Filmmakers and stars have often taken a political stance by choosing which projects to make. But when the Academy Awards ceremony began in 1929 to honor the best in film, this created a more public way to demonstrate opinions about the state of the world, the government or a cause.
Read More: Meryl Streep Fires Back at Donald Trump in Blistering Speech: ‘We Have the Right to Live Our Lives’
Not everyone has taken this opportunity though, except for maybe wearing the odd ribbon to support awareness or using their attendance (or lack thereof) to show solidarity. Those blessed by winning a coveted statuette, however, can use their actual acceptance speech as a platform to speak out. Although the awards started being televised in 1953, it took until the 1970s until winners began to really take advantage of having a massive audience for their views. And at times, even the Academy itself got political.
Read More: Meryl Streep Fires Back at Donald Trump in Blistering Speech: ‘We Have the Right to Live Our Lives’
Not everyone has taken this opportunity though, except for maybe wearing the odd ribbon to support awareness or using their attendance (or lack thereof) to show solidarity. Those blessed by winning a coveted statuette, however, can use their actual acceptance speech as a platform to speak out. Although the awards started being televised in 1953, it took until the 1970s until winners began to really take advantage of having a massive audience for their views. And at times, even the Academy itself got political.
- 2/26/2017
- by Hanh Nguyen
- Indiewire
Oscar-nominated Bryan Cranston toys theatrically with the role of a persecuted screenwriter in a heartfelt account of the anticommunist witch-hunts of the 50s
It falls to Jay Roach, director of the Austin Powers movies, to make this heartfelt, stolid picture about an important period in American history: the petty Maoism of 1950s Hollywood, when studios voluntarily submitted to their own self-purifying “blacklist” to appease anti-communist witch-hunters in Congress on the House Un-American Activities Committee, or Huac. The movie business wouldn’t hire communists and encouraged Washington’s grisly new public theatre of denunciation and shame, with witnesses permitted to save their skins by identifying reds under the Tinseltown bed – naming names.
The most famous Hollywood victim was the productive, talented and wealthy Dalton Trumbo, played here by Bryan Cranston. Once the best-paid screenwriter in the business, and also the most prominent Communist party member, Trumbo refused to cooperate with the committee.
It falls to Jay Roach, director of the Austin Powers movies, to make this heartfelt, stolid picture about an important period in American history: the petty Maoism of 1950s Hollywood, when studios voluntarily submitted to their own self-purifying “blacklist” to appease anti-communist witch-hunters in Congress on the House Un-American Activities Committee, or Huac. The movie business wouldn’t hire communists and encouraged Washington’s grisly new public theatre of denunciation and shame, with witnesses permitted to save their skins by identifying reds under the Tinseltown bed – naming names.
The most famous Hollywood victim was the productive, talented and wealthy Dalton Trumbo, played here by Bryan Cranston. Once the best-paid screenwriter in the business, and also the most prominent Communist party member, Trumbo refused to cooperate with the committee.
- 2/4/2016
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Since any New York City cinephile has a nearly suffocating wealth of theatrical options, we figured it’d be best to compile some of the more worthwhile repertory showings into one handy list. Displayed below are a few of the city’s most reliable theaters and links to screenings of their weekend offerings — films you’re not likely to see in a theater again anytime soon, and many of which are, also, on 35mm. If you have a chance to attend any of these, we’re of the mind that it’s time extremely well-spent.
Film Society of Lincoln Center
The release of Carol (our coverage can be found here) brings “Todd Haynes: The Other Side of Dreams,” which will pair the director’s work with his personal favorites. Safe and Imitation of Life show on Friday; on Saturday, see “Todd Haynes: Rarities” — which brings Dottie Gets Spanked,...
Film Society of Lincoln Center
The release of Carol (our coverage can be found here) brings “Todd Haynes: The Other Side of Dreams,” which will pair the director’s work with his personal favorites. Safe and Imitation of Life show on Friday; on Saturday, see “Todd Haynes: Rarities” — which brings Dottie Gets Spanked,...
- 11/20/2015
- by Nick Newman
- The Film Stage
The newest big screen “golden age of Hollywood” biography represents something of a 2015 trilogy, a hat trick, if you will. It doesn’t focus on the illustrious career of a celebrated actor or actress, but there are some stars involved and in support. No, this is the story of a legendary screenwriter, yes an idea man. The man in question is one Dalton Trumbo, a fellow nearly as theatrical as the thespians reciting his words. Beyond his work, he was perhaps best known as the most famous of the “Hollywood Ten” during the Communist “witch hunts” of the 1950’s. So the “cold war” is the backdrop for this bio, much as it was for Bridge Of Spies, the true life drama, and that frothy spy send-up, The Man From Uncle, both released earlier this year. It’s odd that this is the last film to arrive in theatres, though its events precede the other two.
- 11/20/2015
- by Jim Batts
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Trumbo
Written by John McNamara
Directed by Jay Roach
USA, 2015
There is much to admire in Trumbo. The new biographical drama about the blacklisted “Hollywood Ten” has the assured direction of Jay Roach, a typically-brilliant performance from Bryan Cranston, and avoids the self-congratulatory smugness that plagues most films about persecuted liberals. It’s bizarre, then, that Trumbo never quite sparks to life. The lack of sanctimony oddly undermines the story’s rabblerousing energy, reducing this wannabe emotional powerhouse to a slick history lesson. Still, it’s a history lesson worth learning, and Cranston is a far more entertaining teacher than anyone you’ll find on campus.
When American screenwriter Dalton Trumbo (Cranston) refused to testify before Congress about his involvement with the Communist Party, he effectively pulled the plug on his Hollywood career back in 1947. Trumbo, along with his 9 co-defendants (known as the Hollywood Ten), are convicted of contempt, sent to prison,...
Written by John McNamara
Directed by Jay Roach
USA, 2015
There is much to admire in Trumbo. The new biographical drama about the blacklisted “Hollywood Ten” has the assured direction of Jay Roach, a typically-brilliant performance from Bryan Cranston, and avoids the self-congratulatory smugness that plagues most films about persecuted liberals. It’s bizarre, then, that Trumbo never quite sparks to life. The lack of sanctimony oddly undermines the story’s rabblerousing energy, reducing this wannabe emotional powerhouse to a slick history lesson. Still, it’s a history lesson worth learning, and Cranston is a far more entertaining teacher than anyone you’ll find on campus.
When American screenwriter Dalton Trumbo (Cranston) refused to testify before Congress about his involvement with the Communist Party, he effectively pulled the plug on his Hollywood career back in 1947. Trumbo, along with his 9 co-defendants (known as the Hollywood Ten), are convicted of contempt, sent to prison,...
- 11/20/2015
- by J.R. Kinnard
- SoundOnSight
Among the many biopics swarming Academy voters this year (much like every other year), few will take you as much by surprise as Trumbo. I say this as someone who was very much surprised by how entertaining this look at screenwriter Dalton Trumbo and the Hollywood black list was, despite heavy material that could have turned into one big lecture. With a delightfully good performance by Bryan Cranston in the title role, there’s tons to like here. It opened this past weekend in limited release and might wind up a bit of an Oscar dark horse, provided it’s not swallowed up by some higher profile biopics… The film tells the tale of how writer Dalton Trumbo (Cranston) was targeted by anti Communists and almost had his life ruined. At one time the top scribe in Hollywood, he was sent to prison and black balled from having his screenplays...
- 11/9/2015
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
Bryan Cranston is Jay Roach's Dalton Trumbo Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
Trumbo producer Kevin Kelly Brown confided that they were surprised at Hollywood columnist Hedda Hopper's ferociousness and actually had to tone her down, while Helen Mirren at the after party mentioned that she wasn't surprised at all by the gossip queen's viciousness. Bryan Cranston captured Dalton Trumbo's physicality, his real-life daughters Niki Trumbo and Mitzi Trumbo confirmed to me, as they waved to Ring Lardner Jr.'s daughter Kate Lardner, author of Shut Up He Explained: The Memoir Of A Blacklisted Kid.
Dalton Trumbo (Bryan Cranston)
Anne-Katrin Titze: Did you re-watch Roman Holiday and Spartacus?
Bryan Cranston: Yeah! You know, it's wonderful. I watched a lot of his [Trumbo's] films again - Roman Holiday, Spartacus, The Brave One. Even, like, 30 Seconds Over Tokyo and Kitty Foyle and I re-read his Johnny Got A Gun novel that he...
Trumbo producer Kevin Kelly Brown confided that they were surprised at Hollywood columnist Hedda Hopper's ferociousness and actually had to tone her down, while Helen Mirren at the after party mentioned that she wasn't surprised at all by the gossip queen's viciousness. Bryan Cranston captured Dalton Trumbo's physicality, his real-life daughters Niki Trumbo and Mitzi Trumbo confirmed to me, as they waved to Ring Lardner Jr.'s daughter Kate Lardner, author of Shut Up He Explained: The Memoir Of A Blacklisted Kid.
Dalton Trumbo (Bryan Cranston)
Anne-Katrin Titze: Did you re-watch Roman Holiday and Spartacus?
Bryan Cranston: Yeah! You know, it's wonderful. I watched a lot of his [Trumbo's] films again - Roman Holiday, Spartacus, The Brave One. Even, like, 30 Seconds Over Tokyo and Kitty Foyle and I re-read his Johnny Got A Gun novel that he...
- 11/7/2015
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Take another look @ "Breaking Bad" star Bryan Cranston as director Jay Roach's "Trumbo", plus documentary footage of the real-life blacklisted Hollywood screenwriter 'Dalton Trumbo':
Co-starring Helen Mirren as gossip columnist 'Hedda Hopper'...
..."Trumbo" is written by John McNamara, based on the 1977 book "Dalton Trumbo" by author Bruce Cook.
The story follows the writer's stand and his professional exile of 11 months in prison for contempt of Congress.
Eventually, Trumbo found his way back into Hollywood, writing several scripts under pseudonyms during his exile including Oscar winners "Roman Holiday" and "The Brave One".
Actor/producer Kirk Douglas was also instrumental in weakening the blacklist when he publicized Trumbo's work on "Spartacus".
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Trumbo"...
Co-starring Helen Mirren as gossip columnist 'Hedda Hopper'...
..."Trumbo" is written by John McNamara, based on the 1977 book "Dalton Trumbo" by author Bruce Cook.
The story follows the writer's stand and his professional exile of 11 months in prison for contempt of Congress.
Eventually, Trumbo found his way back into Hollywood, writing several scripts under pseudonyms during his exile including Oscar winners "Roman Holiday" and "The Brave One".
Actor/producer Kirk Douglas was also instrumental in weakening the blacklist when he publicized Trumbo's work on "Spartacus".
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Trumbo"...
- 11/6/2015
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
The Brave One: Roach Recapitulates Black List Era Hollywood
Examining the past from the safer perspective of our more enlightened period, Jay Roach’s Trumbo is a salutation to famed screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, a man who defied the blacklist following Joseph McCarthy’s witch hunt in Hollywood. Unfortunately the film doesn’t seem worthy of the talented man it’s lionizing. Some might conclude, now more than ever, a remembrance of Trumbo and those brave souls who continue to stand against a corrupt system despite personal losses, are important. But then, one would expect a much more unruly and rebellious film, something harpooning Hollywood’s greedy, superficial sugarcoating rather than just another period send-up. Despite a sympathetic and altogether enjoyable performance from Bryan Cranston, Roach dithers around with a host of stereotypes and clichés, presenting mimicry of cinematic golden days sporting a cavalcade of caricatures not unlike Sacha Gervasi...
Examining the past from the safer perspective of our more enlightened period, Jay Roach’s Trumbo is a salutation to famed screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, a man who defied the blacklist following Joseph McCarthy’s witch hunt in Hollywood. Unfortunately the film doesn’t seem worthy of the talented man it’s lionizing. Some might conclude, now more than ever, a remembrance of Trumbo and those brave souls who continue to stand against a corrupt system despite personal losses, are important. But then, one would expect a much more unruly and rebellious film, something harpooning Hollywood’s greedy, superficial sugarcoating rather than just another period send-up. Despite a sympathetic and altogether enjoyable performance from Bryan Cranston, Roach dithers around with a host of stereotypes and clichés, presenting mimicry of cinematic golden days sporting a cavalcade of caricatures not unlike Sacha Gervasi...
- 11/4/2015
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
Bryan Cranston is irresistible as Dalton Trumbo, the blacklisted screenwriter of Oscar-winning classics Roman Holiday and Spartacus, in this sparkling period drama surrounding the Hollywood Ten. His larger-than-life performance promises surface sheen rather than cruel dissection of tinseltown’s failure to stand up for those disaffected by the Red Scare. But Jay Roach’s film has the daring to flatten the reputation of Hollywood’s previously lionised – including John Wayne and Louis B. Mayer – marking an intriguing look at post-Golden Age Hollywood, helped by a very funny script from John McNamara.
After the Second World War, Trumbo rose to become the highest paid writer in Hollywood – “a record breaking contract to make shit up,” as he himself refers to it. But in the late 1940s the Red Scare took hold, and Hollywood was among the first to suffer McCarthyist sanctions. Trumbo, who argues his political position is as a “liberal democrat” in the film,...
After the Second World War, Trumbo rose to become the highest paid writer in Hollywood – “a record breaking contract to make shit up,” as he himself refers to it. But in the late 1940s the Red Scare took hold, and Hollywood was among the first to suffer McCarthyist sanctions. Trumbo, who argues his political position is as a “liberal democrat” in the film,...
- 10/13/2015
- by Ed Frankl
- The Film Stage
In 1940s Hollywood, few screenwriters could hold a candle to the blistering success and aura of one Dalton Trumbo, who rose to the top of the pack with his brilliant work, only for it all to come crushing down when a wave of social paranoia washed over the United States of A. Left to fight against the Powers That Be for recognition as a genuine writer and free American citizen, the tragic tale is simply ripe for tapping, and it’s small wonder why the hero-to-zero arc hasn’t flirted with the silver screen in the past.
Low and behold, director Jay Roach is about to rectify that later this year with Trumbo, a dramatic biopic of the shunned screenwriter that places Breaking Bad alum Bryan Cranston behind the typewriter. Dealing with themes of fear-mongering and media scapegoats, it’s hardly surprising that Roach’s drama has emerged as one...
Low and behold, director Jay Roach is about to rectify that later this year with Trumbo, a dramatic biopic of the shunned screenwriter that places Breaking Bad alum Bryan Cranston behind the typewriter. Dealing with themes of fear-mongering and media scapegoats, it’s hardly surprising that Roach’s drama has emerged as one...
- 10/6/2015
- by Michael Briers
- We Got This Covered
Oscar winner Dalton Trumbo (Bryan Cranston) spars with gossip columnist Hedda Hopper (Helen Mirren), the studios, and Congress itself in the new international trailer for "Trumbo," director Jay Roach's biopic of the "Roman Holiday" and "Spartacus" screenwriter, who was blacklisted during the Red Scare of the 1940s and 1950s. The film, which played Toronto last month and screens at the London Film Festival later this week, is slated for U.S. theatrical release Nov. 6. As with the new poster for the film (below), the trailer leans hard on Old Hollywood glamour—Mirren's costumes in particular are a scream—as it builds drama from Trumbo's refusal to name names before the House Un-American Activities Committee, his subsequent blacklisting, and his determination to pen new scripts anyway. (Trumbo's two Oscar-winning screenplays, for "Roman Holiday" and "The Brave One," were originally credited to front writer Ian McLellan Hunter and Trumbo.
- 10/6/2015
- by Matt Brennan
- Thompson on Hollywood
Sneak Peek more footage supporting "Breaking Bad" star Bryan Cranston in director Jay Roach's feature "Trumbo", focusing on the blacklisted Hollywood screenwriter 'Dalton Trumbo':
Co-starring Helen Mirren as gossip columnist 'Hedda Hopper'...
..."Trumbo" is written by John McNamara, based on the 1977 book "Dalton Trumbo" by author Bruce Cook.
The story follows the writer's stand and his professional exile of 11 months in prison for contempt of Congress.
Eventually, Trumbo found his way back into Hollywood, writing several scripts under pseudonyms during his exile including Oscar winners "Roman Holiday" and "The Brave One".
Actor/producer Kirk Douglas was also instrumental in weakening the blacklist when he publicized Trumbo's work on "Spartacus".
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Trumbo"...
Co-starring Helen Mirren as gossip columnist 'Hedda Hopper'...
..."Trumbo" is written by John McNamara, based on the 1977 book "Dalton Trumbo" by author Bruce Cook.
The story follows the writer's stand and his professional exile of 11 months in prison for contempt of Congress.
Eventually, Trumbo found his way back into Hollywood, writing several scripts under pseudonyms during his exile including Oscar winners "Roman Holiday" and "The Brave One".
Actor/producer Kirk Douglas was also instrumental in weakening the blacklist when he publicized Trumbo's work on "Spartacus".
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Trumbo"...
- 10/3/2015
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Toronto – The damage the House Un-American Activities committee wrought between 1938 and 1975 was unconscionable. As the Cold War heated up thousands of innocent citizens were accused of being members of or sympathetic to the Communist Party and this committee was responsible for much of the hysteria. The witch-hunt hit Hollywood hard and after a number of hearings prompted the infamous blacklist, an unofficial designation that denied work to anyone in the industry with suspected communist ties. There was one man who is credited as bringing the blacklist down, screenwriter Dalton Trumbo and his story is chronicled in Jay Roach’s new biopic “Trumbo.” Something tells us if Trumbo were alive today he might pass along some script notes to Roach and writer John McNamara. In theory, “Trumbo” is an incredible true story that should be prime fodder for a great movie. Before the blacklist, Trumbo (Bryan Cranston) was one of the...
- 9/17/2015
- by Gregory Ellwood
- Hitfix
Bryan Cranston looks no less gobsmacked the morning after Hellen Mirren, at the Toronto International Film Festival premiere of their film "Trumbo," called him "one of the greatest living American actors."
"I didn't know she felt that way," Cranston says, shaking his head. "I think she must be a little under the weather."
Awareness of Cranston's talent, of course, skyrocketed during the five award-winning, thoroughly addictive seasons he spent playing Walter White on "Breaking Bad." Now that that series is well in the rearview (even if after-effects of withdrawal persist for many fans), Cranston's post-"Breaking Bad" career is taking off.
"Trumbo," in which he stars as the blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, is the most telling sign yet of what this new chapter will be for the 59-year-old actor. And he's good enough in it to suggest that Mirren may be quite healthy, after all.
"The opportunities have opened up...
"I didn't know she felt that way," Cranston says, shaking his head. "I think she must be a little under the weather."
Awareness of Cranston's talent, of course, skyrocketed during the five award-winning, thoroughly addictive seasons he spent playing Walter White on "Breaking Bad." Now that that series is well in the rearview (even if after-effects of withdrawal persist for many fans), Cranston's post-"Breaking Bad" career is taking off.
"Trumbo," in which he stars as the blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, is the most telling sign yet of what this new chapter will be for the 59-year-old actor. And he's good enough in it to suggest that Mirren may be quite healthy, after all.
"The opportunities have opened up...
- 9/15/2015
- by Associated Press and Cineplex Staff
- Cineplex
About the only thing keeping Trumbo from scoring full points on the Bingo card of Oscar season subject matter is that Bryan Cranston’s brilliant-but-tragic historical figure from Hollywood’s Golden Age isn’t the character in it who contracts lung cancer. Portraying life with a fatal disease is old pork pie hat to Cranston, so it’d be cheating history, and his fellow nominees, to give him that particular hallmark of a Serious Work. Yet, what surprises most about Trumbo during its march to a familiar prestige biopic tune is its reined in pretensions.
It’s not just the rich cast and juicy insider perspective that make talking about Trumbo in terms of its awards potential so tempting. The film itself is about one man’s decades-long fight for recognition within Hollywood, both as a writer, and a free man. The post-war America that saw Dalton Trumbo become Hollywood...
It’s not just the rich cast and juicy insider perspective that make talking about Trumbo in terms of its awards potential so tempting. The film itself is about one man’s decades-long fight for recognition within Hollywood, both as a writer, and a free man. The post-war America that saw Dalton Trumbo become Hollywood...
- 9/13/2015
- by Sam Woolf
- We Got This Covered
Sneak Peek the first footage of Emmy award winning "Breaking Bad" star Bryan Cranston in director Jay Roach's feature "Trumbo", focusing on the blacklisted Hollywood screenwriter 'Dalton Trumbo':
Co-starring Helen Mirren as gossip columnist 'Hedda Hopper'...
..."Trumbo" is written by John McNamara, based on the 1977 book "Dalton Trumbo" by author Bruce Cook.
The story follows the writer's stand and his professional exile of 11 months in prison for contempt of Congress.
Eventually, Trumbo found his way back into Hollywood, writing several scripts under pseudonyms during his exile including Oscar winners "Roman Holiday" and "The Brave One".
Actor/producer Kirk Douglas was also instrumental in weakening the blacklist when he publicized Trumbo's work on "Spartacus".
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Trumbo"...
Co-starring Helen Mirren as gossip columnist 'Hedda Hopper'...
..."Trumbo" is written by John McNamara, based on the 1977 book "Dalton Trumbo" by author Bruce Cook.
The story follows the writer's stand and his professional exile of 11 months in prison for contempt of Congress.
Eventually, Trumbo found his way back into Hollywood, writing several scripts under pseudonyms during his exile including Oscar winners "Roman Holiday" and "The Brave One".
Actor/producer Kirk Douglas was also instrumental in weakening the blacklist when he publicized Trumbo's work on "Spartacus".
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Trumbo"...
- 8/13/2015
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
For those awaiting a big Bryan Cranston comeback since "Breaking Bad" went off the air two years ago, the nail biting is finally over. The first trailer for "Trumbo" has arrived ahead of the film's Special Presentations premiere at Tiff next month. Cranston has teamed with director Jay Roach to chronicle the dark days of Hollywood blacklisting, when screenwriters were called upon to renounce their Communist sentiments or risk being expelled from the system they worked tirelessly to dominate. Celebrated screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, who wrote "Spartacus," "Roman Holiday," "Johnny Got His Gun" and "The Brave One," found himself at the epicenter of this dogfight and resisted, tooth-and-nail, being cut down for his own principles and ideology. It cost him his career. Read More: Teasing More Toronto Reveals "Trumbo" also features supporting roles from Elle Fanning, Diane Lane, Helen Mirren, John...
- 8/12/2015
- by Ruben Guevara
- Thompson on Hollywood
With Bryan Cranston leading an impressive cast, which includes Diane Lane, John Goodman, Louis C.K., and Helen Mirren, the first trailer for Trumbo has come our way via Fandango, and Jay Roach’s (Austin Powers, Meet the Parents, Recount) telling of the true life tale of black listed screen writer Dalton Trumbo (who won two Oscars for Roman Holiday and The Brave One, written under pseudonyms, while in prison) promises to be a whole lot of fun, be it Cranston’s boisterous turn as the defiant Hollywood scribe or just the sight of John Goodman with a baseball bat. Roach seems to have found the right mix of his earlier comedies and his later, more political minded work, and the is one trailer that definitely has caught my interest. Released: November 16th (U.S.)/ January 22nd (Irl/U.K.) Synopsis: The successful career of 1940s screenwriter Dalton Trumbo (Bryan Cranston...
- 8/12/2015
- by noreply@blogger.com (Tom White)
- www.themoviebit.com
Trumbo tells the story of Dalton Trumbo, one of Hollywood's brightest writers during its darkest era. Along with nine others, Dalton was part of the Hollywood 10, a group of producers, directors and screenwriters who were blacklisted due to their presumed political beliefs. During a career that spanned five decades, Trumbo wrote some of the most memorable films, including Spartacus and Oscar winners The Brave One and Roman Holiday, which he wrote under pseudonyms due to his blacklisted...
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- 8/12/2015
- by affiliates@fandango.com
- Fandango
The ultimate gladiator action blockbuster, Spartacus returns in an all-new fully restored Blu-ray™ with Digital HD on October 6, 2015, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.
Starring film legend Kirk Douglas as the defiant slave-turned-revolutionary, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Stanley Kubrick (The Shining, 2001: A Space Odyssey) and written by Oscar-winner Dalton Trumbo (Roman Holiday, The Brave One), Spartacus: Restored Edition celebrates the film’s 55th anniversary with a new extensive restoration of the 1991 reconstructed version of the film which features 12 additional minutes of footage.
The highly anticipated Blu-ray also includes two all-new bonus featurettes including a brand new interview with screen legend Kirk Douglas plus 7.1 audio for the first time ever.
The genre-defining epic from director Stanley Kubrick is the legendary tale of a bold gladiator (Kirk Douglas) who led a triumphant Roman slave revolt. Newly restored from large format 35mm original film elements, the action-packed spectacle won four Academy Awards,...
Starring film legend Kirk Douglas as the defiant slave-turned-revolutionary, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Stanley Kubrick (The Shining, 2001: A Space Odyssey) and written by Oscar-winner Dalton Trumbo (Roman Holiday, The Brave One), Spartacus: Restored Edition celebrates the film’s 55th anniversary with a new extensive restoration of the 1991 reconstructed version of the film which features 12 additional minutes of footage.
The highly anticipated Blu-ray also includes two all-new bonus featurettes including a brand new interview with screen legend Kirk Douglas plus 7.1 audio for the first time ever.
The genre-defining epic from director Stanley Kubrick is the legendary tale of a bold gladiator (Kirk Douglas) who led a triumphant Roman slave revolt. Newly restored from large format 35mm original film elements, the action-packed spectacle won four Academy Awards,...
- 7/24/2015
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Steven Spielberg and daughter Destry Spielberg on the Oscars' Red Carpet Steven Spielberg and daughter Destry Steven Spielberg and daughter Destry Spielberg arrive at the 83rd Academy Awards, held on Feb. 27 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. Spielberg has taken home two Best Director Oscars: Schindler's List (1993) and Saving Private Ryan (1998). Schindler's List also won Best Picture, but Saving Private Ryan lost to John Madden's Miramax-distributed Shakespeare in Love. There was quite a bit of animosity at the time, as some felt that Miramax, owned by brothers Bob and Harvey Weinstein, overdid its Oscar campaigning – while still managing to sway enough Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences members to vote for its film. Somewhat ironically, at the 2011 Academy Awards ceremony Steven Spielberg presented the Best Picture Award to The King's Speech. Toplining Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter, Geoffrey Rush, Guy Pearce, and Claire Bloom, this British production was...
- 5/14/2015
- by D. Zhea
- Alt Film Guide
Sneak Peek your first look @ Emmy award winning "Breaking Bad" star Bryan Cranston in director Jay Roach's recently wrapped, New Orleans-set feature film "Trumbo", focusing on the blacklisted Hollywood screenwriter 'Dalton Trumbo':
Co-starring Helen Mirren as gossip columnist 'Hedda Hopper'...
..."Trumbo" is written by John McNamara, based on the 1977 book "Dalton Trumbo" by author Bruce Cook.
The story follows the writer's stand and his professional exile of 11 months in prison for contempt of Congress.
Eventually, Trumbo found his way back into Hollywood, writing several scripts under pseudonyms during his exile including Oscar winners "Roman Holiday" and "The Brave One".
Actor/producer Kirk Douglas was also instrumental in weakening the blacklist when he publicized Trumbo's work on "Spartacus".
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Spartacus", Dalton Trumbo, "The Brave One" and "Roman Holiday"...
Co-starring Helen Mirren as gossip columnist 'Hedda Hopper'...
..."Trumbo" is written by John McNamara, based on the 1977 book "Dalton Trumbo" by author Bruce Cook.
The story follows the writer's stand and his professional exile of 11 months in prison for contempt of Congress.
Eventually, Trumbo found his way back into Hollywood, writing several scripts under pseudonyms during his exile including Oscar winners "Roman Holiday" and "The Brave One".
Actor/producer Kirk Douglas was also instrumental in weakening the blacklist when he publicized Trumbo's work on "Spartacus".
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Spartacus", Dalton Trumbo, "The Brave One" and "Roman Holiday"...
- 11/13/2014
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Directed by Jay Roach (Recount, Meet the Parents), Trumbo tell the true life story of Dalton Trumbo, a Hollywood screenwriter, who, after being sentenced to an eleven month prison sentence because he refused to testify before the House Un-American Activities Comittee, went on to pen screenplays under pseudonyms, even winning Academy Awards for Roman Holiday and The Brave One. EW have the first image of Bryan Cranston in the title role, sporting a pretty sweet mustache. As well as Cranston leading the charge, he is joined by a fantastic cast, including Hellen Mirren, John Goodman, Elle Fanning, Louis C.K., and Alan Tudyk. No release date is given, but Trumbo is expected to hit cinemas in 2015...
- 11/12/2014
- by noreply@blogger.com (Tom White)
- www.themoviebit.com
The first image from Jay Roach’s dramedy biopic, Trumbo, has been released, offering a darned good look at leading man Bryan Cranston’s awesome moustache. Taking on the titular role, Cranston plays screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, who back in the day was shunned by Hollywood for his involvement in the Communist Party.
The film takes place during the height of the cold war, during which time a group of ten screenwriters and directors were cited for contempt of Congress after refusing to testify about their ties to Communism. Trumbo was one such scribe, who shunned Congress’ House Committee on Un-American Activities in 1947 and was subsequently punished as a result.
Not only did the industry refuse to accommodate him, but he also spent eleven months in prison. Later in life, he managed to circumnavigate Hollywood’s shackles by writing under a pseudonym. Suffice it to say, his experiences never hindered his...
The film takes place during the height of the cold war, during which time a group of ten screenwriters and directors were cited for contempt of Congress after refusing to testify about their ties to Communism. Trumbo was one such scribe, who shunned Congress’ House Committee on Un-American Activities in 1947 and was subsequently punished as a result.
Not only did the industry refuse to accommodate him, but he also spent eleven months in prison. Later in life, he managed to circumnavigate Hollywood’s shackles by writing under a pseudonym. Suffice it to say, his experiences never hindered his...
- 11/11/2014
- by Gem Seddon
- We Got This Covered
Bryan Cranston's mustache practically won its own Emmy at August's award ceremony, but the Breaking Bad star was already hard at work on his next big project. Cranston was letting it grow to play Dalton Trumbo, the successful Hollywood screenwriter who was blacklisted by the studios after he failed to cooperate with Congress' House Committee on Un-American Activities in 1947. Trumbo, directed by Jay Roach, tells the story of the writer's stand against the communist witch-hunt at the height of the cold war, his professional exile, which included an 11-month stint in prison for contempt of Congress, and his battle...
- 11/11/2014
- by Jeff Labrecque
- EW - Inside Movies
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As Trumbo arrives on DVD and Blu-ray, we look back at the Oscar-winning screenwriter who couldn't get his award...
This article originally appeared in 2014. It has been reposted to blatantly attempt to cash in on the disc release of Trumbo in the UK, and to hope more people read it this time around. We figured the honest approach was worth a shot...
Back in 1953, Roman Holiday was a raging success. The Audrey Hepburn-headlined romantic comedy picked up seven Oscar nominations, and its box office run brought in $12m off a $1.5m budget (if you go by inflation-adjusted totals, that'd be receipts of well over $150m). Furthermore, come the night of the Academy Awards, further riches were to be bestowed on the film. Audrey Hepburn took home Oscar gold for Best Actress, whilst the costume designer, Edith Head, was rewarded for her work.
The film collected a third Oscar too,...
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As Trumbo arrives on DVD and Blu-ray, we look back at the Oscar-winning screenwriter who couldn't get his award...
This article originally appeared in 2014. It has been reposted to blatantly attempt to cash in on the disc release of Trumbo in the UK, and to hope more people read it this time around. We figured the honest approach was worth a shot...
Back in 1953, Roman Holiday was a raging success. The Audrey Hepburn-headlined romantic comedy picked up seven Oscar nominations, and its box office run brought in $12m off a $1.5m budget (if you go by inflation-adjusted totals, that'd be receipts of well over $150m). Furthermore, come the night of the Academy Awards, further riches were to be bestowed on the film. Audrey Hepburn took home Oscar gold for Best Actress, whilst the costume designer, Edith Head, was rewarded for her work.
The film collected a third Oscar too,...
- 9/22/2014
- Den of Geek
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 2
Harry Shum Jr. ("Glee") has been cast as one of the young leads in Woo-ping Yuen's "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" sequel for The Weinstein Company. Filming kicks off this week in New Zealand and China.
Set twenty years after the events of 'Crouching Tiger,' the story revolves around four heroes of the martial arts world - Silent Wolf (Donnie Yen), Yu Shu-lien (Michelle Yeoh), Tie-Fang (Shum Jr.) and Snow Vase — who must use their courage and skills to keep the legendary sword Green Destiny from the hands of the villainous Hades Dai. [Source: Heat Vision]
A Biggger Splash
Dakota Johnson ("Fifty Shades of Grey") is set to star in "I Am Love" director Luca Guadagnino’s "A Bigger Splash." David Kajganich is writing the script and shooting starts next month in Italy.
Based on the 1969 French crime drama "La Piscine," the story revolves around an uneasy triangle...
Harry Shum Jr. ("Glee") has been cast as one of the young leads in Woo-ping Yuen's "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" sequel for The Weinstein Company. Filming kicks off this week in New Zealand and China.
Set twenty years after the events of 'Crouching Tiger,' the story revolves around four heroes of the martial arts world - Silent Wolf (Donnie Yen), Yu Shu-lien (Michelle Yeoh), Tie-Fang (Shum Jr.) and Snow Vase — who must use their courage and skills to keep the legendary sword Green Destiny from the hands of the villainous Hades Dai. [Source: Heat Vision]
A Biggger Splash
Dakota Johnson ("Fifty Shades of Grey") is set to star in "I Am Love" director Luca Guadagnino’s "A Bigger Splash." David Kajganich is writing the script and shooting starts next month in Italy.
Based on the 1969 French crime drama "La Piscine," the story revolves around an uneasy triangle...
- 7/31/2014
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
They may not have shared any scenes, but Bryan Cranston and John Goodman were both great in Argo. Now they may get the chance to shine together as director Jay Roach has Goodman in talks for a role in Trumbo, which Cranston is locked to star in alongside Helen Mirren.It’ll be based on the experiences of Dalton Trumbo, who was locked up in 1950 for refusing to answer questions before the notorious House Un-American Activities Committee, led by Senator Joseph McCarthy. The panel was obsessed with rooting out suspected communists in Hollywood (and elsewhere) and for his stance, Trumbo was blacklisted and refused work. He managed to score assignments under various pseudonyms, but it wasn't until Spartacus in 1960 that he got public credit for his work again.Assuming he accepts the job offer, Goodman would play Frank King, a powerful producer in Hollywood who hires Trumbo to work for...
- 7/30/2014
- EmpireOnline
‘Montezuma’: Steven Spielberg next movie (or at least a Spielberg movie some time in the future)? Will Steven Spielberg next tackle the life and times of Aztec king Montezuma, from a screenplay by none other than former Hollywood Ten member Dalton Trumbo? If so, that won’t be the first time that Spielberg has adapted a Trumbo screenplay (more on that below). Anyhow, following Lincoln, which earned Spielberg his seventh Best Director Academy Award nomination, the Jaws, E.T., Schindler’s List, and Saving Private Ryan filmmaker has had his name attached to — and then detached from — a couple of projects. First, there was Drew Goddard’s adaptation of Daniel H. Wilson’s novel Robopocalypse, which isn’t a RoboCop spin-off but a sci-fier about a smart robot who reaches the (perfectly logical) conclusion that the only way to save the planet is to get rid of human beings. Robopocalypse,...
- 1/6/2014
- by Zac Gille
- Alt Film Guide
With Breaking Bad coming to a close, Bryan Cranston has managed to keep busy with several film projects in the works. The latest is Trumbo, the true story of Dalton Trumbo, who at one time was the most successful screenwriter in Hollywood before landing on the House Un-American Activities Committee's blacklist. After serving nearly a year in jail for refusing to name names before the committee, Trumbo fled to Mexico. He continued to write, either under pseudonyms, or with other screenwriters acting as frontmen. Trumbo even won two Academy Awards while blacklisted—one for The Brave One, albeit under ...
- 9/19/2013
- avclub.com
In 1953, Dalton Trumbo won his first Oscar for writing Roman Holiday, but the man who went up to the podium (and whose name was on the film) was Trumbo’s friend Ian McLellan Hunter. Three years later, Trumbo won a second Oscar for The Brave One, but the name engraved on the statuette was “Robert Rich.” Why did he need a human stand-in and a pen name if he was doing such stellar work? Because he had been blacklisted after serving nearly a year in prison for contempt of Congress. You see, there was a hilarious time in American history that we all look back on and laugh at because it was dominated by members of the government being terrified of ideas that were different from their own. Although it’s difficult to imagine a United States Senator (and a Republican at that!) railing against a leftist agenda in Hollywood today, it...
- 9/19/2013
- by Scott Beggs
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Breaking Bad actor to star as 'Hollywood 10' member who was persecuted by Hollywood for suspected communist sympathies
Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston's first role following the conclusion of the hugely popular Us TV series will be as Dalton Trumbo in a biopic about the blacklisted Oscar-winning screenwriter.
Austin Powers and Bruno director Jay Roach's independently funded drama aims to shoot in 2014 with a screenplay by John McNamara. Titled Trumbo, the film is based on the 1977 book Dalton Trumbo by Bruce Cook.
Cranston, whose star has risen dramatically in Hollywood following the success of Breaking Bad, is also tipped to play Lex Luthor in the upcoming sequel to this year's Superman reboot Man of Steel 2. That casting has not been confirmed, and Cranston said earlier this month he knew nothing about it.
Trumbo is a hugely significant figure in Hollywood history. It was his naming in 1960 as...
Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston's first role following the conclusion of the hugely popular Us TV series will be as Dalton Trumbo in a biopic about the blacklisted Oscar-winning screenwriter.
Austin Powers and Bruno director Jay Roach's independently funded drama aims to shoot in 2014 with a screenplay by John McNamara. Titled Trumbo, the film is based on the 1977 book Dalton Trumbo by Bruce Cook.
Cranston, whose star has risen dramatically in Hollywood following the success of Breaking Bad, is also tipped to play Lex Luthor in the upcoming sequel to this year's Superman reboot Man of Steel 2. That casting has not been confirmed, and Cranston said earlier this month he knew nothing about it.
Trumbo is a hugely significant figure in Hollywood history. It was his naming in 1960 as...
- 9/19/2013
- by Ben Child
- The Guardian - Film News
Writers Guild of America has posthumously given Dalton Trumbo official recognition for writing the Oscar-winning screenplay for the Audrey Hepburn classic
The blacklisted Oscar-winning screenwriter Dalton Trumbo has finally received posthumous credit from the Us's most powerful screenwriters' body for the 1953 Audrey Hepburn classic Roman Holiday, 58 years after the film hit cinemas.
Trumbo, one of the original "Hollywood Ten" of blacklisted film industry workers, wrote the screenplay while living in exile in Mexico. He had been labelled an "unfriendly witness" by the anti-communist House Un-American Activities Committee in 1947. His friend Ian McLellan Hunter, who was later blacklisted himself, took credit for the work under an agreement between the two men, with Hunter later sending his fee for the film on to Trumbo.
The Writers Guild of America agreed to officially acknowledge Trumbo as the screenwriter of the film following a deposition from his son Christopher, who died earlier this year,...
The blacklisted Oscar-winning screenwriter Dalton Trumbo has finally received posthumous credit from the Us's most powerful screenwriters' body for the 1953 Audrey Hepburn classic Roman Holiday, 58 years after the film hit cinemas.
Trumbo, one of the original "Hollywood Ten" of blacklisted film industry workers, wrote the screenplay while living in exile in Mexico. He had been labelled an "unfriendly witness" by the anti-communist House Un-American Activities Committee in 1947. His friend Ian McLellan Hunter, who was later blacklisted himself, took credit for the work under an agreement between the two men, with Hunter later sending his fee for the film on to Trumbo.
The Writers Guild of America agreed to officially acknowledge Trumbo as the screenwriter of the film following a deposition from his son Christopher, who died earlier this year,...
- 12/21/2011
- by Ben Child
- The Guardian - Film News
Ironside screenwriter Christopher Trumbo has died after suffering complications from kidney cancer.
The star passed away last Saturday at his home in Ojai, California, his sister Mitzi confirms to the Los Angeles Times. He was 70.
Trumbo, the son of blacklisted Hollywood scriptwriter Dalton Trumbo, is credited with writing screenplays for a variety of hit U.S. TV shows, including 1960s crime drama Ironside, 1970s medical series Quincy, M.E. and popular soap opera Falcon Crest.
His father, Dalton, was famously jailed and blacklisted by the U.S. government after refusing to cooperate with the 1940s investigation into the alleged infiltration of communists in Hollywood by the House Un-American Activities Committee.
Dalton later assumed the pseudonym Robert Rich to write the script for 1956 movie The Brave One, earning him an Oscar the following year.
The star passed away last Saturday at his home in Ojai, California, his sister Mitzi confirms to the Los Angeles Times. He was 70.
Trumbo, the son of blacklisted Hollywood scriptwriter Dalton Trumbo, is credited with writing screenplays for a variety of hit U.S. TV shows, including 1960s crime drama Ironside, 1970s medical series Quincy, M.E. and popular soap opera Falcon Crest.
His father, Dalton, was famously jailed and blacklisted by the U.S. government after refusing to cooperate with the 1940s investigation into the alleged infiltration of communists in Hollywood by the House Un-American Activities Committee.
Dalton later assumed the pseudonym Robert Rich to write the script for 1956 movie The Brave One, earning him an Oscar the following year.
- 1/12/2011
- WENN
Trumbo, a documentary about blacklisted Hollywood screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, has been picked up by Samuel Goldwyn Films and Netflix's Red Envelope Entertainment.
The Peter Askin documentary, which premiered in September at the Toronto International Film Festival, will be released theatrically in the spring. Goldwyn and Red Envelope jointly acquired the movie, with Goldwyn taking the lead on theatrical and Red Envelope spearheading home video. The two also bought U.S. television rights.
Trumbo examines the story of the scribe, who penned such 1940s movies as Kitty Foyle and Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo before being called to testify in front of the House Un-American Activities Committee as part of the Hollywood Ten. He eventually was blacklisted and spent nearly a year in jail.
Trumbo continued writing during the blacklist, with so-called "front" names being credited. He was ultimately -- and sometimes posthumously -- credited with some of the most successful films of the mid-20th century, including Roman Holiday, The Brave One, Exodus and Spartacus.
The movie tells the story of the writer's life and his blacklist experience through the recollections of others as well as his own letters; among the actors featured are Brian Dennehy, Joan Allen and Nathan Lane.
The Peter Askin documentary, which premiered in September at the Toronto International Film Festival, will be released theatrically in the spring. Goldwyn and Red Envelope jointly acquired the movie, with Goldwyn taking the lead on theatrical and Red Envelope spearheading home video. The two also bought U.S. television rights.
Trumbo examines the story of the scribe, who penned such 1940s movies as Kitty Foyle and Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo before being called to testify in front of the House Un-American Activities Committee as part of the Hollywood Ten. He eventually was blacklisted and spent nearly a year in jail.
Trumbo continued writing during the blacklist, with so-called "front" names being credited. He was ultimately -- and sometimes posthumously -- credited with some of the most successful films of the mid-20th century, including Roman Holiday, The Brave One, Exodus and Spartacus.
The movie tells the story of the writer's life and his blacklist experience through the recollections of others as well as his own letters; among the actors featured are Brian Dennehy, Joan Allen and Nathan Lane.
- 12/7/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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