remained true to his roots of low-budget, independent, lowbrow-yet-brilliant genre filmmaking.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Corman was smart enough to attend Stanford University studying industrial engineering, but quit his first job in the field after only four days. Looking to go into the film industry, he worked his way up at 20th Century Fox from mail room messenger to story reader. But after he didn’t receive credit for the success of “The Gunslinger,...
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Corman was smart enough to attend Stanford University studying industrial engineering, but quit his first job in the field after only four days. Looking to go into the film industry, he worked his way up at 20th Century Fox from mail room messenger to story reader. But after he didn’t receive credit for the success of “The Gunslinger,...
- 5/14/2024
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
Roger Corman, the pioneering producer and director, known affectionately as “the king of B movies,” passed away on May 9 at his home in Santa Monica, California. Corman had as much influence over modern Hollywood as Steven Spielberg or Martin Scorsese. And for good reason: Without him there likely wouldn’t even have been a Spielberg or Scorsese.
This maker of hundreds of low-budget horror, sci-fi, and exploitation films is to this day remembered by many, and rather unfairly, as a B-movie hack, but Corman’s aesthetic sensibilities have come to dominate the franchises we now call tent poles, and his protégés number among the most influential people in cinema. And he enjoyed every minute of it.
Corman came off as very humble, resembling no one so much as Mr. Rogers. He laughed at himself and his experiences frequently. Many of the movies that he made were ridiculous but they were knowingly so.
This maker of hundreds of low-budget horror, sci-fi, and exploitation films is to this day remembered by many, and rather unfairly, as a B-movie hack, but Corman’s aesthetic sensibilities have come to dominate the franchises we now call tent poles, and his protégés number among the most influential people in cinema. And he enjoyed every minute of it.
Corman came off as very humble, resembling no one so much as Mr. Rogers. He laughed at himself and his experiences frequently. Many of the movies that he made were ridiculous but they were knowingly so.
- 5/12/2024
- by Tom Elrod
- Slant Magazine
A quick question: Do you like The Godfather? How about Goodfellas? Or Gremlins? Or Stop Making Sense, Avatar, Apollo 13, Chinatown, Easy Rider, Paper Moon, Lone Star, or roughly 90 percent of any movies featuring monsters terrorizing pretty ladies from the last 50 years?
You have, in so many ways, Roger Corman to thank for all of them. A producer, director and writer who became a patron saint to an entire generation of filmmakers, the “King of the Bs” either gave the artists behind those movies their start or helped give them...
You have, in so many ways, Roger Corman to thank for all of them. A producer, director and writer who became a patron saint to an entire generation of filmmakers, the “King of the Bs” either gave the artists behind those movies their start or helped give them...
- 5/12/2024
- by David Fear
- Rollingstone.com
Roger Corman, the maverick producer of B-movies and iconoclastic subjects whose innovative low-budget enterprises launched the careers of numerous major filmmakers, died on Thursday at his home in Santa Monica. He was 98.
Corman’s career encompassed seven decades and more than 500 producing credits, including early work that launched the careers of major Hollywood figures such as Jack Nicholson, Bruce Dern, Peter Fonda, Frances Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, James Cameron, Peter Bogdanovich, Gale Anne Hurd, John Sayles, Ron Howard and Jonathan Demme. Yet Corman resented the commercial studio system, and as both producer and as a director himself, he pursued his cheap, no-frills filmmaking style at all costs, while using lowbrow genre tropes as a Trojan horse for socially conscious themes.
Over the years, Corman’s name has been most closely associated with the zany escapist enterprises often referred to as exploitation films, a term he abhorred. With producing credits such...
Corman’s career encompassed seven decades and more than 500 producing credits, including early work that launched the careers of major Hollywood figures such as Jack Nicholson, Bruce Dern, Peter Fonda, Frances Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, James Cameron, Peter Bogdanovich, Gale Anne Hurd, John Sayles, Ron Howard and Jonathan Demme. Yet Corman resented the commercial studio system, and as both producer and as a director himself, he pursued his cheap, no-frills filmmaking style at all costs, while using lowbrow genre tropes as a Trojan horse for socially conscious themes.
Over the years, Corman’s name has been most closely associated with the zany escapist enterprises often referred to as exploitation films, a term he abhorred. With producing credits such...
- 5/12/2024
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
Dennis Hopper was the Oscar-nominated performer who experienced many ups-and-downs throughout his career, with his off-screen antics often overshadowing his onscreen talent. Yet many of his movies have stood the test of time. Let’s take a look back at 15 of Hopper’s greatest films, ranked worst to best.
Born in 1936, Hopper made his movie debut at the age of 19 in “Rebel Without a Cause” (1955), where he became fast friends with James Dean. He had an even bigger role in “Giant” (1956), which would be Dean’s last film before his untimely death in 1955. Hopper struggled for several years trying to find his voice, making small appearances in such films as “Cool Hand Luke” (1967) and “True Grit”(1969).
He burst onto the scene with the counterculture phenomenon “Easy Rider” (1969), which he also directed and co-wrote (with co-star Peter Fonda and Terry Southern). The story of two bikers (Hopper and Fonda) traveling across...
Born in 1936, Hopper made his movie debut at the age of 19 in “Rebel Without a Cause” (1955), where he became fast friends with James Dean. He had an even bigger role in “Giant” (1956), which would be Dean’s last film before his untimely death in 1955. Hopper struggled for several years trying to find his voice, making small appearances in such films as “Cool Hand Luke” (1967) and “True Grit”(1969).
He burst onto the scene with the counterculture phenomenon “Easy Rider” (1969), which he also directed and co-wrote (with co-star Peter Fonda and Terry Southern). The story of two bikers (Hopper and Fonda) traveling across...
- 5/10/2024
- by Zach Laws and Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
Can television have its own New Hollywood moment?
Much like movies such as Bonnie and Clyde, The Graduate, Rosemary’s Baby and Easy Rider took the late 1960s by storm, a group of writers and directors are hoping that their own independent TV projects can break through and find their way to the small screen amidst the current Hollywood contraction.
After a number of web series such as Issa Rae’s The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl, Broad City and High Maintenance were turned into TV series over the past decade, writers and directors hoped that this would lead to more.
However, the rise of streaming originals saw the business go the other way, with incredibly expensive dramas and comedies, often led by movie stars, taking over. This trend is now waning and a new generation of creators hopes that cost-conscious companies will now pay more attention to their projects instead.
Much like movies such as Bonnie and Clyde, The Graduate, Rosemary’s Baby and Easy Rider took the late 1960s by storm, a group of writers and directors are hoping that their own independent TV projects can break through and find their way to the small screen amidst the current Hollywood contraction.
After a number of web series such as Issa Rae’s The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl, Broad City and High Maintenance were turned into TV series over the past decade, writers and directors hoped that this would lead to more.
However, the rise of streaming originals saw the business go the other way, with incredibly expensive dramas and comedies, often led by movie stars, taking over. This trend is now waning and a new generation of creators hopes that cost-conscious companies will now pay more attention to their projects instead.
- 5/8/2024
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s been more than fifty years since The Godfather was released and instantly became the cinema’s biggest cult classic, but all of its actors may have unconsciously merged with their roles, whatever projects they would signed up for.
Here it’s Al Pacino that comes as the most striking example: after the actor starred as Vito Corleone’s youngest son Michael, Al Pacino turned into Michael and Michael turned into Al Pacino — as simple as that.
Despite the fact that right now nobody can imagine Al Pacino being replaced by another actor in The Godfather, this option was more than possible back then and eventually got canceled at the last minute — by the main challenger himself.
Though it’s hard to believe it these days, back in the day it was Jack Nicholson who The Godfather’s director Francis Ford Coppola was strongly considering for Michael Corleone’s role.
Here it’s Al Pacino that comes as the most striking example: after the actor starred as Vito Corleone’s youngest son Michael, Al Pacino turned into Michael and Michael turned into Al Pacino — as simple as that.
Despite the fact that right now nobody can imagine Al Pacino being replaced by another actor in The Godfather, this option was more than possible back then and eventually got canceled at the last minute — by the main challenger himself.
Though it’s hard to believe it these days, back in the day it was Jack Nicholson who The Godfather’s director Francis Ford Coppola was strongly considering for Michael Corleone’s role.
- 4/21/2024
- by benjamin-patel@startefacts.com (Benjamin Patel)
- STartefacts.com
Joe Simon and Jack Kirby created Captain America in 1940 as a symbol of American propaganda. Enhanced by a powerful steroid, Steve Rogers was given over to the American military, given a colorful, American flag costume, and ordered to pummel Nazis. Indeed, on the cover of "Captain America Comics" #1, Steve can be seen punching Adolf Hitler in the face. After WWII ended, Captain America has been adrift in Marvel Comics, only finding usefulness as the leader of a ragtag group of other superbeings. It's astonishing how successful the character has been in the last 60 years or so, given that he clearly exists as a still-living relic of the Greatest Generation.
In 1944, Captain America first appeared in cinemas as the star of a 15-part Republic Pictures serial starring Dick Purcell. The character was altered dramatically for the serial, however. Instead of a weakling soldier named Steve Roger enhanced by steroids, Captain American...
In 1944, Captain America first appeared in cinemas as the star of a 15-part Republic Pictures serial starring Dick Purcell. The character was altered dramatically for the serial, however. Instead of a weakling soldier named Steve Roger enhanced by steroids, Captain American...
- 4/8/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Heading Out promises to be the ultimate fantasy world for someone who has always wished to hit the road with their car and see where it takes them as they live life by their own rules. FandomWire had an up close and personal with Szymon Adamus, Business Development Manager at Serious Sim.
The Polish Development Team, Serious Sim, had previously created Radio Commander which allowed users to immerse themselves in a narrative-driven storyline where they operated as Radio Commander marshalling his troops for America in the fight against Vietnam.
Szymon Adams opened up about the team’s experience something so different in Heading Out and talked about believing that Aaa games tend to focus more on budget than the creative aspect.
Szymon Adamus Almost Seems Thankful That Heading Out Did Not Have an Aaa Budget
Games with Aaa budgets tend to make all the headlines in the industry. But 2024 has...
The Polish Development Team, Serious Sim, had previously created Radio Commander which allowed users to immerse themselves in a narrative-driven storyline where they operated as Radio Commander marshalling his troops for America in the fight against Vietnam.
Szymon Adams opened up about the team’s experience something so different in Heading Out and talked about believing that Aaa games tend to focus more on budget than the creative aspect.
Szymon Adamus Almost Seems Thankful That Heading Out Did Not Have an Aaa Budget
Games with Aaa budgets tend to make all the headlines in the industry. But 2024 has...
- 3/25/2024
- by Arkaneel Khan
- FandomWire
Sylvester Stallone is still as famous as he was back in the ‘80s. With a lengthy roster of movies under his belt, many of which were successful franchises, he particularly did not like Rambo: First Blood (1982).
Sylvester Stallone in Rambo: First Blood
Interestingly, the movie was a huge commercial and critical hit, which was a huge deal because it was his first non-Rocky movie that made it big at the box office.
Sylvester Stallone Believed First Blood Would End His Acting Career
Speaking on The Howard Stern Show, action legend Sylvester Stallone confessed he hated First Blood and thought it was a bad movie. He even expected it would ruin his already-established career, all thanks to Rocky.
“I looked at this, I’m going, ‘This is a career killer.’ This film, when we did it, it was so bad—at least I thought, and even my manager—we both went out,...
Sylvester Stallone in Rambo: First Blood
Interestingly, the movie was a huge commercial and critical hit, which was a huge deal because it was his first non-Rocky movie that made it big at the box office.
Sylvester Stallone Believed First Blood Would End His Acting Career
Speaking on The Howard Stern Show, action legend Sylvester Stallone confessed he hated First Blood and thought it was a bad movie. He even expected it would ruin his already-established career, all thanks to Rocky.
“I looked at this, I’m going, ‘This is a career killer.’ This film, when we did it, it was so bad—at least I thought, and even my manager—we both went out,...
- 3/22/2024
- by Ariane Cruz
- FandomWire
Clockwise from top left: Megan Fox (Getty/Jason Merritt), Hula girl figurine (Getty/Erik Von Weber), Ryan Gosling (Getty/John Phillips), Natalie Portman (Getty/Michael Buckner), Edward Norton (Getty/Jason Merritt)
Losing a job sucks, no matter who you are. And although it’s easy to believe that it would...
Losing a job sucks, no matter who you are. And although it’s easy to believe that it would...
- 2/2/2024
- by Matt Mills
- avclub.com
Charles Osgood, the genial radio and television commentator who anchored CBS Sunday Morning for more than two decades, died Tuesday. He was 91.
Osgood, who also was heard on the radio for more than 50 years with CBS’ The Osgood File, died at his home in New Jersey of dementia, the network announced.
The low-key Bronx native took over CBS’ Sunday program from Charles Kuralt in 1994 and retired in September 2016 as its longest-running host. After handing over the reins to Jane Pauley, he continued to broadcast The Osgood File and contribute stories to CBS News.
In December 2017, Osgood and Westwood One announced an extension to keep The Osgood File going, but he changed course just 15 days later.
“Although I was very much looking forward to continuing … unfortunately my health and doctors will now not allow it. So I will retire from The Osgood File and radio at the end of the year...
Osgood, who also was heard on the radio for more than 50 years with CBS’ The Osgood File, died at his home in New Jersey of dementia, the network announced.
The low-key Bronx native took over CBS’ Sunday program from Charles Kuralt in 1994 and retired in September 2016 as its longest-running host. After handing over the reins to Jane Pauley, he continued to broadcast The Osgood File and contribute stories to CBS News.
In December 2017, Osgood and Westwood One announced an extension to keep The Osgood File going, but he changed course just 15 days later.
“Although I was very much looking forward to continuing … unfortunately my health and doctors will now not allow it. So I will retire from The Osgood File and radio at the end of the year...
- 1/23/2024
- by Chris Koseluk
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sony’s Columbia Pictures is celebrating its milestone 100-year anniversary here in 2024, and the good news is that part of their epic celebration this week directly benefits You.
For One-week-only, you can celebrate 100 years of Columbia Pictures with a limited 100-movie bundle, featuring fan-favorite films, iconic performances and unforgettable moments.
The price to own those 100 movies on Digital? $100!
The following Horror Movies are part of the 100 movies for $100 collection…
Anaconda (1997) Fright Night (1985) Christine (1983) Wolf (1994)
Other notable movies in the collection include Easy Rider, Air Force One, Can’t Hardly Wait, Heavy Metal, Krull, Last Action Hero, Stripes, The Deep, and Anatomy of a Murder.
Browse the full collection and take advantage while you can.
Revisit 100 years worth of Columbia Pictures movie moments in the video below.
The post For 1-Week-Only, You Can Buy 100 Columbia Pictures Movies for $100 – ‘Fright Night’, ‘Christine’ & More! appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.
For One-week-only, you can celebrate 100 years of Columbia Pictures with a limited 100-movie bundle, featuring fan-favorite films, iconic performances and unforgettable moments.
The price to own those 100 movies on Digital? $100!
The following Horror Movies are part of the 100 movies for $100 collection…
Anaconda (1997) Fright Night (1985) Christine (1983) Wolf (1994)
Other notable movies in the collection include Easy Rider, Air Force One, Can’t Hardly Wait, Heavy Metal, Krull, Last Action Hero, Stripes, The Deep, and Anatomy of a Murder.
Browse the full collection and take advantage while you can.
Revisit 100 years worth of Columbia Pictures movie moments in the video below.
The post For 1-Week-Only, You Can Buy 100 Columbia Pictures Movies for $100 – ‘Fright Night’, ‘Christine’ & More! appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.
- 1/17/2024
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Tom Smothers, the countercultural comedy icon admired for the 1960s variety program he created and hosted with his younger brother, Dick, and for the tenacity he displayed in frequent clashes with CBS censors, has died. He was 86.
Smothers died Tuesday at his home in Santa Rosa, California, after a battle with cancer, his brother announced in a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter by the National Comedy Center.
“Tom was not only the loving older brother that everyone would want in their life, he was a one-of-a-kind creative partner,” Dick, 84, said. “I am forever grateful to have spent a lifetime together with him, on and off stage, for over 60 years. Our relationship was like a good marriage — the longer we were together, the more we loved and respected one another. We were truly blessed.”
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour ran from February 1967 until April 1969, when the pair were fired after...
Smothers died Tuesday at his home in Santa Rosa, California, after a battle with cancer, his brother announced in a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter by the National Comedy Center.
“Tom was not only the loving older brother that everyone would want in their life, he was a one-of-a-kind creative partner,” Dick, 84, said. “I am forever grateful to have spent a lifetime together with him, on and off stage, for over 60 years. Our relationship was like a good marriage — the longer we were together, the more we loved and respected one another. We were truly blessed.”
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour ran from February 1967 until April 1969, when the pair were fired after...
- 12/27/2023
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Why is this like a dark secret? It’s just a movie.”
Ryan O’Neal, who died this week at 82, was a smart, good-natured man who was bemused by the contradictions of Hollywood. As he nervously awaited the release of Love Story five decades ago, he respected its shroud of silence but also was perplexed by it.
“Love Story is on its own blacklist, but I don’t get why,” he observed.
The movie, of course, was the surprise hit of its year, but even the bestseller on which it was based had suddenly appeared on the “don’t talk” list.
Why the mystery?
Related: Remembering Ryan O’Neal: A Film & TV Career In Photos
Hollywood circa 1970 was a small town compared with the Amazon-and-Apple world of this moment, and Love Story had been preordained as an embarrassment. Every studio had rejected the screenplay, and seemingly every “money” actor had turned down the lead.
Ryan O’Neal, who died this week at 82, was a smart, good-natured man who was bemused by the contradictions of Hollywood. As he nervously awaited the release of Love Story five decades ago, he respected its shroud of silence but also was perplexed by it.
“Love Story is on its own blacklist, but I don’t get why,” he observed.
The movie, of course, was the surprise hit of its year, but even the bestseller on which it was based had suddenly appeared on the “don’t talk” list.
Why the mystery?
Related: Remembering Ryan O’Neal: A Film & TV Career In Photos
Hollywood circa 1970 was a small town compared with the Amazon-and-Apple world of this moment, and Love Story had been preordained as an embarrassment. Every studio had rejected the screenplay, and seemingly every “money” actor had turned down the lead.
- 12/11/2023
- by Peter Bart
- Deadline Film + TV
Jack Nicholson Isn’t Retired Yet, Says Director James L. Brooks: ‘I Don’t Buy’ That He’s Done Acting
Thirteen years after last appearing onscreen, and Jack Nicholson might still be open to working.
The Oscar winner most recently starred in 2010 rom-com “How Do You Know,” directed by his “Terms of Endearment” helmer James L. Brooks decades after first collaborating on the 1983 drama. Brooks told The Wrap that despite rumors, Nicholson is not retired.
“I don’t think he’s retired,” Brooks said. “I don’t buy that he’s retired.”
He continued, “I remember there was once a friend of mine who one of these raging, alcoholic-driven arguments [with me] about who was the greatest actor at the time. This was at Dustin Hoffman’s height and everything like that. I’m saying Jack Nicholson. He’s saying Dustin Hoffman. I went with [Nicholson] because I said Jack could play either in ‘The Odd Couple.'”
Brooks called it “miracle casting” that Nicholson starred in “Terms of Endearment,” thanks to actress...
The Oscar winner most recently starred in 2010 rom-com “How Do You Know,” directed by his “Terms of Endearment” helmer James L. Brooks decades after first collaborating on the 1983 drama. Brooks told The Wrap that despite rumors, Nicholson is not retired.
“I don’t think he’s retired,” Brooks said. “I don’t buy that he’s retired.”
He continued, “I remember there was once a friend of mine who one of these raging, alcoholic-driven arguments [with me] about who was the greatest actor at the time. This was at Dustin Hoffman’s height and everything like that. I’m saying Jack Nicholson. He’s saying Dustin Hoffman. I went with [Nicholson] because I said Jack could play either in ‘The Odd Couple.'”
Brooks called it “miracle casting” that Nicholson starred in “Terms of Endearment,” thanks to actress...
- 11/15/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
November is the month of thankfulness, so why not be thankful for some great independent cinema?
As the end of the year approaches, new films arrive in theaters at a rapid pace with big blockbusters, seasonal holiday films, and major Oscar contenders all vying for those juicy November and December slots. This month alone, some highly anticipated films include “American Fiction,” “Dream Scenario,” “Leave the World Behind,” “May December,” “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes,” “Napoleon,” and the Disney Film “Wish.” On streaming, new movies skew towards the seasonal holiday variet with mountains of Christmas rom-coms coming to Netflix for you to enjoy and/or dread. But there’s still plenty of classic films arriving on platforms this November — including great independent movies that have released as recently as 2014 and as far back as 1969.
It’s a particularly great month for the Criterion Channel: the streamer for...
As the end of the year approaches, new films arrive in theaters at a rapid pace with big blockbusters, seasonal holiday films, and major Oscar contenders all vying for those juicy November and December slots. This month alone, some highly anticipated films include “American Fiction,” “Dream Scenario,” “Leave the World Behind,” “May December,” “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes,” “Napoleon,” and the Disney Film “Wish.” On streaming, new movies skew towards the seasonal holiday variet with mountains of Christmas rom-coms coming to Netflix for you to enjoy and/or dread. But there’s still plenty of classic films arriving on platforms this November — including great independent movies that have released as recently as 2014 and as far back as 1969.
It’s a particularly great month for the Criterion Channel: the streamer for...
- 11/10/2023
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
There may be nothing more boomer than comparing Gen Z’s box-office juggernaut to a movie released before their parents were born. Nevertheless, that’s what this boomer is doing: The staggering opening for “Five Nights at Freddy’s” (Universal) is as shocking as the success of “Easy Rider” 54 years ago for its sense of upheaval and disruption.
Like Peter Fonda’s low-budget motorcycle cross-country drama “Easy Rider” in 1969, we are seeing moviegoers under 25 embrace a film as their own while it leaves older viewers baffled. Similarly, its success will have significant strategic impact for the future of production and distribution.
Blumhouse Productions’ $20 million video game adaptation opened to an estimated $78 million and $152 million worldwide. With its lower ticket prices, that total translates to a bigger audience than the first weekends of either “Taylor Swift The Eras Tour” (AMC) or “Oppenheimer” (Universal).
It’s a shocker. Sure, rules can be broken...
Like Peter Fonda’s low-budget motorcycle cross-country drama “Easy Rider” in 1969, we are seeing moviegoers under 25 embrace a film as their own while it leaves older viewers baffled. Similarly, its success will have significant strategic impact for the future of production and distribution.
Blumhouse Productions’ $20 million video game adaptation opened to an estimated $78 million and $152 million worldwide. With its lower ticket prices, that total translates to a bigger audience than the first weekends of either “Taylor Swift The Eras Tour” (AMC) or “Oppenheimer” (Universal).
It’s a shocker. Sure, rules can be broken...
- 10/29/2023
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
It’s been six months beloved judge Len Goodman passed, but Dancing with the Stars isn’t ready to say goodbye just yet.
Though Tuesday’s theme was Most Memorable Year, the Week 5 episode was really meant to honor Goodman, who died from prostate cancer in April at the age of 78. After airing a sentimental package featuring past pros talking about what an honor it was to be both complimented and criticized by Goodman, the episode then featured a dance tribute to “Moon River” that was waltzed to perfection by current pros and past faves Kym Johnson, Anna Trebunskaya, Karina Smirnoff, Edyta Sliwinska, Tony Dovolani, Louis van Amstel, Maks Chmerkovskiy and Mark Ballas.
It ended with the troupe gesturing to an empty middle chair on the judges’ dais. Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli wept.
Reality TV star Harry Jowsey (Too Hot to Handle) with partner Rylee Arnold. 2020 was quite...
Though Tuesday’s theme was Most Memorable Year, the Week 5 episode was really meant to honor Goodman, who died from prostate cancer in April at the age of 78. After airing a sentimental package featuring past pros talking about what an honor it was to be both complimented and criticized by Goodman, the episode then featured a dance tribute to “Moon River” that was waltzed to perfection by current pros and past faves Kym Johnson, Anna Trebunskaya, Karina Smirnoff, Edyta Sliwinska, Tony Dovolani, Louis van Amstel, Maks Chmerkovskiy and Mark Ballas.
It ended with the troupe gesturing to an empty middle chair on the judges’ dais. Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli wept.
Reality TV star Harry Jowsey (Too Hot to Handle) with partner Rylee Arnold. 2020 was quite...
- 10/25/2023
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
Among the myriad reasons we could call the Criterion Channel the single greatest streaming service is its leveling of cinematic snobbery. Where a new World Cinema Project restoration plays, so too does Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight. I think about this looking at November’s lineup and being happiest about two new additions: a nine-film Robert Bresson retro including L’argent and The Devil, Probably; and a one-film Hype Williams retro including Belly and only Belly, but bringing as a bonus the direct-to-video Belly 2: Millionaire Boyz Club. Until recently such curation seemed impossible.
November will also feature a 20-film noir series boasting the obvious and the not. Maybe the single tightest collection is “Women of the West,” with Johnny Guitar and The Beguiled and Rancho Notorious and The Furies only half of it. Lynch/Oz, Irradiated, and My Two Voices make streaming premieres; Drylongso gets a Criterion Edition; and joining...
November will also feature a 20-film noir series boasting the obvious and the not. Maybe the single tightest collection is “Women of the West,” with Johnny Guitar and The Beguiled and Rancho Notorious and The Furies only half of it. Lynch/Oz, Irradiated, and My Two Voices make streaming premieres; Drylongso gets a Criterion Edition; and joining...
- 10/24/2023
- by Nick Newman
- The Film Stage
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission.
It was only a few days ago that the Criterion Collection had a surprise flash sale. The home video company’s entire catalog was slashed down to 50% off list prices. While that sale only lasted for 24 hours, there are a number of titles that are still on sale for half-off at Amazon.
We rounded up the best deals on Criterion Collection releases, including Spike Lee’s “Do The Right Thing,” Dennis Hopper’s “Easy Rider,” Whit Stillman’s “The Last Days of Disco” and much more. In fact, even a few boxed sets are half off, such as Krzysztof Kieślowski’s “The Dekalog” and Steve McQueen’s “Small Axe” anthology.
Ahead, check out the best Criterion Blu-ray discs currently on sale for 50% off at Amazon:
‘Do the Right Thing...
It was only a few days ago that the Criterion Collection had a surprise flash sale. The home video company’s entire catalog was slashed down to 50% off list prices. While that sale only lasted for 24 hours, there are a number of titles that are still on sale for half-off at Amazon.
We rounded up the best deals on Criterion Collection releases, including Spike Lee’s “Do The Right Thing,” Dennis Hopper’s “Easy Rider,” Whit Stillman’s “The Last Days of Disco” and much more. In fact, even a few boxed sets are half off, such as Krzysztof Kieślowski’s “The Dekalog” and Steve McQueen’s “Small Axe” anthology.
Ahead, check out the best Criterion Blu-ray discs currently on sale for 50% off at Amazon:
‘Do the Right Thing...
- 10/20/2023
- by Anna Tingley and Rudie Obias
- Variety Film + TV
Not every work of art withstands the test of time. Sometimes that's just because a new generation has different tastes in stories and storytelling styles. Sometimes it's because the artwork is the product of a very specific moment, and is difficult to appreciate without understanding the cultural, political, sociological, and/or artistic context in which it was created.
It's usually a treat to discover that a film or a TV show made decades before you were born still retains most, if not all of its power. But sometimes it's also deeply sad. That's because many films and TV shows attempt to speak about the tragedies of society, and the evils we encounter every day and must remain ever vigilant against. To watch those films generations after they were produced and discover that their themes and their warnings are still relevant — and maybe even more relevant than ever — speaks highly of the artists who created them,...
It's usually a treat to discover that a film or a TV show made decades before you were born still retains most, if not all of its power. But sometimes it's also deeply sad. That's because many films and TV shows attempt to speak about the tragedies of society, and the evils we encounter every day and must remain ever vigilant against. To watch those films generations after they were produced and discover that their themes and their warnings are still relevant — and maybe even more relevant than ever — speaks highly of the artists who created them,...
- 10/15/2023
- by William Bibbiani
- Slash Film
London film festival Jodie Comer, Austin Butler and Tom Hardy are magnetic in this power struggle-cum-love triangle inspired by Danny Lyon’s 1968 photographic study of Chicago bikers
Jeff Nichols’s motorcycle movie is about a love triangle and a succession crisis – inspired by the immersive 1968 study of Chicago bikers by photojournalist Danny Lyon, whose black-and-white pictures flash up with the closing credits. This film opens up the storytelling throttle with a throaty growl, delivering the doomy romance of an old-fashioned western and the thrills of a mob drama.
The Bikeriders is set in a world in which the increasingly careworn gang leader competes for the affection of his toughest follower with this man’s girlfriend, while at the same time grooming him as his heir. Yet this is a group where the biker king – whatever his plans for a dauphin – can be challenged for the crown by any subordinate according...
Jeff Nichols’s motorcycle movie is about a love triangle and a succession crisis – inspired by the immersive 1968 study of Chicago bikers by photojournalist Danny Lyon, whose black-and-white pictures flash up with the closing credits. This film opens up the storytelling throttle with a throaty growl, delivering the doomy romance of an old-fashioned western and the thrills of a mob drama.
The Bikeriders is set in a world in which the increasingly careworn gang leader competes for the affection of his toughest follower with this man’s girlfriend, while at the same time grooming him as his heir. Yet this is a group where the biker king – whatever his plans for a dauphin – can be challenged for the crown by any subordinate according...
- 10/5/2023
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Arguably the most accomplished and enjoyable film so far for filmmaking brothers Bill and Turner Ross (the siblings behind Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets and Western), Gasoline Rainbow pays homage to all the road movies that ever were but is still its own quirky thing, uniquely of its time.
Five photogenic but regular-looking non-professional teens star as people much like themselves, i.e. kids just out of high school, who decide on a whim one night to drive 500 miles west toward the Pacific, away from the small podunk Oregon town they grew up in. Some of the friends they make along the way aren’t entirely nice, but our heroes bounce back, party on and peace out with the blithe insouciance only the young can get away with. As such, this jaunty work will appeal to viewers from the same demographic as well as those who love freewheeling low-budget cinema and...
Five photogenic but regular-looking non-professional teens star as people much like themselves, i.e. kids just out of high school, who decide on a whim one night to drive 500 miles west toward the Pacific, away from the small podunk Oregon town they grew up in. Some of the friends they make along the way aren’t entirely nice, but our heroes bounce back, party on and peace out with the blithe insouciance only the young can get away with. As such, this jaunty work will appeal to viewers from the same demographic as well as those who love freewheeling low-budget cinema and...
- 9/14/2023
- by Leslie Felperin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Poor Things” looks set to be a major Oscar contender this year. It just won the Golden Lion at Venice and Emma Stone just took over the top spot on our Best Actress Oscar odds chart. Supporting players Willem Dafoe and Mark Ruffalo look set to match an Academy Award record.
“Poor Things” tell the tale of Stone as a young woman brought back to life by a scientist in the Victorian era. Dafoe plays the eccentric scientist, complete with a peculiar Scottish accent and killer prosthetic makeup design, while Ruffalo hams it up as the scientist’s lawyer, donning a hilarious English accent and turning up the camp to 10. Both performances are now being touted as strong Oscar contenders in the Best Supporting Actor category, which could see Dafoe and Ruffalo earn their fifth and fourth nominations respectively.
Dafoe was first nominated in 1987 for Best Supporting Actor for “Platoon.
“Poor Things” tell the tale of Stone as a young woman brought back to life by a scientist in the Victorian era. Dafoe plays the eccentric scientist, complete with a peculiar Scottish accent and killer prosthetic makeup design, while Ruffalo hams it up as the scientist’s lawyer, donning a hilarious English accent and turning up the camp to 10. Both performances are now being touted as strong Oscar contenders in the Best Supporting Actor category, which could see Dafoe and Ruffalo earn their fifth and fourth nominations respectively.
Dafoe was first nominated in 1987 for Best Supporting Actor for “Platoon.
- 9/13/2023
- by Jacob Sarkisian
- Gold Derby
You can learn everything you need to know about a person’s maturity from their reaction to a stranger in a Slayer tank top suggesting that we “take my boat out and just see where the fuck we end up.” Sure, age is just a number — but when hard-earned wisdom begins to replace our youthful invincibility, aquatic adventures with random mosh pit dwellers are often first to go. But when that exact offer is posed to the five teenagers at the heart of “Gasoline Rainbow,” nobody hesitates for a second. The primal thrill of boating is more than enough to supersede any doubts about the dubious correlation between thrash metal knowledge and nautical competence.
Of course, the poor judgment on display is precisely what makes every frame of “Gasoline Rainbow” feel so alive. Bill and Turner Ross’ semi-scripted movie follows a group of five recent high school grads meandering through...
Of course, the poor judgment on display is precisely what makes every frame of “Gasoline Rainbow” feel so alive. Bill and Turner Ross’ semi-scripted movie follows a group of five recent high school grads meandering through...
- 9/7/2023
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
Austin Butler drama about the souring of the 1960s dream and the toll it takes on three bikers. The trailer for it has just been revved up and let rip. Check it out here:
It’s set in 1965, “the golden age of bikeriders,” according to Comer’s Kathy, who’s a biker and gang member herself. It looks from the trailer like she’s reminiscing about this whole palaver with a journalist some time after the fact, and that Kathy was involved with Butler’s biker boy Benny. Benny finds himself drawn towards a motorcycle gang called the Vandals: they’re a wild bunch, led by Hardy’s Johnny. “I built this from nothing,” Johnny says at one point. “This is our family.”
The good times start to turn a bit more freaky, though, and the Vandals’ pastimes become more and more debauched – they’re getting into prostitution and gambling,...
It’s set in 1965, “the golden age of bikeriders,” according to Comer’s Kathy, who’s a biker and gang member herself. It looks from the trailer like she’s reminiscing about this whole palaver with a journalist some time after the fact, and that Kathy was involved with Butler’s biker boy Benny. Benny finds himself drawn towards a motorcycle gang called the Vandals: they’re a wild bunch, led by Hardy’s Johnny. “I built this from nothing,” Johnny says at one point. “This is our family.”
The good times start to turn a bit more freaky, though, and the Vandals’ pastimes become more and more debauched – they’re getting into prostitution and gambling,...
- 9/6/2023
- by Tom Nicholson
- Empire - Movies
Using photographer Danny Lyon’s iconic The Bikeriders’ imagery as a jumping-off point, Jeff Nichols’ latest feature imagines a fictionalized Chicago motorcycle club, the Vandals. Motorcycle club culture might be a distinctly American phenomenon, but Nichols casts two Brits in the lead, with varying returns: Jodie Comer as Kathy narrates the story in a clear Goodfellas conceit, adopting a Midwest accent flashy (and divisive) enough to ensure sustained awards-season chatter; Tom Hardy is Johnny, a truck driver who gets the idea to start a motorcycle club while watching Marlon Brando’s The Wild One. This low-stakes “why not?” starting point for founding the club works early in the film, until, following the Goodfellas trajectory, it all comes crashing down. Without Thelma Schoonmaker’s editing prowess, The Bikeriders’ rise-and-fall narrative ultimately plays too conventional.
Fresh off Elvis, newly minted megastar Austin Butler stars as Benny, a pensive biker prone to reckless...
Fresh off Elvis, newly minted megastar Austin Butler stars as Benny, a pensive biker prone to reckless...
- 9/5/2023
- by Caleb Hammond
- The Film Stage
Biker movies are almost a subgenre of films unto themselves, beginning with Marlon Brando’s The Wild One in the early ’50s and then through all those Aip exploitation titles of the ’60s including The Wild Angels, Hells Angels on Wheels and many more, notably Tom Laughlin’s predecessor to Billy Jack called Born Losers, all culminating with Easy Rider with Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper and Jack Nicholson, which became the Citizen Kane of biker cinema.
It has been awhile since we have seen a major big-screen return to the world of biker culture, but with Jeff Nichols’ The Bikeriders, which had its world premiere Thursday at the Telluride Film Festival, this long-lost era is back. But its filmmaker has distinctly different ideas and motives in reviving it. Basically, Nichols tells a period story set in the ’60s and ’70s world of the earlier efforts but applies contemporary themes of...
It has been awhile since we have seen a major big-screen return to the world of biker culture, but with Jeff Nichols’ The Bikeriders, which had its world premiere Thursday at the Telluride Film Festival, this long-lost era is back. But its filmmaker has distinctly different ideas and motives in reviving it. Basically, Nichols tells a period story set in the ’60s and ’70s world of the earlier efforts but applies contemporary themes of...
- 9/1/2023
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
The film festivals can always be counted on to deliver surprise hits at this time of year, but meanwhile Hollywood must deal with another issue: Its Barbitude hangover.
Barbie’s billions will importantly impact upon how decision-makers frame future strategies on budget, content and promotion.
The megahit could also cast a pink cloud over awards season: Will message-minded Academy voters levitate Barbie to the same somber stratum as Nomadland?
Further, will Greta Gerwig, its auteur, become a victim of the Tom Cruise syndrome – a filmmaker-star whose work we are encouraged to admire but not honor?
Complicating matters, the bizarre lure of Barbie clearly encouraged ticket buyers to rally behind another assured Oscar nominee, Oppenheimer. It’s hard to find a precedent for feminist frivolity stoking an appetite for nuclear terror.
As such, battles over Barbitude might open a unique opportunity for a reborn Golden Globes. If 300 or so Globe voters,...
Barbie’s billions will importantly impact upon how decision-makers frame future strategies on budget, content and promotion.
The megahit could also cast a pink cloud over awards season: Will message-minded Academy voters levitate Barbie to the same somber stratum as Nomadland?
Further, will Greta Gerwig, its auteur, become a victim of the Tom Cruise syndrome – a filmmaker-star whose work we are encouraged to admire but not honor?
Complicating matters, the bizarre lure of Barbie clearly encouraged ticket buyers to rally behind another assured Oscar nominee, Oppenheimer. It’s hard to find a precedent for feminist frivolity stoking an appetite for nuclear terror.
As such, battles over Barbitude might open a unique opportunity for a reborn Golden Globes. If 300 or so Globe voters,...
- 9/1/2023
- by Peter Bart
- Deadline Film + TV
In sibling directors Bill and Turner Ross’ new movie “Gasoline Rainbow,” a group of five teenagers embark on a hectic, sweltering roadtrip from rural Oregan to the Pacific Coast. Over the course of that evocative journey, they get lost, get stoned, make a lot of friends, and swap many stories. Eschewing plot for the unbridled energy of untethered youth, “Gasoline Rainbow” might strike newcomers to the Ross brothers as a pure documentary exercise, the kind of absorbing cinema vérité endeavor in which cameras follow every unscripted move.
However, this is a Ross brothers movie, and defies such labels by design. For over a decade, these innovative filmmakers haven’t troubled the barriers between fiction and non-fiction so much as they have tried to ignore them entirely — and with this one, they’re ready to move past scrutiny of that process for good.
“We are desperate not to have this fucking conversation ever again,...
However, this is a Ross brothers movie, and defies such labels by design. For over a decade, these innovative filmmakers haven’t troubled the barriers between fiction and non-fiction so much as they have tried to ignore them entirely — and with this one, they’re ready to move past scrutiny of that process for good.
“We are desperate not to have this fucking conversation ever again,...
- 8/22/2023
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
Robbie Robertson found his faith and purpose on the radio. Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, this child of jewelry-plating factory workers discovered rock-and-roll via the Am airwaves of Wkbw out of Buffalo, New York, and fell hard for the blues in the wee hours when Wlac deejay John R. blasted the 12-bar gospel into his bedroom from the far-off music mecca of Nashville, Tennessee. His path was set, and it brought him to rowdy rockabilly artist Ronnie Hawkins, who was impressed enough with a teenage Robertson's guitar acumen to bring him on as a member of his backing band The Hawks. In the early 1960s, Robertson formed a bond with singer/bassist Rick Danko, singer/pianist Richard Manuel, multi-instrumentalist Garth Hudson, and singer-drummer Levon Helm.
It's here that these five, brilliantly talented rock-blues aficionados formed The Band.
Robertson, who passed away today at the age of 80 after a long illness,...
It's here that these five, brilliantly talented rock-blues aficionados formed The Band.
Robertson, who passed away today at the age of 80 after a long illness,...
- 8/9/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Editor’S Note: William Friedkin’s passing is a gutting experience for anyone lucky enough to have sat as he reminisced over his classic movies, with measures of regret for the recklessness, humor, and keen observations of why Hollywood’s Auteur Era gave way to the global blockbuster, and whatever it is we have today as two guilds strike seeking transparency, and residuals for writers and actors. This interview was originally published August 6, 2015 under the title ’70s Maverick Revisits A Golden Era With Tales Of Glory And Reckless Abandon. I am feeling a bit gutted by Friedkin’s passing. I looked forward to a long interview with him for his Venice-bound Showtime remake of The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial. After spending time with Billy and his elegant wife Sherry Lansing at Peter Bart’s 90th birthday where the back and forth between them proved the highlight of the evening, I wanted...
- 8/8/2023
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Owen Wilson’s dream co-star “would love” to work with him.
The “Zoolander” star recently revealed that Nicolas Cage is who “pops to mind” when People asked the actor who he’d most like to work with.
“I love Nicolas Cage,” Wilson, 54, gushed. “I’ve just loved him in so many movies.”
Read More: Nicolas Cage Prepares To ‘Shake The Fabric Of Reality’ As He Joins ‘Dead By Daylight’ Video Game
Fortunately for the “Paint” actor, Cage, 59, reciprocated the feeling, calling Wilson a “superb talent.
“I would love to work with Owen,” the Oscar winner told People. “I have admired him since he came on in ‘Bottle Rocket’.
“[Wilson is] unlike anyone,” the “Renfield” star added, “except he does remind me of Dennis Hopper.”
Cage then recounted a story, sharing when he first came to realize that Wilson resembles the late “Speed” actor and “Easy Rider” director.
“I remember a million years...
The “Zoolander” star recently revealed that Nicolas Cage is who “pops to mind” when People asked the actor who he’d most like to work with.
“I love Nicolas Cage,” Wilson, 54, gushed. “I’ve just loved him in so many movies.”
Read More: Nicolas Cage Prepares To ‘Shake The Fabric Of Reality’ As He Joins ‘Dead By Daylight’ Video Game
Fortunately for the “Paint” actor, Cage, 59, reciprocated the feeling, calling Wilson a “superb talent.
“I would love to work with Owen,” the Oscar winner told People. “I have admired him since he came on in ‘Bottle Rocket’.
“[Wilson is] unlike anyone,” the “Renfield” star added, “except he does remind me of Dennis Hopper.”
Cage then recounted a story, sharing when he first came to realize that Wilson resembles the late “Speed” actor and “Easy Rider” director.
“I remember a million years...
- 7/25/2023
- by Melissa Romualdi
- ET Canada
Long ago, the 1950s ended and Disney never really got over it.
With the right kind of eyes, a casual viewer can look at the early days of Walt Disney Studios as their heyday. Walt himself was still alive and using his aggressive business acumen to produce visually innovative and award-winning animated shorts that were helping put the studio on the map. Without the Silly Symphonies, animation would not be the same. Warner Bros. outstripped Disney's fare with their cheekier, funnier shorts in the 1940s and 1950s, but the folks at Warner's Termite Terrace were very open about the fact that Merrie Melodies and Looney Tunes were ripping off Disney's Silly Symphonies name. Disney Animation broke onto the scene in 1937 with the release of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," still celebrated as one of the best of all animated films to this day.
The reason early Disney was...
With the right kind of eyes, a casual viewer can look at the early days of Walt Disney Studios as their heyday. Walt himself was still alive and using his aggressive business acumen to produce visually innovative and award-winning animated shorts that were helping put the studio on the map. Without the Silly Symphonies, animation would not be the same. Warner Bros. outstripped Disney's fare with their cheekier, funnier shorts in the 1940s and 1950s, but the folks at Warner's Termite Terrace were very open about the fact that Merrie Melodies and Looney Tunes were ripping off Disney's Silly Symphonies name. Disney Animation broke onto the scene in 1937 with the release of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," still celebrated as one of the best of all animated films to this day.
The reason early Disney was...
- 7/24/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
“Barbie” (Warner Bros.) grossed $155 million domestic and $182 million foreign. “Oppenheimer” (Universal) grossed $80.5 million domestic and $93.7 million foreign. Two non-franchise films, released on the same weekend, from two proven directors allowed their voices loud and clear despite $100 million+ budgets. That’s mega.
We all know that prefix — it’s Greek for “millions” — but the rise of atomic bomb testing in the 1950s introduced “mega” into daily use. It referred to the power of TNT expressed as megatons, or a million tons of TNT. It also implied massive impact or damage — and that’s acutely true here.
“Oppenheimer” and “Barbie” have damaged the studio truisms that surround moviemaking. The franchises, the familiar execution, the drive to develop IP that can be replicated — all those reliable touchstones that Wall Street loves — suddenly, those models look a little albatross-y. Audiences are less interested in commodities, no matter how expensive and bombastic.
Studios have a...
We all know that prefix — it’s Greek for “millions” — but the rise of atomic bomb testing in the 1950s introduced “mega” into daily use. It referred to the power of TNT expressed as megatons, or a million tons of TNT. It also implied massive impact or damage — and that’s acutely true here.
“Oppenheimer” and “Barbie” have damaged the studio truisms that surround moviemaking. The franchises, the familiar execution, the drive to develop IP that can be replicated — all those reliable touchstones that Wall Street loves — suddenly, those models look a little albatross-y. Audiences are less interested in commodities, no matter how expensive and bombastic.
Studios have a...
- 7/23/2023
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
Cillian Murphy in OppenheimerPhoto: Universal
In director Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, the stakes are clear: freedom and democracy are on the line as the titular physicist and his colleagues at the Manhattan Project face thorny moral, ethical, and existential dilemmas in the race to develop the atomic bomb that will...
In director Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, the stakes are clear: freedom and democracy are on the line as the titular physicist and his colleagues at the Manhattan Project face thorny moral, ethical, and existential dilemmas in the race to develop the atomic bomb that will...
- 7/21/2023
- by Scott Huver
- avclub.com
A movie, good, bad or indifferent, is always “about” something. But some movies are about more things than others, and as you watch “Desperate Souls, Dark City and the Legend of Midnight Cowboy,” Nancy Buirski’s rapt, incisive, and beautifully exploratory making-of-a-movie documentary, what comes into focus is that “Midnight Cowboy” was about so many things that audiences could sink into the film as if it were a piece of their own lives.
The movie was about loneliness. It was about dreams, sunny yet broken. It was about gay male sexuality and the shock of really seeing it, for the first time, in a major motion picture. It was about the crush and alienation of New York City: the godless concrete carnival wasteland, which had never been captured onscreen with the telephoto authenticity it had here. The movie was also about the larger sexual revolution — what the scuzziness of “free love” really looked like,...
The movie was about loneliness. It was about dreams, sunny yet broken. It was about gay male sexuality and the shock of really seeing it, for the first time, in a major motion picture. It was about the crush and alienation of New York City: the godless concrete carnival wasteland, which had never been captured onscreen with the telephoto authenticity it had here. The movie was also about the larger sexual revolution — what the scuzziness of “free love” really looked like,...
- 6/23/2023
- by Owen Gleiberman
- Variety Film + TV
Just a few days ago, we published a list of great car movies (which is about to get a follow-up), and one of the movies we highlighted was 1971’s Vanishing Point. Many people consider it the greatest car movie ever made, with Quentin Tarantino paying homage to it in Death Proof, with the “hero car” a 1970 Dodge Challenger, just like the one featured in that movie. Sadly, the star of Vanishing Point, Barry Newman, is no more, with THR reporting the iconic seventies actor has died at 92.
In the movie, Newman plays Kowalski, a disaffected ex-cop turned car delivery driver who makes a wager that he can drive from Denver to San Francisco in two days. Hopped up on speed and driving up to 160 miles an hour, he quickly runs afoul of the law, but nothing will stop him from delivering the Dodge Charger by the agreed-upon delivery date. He soon becomes a counter-culture hero,...
In the movie, Newman plays Kowalski, a disaffected ex-cop turned car delivery driver who makes a wager that he can drive from Denver to San Francisco in two days. Hopped up on speed and driving up to 160 miles an hour, he quickly runs afoul of the law, but nothing will stop him from delivering the Dodge Charger by the agreed-upon delivery date. He soon becomes a counter-culture hero,...
- 6/4/2023
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
On April 28, 2023, the sports and entertainment worlds lit up with joy at the sight of Jack Nicholson taking his courtside seat at Crypto.com Arena for the Los Angeles Lakers' semifinals-clinching game against the Memphis Grizzlies. This was the 86-year-old star's first appearance at a game since the home opener of the 2021-22 season, and it dispelled rumors of ill-health that had flitted about due to his absence from the public eye.
Ever since his career took off in the late 1960s, Nicholson exemplified Hollywood stardom. He played the celebrity game with devilish glee, donning his Ray-Ban sunglasses and strutting down red carpets to the delight of shutterbugs and fans. He was a near-constant presence at the Academy Awards, where he typically sat in the front row because, well, he's Jack. And no Lakers home game felt official without him sitting just to the right of the visiting team's bench...
Ever since his career took off in the late 1960s, Nicholson exemplified Hollywood stardom. He played the celebrity game with devilish glee, donning his Ray-Ban sunglasses and strutting down red carpets to the delight of shutterbugs and fans. He was a near-constant presence at the Academy Awards, where he typically sat in the front row because, well, he's Jack. And no Lakers home game felt official without him sitting just to the right of the visiting team's bench...
- 5/26/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
They say “sex sells” in Hollywood, right? But what about drugs? After all, once the production code was lifted, successful counterculture drug movies like Easy Rider gave way to the indie auteur movement in American cinema in the 1960s and 70s, where Hollywood renegades like Brian De Palma and Martin Scorsese picked up the mantle and went on to make all-time classics like Scarface and Goodfellas decades later. In the interim, there has been no shortage of critical and commercial drug movie successes, be they Blow, Sicario, Traffic, The Wolf of Wall Street, you name it.
So then, Wtf Happened to Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas? Seriously. How does such an authentic movie from the altered mindstate of Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson, one directed by the venerated filmmaker Terry Gilliam and featuring unforgettable performances by Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro… how does a movie like that stumble...
So then, Wtf Happened to Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas? Seriously. How does such an authentic movie from the altered mindstate of Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson, one directed by the venerated filmmaker Terry Gilliam and featuring unforgettable performances by Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro… how does a movie like that stumble...
- 4/27/2023
- by Jake Dee
- JoBlo.com
"I don't want you to tell us what you do, I want you to tell us who you are..." The great Jack Nicholson just turned 86 this year. In celebration of most recent birthday, Little White Lies debuted this terrific video retrospective looking back at his illustrious career in cinema. A five-minute-long journey through his many iconic characters. The Transformation of Jack Nicholson is the latest video made by Portuguese editor Luís Azevedo (who we've featured many times before). It contains footage from many of Jack Nicholson's best roles throughout his five decades in movies. In 1970, he starred in Five Easy Pieces in what became his persona-defining role. Aside from The Shining, clips in this are from his best films including The Departed, A Few Good Men, Hoffa, Chinatown, Anger Management, Mars Attacks, The Two Jakes, About Schmidt, Easy Rider, and of course One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. As always,...
- 4/24/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Bridget Fonda reaffirmed that she will remain retired from acting in a rare on-camera appearance on Monday.
In a video obtained via The Daily Mail, the 59-year-old was approached by paparazzi at Los Angeles International Airport on Monday and simply said, “No” when asked about staging a potential Hollywood comeback. After further prodding, she declined the idea once again, saying, “I don’t think so,” then gave the greatest explanation for why she wouldn’t give another go for the glamorous life: “It’s too nice being a civilian.”
You heard it from Fonda first: fame isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, and she would certainly know as a third-generation member of the elite Hollywood acting family that includes her grandfather Henry Fonda, father Peter Fonda, and aunt Jane Fonda. Bridget Fonda made her first screen appearance in 1969’s Easy Rider, and eventually became an icon in...
In a video obtained via The Daily Mail, the 59-year-old was approached by paparazzi at Los Angeles International Airport on Monday and simply said, “No” when asked about staging a potential Hollywood comeback. After further prodding, she declined the idea once again, saying, “I don’t think so,” then gave the greatest explanation for why she wouldn’t give another go for the glamorous life: “It’s too nice being a civilian.”
You heard it from Fonda first: fame isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, and she would certainly know as a third-generation member of the elite Hollywood acting family that includes her grandfather Henry Fonda, father Peter Fonda, and aunt Jane Fonda. Bridget Fonda made her first screen appearance in 1969’s Easy Rider, and eventually became an icon in...
- 4/20/2023
- by Bryan Kress
- Consequence - Film News
The man, the myth, the legend — Jack Nicholson is truly one the most respected actors in the industry. He’s known for his trademark grin, which has been parodied in popular culture. But he’s also well-known for his raw talent and contributions to the entertainment industry. With a career that spans over six decades, he’s acted in classic movies such as Easy Rider, One Flew Over Cuckoo’s Nest, The Shining, and Batman. He’s proven time after time that he’s the real deal and has the awards to prove it. In that vein, here are 10 interesting facts about Jack Nicholson.
- 4/17/2023
- by Daltina Ibojo
- TVovermind.com
Nothing beats a good car chase in a movie. These wacky stunts are a hallmark of modern Hollywood blockbusters, but they've been around since silent films. Nowadays, car-centric flicks conjure images of "The Fast & Furious" and "Mad Max" franchises. However, action doesn't always have to be the focus.
Cars playing an integral part in developing a main character always hold more weight for me than a gonzo chase scene. We see a sense of isolation from society in movies like "Taxi Driver" and "Drive." Meanwhile, in John Carpenter's 1983 horror, "Christine," the auto becomes a ruthless death machine. The Stephen King adaptation makes for a clever metaphor about bullying, acceptance, and toxic masculinity in teens.
It would be unfair to say that a car movie can't be enjoyed without the profound social commentary of a Martin Scorsese film or the brooding touches of Nicolas Winding Refn. Sometimes, we crave high-octane...
Cars playing an integral part in developing a main character always hold more weight for me than a gonzo chase scene. We see a sense of isolation from society in movies like "Taxi Driver" and "Drive." Meanwhile, in John Carpenter's 1983 horror, "Christine," the auto becomes a ruthless death machine. The Stephen King adaptation makes for a clever metaphor about bullying, acceptance, and toxic masculinity in teens.
It would be unfair to say that a car movie can't be enjoyed without the profound social commentary of a Martin Scorsese film or the brooding touches of Nicolas Winding Refn. Sometimes, we crave high-octane...
- 4/15/2023
- by Marta Djordjevic
- Slash Film
Jack Nicholson has had one of the more varied careers in Hollywood. He has appeared in smaller, intense independent dramas, broad comedies, Oscar-bait films, surreal experimental movies, and several well-moneyed Hollywood blockbusters. Indeed, Nicholson was involved in one of the more notable blockbusters of all time, Tim Burton's 1989 film "Batman," where he played the Joker. Famously, Nicholson managed to negotiate a cut of the film's merchandising profits into his salary, making him a very, very rich man.
Nicholson has a talent for playing intense types of characters. He can be friendly or threatening, but he is an expert in taking up a room. In a way, his performance in Alexander Payne's 2002 dramedy "About Schmidt" might be his best, as it's the one notable time he's played a deliberately dull, buttoned-down character.
Given Nicholson's stature as a celebrity, one might think the actor had free reign to select whatever projects he wanted.
Nicholson has a talent for playing intense types of characters. He can be friendly or threatening, but he is an expert in taking up a room. In a way, his performance in Alexander Payne's 2002 dramedy "About Schmidt" might be his best, as it's the one notable time he's played a deliberately dull, buttoned-down character.
Given Nicholson's stature as a celebrity, one might think the actor had free reign to select whatever projects he wanted.
- 4/2/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Movie star John Wayne had conservative politics, so his feelings toward adult topics, such as drugs, including weed, would seem quite obvious to most. It certainly wasn’t a topic that he openly talked about on a frequent basis, but he didn’t have an issue talking about it when asked. Wayne once recalled in an interview about his experiences trying weed and opium, but not at the same time.
John Wayne loved his liquor John Wayne | Archive Photos/Getty Images
In an interview with Playboy, Wayne called Conmemorativo tequila “as fine a liquor as there is in the world.” He was known to be a regular drinker, using it to enhance his game night with close friends. Additionally, Wayne had many intimate conversations with those close to him over a drink, such as with Gunsmoke lead actor James Arness. After all, he didn’t trust a man who didn’t drink.
John Wayne loved his liquor John Wayne | Archive Photos/Getty Images
In an interview with Playboy, Wayne called Conmemorativo tequila “as fine a liquor as there is in the world.” He was known to be a regular drinker, using it to enhance his game night with close friends. Additionally, Wayne had many intimate conversations with those close to him over a drink, such as with Gunsmoke lead actor James Arness. After all, he didn’t trust a man who didn’t drink.
- 3/10/2023
- by Jeff Nelson
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
It was supposed to be a night of celebration, but as the Academy Awards unfolded on April 7, 1970, there was a sense of anxiety and dissatisfaction gripping the movie business. Much like today, the industry was being divided by changing tastes and sensibilities, struggling to remain relevant in a period of social upheaval.
Just before Bob Hope took the stage at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion to the familiar refrain of “Thanks for the Memory,” John Wayne introduced the comic as “everybody’s friend.” But in an opening monologue, Hope made it clear to the audience that he was aligned with one ideological group in Hollywood. And even as he smiled good-naturedly, the biting tone of his jokes revealed that he was none too pleased with the direction that the movies were heading in.
“This is really a night to remember,” Hope said. “It’s such a novelty seeing actors and actresses with their clothes on.
Just before Bob Hope took the stage at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion to the familiar refrain of “Thanks for the Memory,” John Wayne introduced the comic as “everybody’s friend.” But in an opening monologue, Hope made it clear to the audience that he was aligned with one ideological group in Hollywood. And even as he smiled good-naturedly, the biting tone of his jokes revealed that he was none too pleased with the direction that the movies were heading in.
“This is really a night to remember,” Hope said. “It’s such a novelty seeing actors and actresses with their clothes on.
- 3/8/2023
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
With Michael B. Jordan making his directorial debut with Creed III this weekend, we wanted to know what film by a first time Actor turned Director has been your favorite? Some came out of the gates with Oscar Glory (Kevin Costner/ Robert Redford) while others found a passion they haven’t looked back from (Ron Howard/ Sofia Coppola). If you don’t see your favorite listed, please let us know what (and who) it is in the comments section.
Update: I have rightly been called out for listing Braveheart as Mel Gibson’s first film when he actually directed a film prior to that called The Man Without a Face in 1993. So I guess the results are slightly skewed, but really, wasn’t Braveheart the first Mel Gibson directed film we all saw?!
Favorite Film by a First Time Actor Turned DirectorThat Thing You Do! (1996) (Tom Hanks)Ordinary People (1980) (Robert Redford)In a World…...
Update: I have rightly been called out for listing Braveheart as Mel Gibson’s first film when he actually directed a film prior to that called The Man Without a Face in 1993. So I guess the results are slightly skewed, but really, wasn’t Braveheart the first Mel Gibson directed film we all saw?!
Favorite Film by a First Time Actor Turned DirectorThat Thing You Do! (1996) (Tom Hanks)Ordinary People (1980) (Robert Redford)In a World…...
- 3/5/2023
- by Brad Hamerly
- JoBlo.com
In 1949, John Wayne was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in Allan Dwan's war film "Sands of Iwo Jima." Despite several thoughtful antiwar films that preceded it -- specifically "All Quiet on the Western Front" and "The Best Years of Our Lives" -- "Iwo Jima" came at a time when patriotic, downright jingoistic movies about World War II were coming into vogue. In particular, 1949 saw the release of films like "Battleground" and "Twelve O'Clock High," both films about the nobility of war and the heroism of soldiers. Both those films were nominated for Best Picture, although they lost to the political corruption drama "All the King's Men." Wayne himself lost Best Actor to Broderick Crawford, the star of "King's Men."
In 1969, Wayne looked back on "Iwo Jima" in an interview with Roger Ebert, and posited that he lost his Oscar for political reasons. A...
In 1969, Wayne looked back on "Iwo Jima" in an interview with Roger Ebert, and posited that he lost his Oscar for political reasons. A...
- 2/28/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
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