Many times in life the anticipation is stronger than the fulfillment.
Few things were more anticipated in recent movie history than “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” On many levels, it did almost live up to the hype: It’s still the number-one domestic box-office hit of all time in the U.S., unadjusted for inflation. Its reviews were overwhelmingly positive. It opened up a whole new era of storytelling for the franchise and deftly balanced the return of beloved characters from the Original Trilogy — Harrison Ford, in particular, delivering the most moving performance he ever gave as Han Solo — while introducing dynamic rising stars. It may have been overly indebted to “A New Hope” and mired in a few too many callbacks, but on the whole, “Force Awakens” was a movie that mined the deep emotion fans have for the franchise while pointing a path forward.
Yet even still, the...
Few things were more anticipated in recent movie history than “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” On many levels, it did almost live up to the hype: It’s still the number-one domestic box-office hit of all time in the U.S., unadjusted for inflation. Its reviews were overwhelmingly positive. It opened up a whole new era of storytelling for the franchise and deftly balanced the return of beloved characters from the Original Trilogy — Harrison Ford, in particular, delivering the most moving performance he ever gave as Han Solo — while introducing dynamic rising stars. It may have been overly indebted to “A New Hope” and mired in a few too many callbacks, but on the whole, “Force Awakens” was a movie that mined the deep emotion fans have for the franchise while pointing a path forward.
Yet even still, the...
- 4/29/2024
- by Christian Blauvelt
- Indiewire
“Jar Jar Binks makes the Ewoks look like fucking Shaft.” – Tim Bisley, Spaced, “Change” (2001).
Reviews for The Phantom Menace were, it’s fair to say, mixed. Looking back on it, that’s understandable. It’s a mixed film. After a lot of excitement and hype for the return of the game-changing franchise, some anti-climax was inevitable. 133 minutes and countless midi-chlorians later, a sense of disappointment gave way to rage for some.
Attack of the Clones had an improved, if not stellar, critical reception and Revenge of the Sith continued this trend to be recognized as the best of the three. That said, despite the upward trajectory there was a sense that these films would never recover from their initial mauling and that their lasting legacy would be their failure to recapture the magic of the Original Trilogy in a sustained way.
But 25 years after the release of The Phantom Menace,...
Reviews for The Phantom Menace were, it’s fair to say, mixed. Looking back on it, that’s understandable. It’s a mixed film. After a lot of excitement and hype for the return of the game-changing franchise, some anti-climax was inevitable. 133 minutes and countless midi-chlorians later, a sense of disappointment gave way to rage for some.
Attack of the Clones had an improved, if not stellar, critical reception and Revenge of the Sith continued this trend to be recognized as the best of the three. That said, despite the upward trajectory there was a sense that these films would never recover from their initial mauling and that their lasting legacy would be their failure to recapture the magic of the Original Trilogy in a sustained way.
But 25 years after the release of The Phantom Menace,...
- 3/26/2024
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
William Hurt died on March 13, 2022, at age 71, just a week short of his 72nd birthday. The Oscar-winning actor starred in a variety of movies over the last four decades, but how many of those titles remain classics? Let’s take a look back at 15 of his greatest films, ranked worst to best.
Born in 1950, Hurt made his movie debut with a starring role in Ken Russell‘s psychedelic thriller “Altered States” (1980), quickly followed by Lawrence Kasdan‘s classic neo-noir “Body Heat” (1981). He won the Oscar as Best Actor just four years later for Hector Babenco‘s “Kiss of the Spider Woman” (1985), playing a transgender inmate at a South American prison who forms a bond with his cellmate (Raul Julia), a political prisoner. The role brought him additional prizes at BAFTA and the Cannes Film Festival.
Hurt followed up his Oscar victory with two more consecutive Best Actor bids: first for...
Born in 1950, Hurt made his movie debut with a starring role in Ken Russell‘s psychedelic thriller “Altered States” (1980), quickly followed by Lawrence Kasdan‘s classic neo-noir “Body Heat” (1981). He won the Oscar as Best Actor just four years later for Hector Babenco‘s “Kiss of the Spider Woman” (1985), playing a transgender inmate at a South American prison who forms a bond with his cellmate (Raul Julia), a political prisoner. The role brought him additional prizes at BAFTA and the Cannes Film Festival.
Hurt followed up his Oscar victory with two more consecutive Best Actor bids: first for...
- 3/15/2024
- by Zach Laws and Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
Tony Goldwyn, the beloved actor and filmmaker who is perhaps best known for starring in the film Ghost and the TV series Scandal, will receive the Boulder International Film Festival’s Career Achievement Award on Friday in Boulder, Col., The Hollywood Reporter can exclusively report.
The entire evening — which kicks off the fest’s 20th edition — will be a celebration of the 63-year-old actor. At the historic Boulder Theatre, the proceedings will begin at 7:30 p.m. with a screening of Ezra, a new film directed by Goldwyn that features an all-star cast including Robert De Niro, Bobby Cannavale, Rose Byrne, Rainn Wilson, Vera Farmiga and Goldwyn himself. The movie also made a big splash at the most recent Toronto International Film Festival last September.
Immediately afterward, Goldwyn will be presented with the festival’s highest honor. And then, he and yours truly will sit down for a career retrospective...
The entire evening — which kicks off the fest’s 20th edition — will be a celebration of the 63-year-old actor. At the historic Boulder Theatre, the proceedings will begin at 7:30 p.m. with a screening of Ezra, a new film directed by Goldwyn that features an all-star cast including Robert De Niro, Bobby Cannavale, Rose Byrne, Rainn Wilson, Vera Farmiga and Goldwyn himself. The movie also made a big splash at the most recent Toronto International Film Festival last September.
Immediately afterward, Goldwyn will be presented with the festival’s highest honor. And then, he and yours truly will sit down for a career retrospective...
- 2/28/2024
- by Scott Feinberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
While most would say The Untouchables is the movie that made Kevin Costner a star, in many ways, Orion’s No Way Out solidified his stardom. The film was shot before The Untouchables, with him scoring the leading role after being cast by Lawrence Kasdan in the Western classic Silverado (as a way to make up for cutting all his scenes from The Big Chill). No Way Out was the first time he headlined a big film on his own, and it was the perfect showcase. If gave him a chance to do action, drama and romance, with his backseat love scene with Sean Young noted as one of the steamiest in Hollywood history up to that point.
It was part of an essential three-movie deal that Costner signed with the now-defunct Orion Pictures, which included Bull Durham and Dances With Wolves, both of which helped cement him as one...
It was part of an essential three-movie deal that Costner signed with the now-defunct Orion Pictures, which included Bull Durham and Dances With Wolves, both of which helped cement him as one...
- 1/28/2024
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Exclusive: Imagine Entertainment co-chairmen Brian Grazer and Ron Howard have entered into a multi-year co-financing and production partnership with Fifth Season and their co-CEOs Graham Taylor and Chris Rice.
Both companies have been busy in the docu space, and the move will give more autonomy. Imagine Documentaries president Sara Bernstein runs the division, and Justin Wilkes, who is Imagine president. Imagine will handle creative and production, while Fifth Season will handle sales and distribution. Fifth Season’s Non-Scripted division is run by EVP Mary Lisio.
The arrangement will start with feature docus on two iconic figures: Howard will direct a docu on the life of celebrated photographer Richard Avedon, and Big Chill helmer will make a docu on the life and comedy of Only Murders in the Building star Martin Short. Imagine and Fifth Season will co-finance the projects together, and they have put together a slate to follow these films.
Both companies have been busy in the docu space, and the move will give more autonomy. Imagine Documentaries president Sara Bernstein runs the division, and Justin Wilkes, who is Imagine president. Imagine will handle creative and production, while Fifth Season will handle sales and distribution. Fifth Season’s Non-Scripted division is run by EVP Mary Lisio.
The arrangement will start with feature docus on two iconic figures: Howard will direct a docu on the life of celebrated photographer Richard Avedon, and Big Chill helmer will make a docu on the life and comedy of Only Murders in the Building star Martin Short. Imagine and Fifth Season will co-finance the projects together, and they have put together a slate to follow these films.
- 1/22/2024
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
In recent years, Kevin Costner has been seen less on the big screens and more on his television series “Yellowstone,” currently bringing astounding ratings to the Paramount Network. Westerns have been good to Costner at the movies, with his most successful winning him two Oscars as producer and director of “Dances with Wolves” in 1990.
Costner almost had a career that ended before it really started. After very small roles in a number of big films such as Ron Howard’s “Night Shift” and the Jessica Lange vehicle “Frances” Costner then got what could have been a star-making role. However, his role as a suicide victim in flashback scenes for “The Big Chill” was cut by director Lawrence Kasdan. The same director wou would later make it up to Costner by casting him in a showy role in the film “Silverado.”
That western launched him into a terrific run during the 1980s and 1990s,...
Costner almost had a career that ended before it really started. After very small roles in a number of big films such as Ron Howard’s “Night Shift” and the Jessica Lange vehicle “Frances” Costner then got what could have been a star-making role. However, his role as a suicide victim in flashback scenes for “The Big Chill” was cut by director Lawrence Kasdan. The same director wou would later make it up to Costner by casting him in a showy role in the film “Silverado.”
That western launched him into a terrific run during the 1980s and 1990s,...
- 1/12/2024
- by Misty Holland, Robert Pius and Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
April Ferry, the Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning costume designer known for her work on Big Trouble in Little China, Maverick, Rome and Game of Thrones, died Thursday, the Costume Designers Guild announced. She was 91.
Ferry, who graduated to costume designer on Lawrence Kasdan’s The Big Chill (1983), collaborated with John Hughes on Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987), She’s Having a Baby (1988) and Flubber (1997) and with Jonathan Mostow on U-571 (2000), Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003) and Surrogates (2009).
She received her Academy Award nom for Richard Donner’s reimagining of Maverick (1994) — she lost out to Lizzy Gardiner and Tim Chappel of The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert on Oscar night — and won her Emmy in 2006 for HBO’s Rome.
Her résumé also included Made in Heaven (1987), Child’s Play (1988), The Babe (1992), Donner’s Radio Flyer (1992), Unlawful Entry (1992), Free Willy (1993), Beethoven’s 2nd (1993), Little Giants (1994), Donnie Darko (2001), Elysium (2013), RoboCop (2014) and Jurassic World (2015).
In 2014, she...
Ferry, who graduated to costume designer on Lawrence Kasdan’s The Big Chill (1983), collaborated with John Hughes on Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987), She’s Having a Baby (1988) and Flubber (1997) and with Jonathan Mostow on U-571 (2000), Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003) and Surrogates (2009).
She received her Academy Award nom for Richard Donner’s reimagining of Maverick (1994) — she lost out to Lizzy Gardiner and Tim Chappel of The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert on Oscar night — and won her Emmy in 2006 for HBO’s Rome.
Her résumé also included Made in Heaven (1987), Child’s Play (1988), The Babe (1992), Donner’s Radio Flyer (1992), Unlawful Entry (1992), Free Willy (1993), Beethoven’s 2nd (1993), Little Giants (1994), Donnie Darko (2001), Elysium (2013), RoboCop (2014) and Jurassic World (2015).
In 2014, she...
- 1/12/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
It's one of the most defining moments of the character of Indiana Jones, and the most key moment in terms of the tone of 1981's "Raiders of the Lost Ark" is when confronted by a master swordsman in the streets of Cairo, Indy (played with a mixture of Bogart-like weariness and gumption by Harrison Ford) makes a snap decision not to engage the brute in a lengthy and (likely) ill-fated physical bout. Instead, he merely pulls his revolver from its holster and shoots the swordsman point blank, allowing him to quickly continue the search for his missing partner, Marion (Karen Allen).
As has become a thing of "Raiders" legend by now, this altercation was not originally scripted in this manner. In fact, it was the result of several factors, most notably director Steven Spielberg wishing to hurry his production schedule along and Ford, suffering from a gross illness at the time,...
As has become a thing of "Raiders" legend by now, this altercation was not originally scripted in this manner. In fact, it was the result of several factors, most notably director Steven Spielberg wishing to hurry his production schedule along and Ford, suffering from a gross illness at the time,...
- 1/8/2024
- by Bill Bria
- Slash Film
In February 1994, Roger Ebert felt like he was the last one to get to the party when it came to celebrating a new movie. This would usually be a strange thing for a film critic to admit, particularly when he has a Pulitzer Prize. But despite—or perhaps because—he and fellow critic Gene Siskel hosted the nationally syndicated At the Movies TV series, Disney and its film production label Hollywood Pictures went out of their way to keep the men with the thumbs from seeing Tombstone. Even though the new Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer-starring Western enjoyed a vaunted Christmas Day release, the studio was not so much putting out the movie as they were abandoning what seemed like a Yuletide turkey.
Thus the “End of Year” season came and went, along with all the critics groups accolades and awards lists that go with it, and in that...
Thus the “End of Year” season came and went, along with all the critics groups accolades and awards lists that go with it, and in that...
- 12/29/2023
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
It was revealed at the end of Irvin Kershner's 1980 sci-fi/fantasy film "The Empire Strikes Back" that the masked fascist warlock Darth Vader was secretly the father of the young hero Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill). This information was shocking enough to echo through multiple generations, and the "villain is secretly related to the hero" twist has been repeated throughout much of popular media for decades. The revelation also famously contradicts dialogue from 1977's "Star Wars." Luke was previously told, by the reliable Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness), that Darth Vader had killed Luke's father. The reason for Obi-Wan's deception has never been satisfactorily explained.
In the broader context of the "Star Wars" saga, the relationship between Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker has become a vital narrative fulcrum, but in the contained 1980-only context of just "Star Wars" and "The Empire Strikes Back," the twist doesn't make a lot of sense.
In the broader context of the "Star Wars" saga, the relationship between Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker has become a vital narrative fulcrum, but in the contained 1980-only context of just "Star Wars" and "The Empire Strikes Back," the twist doesn't make a lot of sense.
- 11/13/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
John Bailey, the cinematographer on Ordinary People, Groundhog Day, As Good as It Gets and dozens of other notable films who endured two “stressful” terms as president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, died Friday. He was 81.
Bailey died in Los Angeles, his wife, Oscar-nominated film editor Carol Littleton (E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial), announced.
”It is with deep sadness I share with you that my best friend and husband, John Bailey, passed away peacefully in his sleep early this morning,” she said in a statement. “During John’s illness, we reminisced how we met 60 years ago and were married for 51 of those years. We shared a wonderful life of adventure in film and made many long-lasting friendships along the way. John will forever live in my heart.”
They worked on more than a dozen features together.
The Southern California-raised Bailey served as the director of photography for...
Bailey died in Los Angeles, his wife, Oscar-nominated film editor Carol Littleton (E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial), announced.
”It is with deep sadness I share with you that my best friend and husband, John Bailey, passed away peacefully in his sleep early this morning,” she said in a statement. “During John’s illness, we reminisced how we met 60 years ago and were married for 51 of those years. We shared a wonderful life of adventure in film and made many long-lasting friendships along the way. John will forever live in my heart.”
They worked on more than a dozen features together.
The Southern California-raised Bailey served as the director of photography for...
- 11/11/2023
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
One of the most acclaimed movies of 1998 is “Pleasantville,” starring Tobey Maguire, Reese Witherspoon, Jeff Daniels, William H. Macy and Joan Allen. Written and directed by four-time Oscar nominee Gary Ross, the film is a creative fantasy drama about two 1990s teen siblings who are transported to a 1950s family sitcom and then slowly begin to transform the dull, colorless world into someplace better. Released 25 years ago in October 1998, “Pleasantville” only grossed about $50 million worldwide on a $60 million budget. But it did end up receiving three Oscar nominations. Read on for Gold Derby’s tribute to the “Pleasantville” 25th anniversary.
Most of the nation’s critics gave enthusiastic notices to “Pleasantville,” including Roger Ebert in the Chicago Sun-Times, who picked it as the second-best film of 1998 and wrote that it “is the kind of parable that encourages us to re-evaluate the good old days and take a fresh look at...
Most of the nation’s critics gave enthusiastic notices to “Pleasantville,” including Roger Ebert in the Chicago Sun-Times, who picked it as the second-best film of 1998 and wrote that it “is the kind of parable that encourages us to re-evaluate the good old days and take a fresh look at...
- 11/3/2023
- by Brian Rowe
- Gold Derby
Although it's now seen as "Episode VI" in an ever-expanding multimedia saga, 1983's "Return of the Jedi," when it was made and first released, was considered to be the grand conclusion to the "Star Wars" Original Trilogy.
As such, there is a wealth of material there to mull over within the film, material that's only become more interesting since the movie was released. Take the opening act, for instance, set in and around the Hutt gangster Jabba's sail barge and the rescue of Han Solo (Harrison Ford) from it via an intricate, multi-step plan seemingly known only to Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill). Jabba's penchant for capturing an attractive female of any species, chaining her to himself and using her for his amusement is appropriate for such a (literally) slimy character, yet becomes problematic when he does it to Princess Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher).
Like most subtextual issues in media,...
As such, there is a wealth of material there to mull over within the film, material that's only become more interesting since the movie was released. Take the opening act, for instance, set in and around the Hutt gangster Jabba's sail barge and the rescue of Han Solo (Harrison Ford) from it via an intricate, multi-step plan seemingly known only to Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill). Jabba's penchant for capturing an attractive female of any species, chaining her to himself and using her for his amusement is appropriate for such a (literally) slimy character, yet becomes problematic when he does it to Princess Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher).
Like most subtextual issues in media,...
- 10/24/2023
- by Bill Bria
- Slash Film
One of the most beloved movies of 1983 is “The Big Chill,” starring Kevin Kline, Glenn Close, William Hurt and Meg Tilly. Written by Lawrence Kasdan and Barbara Benedek and directed by Kasdan, the film is an ensemble comedy-drama about a group of former college friends who reunite for a weekend after one of their college friends dies. Released 40 years ago on September 28, 1983, “The Big Chill” did well at the box office, making $56 million worldwide on a budget of just $8 million. The movie marked another financial triumph for director Kasdan, whose feature debut two years earlier, “Body Heat,” did well at the box office and with critics. Read on as Gold Derby celebrates “The Big Chill” 40th anniversary.
Critics for the most part gave positive notices to “The Big Chill,” including Richard Corliss in Time Magazine, who called it “funny and ferociously smart.” Vincent Canby in The New York Times said,...
Critics for the most part gave positive notices to “The Big Chill,” including Richard Corliss in Time Magazine, who called it “funny and ferociously smart.” Vincent Canby in The New York Times said,...
- 10/3/2023
- by Brian Rowe
- Gold Derby
Let’s talk about that electric spark that lights up the screen, that magnetic pull that draws us into a world of desire and passion.
Yes, I’m talking about those movies that don’t just tell a story but ignite something deep within us – the sexiest movies that have set hearts racing and left us breathless.
From smoldering glances to scorching encounters, these films turn up the heat and leave an indelible mark on our cinematic journey.
Get ready to immerse yourself in a mix of steamy moments, complex relationships, and stories that prove that sometimes, the sexiest thing of all is the connection between characters.
Ready? Let’s dive in!
My Exploration of Cinematic Seduction
As someone who’s always been fascinated by the power of storytelling, I can’t deny the allure of a film that knows how to play with desire.
Whether it’s the lingering...
Yes, I’m talking about those movies that don’t just tell a story but ignite something deep within us – the sexiest movies that have set hearts racing and left us breathless.
From smoldering glances to scorching encounters, these films turn up the heat and leave an indelible mark on our cinematic journey.
Get ready to immerse yourself in a mix of steamy moments, complex relationships, and stories that prove that sometimes, the sexiest thing of all is the connection between characters.
Ready? Let’s dive in!
My Exploration of Cinematic Seduction
As someone who’s always been fascinated by the power of storytelling, I can’t deny the allure of a film that knows how to play with desire.
Whether it’s the lingering...
- 9/25/2023
- by Pia Vermaak
- buddytv.com
Fred Gallo, who served as an assistant director on films including the Oscar best picture winners The Godfather, Rocky and Annie Hall before becoming a top production executive at Paramount Pictures, has died. He was 78.
Gallo died Sept. 7 after a long illness at his home in the Santa Ynez Valley, his family announced.
Gallo also earned producing credits on Floyd Mutrux’s American Hot Wax (1978), Martin Brest’s Going in Style (1979), James Caan’s Hide in Plain Sight (1980) and Lawrence Kasdan’s Body Heat (1981).
After a run as a production vice president at Warner Bros., Gallo joined Paramount in 1993. He was promoted to executive vp feature production management in 1996 and worldwide president of features production management in 2001, overseeing day-to-day physical production for the studio through his retirement in 2005.
“Fred was a singular force in the industry,” Lee Rosenthal, president of worldwide physical production for Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon, said in a statement.
Gallo died Sept. 7 after a long illness at his home in the Santa Ynez Valley, his family announced.
Gallo also earned producing credits on Floyd Mutrux’s American Hot Wax (1978), Martin Brest’s Going in Style (1979), James Caan’s Hide in Plain Sight (1980) and Lawrence Kasdan’s Body Heat (1981).
After a run as a production vice president at Warner Bros., Gallo joined Paramount in 1993. He was promoted to executive vp feature production management in 1996 and worldwide president of features production management in 2001, overseeing day-to-day physical production for the studio through his retirement in 2005.
“Fred was a singular force in the industry,” Lee Rosenthal, president of worldwide physical production for Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon, said in a statement.
- 9/20/2023
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
This article contains spoilers for "Ahsoka" episode 4, "Fallen Jedi."
The fourth installment of "Star Wars: Ahsoka," titled "Fallen Jedi", pulls no punches when it comes to having the situation go from bad to worse. As the forces of evil led by the descendent of the Witches of Dathomir, Morgan Elsbeth (Diana Lee Inosanto), and fallen Jedi Baylan Skoll (Ray Stevenson) work to extract the information from the map to find Grand Admiral Thrawn (the still unseen Lars Mikkelsen), Ahsoka (Rosario Dawson) and Sabine (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) work to repair their ship. After it got shot down last episode, they need to get it back in the air or retrieve the map personally. While Huyang (David Tennant) attempts repairs, Ahsoka and Sabine take to the forest. They're stopped by Shin Hati (Ivanna Sakhno) and Marrok (Paul Darnell), who engage them in an intense fight in the woods. Though Huyang warned Ahsoka and Sabine to stay together,...
The fourth installment of "Star Wars: Ahsoka," titled "Fallen Jedi", pulls no punches when it comes to having the situation go from bad to worse. As the forces of evil led by the descendent of the Witches of Dathomir, Morgan Elsbeth (Diana Lee Inosanto), and fallen Jedi Baylan Skoll (Ray Stevenson) work to extract the information from the map to find Grand Admiral Thrawn (the still unseen Lars Mikkelsen), Ahsoka (Rosario Dawson) and Sabine (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) work to repair their ship. After it got shot down last episode, they need to get it back in the air or retrieve the map personally. While Huyang (David Tennant) attempts repairs, Ahsoka and Sabine take to the forest. They're stopped by Shin Hati (Ivanna Sakhno) and Marrok (Paul Darnell), who engage them in an intense fight in the woods. Though Huyang warned Ahsoka and Sabine to stay together,...
- 9/6/2023
- by Bryan Young
- Slash Film
When James Mangold took the adventuring archaeologist reins from Steven Spielberg on "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny," fans were wary for a couple of reasons. One was the simple fact that, aside from ABC's "The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles," Spielberg was the series' sole director. As the "Jaws" sequels and the "Jurassic World" series proved, no one can match The Beard when it comes to terrifying and elating audiences, sometimes in the same scene. The other fear had to do with legacy. When Harrison Ford announced at September 2022's D23 expo that this was his last go-round in the fedora ("I'm not falling down for you again"), we took him at his word. He turned 81 this year, and has incurred all manner of injuries via stunts and aviation mishaps.
Given that Mangold had earned an Oscar nomination for co-writing the death of Hugh Jackman's "Wolverine" in the superb "Logan,...
Given that Mangold had earned an Oscar nomination for co-writing the death of Hugh Jackman's "Wolverine" in the superb "Logan,...
- 9/3/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Sometimes a title of a movie is everything. It's hard to imagine that "Blade Runner" or "Die Hard" would have become as recognizably famous as they are now without their filmmakers co-opting those snazzy titles. One filmmaker who's consistently chosen distinct, eye-grabbing titles for his films is Steven Spielberg. There are the to-the-point emotional titles, the mysterious and intriguing ones, and the descriptive ones.
Upon watching the movie, the title "Raiders of the Lost Ark" falls neatly into this latter category. Yet for people new to the adventures of the original character Indiana Jones back in 1981, it must've seemed not just mysterious, but borderline confusing. Who are these "raiders?" What is this "lost ark?" And why are they raiding it at all?
That's precisely the take on the title one of the cast members of "Raiders" had when they first heard it. This actor was no supporting player, either: it was Karen Allen,...
Upon watching the movie, the title "Raiders of the Lost Ark" falls neatly into this latter category. Yet for people new to the adventures of the original character Indiana Jones back in 1981, it must've seemed not just mysterious, but borderline confusing. Who are these "raiders?" What is this "lost ark?" And why are they raiding it at all?
That's precisely the take on the title one of the cast members of "Raiders" had when they first heard it. This actor was no supporting player, either: it was Karen Allen,...
- 9/2/2023
- by Bill Bria
- Slash Film
The finer details of George Lucas’ original Star Wars trilogy were anything but set in stone when the Maker first outlined his grand space fantasy saga back in the ’70s. Take the shifting relationship between Luke and Leia in across all three installments, for example, or the differences between the Emperor in the movies and his backstory in the novelization of A New Hope. In the rough draft of The Empire Strikes Back by Leigh Brackett, Lando was a clone, a veteran of the mythical Clone Wars, instead of Han’s smooth-talking counterpart. Then there all the ways Return of the Jedi changed during the writing process, and in the pivotal story meetings between Lucas and co-writer Lawrence Kasdan that would decide the fate of the galaxy.
Star Wars: The Annotated Screenplays by film historian Laurent Bouzereau chronicles many of the discussion points from those meetings, and those transcripts paint...
Star Wars: The Annotated Screenplays by film historian Laurent Bouzereau chronicles many of the discussion points from those meetings, and those transcripts paint...
- 8/16/2023
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
Thanks to a line of dialogue from Indiana Jones in Steven Spielberg’s 1981 blockbuster Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, Harrison Ford has long been linked to snakes. The association has now been formalized in real life.
Researchers have discovered a new species of snake in Peru’s Andes mountains and named the variety after Ford. The species is called Tachymenoides harrisonfordi, and is described as a type of slender snake that measures 16 inches long. The snake is pale yellowish-brown with scattered black blotches, a black belly and a vertical streak over his copper-colored eye, making it well-camouflaged to the surrounding environment. The discovery, a joint collaboration between researchers from Peru and the United States, turned up only one male snake in May 2022 while it was sunbathing in a swamp in Otishi National Park.
The Tachymenoides harrisonfordi snake, named for Harrison Ford.
Intel on the species and...
Researchers have discovered a new species of snake in Peru’s Andes mountains and named the variety after Ford. The species is called Tachymenoides harrisonfordi, and is described as a type of slender snake that measures 16 inches long. The snake is pale yellowish-brown with scattered black blotches, a black belly and a vertical streak over his copper-colored eye, making it well-camouflaged to the surrounding environment. The discovery, a joint collaboration between researchers from Peru and the United States, turned up only one male snake in May 2022 while it was sunbathing in a swamp in Otishi National Park.
The Tachymenoides harrisonfordi snake, named for Harrison Ford.
Intel on the species and...
- 8/15/2023
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Will Rogers Picture Pioneers Foundation is holding a screening of Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back on Aug. 30, 7Pm at the Tcl Chinese Theatre in Hollywood to raise funds for its charity.
The non-profit provides support to a multitude of national health and social service programs, as well as financial assistance to members of the motion picture community in times of need. A special appearance will be made by the 501st Legion, an international costuming organization comprised of and operated by Star Wars fans that are committed to supporting communities, moviegoers and charitable causes nationwide.
“We’re incredibly grateful to the historic Tcl Chinese Theatre for their generosity in supporting Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation to raise much-needed funds for members of our community during a time of increasing need,” said Christina Blumer, Executive Director of Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation. “We’re also thrilled to collaborate with...
The non-profit provides support to a multitude of national health and social service programs, as well as financial assistance to members of the motion picture community in times of need. A special appearance will be made by the 501st Legion, an international costuming organization comprised of and operated by Star Wars fans that are committed to supporting communities, moviegoers and charitable causes nationwide.
“We’re incredibly grateful to the historic Tcl Chinese Theatre for their generosity in supporting Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation to raise much-needed funds for members of our community during a time of increasing need,” said Christina Blumer, Executive Director of Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation. “We’re also thrilled to collaborate with...
- 8/9/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
31 years after its initial theatrical release, Carl Franklin still can't believe "One False Move" happened.
The actor-turned-director took a crackerjack screenplay by a pair of struggling writers named Billy Bob Thornton and Tom Epperson, and turned what was supposed to be a direct-to-video thriller featuring a couple of familiar faces (Bill Paxton and Cynda Williams) into a buzzy critical darling. After a brief theatrical run, the film earned five Independent Spirit Award nominations, with Franklin taking home the trophy for Best Director.
Despite this acclaim, "One False Move" has remained an under-the-radar cult favorite amongst neo-noir fans, perhaps because it lacks the Coen Brothers' archness or the overripe sensuality of Lawrence Kasdan's "Body Heat." It's a quietly surprising, yet plenty violent thriller about a trio of criminals who, after committing a string of vicious murders, flee Los Angeles for a backwater Arkansas town run by police chief Dale "Hurricane...
The actor-turned-director took a crackerjack screenplay by a pair of struggling writers named Billy Bob Thornton and Tom Epperson, and turned what was supposed to be a direct-to-video thriller featuring a couple of familiar faces (Bill Paxton and Cynda Williams) into a buzzy critical darling. After a brief theatrical run, the film earned five Independent Spirit Award nominations, with Franklin taking home the trophy for Best Director.
Despite this acclaim, "One False Move" has remained an under-the-radar cult favorite amongst neo-noir fans, perhaps because it lacks the Coen Brothers' archness or the overripe sensuality of Lawrence Kasdan's "Body Heat." It's a quietly surprising, yet plenty violent thriller about a trio of criminals who, after committing a string of vicious murders, flee Los Angeles for a backwater Arkansas town run by police chief Dale "Hurricane...
- 7/31/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
After foiling a Nazi plot to unleash the power of the Ark of the Covenant on the world, the intrepid archaeologist, Indiana Jones, is heading beneath the Pankot Palace in India to recover the mystical Sankara Stones from the evil Thuggee cult, led by the deranged priest Mola Ram. This mission is all in a day’s work for Dr. Henry Walton “Indiana” Jones Jr., whose heroism is becoming a legend worldwide after his thrilling adventure in Raiders of the Lost Ark. Grab your trusty braided kangaroo leather whip, bury your entomophobia deep, and bring your appetite for chilled monkey brains because we’re looking back on the second chapter of Lucasfilm’s Indiana Jones franchise, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom!
When executive producer and story writer George Lucas teamed up with Steven Spielberg for the Indiana Jones project, the creator of the Star Wars Universe said he...
When executive producer and story writer George Lucas teamed up with Steven Spielberg for the Indiana Jones project, the creator of the Star Wars Universe said he...
- 7/18/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
One of the great things about the movies we love is that they continue to evolve the more we watch them. You may notice details you hadn’t before; perhaps certain elements that flew under the radar in previous viewings now stand out more. The more you know the sights and sounds of the picture, the more you can quote the dialogue as the characters say it, the closer your relationship with it becomes.
That relationship can change over time too. Movies that you still hold affection for might seem a little off, a little dated, not quite as remarkable as they once were. The rose-covered glasses might slide down, if just a little. You still love the movie, but not in the same way you once did. Of course, all this preamble is my way of revisiting Return of the Jedi, the final film in George Lucas’ ambitious “Star Wars” trilogy.
That relationship can change over time too. Movies that you still hold affection for might seem a little off, a little dated, not quite as remarkable as they once were. The rose-covered glasses might slide down, if just a little. You still love the movie, but not in the same way you once did. Of course, all this preamble is my way of revisiting Return of the Jedi, the final film in George Lucas’ ambitious “Star Wars” trilogy.
- 7/11/2023
- by Eric Walkuski
- JoBlo.com
As “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” hits theaters, it’s time yet again for the fan debate over whether the MacGuffin and/or ending of the latest “Indiana Jones” movie is too far-fetched. This debate ignited when “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” was released in 2008, which found Harrison Ford’s rugged hero coming face-to-face with a literal alien, but how quickly fans seem to forget that this is a franchise rooted in the mystical – going all the way back to Steven Spielberg’s original, iconic “Raiders of the Lost Ark.”
“Dial of Destiny” takes a big swing in its third act, but it’s a swing that is – on the whole – not much bolder or bigger than what’s been portrayed in the previous films. So why does this always seem to catch fans by surprise? Because “Indiana Jones” is too good.
Spielberg, Ford,...
“Dial of Destiny” takes a big swing in its third act, but it’s a swing that is – on the whole – not much bolder or bigger than what’s been portrayed in the previous films. So why does this always seem to catch fans by surprise? Because “Indiana Jones” is too good.
Spielberg, Ford,...
- 7/3/2023
- by Adam Chitwood
- The Wrap
There’s never a bad time to put on an “Indiana Jones” movie, but the release of “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” makes it a particularly good time to binge every installment of the American action-adventure franchise that has come before. And we’ve got all the franchise streaming details.
It all began over 40 years ago, in 1981, when “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” first hit theaters. Directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Lawrence Kasdan, the 1930s-set action-adventure starred a hunky, mumbling Harrison Ford as an archaeology professor named Indiana Jones who spends his weekends traveling the world in search of historical artifacts. When Indy is approached to find the fabled Ark of the Covenant before Nazi German forces can, he teams up with former flame Marion (Karen Allen) to keep the powerful treasure out of enemy hands.
The face-melting, sweepingly romantic film was a huge hit with audiences,...
It all began over 40 years ago, in 1981, when “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” first hit theaters. Directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Lawrence Kasdan, the 1930s-set action-adventure starred a hunky, mumbling Harrison Ford as an archaeology professor named Indiana Jones who spends his weekends traveling the world in search of historical artifacts. When Indy is approached to find the fabled Ark of the Covenant before Nazi German forces can, he teams up with former flame Marion (Karen Allen) to keep the powerful treasure out of enemy hands.
The face-melting, sweepingly romantic film was a huge hit with audiences,...
- 7/1/2023
- by Kayti Burt
- The Wrap
This article contains major Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny spoilers.
Indiana Jones is a character who invites you to dream about living in the past. This held true even in his inception, with George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, and Lawrence Kasdan cobbling together the character out of their shared nostalgia for old B-movie serials and adventure flicks from the Golden Age of Hollywood. He would be a rogue who’d stand as tall as they imagined the heroes of Gunga Din did, while also existing in a morally black and white 1930s world where you punched Nazis first and asked questions later.
Also by virtue of his profession as an archeologist, Indy extended that romance even further back in time. The greatest prizes he sought always contained the intertwining mystique of history and myth: presumably real artifacts so great that they disappeared into the hazy, halcyon mist of legend.
Indiana Jones is a character who invites you to dream about living in the past. This held true even in his inception, with George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, and Lawrence Kasdan cobbling together the character out of their shared nostalgia for old B-movie serials and adventure flicks from the Golden Age of Hollywood. He would be a rogue who’d stand as tall as they imagined the heroes of Gunga Din did, while also existing in a morally black and white 1930s world where you punched Nazis first and asked questions later.
Also by virtue of his profession as an archeologist, Indy extended that romance even further back in time. The greatest prizes he sought always contained the intertwining mystique of history and myth: presumably real artifacts so great that they disappeared into the hazy, halcyon mist of legend.
- 6/30/2023
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
Angela Bassett may have gone home empty handed at the Oscars in March, but the two-time nominee will be getting a golden statuette this year after all – and in very good company too.
In November, Bassett, Mel Brooks and film editor Carol Littleton will receive honorary Oscars at the Governors Awards, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said Monday.
Michelle Satter, the founding senior director of the Sundance Institute’s Artist Programs, will also be given the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the untelevised event.
Read More: Angela Bassett Says Whoopi Goldberg ‘Stepped Up’ For Crew On ‘How Stella Got Her Groove Back’
“The Academy’s Board of Governors is thrilled to honor four trailblazers who have transformed the film industry and inspired generations of filmmakers and movie fans,” Janet Yang, the academy’s president, said in a statement.
Most recipients of the academy’s honorary awards have not won competitive Oscars.
In November, Bassett, Mel Brooks and film editor Carol Littleton will receive honorary Oscars at the Governors Awards, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said Monday.
Michelle Satter, the founding senior director of the Sundance Institute’s Artist Programs, will also be given the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the untelevised event.
Read More: Angela Bassett Says Whoopi Goldberg ‘Stepped Up’ For Crew On ‘How Stella Got Her Groove Back’
“The Academy’s Board of Governors is thrilled to honor four trailblazers who have transformed the film industry and inspired generations of filmmakers and movie fans,” Janet Yang, the academy’s president, said in a statement.
Most recipients of the academy’s honorary awards have not won competitive Oscars.
- 6/27/2023
- by Emerson Pearson
- ET Canada
Like A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back before it, Return of the Jedi script went through many drafts while nailing down the epic conclusion of the Original Trilogy. For one thing, the movie was originally called Revenge of the Jedi before George Lucas nixed it because “Jedi don’t take revenge.” There were plenty of other changes, too. In many ways, the early drafts penned by Lucas read nothing like the movie that released in theaters in 1983.
Star Wars: The Annotated Screenplays by film historian Laurent Bouzereau takes a fascinating deep dive into those rough drafts of Revenge of the Jedi, with additional insights from interviews with Lucas and co-writer Lawrence Kasdan as well as transcripts from their story meetings. In essence, the book reveals the drastically different film that could have been, complete with a trip to a proto-Coruscant city planet called Had Abbadon, multiple Death Stars,...
Star Wars: The Annotated Screenplays by film historian Laurent Bouzereau takes a fascinating deep dive into those rough drafts of Revenge of the Jedi, with additional insights from interviews with Lucas and co-writer Lawrence Kasdan as well as transcripts from their story meetings. In essence, the book reveals the drastically different film that could have been, complete with a trip to a proto-Coruscant city planet called Had Abbadon, multiple Death Stars,...
- 6/26/2023
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
Here’s the thing: you can argue for another Indiana Jones film as the archaeologist’s greatest adventure, but then Raiders comes along and outshines it with a light that reduces all who disrespect it to dust. Raiders is a perfect film: if it had flaws they’d be like the scar on Harrison Ford’s chin: a flourish to set off the perfection of the rest. If Raiders had a flaw (see Note 2), it would be like the deliberate mistake that master Persian carpet weavers introduce to their intricate patterns so that they don’t challenge God himself. And if this film teaches us anything, it’s that challenging God is not a good idea. The other are (mostly) astonishingly great because they’re a lot like Raiders. Raiders is astonishingly great because it is a perfect film.
First and foremost, that’s down to Steven Spielberg, which explains...
First and foremost, that’s down to Steven Spielberg, which explains...
- 6/21/2023
- by Helen O'Hara
- Empire - Movies
Before Harrison Ford dusts off his fedora and rethreads his trusty bullwhip for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, we’re looking back at the film that launched one of the most iconic action adventure franchises in Hollywood history, Raiders of the Lost Ark. The brainchild of George Lucas and his close friend, Steven Spielberg. Their collective vision for Dr. Henry Walton “Indiana” Jones Jr. evolved from their love of old adventure serials. They saw Indy as an American equivalent of James Bond, an explorer who uncovers artifacts and punches Nazis instead of fighting for his queen and country and sleeping with the enemy.
After Ford’s scruffy-looking Nerf Herder from Star Wars, Han Solo, became frozen in carbonite at the end of The Empire Strikes Back, the actor began searching for a project to boost his rising star to new heights. Fortuitously, Lucas had been toiling with ideas...
After Ford’s scruffy-looking Nerf Herder from Star Wars, Han Solo, became frozen in carbonite at the end of The Empire Strikes Back, the actor began searching for a project to boost his rising star to new heights. Fortuitously, Lucas had been toiling with ideas...
- 6/20/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
In 1980, when The Empire Strikes Back was released, Star Wars: A New Hope had already established itself as the most popular movie ever made. Beloved by practically every person who saw it, firmly ensconced in the pop culture conversation forever, the film lit up the imaginations of children and adults alike. That’s what made it so special. Very quickly, it went from modestly-budgeted gamble… to an industry game changer, with everything from highly-coveted toys to a rather bizarre Christmas special capitalizing off the goodwill generated by George Lucas’ terrific film. The actors were now stars, and their characters were celebrities – Star Wars was the feel- good story of the business, helping to usher in a newfound appreciation – and soon enough, a reliance – on high-concept summer blockbusters.
But a showstopper of this magnitude needs an encore. For all the merchandise and souvenirs offered in the wake of “A New Hope’s” footprint,...
But a showstopper of this magnitude needs an encore. For all the merchandise and souvenirs offered in the wake of “A New Hope’s” footprint,...
- 6/5/2023
- by Eric Walkuski
- JoBlo.com
Longtime Star Wars fans know the story by now: Harrison Ford believed Han Solo had reached the end of the line by 1983. Frozen in carbonite in The Empire Strikes Back and shipped off to Jabba the Hutt, the lovable scoundrel’s fate was certainly in question leading into Return of the Jedi. And Ford was convinced that the right thing to do was to kill off the smuggler for good.
“I thought Han Solo should die. I thought he ought to sacrifice himself for [Luke and Leia],” Ford explained in the 2004 making-of documentary Empire of Dreams. “He’s got no mama. He’s got no papa. He’s got no future. He has no story responsibilities at this point. So let’s allow him to commit self-sacrifice.”
The actor echoed as much during an appearance on Conan (via Cinemablend) in 2015, suggesting that a self-sacrifice would show how much Han had changed from...
“I thought Han Solo should die. I thought he ought to sacrifice himself for [Luke and Leia],” Ford explained in the 2004 making-of documentary Empire of Dreams. “He’s got no mama. He’s got no papa. He’s got no future. He has no story responsibilities at this point. So let’s allow him to commit self-sacrifice.”
The actor echoed as much during an appearance on Conan (via Cinemablend) in 2015, suggesting that a self-sacrifice would show how much Han had changed from...
- 5/27/2023
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
(Welcome to Tales from the Box Office, our column that examines box office miracles, disasters, and everything in between, as well as what we can learn from them.)
It is, by almost any measure, impossible to quantify just how much of an impact "Star Wars" had on popular culture when George Lucas introduced his galaxy to the masses in 1977. I myself have a mother who saw the original 17 times in a theater that summer. It was the biggest movie of all time and took people by absolute surprise. Sequels were no guarantee back then but, in this case, Lucas had the chance to finish what he started, releasing "The Empire Strikes Back" in 1980, which left audiences with a pretty massive cliffhanger. All would be resolved in the summer of '83 when "Return of the Jedi" brought the original trilogy to a close.
"Episode VI" had a lot to accomplish, resolving...
It is, by almost any measure, impossible to quantify just how much of an impact "Star Wars" had on popular culture when George Lucas introduced his galaxy to the masses in 1977. I myself have a mother who saw the original 17 times in a theater that summer. It was the biggest movie of all time and took people by absolute surprise. Sequels were no guarantee back then but, in this case, Lucas had the chance to finish what he started, releasing "The Empire Strikes Back" in 1980, which left audiences with a pretty massive cliffhanger. All would be resolved in the summer of '83 when "Return of the Jedi" brought the original trilogy to a close.
"Episode VI" had a lot to accomplish, resolving...
- 5/27/2023
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
Tentpole filmmaking is a feat that requires the clicking together of many moving pieces. All of the departments — set design, costumes, locations, etc. — must blend together in pre-production to ensure the rest of the production runs as smoothly as possible. This becomes quite a challenge when there isn't a finished screenplay.
Contrary to the current posturing of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, screenwriters are the most essential element of every movie. Without them, there is no dialogue and no story. This is a stupefyingly obvious fact, but every time studios, networks and, now, streamers have to reckon with fairly compensating the people who generate their precious "content," they plead poverty and downplay the contributions of their most essential workers.
You shouldn't need an example to drive this home, but film history is riddled with them. Take, for instance, "Star Wars: Episode VI — The Return of the Jedi,...
Contrary to the current posturing of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, screenwriters are the most essential element of every movie. Without them, there is no dialogue and no story. This is a stupefyingly obvious fact, but every time studios, networks and, now, streamers have to reckon with fairly compensating the people who generate their precious "content," they plead poverty and downplay the contributions of their most essential workers.
You shouldn't need an example to drive this home, but film history is riddled with them. Take, for instance, "Star Wars: Episode VI — The Return of the Jedi,...
- 5/25/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Director Lawrence Kasdan had his starry cast live together for weeks to get to know each other – the result is a poignant film about friendship and loss
The Big Chill is streaming on Sbs on Demand, Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime
Lost hope: when would you want to watch a film about that? Answer: when that film is The Big Chill.
Released 40 years ago this year, this comedy-drama directed by Star Wars fixture Lawrence Kasdan sees eight friends brought together by the death of a college classmate, Alex (played by Kevin Costner until his performance was entirely cut from the film). Descending on the home of Harold (Kevin Kline) and Sarah Cooper (Glenn Close), the friends – now all in their 30s with careers, partners and a lack of faith in the world – spend the weekend remembering Alex and trying to rediscover the idealism and ambition they felt as students.
Continue reading.
The Big Chill is streaming on Sbs on Demand, Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime
Lost hope: when would you want to watch a film about that? Answer: when that film is The Big Chill.
Released 40 years ago this year, this comedy-drama directed by Star Wars fixture Lawrence Kasdan sees eight friends brought together by the death of a college classmate, Alex (played by Kevin Costner until his performance was entirely cut from the film). Descending on the home of Harold (Kevin Kline) and Sarah Cooper (Glenn Close), the friends – now all in their 30s with careers, partners and a lack of faith in the world – spend the weekend remembering Alex and trying to rediscover the idealism and ambition they felt as students.
Continue reading.
- 5/23/2023
- by Maddie Thomas
- The Guardian - Film News
As the story goes, George Lucas at one point planned to make a Skywalker family epic consisting of 12 movies across four trilogies, with Episode Xii serving as the true grand finale of the saga where our heroes would finally face the dreaded Emperor. But then he cut that outline down to nine films, with Luke’s sister (not originally Leia) joining the fray around Episode VIII, just in time for the final battle in Episode IX, according to Gary Kurtz, who produced the first two Star Wars films.
Then, in the early ’80s, Lucas decided to cut down the story further. He pushed up the final battle with the Dark Lord of the Sith to Episode VI, the initially titled Revenge of the Jedi, which would also reveal that Leia had been Luke’s long-lost sister all along (despite their famous smooch in The Empire Strikes Back). Lucas is something...
Then, in the early ’80s, Lucas decided to cut down the story further. He pushed up the final battle with the Dark Lord of the Sith to Episode VI, the initially titled Revenge of the Jedi, which would also reveal that Leia had been Luke’s long-lost sister all along (despite their famous smooch in The Empire Strikes Back). Lucas is something...
- 5/19/2023
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
The action sequence montage that was "John Wick: Chapter 4" has cemented the series' status as a serious blockbuster franchise (even though the movie has only slightly outdone the third entry's domestic box office). Director Chad Stahelski's approach recalls that of George Lucas when he conceived of "Raiders of the Lost Ark" as a series of adventure set pieces, then hired writer Lawrence Kasdan to connect them all together narratively. But in Stahelski's case, his John Wick movies are basically a series of insane gun-fu action scenes threaded together with a much more loose narrative and bolstered by multi-layered lore.
And with the latest entry, those action scenes took even more precedence, as Stahelski and his team pushed themselves to outdo previous entries. With a final act that is basically a full hour of non-stop combat and stunt choreography, the director and his team certainly managed to fill the...
And with the latest entry, those action scenes took even more precedence, as Stahelski and his team pushed themselves to outdo previous entries. With a final act that is basically a full hour of non-stop combat and stunt choreography, the director and his team certainly managed to fill the...
- 5/6/2023
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
Although "Heaven's Gate" is now regarded in some circles as a misunderstood masterpiece, Michael Cimino's lavish box office flop had a lot to answer for at the time. Not only was it blamed for the death of the American New Wave, but it was also seen as the final nail in the coffin of the Western. Released in 1980, the subsequent decade was an especially fallow period for the genre, but at least we got "Three Amigos."
The drought lasted almost exactly 10 years until Kevin Costner's "Dances With Wolves" became a massive box office success and went on to win seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director, reinvigorating the oldest and most resilient of U.S. genres once again. Two years after Costner's triumph, Clint Eastwood's harsh but lyrical "Unforgiven" was also a big hit with audiences and won the same big prizes at the Oscars. The Western was back.
The drought lasted almost exactly 10 years until Kevin Costner's "Dances With Wolves" became a massive box office success and went on to win seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director, reinvigorating the oldest and most resilient of U.S. genres once again. Two years after Costner's triumph, Clint Eastwood's harsh but lyrical "Unforgiven" was also a big hit with audiences and won the same big prizes at the Oscars. The Western was back.
- 4/30/2023
- by Lee Adams
- Slash Film
This post contains spoilers for "The Empire Strikes Back."
In 1980, "The Empire Strikes Back" had already screened in about a hundred theaters when executive producer and "Star Wars" creator George Lucas decided that the ending was confusing and needed some last-minute changes. According to StarWars.com, before the movie expanded its theatrical rollout any further, Lucas had the team at Industrial Light & Magic add shots to give clarity to the geography of the Millennium Falcon in relation to the medical frigate where Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), and the droids C-3Po (Anthony Daniels) and R2-D2 (Kenny Baker) stand looking out the window.
It wouldn't be the last time Lucas tinkered with "The Empire Strikes Back," as the version that's now streaming on Disney+ incorporates further changes he made for its 1997 Special Edition re-release. In 2022, Hamill revealed that the medical frigate scene was itself a late...
In 1980, "The Empire Strikes Back" had already screened in about a hundred theaters when executive producer and "Star Wars" creator George Lucas decided that the ending was confusing and needed some last-minute changes. According to StarWars.com, before the movie expanded its theatrical rollout any further, Lucas had the team at Industrial Light & Magic add shots to give clarity to the geography of the Millennium Falcon in relation to the medical frigate where Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), and the droids C-3Po (Anthony Daniels) and R2-D2 (Kenny Baker) stand looking out the window.
It wouldn't be the last time Lucas tinkered with "The Empire Strikes Back," as the version that's now streaming on Disney+ incorporates further changes he made for its 1997 Special Edition re-release. In 2022, Hamill revealed that the medical frigate scene was itself a late...
- 4/29/2023
- by Joshua Meyer
- Slash Film
"Raiders of the Lost Ark" set a new standard for action adventure epics while paying homage to the serial films creator George Lucas grew up on. With its globe-spanning narrative and high-intensity action scenes, "Raiders" introduced a new kind of action hero with Indiana Jones — one who isn't necessarily always one step ahead of his enemies but who always manages to find his way out of trouble in the end. Which is pretty much the story of the film's production, too.
By now, fans are very familiar with behind-the-scenes tales of filming woes and stunt performers narrowly avoiding death. Director Steven Spielberg was amazed that star Harrison Ford and his stunt team survived filming "Raiders of the Lost Ark," given the multiple dangerous stunts and set pieces. Even Ford himself took on many of the perilous feats, including running from a real 300-pound boulder during the film's famous opening segment.
By now, fans are very familiar with behind-the-scenes tales of filming woes and stunt performers narrowly avoiding death. Director Steven Spielberg was amazed that star Harrison Ford and his stunt team survived filming "Raiders of the Lost Ark," given the multiple dangerous stunts and set pieces. Even Ford himself took on many of the perilous feats, including running from a real 300-pound boulder during the film's famous opening segment.
- 4/7/2023
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
Through the 1980s and '90s, cinema lovers were treated to a string of erotic thrillers, a genre that has sadly gone mostly by the wayside since the late 2000s. From Lawrence Kasdan's "Body Heat" to Paul Verhoeven's "Basic Instinct" to Stanley Kubrick's "Eyes Wide Shut," these explorations of sex, fear, and power have made for some truly crackerjack pictures that can satisfy people's intellectual and prurient desires.
If you were to choose one movie from that era to hold up as the prototypical erotic thriller, I think nine out of ten people would select 1987's "Fatal Attraction," starring Michael Douglas and Glen Close and directed by the genre's great master Adrian Lyne. This tale of a married man having an affair with a woman who is ... clingy ... still plays like a rip-roaring roller coaster 36 years after its release, and for many people, this is the film...
If you were to choose one movie from that era to hold up as the prototypical erotic thriller, I think nine out of ten people would select 1987's "Fatal Attraction," starring Michael Douglas and Glen Close and directed by the genre's great master Adrian Lyne. This tale of a married man having an affair with a woman who is ... clingy ... still plays like a rip-roaring roller coaster 36 years after its release, and for many people, this is the film...
- 4/3/2023
- by Mike Shutt
- Slash Film
The origins of Lawrence Kasdan's "Wyatt Earp" rest within the troubled production of Kurt Russell's "Tombstone". In the early 1990s, Kevin Costner, who was busily branding himself as an all-American hybrid of Gary Cooper and James Stewart, hooked up with "Glory" screenwriter Kevin Jarre to make "Tombstone," an epic film about the legendary, real-life lawman. This would've afforded the ambitious Costner a connection to another red-white-and-blue big-screen icon, Henry Fonda, who'd turned in what was then considered the definitive performance of Earp in John Ford's 1946 classic, "My Darling Clementine."
But Costner, who'd just won Oscars for Best Picture and Director with "Dances with Wolves," disapproved of Jarre's ensemble vision. He wanted his warts-and-all take on Earp to be the film's sole focus. When Jarre resisted, Costner bolted the project and pursued his own telling of Earp's tale.
Costner wisely took his Earp film to Kasdan, who had...
But Costner, who'd just won Oscars for Best Picture and Director with "Dances with Wolves," disapproved of Jarre's ensemble vision. He wanted his warts-and-all take on Earp to be the film's sole focus. When Jarre resisted, Costner bolted the project and pursued his own telling of Earp's tale.
Costner wisely took his Earp film to Kasdan, who had...
- 4/1/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Welcome to The Best Movie You Never Saw, a column dedicated to examining films that have flown under the radar or gained traction throughout the years, earning them a place as a cult classic or underrated gem that was either before it’s time and/or has aged like a fine wine.
This week we’ll be looking at Silverado!
The Story: Fresh off a five year stint in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, Emmett (Scott Glenn), a cowboy, heads to a small town called Silverado to pick up his kind-hearted but deadly younger brother, Jake (Kevin Costner), picking up a gambler, Paden (Kevin Kline) and a black cowboy named Mal (Danny Glover) along the way. Once in Silverado, they realize the town is being ruled by Emmett’s old nemesis, who’s in-league with a former friend of Paden’s – the town sheriff – Cobb (Brian Dennehy). Eager to settle down,...
This week we’ll be looking at Silverado!
The Story: Fresh off a five year stint in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, Emmett (Scott Glenn), a cowboy, heads to a small town called Silverado to pick up his kind-hearted but deadly younger brother, Jake (Kevin Costner), picking up a gambler, Paden (Kevin Kline) and a black cowboy named Mal (Danny Glover) along the way. Once in Silverado, they realize the town is being ruled by Emmett’s old nemesis, who’s in-league with a former friend of Paden’s – the town sheriff – Cobb (Brian Dennehy). Eager to settle down,...
- 3/23/2023
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
The wild, wild world of "Star Wars" has been rocked by yet another creative attachment. Variety reports that the currently untitled "Star Wars" film that Lucasfilm has been developing for "Ms. Marvel" director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy has got a new, big-name writer on board after the high-profile departure of Damon Lindelof and Justin Britt-Gibson.
That new writer is none other than "Peaky Blinders" creator Steven Knight.
Now, we don't know much of anything about this new "Star Wars" movie. Is it a one-off? Is it the start of a brand new saga told in this universe? Maybe it's Episode 10 and will pick back up with Rey, Finn, and Poe? We have no idea, but we do know that Lucasfilm took a break from their theatrical "Star Wars" projects after wrapping up the Skywalker Saga with "Star Wars: Episode 9 — The Rise of Skywalker," much to the chagrin of a ton of creatives...
That new writer is none other than "Peaky Blinders" creator Steven Knight.
Now, we don't know much of anything about this new "Star Wars" movie. Is it a one-off? Is it the start of a brand new saga told in this universe? Maybe it's Episode 10 and will pick back up with Rey, Finn, and Poe? We have no idea, but we do know that Lucasfilm took a break from their theatrical "Star Wars" projects after wrapping up the Skywalker Saga with "Star Wars: Episode 9 — The Rise of Skywalker," much to the chagrin of a ton of creatives...
- 3/23/2023
- by Eric Vespe
- Slash Film
Good news for those who wish to know what their Twitter feed’s jacking off to: the Criterion Channel are launching an erotic thriller series that includes De Palma’s Dressed to Kill and Body Double, the Wachowskis’ Bound, and so many other movies to stir up that ceaseless, fruitless “why do movies have sex scenes?” discourse. (Better or worse than middle-age film critics implying they have a hard-on? I’m so indignant at being forced to choose.) Similarly lurid, if not a bit more frightening, is a David Lynch retro that includes the Criterion editions of Lost Highway and Inland Empire (about which I spoke to Lynch last year), a series of shorts, and a one-month-only engagement for Dune, a film that should be there in perpetuity.
Retrospectives of Harold Lloyd, Rohmer’s Tales of the Four Seasons, and shorts by Fanta Régina Nacro round out the big debuts,...
Retrospectives of Harold Lloyd, Rohmer’s Tales of the Four Seasons, and shorts by Fanta Régina Nacro round out the big debuts,...
- 3/20/2023
- by Nick Newman
- The Film Stage
It looks like the much-hyped Willow series on Disney Plus will not be getting a second season. The news came down today via Deadline that the eight-episode series will not be returning, which maybe shouldn’t count as a massive surprise given the recent focus from Lucasfilm on Star Wars shows. Willow was always a more niche title, and while critics mostly liked the show (our own critic Alex Maidy adored it), the audience score on Rotten Tomatoes was a mediocre 66%. Indeed, the show never really captured the zeitgeist in the way a series like The Mandalorian did, although fans hoped perhaps it would build up some cult status over time.
Of course, just because Willow won’t be returning for a second season doesn’t mean the saga is over, as it’s possible Disney could go back to the drawing board and revisit the property in some way.
Of course, just because Willow won’t be returning for a second season doesn’t mean the saga is over, as it’s possible Disney could go back to the drawing board and revisit the property in some way.
- 3/15/2023
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
The Star Wars franchise boasts a whole lot of rogues, from Han Solo (Harrison Ford) to Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), but none can hold a candle to Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams) in the charm department. From the first moment we meet him in "Star Wars: Episode V -- The Empire Strikes Back," the man oozes charisma from every pore. Part of it is Williams' natural charisma (which was carried on beautifully with Donald Glover's portrayal in "Solo: A Star Wars Story"). Part of it is the delivery of lines like, "Everything you've heard about me is true." A very big part of it is that cape he always has on. Williams swirls that thing around and wears it like he was born in it.
For a quick refresher -- not that anyone could forget Lando -- this gambler and con man-turned General of the Rebellion met Han Solo...
For a quick refresher -- not that anyone could forget Lando -- this gambler and con man-turned General of the Rebellion met Han Solo...
- 3/12/2023
- by Jenna Busch
- Slash Film
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