Jerry Herman’s musical “Hello, Dolly!” dominated the 18th Tony Awards which took place at the New York Hilton on May 24, 1964. “Hello, Dolly!” entered the ceremony with 11 nominations and walked out with ten awards including best musical, best actress for Carol Channing, original score for Herman and for Gower Champion’s choreography and direction.
Other musicals in contention for multiple awards that year were “High Spirits,” based on Noel Coward’s classic comedy “Blithe Spirit,” “Funny Girl,” which transformed Barbra Streisand into a Broadway superstar, and “110 in the Shade,” based on the straight play “The Rainmaker.”
Bert Lahr, best known as the Cowardly Lion in the 1939 classic “The Wizard of Oz,” won lead actor in a musical for “Foxy,” based on Ben Jonson’s “Volpone.” The musical was not a hit closed after 72 performances. Also nominated in the category was Bob Fosse for a short-lived revival of Rodgers and Hart’s “Pal Joey.
Other musicals in contention for multiple awards that year were “High Spirits,” based on Noel Coward’s classic comedy “Blithe Spirit,” “Funny Girl,” which transformed Barbra Streisand into a Broadway superstar, and “110 in the Shade,” based on the straight play “The Rainmaker.”
Bert Lahr, best known as the Cowardly Lion in the 1939 classic “The Wizard of Oz,” won lead actor in a musical for “Foxy,” based on Ben Jonson’s “Volpone.” The musical was not a hit closed after 72 performances. Also nominated in the category was Bob Fosse for a short-lived revival of Rodgers and Hart’s “Pal Joey.
- 5/15/2024
- by Susan King
- Gold Derby
Mark Damon, the former spaghetti western leading man who turned to a pioneering career in independent sales and financing and was a fixture at the film markets, has died on the eve of Cannes. He was 91.
Damon’s representatives confirmed he died in Los Angeles on Sunday (May 12).
Damon produced, packaged and sold numerous films and led Producer Sales Organization (Pso), Vision International, Mdp Worldwide, Media 8, and most recently Foresight Unlimited.
He attended Cannes dozens of times and produced or served as executive producer on more than 70 films.
One of his most illustrious producer credits came at Media 8 with Patty Jenkins’ Monster.
Damon’s representatives confirmed he died in Los Angeles on Sunday (May 12).
Damon produced, packaged and sold numerous films and led Producer Sales Organization (Pso), Vision International, Mdp Worldwide, Media 8, and most recently Foresight Unlimited.
He attended Cannes dozens of times and produced or served as executive producer on more than 70 films.
One of his most illustrious producer credits came at Media 8 with Patty Jenkins’ Monster.
- 5/12/2024
- ScreenDaily
It’s St. Patrick’s Day, and Syfy’s celebrating accordingly with a marathon of the Leprechaun movies. But if you’re looking for horror inspiration beyond the pint-sized killer’s holiday-appropriate franchise, a vast world of worthy Irish horror movies is available at your fingertips.
If you’re feeling lucky, here are ten Irish horror movies you can stream today.
Grabbers – AMC+
If you’re in the mood for a horror-comedy creature feature, this movie is the answer. A small island off the coast of Ireland becomes ground zero to an alien invasion. These tentacled monsters, dubbed Grabbers by the locals, have an affinity for human blood. That’s terrible news for the locals until they discover alcohol is highly toxic to the spaced invaders. Naturally, they deduce the only way to survive the attack is to get hammered. Drunk villagers versus man-eating aliens make for an entertaining way to spend St.
If you’re feeling lucky, here are ten Irish horror movies you can stream today.
Grabbers – AMC+
If you’re in the mood for a horror-comedy creature feature, this movie is the answer. A small island off the coast of Ireland becomes ground zero to an alien invasion. These tentacled monsters, dubbed Grabbers by the locals, have an affinity for human blood. That’s terrible news for the locals until they discover alcohol is highly toxic to the spaced invaders. Naturally, they deduce the only way to survive the attack is to get hammered. Drunk villagers versus man-eating aliens make for an entertaining way to spend St.
- 3/17/2023
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
Liam Neeson has now starred in 100 films, only a quarter of which are "Taken" sequels. I kid, I kid! Even 15 years into his surprising late-career run as an action star (going back to the original "Taken" in 2008), the Irish thespian retains an eclectic body of work under his belt. Since he started acting in the late 1970s, Neeson's starred in high-art dramas, auteur-driven period pieces, raunchy burlesques, pulpy blockbusters, classic literary adaptations, cheeky animated films, and, yes, more action movies about deadly old-timers than you can shake a stick at. Also, he played Jesus once. Twice, if Aslan from "Chronicles of Narnia" counts.
"Marlowe," which officially gives Neeson 100 movies to his name, casts the actor as Raymond Chandler's famous hard-boiled private eye Philip Marlowe in a story based on John Banville's 2014 novel, "The Black-Eyed Blonde." The movie also reunites Neeson with director Neil Jordan for their latest go-round...
"Marlowe," which officially gives Neeson 100 movies to his name, casts the actor as Raymond Chandler's famous hard-boiled private eye Philip Marlowe in a story based on John Banville's 2014 novel, "The Black-Eyed Blonde." The movie also reunites Neeson with director Neil Jordan for their latest go-round...
- 3/7/2023
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
Liam Neeson celebrated his 100th film “Marlowe” during a special screening Wednesday night at New York City’s Crosby Street Hotel.
“How did I get so lucky? Do you ever get moments like that? Where you think, if I was 15 years of age in a chemistry class or a math lesson in school, and someone showed you a video of where you are now — you’d say, ‘I don’t believe it,’” Neeson told Variety. “Especially working with Jessica Lange, Alan Cumming, Diane Kruger. It’s just a great cast.”
Based on John Banville’s novel “The Black-Eyed Blonde,” the neo-noir crime thriller follows Raymond Chandler’s iconic detective Philip Marlowe (Neeson), who is hired to find heiress Clare Cavendish’s (Diane Kruger) missing former lover.
Although the private eye has been portrayed by such screen veterans as Humphrey Bogart, Elliott Gould and Robert Mitchum, Neeson “didn’t feel intimidated by these other actors,...
“How did I get so lucky? Do you ever get moments like that? Where you think, if I was 15 years of age in a chemistry class or a math lesson in school, and someone showed you a video of where you are now — you’d say, ‘I don’t believe it,’” Neeson told Variety. “Especially working with Jessica Lange, Alan Cumming, Diane Kruger. It’s just a great cast.”
Based on John Banville’s novel “The Black-Eyed Blonde,” the neo-noir crime thriller follows Raymond Chandler’s iconic detective Philip Marlowe (Neeson), who is hired to find heiress Clare Cavendish’s (Diane Kruger) missing former lover.
Although the private eye has been portrayed by such screen veterans as Humphrey Bogart, Elliott Gould and Robert Mitchum, Neeson “didn’t feel intimidated by these other actors,...
- 2/21/2023
- by Michaela Zee
- Variety Film + TV
Raymond Chandler’s Philip Marlowe has been played by some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. To many, Humphrey Bogart remains the definitive Marlowe, based on his performance in Howard Hawks’ The Big Sleep, but film noir afficianados will often cite Murder My Sweet’s Dick Powell, or later iterations, like Robert Mitchum in Farewell My Lovely or Elliot Gould in The Long Goodbye as the best. Indeed, Liam Neeson is stepping into some mighty big shoes with his new movie, Marlowe, but if anyone can go toe-to-toe with Mitchum or Bogart, it’s Neeson, right?
To help bring Marlowe to the big screen, Neeson recruited one of his most frequent directors, Neil Jordan. The two famously worked together on Michael Collins, as well as the earlier High Spirits and the more recent (underrated) Breakfast on Pluto, and are set to reteam again on a new prison break thriller filming this year.
To help bring Marlowe to the big screen, Neeson recruited one of his most frequent directors, Neil Jordan. The two famously worked together on Michael Collins, as well as the earlier High Spirits and the more recent (underrated) Breakfast on Pluto, and are set to reteam again on a new prison break thriller filming this year.
- 2/19/2023
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Neil Jordan's new detective movie "Marlowe," starring Liam Neeson, is the director's first since "Greta" in 2018. Jordan may be one of the moodiest filmmakers working, and the smoky mysteries of film noir seem especially suited to his skills. "Marlowe" does indeed feature the famous P.I. created by Raymond Chandler in his 1939 novel "The Big Sleep," but it is not based on any of Chandler's works. Instead, the screenplay, by William Monahan ("The Departed") is based on a spinoff Marlowe novel called "The Black-Eyed Blonde" by John Banville. True to the genre, "Marlowe" is about the eponymous detective's search for the ex-lover of a rich heiress (Diane Kruger). A notable piece of trivia: "Marlowe" constitutes Neeson's 100th official screen credit.
As of this writing, "Marlowe" is not enjoying the best reviews (it currently has a 23 approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes), but fans of film noir would do well to...
As of this writing, "Marlowe" is not enjoying the best reviews (it currently has a 23 approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes), but fans of film noir would do well to...
- 2/17/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Plot: In 1939 Los Angeles, hard-boiled private detective Philip Marlowe (Liam Neeson) is hired by the daughter (Diane Kruger) of a legendary silent star (Jessica Lange) to find a prop man who went missing. Marlowe quickly finds himself embroiled in a case involving drugs, murder, and secrets that the powers-that-be in Hollywood would like kept secret.
Review: With Marlowe, Liam Neeson finds himself stepping into the shoes of perhaps the most iconic film noir hero of all time. Writer Raymond Chandler’s books were big favourites in Tinseltown in the forties, with Dick Powell (Murder My Sweet), Humphrey Bogart (The Big Sleep) and many more playing Philip Marlowe during the peak noir era. In the seventies neo-noir revival years, the character once again became hip, with Robert Mitchum playing an older Marlowe in Farewell My Lovely and a remake of The Big Sleep. In contrast, Elliot Gould played a hip, spaced-out...
Review: With Marlowe, Liam Neeson finds himself stepping into the shoes of perhaps the most iconic film noir hero of all time. Writer Raymond Chandler’s books were big favourites in Tinseltown in the forties, with Dick Powell (Murder My Sweet), Humphrey Bogart (The Big Sleep) and many more playing Philip Marlowe during the peak noir era. In the seventies neo-noir revival years, the character once again became hip, with Robert Mitchum playing an older Marlowe in Farewell My Lovely and a remake of The Big Sleep. In contrast, Elliot Gould played a hip, spaced-out...
- 2/14/2023
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Open Road Films is joining forces with Liam Neeson for Marlowe, a noir crime thriller boasting a star-studded cast that will make your head spin. Diane Kruger, Jessica Lange, Danny Huston, Alan Cumming, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Ian Hart, Colm Meaney, Daniela Melchior, and Francois Arnaud join Neeson as cast members, with Academy Award winner Neil Jordan directing from a script by William Monahan.
Based on Booker Prize-winning author John Banville’s book The Black-Eyed Blonde, Marlowe presents “a gripping noir crime thriller set in late 1930’s Bay City, centers around a brooding, down-on-his-luck detective; Philip Marlowe, played by Liam Neeson, who is hired to find the ex-lover of a glamorous heiress (Diane Kruger), daughter of a well-known movie star (Jessica Lange). The disappearance is the first twist in a series of bewildering events, and soon Marlowe is embroiled in a deadly investigation and web of lies that he’s determined to bring to light.
Based on Booker Prize-winning author John Banville’s book The Black-Eyed Blonde, Marlowe presents “a gripping noir crime thriller set in late 1930’s Bay City, centers around a brooding, down-on-his-luck detective; Philip Marlowe, played by Liam Neeson, who is hired to find the ex-lover of a glamorous heiress (Diane Kruger), daughter of a well-known movie star (Jessica Lange). The disappearance is the first twist in a series of bewildering events, and soon Marlowe is embroiled in a deadly investigation and web of lies that he’s determined to bring to light.
- 8/29/2022
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Robert Fletcher, a prolific costume designer who worked on the original four “Star Trek” films and had a long career in theater, has died. He was 98.
Fletcher died peacefully in Kansas City, Mo., on April 5. No cause of death was provided.
Robert “Bob” Fletcher worked as a costume designer for over six decades, crafting the iconic look of the Klingons and the Vulcans in the original “Star Trek” movies, starting with “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” in 1979. His last feature film was “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home” in 1986, and he’s credited with imagining the “monster maroon” Starfleet uniforms worn by William Shatner and company.
Fletcher also had an extensive career in theater, working as a costume designer on the original Broadway productions of the musicals “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” and “Walking Happy.” He also worked alongside Orson Welles as an actor in a 1956 production...
Fletcher died peacefully in Kansas City, Mo., on April 5. No cause of death was provided.
Robert “Bob” Fletcher worked as a costume designer for over six decades, crafting the iconic look of the Klingons and the Vulcans in the original “Star Trek” movies, starting with “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” in 1979. His last feature film was “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home” in 1986, and he’s credited with imagining the “monster maroon” Starfleet uniforms worn by William Shatner and company.
Fletcher also had an extensive career in theater, working as a costume designer on the original Broadway productions of the musicals “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” and “Walking Happy.” He also worked alongside Orson Welles as an actor in a 1956 production...
- 4/14/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Robert Fletcher, a costumer designer whose more than six decades of credits on screen and the Broadway stage included the first four Star Trek films, died April 5 in Kansas City, Missouri. He was 98.
A cause of death was not disclosed, but a spokesman for the three-time Tony-nominated Fletcher said the designer died peacefully.
Fletcher’s work on the Star Trek films – Star Trek: The Motion Picture, The Wrath of Khan, The Search for Spock and The Voyage Home – earned him three Saturn Awards nominations including a win in 1987 for the fourth film in the series. He was especially remembered for establishing the look and style of the movie franchise’s Klingon and Vulcan characters.
For the stage, Fletcher designed sets and costumes for Lincoln Kirstein’s ballet and opera projects, worked with Jerome Robbins, designed the costumes for the original Broadway productions of...
A cause of death was not disclosed, but a spokesman for the three-time Tony-nominated Fletcher said the designer died peacefully.
Fletcher’s work on the Star Trek films – Star Trek: The Motion Picture, The Wrath of Khan, The Search for Spock and The Voyage Home – earned him three Saturn Awards nominations including a win in 1987 for the fourth film in the series. He was especially remembered for establishing the look and style of the movie franchise’s Klingon and Vulcan characters.
For the stage, Fletcher designed sets and costumes for Lincoln Kirstein’s ballet and opera projects, worked with Jerome Robbins, designed the costumes for the original Broadway productions of...
- 4/14/2021
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
How to describe “Blithe Spirit,” a play that switches genres more times than one can count? Is it a comedy, a drama, a romance, a murder mystery? Is it art or exploitation? It’s, actually, all of the above.
Noel Coward’s “Blithe Spirit” is a whole lot of genre: a screwball comedy about paranormal activity, dressed as a period piece. The play has been staged numerous times on the West End and on Broadway, adapted as a musical (“High Spirits“) and filmed as a movie in 1945, directed by David Lean.
Continue reading ‘Blithe Spirit’ Is A Wildly Uneven, Repetitive Ghost Of A Comedy [Review] at The Playlist.
Noel Coward’s “Blithe Spirit” is a whole lot of genre: a screwball comedy about paranormal activity, dressed as a period piece. The play has been staged numerous times on the West End and on Broadway, adapted as a musical (“High Spirits“) and filmed as a movie in 1945, directed by David Lean.
Continue reading ‘Blithe Spirit’ Is A Wildly Uneven, Repetitive Ghost Of A Comedy [Review] at The Playlist.
- 2/26/2021
- by Asher Luberto
- The Playlist
The Haunted Comedy is a genre that probably reached its height in the 1940s with movies like Abbott and Costello's Hold that Ghost.
There was another wave of them during the 1980s with Haunted Honeymoon starring Gene Wilder and Gilda Radner, and High Spirits with Steve Guttenberg and Daryl Hannah.
To be clear, a haunted comedy is not the same as the horror comedies of the 90s like the Scream spoofs of the Scary Movie franchise.
Ghost Light is a comedy first, and one that deals with the goofy antics of the theater crowd.
Tempting Fate Review: Mistakes Were Made!
It's through their idiosyncracies and superstitions that the haunting gets explored.
If you didn't know, one of those superstitions is that the play, Macbeth, is cursed. You can't say the title lest the entire production get cursed.
Quoting lines before the production is also verboten, especially when noting the witches incantations.
There was another wave of them during the 1980s with Haunted Honeymoon starring Gene Wilder and Gilda Radner, and High Spirits with Steve Guttenberg and Daryl Hannah.
To be clear, a haunted comedy is not the same as the horror comedies of the 90s like the Scream spoofs of the Scary Movie franchise.
Ghost Light is a comedy first, and one that deals with the goofy antics of the theater crowd.
Tempting Fate Review: Mistakes Were Made!
It's through their idiosyncracies and superstitions that the haunting gets explored.
If you didn't know, one of those superstitions is that the play, Macbeth, is cursed. You can't say the title lest the entire production get cursed.
Quoting lines before the production is also verboten, especially when noting the witches incantations.
- 6/17/2019
- by Carissa Pavlica
- TVfanatic
Sinister spirits set their sights on Carol Ann’s new high-rise home in Scream Factory’s Poltergeist III Collector’s Edition Blu-ray, and to celebrate the January 31st release of the film, we’ve been provided with three copies to give away to Daily Dead readers.
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Prize Details: (3) Winners will receive (1) Collector’s Edition Blu-ray copy of Poltergeist III.
How to Enter: For a chance to win, email contest@dailydead.com with the subject “Poltergeist III Contest”. Be sure to include your name and mailing address.
Entry Details: The contest will end at 12:01am Est on February 5th. This contest is only open to those who are eighteen years of age or older that live in the United States. Only one entry per household will be accepted.
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Poltergeist III (Collector’s Edition Blu-ray): “They are back….again! And they’re looking for Carol Ann in this riveting finale to the Poltergeist trilogy.
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Prize Details: (3) Winners will receive (1) Collector’s Edition Blu-ray copy of Poltergeist III.
How to Enter: For a chance to win, email contest@dailydead.com with the subject “Poltergeist III Contest”. Be sure to include your name and mailing address.
Entry Details: The contest will end at 12:01am Est on February 5th. This contest is only open to those who are eighteen years of age or older that live in the United States. Only one entry per household will be accepted.
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Poltergeist III (Collector’s Edition Blu-ray): “They are back….again! And they’re looking for Carol Ann in this riveting finale to the Poltergeist trilogy.
- 1/31/2017
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Scream Factory welcomes back the spirits that plagued the Freeling family with their respective Collector’s Edition Blu-rays of Poltergeist II: The Other Side and Poltergeist III, and to get you prepped for the January 31st releases, we have high-def clips and trailers from both films for you to enjoy.
Poltergeist II: The Other Side (Collector’s Edition Blu-ray): “In this thrilling follow-up to the smash hit Poltergeist, the Freeling family (JoBeth Williams, Craig T. Nelson, Heather O’Rourke, Oliver Robins) settles into a new home following the annihilation of their former residence by terrifying visitors from the netherworld. But the spirits of the dead are still hell-bent on luring the family’s clairvoyant daughter Carol Anne to “the other side.” This chilling sequel, directed by Brian Gibson (Breaking Glass) also stars Will Sampson (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest), Julian Beck (The Cotton Club) and Zelda Rubinstein (Anguish) returns as Tangina.
Poltergeist II: The Other Side (Collector’s Edition Blu-ray): “In this thrilling follow-up to the smash hit Poltergeist, the Freeling family (JoBeth Williams, Craig T. Nelson, Heather O’Rourke, Oliver Robins) settles into a new home following the annihilation of their former residence by terrifying visitors from the netherworld. But the spirits of the dead are still hell-bent on luring the family’s clairvoyant daughter Carol Anne to “the other side.” This chilling sequel, directed by Brian Gibson (Breaking Glass) also stars Will Sampson (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest), Julian Beck (The Cotton Club) and Zelda Rubinstein (Anguish) returns as Tangina.
- 1/27/2017
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
This week the Broadwaysted crew is painting the town all the colors with theatrical caricature artist and actor Justin 'Squigs' Robertson. EnemyoftheShow and Kimberly's fiance Jay Schmidt again fills in for Kevin who's still in Chicago for the run of his musical 'Daphne's Sunset' as the group pours out some beer and wine and lots of laughs. Squigs shares the origin of his nickname, his love of 'High Spirits,' and his process of immortalizing a show in a drawing.
- 8/30/2016
- by Broadwaysted
- BroadwayWorld.com
As Paul Feig’s Ghostbusters reboot hits cinemas this week, how familiar are you with other movie ghouls?
Ghost Town
The Sixth Sense
The Haunting
Over Her Dead Body
Shutter
Dark Water
The Eye
The Grudge
Lady in White
Poltergeist
Beetlejuice
Hellraiser
Thirteen Ghosts
House on Haunted Hill
Ghosts of Mars
What Lies Beneath
The Haunting
The Innocents
Carnival of Souls
The Terror
Stir of Echoes
Mama
The Conjuring
Insidious
The Haunted Mansion
A Haunted House
Heart and Souls
The Frighteners
High Spirits
Haunted
House
Scrooged
Safe Haven
The Pact
Just Like Heaven
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
Casper
Campfire Tales
Ghostbusters II
Ghost Dad
7 and above.
You showed real spirit
0 and above.
You never stood a ghost of a chance
4 and above.
That was a bust
Continue reading...
Ghost Town
The Sixth Sense
The Haunting
Over Her Dead Body
Shutter
Dark Water
The Eye
The Grudge
Lady in White
Poltergeist
Beetlejuice
Hellraiser
Thirteen Ghosts
House on Haunted Hill
Ghosts of Mars
What Lies Beneath
The Haunting
The Innocents
Carnival of Souls
The Terror
Stir of Echoes
Mama
The Conjuring
Insidious
The Haunted Mansion
A Haunted House
Heart and Souls
The Frighteners
High Spirits
Haunted
House
Scrooged
Safe Haven
The Pact
Just Like Heaven
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
Casper
Campfire Tales
Ghostbusters II
Ghost Dad
7 and above.
You showed real spirit
0 and above.
You never stood a ghost of a chance
4 and above.
That was a bust
Continue reading...
- 7/12/2016
- by Benjamin Lee
- The Guardian - Film News
World’s second longest-serving film festival director died last week while attending Graz film festival.
Filmmakers in Germany and beyond are mourning the passing of Heinz Badewitz, the founder of the Hof Film Days, who died unexpectedly last week at the age of 74 whilst attending last week’s Diagonale - Festival of Austrian Film in Graz.
Badewitz was the world’s second longest-serving film festival director after Chicago’s Michael Kutza (who launched his festival in 1964) and was planning Hof’s 50th anniversary in October.
Hailing from Hof in Northern Franconia, Badewitz had moved to Munich in the early 1960s to train as a cameraman and soon became part of the Munich film scene, later working as location manager on such films as Wim Wenders’ Kings Of The Road and The American Friend, and assistant director for Bob Fosse’s Cabaret and Norman Jewison’s Rollerball.
In addition, he was involved in the selection of German films for...
Filmmakers in Germany and beyond are mourning the passing of Heinz Badewitz, the founder of the Hof Film Days, who died unexpectedly last week at the age of 74 whilst attending last week’s Diagonale - Festival of Austrian Film in Graz.
Badewitz was the world’s second longest-serving film festival director after Chicago’s Michael Kutza (who launched his festival in 1964) and was planning Hof’s 50th anniversary in October.
Hailing from Hof in Northern Franconia, Badewitz had moved to Munich in the early 1960s to train as a cameraman and soon became part of the Munich film scene, later working as location manager on such films as Wim Wenders’ Kings Of The Road and The American Friend, and assistant director for Bob Fosse’s Cabaret and Norman Jewison’s Rollerball.
In addition, he was involved in the selection of German films for...
- 3/14/2016
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
Low Spirits: Galland’s Energetic Supernatural Comedy Doesn’t Retain Dominion
The increasingly tenuous distinction between what constitutes either horror or comedy is further exemplified in Ava’s Possessions, the third feature from multifaceted Jordan Galland. A modified spin on the popular subgenre of demonic possession and exorcism titles that we’ve long been familiar with, Galland’s latest is a comedy marinated generously with supernatural elements. Amusing yet never as clever as one would hope it to be, this plays rather like the simple structure of mainstream fodder like The Hangover parading around in a Halloween costume. Those hoping for something eerie, creepy, or atmospheric will be disappointed, but fans of its attractive cast and some impressive production elements makes this more appealing than dubious detractors may predict.
Ava’s (Louisa Krause) been possessed by a demon for the past month, but with the support of her parents (Deborah Rush,...
The increasingly tenuous distinction between what constitutes either horror or comedy is further exemplified in Ava’s Possessions, the third feature from multifaceted Jordan Galland. A modified spin on the popular subgenre of demonic possession and exorcism titles that we’ve long been familiar with, Galland’s latest is a comedy marinated generously with supernatural elements. Amusing yet never as clever as one would hope it to be, this plays rather like the simple structure of mainstream fodder like The Hangover parading around in a Halloween costume. Those hoping for something eerie, creepy, or atmospheric will be disappointed, but fans of its attractive cast and some impressive production elements makes this more appealing than dubious detractors may predict.
Ava’s (Louisa Krause) been possessed by a demon for the past month, but with the support of her parents (Deborah Rush,...
- 3/17/2015
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
Here are your new releases for February 10th, 2015:
Nightcrawler. Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy + UltraViolet Universal Studios. 2014.
A young man stumbles upon the underground world of L.A. freelance crime journalism.
Don’t Look Now. The Criterion Collection Criterion. 1973.
Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie mesmerize as a married couple on an extended trip to Venice following a family tragedy. While in that elegantly decaying city, they have a series of inexplicable, terrifying, and increasingly dangerous experiences. A masterpiece from Nicolas Roeg, Don’t Look Now, adapted from a story by Daphne du Maurier, is a brilliantly disturbing tale of the supernatural, as renowned for its innovative editing and haunting cinematography as its explicit eroticism and unforgettable denouement, one of the great endings in horror history.
Predestination. Sony Pictures. 2014.
The life of a Temporal Agent sent on an intricate series of time-travel journeys designed to ensure the continuation of his law enforcement career for all eternity.
Nightcrawler. Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy + UltraViolet Universal Studios. 2014.
A young man stumbles upon the underground world of L.A. freelance crime journalism.
Don’t Look Now. The Criterion Collection Criterion. 1973.
Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie mesmerize as a married couple on an extended trip to Venice following a family tragedy. While in that elegantly decaying city, they have a series of inexplicable, terrifying, and increasingly dangerous experiences. A masterpiece from Nicolas Roeg, Don’t Look Now, adapted from a story by Daphne du Maurier, is a brilliantly disturbing tale of the supernatural, as renowned for its innovative editing and haunting cinematography as its explicit eroticism and unforgettable denouement, one of the great endings in horror history.
Predestination. Sony Pictures. 2014.
The life of a Temporal Agent sent on an intricate series of time-travel journeys designed to ensure the continuation of his law enforcement career for all eternity.
- 2/10/2015
- by Sarah Skidmore
- Destroy the Brain
For the week of February 10th, your horror and sci-fi home entertainment choices are practically boundless, as we’ve got a bevy of great films being released (something that might be helpful for those of you still in search for a gift for your Valentine). Scream Factory is pulling double-duty with both of their dual Blu-ray releases, Love at First Bite/Once Bitten and Vampire’s Kiss/High Spirits, and the cult classic Nekromantik 2 is getting a high def upgrade as well.
Other notable titles to look forward to this Tuesday include Nightcrawler, Predestination, Fear Clinic, Z Nation: Season One and the Criterion release for the classic thriller Don’t Look Now.
Love at First Bite/Once Bitten (Scream Factory, Blu-ray)
Love At First Bite: George Hamilton is possibly the tannest vampire in screen history in 1979’s Love at First Bite. When Count Dracula (Hamilton) is forced...
Other notable titles to look forward to this Tuesday include Nightcrawler, Predestination, Fear Clinic, Z Nation: Season One and the Criterion release for the classic thriller Don’t Look Now.
Love at First Bite/Once Bitten (Scream Factory, Blu-ray)
Love At First Bite: George Hamilton is possibly the tannest vampire in screen history in 1979’s Love at First Bite. When Count Dracula (Hamilton) is forced...
- 2/10/2015
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
Love can be complicated, especially when a relationship has supernatural elements. With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, Scream Factory is about to release two Blu-ray double features that celebrate love in various forms: the obsessive nature of Nicolas Cage’s Peter Loew in Vampire’s Kiss, the ghost/human coupling in High Spirits, the desperate seeking of companionship in Love at First Bite, and the wide-eyed puppy love of Jim Carrey’s Mark Kendall in Once Bitten.
These double bill Blu-rays are due out from Scream Factory on February 10th, and we have a batch of clips and trailers from the films that tease the pleasures and pains of paranormal romance and supernatural seduction.
High Spirits: “Daryl Hannah, Peter O’Toole, Steve Guttenberg, Beverly D’Angelo, Jennifer Tilly, Peter Gallagher and Liam Neeson star in this hilariously haunting comedy! When a castle-turned-hotel owned by Peter Plunkett (O...
These double bill Blu-rays are due out from Scream Factory on February 10th, and we have a batch of clips and trailers from the films that tease the pleasures and pains of paranormal romance and supernatural seduction.
High Spirits: “Daryl Hannah, Peter O’Toole, Steve Guttenberg, Beverly D’Angelo, Jennifer Tilly, Peter Gallagher and Liam Neeson star in this hilariously haunting comedy! When a castle-turned-hotel owned by Peter Plunkett (O...
- 2/5/2015
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Scream Factory’S February Of Frights And Funnies
Love At First Bite & Once Bitten, Vampire’S Kiss & High Spirits,
And New Year’S Evil On Blu-ray In February 2015
Sink your teeth into a pair of fangtastic vampire comedies, Love At First Bite and Once Bitten, on February 10, 2015 for the first time on Blu-ray!
Love At First Bite
George Hamilton is possibly the tannest vampire in … Continue reading →
Horrornews.net...
Love At First Bite & Once Bitten, Vampire’S Kiss & High Spirits,
And New Year’S Evil On Blu-ray In February 2015
Sink your teeth into a pair of fangtastic vampire comedies, Love At First Bite and Once Bitten, on February 10, 2015 for the first time on Blu-ray!
Love At First Bite
George Hamilton is possibly the tannest vampire in … Continue reading →
Horrornews.net...
- 1/6/2015
- by Horrornews.net
- Horror News
The presenters for this year's American Music Awards are shaping up to be quite the diverse bunch. Dick Clark Productions and ABC announced Monday that the 2014 American Music Awards will feature presenters including “Orange Is the New Black” stars Uzo Aduba and Taylor Schilling, model Heidi Klum, musician Aloe Blacc and “Django Unchained” star Jamie Foxx. See photos: American Music Awards Red Carpet: High Notes, High Spirits Olivia Munn, Kylie and Kendall Jenner, Julianne Hough, Jessie J, Elizabeth Banks and ‘Shameless” star Emmy Rossum will also be on hand to dish out awards at the ceremony, which will be broadcast live.
- 11/10/2014
- by Tim Kenneally
- The Wrap
Eight time Academy Award nominated actor Peter O'Toole has died. BBC News reported that the actor had died yesterday at Wellington hospital after suffering from a long illness. He was 81. Mr. O'Toole had a long list of movie credits in his career, from "Laurence of Arabia" (1962), "The Lion in Winter" (1968), "High Spirits" (1988) and "Troy" (2004). He was better known to comic book movie fans as Zaltar from the 1984 superhero film "Supergirl", for which he was nominated for Worst Actor at the Golden Raspberry Awards. However, he also won an Emmy, a BAFTA, four Golden Globes and received an honorary Academy Award in 2003. R.I.P. Peter O'Toole. You will be missed.
- 12/15/2013
- ComicBookMovie.com
It's a crowded weekend at the movies in Austin. Polari (formerly the Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival) is in full swing at venus across the city until Sunday. If you didn't get a badge for the fest, $10 individual tickets will be available for most screenings (capacity permitting) including Pj Raval's powerhouse doc Before You Know It. Raval will also be hosting a special Austin Film Society presentation of Paris Is Burning in 35mm on Wednesday night at the Marchesa.
The Austin Film Society's "Terror In The Aisles" series continues tonight at the Marchesa and Sunday with a 35mm screening of the 1960 Hammer Horror film The Brides Of Dracula. Essential Cinema's focus on the masters of Japanese cinema will also deliver Kenji Mizoguchi's 1946 film Utamaro And His Five Women at the Marchesa on Thursday in a 35mm print direct from Janus Films.
As always, there's a diverse...
The Austin Film Society's "Terror In The Aisles" series continues tonight at the Marchesa and Sunday with a 35mm screening of the 1960 Hammer Horror film The Brides Of Dracula. Essential Cinema's focus on the masters of Japanese cinema will also deliver Kenji Mizoguchi's 1946 film Utamaro And His Five Women at the Marchesa on Thursday in a 35mm print direct from Janus Films.
As always, there's a diverse...
- 10/18/2013
- by Matt Shiverdecker
- Slackerwood
Neil Jordan’s body of work is an odd, fascinating beast. On one level, the Irish director’s fablelike films — with their often mystical elements, their vivid photography, and their tormented, passionate characters — are remarkably consistent in tone, style, and themes. On another level, though, the films are a diverse lot, ranging from moody dramas like Mona Lisa and The End of the Affair, to thrillers like The Crying Game and The Good Thief, to big-budget, star-studded epics like Interview With a Vampire and Michael Collins, to fairy tales like The Company of Wolves. He’s even made a couple of exuberant comedies along the way (including High Spirits, which is better than you remember). Now, with his latest, Byzantium, a tale of mother-and-daughter vampires (played by Gemma Arterton and Saoirse Ronan) hiding out in a British seaside town, Jordan has returned to the vampire genre, and the result is...
- 6/26/2013
- by Bilge Ebiri
- Vulture
Seasoned horror fans will no doubt recognize the irony in today's vampire cinema. The "romanticization" of the vampire has been evolving since (at least) John Badham's 1979 rendition of Dracula -- but we never saw our beloved cinematic bloodsuckers lose their teeth like they did in the feckless Twilight movies. What used to be sexy but scary became gothic romance, which led to pop-culture overkill: the vampire became neutered.
But if there's a silver lining to the smash-hit success of the otherwise terrible Twilight movies, it's that producers all over the world are now (all of a sudden!) willing to bankroll a horror film... just because it has some vampires and a dash of romance. So in a way we can thank Twilight for recent indies and imports like We Are the Night, Kiss of the Damned, and Neil Jordan's Byzantium. It's nothing if not a little ironic: the...
- 5/31/2013
- by Scott Weinberg
- FEARnet
The brave Robin Roberts made a tearful return to ‘Good Morning America’ on Feb. 20, and received a warm welcome from celebrities, co-workers, fans — and even President Obama! Her return came 174 days after undergoing a major bone marrow transplant.
Robin Roberts is back where she belongs: on the set of Good Morning America, with her co-hosts, George Stephanopoulos, Lara Spencer, Josh Elliott, and Sam Champion. When Robin returned to the Gma set on Feb. 20, she gave a gracious and tear-filled thanks to everyone who has supported her throughout her journey.
“Faith, family and friends have brought me to this moment,” she said from the anchor desk. “I am so full of gratitude. So many people I want to thank throughout the morning: doctors, nurses, family, colleages, people who have sat in this chair. Those who have blazed a trail before me.”
“I share this morning, this day of celebration with everyone,...
Robin Roberts is back where she belongs: on the set of Good Morning America, with her co-hosts, George Stephanopoulos, Lara Spencer, Josh Elliott, and Sam Champion. When Robin returned to the Gma set on Feb. 20, she gave a gracious and tear-filled thanks to everyone who has supported her throughout her journey.
“Faith, family and friends have brought me to this moment,” she said from the anchor desk. “I am so full of gratitude. So many people I want to thank throughout the morning: doctors, nurses, family, colleages, people who have sat in this chair. Those who have blazed a trail before me.”
“I share this morning, this day of celebration with everyone,...
- 2/20/2013
- by Sandra Clark
- HollywoodLife
Liam Neeson turned 60 this year. In his six decades, he has masqueraded as a bandaged superhero, battled wolves with broken bottles, planned the downfall of a city, released a Kraken and saved his daughter from sex slavery. Say what you will about Neeson, but you can’t deny that he is an absolute badass. This weekend, he will save his daughter all over again in Taken 2 (out Oct. 5). Talk about persistence. In honor of his achievements, we’ve assembled a list of his most badass roles to date, complete with video proof. So get watching, then vote on your favorite below!
- 10/5/2012
- by Tara Fowler
- EW.com - PopWatch
What are the worst Irish movies ever made? We think we have come up with the Top 5 but if you have any better or worse ideas, feel free to join in. From stereotypical views of Ireland in “Leap Year” and atrocious acting and accents in “Far and Away” to the embarrassing tales of “High Spirits” and “A Tiger’s Tale,” there have been some really awful films made about or in Ireland. Here at Irish Central we’re saved the number one spot for one of the most bizarre movies ever made. “Holy Water” is a tale about a group of men who put Viagra in their town’s water supply. Need we say more? Here’s our full list of the top worst Irish movies of all time: Holy Water (2009) Just a short description of this Irish movie will show you quickly why it got our number one vote.
- 9/12/2012
- IrishCentral
After sixty years of performing, 79-year old Peter O'Toole confirmed in a statement (via The Hollywood Reporter) that he's retiring from acting.
O'Toole says "It is time for me to chuck in the sponge. To retire from films and stage. The heart for it has gone out of me: it won’t come back. My professional acting life, stage and screen, has brought me public support, emotional fulfillment and material comfort. It has brought me together with fine people, good companions with whom I’ve shared the inevitable lot of all actors: flops and hits. However, it’s my belief that one should decide for oneself when it is time to end one’s stay. So I bid the profession a dry-eyed and profoundly grateful farewell."
O'Toole was nominated for a total of eight Academy Awards and though never winning a competitive Oscar, he was bestowed with an honorary statuette...
O'Toole says "It is time for me to chuck in the sponge. To retire from films and stage. The heart for it has gone out of me: it won’t come back. My professional acting life, stage and screen, has brought me public support, emotional fulfillment and material comfort. It has brought me together with fine people, good companions with whom I’ve shared the inevitable lot of all actors: flops and hits. However, it’s my belief that one should decide for oneself when it is time to end one’s stay. So I bid the profession a dry-eyed and profoundly grateful farewell."
O'Toole was nominated for a total of eight Academy Awards and though never winning a competitive Oscar, he was bestowed with an honorary statuette...
- 7/10/2012
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
It was rumored earlier this year that Liam Neeson would return to reprise his role as Ra's al Ghul in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises. He was spotted on the set of the film, but until today there's been no confirmation of his involvement. Warner Bros. made the announcement in the production notes for the film that says,
Neeson next appears in Peter Berg's actioner "Battleship," and he also will be seen in Christopher Nolan's much-anticipated action thriller "The Dark Knight Rises.
It makes perfect sense to me that his character would be back as this Batman finale as we've heard Nolan would bring everything back around in full circle in the franchise. I can't wait to see what this film has in store for us! I just can't help but think it's going to be mind blowing.
Josh Pence is playing Ra's al Ghul in the films flashbacks.
Neeson next appears in Peter Berg's actioner "Battleship," and he also will be seen in Christopher Nolan's much-anticipated action thriller "The Dark Knight Rises.
It makes perfect sense to me that his character would be back as this Batman finale as we've heard Nolan would bring everything back around in full circle in the franchise. I can't wait to see what this film has in store for us! I just can't help but think it's going to be mind blowing.
Josh Pence is playing Ra's al Ghul in the films flashbacks.
- 3/28/2012
- by Venkman
- GeekTyrant
"High Spirits" aside, Liam Neeson is not exactly noted for his forays into the world of comedy, but on the "Life's Too Short" (Sun., 10:30 p.m. Est on HBO) Series Premiere he decided to expand his horizons and give improv comedy a whirl.
Just like "Extras," "Life's Too Short" features stars sending themselves up in "real-life" scenarios. Lampooning his austere reputation, "The Grey" star stopped by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant's office to show off his comic chops. Only to prove that the mockumentary version of Neeson didn't really have any.
Trying various scenarios where he played a hypochondriac visiting the doctor's office, Neeson was deliberately incapable of introducing any levity into his performance.
Playing himself as the straightest straight man to an increasingly bored and irritated Gervais, Neeson wanted to inject pathos and drama into the scenarios they tried out. He was snippy, he was awkward and,...
Just like "Extras," "Life's Too Short" features stars sending themselves up in "real-life" scenarios. Lampooning his austere reputation, "The Grey" star stopped by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant's office to show off his comic chops. Only to prove that the mockumentary version of Neeson didn't really have any.
Trying various scenarios where he played a hypochondriac visiting the doctor's office, Neeson was deliberately incapable of introducing any levity into his performance.
Playing himself as the straightest straight man to an increasingly bored and irritated Gervais, Neeson wanted to inject pathos and drama into the scenarios they tried out. He was snippy, he was awkward and,...
- 2/20/2012
- by Catherine Lawson
- Huffington Post
"High Spirits" aside, Liam Neeson is not exactly noted for his forays into the world of comedy, but on the "Life's Too Short" (Sun., 10:30 p.m. Est on HBO) Series Premiere he decided to expand his horizons and give improv comedy a whirl.
Just like "Extras," "Life's Too Short" features stars sending themselves up in "real-life" scenarios. Lampooning his austere reputation, "The Grey" star stopped by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant's office to show off his comic chops. Only to prove that the mockumentary version of Neeson didn't really have any.
Trying various scenarios where he played a hypochondriac visiting the doctor's office, Neeson was deliberately incapable of introducing any levity into his performance.
Playing himself as the straightest straight man to an increasingly bored and irritated Gervais, Neeson wanted to inject pathos and drama into the scenarios they tried out. He was snippy, he was awkward and,...
Just like "Extras," "Life's Too Short" features stars sending themselves up in "real-life" scenarios. Lampooning his austere reputation, "The Grey" star stopped by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant's office to show off his comic chops. Only to prove that the mockumentary version of Neeson didn't really have any.
Trying various scenarios where he played a hypochondriac visiting the doctor's office, Neeson was deliberately incapable of introducing any levity into his performance.
Playing himself as the straightest straight man to an increasingly bored and irritated Gervais, Neeson wanted to inject pathos and drama into the scenarios they tried out. He was snippy, he was awkward and,...
- 2/20/2012
- by Catherine Lawson
- Aol TV.
Irish filmmaker Neil Jordan first came to prominence with genre films such as The Company of Wolves, High Spirits and, most famously, the big-screen version of Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire. Though it's been several years since he last made a scary movie, it seems Jordan has found another tale of terror to tell.
Jordan is gearing up to shoot Byzantium, which is based on a play for young adults by Moira Buffini called A Vampire Story, about two women who arrive in a small British town and may or may not be vampires.
A Vampire Story was written in 2008 in connection with London's National Theatre Connections program, wherein successful playwrights are commissioned to deliver plays for performance by youth groups at festivals all across the U.K.
Byzantium was adapted by Buffini, but there's no word on how closely the flick will follow her play, which examines...
Jordan is gearing up to shoot Byzantium, which is based on a play for young adults by Moira Buffini called A Vampire Story, about two women who arrive in a small British town and may or may not be vampires.
A Vampire Story was written in 2008 in connection with London's National Theatre Connections program, wherein successful playwrights are commissioned to deliver plays for performance by youth groups at festivals all across the U.K.
Byzantium was adapted by Buffini, but there's no word on how closely the flick will follow her play, which examines...
- 12/1/2011
- by Theron
- Planet Fury
It's that time of year again - pumpkins line porches, bags of candy fill the drugstore shelves, and children everywhere are encouraged by their parents to ring the bells of strangers' houses and demand handouts.
Halloween season also is the one time of year where it's pretty much impossible to avoid horror movies. If you're a horror fan like I am, there's really no change in your viewing habits because you were probably going to be watching Suspiria and The Abominable Dr. Phibes tonight anyway. But if you're only a seasonal horror fan, it can be a bit daunting to navigate the sea of bloody entertainments that flood the airwaves this time of year.
To that end, we've put together a list of over 50 horror movies that are as funny as they are scary (whether intentionally or by accident). Hopefully with the list below as a reference, even the most...
Halloween season also is the one time of year where it's pretty much impossible to avoid horror movies. If you're a horror fan like I am, there's really no change in your viewing habits because you were probably going to be watching Suspiria and The Abominable Dr. Phibes tonight anyway. But if you're only a seasonal horror fan, it can be a bit daunting to navigate the sea of bloody entertainments that flood the airwaves this time of year.
To that end, we've put together a list of over 50 horror movies that are as funny as they are scary (whether intentionally or by accident). Hopefully with the list below as a reference, even the most...
- 10/28/2011
- by Brian Juergens
- The Backlot
What are the worst Irish movies ever made? We think we have come up with the Top 5 but if you have any better or worse ideas, feel free to join in. From stereotypical views of Ireland in “Leap Year” and atrocious acting and accents in “Far and Away” to the embarrassing tales of “High Spirits” and “A Tiger’s Tale,” there have been some really awful films made about or in Ireland. Here at Irish Central, we’ve saved the number one spot for one of the most bizarre movies ever made. “Holy Water” is a tale about a group of men who put Viagra in their town’s water supply. Need we say more? ------------ Read More: The ten worst Irish accents in Hollywood movies IrishCentral's top ten Irish mob movies - See Videos ------------ Here’s our full list of the top worst Irish movies of all time:...
- 10/16/2011
- IrishCentral
A Holiday Must-Have, The Liam Neeson Film Collection
Arrives as a 10-Disc DVD Set November 1st
Get ready for action, adventure, suspense and great performances when The Liam Neeson Film Collection comes to DVD November 1 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. This is the first time a collection of this kind has been released for the star across all major studios making it a prime gift for the holidays!
Spanning 25 years of popular films starring the Academy Award® nominated actor,* The Liam Neeson Film Collection is the ultimate DVD set for any Neeson fan. Titles include: The Bounty, A Prayer for the Dying, High Spirits, Shining Through, Nell, Rob Roy, Kinsey, Kingdom of Heaven and Taken.
The Liam Neeson Film Collection contains 10 discs of Neeson.s most enthralling work including a bonus disc of special feature content for the masterpiece Kingdom of Heaven. Watch Neeson in roles as varied a...
Arrives as a 10-Disc DVD Set November 1st
Get ready for action, adventure, suspense and great performances when The Liam Neeson Film Collection comes to DVD November 1 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. This is the first time a collection of this kind has been released for the star across all major studios making it a prime gift for the holidays!
Spanning 25 years of popular films starring the Academy Award® nominated actor,* The Liam Neeson Film Collection is the ultimate DVD set for any Neeson fan. Titles include: The Bounty, A Prayer for the Dying, High Spirits, Shining Through, Nell, Rob Roy, Kinsey, Kingdom of Heaven and Taken.
The Liam Neeson Film Collection contains 10 discs of Neeson.s most enthralling work including a bonus disc of special feature content for the masterpiece Kingdom of Heaven. Watch Neeson in roles as varied a...
- 9/14/2011
- by Melissa Howland
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
What are the worst Irish movies ever made? We think we have come up with the Top 5 but if you have any better or worse ideas, feel free to join in. From stereotypical views of Ireland in “Leap Year” and atrocious acting and accents in “Far and Away” to the embarrassing tales of “High Spirits” and “A Tiger’s Tale,” there have been some really awful films made about or in Ireland. Here at Irish Central, we’ve saved the number one spot for one of the most bizarre movies ever made. “Holy Water” is a tale about a group of men who put Viagra in their town’s water supply. Need we say more? ------------ Read More: The ten worst Irish accents in Hollywood movies IrishCentral's top ten Irish mob movies - See Videos ------------ Here’s our full list of the top worst Irish movies of all time:...
- 6/27/2011
- IrishCentral
Irish filmmaker Neil Jordan first caught the attention of horror fans back in 1984 with his adaptation of Angela Carter's The Company of Wolves. And though he's since won widespread acclaim for films like Mona Lisa and The Crying Game, Jordan's returned to our favorite genre from time to time with movies like High Spirits, Interview with the Vampire, and -- tangentially -- the terrific, disturbing The Butcher Boy. So many of us were pretty stoked to hear that Jordan would be getting creepy once again by adapting Neil Gaiman's Newbery Award-winning The Graveyard Book. But it looks like there's another horror project that Jordan will tackle first -- the mother-daughter vampire tale Byzantium....
- 5/17/2011
- FEARnet
A composer of classic musicals, he wrote Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Among the perennial Christmas songs, one of the most performed and popular is Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, with words and music by Hugh Martin, who has died aged 96. Since it was first sung by Judy Garland in the film Meet Me in St Louis (1944), this bittersweet yuletide ditty has been performed by hundreds of artists from Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Doris Day and Bing Crosby to rock bands including Coldplay and Twisted Sister.
The song has featured in several other films, notably The Victors (1963), in which the Sinatra version is used ironically during the execution of an American soldier for treason; The Godfather (1972); When Harry Met Sally (1989); Home Alone (1990); Miracle On 34th Street (1994); and Donnie Brasco (1997). In 1989, the song received the award for most-performed feature-film standard from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.
Among the perennial Christmas songs, one of the most performed and popular is Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, with words and music by Hugh Martin, who has died aged 96. Since it was first sung by Judy Garland in the film Meet Me in St Louis (1944), this bittersweet yuletide ditty has been performed by hundreds of artists from Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Doris Day and Bing Crosby to rock bands including Coldplay and Twisted Sister.
The song has featured in several other films, notably The Victors (1963), in which the Sinatra version is used ironically during the execution of an American soldier for treason; The Godfather (1972); When Harry Met Sally (1989); Home Alone (1990); Miracle On 34th Street (1994); and Donnie Brasco (1997). In 1989, the song received the award for most-performed feature-film standard from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.
- 3/15/2011
- by Ronald Bergan
- The Guardian - Film News
Visit our special St. Patrick's Day section What are the worst Irish movies ever made? We think we have come up with the Top 5 but if you have any better or worse ideas, feel free to join in. From stereotypical views of Ireland in “Leap Year” and atrocious acting and accents in “Far and Away” to the embarrassing tales of “High Spirits” and “A Tiger’s Tale,” there have been some really awful films made about or in Ireland. Here at Irish Central we’re saved the number one spot for one of the most bizarre movies ever made. “Holy Water” is a tale about a group of men who put Viagra in their town’s water supply. Need we say more? Here’s our full list of the top worst Irish movies of all time: Holy Water (2009) Just a short description of this Irish movie will show you quickly...
- 3/8/2011
- IrishCentral
Most ghosts in film and television are dickholes. Let's face it -- they have unfinished business which makes them rather unpleasant. Like that Poltergeist fuckstump? Rolling around with that evil clown puppet bastard, fucking up all our drinking by sending worm monsters into Coach, fucking with the television reception. Not a ball of laughs.
Yet, there have been a rare few ghosts that have crossed our screens that would probably be a hoot at a Halloween party. They like to drink, maybe cause a little trouble, but they seem like they'd be pretty fucking cool to have a glass of Ecto-Cooler and vodka punch. Here's my guest list for the party of the damned.
Phantom Dennis -- "Angel"
He's not much of a talker, but he'd make sure the trash got moved and the drinks were full. The moody poltergeist might even invite his roommate Charisma Carpenter along, but don't get too close,...
Yet, there have been a rare few ghosts that have crossed our screens that would probably be a hoot at a Halloween party. They like to drink, maybe cause a little trouble, but they seem like they'd be pretty fucking cool to have a glass of Ecto-Cooler and vodka punch. Here's my guest list for the party of the damned.
Phantom Dennis -- "Angel"
He's not much of a talker, but he'd make sure the trash got moved and the drinks were full. The moody poltergeist might even invite his roommate Charisma Carpenter along, but don't get too close,...
- 10/22/2010
- by Dustin Rowles
British stuntman Martin Grace was Roger Moore’s stunt double throughout his run as Ian Fleming’s British superspy James Bond. He also doubled the actor in many of his non-Bond film outings.
Grace was born in Kilkenny, Ireland, in 1942. He began working in films in the mid-1960s, playing a Thal in the 1965 feature Dr. Who and the Daleks with Peter Cushing. He first became involved with the Bond film franchise as a stuntman on 1967’s You Only Live Twice starring Sean Connery. He also worked on the 007 films Live and Let Die (1973) and The Man with the Golden Gun (1974), and began serving as Roger Moore’s stunt double with The Spy Who Loved Me (1977). Grace also doubled Moore on the Bond films Moonraker (1979), For Your Eyes Only (1981), Octopussy (1983) which left him badly injured while filming an action sequence aboard a train, and A View to Kill (1985), and the...
Grace was born in Kilkenny, Ireland, in 1942. He began working in films in the mid-1960s, playing a Thal in the 1965 feature Dr. Who and the Daleks with Peter Cushing. He first became involved with the Bond film franchise as a stuntman on 1967’s You Only Live Twice starring Sean Connery. He also worked on the 007 films Live and Let Die (1973) and The Man with the Golden Gun (1974), and began serving as Roger Moore’s stunt double with The Spy Who Loved Me (1977). Grace also doubled Moore on the Bond films Moonraker (1979), For Your Eyes Only (1981), Octopussy (1983) which left him badly injured while filming an action sequence aboard a train, and A View to Kill (1985), and the...
- 2/12/2010
- by Bryan
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
In addition to roles on such well-regarded British comedies as Gavin & Stacey and Julia Davis' Nighty Night and such series as The Eleven O'Clock Show and My New Best Friend, Marc Wootton truly made his mark on the British comedy scene with the eight-episode High Spirits with Shirley Ghostman, a Borat-like comedy confection in which Wootton performed a variety of eccentric characters--most notably egocentric psychic Shirley Ghostman-- while interacting with real people. Wootton is set to migrate the comedic style of High Spirits along with its central character Shirley to the West Coast of America with his new series, La La Land, which debuts tonight on Showtime. The series finds Wootton again performing an array of characters--in this case, outrageously awful psychic medium Shirley, desperate documentary filmmaker Brendan, and naive cabbie/wannabe actor Gary--as they attempt to find fame and fortune in Los Angeles, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
- 1/25/2010
- by Jace
- Televisionary
The actor Edward Woodward has died November 16 at age 79. The British actor was probably best known in the Us for his role in the eighties television series “The Equalizer.” He won a Golden Globe award in 1987 for the role. Horror film fans will remember him from 1973’s The Wicker Man where his character experienced one of the more grisly cinematic deaths, and modern audiences will remember him when he created a similar role for Hot Fuzz. I first saw Woodward on cable in the 1980 Breaker Morant, a film I highly recommend. He played Lieutenant Breaker Morant, tried for murder in the deaths of Boer prisoners during the second Boer War. Woodward’s career began in 1955 and spanned theater, television and film. The actor was also a singer and had the distinction of being personally chosen by Noel Coward to star in the Broadway show "High Spirits," a musical adaptation of Coward’s “Blithe Spirit”. Woodward also recorded...
- 11/18/2009
- by Robin Ruinsky
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
London (Reuters) - British actor Edward Woodward, best known for roles in 1973 cult classic "The Wicker Man" and U.S. television series "The Equalizer," died Monday aged 79.His agent Janet Glass said the veteran of stage and screen had been ill for several months and passed away in hospital surrounded by members of his family."I knew him a very long time and he was a superb human being," Glass told Reuters."That integrity shone through in the roles he played. I can't ever remember, in all the productions he undertook, anyone having a bad word to say about him and he never had anything bad to say about anyone else either."Woodward played police sergeant Neil Howie in occult thriller The Wicker Man, a story of his search for a missing girl on an isolated island.The movie, famous for its final scene in which Howie is burned alive,...
- 11/16/2009
- backstage.com
Popular actor known for his roles in Callan, The Equalizer and The Wicker Man
Edward Woodward, who has died aged 79, was an actor with possibly far more potential than was ever realised on screen, but he became a popular television star in Callan and The Equalizer and enjoyed cult success with the film The Wicker Man. For many years, he was part of the comfortable community of jobbing actors, directors and producers which could be called the "Teddington set" – those who worked for the BBC, ABC and Thames TV studios in west London in their heyday – and so found it comparatively easy to get parts which were financially rewarding but not too stretching.
Presentable, but sombre in appearance, he played loners on the edges of society, and even sanity, who were in their different ways concerned with justice – either sympathetically or not. He was a man who, like many of his most memorable roles,...
Edward Woodward, who has died aged 79, was an actor with possibly far more potential than was ever realised on screen, but he became a popular television star in Callan and The Equalizer and enjoyed cult success with the film The Wicker Man. For many years, he was part of the comfortable community of jobbing actors, directors and producers which could be called the "Teddington set" – those who worked for the BBC, ABC and Thames TV studios in west London in their heyday – and so found it comparatively easy to get parts which were financially rewarding but not too stretching.
Presentable, but sombre in appearance, he played loners on the edges of society, and even sanity, who were in their different ways concerned with justice – either sympathetically or not. He was a man who, like many of his most memorable roles,...
- 11/16/2009
- by Dennis Barker
- The Guardian - Film News
Veteran British actor Edward Woodward has died at the age of 79.
Woodward, best known for his roles in cult horror film The Wicker Man and hit TV series Callan and The Equalizer, passed away in hospital on Monday after battling illnesses including pneumonia.
In a statement, his agent Janet Glass says: "Universally loved and admired through his unforgettable roles in classic productions such as Breaker Morant, The Wicker Man, Callan, The Equalizer and many more, he was equally fine and courageous in real life, never losing his brave spirit and wonderful humour throughout his illness.
"He was further sustained by the love of his wife, Michele, children, Tim, Peter, Sarah and Emily, his grandchildren and numerous friends. His passing will leave a huge gap in many lives."
After graduating from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, Woodward launched his career as a theatre actor in Shakespeare plays across the U.K. and made his London stage debut in Where There's A Will in 1955.
He then made several appearances on Broadway in shows including the Tony Award-winning musical High Spirits and landed a clutch of film roles before starring as devout Christian Police Sergeant Neil Howie in 1973's The Wicker Man. Several movies parts followed, including the title role in Australian drama Breaker Morant in 1980.
Woodward was also a prolific TV actor, appearing in more than 2,000 productions, most notably as David Callan in spy series Callan and as former secret agent Robert McCall in The Equalizer. This latter role earned him a 1987 Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Dramatic TV Series and four Emmy Award nominations from 1986 to 1990.
He was made an Order of the British Empire in 1978.
Woodward's most recent roles included a part in 2007 comedy Hot Fuzz and an appearance in hit British soap opera EastEnders earlier this year. In addition to acting, Woodward was also an accomplished singer and recorded 12 albums.
He suffered two heart attacks and underwent triple bypass surgery in 1996, and in February 2003 he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Woodward died at a hospital near his home in Cornwall, south west England on Monday. He leaves behind two sons - Tim and Peter - and daughter Sarah, from his first marriage to Venetia Barrett, and daughter Emily Beth, from his second marriage to Michele Dotrice.
Woodward, best known for his roles in cult horror film The Wicker Man and hit TV series Callan and The Equalizer, passed away in hospital on Monday after battling illnesses including pneumonia.
In a statement, his agent Janet Glass says: "Universally loved and admired through his unforgettable roles in classic productions such as Breaker Morant, The Wicker Man, Callan, The Equalizer and many more, he was equally fine and courageous in real life, never losing his brave spirit and wonderful humour throughout his illness.
"He was further sustained by the love of his wife, Michele, children, Tim, Peter, Sarah and Emily, his grandchildren and numerous friends. His passing will leave a huge gap in many lives."
After graduating from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, Woodward launched his career as a theatre actor in Shakespeare plays across the U.K. and made his London stage debut in Where There's A Will in 1955.
He then made several appearances on Broadway in shows including the Tony Award-winning musical High Spirits and landed a clutch of film roles before starring as devout Christian Police Sergeant Neil Howie in 1973's The Wicker Man. Several movies parts followed, including the title role in Australian drama Breaker Morant in 1980.
Woodward was also a prolific TV actor, appearing in more than 2,000 productions, most notably as David Callan in spy series Callan and as former secret agent Robert McCall in The Equalizer. This latter role earned him a 1987 Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Dramatic TV Series and four Emmy Award nominations from 1986 to 1990.
He was made an Order of the British Empire in 1978.
Woodward's most recent roles included a part in 2007 comedy Hot Fuzz and an appearance in hit British soap opera EastEnders earlier this year. In addition to acting, Woodward was also an accomplished singer and recorded 12 albums.
He suffered two heart attacks and underwent triple bypass surgery in 1996, and in February 2003 he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Woodward died at a hospital near his home in Cornwall, south west England on Monday. He leaves behind two sons - Tim and Peter - and daughter Sarah, from his first marriage to Venetia Barrett, and daughter Emily Beth, from his second marriage to Michele Dotrice.
- 11/16/2009
- WENN
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