As the format continues to gain traction, here’s our regularly-updated list of upcoming 4K Ultra HD disc releases in the UK.
Sitting alongside our list of upcoming DVD and Blu-ray releases (that you can find here), we’re also keeping a calendar for those who support the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray disc format. As we learn of new UK releases, we’ll add them to this list.
We have started adding shopping links too. We’d be obliged if you clicked on them, as it really helps us in our quest to make the Film Stories project of magazines, website and podcast profitable. We’re a 100% independent publisher, and we quite like drinking coffee. It’d be lovely to afford some more.
Without further ado, here are the titles we know about…
Out now
5th August: Point Break
5th August: Collateral (Steelbook)
5th August: Anchorman
5th August: The Fall Guy...
Sitting alongside our list of upcoming DVD and Blu-ray releases (that you can find here), we’re also keeping a calendar for those who support the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray disc format. As we learn of new UK releases, we’ll add them to this list.
We have started adding shopping links too. We’d be obliged if you clicked on them, as it really helps us in our quest to make the Film Stories project of magazines, website and podcast profitable. We’re a 100% independent publisher, and we quite like drinking coffee. It’d be lovely to afford some more.
Without further ado, here are the titles we know about…
Out now
5th August: Point Break
5th August: Collateral (Steelbook)
5th August: Anchorman
5th August: The Fall Guy...
- 9/20/2024
- by Simon Brew
- Film Stories
“Rebel Ridge” is a movie starring Aaron Pierre and Don Johnson. With AnnaSophia Robb and James Cromwell. It is written and directed by Jeremy Saulnier.
“Rebel Ridge” stands out as a film with a compelling script and impressive performances, crafting a thriller that engages viewers with its pacing, intrigue, and richly developed characters without drawing undue attention to itself. At first glance, it appears to be a straightforward story about corruption, yet it cleverly reveals a deeper narrative concerning police funding in certain Louisiana towns, which is genuinely fascinating.
The standout feature of this film is its script, which skillfully creates two well-rounded characters, brought to life by actors who fit their roles perfectly. This highlights the undeniable truth that a strong script makes the entire filmmaking process smoother and more impactful.
Plot
The story kicks off with a young Black boy on a bicycle being stopped by the police,...
“Rebel Ridge” stands out as a film with a compelling script and impressive performances, crafting a thriller that engages viewers with its pacing, intrigue, and richly developed characters without drawing undue attention to itself. At first glance, it appears to be a straightforward story about corruption, yet it cleverly reveals a deeper narrative concerning police funding in certain Louisiana towns, which is genuinely fascinating.
The standout feature of this film is its script, which skillfully creates two well-rounded characters, brought to life by actors who fit their roles perfectly. This highlights the undeniable truth that a strong script makes the entire filmmaking process smoother and more impactful.
Plot
The story kicks off with a young Black boy on a bicycle being stopped by the police,...
- 9/6/2024
- by Veronica Loop
- Martin Cid Magazine - Movies
In “Queer,” Luca Guadagnino’s ebulliently scuzzy and adventurous adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ early confessional novel, William Lee (Daniel Craig), a dissipated refugee from America, is having dinner with Eugene (Drew Starkey), the beautiful young man he met in the underbelly of Mexico City, when he starts to explain how he came to grips with his sexual desires.
Lee, who wears white linen suits, a fedora and clear-framed glasses, a trusty handgun, and an appraising scowl, looks like the dandy version of a CIA spook. It’s the early 1950s, and though he drinks around the clock and is frequently a disheveled mess, in his appearance and demeanor he’s something of a straightarrow. At first, he says, he regarded his proclivities as a “curse.” He shook with horror at the word “homosexual,” which made him think of “the painted, simpering female impersonators,” he says. “Could I have been one of those subhuman things?...
Lee, who wears white linen suits, a fedora and clear-framed glasses, a trusty handgun, and an appraising scowl, looks like the dandy version of a CIA spook. It’s the early 1950s, and though he drinks around the clock and is frequently a disheveled mess, in his appearance and demeanor he’s something of a straightarrow. At first, he says, he regarded his proclivities as a “curse.” He shook with horror at the word “homosexual,” which made him think of “the painted, simpering female impersonators,” he says. “Could I have been one of those subhuman things?...
- 9/3/2024
- by Owen Gleiberman
- Variety Film + TV
IndieWire has expanded our survey of cinematographers out into the fall film festivals this year, starting with Venice. We reached out to directors of photography with films playing in Competition, Out of Competition, and Horizons about the cameras, lenses, and formats they used — and, most importantly, the creative imperatives that informed their choices. More than 40 cinematographers responded, representing some of the biggest and most stylized swings at Venice and some of the smallest, most intimate stories at the festival.
One thing that stuck out among the responses is how much cinematographers with films at Venice wanted to be responsive to their environment, whether it meant giving the Scottish highlands their due and shooting with the richness of actual film, finding the right color and format to transport viewers into different time periods of the past, or figuring out how to evoke the same richness of the black and white of...
One thing that stuck out among the responses is how much cinematographers with films at Venice wanted to be responsive to their environment, whether it meant giving the Scottish highlands their due and shooting with the richness of actual film, finding the right color and format to transport viewers into different time periods of the past, or figuring out how to evoke the same richness of the black and white of...
- 9/1/2024
- by Sarah Shachat and Mark Peikert
- Indiewire
After making what many people cite as the greatest film ever made, “Citizen Kane” (1941), multi-talented actor, writer, director and producer Orson Welles struggled to live up to the success he achieved when he was just 26 years old. Yet seen today, many of the films he made afterwards have attained a similar acclaim. Let’s take a look back at all 13 of his completed feature films as a director, ranked worst to best.
Born in 1915, Welles first came to prominence as a stage director, mounting groundbreaking productions of “Macbeth,” “Dr. Faustus,” and “The Cradle Will Rock” before forming his own repertory company, The Mercury Theater. In addition to Welles, the Mercury Theater Players included Joseph Cotten, Ray Collins, Agnes Moorhead, Everett Sloane, George Coulouris, Norman Lloyd, Martin Gabel and Paul Stewart, many of whom would go onto appear in the director’s films.
It was the Mercury Theater’s transition into...
Born in 1915, Welles first came to prominence as a stage director, mounting groundbreaking productions of “Macbeth,” “Dr. Faustus,” and “The Cradle Will Rock” before forming his own repertory company, The Mercury Theater. In addition to Welles, the Mercury Theater Players included Joseph Cotten, Ray Collins, Agnes Moorhead, Everett Sloane, George Coulouris, Norman Lloyd, Martin Gabel and Paul Stewart, many of whom would go onto appear in the director’s films.
It was the Mercury Theater’s transition into...
- 5/4/2024
- by Zach Laws and Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
George Lucas Nearly Cast a Different Actor as Darth Vader Changing the Flow of the Franchise Forever
Darth Vader is undeniably one of the most iconic fictional characters, known for his menacing black suit and distinctive voice. Many other works of fiction and art make reference to the character, making it a familiar presence.
But, did you know that the role of Vader nearly went to a different actor? One who, at the time, might have been even more preferred than James Earl Jones given the circumstances?
During the late 1970s, while filming ‘A New Hope’ in London, David Prowse, who portrayed Darth Vader physically, delivered all of Vader’s lines from behind the mask. However, the mask muffled his speech, necessitating dubbing in post-production. Prowse initially expected to dub his own lines, but logistical issues and concerns about his accent prompted George Lucas to seek another voice. Lucas sought a deep, distinguished voice befitting the enigmatic Darth Vader. Ultimately, James Earl Jones, then a relatively unknown actor,...
But, did you know that the role of Vader nearly went to a different actor? One who, at the time, might have been even more preferred than James Earl Jones given the circumstances?
During the late 1970s, while filming ‘A New Hope’ in London, David Prowse, who portrayed Darth Vader physically, delivered all of Vader’s lines from behind the mask. However, the mask muffled his speech, necessitating dubbing in post-production. Prowse initially expected to dub his own lines, but logistical issues and concerns about his accent prompted George Lucas to seek another voice. Lucas sought a deep, distinguished voice befitting the enigmatic Darth Vader. Ultimately, James Earl Jones, then a relatively unknown actor,...
- 4/25/2024
- by Valentina Kraljik
- Fiction Horizon
Darth Vader is without a doubt one of the most iconic fictional characters, recognized by his ominous black suit and his voice. Plenty of other works of fiction and art reference the character, and it’s one of those references we can always easily spot.
But, did you know that the iconic role almost went to a completely different actor? The one that at the time would be perhaps even favored above James Earl Jones under the circumstances?
While filming ‘A New Hope’ in London during the late 1970s, David Prowse, the actor behind Darth Vader’s physical performance, spoke all of Vader’s lines from behind the mask. However, due to the mask muffling his speech, his lines had to be dubbed over in post-production. Prowse assumed he would do the dubbing himself, but logistical and accent concerns led George Lucas to search for another voice. Lucas sought a deep,...
But, did you know that the iconic role almost went to a completely different actor? The one that at the time would be perhaps even favored above James Earl Jones under the circumstances?
While filming ‘A New Hope’ in London during the late 1970s, David Prowse, the actor behind Darth Vader’s physical performance, spoke all of Vader’s lines from behind the mask. However, due to the mask muffling his speech, his lines had to be dubbed over in post-production. Prowse assumed he would do the dubbing himself, but logistical and accent concerns led George Lucas to search for another voice. Lucas sought a deep,...
- 4/25/2024
- by Valentina Kraljik
- Comic Basics
Daniel Sackheim’s intriguing landscapes of Los Angeles evoke a time of classic film of the Film Noir period. His landscapes of Downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood Blvd, the distant pier of Santa Monica create a moody scene iridescent of classics like Double Indemnity; Mildred Pierce, The Third Man, and Shadow of a Doubt. The seductive tones of a bygone era are visually stimulating creating a mood of mystery that captured the eyes of audiences when The Maltese Falcon was first released.
Sackheim’s directing credits include Lovecraft Country, Game of Thrones, True Detective, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, and Ozark to name a few. Having been a director for many years before delving into photography, he says his eye tends to land on a cinematic sensibility naturally. This perspective then informs his approach to photographic storytelling.
“There is not so much one specific film, though there are iconic images from...
Sackheim’s directing credits include Lovecraft Country, Game of Thrones, True Detective, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, and Ozark to name a few. Having been a director for many years before delving into photography, he says his eye tends to land on a cinematic sensibility naturally. This perspective then informs his approach to photographic storytelling.
“There is not so much one specific film, though there are iconic images from...
- 3/18/2024
- by Robert Lang
- Deadline Film + TV
Peter Berkos, the Universal Pictures sound effects maestro and champion of sound editors everywhere who shared a special achievement Oscar for his work on the Robert Wise-directed disaster epic The Hindenburg, has died. He was 101.
Berkos died Tuesday in Rancho Bernardo, California, his friend Brae Wyckoff told The Hollywood Reporter.
While president of the Motion Picture Sound Editors from 1963-66, Berkos began a successful campaign for his colleagues to gain full membership into the film and television academies and to receive credit onscreen and off for their work.
Berkos himself was uncredited for the first 20 years of his career until Car Wash (1976), and the Oscars would eventually revive its dormant competitive sound effects category from 1983 onward.
Across four decades, he worked for Universal on such films as Orson Welles’ Touch of Evil (1958), four features directed by George Roy Hill — Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967), the Oscar best picture winner The Sting...
Berkos died Tuesday in Rancho Bernardo, California, his friend Brae Wyckoff told The Hollywood Reporter.
While president of the Motion Picture Sound Editors from 1963-66, Berkos began a successful campaign for his colleagues to gain full membership into the film and television academies and to receive credit onscreen and off for their work.
Berkos himself was uncredited for the first 20 years of his career until Car Wash (1976), and the Oscars would eventually revive its dormant competitive sound effects category from 1983 onward.
Across four decades, he worked for Universal on such films as Orson Welles’ Touch of Evil (1958), four features directed by George Roy Hill — Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967), the Oscar best picture winner The Sting...
- 1/3/2024
- by Rhett Bartlett
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
As the start of the Camerimage Film Festival approaches, Variety asked four festival regulars, all sought-after cinematographers, to weigh in on the issues, trends and opportunities the profession is encountering this year – all subjects expected to come up during the fest, which runs Nov. 11-18. Here’s what they had to say:
Mandy Walker, currently filming Disney’s live action “Snow White” remake, and chairing Camerimage main competition jury.
“I see more and more women are shooting [film] projects and TV – in the States, a lot more women are shooting TV shows. A lot more in the camera department in general, camera operators, first ACs, and it’s definitely getting better. But there’s still a bit of a hump to get over before it’s anywhere near equal.”
“The technology – for me, when I first started shooting movies, there was no VFX, there was no blue screen because I was shooting very small indie projects.
Mandy Walker, currently filming Disney’s live action “Snow White” remake, and chairing Camerimage main competition jury.
“I see more and more women are shooting [film] projects and TV – in the States, a lot more women are shooting TV shows. A lot more in the camera department in general, camera operators, first ACs, and it’s definitely getting better. But there’s still a bit of a hump to get over before it’s anywhere near equal.”
“The technology – for me, when I first started shooting movies, there was no VFX, there was no blue screen because I was shooting very small indie projects.
- 11/7/2023
- by Will Tizard
- Variety Film + TV
Rachel Sennott and The Bear’s Ayo Edebiri are excellent as gay teens who set up a fight club in order to win the affections of their school cheerleaders
There are a lot of laughs, a great deal of delirious silliness and what I must insist is a cinephile reference to Orson Welles’s Touch of Evil in this very funny high-school comedy from director Emma Seligman, and starring her co-writer Rachel Sennott, who last worked together on Seligman’s debut feature Shiva Baby. Bottoms is about two gay teen girls and bickering best friends who want to get some sexual experience and it all plays like a moderately scuffed-up and entirely non-heterosexual version of Olivia Wilde’s Booksmart – though no one in this film shows the smallest interest in books, certainly not the teachers.
Pj (Sennott) and Josie (Ayo Edebiri) hang out, obsessing in a self-harming and masochistic way...
There are a lot of laughs, a great deal of delirious silliness and what I must insist is a cinephile reference to Orson Welles’s Touch of Evil in this very funny high-school comedy from director Emma Seligman, and starring her co-writer Rachel Sennott, who last worked together on Seligman’s debut feature Shiva Baby. Bottoms is about two gay teen girls and bickering best friends who want to get some sexual experience and it all plays like a moderately scuffed-up and entirely non-heterosexual version of Olivia Wilde’s Booksmart – though no one in this film shows the smallest interest in books, certainly not the teachers.
Pj (Sennott) and Josie (Ayo Edebiri) hang out, obsessing in a self-harming and masochistic way...
- 11/2/2023
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
What do Allison Anders, John Cassavetes, and Alfred Hitchcock have in common? Aside from — in spite of? — being great directors, they’ve all made films that for whatever reason failed to land with the critics, the public, or both. But are their “failures” those of the filmmakers or of imagination on the part of the audience?
In the list of underrated movies by great directors that follows, IndieWire argues that often it’s the latter. These are films that were misunderstood — in several cases, by their own makers, which is part of what led to their public dismissal — or that never had the chance to be misunderstood because they were barely seen due to vagaries of timing and marketing. While they don’t necessarily represent the directors’ best work, they’re all better than their reputations and filled with pleasures characteristic of the filmmakers’ oeuvres.
The criteria for selecting these...
In the list of underrated movies by great directors that follows, IndieWire argues that often it’s the latter. These are films that were misunderstood — in several cases, by their own makers, which is part of what led to their public dismissal — or that never had the chance to be misunderstood because they were barely seen due to vagaries of timing and marketing. While they don’t necessarily represent the directors’ best work, they’re all better than their reputations and filled with pleasures characteristic of the filmmakers’ oeuvres.
The criteria for selecting these...
- 10/4/2023
- by Jim Hemphill
- Indiewire
Charlton Heston became a household name with leading roles in action adventures and biblical epics, but his credits extended past those two well-worn genres. Let’s take a look back at 12 of his greatest films, ranked worst to best.
After serving in the United States Army Air Force during WWII, Heston made his professional movie acting debut with the film noir “Dark City” (1950). His big breakthrough came just two years later with Cecil B. DeMille‘s big top soap opera “The Greatest Show on Earth” (1952), in which he played the circus manager. Though an audience favorite in its time, the film often ranks among the all-time worst Oscar winners for Best Picture.
Heston later reunited with DeMille to play the Old Testament prophet Moses in “The Ten Commandments” (1956), which brought him a Golden Globe nomination. A holy hit at the box office, the role undoubtedly inspired William Wyler to cast...
After serving in the United States Army Air Force during WWII, Heston made his professional movie acting debut with the film noir “Dark City” (1950). His big breakthrough came just two years later with Cecil B. DeMille‘s big top soap opera “The Greatest Show on Earth” (1952), in which he played the circus manager. Though an audience favorite in its time, the film often ranks among the all-time worst Oscar winners for Best Picture.
Heston later reunited with DeMille to play the Old Testament prophet Moses in “The Ten Commandments” (1956), which brought him a Golden Globe nomination. A holy hit at the box office, the role undoubtedly inspired William Wyler to cast...
- 9/30/2023
- by Zach Laws and Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
During the final week of production on director Pablo Larraín’s “El Conde” in Patagonia, cinematographer Ed Lachman broke his hip, the result of a bathroom slip and “not doing anything heroic [on set],” the famed cinematographer joked while recalling the fall to IndieWire.
The injury was no joking matter for Lachman, who was devastated he couldn’t shoot his longtime collaborator Todd Haynes’ film, “May December.” And later this month when Haynes and crew premiere that new film at the New York Film Festival, Lachman, a staple at the fest since the early ’70s, also won’t be able to be in Alice Tully Hall cheering them on. But that’s actually this story’s happy ending.
“I’m in Berlin doing tests for Pablo’s new movie,” said Lachman. That’s right, Lachman’s back, prepping Larraín’s new film “Maria,” starring Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas and set to...
The injury was no joking matter for Lachman, who was devastated he couldn’t shoot his longtime collaborator Todd Haynes’ film, “May December.” And later this month when Haynes and crew premiere that new film at the New York Film Festival, Lachman, a staple at the fest since the early ’70s, also won’t be able to be in Alice Tully Hall cheering them on. But that’s actually this story’s happy ending.
“I’m in Berlin doing tests for Pablo’s new movie,” said Lachman. That’s right, Lachman’s back, prepping Larraín’s new film “Maria,” starring Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas and set to...
- 9/15/2023
- by Chris O'Falt
- Indiewire
Most lists of the greatest long takes don’t deviate: Goodfellas, Russian Ark, Touch of Evil, Rope–you know the drill. In a perfect world those rankings face a major change with the restoration and rerelease of Shinji Somai’s P.P. Rider, a film comprising some of the boldest, strongest, plain craziest orchestrations of camera and space anybody’s ever achieved. Unlike many movies stitching together multiple shots through “invisible” cuts, it’s also driven by a dense, compelling narrative from Leonard “Brother of Paul” Schrader, boasting a screenplay co-written by his wife, Chieko.
Needless to say Cinema Guild’s forthcoming release, starting September 6 at New York’s IFC Center, should be on radars whether the film’s fresh or you know an iffy Mkv file well. We’re proud to debut a new trailer, plus the cover for their 24-page zine featuring two newly translated texts: a 2011 essay...
Needless to say Cinema Guild’s forthcoming release, starting September 6 at New York’s IFC Center, should be on radars whether the film’s fresh or you know an iffy Mkv file well. We’re proud to debut a new trailer, plus the cover for their 24-page zine featuring two newly translated texts: a 2011 essay...
- 8/24/2023
- by Nick Newman
- The Film Stage
The cyberpunk genre is perhaps now more popular and relevant than ever, and the same can be said for actor Keanu Reeves. Together they would prove to be a powerful pairing with the sci-fi masterpiece The Matrix and the recent hit videogame Cyberpunk 2077.
However, that was not the case in 1995, when Johnny Mnemonic was released to confounded and indifferent audiences. How did the combined efforts of a newly minted A-list star, a noted visionary artist, and a pioneer in cyberpunk fiction result in a target of ridicule and a box office disappointment?
Jack in and fill your head with Wtf Happened to this Movie!
The cyberpunk subgenre of science fiction can be broadly characterized with the theme of “high tech and low life” and it typically involves futuristic dystopian societies, advanced science and technology, body enhancements, dominant corporations, and sharp class disparity. Its origins and influences can be traced back...
However, that was not the case in 1995, when Johnny Mnemonic was released to confounded and indifferent audiences. How did the combined efforts of a newly minted A-list star, a noted visionary artist, and a pioneer in cyberpunk fiction result in a target of ridicule and a box office disappointment?
Jack in and fill your head with Wtf Happened to this Movie!
The cyberpunk subgenre of science fiction can be broadly characterized with the theme of “high tech and low life” and it typically involves futuristic dystopian societies, advanced science and technology, body enhancements, dominant corporations, and sharp class disparity. Its origins and influences can be traced back...
- 7/12/2023
- by Dave Davis
- JoBlo.com
Clockwise from top left: Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 (Disney), The Shining (Warner Bros.), Creed (Warner Bros.), Goodfellas (Warner Bros.) Graphic: AVClub All hail the oner! Moviegoers love great acting, brilliant visual effects, a soaring score, and palpable chemistry between the stars, but few things wow an audience more than the single-take shot,...
- 5/31/2023
- by Ian Spelling
- avclub.com
Clockwise from top left: Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 (Disney), The Shining (Warner Bros.), Creed (Warner Bros.), Goodfellas (Warner Bros.)Graphic: AVClub
All hail the oner! Moviegoers love great acting, brilliant visual effects, a soaring score, and palpable chemistry between the stars, but few things wow an audience more than the single-take shot,...
All hail the oner! Moviegoers love great acting, brilliant visual effects, a soaring score, and palpable chemistry between the stars, but few things wow an audience more than the single-take shot,...
- 5/31/2023
- by Ian Spelling
- avclub.com
NYC Weekend Watch is our weekly round-up of repertory offerings.
Japan Society
One of Japan’s greatest directors, Shinji Somai, is subject of a retrospective that features many of his films in new restorations. Read our piece on Somai here.
Museum of Modern Art
A Rialto Pictures retrospective offers a smorgasbord of classic films, including The Conversation and That Obscure Object of Desire on 35mm.
Bam
A series on actor-director jobs includes Touch of Evil, Do the Right Thing, and Playtime on 35mm.
Anthology Film Archives
Three by Jean Cocteau screen in Essential Cinema, while Symbiopsychotaxiplasm: Take One screens and a Jean Rouch retrospective begins.
Film at Lincoln Center
György Fehér’s remarkable, Béla Tarr-produced Twilight continues in a new restoration (read Z.W. Lewis on the film and its history here).
Museum of the Moving Image
Major League and a print of The Untouchables screen on Saturday.
Roxy Cinema
Schrader’s Affliction,...
Japan Society
One of Japan’s greatest directors, Shinji Somai, is subject of a retrospective that features many of his films in new restorations. Read our piece on Somai here.
Museum of Modern Art
A Rialto Pictures retrospective offers a smorgasbord of classic films, including The Conversation and That Obscure Object of Desire on 35mm.
Bam
A series on actor-director jobs includes Touch of Evil, Do the Right Thing, and Playtime on 35mm.
Anthology Film Archives
Three by Jean Cocteau screen in Essential Cinema, while Symbiopsychotaxiplasm: Take One screens and a Jean Rouch retrospective begins.
Film at Lincoln Center
György Fehér’s remarkable, Béla Tarr-produced Twilight continues in a new restoration (read Z.W. Lewis on the film and its history here).
Museum of the Moving Image
Major League and a print of The Untouchables screen on Saturday.
Roxy Cinema
Schrader’s Affliction,...
- 4/28/2023
- by Nick Newman
- The Film Stage
Philippe’s newly released con faces heavy pressure not to go straight as his family grows ever more estranged and the film runs low on fresh ideas
The plot manoeuvres in this léger noir are so boilerplate and predictable that viewers are likely to find themselves expecting much bigger twists than are actually delivered. Surely that nice guy will turn out to be a double-crosser, you assume? Or you might imagine one of the vampy women will turn out to be a triple-crossing femme fatale. But no, it’s all pretty much on the level, which makes the snippets of classic Hollywood crime thrillers such as Touch of Evil, just glimpsed on a TV set, feel seriously undermining, gesturing as they do towards much more sophisticated works of cinema than we have here.
Ryan Phillippe stars as Miller, the titular locksmith, who in the opening scene has been forced into...
The plot manoeuvres in this léger noir are so boilerplate and predictable that viewers are likely to find themselves expecting much bigger twists than are actually delivered. Surely that nice guy will turn out to be a double-crosser, you assume? Or you might imagine one of the vampy women will turn out to be a triple-crossing femme fatale. But no, it’s all pretty much on the level, which makes the snippets of classic Hollywood crime thrillers such as Touch of Evil, just glimpsed on a TV set, feel seriously undermining, gesturing as they do towards much more sophisticated works of cinema than we have here.
Ryan Phillippe stars as Miller, the titular locksmith, who in the opening scene has been forced into...
- 4/18/2023
- by Leslie Felperin
- The Guardian - Film News
Jamie Lee Curtis is a Hollywood legend. She’s had a decades-long career and earned a shelf full of accolades, including a BAFTA and two Golden Globes. But she had to wait until 2023 to get her first Oscar nomination. This year, she’s nominated in the Best Supporting Actress category for her role in Everything Everywhere All at Once. The recognition puts her on track to be the first person in her famous family to win an Oscar. Both her parents were also nominated for Academy Awards, though neither won.
Jamie Lee Curtis’s father, Tony Curtis, was nominated for Best Actor for ‘The Defiant Ones’ Tony Curtis and Sidney Poitier in ‘The Defiant Ones’ | Afp via Getty Images
Curtis, who was born in 1958, is the daughter of Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh. Her father started acting in the late 1940s, with roles in movies such as The Lady Gambles and City Across the River.
Jamie Lee Curtis’s father, Tony Curtis, was nominated for Best Actor for ‘The Defiant Ones’ Tony Curtis and Sidney Poitier in ‘The Defiant Ones’ | Afp via Getty Images
Curtis, who was born in 1958, is the daughter of Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh. Her father started acting in the late 1940s, with roles in movies such as The Lady Gambles and City Across the River.
- 3/12/2023
- by Megan Elliott
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
While we’ve known the results of Jeanne Dielman Tops Sight and Sound‘s 2022 Greatest Films of All-Time List”>Sight & Sound’s once-in-a-decade greatest films of all-time poll for a few months now, the recent release of the individual ballots has given data-crunching cinephiles a new opportunity to dive deeper. We have Letterboxd lists detailing all 4,400+ films that received at least one vote and another expanding the directors poll, spreadsheets calculating every entry, and now a list ranking how many votes individual directors received for their films.
Tabulated by Genjuro, the list of 35 directors, with two pairs, puts Alfred Hitchcock back on top, while Chantal Akerman is at number two. Elsewhere in the top ten are David Lynch, Francis Ford Coppola, Jean-Luc Godard, Agnès Varda, Orson Welles, Yasujirō Ozu, and Stanley Kubrick, and tied for the tenth spot is Wong Kar Wai and Ingmar Bergman.
Check out the list below,...
Tabulated by Genjuro, the list of 35 directors, with two pairs, puts Alfred Hitchcock back on top, while Chantal Akerman is at number two. Elsewhere in the top ten are David Lynch, Francis Ford Coppola, Jean-Luc Godard, Agnès Varda, Orson Welles, Yasujirō Ozu, and Stanley Kubrick, and tied for the tenth spot is Wong Kar Wai and Ingmar Bergman.
Check out the list below,...
- 3/5/2023
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Perry Mason is back on the case. Season 2 of HBO’s reimagined take on the classic legal drama premieres Monday, March 6, with Matthew Rhys again stepping into the title role. The Americans star has said he didn’t watch Raymond Burr’s iconic take on the character before season 1, which aired in 2020. But for many TV viewers, Burr is Perry Mason. The actor played the crusading defense attorney from 1957 to 1966, and again in a series of TV movies from the mid-80s through the early ‘90s.
Burr’s run as Perry Mason ended with this death in 1993. But are any other original Perry Mason cast members still alive?
‘Perry Mason’ star Raymond Burr died in 1993 Raymond Burr as Perry Mason, right, and Ray Collins as Lt. Arthur Tragg ‘in ‘Perry Mason’ | CBS via Getty Images
The Canadian-born Burr had a long career in Hollywood, including roles in classic films such...
Burr’s run as Perry Mason ended with this death in 1993. But are any other original Perry Mason cast members still alive?
‘Perry Mason’ star Raymond Burr died in 1993 Raymond Burr as Perry Mason, right, and Ray Collins as Lt. Arthur Tragg ‘in ‘Perry Mason’ | CBS via Getty Images
The Canadian-born Burr had a long career in Hollywood, including roles in classic films such...
- 3/5/2023
- by Megan Elliott
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Auteurs and Hollywood don't always mix. Stanley Kubrick put some considerable distance between himself and the studio system after being required to stick closely to Dalton Trumbo's "Spartacus" script in 1960 — heading to England to secure funding and creative control on 1962's "Lolita." But he wasn't the first American filmmaker to flee his homeland in search of artistic freedom and funding.
Orson Welles is perhaps the ultimate example of a director clashing with a filmmaking industry unaligned with his sophisticated artistic ambitions. After his first film, "Citizen Kane," debuted in 1941 and proved a financial failure, Welles had to fight for financing and artistic control on future projects. Rko, which had funded "Citizen Kane," renegotiated Welles' contract to remove the unprecedented creative control he was initially afforded. And even though the film would eventually become regarded as one of, if not the finest movie ever made, the director would regularly find...
Orson Welles is perhaps the ultimate example of a director clashing with a filmmaking industry unaligned with his sophisticated artistic ambitions. After his first film, "Citizen Kane," debuted in 1941 and proved a financial failure, Welles had to fight for financing and artistic control on future projects. Rko, which had funded "Citizen Kane," renegotiated Welles' contract to remove the unprecedented creative control he was initially afforded. And even though the film would eventually become regarded as one of, if not the finest movie ever made, the director would regularly find...
- 3/4/2023
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
We love this Fritz Lang western even though it’s not particularly good; only in hindsight do we realize that the brilliant director’s intentions may have been compromised. High-key lighting does Marlene Dietrich no favors, but she scores good scenes performing with Arthur Kennedy (revenged crazed cowpoke) and Mel Ferrer (tranquilized gunslinger). Lang fans will be impressed by the gaudy, over-bright restored Technicolor, and we can always blame Howard Hughes.
Rancho Notorious
Blu-ray
Warner Archive Collection
1952 / Color / 1:37 Academy / 89 min. / Available at Amazon.com / General site Wac-Amazon / Street Date January 10, 2023 / 21.99
Starring: Marlene Dietrich, Arthur Kennedy, Mel Ferrer, Lloyd Gough, William Frawley, Jack Elam, George Reeves, Frank Ferguson, Dan Seymour, John Doucette, Dick Elliott, Russell Johnson, Charlita.
Cinematography: Hal Mohr
Production Designer: Wiard Ihnen
Dietrich’s wardrobe designed by: Don Loper
Editorial Supervisor: Otto Ludwig
Original Music: Emil Newman
Written by Daniel Taradash, Silvia Richards
Produced by Howard Welsch
Directed...
Rancho Notorious
Blu-ray
Warner Archive Collection
1952 / Color / 1:37 Academy / 89 min. / Available at Amazon.com / General site Wac-Amazon / Street Date January 10, 2023 / 21.99
Starring: Marlene Dietrich, Arthur Kennedy, Mel Ferrer, Lloyd Gough, William Frawley, Jack Elam, George Reeves, Frank Ferguson, Dan Seymour, John Doucette, Dick Elliott, Russell Johnson, Charlita.
Cinematography: Hal Mohr
Production Designer: Wiard Ihnen
Dietrich’s wardrobe designed by: Don Loper
Editorial Supervisor: Otto Ludwig
Original Music: Emil Newman
Written by Daniel Taradash, Silvia Richards
Produced by Howard Welsch
Directed...
- 1/31/2023
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
The 2023 Oscar nominations are finally here, full of surprises across the board, both positive (Andrea Riseborough! Brian Tyree Henry!) and unfortunate (where's the love for "Rrr" or "Decision to Leave?"). Some truly excellent films received well-deserved and ample recognition, like the wonderfully ecstatic "Everything Everywhere All at Once" and the haunting "The Banshees of Inisherin." One not-so-surprising turn of events is the Best Actor nomination of Brendan Fraser in Darren Aronofsky's controversial entry "The Whale," based on the play by Samuel D. Hunter.
"The Whale" follows Charlie, a 600-pound English instructor with a good and vulnerable heart, who is literally eating himself to death following the tragic loss of his boyfriend and his estrangement from his furious daughter Ellie (Sadie Sink). The film sees Charlie routinely embarrassed, rejected, engaged in acts of clear self-hatred, and on the receiving end of a parade of hate speech over his weight in...
"The Whale" follows Charlie, a 600-pound English instructor with a good and vulnerable heart, who is literally eating himself to death following the tragic loss of his boyfriend and his estrangement from his furious daughter Ellie (Sadie Sink). The film sees Charlie routinely embarrassed, rejected, engaged in acts of clear self-hatred, and on the receiving end of a parade of hate speech over his weight in...
- 1/25/2023
- by Jeff Ewing
- Slash Film
The Brendan Fraser renaissance has definitely begun, if not quite the way we all would've wanted. Fraser, the beloved star of '90s films like "Encino Man," "George of the Jungle," and "The Mummy," has been steadily making a comeback after going through hard times in both his personal and professional lives in the 2000s. Building on his well-received work in TV series like "Trust" and "The Affair", the actor now finds himself among the front-runners for this year's Best Actor Oscar prize thanks to his role in Darren Aronofsky's new film, "The Whale."
This is where things get tricky. Written by Samuel D. Hunter and adapted from his 2012 stage play of the same name, "The Whale" sees Fraser donning a fat suit — a controversial practice in and of itself that has come under greater scrutiny of late — to play Charlie, a 600-pound reclusive professor who teaches English literature...
This is where things get tricky. Written by Samuel D. Hunter and adapted from his 2012 stage play of the same name, "The Whale" sees Fraser donning a fat suit — a controversial practice in and of itself that has come under greater scrutiny of late — to play Charlie, a 600-pound reclusive professor who teaches English literature...
- 12/14/2022
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
A Hollywood Christmas is a romantic comedy starring Jessika Van and Josh Swickard. This quirky Christmas movie for the entire family is directed by Alex Ranarivelo.
Christmas in the studio.
Premise
Jessica, a young, up-and-coming filmmaker in Hollywood has made a name for herself directing Christmas movies. But when handsome network executive Christopher shows up threatening to halt production on her latest movie, Jessica’s assistant, Reena, points out the irony: Jessica isn’t just trying to save her Christmas movie, she’s actually living in one. Jessica must now juggle all the classic tropes—her actors falling in and out of love, a wayward elf dog, and her own stirring romantic feelings for her perceived nemesis—in order to get her movie and her life to their happy endings.
Movie Review
Do you remember The Player (1992)? It was a close to brilliant movie in which Robert Altman would elaborate his close up shots,...
Christmas in the studio.
Premise
Jessica, a young, up-and-coming filmmaker in Hollywood has made a name for herself directing Christmas movies. But when handsome network executive Christopher shows up threatening to halt production on her latest movie, Jessica’s assistant, Reena, points out the irony: Jessica isn’t just trying to save her Christmas movie, she’s actually living in one. Jessica must now juggle all the classic tropes—her actors falling in and out of love, a wayward elf dog, and her own stirring romantic feelings for her perceived nemesis—in order to get her movie and her life to their happy endings.
Movie Review
Do you remember The Player (1992)? It was a close to brilliant movie in which Robert Altman would elaborate his close up shots,...
- 12/6/2022
- by Elisabeth Plank
- Martin Cid Magazine - Movies
It’s the list that keeps on giving. Yesterday, Sight and Sound announced their once-in-a-decade critic and filmmaker polls of the greatest films of all-time and while we debate what was added and dropped, specific ballots are starting to roll out. You can find most critics (including our own Nick Newman’s list) on their respective social media channels, and ahead of the full ballots being unveiled next month, the publication is starting to share a few.
First up, we have lists from Martin Scorsese and Bong Joon Ho. As usual, with his breadth of cinema appreciation, the former couldn’t stick to just ten movies, and it’s most interesting to compare what has changed since his 2012 list. In 2022, Diary of a Country Priest, Ikiru, and Ordet were all added, while none dropped off. In terms of Scorsese’s own films on the overall list, Raging Bull was dropped,...
First up, we have lists from Martin Scorsese and Bong Joon Ho. As usual, with his breadth of cinema appreciation, the former couldn’t stick to just ten movies, and it’s most interesting to compare what has changed since his 2012 list. In 2022, Diary of a Country Priest, Ikiru, and Ordet were all added, while none dropped off. In terms of Scorsese’s own films on the overall list, Raging Bull was dropped,...
- 12/2/2022
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
It’s been less than 24 hours since the announcement of Sight and Sound’s greatest films of all-time polls. While we have a decade more of discourse, the first reactions were expectedly divisive when certain 21st-century films make the list and other venerated classics are dropped. As interesting as the top 100 is to discuss, we wanted to look a bit deeper to see how the reception of certain films shifted over the last decade, with a rundown of the films that were added and those removed.
As one can see below, about a quarter of the list switched up this time, with major showings for a number of women filmmakers—Agnès Varda, Chantal Akerman, Julie Dash, Jane Campion, Barbara Loden, Céline Sciamma, Maya Daren, and Věra Chytilová. Wong Kar-wai, Hayao Miyazaki, Charles Burnett, Spike Lee, Jordan Peele, Barry Jenkins, and Bong Joon-ho were also well-represented.
The films that were dropped...
As one can see below, about a quarter of the list switched up this time, with major showings for a number of women filmmakers—Agnès Varda, Chantal Akerman, Julie Dash, Jane Campion, Barbara Loden, Céline Sciamma, Maya Daren, and Věra Chytilová. Wong Kar-wai, Hayao Miyazaki, Charles Burnett, Spike Lee, Jordan Peele, Barry Jenkins, and Bong Joon-ho were also well-represented.
The films that were dropped...
- 12/2/2022
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
The results of Sight and Sound’s once-a-decade Greatest Film of All Time poll are in.
Every 10 years, the British Film Institute-published magazine asks experts, including critics, academics, distributors, writers, curators, archivists and programmers, to send their personal top 10 favourite films.
In 2012, the winner was Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo, which has been bumped into second place.
The 2022 poll, which recorded responses from just under double the amount that voted a decade ago, was topped by Chantal Akerman’s minimalistic Belgian drama Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles (1975).
Akerman has become the first female director to have a film top the poll in its 70-year history. In the 2012 list, the film finished in 36th place.
The three-hour, 21-minute-long film, which was directed by Akerman when she was 25, charts the daily routine of a widow (Delphine Seyrig) over the course of three days.
Rounding out the top five is Orson Welles’s...
Every 10 years, the British Film Institute-published magazine asks experts, including critics, academics, distributors, writers, curators, archivists and programmers, to send their personal top 10 favourite films.
In 2012, the winner was Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo, which has been bumped into second place.
The 2022 poll, which recorded responses from just under double the amount that voted a decade ago, was topped by Chantal Akerman’s minimalistic Belgian drama Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles (1975).
Akerman has become the first female director to have a film top the poll in its 70-year history. In the 2012 list, the film finished in 36th place.
The three-hour, 21-minute-long film, which was directed by Akerman when she was 25, charts the daily routine of a widow (Delphine Seyrig) over the course of three days.
Rounding out the top five is Orson Welles’s...
- 12/1/2022
- by Jacob Stolworthy
- The Independent - Film
Celebrated cartoonist and screenwriter Daniel Clowes discusses his favorite formative films with hosts Josh Olson and Joe Dante.
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Baxter (1989)
Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill! (1966) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary
Ghost World (2001) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
Art School Confidential (2006)
Help! (1965) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary, Charlie Largent’s review
The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming! (1966) – John Landis’s trailer commentary,
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1938) – Charlie Largent’s Blu-ray review
Gone With The Wind (1939)
Mudhoney (1965) – John Badham’s trailer commentary
Finders Keepers, Lovers Weepers! (1968)
Common Law Cabin (1967)
Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls (1970) – Michael Lehmann’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
The Seven Minutes (1971)
Black Snake (1973)
An American Werewolf In London (1981) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray reviews
Lady In A Cage (1964) – Darren Bousman’s trailer commentary, Charlie Largent’s Blu-ray review
The Wild One (1953)
Hush…...
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Baxter (1989)
Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill! (1966) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary
Ghost World (2001) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
Art School Confidential (2006)
Help! (1965) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary, Charlie Largent’s review
The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming! (1966) – John Landis’s trailer commentary,
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1938) – Charlie Largent’s Blu-ray review
Gone With The Wind (1939)
Mudhoney (1965) – John Badham’s trailer commentary
Finders Keepers, Lovers Weepers! (1968)
Common Law Cabin (1967)
Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls (1970) – Michael Lehmann’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
The Seven Minutes (1971)
Black Snake (1973)
An American Werewolf In London (1981) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray reviews
Lady In A Cage (1964) – Darren Bousman’s trailer commentary, Charlie Largent’s Blu-ray review
The Wild One (1953)
Hush…...
- 11/15/2022
- by Kris Millsap
- Trailers from Hell
Josh Olson shares his top 10 movies from his favorite movie year, 1992, with Joe Dante.
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)
Star Wars (1977)
Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)
After Dark, My Sweet (1990)
The Last Of The Mohicans (1992)
Thief (1981) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary
Manhunter (1986) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary
The Last Of The Mohicans (1936)
The Player (1992) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Criterion Blu-ray review
Popeye (1980)
Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull’s History Lesson (1976) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
Quintet (1979)
HealtH (1980)
Come Back To the Five And Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean (1982)
Secret Honor (1984)
The Graduate (1967) – Neil Labute’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Criterion Blu-ray review
Touch Of Evil (1958) – Howard Rodman’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairings, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
Dead Alive a.k.a. Braindead (1992) – Mike Mendez’s trailer commentary
Meet The Feebles (1989) – Mike Mendez’s...
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)
Star Wars (1977)
Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)
After Dark, My Sweet (1990)
The Last Of The Mohicans (1992)
Thief (1981) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary
Manhunter (1986) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary
The Last Of The Mohicans (1936)
The Player (1992) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Criterion Blu-ray review
Popeye (1980)
Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull’s History Lesson (1976) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
Quintet (1979)
HealtH (1980)
Come Back To the Five And Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean (1982)
Secret Honor (1984)
The Graduate (1967) – Neil Labute’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Criterion Blu-ray review
Touch Of Evil (1958) – Howard Rodman’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairings, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
Dead Alive a.k.a. Braindead (1992) – Mike Mendez’s trailer commentary
Meet The Feebles (1989) – Mike Mendez’s...
- 8/30/2022
- by Kris Millsap
- Trailers from Hell
(Clockwise from top left) Valley Girl (Shout Factory); Touch Of Evil (Universal Pictures); Blue Collar (Universal Pictures), The Thin Man (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer). Graphic: Rebecca Fassola In the great streaming wars, the Criterion Channel has consistently been an overlooked service—even here at The A.V. Club. While it may not feature a robust,...
- 8/20/2022
- by Gabrielle Sanchez
- avclub.com
One of Orson Welles’ best has arrived in 4K! Kino Lorber has revived Universal’s 3-version study of the bordertown crime & corruption drama, that knocks us out with Welles’ colorful, weird characters, intricate scene blocking and infinitely creative camera work. Almost all of the extras from the earlier DVD and Blu-ray editions are here, with added expert commentary (the tally of tracks is now five). The performances are superb — Welles won’t lay off the candy bars, Janet Leigh wisely avoids the motel shower and Charlton Heston is actually fine as a ‘pretty unlikely’ Mexican. We’ve seen this show ten times — it’s so dense that each viewing brings new revelations.
Touch of Evil 4K
4K Ultra HD
Kl Studio Classics
1958-1998 / B&w / 1:85 widescreen / 96, 109, 111 min. / Street Date March 15, 2022 / available through Kino Lorber / 24.95
Starring: Charlton Heston, Janet Leigh, Orson Welles, Joseph Calleia, Akim Tamiroff, Ray Collins, Joanna Moore,...
Touch of Evil 4K
4K Ultra HD
Kl Studio Classics
1958-1998 / B&w / 1:85 widescreen / 96, 109, 111 min. / Street Date March 15, 2022 / available through Kino Lorber / 24.95
Starring: Charlton Heston, Janet Leigh, Orson Welles, Joseph Calleia, Akim Tamiroff, Ray Collins, Joanna Moore,...
- 6/28/2022
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
A few days before the premiere of Peter Budinský’s animated film “Yourland,” Nohavmede has launched the game “Yourland: Bowlers Run” to underscore the environmental themes of the film, in the latest example of movie-games convergence, according to Film New Europe.
The development of the game took almost two years, during which the creators worked closely with the film’s producers.
“Yourland” was produced by Slovakia’s Bfilm in coproduction with Slovakia’s Plutoon, The Pack in Belgium, Bfilm.cz in Czech Republic, and Radio and Television Slovakia. It was supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic, the Slovak Audiovisual Fund, the Media Programme, the Bratislava region, the Czech Film Fund and Screen.brussels. The development of the game was supported by Art Support Fund.
“Yourland: Bowlers Run” is an atmospheric action game set in the fantasy world of “Yourland.” It is designed for children from the...
The development of the game took almost two years, during which the creators worked closely with the film’s producers.
“Yourland” was produced by Slovakia’s Bfilm in coproduction with Slovakia’s Plutoon, The Pack in Belgium, Bfilm.cz in Czech Republic, and Radio and Television Slovakia. It was supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic, the Slovak Audiovisual Fund, the Media Programme, the Bratislava region, the Czech Film Fund and Screen.brussels. The development of the game was supported by Art Support Fund.
“Yourland: Bowlers Run” is an atmospheric action game set in the fantasy world of “Yourland.” It is designed for children from the...
- 5/31/2022
- by Zuzana Točíková Vojteková
- Variety Film + TV
The Palm Springs area will live up to its reputation for seediness under the cover of never-ending nights — irony intended — as the Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival returns to town for its 22nd annual marathon of vintage crime dramas this weekend. Leonard Maltin and TCM “Noir Alley” host Eddie Muller will be among the guest hosts joining festival curator Alan K. Rode for a four-day deep dive into the dark that kicks off Thursday night with the 1949 Nicholas Ray film whose title pretty much says it all about the genre being celebrated: “They Live by Night.”
That opening night will be preceded Wednesday by a fundraising performance by frequent festival guest Victoria Mature, daughter of Hollywood golden-age icon Victor Mature, dubbed “Victoria/Victor Mature Cabaret, an Evening of Memories and Music,” to be held, as with the festival proper, at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Mature will also be on...
That opening night will be preceded Wednesday by a fundraising performance by frequent festival guest Victoria Mature, daughter of Hollywood golden-age icon Victor Mature, dubbed “Victoria/Victor Mature Cabaret, an Evening of Memories and Music,” to be held, as with the festival proper, at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Mature will also be on...
- 5/10/2022
- by Chris Willman
- Variety Film + TV
The Cohen Film Collection brings to Region A its beautifully remastered disc of American fringe filmmaking’s weirdest, most obsessively arty shock-fest — a loving return to silent expressionist horror. The New York censors scuttled its commercial chances, and it wound up as a movie-within-a-movie footnote for Steve McQueen. We never thought we’d see the show look this good — John Parker memorialized Venice, California five years before Orson Welles. But the overall package packs a big disappointment, as I’ll explain.
Dementia
Blu-ray
Cohen Media Group
1955 / B&W / 1:37 Academy / 56 min. / Street Date April 26, 2022 / Available from Kino Lorber / 29.95
Starring: Adrienne Barret, Ben Roseman, Bruno VeSota, Ben Roseman, Angelo Rossitto.
Cinematography: William C. Thompson
Film Editor: Joseph Gluck
Original Music: George Antheil
Music director: Ernest Gold
Featured Vocal: Marni Nixon
New Concepts in Modern Sounds: Shorty Rogers and his Giants
Written, Produced and Directed by John J. Parker
The BFI first...
Dementia
Blu-ray
Cohen Media Group
1955 / B&W / 1:37 Academy / 56 min. / Street Date April 26, 2022 / Available from Kino Lorber / 29.95
Starring: Adrienne Barret, Ben Roseman, Bruno VeSota, Ben Roseman, Angelo Rossitto.
Cinematography: William C. Thompson
Film Editor: Joseph Gluck
Original Music: George Antheil
Music director: Ernest Gold
Featured Vocal: Marni Nixon
New Concepts in Modern Sounds: Shorty Rogers and his Giants
Written, Produced and Directed by John J. Parker
The BFI first...
- 5/3/2022
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
The Godfather, currently celebrating its 50th anniversary, is a perfect film. Every scene is an individual work of art. Francis Ford Coppola’s adaptation of Mario Puzo’s novel is never sloppy, but part of its olive oil charm lies in its blemishes. Some of the featured players were not professional actors, and uncomfortable scenes play out in lingering real time.
The Godfather has been criticized for glorifying violence, and it certainly has its share. From the barrage of bullets at a toll booth to the brains all over Michael’s Ivy League suit, plus waking up with the severed head of a beloved horse, the range of brutality is vast. There are scenes of domestic abuse which lead to street beatings. Car bombings vie with bar stabbings.
The reason the violence works so well, however, is because so much time is allowed to pass in between these scenes. The...
The Godfather has been criticized for glorifying violence, and it certainly has its share. From the barrage of bullets at a toll booth to the brains all over Michael’s Ivy League suit, plus waking up with the severed head of a beloved horse, the range of brutality is vast. There are scenes of domestic abuse which lead to street beatings. Car bombings vie with bar stabbings.
The reason the violence works so well, however, is because so much time is allowed to pass in between these scenes. The...
- 4/3/2022
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
If you think being the creative mastermind behind the greatest movie ever made would guarantee you a prosperous Hollywood career, you'd be wrong. Orson Welles never again enjoyed the creative freedom he had on "Citizen Kane." He still tried to stick it out in Hollywood for awhile, directing and starring in films like "The Stranger" for Rko Radio Pictures and "The Lady from Shanghai" for Columbia. By the end of the 1950s, he called it quits, relocated to Europe, and only ever returned to Hollywood to act. The last film he directed for an American studio was "Touch Of Evil," a 1958 film noir for Universal. However, it...
The post A Stroke of Luck Saved Orson Welles' Touch of Evil appeared first on /Film.
The post A Stroke of Luck Saved Orson Welles' Touch of Evil appeared first on /Film.
- 3/25/2022
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
The 2020 Oscars produced a record four films that all received at least 10 nominations. While it created a wide-open field, it also meant great movies like “The Farewell,” “Hustlers,” “Midsommar” and more were completely snubbed. And believe us, there have been some bad movies nominated for plenty of Oscars in the past. And while we could go all day naming movies that have been unfairly overlooked by The Academy for one reason or another, these near classics feel like they should’ve been awards season shoo-ins and yet ultimately received no Oscar love at all.
“King Kong” (1933)
It was the quintessential monster movie of the era and was a landmark for special effects, but the Academy handed it zero nominations.
“Modern Times” (1936)
Many of Charlie Chaplin’s silent masterpieces predate the Oscars, but the Academy didn’t take the chance to nominate his final turn as The Tramp. Chaplin himself wouldn...
“King Kong” (1933)
It was the quintessential monster movie of the era and was a landmark for special effects, but the Academy handed it zero nominations.
“Modern Times” (1936)
Many of Charlie Chaplin’s silent masterpieces predate the Oscars, but the Academy didn’t take the chance to nominate his final turn as The Tramp. Chaplin himself wouldn...
- 3/22/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Bert I. Gordon’s career groove of shrinking and bloating various animals and people bottoms out in this trashy drive-in groaner: it’s colorful but nigh-unwatchable. The exploitation target is sci-fi and the teen musical, with incompatible helpings of pre-teen ‘cutes’ and girlie show jiggle for the raincoat crowd. The show apparently did well, but I heard mostly about resentful walkouts. Gordon’s early films have far more charm; this one mostly shows contempt for his audience. For fans that think there’s Camp value here, the Blu-ray transfer is sensationally good, as is the reproduction of Jack Nitzsche’s rock music score. The only thing to call this movie is Poor, but how can that be when I find so much to say about it?
Village of the Giants
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1965 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 81 min. / Street Date February 22, 2022 / available through Kino Lorber / 24.95
Starring: Tommy Kirk, Johnny Crawford,...
Village of the Giants
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1965 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 81 min. / Street Date February 22, 2022 / available through Kino Lorber / 24.95
Starring: Tommy Kirk, Johnny Crawford,...
- 2/22/2022
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Rooney as Japanese? Stone as Native Hawaiian? TheWrap looks at history of racially misguided castings
Katharine Hepburn in “Dragon Seed” (1944)
Caucasian Hepburn played a Chinese woman in this big-screen adaptation of the Pearl S. Buck novel.
Marlon Brando in “The Teahouse of the August Moon” (1956)
Brando starred as an Okinawan translator for the U.S. Army in this comedy about the American occupation of the island nation.
John Wayne in “Conquerer” (1956)
Wayne was cast as Mongol conquerer Genghis Khan in what’s considered by many to be one of the worst films of all time.
Charlton Heston in “Touch of Evil” (1958)
Heston starred as Ramon Miguel Vargas in the 1958 crime film, a Mexican narcotics officer.
Mickey Rooney in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (1961)
More caricature than character, Rooney starred as the buck-toothed, Japanese Mr. Yunioshi in the 1961 film, which has faced volumes of criticism since.
Natalie Wood in “West Side Story” (1961)
Wood plays...
Katharine Hepburn in “Dragon Seed” (1944)
Caucasian Hepburn played a Chinese woman in this big-screen adaptation of the Pearl S. Buck novel.
Marlon Brando in “The Teahouse of the August Moon” (1956)
Brando starred as an Okinawan translator for the U.S. Army in this comedy about the American occupation of the island nation.
John Wayne in “Conquerer” (1956)
Wayne was cast as Mongol conquerer Genghis Khan in what’s considered by many to be one of the worst films of all time.
Charlton Heston in “Touch of Evil” (1958)
Heston starred as Ramon Miguel Vargas in the 1958 crime film, a Mexican narcotics officer.
Mickey Rooney in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (1961)
More caricature than character, Rooney starred as the buck-toothed, Japanese Mr. Yunioshi in the 1961 film, which has faced volumes of criticism since.
Natalie Wood in “West Side Story” (1961)
Wood plays...
- 6/22/2021
- by Wrap Staff
- The Wrap
Gary Oldman plays “Citizen Kane” screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz in the new David Fincher film “Mank.” The Oscar winner has been nominated at the Golden Globes, Critics Choice and SAG Awards for his performance.
Oldman recently spoke with Gold Derby managing editor Chris Beachum about how thoughts on Mankiewicz himself, working with Fincher for the first time and his memories of winning his Oscar for “Darkest Hour.” Watch the exclusive chat above and read the complete transcript below.
SEEGary Oldman on seeing ‘Mank’ on the big screen: ‘There’s a point where you think you’re watching a film from 1940’
Gold Derby: Gary, you’re playing Herman J. Mankiewicz. I think you already knew that. Just making sure the audience knew that. Famous screenwriter, co-writer of “Citizen Kane.” If you could have magically talked to him as you were preparing for this role, what’s something you would have liked...
Oldman recently spoke with Gold Derby managing editor Chris Beachum about how thoughts on Mankiewicz himself, working with Fincher for the first time and his memories of winning his Oscar for “Darkest Hour.” Watch the exclusive chat above and read the complete transcript below.
SEEGary Oldman on seeing ‘Mank’ on the big screen: ‘There’s a point where you think you’re watching a film from 1940’
Gold Derby: Gary, you’re playing Herman J. Mankiewicz. I think you already knew that. Just making sure the audience knew that. Famous screenwriter, co-writer of “Citizen Kane.” If you could have magically talked to him as you were preparing for this role, what’s something you would have liked...
- 3/3/2021
- by Kevin Jacobsen and Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
If “The Little Things” seems like a movie from another time, it is. John Lee Hancock wrote the script 28 years ago, back when he wrote the Kevin Costner vehicle “A Perfect World” for director Clint Eastwood. Steven Spielberg was interested, but found the drama about the fight to find an L.A. serial killer too noir. Eastwood considered it, then Warren Beatty. Then Danny DeVito.
“I put in a drawer, and didn’t think about it,” said Hancock, who went on to direct “The Rookie,” “The Alamo,” and “The Blind Side.” “But every couple years, Johnson called.”
“The Little Things” seems commercial enough: Set in the 1990s, it’s a thriller about grizzled ex-LAPD detective Joe Deacon (Denzel Washington) who goes into exile after an unsolved serial killer case goes terribly wrong. When he visits LA and reconnects with his old department, he meets hotshot detective Jim Baxter (Rami Malek...
“I put in a drawer, and didn’t think about it,” said Hancock, who went on to direct “The Rookie,” “The Alamo,” and “The Blind Side.” “But every couple years, Johnson called.”
“The Little Things” seems commercial enough: Set in the 1990s, it’s a thriller about grizzled ex-LAPD detective Joe Deacon (Denzel Washington) who goes into exile after an unsolved serial killer case goes terribly wrong. When he visits LA and reconnects with his old department, he meets hotshot detective Jim Baxter (Rami Malek...
- 1/28/2021
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
If “The Little Things” seems like a movie from another time, it is. John Lee Hancock wrote the script 28 years ago, back when he wrote the Kevin Costner vehicle “A Perfect World” for director Clint Eastwood. Steven Spielberg was interested, but found the drama about the fight to find an L.A. serial killer too noir. Eastwood considered it, then Warren Beatty. Then Danny DeVito.
“I put in a drawer, and didn’t think about it,” said Hancock, who went on to direct “The Rookie,” “The Alamo,” and “The Blind Side.” “But every couple years, Johnson called.”
“The Little Things” seems commercial enough: Set in the 1990s, it’s a thriller about grizzled ex-LAPD detective Joe Deacon (Denzel Washington) who goes into exile after an unsolved serial killer case goes terribly wrong. When he visits LA and reconnects with his old department, he meets hotshot detective Jim Baxter (Rami Malek...
“I put in a drawer, and didn’t think about it,” said Hancock, who went on to direct “The Rookie,” “The Alamo,” and “The Blind Side.” “But every couple years, Johnson called.”
“The Little Things” seems commercial enough: Set in the 1990s, it’s a thriller about grizzled ex-LAPD detective Joe Deacon (Denzel Washington) who goes into exile after an unsolved serial killer case goes terribly wrong. When he visits LA and reconnects with his old department, he meets hotshot detective Jim Baxter (Rami Malek...
- 1/28/2021
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Like its inspiration, Richard Matheson’s The Shrinking Man, Jack Arnold’s 1957 shocker expertly juggles sci-fi thrills, metaphysics, and a shrewd metaphor for suburban angst in Cold War America. The film is upheld by fine performances from Grant Williams as the humiliated husband who takes up residence in a doll house, and Randy Stuart as his equally embattled wife who has the patience of Job. The life-affirming finale walks a deft line between spirituality and humanism. Producer Albert Zugsmith was simultaneously working with Orson Welles on Touch of Evil and got him to provide 45 seconds of sonorous promo narration for the ads.
The post The Incredible Shrinking Man appeared first on Trailers From Hell.
The post The Incredible Shrinking Man appeared first on Trailers From Hell.
- 1/22/2021
- by Charlie Largent
- Trailers from Hell
It’s that time of year again. While some directors annually share their favorite films of the year, Steven Soderbergh lists everything he consumed, media-wise. For 2020––a year in which he not only Let Them All Talk Review: Steven Soderbergh’s Most Emotionally Resonant Film in Years”>released a new film, but No Sudden Move and Confirms The Knick Return”>shot another––he still got plenty of watching in.
His list includes months-early screenings of Mank (x4!), I’m Your Woman, Bill & Ted Face the Music, Cherry, and The Woman in the Window, as well no shortage of classics and recent favorites, including Time, Long Day’s Journey Into Night, The Assistant, two films in the Small Axe anthology, and more. After beginning production on No Sudden Move on September 28, he also screened the first cut on November 14.
Check out the list below via his official site.
01/01 Les Miserables (’19)
01/02 Cassandra at the Wedding,...
His list includes months-early screenings of Mank (x4!), I’m Your Woman, Bill & Ted Face the Music, Cherry, and The Woman in the Window, as well no shortage of classics and recent favorites, including Time, Long Day’s Journey Into Night, The Assistant, two films in the Small Axe anthology, and more. After beginning production on No Sudden Move on September 28, he also screened the first cut on November 14.
Check out the list below via his official site.
01/01 Les Miserables (’19)
01/02 Cassandra at the Wedding,...
- 1/5/2021
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Joseph McBride, the veteran film historian, biographer, screenwriter and professor in the School of Cinema at San Francisco State University, has written three critical studies on Orson Welles including “What Ever Happened to Orson Welles? A Portrait of an Independent Career” (2006). He knew the legendary filmmaker and even appears as a young film critic in “The Other Side of the Wind,” Welles’ infamous unfinished film, which was completed and released in 2018.
He’s also been a staunch defender of the filmmaker’s authorship of 1941’s “Citizen Kane” since the publication of Pauline Kael’s controversial 50,000 word “Raising Kane,” which first appeared in two consecutive New Yorker articles in Feb. 1971. Kael praised the contributions to the Oscar-winning script by Herman Mankiewicz, who has the first position in the screen credit, while denigrating Welles’ contribution.
And the argument is back in the news with David Fincher’s new film, “Mank”,’ currently streaming on Netflix,...
He’s also been a staunch defender of the filmmaker’s authorship of 1941’s “Citizen Kane” since the publication of Pauline Kael’s controversial 50,000 word “Raising Kane,” which first appeared in two consecutive New Yorker articles in Feb. 1971. Kael praised the contributions to the Oscar-winning script by Herman Mankiewicz, who has the first position in the screen credit, while denigrating Welles’ contribution.
And the argument is back in the news with David Fincher’s new film, “Mank”,’ currently streaming on Netflix,...
- 12/10/2020
- by Susan King
- Gold Derby
The great actor Robert Picardo, a frequent Joe Dante collaborator and long time Star Trek hologram, joins Josh and Joe to discuss movies that compel him to sit and watch all the way through any time they just happen to be on.
Also… Josh and Bob discuss the best cheesesteak joints in Philly.
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
The Howling (1981)
A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984)
A Hard Day’s Night (1964)
The Running Jumping and Standing Still Film (1959)
Swing Time (1936)
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949)
Cabaret (1972)
A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
On The Waterfront (1954)
Some Like It Hot (1959)
Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)
Innerspace (1987)
Ordinary People (1980)
Hollywood Boulevard (1976)
Rock ‘N’ Roll High School (1978)
The Godfather (1972)
The Godfather Part II (1974)
Jaws (1975)
The Wiz (1978)
The Godfather Part III (1990)
Alien (1979)
Star Wars (1977)
Death Becomes Her (1992)
Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
I Knew It Was You (2009)
Touch Of Evil (1958)
Citizen Kane (1941)
The Day The Earth Stood Still...
Also… Josh and Bob discuss the best cheesesteak joints in Philly.
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
The Howling (1981)
A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984)
A Hard Day’s Night (1964)
The Running Jumping and Standing Still Film (1959)
Swing Time (1936)
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949)
Cabaret (1972)
A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
On The Waterfront (1954)
Some Like It Hot (1959)
Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)
Innerspace (1987)
Ordinary People (1980)
Hollywood Boulevard (1976)
Rock ‘N’ Roll High School (1978)
The Godfather (1972)
The Godfather Part II (1974)
Jaws (1975)
The Wiz (1978)
The Godfather Part III (1990)
Alien (1979)
Star Wars (1977)
Death Becomes Her (1992)
Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
I Knew It Was You (2009)
Touch Of Evil (1958)
Citizen Kane (1941)
The Day The Earth Stood Still...
- 11/24/2020
- by Kris Millsap
- Trailers from Hell
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