Prime Video has a fair amount in store for subscribers in November, as the uber-violent hit animated show Invincible returns for its highly anticipated second season. Based on the iconic comic book by Robert Kirkman, Cory Walker, and Ryan Ottley, season two will find super-powered protagonist Mark attempting to rebuild his life after finding out the truth about his father Nolan.
Elsewhere on the streamer, the producing team behind the James Bond movies are out to spin the franchise in a completely different direction by debuting their curious new globe-trotting adventure series, pitched somewhere between a quiz show and a treasure hunt. 007: Road To A Million features Brian Cox as the game’s “mastermind”, watching over the contestants as they try to win a million quid.
Here’s everything coming to Amazon Prime Video and Freevee this month. Amazon Originals are accompanied by an asterisk!
New on Amazon Prime...
Elsewhere on the streamer, the producing team behind the James Bond movies are out to spin the franchise in a completely different direction by debuting their curious new globe-trotting adventure series, pitched somewhere between a quiz show and a treasure hunt. 007: Road To A Million features Brian Cox as the game’s “mastermind”, watching over the contestants as they try to win a million quid.
Here’s everything coming to Amazon Prime Video and Freevee this month. Amazon Originals are accompanied by an asterisk!
New on Amazon Prime...
- 11/1/2023
- by Kirsten Howard
- Den of Geek
Hal Dresner, a veteran writer for film and television who is credited for the memorable line, “What we have here is a failure to communicate” in the film Cool Hand Luke, died Friday in Medford, Oregon of cancer. He was 85 and his death was confirmed by his family.
Dresner had a long career as a writer and producer, working on The Harvey Korman Show, The Eiger Sanction, CBS Summer Playhouse, Mash, and more.
Born in June 1937 in New York City, he graduated from the University of Florida and moved to Los Angeles to pursue screenwriting.
He was also the author of The Man Who Wrote Dirty Books, a comic novel.
He was a mentor to Garry Shandling and Richard Lewis, according to a family friend.
Survivors include his daughter, Amy Paloma Dresner and his sister, Rea Dresner of Pennsylvania. No memorial has been planned.
Dresner had a long career as a writer and producer, working on The Harvey Korman Show, The Eiger Sanction, CBS Summer Playhouse, Mash, and more.
Born in June 1937 in New York City, he graduated from the University of Florida and moved to Los Angeles to pursue screenwriting.
He was also the author of The Man Who Wrote Dirty Books, a comic novel.
He was a mentor to Garry Shandling and Richard Lewis, according to a family friend.
Survivors include his daughter, Amy Paloma Dresner and his sister, Rea Dresner of Pennsylvania. No memorial has been planned.
- 3/18/2023
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Clint Eastwood’s 5 Worst and 5 Best Movies as a Director, From ‘The Rookie’ to ‘Unforgiven’ (Photos)
[To clarify, in the best five, it’s Unforgiven as Clint Eastwood‘s best (making Bronco Billy fifth best), and on the worst list, it’s The Rookie as the worst (making Jersey Boys fifth worst)]
The Best
“Unforgiven” (1992): Clint Eastwood held on to screenwriter David Webb Peoples’ revisionist western until the time was right, and the result was an Oscar-bestowed turning point. Evocatively, suspensefully detailing a desperate widower’s reckoning with his savage past, it tracked powerfully as both a pungent deflating of merrily violent western myths and a scarily tense depiction of how, as Eastwood’s killer tells a scared young man, “We all have it comin,” kid.” By the end, each gunshot is Eastwood mercy-killing a genre he loves, and knocking us to our senses about bloody movie justice.
“Million Dollar Baby” (2004): A poor young female boxer (Hilary Swank) wants to fight. The trainer (Eastwood) reluctantly trains. Punches await, small, and huge. An unabashedly rich-in-feeling movie about toughness,...
The Best
“Unforgiven” (1992): Clint Eastwood held on to screenwriter David Webb Peoples’ revisionist western until the time was right, and the result was an Oscar-bestowed turning point. Evocatively, suspensefully detailing a desperate widower’s reckoning with his savage past, it tracked powerfully as both a pungent deflating of merrily violent western myths and a scarily tense depiction of how, as Eastwood’s killer tells a scared young man, “We all have it comin,” kid.” By the end, each gunshot is Eastwood mercy-killing a genre he loves, and knocking us to our senses about bloody movie justice.
“Million Dollar Baby” (2004): A poor young female boxer (Hilary Swank) wants to fight. The trainer (Eastwood) reluctantly trains. Punches await, small, and huge. An unabashedly rich-in-feeling movie about toughness,...
- 9/13/2021
- by Robert Abele
- The Wrap
Director Chad Stahelski is a busy man, he’s currently shooting “John Wick 4” in Germany with Keanu Reeves back in the lead role, and Lionsgate already has plans for “John Wick 5.” But he’s lining up even more beyond the world of ‘Wick.’ Deadline reports that Warner Bros. and Stahelski are teaming to develop a new incarnation of the 1979 novel “Shibumi” written by Trevanian (“The Eiger Sanction“) with the possibility that it could turn into a directing vehicle.
Continue reading ‘John Wick 4’s Chad Stahelski Developing 1970s-Set Assasin Thriller ‘Shibumi’ For Warner Bros. at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘John Wick 4’s Chad Stahelski Developing 1970s-Set Assasin Thriller ‘Shibumi’ For Warner Bros. at The Playlist.
- 8/6/2021
- by Christopher Marc
- The Playlist
Welcome to The B-Side, from The Film Stage. Here we talk about movie makers! Not the movies that made them famous or kept them famous, but the ones that they made in between.
Today we chat with someone who bends light and shadows to sculpt a beautiful frame. He’s also an Academy Award nominee for Cinematography! His name is Dariusz Wolski and he was nice enough to join us on The B-Side to discuss his recent, nominated work on Paul Greengrass’ News of the World (now available on Digital and Blu-ray/4K Ultra HD.), his current Ridley Scott projects The Last Duel and House of Gucci, and the whole of his impressive career. Other highlights include Romeo is Bleeding, Dark City, A Perfect Murder, and The Counselor.
Wolski discusses breaking into the cinematography world by making music videos with artists like Alex Proyas and David Fincher, and then parlaying...
Today we chat with someone who bends light and shadows to sculpt a beautiful frame. He’s also an Academy Award nominee for Cinematography! His name is Dariusz Wolski and he was nice enough to join us on The B-Side to discuss his recent, nominated work on Paul Greengrass’ News of the World (now available on Digital and Blu-ray/4K Ultra HD.), his current Ridley Scott projects The Last Duel and House of Gucci, and the whole of his impressive career. Other highlights include Romeo is Bleeding, Dark City, A Perfect Murder, and The Counselor.
Wolski discusses breaking into the cinematography world by making music videos with artists like Alex Proyas and David Fincher, and then parlaying...
- 4/2/2021
- by Dan Mecca
- The Film Stage
Directors’ trademarks is a series of articles that examines the “signatures” that filmmakers leave behind in their work. This month, we’re examining the trademark style and calling signs of Clint Eastwood as director.
Clint Eastwood became an american film star in the 1960’s thanks to his acting performances in a number of western films. As he began to branch out with new roles in front of the camera, he sought out to have more creative input into the types of film projects that he would be involved in. One way he was able to accomplish this was by creating his own production company which eventually allowed him to work behind the camera as director. His first film as director was 1971’s Play Misty For Me, which was well received by critics and did well at the box office. HIs second film as director was High Plains Drifter (1973), in which he also starred.
Clint Eastwood became an american film star in the 1960’s thanks to his acting performances in a number of western films. As he began to branch out with new roles in front of the camera, he sought out to have more creative input into the types of film projects that he would be involved in. One way he was able to accomplish this was by creating his own production company which eventually allowed him to work behind the camera as director. His first film as director was 1971’s Play Misty For Me, which was well received by critics and did well at the box office. HIs second film as director was High Plains Drifter (1973), in which he also starred.
- 9/28/2016
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (G.S. Perno)
- Cinelinx
Close your eyes and you can hear the music of John Williams without trying too hard. You know the greatest hits and can probably hum through most of them from start to finish, even if the extent of your musical career is plunking out “Heart and Soul” on your grandparent’s piano.
The legacy of Williams’ music extends beyond the cinema. The “NBC Nightly News” theme? That was him. That fanfare you’ll be hearing once the Olympics arrive? Him, too. A fan of that “Sunday Night Football” march that leads up to kickoff? Guess who.
And even though the world now recognizes Williams for his trademark triumphant horns and sweeping orchestral strings, this was a composer who, a year before “Jaws,” was penning acoustic love themes so ’70s they would make Burt Bacharach blush. So as much as we remember the soundtracks to dizzying flights across space and wide shots of dinosaurs in paradise,...
The legacy of Williams’ music extends beyond the cinema. The “NBC Nightly News” theme? That was him. That fanfare you’ll be hearing once the Olympics arrive? Him, too. A fan of that “Sunday Night Football” march that leads up to kickoff? Guess who.
And even though the world now recognizes Williams for his trademark triumphant horns and sweeping orchestral strings, this was a composer who, a year before “Jaws,” was penning acoustic love themes so ’70s they would make Burt Bacharach blush. So as much as we remember the soundtracks to dizzying flights across space and wide shots of dinosaurs in paradise,...
- 6/30/2016
- by Steve Greene and Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
By Lee Pfeiffer
Oscar winning actor George Kennedy has died at age 91, five months after the passing of his wife Joan. Kennedy's popularity as a character actor led to eventual leading man roles in major films. Born in New York City, he experienced stage life early, working with his parents in Vaudeville. During WWII he served under General Patton and was decorated for bravery. He drifted into acting on television in the 1950s. With his imposing physical presence (he was 6'4"), Kennedy immediately found work, generally playing heavies who squared off against the series' heroes. Among the shows he guest-starred on were such hits as "Have Gun, Will Travel", "Rawhide", "Gunsmoke" and "The Untouchables". He crossed into feature films in the early 1960s and first made a splash in Stanley Donen's 1963 comedy thriller "Charade" in which he played a crook with a hook hand who attempts to kill Cary Grant in a rooftop fight.
Oscar winning actor George Kennedy has died at age 91, five months after the passing of his wife Joan. Kennedy's popularity as a character actor led to eventual leading man roles in major films. Born in New York City, he experienced stage life early, working with his parents in Vaudeville. During WWII he served under General Patton and was decorated for bravery. He drifted into acting on television in the 1950s. With his imposing physical presence (he was 6'4"), Kennedy immediately found work, generally playing heavies who squared off against the series' heroes. Among the shows he guest-starred on were such hits as "Have Gun, Will Travel", "Rawhide", "Gunsmoke" and "The Untouchables". He crossed into feature films in the early 1960s and first made a splash in Stanley Donen's 1963 comedy thriller "Charade" in which he played a crook with a hook hand who attempts to kill Cary Grant in a rooftop fight.
- 3/1/2016
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
George Kennedy has died, the actor passing away yesterday at the age of 91 according to a Facebook post from his grandson Cory Schenkel.
Kennedy mostly played gruff characters in various genres. He appeared in all four of the 1970s "Airport" films, he's known to a whole generation as Frank Drebin's boss Ed in "The Naked Gun" films, and he won an Oscar for co-starring with Paul Newman in "Cool Hand Luke".
Other notable film credits include the original "The Flight of the Phoenix" and the war time classic "The Dirty Dozen," the disaster epic "Earthquake," the Clint Eastwood mountain climbing spy thriller "The Eiger Sanction," westerns such as "Bandolero" and "The Sons of Katie Elder", the all-star Agatha Christie adaptation "Death on the Nile," Otto Preminger's post-Pearl Harbor tale "In Harm's Way," and Michael Ciminio's "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot".
He also had roles in TV series such as "Dallas, "Bonanza,...
Kennedy mostly played gruff characters in various genres. He appeared in all four of the 1970s "Airport" films, he's known to a whole generation as Frank Drebin's boss Ed in "The Naked Gun" films, and he won an Oscar for co-starring with Paul Newman in "Cool Hand Luke".
Other notable film credits include the original "The Flight of the Phoenix" and the war time classic "The Dirty Dozen," the disaster epic "Earthquake," the Clint Eastwood mountain climbing spy thriller "The Eiger Sanction," westerns such as "Bandolero" and "The Sons of Katie Elder", the all-star Agatha Christie adaptation "Death on the Nile," Otto Preminger's post-Pearl Harbor tale "In Harm's Way," and Michael Ciminio's "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot".
He also had roles in TV series such as "Dallas, "Bonanza,...
- 2/29/2016
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
By Hank Reineke
In the interest of full disclosure, I’ll admit up front that Warren Murphy and Richard Sapir’s character, Remo Williams (aka “The Destroyer”) has played a small, but significant role in my life.
My older sister had been a high-school friend of one of the author’s daughters. Though the passing of time has made the chronology of events a bit hazy, I’m guessing it was through that friendship that I was first introduced to Warren Murphy’s teenage son. It was the son who – upon learning I was a big fan of his father’s pulp-paperback novels – graciously gifted me a personally autographed copy of The Destroyer #3: Chinese Puzzle (1972). This now-tattered paperback proudly sits on my book shelf to this very day. This, I guess, would have been about 1978. I was seventeen years old. I’m fifty-four now and admit I hadn’t...
In the interest of full disclosure, I’ll admit up front that Warren Murphy and Richard Sapir’s character, Remo Williams (aka “The Destroyer”) has played a small, but significant role in my life.
My older sister had been a high-school friend of one of the author’s daughters. Though the passing of time has made the chronology of events a bit hazy, I’m guessing it was through that friendship that I was first introduced to Warren Murphy’s teenage son. It was the son who – upon learning I was a big fan of his father’s pulp-paperback novels – graciously gifted me a personally autographed copy of The Destroyer #3: Chinese Puzzle (1972). This now-tattered paperback proudly sits on my book shelf to this very day. This, I guess, would have been about 1978. I was seventeen years old. I’m fifty-four now and admit I hadn’t...
- 12/6/2015
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Gregory Walcott, star of Plan 9 From Outer Space has died, aged 87.
The actor died on Friday (March 20) at his home, his son Todd Mattox confirmed.
Writing on Facebook, Mattox said: "We said goodbye to my dad today. He spent his life making people feel good. Gregory Walcott, 1928-2015."
While Walcott appeared in Plan 9 From Outer Space, considered by some to be one of the worst films ever made, he also starred in films such as Mister Roberts, The Eiger Sanction and Norma Rae.
Walcott's final film role was a cameo appearance in Tim Burton's 1994 biopic Ed Wood.
The actor is survived by his son Todd and his daughters Jina and Pam, as well as several grandchildren.
Watch the trailer for Plan 9 From Outer Space below:...
The actor died on Friday (March 20) at his home, his son Todd Mattox confirmed.
Writing on Facebook, Mattox said: "We said goodbye to my dad today. He spent his life making people feel good. Gregory Walcott, 1928-2015."
While Walcott appeared in Plan 9 From Outer Space, considered by some to be one of the worst films ever made, he also starred in films such as Mister Roberts, The Eiger Sanction and Norma Rae.
Walcott's final film role was a cameo appearance in Tim Burton's 1994 biopic Ed Wood.
The actor is survived by his son Todd and his daughters Jina and Pam, as well as several grandchildren.
Watch the trailer for Plan 9 From Outer Space below:...
- 3/23/2015
- Digital Spy
Gregory Walcott, an admired actor who appeared in such memorable films as Mister Roberts, The Eiger Sanction, Norma Rae and, unfortunately for him, Ed Wood’s lamentable Plan 9 From Outer Space, has died. He was 87. Walcott, who starred as pilot Jeff Trent in Plan 9, considered one of the worst films ever made, died Friday of natural causes at his longtime Canoga Park home in Los Angeles, his son, Men in Black puppeteer Todd Mattox, confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter. In a 1998 interview with Filmax magazine’s Dwayne Epstein, Walcott recalled being asked by a friend, fledgling producer J. Edwards
read more...
read more...
- 3/22/2015
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
We like to celebrate the great Hollywood tough guys at Super-8 Movie Madness and this February’s show is no exception. We’ve had Super-8 Charles Bronson Movie Madness and Super-8 Lee Marvin Movie Madness and on Tuesday February 7th at The Way Out Club we’ll be keeping up the tradition with Super-8 Clint Eastwood Movie Madness !!!
That’s right; we’ll be showing condensed (18 minute) versions of several of Clint Eastwood’s greatest films on Super-8 sound film projected on a big screen. Here’s the Clint line-up: Escape From Alcatraz, Where Eagles Dare, The Eiger Sanction, and a 35-minute cut of High Plains Drifter. We’ll also show 8-minute version of two films that Clint made early appearances in: Revenge Of The Creature and Tarantula. Then we’ll haul out our 16mm projector and screen a 16mm print of an episode of the ’60s TV series Rawhide...
That’s right; we’ll be showing condensed (18 minute) versions of several of Clint Eastwood’s greatest films on Super-8 sound film projected on a big screen. Here’s the Clint line-up: Escape From Alcatraz, Where Eagles Dare, The Eiger Sanction, and a 35-minute cut of High Plains Drifter. We’ll also show 8-minute version of two films that Clint made early appearances in: Revenge Of The Creature and Tarantula. Then we’ll haul out our 16mm projector and screen a 16mm print of an episode of the ’60s TV series Rawhide...
- 2/3/2012
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
When J. Edgar was released last Fall, We Are Movie Geeks published our Top Ten Tuesday article on Clint Eastwood’s best films as director. With word that Eastwood has come out of acting retirement, it’s time for another Top Ten list, this time of movies that Clint has starred in. Trouble With The Curve is currently filming and stars Clint as an ailing baseball scout in his twilight years who takes his daughter (played by Amy Adams) on the road for one last recruiting trip. This will be Clint’s first acting role since Gran Torino in 2008.
Super-8 Clint Eastwood Movie Madness will be a great way to celebrate the life and films of this legendary American actor. It takes place February 7th at the Way Out Club in St. Louis (2525 Jefferson in South City). Condensed versions of these memorable Clint Eastwood films will be shown on a...
Super-8 Clint Eastwood Movie Madness will be a great way to celebrate the life and films of this legendary American actor. It takes place February 7th at the Way Out Club in St. Louis (2525 Jefferson in South City). Condensed versions of these memorable Clint Eastwood films will be shown on a...
- 1/31/2012
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Typecasting is a terrible fate to befall an actor. Many of them have suffered from it over the years, accepting role after role in similar films with similar plots and similar characters simply because they have no real alternative. However, in spite of the risks involved there are also those who subvert this association; those who have elevated themselves to near legendary status within their chosen genre. Their performances define it and are woven inextricably into its rich tapestry. Two such actors are pictured above and are the subject of this article – one, a silent and anonymous loner with no time for small talk and very direct methods of dealing with his adversaries, the other a straight talking, no – nonsense peacekeeper with a trademark southern drawl. Both are perhaps best known for their westerns, although they also directed, produced and starred in a variety of other films too including military epics and ‘unorthodox’ police procedurals.
- 11/23/2011
- by Jame Simpson
- Obsessed with Film
By Darren Allison, Cinema Retro music critic
With the restrictive nature of deadlines for our printed magazine, it is perhaps inevitable that I often receive some terrific releases after the deadline date. Last month was particularly frustrating, as there were many excellent CDs which I would have clearly wished to feature. Here is a new release that didn't make it into the magazine by deadline time. Themes for Super Heroes / Big Terror Movie Themes (Vocalion Cdsml 8476) is a truly wonderful compilation of two classic albums. If the album covers do look familiar, you may spotted them on those rotary stands that were often to be found in the record department of most Woolworth stores. Who knows, like me you may have even paid out your £1.25 in order to own these super pieces of vinyl. First released on the Mfp (Music for Pleasure) label in 1976, Big Terror is a magical time capsule of cinema sounds.
With the restrictive nature of deadlines for our printed magazine, it is perhaps inevitable that I often receive some terrific releases after the deadline date. Last month was particularly frustrating, as there were many excellent CDs which I would have clearly wished to feature. Here is a new release that didn't make it into the magazine by deadline time. Themes for Super Heroes / Big Terror Movie Themes (Vocalion Cdsml 8476) is a truly wonderful compilation of two classic albums. If the album covers do look familiar, you may spotted them on those rotary stands that were often to be found in the record department of most Woolworth stores. Who knows, like me you may have even paid out your £1.25 in order to own these super pieces of vinyl. First released on the Mfp (Music for Pleasure) label in 1976, Big Terror is a magical time capsule of cinema sounds.
- 6/13/2011
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
You asked for it, you got it! Following our successful Movie Magic Tour of British film locations in 2010, Cinema Retro and T.W.I.N.E. Tours will be announcing specifics pertaining to the September 2011 tour. This time, we'll be heading out West to visit film locations from classic movies. We'll be meeting up in Las Vegas then movin' on by deluxe motorcoach to such legendary sites as:
Monument Valley, Utah- site of such films as Stagecoach, 2001: A Space Odyssey, How the West Was Won, Easy Rider, Once Upon a Time in the West, Forrest Gump, The Searchers, The Eiger Sanction and many more. Kanab, Utah- visit the sets from Clint Eastwood's The Outlaw Josey Wales and see where such films as Sergeants 3, Planet of the Apes, The Greatest Story Ever Told, Bandolero! and many others were filmed. Ride the legendary old-fashioned steam engine line from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid...
- 1/8/2011
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
An elegant George Clooney exudes mystery and inner torment as a cold-hearted assassin in picturesque Italy
Anton Corbijn, the Dutch portrait photographer long resident in Britain, made his directorial debut three years ago with Control, an accomplished portrait, shot in black and white, of the doomed rock musician Ian Curtis who committed suicide in 1980. His second feature, The American, is another portrait of a doomed figure, handsomely photographed by the same German cameraman, Martin Ruhe, but this time in beautiful colour.
It's a poised, self-conscious film that begins with a pre-credit sequence set around a snow-covered lake in Dalarna, the Swedish province where the painted wooden horses come from, and ends beside an idyllic stream in the mountainous Abruzzo region of central Italy. The pre-credit sequence resembles a Bond movie when a lyrical walk suddenly erupts into violence as lethal hunters ambush the hero and have the tables turned on them.
Anton Corbijn, the Dutch portrait photographer long resident in Britain, made his directorial debut three years ago with Control, an accomplished portrait, shot in black and white, of the doomed rock musician Ian Curtis who committed suicide in 1980. His second feature, The American, is another portrait of a doomed figure, handsomely photographed by the same German cameraman, Martin Ruhe, but this time in beautiful colour.
It's a poised, self-conscious film that begins with a pre-credit sequence set around a snow-covered lake in Dalarna, the Swedish province where the painted wooden horses come from, and ends beside an idyllic stream in the mountainous Abruzzo region of central Italy. The pre-credit sequence resembles a Bond movie when a lyrical walk suddenly erupts into violence as lethal hunters ambush the hero and have the tables turned on them.
- 11/28/2010
- by Philip French
- The Guardian - Film News
Years before Eastwood played a spy in The Eiger Sanction, he was offered the role of James Bond by Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman.
Clint Eastwood says he was offered the role of James Bond in On Her Majesty's Secret Service after Sean Connery departed the series. However, he declined because he felt the role was too associated with Connery. George Lazenby took the part for the film. In 1978, Eastwood was also offered the role of Superman, which ultimately went to Christopher Reeve after he declined. Proof once again that Eastwood, like Dirty Harry, adheres to the adage that "a man's got to know his limitations." For more click here...
- 9/12/2010
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Actor famous for her roles in blaxploitation films of the 1970s
The actor Vonetta McGee, who has died aged 65 after a cardiac arrest, was a heroine of 1970s blaxploitation movies, but I pursued her because she had also appeared in the greatest of all Italian westerns, Sergio Corbucci's Il Grande Silenzio (The Great Silence). The year was 1983, and I was in the fortunate position of having a feature to direct: Repo Man. The cast was a large one for a low-budget movie. It included all types: method actors from New York, punks from the La hardcore scene, disgruntled Hollywood character actors and refugees from the theatre, but only one star, as I soon discovered.
Not that Vonetta behaved in a "starry" fashion. She was completely approachable and a professional, always one of the team. Nevertheless, of all the actors in my film, Vonetta was the one with the credits.
The actor Vonetta McGee, who has died aged 65 after a cardiac arrest, was a heroine of 1970s blaxploitation movies, but I pursued her because she had also appeared in the greatest of all Italian westerns, Sergio Corbucci's Il Grande Silenzio (The Great Silence). The year was 1983, and I was in the fortunate position of having a feature to direct: Repo Man. The cast was a large one for a low-budget movie. It included all types: method actors from New York, punks from the La hardcore scene, disgruntled Hollywood character actors and refugees from the theatre, but only one star, as I soon discovered.
Not that Vonetta behaved in a "starry" fashion. She was completely approachable and a professional, always one of the team. Nevertheless, of all the actors in my film, Vonetta was the one with the credits.
- 7/20/2010
- by Alex Cox
- The Guardian - Film News
Here.s some sad new for fans of 70.s Blaxpolitation.
From the Los Angeles Times:
” Vonetta McGee, an actress whose big-screen heyday during the blaxploitation era of the 1970s included leading roles in “Blacula” and “Shaft in Africa,” has died. She was 65. McGee died Friday at a hospital in Berkeley after experiencing cardiac arrest and being on life support for two days, said family spokeswoman Kelley Nayo. McGee was described as “one of the busiest and most beautiful black actresses” by Times movie reviewer Kevin Thomas in 1972, the year she appeared opposite Fred Williamson in the black action movie “Hammer,” and had starring roles in the crime-drama “Melinda” and the horror film “Blacula.”She went on to appear with Richard Roundtree in “Shaft in Africa” (1973), and co-starred with Max Julien in “Thomasine & Bushrod” (1974).”
Ms McGee did not like the term .Blaxpolitation. but starred in many of those films including, besides the ones mentioned above,...
From the Los Angeles Times:
” Vonetta McGee, an actress whose big-screen heyday during the blaxploitation era of the 1970s included leading roles in “Blacula” and “Shaft in Africa,” has died. She was 65. McGee died Friday at a hospital in Berkeley after experiencing cardiac arrest and being on life support for two days, said family spokeswoman Kelley Nayo. McGee was described as “one of the busiest and most beautiful black actresses” by Times movie reviewer Kevin Thomas in 1972, the year she appeared opposite Fred Williamson in the black action movie “Hammer,” and had starring roles in the crime-drama “Melinda” and the horror film “Blacula.”She went on to appear with Richard Roundtree in “Shaft in Africa” (1973), and co-starred with Max Julien in “Thomasine & Bushrod” (1974).”
Ms McGee did not like the term .Blaxpolitation. but starred in many of those films including, besides the ones mentioned above,...
- 7/16/2010
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Vonetta McGee, one of the most prominent actresses to gain fame during the period of Blaxploitation films in the 1970s, has died at age 65. She had been battling health problems since she was teenager and had been on life support for the last few days. McGee resented the term Blaxploitation and felt frustrated that she never received studio support to emerge as a bigger star. Still, she worked consistently and in hit films like Blacula, Shaft in Africa, Melinda and Thomasine and Bushrod. She also had a few key roles in The Lost Man opposite Sidney Poitier, and most notably, as the female lead, Jemima Brown, in Clint Eastwood's 1975 spy thriller The Eiger Sanction. In later years, she had a recurring role on TV series L.A. Law. For more click here
Click here to watch the original trailer for...
Click here to watch the original trailer for...
- 7/15/2010
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Shaft In Africa and The Eiger Sanction star Vonetta McGee has died, aged 65.
The actress suffered a cardiac arrest and died in hospital last Friday.
An icon of the blaxploitation films of the 1970s, McGee also had starring roles in Blacula and Hammer.
But it was her role opposite Richard Roundtree in Shaft in Africa in 1973 which really helped make her name.
According to the Los Angeles Times, McGee was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma at the age of 17, although her death was not related to the disease.
The actress suffered a cardiac arrest and died in hospital last Friday.
An icon of the blaxploitation films of the 1970s, McGee also had starring roles in Blacula and Hammer.
But it was her role opposite Richard Roundtree in Shaft in Africa in 1973 which really helped make her name.
According to the Los Angeles Times, McGee was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma at the age of 17, although her death was not related to the disease.
- 7/15/2010
- WENN
I’m only just learning that 70s starlet Vonetta McGee has died at 65 years old; she suffered cardiac arrest at a hospital in Berkeley, and was on life support for two days before passing. This happened last week Friday actually, the 9th of July.
During McGee’s prime, she co-starred in a handful of 1970s blaxploitation films, including roles in Blacula, Hammer and Shaft in Africa.
Her career began in the late 60s, when she played parts in films alongside the likes of Jean-Louis Trintignant and Klaus Kinski in the Spaghetti Western The Great Silence (1968), & Sidney Poitier in The Lost Man (1969). She can also be found in John Huston’s 1970 noir thriller The Kremlin Letter.
Post her blaxploitation run, she later appeared with Clint Eastwood in The Eiger Sanction. In the ’80s, she had numerous TV credits, including parts in Cagney & Lacey, Bustin’ Loose, and L.A. Law.
Her resume thinned out in the 1990s,...
During McGee’s prime, she co-starred in a handful of 1970s blaxploitation films, including roles in Blacula, Hammer and Shaft in Africa.
Her career began in the late 60s, when she played parts in films alongside the likes of Jean-Louis Trintignant and Klaus Kinski in the Spaghetti Western The Great Silence (1968), & Sidney Poitier in The Lost Man (1969). She can also be found in John Huston’s 1970 noir thriller The Kremlin Letter.
Post her blaxploitation run, she later appeared with Clint Eastwood in The Eiger Sanction. In the ’80s, she had numerous TV credits, including parts in Cagney & Lacey, Bustin’ Loose, and L.A. Law.
Her resume thinned out in the 1990s,...
- 7/15/2010
- by Tambay
- ShadowAndAct
She appeared alongside Clint Eastwood in 'The Eiger Sanction' and in many blaxploitation films.
By Kara Warner
Vonetta McGee
Photo: Los Angeles Times
Actress Vonetta McGee, best known for her leading roles in the blaxploitation films "Blacula," "Hammer" and "Shaft in Africa," has died at age 65. The Los Angeles Times reports that McGee died Friday (July 9) after being admitted to a Berkeley, California, hospital for cardiac arrest, for which she was put on life support for two days.
Born Lawrence Vonetta McGee in San Francisco on January 14, 1945, she caught the acting bug while attending college and landed her first film role in the 1968 spaghetti western "The Great Silence." Times movie reviewer Kevin Thomas called McGee "one of the busiest and most beautiful black actresses" in 1972, the year "Hammer" and "Blacula" were released. She later appeared alongside Clint Eastwood in the action-thriller "The Eiger Sanction." Other film credits include "The Lost Man,...
By Kara Warner
Vonetta McGee
Photo: Los Angeles Times
Actress Vonetta McGee, best known for her leading roles in the blaxploitation films "Blacula," "Hammer" and "Shaft in Africa," has died at age 65. The Los Angeles Times reports that McGee died Friday (July 9) after being admitted to a Berkeley, California, hospital for cardiac arrest, for which she was put on life support for two days.
Born Lawrence Vonetta McGee in San Francisco on January 14, 1945, she caught the acting bug while attending college and landed her first film role in the 1968 spaghetti western "The Great Silence." Times movie reviewer Kevin Thomas called McGee "one of the busiest and most beautiful black actresses" in 1972, the year "Hammer" and "Blacula" were released. She later appeared alongside Clint Eastwood in the action-thriller "The Eiger Sanction." Other film credits include "The Lost Man,...
- 7/15/2010
- MTV Music News
.Not available on DVD. column since it began nine months ago and I realize that 19 of the previous 24 films I.ve written about are from the decade of the 1970.s. It.s not that there aren.t worthy forgotten films of the 50.s, 60.s or 80.s that have yet to see life in digital format, it.s just that, being born in 1961, it was the .70.s when I came of age and I.ve always had a fixation with the many films I saw at the drive-in in the last half of that decade. Besides, only from the politically incorrect .70.s could have come a disco musical comedy about a woman with a talking vagina.
Chatterbox, made in 1977, is no porn film (though bare breasts abound), but a silly R-Rated comedy based on a ridiculous but titillating situation that today doesn.t seem at all sleazy or dirty but really funny and kind of innocent.
Chatterbox, made in 1977, is no porn film (though bare breasts abound), but a silly R-Rated comedy based on a ridiculous but titillating situation that today doesn.t seem at all sleazy or dirty but really funny and kind of innocent.
- 3/15/2010
- by Tom
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Benno Furmann Scales A Slippery Slope
By
Alex Simon
German actor Benno Furmann was born in Berlin-Kreuzberg in 1972, cutting his acting chops on two high-profile German miniseries in his late teens, and then moved to the States shortly thereafter to study acting at the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute in New York. After appearing in high-profile titles such as Richard Loncraine's My House in Umbria, the Oscar-nominated Ww I drama Merry Christmas, the Wachowski brothers' Speed Racer, and Christian Petzold's Jerichow, Benno Feurmann's star is further on the rise with the U.S. release of North Face, director Philipp Stoelzl's harrowing drama about two moutaineers (Furmann and Florian Lukas) in 1936 attempting to scale Switzerland's foreboding Eiger moutain, with the Nazi propaganda machine prodding them on what is seemingly a suicide mission for the glory of the Fatherland. Winner of the 2009 German Film Critics Award for Best Screenplay, the film co-stars Johanna Wokalek,...
By
Alex Simon
German actor Benno Furmann was born in Berlin-Kreuzberg in 1972, cutting his acting chops on two high-profile German miniseries in his late teens, and then moved to the States shortly thereafter to study acting at the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute in New York. After appearing in high-profile titles such as Richard Loncraine's My House in Umbria, the Oscar-nominated Ww I drama Merry Christmas, the Wachowski brothers' Speed Racer, and Christian Petzold's Jerichow, Benno Feurmann's star is further on the rise with the U.S. release of North Face, director Philipp Stoelzl's harrowing drama about two moutaineers (Furmann and Florian Lukas) in 1936 attempting to scale Switzerland's foreboding Eiger moutain, with the Nazi propaganda machine prodding them on what is seemingly a suicide mission for the glory of the Fatherland. Winner of the 2009 German Film Critics Award for Best Screenplay, the film co-stars Johanna Wokalek,...
- 2/12/2010
- by The Hollywood Interview.com
- The Hollywood Interview
Mother and Child
Opens: 2010
Cast: Naomi Watts, Annette Bening, Samuel L. Jackson, Kerry Washington
Director: Rodrigo Garcia
Summary: A tale of a mother and daughter, separated at birth, who struggle with the damage done by the most important person missing in their lives while a young African-Americn woman deals with an unwanted pregnancy and the adoption process.
Analysis: Scoring rave reviews in Toronto, the $7 million latest effort of Rodrigo Garcia ("Nine Lives," "Things You Can Tell Just By Looking At Her") once again shows off his skill at weaving multiple narratives together in clever and unexpected ways. At its heart it's an emotional family drama, but Garcia excels with his female characters which makes the involvement of Naomi Watts, Kerry Washington and especially Annette Benning thrilling.
The few criticisms levelled at the film were toward some pacing and credibility issues in the last act, but otherwise praised it for not...
Opens: 2010
Cast: Naomi Watts, Annette Bening, Samuel L. Jackson, Kerry Washington
Director: Rodrigo Garcia
Summary: A tale of a mother and daughter, separated at birth, who struggle with the damage done by the most important person missing in their lives while a young African-Americn woman deals with an unwanted pregnancy and the adoption process.
Analysis: Scoring rave reviews in Toronto, the $7 million latest effort of Rodrigo Garcia ("Nine Lives," "Things You Can Tell Just By Looking At Her") once again shows off his skill at weaving multiple narratives together in clever and unexpected ways. At its heart it's an emotional family drama, but Garcia excels with his female characters which makes the involvement of Naomi Watts, Kerry Washington and especially Annette Benning thrilling.
The few criticisms levelled at the film were toward some pacing and credibility issues in the last act, but otherwise praised it for not...
- 12/29/2009
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Mother and Child
Opens: 2010
Cast: Naomi Watts, Annette Bening, Samuel L. Jackson, Kerry Washington
Director: Rodrigo Garcia
Summary: A tale of a mother and daughter, separated at birth, who struggle with the damage done by the most important person missing in their lives while a young African-Americn woman deals with an unwanted pregnancy and the adoption process.
Analysis: Scoring rave reviews in Toronto, the $7 million latest effort of Rodrigo Garcia ("Nine Lives," "Things You Can Tell Just By Looking At Her") once again shows off his skill at weaving multiple narratives together in clever and unexpected ways. At its heart it's an emotional family drama, but Garcia excels with his female characters which makes the involvement of Naomi Watts, Kerry Washington and especially Annette Benning thrilling.
The few criticisms levelled at the film were toward some pacing and credibility issues in the last act, but otherwise praised it for not...
Opens: 2010
Cast: Naomi Watts, Annette Bening, Samuel L. Jackson, Kerry Washington
Director: Rodrigo Garcia
Summary: A tale of a mother and daughter, separated at birth, who struggle with the damage done by the most important person missing in their lives while a young African-Americn woman deals with an unwanted pregnancy and the adoption process.
Analysis: Scoring rave reviews in Toronto, the $7 million latest effort of Rodrigo Garcia ("Nine Lives," "Things You Can Tell Just By Looking At Her") once again shows off his skill at weaving multiple narratives together in clever and unexpected ways. At its heart it's an emotional family drama, but Garcia excels with his female characters which makes the involvement of Naomi Watts, Kerry Washington and especially Annette Benning thrilling.
The few criticisms levelled at the film were toward some pacing and credibility issues in the last act, but otherwise praised it for not...
- 12/29/2009
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Doreen Kern "casts" Clint Eastwood in his latest role: as model for a surprise sculpture in 1977. (Photo copyright: Doreen Kern)
By Spencer Lloyd Peet
Normal 0 false false false En-us X-none X-none
In 1977, Clint Eastwood was cast as himself; not in a Hollywood blockbuster movie but as a life-size portrait sculpture. Renowned sculptor, Doreen Kern, immortalised Eastwood in bronze on the request of his then wife Maggie Johnson who asked for it to be made as a surprise gift for the Hollywood superstar. During her stay at the Eastwood’s home, Kern vigilantly studied Eastwood’s face and expressions making notes as he went about his daily business. Eastwood suspected nothing as the ladies chatted amongst themselves.
Kern first met Johnson, a former swim-wear model, in 1974 when she came to London. Because Johnson didn’t really know anybody in London, but a mutual friend of theirs, Connie De Nave, who was...
By Spencer Lloyd Peet
Normal 0 false false false En-us X-none X-none
In 1977, Clint Eastwood was cast as himself; not in a Hollywood blockbuster movie but as a life-size portrait sculpture. Renowned sculptor, Doreen Kern, immortalised Eastwood in bronze on the request of his then wife Maggie Johnson who asked for it to be made as a surprise gift for the Hollywood superstar. During her stay at the Eastwood’s home, Kern vigilantly studied Eastwood’s face and expressions making notes as he went about his daily business. Eastwood suspected nothing as the ladies chatted amongst themselves.
Kern first met Johnson, a former swim-wear model, in 1974 when she came to London. Because Johnson didn’t really know anybody in London, but a mutual friend of theirs, Connie De Nave, who was...
- 11/23/2009
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Blu-Ray Rating: 4.0/5.0 Chicago – Adult Swim’s “The Venture Bros.” is the best show you’re not watching. As clever as “South Park,” “Family Guy,” or “The Simpsons,” “The Venture Bros.” is a hilarious dissection of the history of adventure animation like “Jonny Quest”. With a commentary on every episode, gorgeous video and audio, and twenty minutes of deleted scenes, “The Venture Bros: Season Three” is a must-buy for TV animation fans.
The title characters of “The Venture Bros.” are Hank and Dean Venture, the dopey kids surrounded by chaos of living life in the Venture family with their legendary father Dr. Thaddeus “Rusty” Venture and their infamous bodyguard Brock Samson.
The Venture Bros.: 3rd Season will be released on Blu-Ray on March 24th, 2009.
Photo credit: WB/Adult Swim
To this viewer, the kids seem loosely modeled on The Hardy Boys and other naive investigators of that literary era, but...
The title characters of “The Venture Bros.” are Hank and Dean Venture, the dopey kids surrounded by chaos of living life in the Venture family with their legendary father Dr. Thaddeus “Rusty” Venture and their infamous bodyguard Brock Samson.
The Venture Bros.: 3rd Season will be released on Blu-Ray on March 24th, 2009.
Photo credit: WB/Adult Swim
To this viewer, the kids seem loosely modeled on The Hardy Boys and other naive investigators of that literary era, but...
- 3/23/2009
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
DVD Rating: 4.0/5.0 Chicago – With the $130 million gross and counting for “Gran Torino,” Clint Eastwood has proven that his star power has not diminished in the slightest even with 50 years in show business under his belt. There’s an entire generation new to Clint who have an amazing catalog to explore and they can start with four of his most unforgettable roles, now available in the “Clint Eastwood: American Icon Collection”.
Universal probably thought their excellent “American Icon Collection” would be perfectly timed to take full advantage of at least one, maybe two more Oscar nominations for Clint Eastwood. With his direction of “Changeling” and critically acclaimed lead performance in “Gran Torino,” Eastwood seemed a slam dunk to be a part of Oscar night 2009, as he has so many times in recent years.
Clint Eastwood: American Icon Collection is released by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment on February 10th, 2009.
Photo...
Universal probably thought their excellent “American Icon Collection” would be perfectly timed to take full advantage of at least one, maybe two more Oscar nominations for Clint Eastwood. With his direction of “Changeling” and critically acclaimed lead performance in “Gran Torino,” Eastwood seemed a slam dunk to be a part of Oscar night 2009, as he has so many times in recent years.
Clint Eastwood: American Icon Collection is released by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment on February 10th, 2009.
Photo...
- 2/16/2009
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
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