New history documentary series “Queens That Changed the World,” that shines a light on some of the world’s most powerful female rulers, has scored a raft of worldwide sales.
Channel 4 has acquired the series for the U.K. The series is produced by Woodcut Media who brokered the deal with Channel 4, and is distributed worldwide by Abacus Media Rights who have already pre-sold it to streaming service BBC Select (U.S. and Canada) and broadcasters Sbs (Australia), AMC Networks International (Spain and Portugal), Viasat World, Nrk (Norway), Dr (Denmark), Svt (Sweden), Czech TV (Czech Republic) and HOT8 (Israel).
“Queens That Changed the World” (6 x 45’) follows a formidable group of women who led the way, building nations, wielding extraordinary power, and often ruling in a manner that far surpassed their male counterparts. The series focuses on the Virgin Queen, Elizabeth I, the tenacious Eleanor of Aquitaine, Victoria, the British queen who redefined the monarchy,...
Channel 4 has acquired the series for the U.K. The series is produced by Woodcut Media who brokered the deal with Channel 4, and is distributed worldwide by Abacus Media Rights who have already pre-sold it to streaming service BBC Select (U.S. and Canada) and broadcasters Sbs (Australia), AMC Networks International (Spain and Portugal), Viasat World, Nrk (Norway), Dr (Denmark), Svt (Sweden), Czech TV (Czech Republic) and HOT8 (Israel).
“Queens That Changed the World” (6 x 45’) follows a formidable group of women who led the way, building nations, wielding extraordinary power, and often ruling in a manner that far surpassed their male counterparts. The series focuses on the Virgin Queen, Elizabeth I, the tenacious Eleanor of Aquitaine, Victoria, the British queen who redefined the monarchy,...
- 3/23/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Countdown star Susie Dent has revealed the identity of two Hollywood stars who “apparently” watch the show.
The long-running Channel 4 game show, which has been on the air since 1982, recently welcomed new presenter Colin Murray. He replaced Anne Robinson.
While promoting his new stint as host, Murray and his co-stars Dent and Rachel Riley were asked about their favourite Dictionary Corner guests, to which Murray named Richard Osman.
Riley opted for Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Chris Packham and Tim Rice, whom she said were “all incredible”.
Dent, who sits next to the dictionary corner celebrity guest, remained hesitant to name one, telling Metro.co.uk it was “impossible to choose”.
Dent said she has “the best seat in the house sitting next to so many fascinating guests”.
When asked if they “know of any unexpected fans of the show”, Dent said that former host Richard Whiteley “always reminded us that...
The long-running Channel 4 game show, which has been on the air since 1982, recently welcomed new presenter Colin Murray. He replaced Anne Robinson.
While promoting his new stint as host, Murray and his co-stars Dent and Rachel Riley were asked about their favourite Dictionary Corner guests, to which Murray named Richard Osman.
Riley opted for Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Chris Packham and Tim Rice, whom she said were “all incredible”.
Dent, who sits next to the dictionary corner celebrity guest, remained hesitant to name one, telling Metro.co.uk it was “impossible to choose”.
Dent said she has “the best seat in the house sitting next to so many fascinating guests”.
When asked if they “know of any unexpected fans of the show”, Dent said that former host Richard Whiteley “always reminded us that...
- 1/18/2023
- by Jacob Stolworthy
- The Independent - TV
BecomingX, a company co-founded by Bear Grylls that encourages personal development, has partnered with family edutainment powerhouse Da Vinci to produce Becoming Xtraordinary, a biographical series showcasing inspirational life stories and insights into success, including from such Hollywood stars as Julia Roberts, Channing Tatum and Courteney Cox.
Interviewees also include the likes of sporting legends, such as Roger Federer; politicians; astronaut Tim Peake; explorer Ranulph Fiennes; famous figures from other fields and lesser-known people with inspiring success stories.
Grylls will front the program, introducing the “aspirational, real-life series that showcases the skills, character and resilience needed to succeed,” the partners said on Thursday.
“Becoming Xtraordinary will encourage young people to dream big and learn what it really takes to realize their potential,” the partners said. “The biographical, studio-style entertainment series will present interview-driven stories with some of the world’s most iconic people, as well as those lesser known, but...
Interviewees also include the likes of sporting legends, such as Roger Federer; politicians; astronaut Tim Peake; explorer Ranulph Fiennes; famous figures from other fields and lesser-known people with inspiring success stories.
Grylls will front the program, introducing the “aspirational, real-life series that showcases the skills, character and resilience needed to succeed,” the partners said on Thursday.
“Becoming Xtraordinary will encourage young people to dream big and learn what it really takes to realize their potential,” the partners said. “The biographical, studio-style entertainment series will present interview-driven stories with some of the world’s most iconic people, as well as those lesser known, but...
- 1/12/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The first animation from the entertainment giant to feature an openly gay teen, about an end-of-days environmental disaster, tries to shoehorn too much in
For his latest Disney animation, Moana director Don Hall has created a wonderfully surreal subterranean land that looks like something that might have been dreamed up by Jules Verne, all DayGlo-pink blobby bonkersness. It’s a strange world populated by weird creatures: shoals of fish flying through the air and an enormous critter that’s a cross between a dinosaur and a jellyfish. The human characters aren’t half bad either: a family of gung-ho explorers. Shame, then, about the environmentally themed plot, which is so tangled it would take the entire Royal Geographical Society a decade to map out.
Dennis Quaid voices paterfamilias Jaeger Clade, a legendary explorer with enormous hands (he’s like Sir Ranulph Fiennes beefed up for a Marvel role). Jaeger disappeared 25 years ago on an expedition,...
For his latest Disney animation, Moana director Don Hall has created a wonderfully surreal subterranean land that looks like something that might have been dreamed up by Jules Verne, all DayGlo-pink blobby bonkersness. It’s a strange world populated by weird creatures: shoals of fish flying through the air and an enormous critter that’s a cross between a dinosaur and a jellyfish. The human characters aren’t half bad either: a family of gung-ho explorers. Shame, then, about the environmentally themed plot, which is so tangled it would take the entire Royal Geographical Society a decade to map out.
Dennis Quaid voices paterfamilias Jaeger Clade, a legendary explorer with enormous hands (he’s like Sir Ranulph Fiennes beefed up for a Marvel role). Jaeger disappeared 25 years ago on an expedition,...
- 11/21/2022
- by Cath Clarke
- The Guardian - Film News
The decade-old thriller Killer Elite has risen to the top of Netflix’s most-watched film chart in the UK.
Released to poor reviews in 2011, the film is note-worthy for featuring a starry cast including Robert De Niro, Jason Statham, Clive Owen and Ben Mendelsohn.
Based on Sir Ranulph Fiennes’s 1991 novel The Feather Men, Killer Elite focuses on a retired assassin who has to kill three skilled mercenaries to save his mentor.
The film currently occupies the No 1 spot on Netfilx’s film ranking in the UK.
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, Killer Elite currently holds a rating of just 28 per cent – placing it firmly within the category of “rotten”.
Viewers have generally not been kind about the film’s merits, with one Twitter user describing it as “crummy”.
“Oof. Killer Elite aka The Feather Men now on Netflix,” another person wrote. “Totally guff and nonsense but an enjoyable action romp.
Released to poor reviews in 2011, the film is note-worthy for featuring a starry cast including Robert De Niro, Jason Statham, Clive Owen and Ben Mendelsohn.
Based on Sir Ranulph Fiennes’s 1991 novel The Feather Men, Killer Elite focuses on a retired assassin who has to kill three skilled mercenaries to save his mentor.
The film currently occupies the No 1 spot on Netfilx’s film ranking in the UK.
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, Killer Elite currently holds a rating of just 28 per cent – placing it firmly within the category of “rotten”.
Viewers have generally not been kind about the film’s merits, with one Twitter user describing it as “crummy”.
“Oof. Killer Elite aka The Feather Men now on Netflix,” another person wrote. “Totally guff and nonsense but an enjoyable action romp.
- 9/13/2022
- by Louis Chilton
- The Independent - Film
“Explorer,” a portrait of Ranulph Fiennes, credited with the title, World’s Greatest Living Explorer, is set for a digital and on demand release.
The documentary feature peels back the layers of Fiennes’s life to go beyond his record-breaking achievements and reveal the man behind the myth. Fiennes was the first to circumnavigate the world from pole to pole, crossed the Antarctic on foot, broke countless world records and discovered a lost city in Arabia. He has traveled to the most dangerous places on Earth, lost half his fingers to frostbite, raised millions for charity and was nearly cast as James Bond. And, the man who prefers to be known as just ‘Ran,’ is a cousin to actors Ralph and Joseph.
With exclusive access to Fiennes, and his extensive film archive, preserved and cared for by the British Film Institute (BFI) National Archive, covering decades of expeditions and contributions from life-long friends and colleagues,...
The documentary feature peels back the layers of Fiennes’s life to go beyond his record-breaking achievements and reveal the man behind the myth. Fiennes was the first to circumnavigate the world from pole to pole, crossed the Antarctic on foot, broke countless world records and discovered a lost city in Arabia. He has traveled to the most dangerous places on Earth, lost half his fingers to frostbite, raised millions for charity and was nearly cast as James Bond. And, the man who prefers to be known as just ‘Ran,’ is a cousin to actors Ralph and Joseph.
With exclusive access to Fiennes, and his extensive film archive, preserved and cared for by the British Film Institute (BFI) National Archive, covering decades of expeditions and contributions from life-long friends and colleagues,...
- 8/26/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
"He's the last great explorer." Universal has debuted a new US trailer for the documentary film Explorer, which is opening in the US on VOD later in August. It premiered in UK cinemas in July, as it's about a British explorer and has a better audience over there. A portrait of the "world's greatest living explorer" Sir Ranulph Fiennes, a film that goes beyond the record breaking achievements to explore the man behind the myth. With exclusive access to "Ran", his incredible film archive, preserved and cared for by the BFI National Archive, covering decades of expeditions and contributions from life-long friends and colleagues, Explorer tells the definitive story of an inspirational leader, delving deep into Ran's audacious and eccentric dreams to explore, and the complex motivations behind them. Director Matt Dyas says, "I wanted to create a compelling portrait of the real man... between cracks of the ordinary and extraordinary,...
- 8/4/2022
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
‘McEnroe’, ‘Explorer’ also out as holdovers dominate.
UK family feature The Railway Children Return headlines the new titles at the UK-Ireland box office this weekend, releasing in 626 locations through Studiocanal.
Directed by Morgan Matthews, The Railway Children Return is a sequel to Lionel Jeffries’ 1970 feature The Railway Children. That film was based on E. Nesbit’s 1906 novel of the same name, about a family who move from London to beside a rural railway station, after the father is imprisoned on false accusations of spying.
The sequel is set during the Second World War, about a group of child evacuees from...
UK family feature The Railway Children Return headlines the new titles at the UK-Ireland box office this weekend, releasing in 626 locations through Studiocanal.
Directed by Morgan Matthews, The Railway Children Return is a sequel to Lionel Jeffries’ 1970 feature The Railway Children. That film was based on E. Nesbit’s 1906 novel of the same name, about a family who move from London to beside a rural railway station, after the father is imprisoned on false accusations of spying.
The sequel is set during the Second World War, about a group of child evacuees from...
- 7/15/2022
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
It’s not every day you get to speak to a legend – but we were gifted that very opportunity, when interviewing none other than Sir Ranulph Fiennes, the greatest living explorer and subject of moving documentary ‘Explorer’. Directed by Matt Dyas, we had the pleasure of chatting to the duo to discuss the film’s tender and poignant edge, and how it balances the more intense aspects of the profession, with the subtle, human elements of the man himself. We ask Dyas about the challenges and art of putting this film together, and we take a trip down memory lane, speaking to Fiennes about the places he’s been, and where he’d like to return to. Be sure to watch the interview in its entirety below.
Synopsis
A portrait of the “world’s greatest living explorer” Sir Ranulph Fiennes, a film that goes beyond the record breaking achievements to...
Synopsis
A portrait of the “world’s greatest living explorer” Sir Ranulph Fiennes, a film that goes beyond the record breaking achievements to...
- 7/14/2022
- by Stefan Pape
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Documentary about the great explorer is a white-knuckle ride that brings him to the brink of introspection
When Ranulph Fiennes appeared on Radio 4s’s In the Psychiatrist’s Chair, host Dr Anthony Clare was left so frustrated by Fiennes’s lack of self-reflection that he described the experience as “stirring a void with a teaspoon”. Well, maybe it’s age, but we see a few cracks in the granite of the “the world’s greatest living explorer”, now 78, in this documentary. Driving about in his battered silver Ford – 280,000 miles on the clock – Fiennes is at times on the verge of introspection as he talks to director Matthew Dyas.
So it turns out that Sir Ranulph Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes, 3rd baronet – the title is inherited, he prefers plain old “Ran” – grew up in a house of women, raised by his mother. He took up boxing at Eton after bullies picked on him...
When Ranulph Fiennes appeared on Radio 4s’s In the Psychiatrist’s Chair, host Dr Anthony Clare was left so frustrated by Fiennes’s lack of self-reflection that he described the experience as “stirring a void with a teaspoon”. Well, maybe it’s age, but we see a few cracks in the granite of the “the world’s greatest living explorer”, now 78, in this documentary. Driving about in his battered silver Ford – 280,000 miles on the clock – Fiennes is at times on the verge of introspection as he talks to director Matthew Dyas.
So it turns out that Sir Ranulph Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes, 3rd baronet – the title is inherited, he prefers plain old “Ran” – grew up in a house of women, raised by his mother. He took up boxing at Eton after bullies picked on him...
- 7/13/2022
- by Cath Clarke
- The Guardian - Film News
A brand new trailer has landed for the documentary ‘Explorer’ painting a portrait of Sir Ranulph Fiennes.
Sir Ranulph Fiennes is credited as being the World’s Greatest Living Explorer. Among his extraordinary achievements, he was the first to circumnavigate the world from pole to pole, crossed the Antarctic on foot, broke countless world records and discovered a lost city in Arabia. He has travelled to the most dangerous places on Earth, lost half his fingers to frostbite, raised millions of pounds for charity and was nearly cast as James Bond. But who is the man who prefers to be known as just ‘Ran’?
With exclusive access to Ran, his incredible film archive, preserved and cared for by the BFI National Archive, covering decades of expeditions and contributions from lifelong friends and colleagues, The doc tells the definitive story of an inspirational leader, delving deep into Ran’s audacious and...
Sir Ranulph Fiennes is credited as being the World’s Greatest Living Explorer. Among his extraordinary achievements, he was the first to circumnavigate the world from pole to pole, crossed the Antarctic on foot, broke countless world records and discovered a lost city in Arabia. He has travelled to the most dangerous places on Earth, lost half his fingers to frostbite, raised millions of pounds for charity and was nearly cast as James Bond. But who is the man who prefers to be known as just ‘Ran’?
With exclusive access to Ran, his incredible film archive, preserved and cared for by the BFI National Archive, covering decades of expeditions and contributions from lifelong friends and colleagues, The doc tells the definitive story of an inspirational leader, delving deep into Ran’s audacious and...
- 5/12/2022
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Derren Lawford, the former creative director of British indie producer Woodcut Media, has launched a new film and TV outfit focused on premium content with diversity at its core.
Headquartered in London, Dare Pictures will span documentaries, drama, film and podcasts, with plans to enlist an award-winning international network of directors, authors and producers who want to tell inclusive stories. Through Lawford’s previous work, the company is also positioned to access the worlds of fashion, music and advertising.
“Dare Pictures is primed as a new breed of production studio that takes a progressive and transnational approach in uncovering impactful ideas, whilst shining a light on creative talent across multiple cultures and backgrounds from around the world,” said Lawford.
“It’s both a bold and boutique approach to developing, producing and financing incredible stories, which is why Dare is positioned as a unique hub where independent and commercial creators can...
Headquartered in London, Dare Pictures will span documentaries, drama, film and podcasts, with plans to enlist an award-winning international network of directors, authors and producers who want to tell inclusive stories. Through Lawford’s previous work, the company is also positioned to access the worlds of fashion, music and advertising.
“Dare Pictures is primed as a new breed of production studio that takes a progressive and transnational approach in uncovering impactful ideas, whilst shining a light on creative talent across multiple cultures and backgrounds from around the world,” said Lawford.
“It’s both a bold and boutique approach to developing, producing and financing incredible stories, which is why Dare is positioned as a unique hub where independent and commercial creators can...
- 1/6/2022
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
U.K. factual indie Woodcut Media has launched an international distribution and sales business.
Woodcut International will focus on global sales of a program catalog of some 100 hours from the Woodcut slate, including new Sky Crime U.K. series “The Beverley Allitt Tapes” and library titles “The Ivy,” “Defenders of the Sky,” “Football: A Brief History by Alfie Allen” and “Murders That Shocked the Nation.” It will also co-finance via a new investment fund that has been created for the purpose.
Woodcut Media, which is part of the Anthology Group, will continue to work with existing and new third-party distributors on other in-house productions.
The launch of Woodcut International is spearheaded by Woodcut Media’s director of business development Koulla Anastasi, supported by the Anthology Group’s chief operating officer Polly Benton. Anastasi will oversee a team of experienced international sales agents around the world.
“We have been focused on...
Woodcut International will focus on global sales of a program catalog of some 100 hours from the Woodcut slate, including new Sky Crime U.K. series “The Beverley Allitt Tapes” and library titles “The Ivy,” “Defenders of the Sky,” “Football: A Brief History by Alfie Allen” and “Murders That Shocked the Nation.” It will also co-finance via a new investment fund that has been created for the purpose.
Woodcut Media, which is part of the Anthology Group, will continue to work with existing and new third-party distributors on other in-house productions.
The launch of Woodcut International is spearheaded by Woodcut Media’s director of business development Koulla Anastasi, supported by the Anthology Group’s chief operating officer Polly Benton. Anastasi will oversee a team of experienced international sales agents around the world.
“We have been focused on...
- 10/1/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Joseph Fiennes and his cousin Sir Ranulph Fiennes are joining forces for a three-part exploration series on Nat Geo, The Wrap has confirmed. "The Handmaid’s Tale" star and the explorer will take a journey down the Nile River for the documentary series.
"Fiennes: Return to the Nile" will air in 2019, though an exact date is still to be announced. The series commemorates the 50th anniversary of Fiennes’ first journey down the Nile, one of his earliest expeditions, in 1969. The three-part series will see if his Emmy-nominated cousin has what it takes, and the two will crawl through a newly-discovered ancient Egyptian tomb in Minya, get to grips with Tachtib – a traditional fighting technique using four foot sticks and come face to face with dangerous snakes and spiders.
"Fiennes: Return to the Nile" will air in 2019, though an exact date is still to be announced. The series commemorates the 50th anniversary of Fiennes’ first journey down the Nile, one of his earliest expeditions, in 1969. The three-part series will see if his Emmy-nominated cousin has what it takes, and the two will crawl through a newly-discovered ancient Egyptian tomb in Minya, get to grips with Tachtib – a traditional fighting technique using four foot sticks and come face to face with dangerous snakes and spiders.
- 10/29/2018
- by Ashley Boucher
- The Wrap
‘Stranger Things’ star David Harbour and ‘Fantastic Beasts’ star Alison Sudol are on board a Greenpeace ship heading for Antarctic waters.
They will help make the case for an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary backed by campaigners, scientists, over 40 international celebrities and 800,000 people around the world.
Following a Twitter challenge, resulting in more than 200,000 retweets in five hours, David Harbour secured a place on the Greenpeace ship alongside singer-songwriter and actress Alison Sudol. They have joined an expedition to gather scientific evidence of the need for an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary to safeguard species like whales and penguins.
More than 40 international celebrities have joined David and Alison as ambassadors for the ‘Protect the Antarctic’ campaign. From countries ranging from Argentina to China, Spain to Israel, the ambassadors include actors, presenters, explorers, musicians, chefs and fashion designers:
Gillian Anderson, Carlos Bardem, Javier Bardem, Sir Quentin Blake, Tanya Burr, Jim Chapman, Gwendoline Christie, Lily Cole,...
They will help make the case for an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary backed by campaigners, scientists, over 40 international celebrities and 800,000 people around the world.
Following a Twitter challenge, resulting in more than 200,000 retweets in five hours, David Harbour secured a place on the Greenpeace ship alongside singer-songwriter and actress Alison Sudol. They have joined an expedition to gather scientific evidence of the need for an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary to safeguard species like whales and penguins.
More than 40 international celebrities have joined David and Alison as ambassadors for the ‘Protect the Antarctic’ campaign. From countries ranging from Argentina to China, Spain to Israel, the ambassadors include actors, presenters, explorers, musicians, chefs and fashion designers:
Gillian Anderson, Carlos Bardem, Javier Bardem, Sir Quentin Blake, Tanya Burr, Jim Chapman, Gwendoline Christie, Lily Cole,...
- 2/9/2018
- Look to the Stars
Mark Harrison Oct 14, 2016
With the question of who's playing James Bond in James Bond 25 unresolved, we look back at the casting conundrums 007 has faced before.
Since 1962, fewer men have played James Bond than have walked on the moon. Despite the relatively long turnaround of the role, the subject of who might follow in the footsteps of Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig in the future has fuelled many column inches and tabloid splashes.
It feels as if speculation about the seventh 007 in Eon Productions' long-lived spy franchise has been at fever pitch since this time last year, when Craig was doing the promotional rounds for Spectre and commented that he would rather “slash [his] wrists” than play Bond again. It's only after a year of constant reports on the subject that his far more optimistic comments at last weekend's New Yorker Festival...
With the question of who's playing James Bond in James Bond 25 unresolved, we look back at the casting conundrums 007 has faced before.
Since 1962, fewer men have played James Bond than have walked on the moon. Despite the relatively long turnaround of the role, the subject of who might follow in the footsteps of Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig in the future has fuelled many column inches and tabloid splashes.
It feels as if speculation about the seventh 007 in Eon Productions' long-lived spy franchise has been at fever pitch since this time last year, when Craig was doing the promotional rounds for Spectre and commented that he would rather “slash [his] wrists” than play Bond again. It's only after a year of constant reports on the subject that his far more optimistic comments at last weekend's New Yorker Festival...
- 10/12/2016
- Den of Geek
There's nothing more earnest than an English national epic, and this is a valiant expedition that becomes a low-key disaster. Told straight and clean, it's a primer on how to behave in the face of doom. Scott of the Antarctic Region B Blu-ray Studiocanal (UK) 1948 / Color / 1:37 Academy / 110 min. / Street Date June 6, 2016 / Available from Amazon UK £ 14.99 Starring John Mills, Derek Bond, Harold Warrender, James Robertson Justice, Kenneth More, Reginald Beckwith. Cinematography Osmond Borradaile, Jack Cardiff, Geoffrey Unsworth Editor Peter Tanner Original Music Vaughan Williams Written by Walter Meade, Ivor Montagu, Mary Hayley Bell Produced by Michael Balcon Directed by Charles Frend
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
English film companies fell on hard times during the postwar austerity period. But the relatively small Ealing Studios maintained its creative underdog brand even after it was taken over by Rank, and is still celebrated for wartime greats like Went the Day Well?, the singular masterpiece Dead of Night,...
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
English film companies fell on hard times during the postwar austerity period. But the relatively small Ealing Studios maintained its creative underdog brand even after it was taken over by Rank, and is still celebrated for wartime greats like Went the Day Well?, the singular masterpiece Dead of Night,...
- 7/10/2016
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Andrew Blair Jan 30, 2017
Sometimes, the best of intentions don't always lead to the best movie. Here are 19 films where everything didn't quite go to plan...
As Alan Parker said ‘no one sets out to make a bad film’. Yet in spite of good intentions, sometimes a project doesn't quite go to plan. We're going to look at a bunch of movies here that aren't always well liked, and give a flavour of the problems the beset them.
So, in no particular order, here are twenty of the films that have ever been made, which are considered by at least one sentient being to be bad. That's not the interesting thing about them....
Robin Hood (2010)
Ethan Reiff and Cyrus Voris had written a spec script with a twist on the Robin Hood legend: the Sheriff of Nottingham was the hero, a sort of medieval forensic investigator, and Robin was the bad guy.
Sometimes, the best of intentions don't always lead to the best movie. Here are 19 films where everything didn't quite go to plan...
As Alan Parker said ‘no one sets out to make a bad film’. Yet in spite of good intentions, sometimes a project doesn't quite go to plan. We're going to look at a bunch of movies here that aren't always well liked, and give a flavour of the problems the beset them.
So, in no particular order, here are twenty of the films that have ever been made, which are considered by at least one sentient being to be bad. That's not the interesting thing about them....
Robin Hood (2010)
Ethan Reiff and Cyrus Voris had written a spec script with a twist on the Robin Hood legend: the Sheriff of Nottingham was the hero, a sort of medieval forensic investigator, and Robin was the bad guy.
- 5/30/2016
- Den of Geek
Prince Charles has given his first public reaction to the news that his daughter-in-law Kate Middleton is expecting her first child.
"I'm thrilled, marvelous," the Duke of Cornwall told the press at the launch of Sir Ranulph Fiennes' Antarctic expedition, according to BBC. "It's a very nice thought to become a grandfather in my old age, if I can say so."
Middleton was discharged from King Edwards VII Hospital earlier today after she was hospitalized for hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness. News of her pregnancy broke after she was admitted to the hospital earlier this week. She is reportedly around 12 weeks into her pregnancy.
"I'm thrilled, marvelous," the Duke of Cornwall told the press at the launch of Sir Ranulph Fiennes' Antarctic expedition, according to BBC. "It's a very nice thought to become a grandfather in my old age, if I can say so."
Middleton was discharged from King Edwards VII Hospital earlier today after she was hospitalized for hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness. News of her pregnancy broke after she was admitted to the hospital earlier this week. She is reportedly around 12 weeks into her pregnancy.
- 12/6/2012
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
Oh, we are very much amused. And so was Prince Charles, by the sounds of it. In the wake of newly pregnant Kate Middleton's release from the hospital this morning, Prince William's father and royal baby grandpa-to-be spoke to reporters about the impending (well, give or take six months) arrival of the heir to the throne, and also surprisingly revealed that he was not only aware of yesterday's infamous prank call, but didn't seem all that put out by it. Though, granted, he's had plenty of years' training in perfecting that stiff upper lip...particularly when it comes to the media. Earlier today, Charles spoke at the launch of the Sir Ranulph Fiennes Antarctic expedition in London and,...
- 12/6/2012
- E! Online
The actor, famed for his obsessive approach, has met his match in Dickens, playing Magwitch in Great Expectations and directing and starring in a film about the author. And then there was the time he could have played Bond …
Ralph Fiennes could have been a diplomat in a previous life – the low, patrician voice, and the clothes. He is dressed on the morning we meet with an elegance that would not disgrace a Frenchman: neat cardigan, fresh shirt, polished boots. We are in Soho, in post-production offices – an editing suite like a gone-wrong sitting room, with a bank of computers at right angles to a sofa.
He is, by a month, on the youthful side of 50. And he has a smile of such disarming sweetness that the first impression is that something has gone bizarrely wrong. It is only retrospectively that the oddity makes sense: what he does best as an actor is torment.
Ralph Fiennes could have been a diplomat in a previous life – the low, patrician voice, and the clothes. He is dressed on the morning we meet with an elegance that would not disgrace a Frenchman: neat cardigan, fresh shirt, polished boots. We are in Soho, in post-production offices – an editing suite like a gone-wrong sitting room, with a bank of computers at right angles to a sofa.
He is, by a month, on the youthful side of 50. And he has a smile of such disarming sweetness that the first impression is that something has gone bizarrely wrong. It is only retrospectively that the oddity makes sense: what he does best as an actor is torment.
- 11/19/2012
- by Kate Kellaway
- The Guardian - Film News
We have added a new set of pictures from the event "Range Rover Reveal Event". Melissa Odabash attending the Range Rover Reveal Event at the Royal Ballet School in London on September 6, 2012.Picture copyright by Solarpix / PR Photos. Donal MacIntyre attending the Range Rover Reveal Event at the Royal Ballet School in London on September 6, 2012.Picture copyright by Solarpix / PR Photos. Ranulph Fiennes attending the Range Rover Reveal Event at the Royal Ballet School in London on September 6, 2012.Picture copyright by Solarpix / PR Photos. Zara Phillips attending the Range Rover Reveal Event at the Royal Ballet School in London on September 6, 2012.Picture copyright by Solarpix / PR Photos. Donna...
- 9/10/2012
- by James Wray
- Monsters and Critics
Sir Ranulph Fiennes faked accidents during a televised expedition in a bid to make his adventure look more exciting, a court in England heard on Thursday.
The explorer wanted footage of the 2004 mountaineering trip in the Cotopaxi region of Ecuador to look good for viewers on U.S. TV network HBO.
Natalie Harrison, 38, from Dorset, England staged the stunts - including a pretend fall down a crevasse in a glacier - and was subsequently "saved" by guides holding ropes, but she suffered head and neck injuries, an appeal court was told.
Harrison sued British adventure holidays company Jagged Globe, who laid on guides for the expedition at Fiennes' request, and last year a judge found the firm liable for the injuries.
However, three judges at the Court of Appeal have now exonerated the company of any responsibility for the "stunts" carried out at the star's alleged suggestion, and Harrison was handed an $80,000 (£50,000) bill for legal costs. Fiennes - third cousin of actors Joseph and Ralph Fiennes - was not a defendant.
Lord Justice Pitchford said, "Sir Ranulph suggested they should undertake a staged fall which would be captured on camera. The victim would fall into a crevasse. Miss Harrison volunteered to be the victim.
"She would jump a crevasse, fall slightly short and be held suspended on climbing ropes by the guides. During this stunt her head was propelled forward into collision with the wall of the crevasse.
"In a second staged fall, she pretended to fall while climbing. The first stunt caused long term headaches and the second caused soft tissue injury to her neck."
"Sir Ranulph Fiennes did not want to do the stunt himself, that is why she volunteered. She volunteered freely and without compulsion."...
The explorer wanted footage of the 2004 mountaineering trip in the Cotopaxi region of Ecuador to look good for viewers on U.S. TV network HBO.
Natalie Harrison, 38, from Dorset, England staged the stunts - including a pretend fall down a crevasse in a glacier - and was subsequently "saved" by guides holding ropes, but she suffered head and neck injuries, an appeal court was told.
Harrison sued British adventure holidays company Jagged Globe, who laid on guides for the expedition at Fiennes' request, and last year a judge found the firm liable for the injuries.
However, three judges at the Court of Appeal have now exonerated the company of any responsibility for the "stunts" carried out at the star's alleged suggestion, and Harrison was handed an $80,000 (£50,000) bill for legal costs. Fiennes - third cousin of actors Joseph and Ralph Fiennes - was not a defendant.
Lord Justice Pitchford said, "Sir Ranulph suggested they should undertake a staged fall which would be captured on camera. The victim would fall into a crevasse. Miss Harrison volunteered to be the victim.
"She would jump a crevasse, fall slightly short and be held suspended on climbing ropes by the guides. During this stunt her head was propelled forward into collision with the wall of the crevasse.
"In a second staged fall, she pretended to fall while climbing. The first stunt caused long term headaches and the second caused soft tissue injury to her neck."
"Sir Ranulph Fiennes did not want to do the stunt himself, that is why she volunteered. She volunteered freely and without compulsion."...
- 6/1/2012
- WENN
Omnilab-financed action film Killer Elite continued its soft run at the local box office over the weekend, taking just $140,774 from 102 screens. This is a 50 per cent slip on its opening weekend . a typical second-week box office drop.
The film has grossed $526,008 in total, however it was made on a $80 million budget and stars icon Robert De Niro and British actors Clive Owen and Jason Statham.
Based on Sir Ranulph Fiennes' non-fiction novel The Feather Men, the film was shot in cities including Melbourne, Paris and London. It also had a disappointing run in North America, grossing just $US25 million last year, according to Box Office Mojo.
Also in the Us, Snowtown (known across the Pacific as The Snowtown Murders) opened on just one screen over the weekend, however box office figures aren.t yet available. New Zealand hit film Boy also opened in North America . it grossed $US23,400 on two screens.
The film has grossed $526,008 in total, however it was made on a $80 million budget and stars icon Robert De Niro and British actors Clive Owen and Jason Statham.
Based on Sir Ranulph Fiennes' non-fiction novel The Feather Men, the film was shot in cities including Melbourne, Paris and London. It also had a disappointing run in North America, grossing just $US25 million last year, according to Box Office Mojo.
Also in the Us, Snowtown (known across the Pacific as The Snowtown Murders) opened on just one screen over the weekend, however box office figures aren.t yet available. New Zealand hit film Boy also opened in North America . it grossed $US23,400 on two screens.
- 3/5/2012
- by Sam Dallas
- IF.com.au
Omnilab-financed action film Killer Elite continued its soft run at the local box office over the weekend, taking just $140,774 from 102 screens. This is a 50 per cent slip on its opening weekend . a typical second-week box office drop. The film has grossed $526,008 in total, however it was made on a $80 million budget and stars icon Robert De Niro and British actors Clive Owen and Jason Statham. Based on Sir Ranulph Fiennes' non-fiction novel The Feather Men, the film was shot in cities including Melbourne, Paris and London. It also had a disappointing run in North America, grossing just $US25 million last year, according to Box Office Mojo. Also in the Us, Snowtown (known across the Pacific as The Snowtown Murders) opened on just one screen over the weekend, however...
- 3/5/2012
- by Sam Dallas
- IF.com.au
Big-budget Australian action film Killer Elite has posted a disappointing opening over the weekend. The $80 million Omnilab-financed flick with a high-profile cast took in just $284,226 across 108 screens, generating a poor screen average of $2632.
Based on Sir Ranulph Fiennes' non-fiction novel The Feather Men, the film stars renowned actor Robert De Niro alongside British talent Clive Owen and Jason Statham.
The Australian opening mirrored its first weekend across the Pacific in the Us last September, where it grossed $US9.35 million across 2986 theatres ($US3132 screen average). Ranking fifth, it lost out to such titles as The Lion King (3D), Moneyball and Dolphin Tale. After eight weekends at cinemas in the Us, it took in $US25 million, according to Box Office Mojo.
Shot in various global cities including Melbourne, Paris and London, Killer Elite follows special-ops agent Danny (Statham), who is lured out of self-imposed exile to execute a feat of retribution and personal salvation.
Based on Sir Ranulph Fiennes' non-fiction novel The Feather Men, the film stars renowned actor Robert De Niro alongside British talent Clive Owen and Jason Statham.
The Australian opening mirrored its first weekend across the Pacific in the Us last September, where it grossed $US9.35 million across 2986 theatres ($US3132 screen average). Ranking fifth, it lost out to such titles as The Lion King (3D), Moneyball and Dolphin Tale. After eight weekends at cinemas in the Us, it took in $US25 million, according to Box Office Mojo.
Shot in various global cities including Melbourne, Paris and London, Killer Elite follows special-ops agent Danny (Statham), who is lured out of self-imposed exile to execute a feat of retribution and personal salvation.
- 2/27/2012
- by Sam Dallas
- IF.com.au
Big-budget Australian action film Killer Elite has posted a disappointing opening over the weekend. The $80 million Omnilab-financed flick with a high-profile cast took in just $284,226 across 108 screens, generating a poor screen average of $2632. Based on Sir Ranulph Fiennes' non-fiction novel The Feather Men, the film stars renowned actor Robert De Niro alongside British talent Clive Owen and Jason Statham. The Australian opening mirrored its first weekend across the Pacific in the Us last September, where it grossed $US9.35 million across 2986 theatres ($US3132 screen average). Ranking fifth, it lost out to such titles as The Lion King (3D), Moneyball and Dolphin Tale. After eight weekends at cinemas in the Us, it took in $US25 million, according to Box Office Mojo. Shot...
- 2/27/2012
- by Sam Dallas
- IF.com.au
Although it has plenty of action sequences, Killer Elite actually feels more like a slow-burn spy thriller than the normal Jason Statham flick. Based on Sir Ranulph Fiennes' 1991 novel The Feather Men, the film was directed by Gary McKendry from a screenplay written by Matt Sherring. The film stars Statham, Clive Owen, Robert DeNiro, Dominic Purcell, Aden Young, Yvonne Strahovski, Ben Mendelsohn, and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje. Set in the 80s, the film opens on Statham.s Danny, DeNiro.s Hunter, Purcell's Davies and Young's Meier as they do a hit on a man in Mexico. The hit goes just as planned until Danny is forced to kill the man in front of his child, hesitates and is injured in the getaway. Danny...
- 1/30/2012
- by Patrick Luce
- Monsters and Critics
Ryan Lambie Jun 14, 2019
Script rewrites. Exacting directors. Terrible twists of fate. We look back through the ages to bring you 26 nightmarish film shoots…
The lavish lifestyles of Hollywood’s more famous actors and filmmakers may hint at a world of glamour and cash, but as this list proves, the process of actually putting a movie together is rarely dignified. What follows is a lengthy catalogue of ill-advised location choices, tantrums, dreadful acts of God, spiked bowls of soup, dangerous lions, bruised egos, broken bones, and shattered dreams.
For the prospective filmmaker, this article could be read as a cautionary tale of just how badly a production can go--though in order to keep the tone relatively light, we’ve excised those film productions that ended in tragedy (you’ll have to look elsewhere to discover the sad stories behind Twilight Zone: The Movie and The Crow).
Nevertheless, we suggest you pour...
Script rewrites. Exacting directors. Terrible twists of fate. We look back through the ages to bring you 26 nightmarish film shoots…
The lavish lifestyles of Hollywood’s more famous actors and filmmakers may hint at a world of glamour and cash, but as this list proves, the process of actually putting a movie together is rarely dignified. What follows is a lengthy catalogue of ill-advised location choices, tantrums, dreadful acts of God, spiked bowls of soup, dangerous lions, bruised egos, broken bones, and shattered dreams.
For the prospective filmmaker, this article could be read as a cautionary tale of just how badly a production can go--though in order to keep the tone relatively light, we’ve excised those film productions that ended in tragedy (you’ll have to look elsewhere to discover the sad stories behind Twilight Zone: The Movie and The Crow).
Nevertheless, we suggest you pour...
- 1/19/2012
- Den of Geek
A special nine-week Blue Peter series, starting on Monday 23rd January at 4.30pm on BBC One, follows fearless Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton’s progress as she sets out to complete a gruelling 500 mile challenge to the South Pole for Sport Relief 2012.
Helen’s Polar Challenge for Sport Relief sees the daredevil presenter take on the toughest adventure of her life – and one of the most demanding physical challenges ever undertaken in aid of Sport Relief. To reach the South Pole, Helen must travel for up to 14 hours a day across the coldest and windiest place on earth, battling ferocious 80mph winds and temperatures as low as -50 degrees Celsius.
Before landing in Antarctica, Helen spends months preparing for her challenge. First she learns about Roald Amundsen’s and Captain Scott’s treacherous race to the South Pole 100 years ago and meets Britain’s most famous explorer, Sir Ranulph Fiennes.
Helen’s Polar Challenge for Sport Relief sees the daredevil presenter take on the toughest adventure of her life – and one of the most demanding physical challenges ever undertaken in aid of Sport Relief. To reach the South Pole, Helen must travel for up to 14 hours a day across the coldest and windiest place on earth, battling ferocious 80mph winds and temperatures as low as -50 degrees Celsius.
Before landing in Antarctica, Helen spends months preparing for her challenge. First she learns about Roald Amundsen’s and Captain Scott’s treacherous race to the South Pole 100 years ago and meets Britain’s most famous explorer, Sir Ranulph Fiennes.
- 1/18/2012
- Look to the Stars
Chicago – “Killer Elite” is one of those home releases that makes me wonder about the future of Blu-ray. It’s clearly not an edition designed for fans of this awful action movie, even if one does assume that it’s a very small group of people since it has practically no special features. And there really aren’t any Blockbusters any more, buying these things in bulk with a design on renting them. So, why not just download it? With more and more people able to download in HD, lackluster releases like that for “Killer Elite” are going to be the first to go the way of the VHS tape.
Blu-ray Rating: 1.0/5.0
As for the actual movie, I didn’t do a bottom ten for 2011 but this would have been on it if I had. Gary McKendry’s excuse for a spy action film is a loud, exhausting, cliched piece of nonsense.
Blu-ray Rating: 1.0/5.0
As for the actual movie, I didn’t do a bottom ten for 2011 but this would have been on it if I had. Gary McKendry’s excuse for a spy action film is a loud, exhausting, cliched piece of nonsense.
- 1/16/2012
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
After the likes of Crank and Shoot ‘Em Up, the prospect of seeing fellow Brit action stars Jason Statham and Clive Owen go head to head is certainly an exciting one. It is therefore intriguing that they chose a relatively low-key true life thriller Killer Elite, released on Blu-ray and DVD this week, as the film that brings them together on screen for the first time.
Based on Sir Ranulph Fiennes’ 1991 novel The Feather Men, the film follows ex-special ops agent Danny Bryce (Statham) as he is lured out of retirement to rescue his mentor Hunter (Robert De Niro) who has been taken hostage in Oman by Sheikh Amr (Rodney Afif) after failing to accomplish a mission for him. Bryce makes a deal to finish the mission which involves killing three former Sas assassins protected by a secret society known as the Feather Men led by Spike Logan (Owen). A...
Based on Sir Ranulph Fiennes’ 1991 novel The Feather Men, the film follows ex-special ops agent Danny Bryce (Statham) as he is lured out of retirement to rescue his mentor Hunter (Robert De Niro) who has been taken hostage in Oman by Sheikh Amr (Rodney Afif) after failing to accomplish a mission for him. Bryce makes a deal to finish the mission which involves killing three former Sas assassins protected by a secret society known as the Feather Men led by Spike Logan (Owen). A...
- 1/16/2012
- by Chris Wright
- Obsessed with Film
Melancholia; The Debt; Killer Elite
From the moment Danish anarcho-prankster Lars von Trier jokingly told a Cannes press conference that he was "a Nazi" (an ill-judged joke referring to his late-life discovery that his biological father was not Jewish but German – boom boom!), it was clear that his end-of-the-world epic Melancholia (Artificial Eye, 2011, 15) was going to be eclipsed by controversy. Von Trier has since vowed never to speak again in public, which is probably a good thing because it means the work will have to speak for itself. And whatever you may think of Lars's bull-in-a-china-shop humour (he compares himself charitably to the European folklore figure Clumsy Hans), the fact remains that this oddly operatic vision of the apocalypse is one of his most satisfying films to date.
A less hysterical companion piece to the genital-slicing horrors of Antichrist, Melancholia paints a portrait of a depression so deep that it...
From the moment Danish anarcho-prankster Lars von Trier jokingly told a Cannes press conference that he was "a Nazi" (an ill-judged joke referring to his late-life discovery that his biological father was not Jewish but German – boom boom!), it was clear that his end-of-the-world epic Melancholia (Artificial Eye, 2011, 15) was going to be eclipsed by controversy. Von Trier has since vowed never to speak again in public, which is probably a good thing because it means the work will have to speak for itself. And whatever you may think of Lars's bull-in-a-china-shop humour (he compares himself charitably to the European folklore figure Clumsy Hans), the fact remains that this oddly operatic vision of the apocalypse is one of his most satisfying films to date.
A less hysterical companion piece to the genital-slicing horrors of Antichrist, Melancholia paints a portrait of a depression so deep that it...
- 1/15/2012
- by Mark Kermode
- The Guardian - Film News
Killer Elite arrived on Blu-ray and DVD combo pack today, and with it came a heavy mix of action and espionage with a stellar cast. What is not to love about Robert De Niro, Jason Statham, and Clive Owen? The rest of the cast is solid, including Dominic Purcell (Prison Break, Straw Dogs), Yvonne Strahovski (Chuck), Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Lost, Oz, The Thing), Aden Young (Sniper, The Starter Wife), and Ben Mendelsohn (Trespass, Knowing).
Killer Elite is directed by Gary McKendry and follows two of the world's most elite operatives--Danny, an ex-special ops agent (Statham) and Hunter, his longtime mentor (De Niro)--against the cunning leader of a secret military society (Owen). The group traverses the globe from Australia to Paris, London, and the Middle East, in a deadly game of cat and mouse.
The film is based on the book The Feather Men by Sir Ranulph Fiennes. When I went...
Killer Elite is directed by Gary McKendry and follows two of the world's most elite operatives--Danny, an ex-special ops agent (Statham) and Hunter, his longtime mentor (De Niro)--against the cunning leader of a secret military society (Owen). The group traverses the globe from Australia to Paris, London, and the Middle East, in a deadly game of cat and mouse.
The film is based on the book The Feather Men by Sir Ranulph Fiennes. When I went...
- 1/11/2012
- by Tiberius
- GeekTyrant
To celebrate the release of Killer Elite, Wamg is offering Three lucky readers a chance to win a copy of DVD/Blu-ray/Digital Download/UltraViolet. Combo Pack!
Based on a shocking true story, Killer Elite is a gritty battle between guns-for-hire that has been hailed as .one of the best action thrillers of the year!. by Richard Roeper, ReelzChannel. Pitting two of the world.s most elite operatives against the cunning leader of a secret military society, Killer Elite stars Jason Statham (The Transporter, Death Race), Academy Award® winner Robert De Niro (The Godfather Part II, Raging Bull) and Academy Award®-nominee Clive Owen (Children of Men, Closer). Directed by Academy Award®-nominee Gary McKendry (Everything in this Country Must), Killer Elite is available on Blu-ray.Combo Pack with UltraViolet., DVD, On Demand and Digital Download January 10, 2012 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment and Open Road Films.
Featuring unstoppable action and...
Based on a shocking true story, Killer Elite is a gritty battle between guns-for-hire that has been hailed as .one of the best action thrillers of the year!. by Richard Roeper, ReelzChannel. Pitting two of the world.s most elite operatives against the cunning leader of a secret military society, Killer Elite stars Jason Statham (The Transporter, Death Race), Academy Award® winner Robert De Niro (The Godfather Part II, Raging Bull) and Academy Award®-nominee Clive Owen (Children of Men, Closer). Directed by Academy Award®-nominee Gary McKendry (Everything in this Country Must), Killer Elite is available on Blu-ray.Combo Pack with UltraViolet., DVD, On Demand and Digital Download January 10, 2012 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment and Open Road Films.
Featuring unstoppable action and...
- 1/10/2012
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Chicago – In our latest action edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Blu-ray, we have 5 Blu-rays up for grabs for the home entertainment release of “Killer Elite”! The film, which stars Jason Statham, Clive Owen and Robert De Niro, comes to Blu-ray, DVD and digital download on Jan. 10, 2012 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment.
“Killer Elite,” which is based on a true story, also stars Dominic Purcell, Yvonne Strahovski, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Michael Dorman, Grant Bowler, Ben Mendelsohn, Kristy Barnes-Cullen, Firass Dirani, Sandy Greenwood, Daniel Messier, Aden Young and Lachy Hulme from writer and director Gary McKendry based on the novel by Ranulph Fiennes.
To win your free “Killer Elite” Blu-ray courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, all you need to do is answer our question in this Web-based submission form. That’s it! Directions to enter this HollywoodChicago.com Hookup and win can be found beneath the graphic below.
“Killer Elite” with Jason Statham and...
“Killer Elite,” which is based on a true story, also stars Dominic Purcell, Yvonne Strahovski, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Michael Dorman, Grant Bowler, Ben Mendelsohn, Kristy Barnes-Cullen, Firass Dirani, Sandy Greenwood, Daniel Messier, Aden Young and Lachy Hulme from writer and director Gary McKendry based on the novel by Ranulph Fiennes.
To win your free “Killer Elite” Blu-ray courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, all you need to do is answer our question in this Web-based submission form. That’s it! Directions to enter this HollywoodChicago.com Hookup and win can be found beneath the graphic below.
“Killer Elite” with Jason Statham and...
- 1/4/2012
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Danny (Jason Statham) and Hunter (Robert De Niro) are mercenaries/hit men for hire, but after a job leaves Danny face to face with the blood-caked child of his latest assignment, he decides he has had enough and disappears off half way around the world. One day, he receives word that Hunter has been kidnapped and the only way to secure his release is to extract confessions from and then execute three Sas officers who are held responsible by an Oman Sheikh for the deaths of three of his sons. But Spike (Clive Owen), an ex-sas officer himself, soon realises that his friends are being picked off, setting him and Danny on a collision course.
*****
Putting up “based on a true story” over the opening credits and then later on including a scene where Jason Statham throws himself out of a first floor window while still tied to a chair...
*****
Putting up “based on a true story” over the opening credits and then later on including a scene where Jason Statham throws himself out of a first floor window while still tied to a chair...
- 12/23/2011
- by Dave Roper
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Film-maker Martha Fiennes's new work, Nativity, has a soundtrack composed by her brother Magnus. They talk about their bohemian upbringing as two of six siblings and the unusual creative bond they share
'I actually think Magnus is a genius," says Martha Fiennes, of her younger brother. "I really do, I've said it to other people and they've said 'Yeah, I think he is'. I'm chucking stuff out barely finished, but Magnus is picking up on it; I think he tunes into a frequency. What Magnus has done is so completely brilliant. Handel wrote The Messiah in 12 days, I understand, and Magnus has done exactly the same."
She is talking about the soundtrack that Magnus has created for her first digital installation, Nativity, on display for the Christmas season in a specially constructed chalet in Covent Garden piazza, in London. In fact, Handel is thought to have spent 24 days on his oratorio,...
'I actually think Magnus is a genius," says Martha Fiennes, of her younger brother. "I really do, I've said it to other people and they've said 'Yeah, I think he is'. I'm chucking stuff out barely finished, but Magnus is picking up on it; I think he tunes into a frequency. What Magnus has done is so completely brilliant. Handel wrote The Messiah in 12 days, I understand, and Magnus has done exactly the same."
She is talking about the soundtrack that Magnus has created for her first digital installation, Nativity, on display for the Christmas season in a specially constructed chalet in Covent Garden piazza, in London. In fact, Handel is thought to have spent 24 days on his oratorio,...
- 12/3/2011
- by Susanna Rustin
- The Guardian - Film News
A Pulse-pounding, Punch-throwing, Action-packed Thrill Ride
Starring Jason Statham, Academy Award® -Nominee Clive Owen And
Academy Award® Winner Robert De Niro
Available on Blu-ray. Combo Pack with UltraViolet., DVD and Digital Download January 10, 2012
From Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Based on a shocking true story, Killer Elite is a gritty battle between guns-for-hire that has been hailed as .one of the best action thrillers of the year!. by Richard Roeper, ReelzChannel. Pitting two of the world.s most elite operatives against the cunning leader of a secret military society, Killer Elite stars Jason Statham (The Transporter, Death Race), Academy Award® winner Robert De Niro (The Godfather Part II, Raging Bull) and Academy Award®-nominee Clive Owen (Children of Men, Closer). Directed by Academy Award®-nominee Gary McKendry (Everything in this Country Must), Killer Elite is available on Blu-ray.Combo Pack with UltraViolet., DVD, On Demand and Digital Download January 10, 2012 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment...
Starring Jason Statham, Academy Award® -Nominee Clive Owen And
Academy Award® Winner Robert De Niro
Available on Blu-ray. Combo Pack with UltraViolet., DVD and Digital Download January 10, 2012
From Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Based on a shocking true story, Killer Elite is a gritty battle between guns-for-hire that has been hailed as .one of the best action thrillers of the year!. by Richard Roeper, ReelzChannel. Pitting two of the world.s most elite operatives against the cunning leader of a secret military society, Killer Elite stars Jason Statham (The Transporter, Death Race), Academy Award® winner Robert De Niro (The Godfather Part II, Raging Bull) and Academy Award®-nominee Clive Owen (Children of Men, Closer). Directed by Academy Award®-nominee Gary McKendry (Everything in this Country Must), Killer Elite is available on Blu-ray.Combo Pack with UltraViolet., DVD, On Demand and Digital Download January 10, 2012 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment...
- 11/9/2011
- by Melissa Howland
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Blu-ray & DVD Release Date: Jan. 10, 2012
Price: DVD Tba, Blu-ray Tba
Studio: Universal Studios Home Entertaiment
Thriller movie Killer Elite brings together three top action stars in one movie: Jason Statham (The Mechanic), Clive Owen (Trust) and Robert De Niro (Limitless).
Statham stars in the film as Danny, a retired contract killer, who joins his mentor (De Niro) to take down the leader of a secret military society (Owen). Their hunt goes around the globe, from Australia to Paris, London and the Middle East. And, as in all good action crime films, as the stakes rise, so does the body count.
Rated R, Killer Elite is based on a true story and book by Ranulph Fiennes, but it’s not a remake of the 1975 movie The Killer Elite starring James Caan and Robert Duvall.
Also starring Dominic Purcell (Straw Dogs), Killer Elite is the first feature film directed by Gary McKendry...
Price: DVD Tba, Blu-ray Tba
Studio: Universal Studios Home Entertaiment
Thriller movie Killer Elite brings together three top action stars in one movie: Jason Statham (The Mechanic), Clive Owen (Trust) and Robert De Niro (Limitless).
Statham stars in the film as Danny, a retired contract killer, who joins his mentor (De Niro) to take down the leader of a secret military society (Owen). Their hunt goes around the globe, from Australia to Paris, London and the Middle East. And, as in all good action crime films, as the stakes rise, so does the body count.
Rated R, Killer Elite is based on a true story and book by Ranulph Fiennes, but it’s not a remake of the 1975 movie The Killer Elite starring James Caan and Robert Duvall.
Also starring Dominic Purcell (Straw Dogs), Killer Elite is the first feature film directed by Gary McKendry...
- 11/8/2011
- by Sam
- Disc Dish
Some movies hold you down and hit you over the head with awesome, while others take their time and still leave you satisfied. Killer Elite is in the latter category. Directed by first time director Gary McKendry, the flick fits in more with the Bourne series than most of today’s action movies. Based on Sir Ranulph Fiennes’s book The Feather Men, a tome that is a supposedly a true story, McKendry’s Killer Elite is a slow burning action thriller that won’t disappoint, but doesn’t quite deliver the total package.
The flick follows the covert exploits of Danny Bryce (Jason Statham) and his friend and mentor Hunter (Robert De Niro), two soldiers for hire. After a particularly difficult job Danny has retired and is building a life for himself outside of the killing business, only as he begins to get comfortable he finds out that Hunter...
The flick follows the covert exploits of Danny Bryce (Jason Statham) and his friend and mentor Hunter (Robert De Niro), two soldiers for hire. After a particularly difficult job Danny has retired and is building a life for himself outside of the killing business, only as he begins to get comfortable he finds out that Hunter...
- 9/26/2011
- by Donny Broussard
- Killer Films
Directed by: Gary McKendry
Written by: Matt Sherring, Sir Ranulph Fiennes
Cast: Jason Statham, Clive Owen, Yvonne Strahovski, Dominic Purcell, Robert De Niro
In 1980, an Arab Sheik was gearing up for a bit of revenge from his desert home in Oman.
Three of the four sons of this Sheik were slain by British Special Air Service (Sas) members in operations over the last decade. The sheik has one remaining son, and lives with the young man in cultural exile, forced to dwell away from his homeland until he manages to achieve revenge against the men who had slain his children. The Sheik is also dying; his last wish is that revenge is achieved so that his remaining son can return home.
The mission is first attempted by the hiring of veteran mercenary Hunter (Robert De Niro) - this doesn't go so well. The Sheik then locks Hunter up, and tells...
Written by: Matt Sherring, Sir Ranulph Fiennes
Cast: Jason Statham, Clive Owen, Yvonne Strahovski, Dominic Purcell, Robert De Niro
In 1980, an Arab Sheik was gearing up for a bit of revenge from his desert home in Oman.
Three of the four sons of this Sheik were slain by British Special Air Service (Sas) members in operations over the last decade. The sheik has one remaining son, and lives with the young man in cultural exile, forced to dwell away from his homeland until he manages to achieve revenge against the men who had slain his children. The Sheik is also dying; his last wish is that revenge is achieved so that his remaining son can return home.
The mission is first attempted by the hiring of veteran mercenary Hunter (Robert De Niro) - this doesn't go so well. The Sheik then locks Hunter up, and tells...
- 9/25/2011
- by Tristan Sinns
- Planet Fury
This violent conspiracy thriller is based on The Feather Men, an allegedly fact-based book written in 1991 by Ranulph Fiennes about a Dubai sheikh who hired a band of assassins to kill four British soldiers, most of them Sas veterans, whom he held responsible for the death of his sons during an operation in Oman. In the film, British hard man Jason Statham skips around the world from a farm in New South Wales to an Sas battle camp in old south Wales via the Gulf, Paris, Mexico and London, in company with veteran American mercenary Robert De Niro. The surface is glossy, the body count high, and the events opaque and often risible. The plot doesn't hold the gallon of cold water that the Department of Defence has inevitably poured upon it.
ThrillerAction and adventureRobert De NiroPhilip French
guardian.co.uk © 2011 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies.
ThrillerAction and adventureRobert De NiroPhilip French
guardian.co.uk © 2011 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies.
- 9/24/2011
- by Philip French
- The Guardian - Film News
When legendary British adventurer Sir Ranulph Fiennes released his book, "The Feather Men," in 1991, his accusations of military secrecy, revenge and assassination caused a ruckus in Great Britain. With the release this weekend of "The Killer Elite," the action film based on that book, the controversy is being stirred up once again.
The book frames the death of four agents of the British Special Air Service -- Sas -- as murders served out over a 17-year period by an assassin hired by an oil-rich sheik seeking payback after British forces killed three of his sons during a communist uprising in Oman. The book provoked outrage from the victims' family members and official denials, but no certain truth has ever been revealed.
The film adaptation, out Friday, condenses the action to a short timeline and casts action vet Jason Statham in the role of the assassin. Trying to stop him is Clive Owen,...
The book frames the death of four agents of the British Special Air Service -- Sas -- as murders served out over a 17-year period by an assassin hired by an oil-rich sheik seeking payback after British forces killed three of his sons during a communist uprising in Oman. The book provoked outrage from the victims' family members and official denials, but no certain truth has ever been revealed.
The film adaptation, out Friday, condenses the action to a short timeline and casts action vet Jason Statham in the role of the assassin. Trying to stop him is Clive Owen,...
- 9/23/2011
- by Jordan Zakarin
- Huffington Post
Chicago – “Killer Elite” is an exhausting, nonsensical, illogical, loud collection of action clichés masquerading as a modern action film. It features characters less three-dimensional than most cartoons doing and saying things that are only done and said in movies. Bad movies. Really bad movies.
Rating: 1.0/5.0
From the “based on a true story” text that reminds us that the world was in a state of chaos in the early ‘80s to the opening scene that offers the only reason to like killer Danny (Jason Statham) – he doesn’t kill children! – “Killer Elite” doesn’t just exploit clichés of the genre, it feels like it wouldn’t exist without them. Danny is soft-spoken and loyal to his mentor Hunter (Robert De Niro) so that makes him a good guy. Who cares that he’s a killer, right? As long as he looks longingly out airplane windows and remembers the happier times with...
Rating: 1.0/5.0
From the “based on a true story” text that reminds us that the world was in a state of chaos in the early ‘80s to the opening scene that offers the only reason to like killer Danny (Jason Statham) – he doesn’t kill children! – “Killer Elite” doesn’t just exploit clichés of the genre, it feels like it wouldn’t exist without them. Danny is soft-spoken and loyal to his mentor Hunter (Robert De Niro) so that makes him a good guy. Who cares that he’s a killer, right? As long as he looks longingly out airplane windows and remembers the happier times with...
- 9/23/2011
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Open Road Films Courtesy of Everett Collection Actor Clive Owen and director Gary McKendry
Action film “Killer Elite” may be director Gary McKendry’s first feature film, but the Irish filmmaker is far from an industry newcomer. A graduate of Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London, McKendry has worked extensively in advertising and directed commercials for the likes of Ikea, Porsche and Heineken.
“People keep asking me how I handled this huge movie for my first film,...
Action film “Killer Elite” may be director Gary McKendry’s first feature film, but the Irish filmmaker is far from an industry newcomer. A graduate of Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London, McKendry has worked extensively in advertising and directed commercials for the likes of Ikea, Porsche and Heineken.
“People keep asking me how I handled this huge movie for my first film,...
- 9/23/2011
- by Michelle Kung
- Speakeasy/Wall Street Journal
Killer Elite begins by stressing that what on the surface appeared to be little more than a run-of-the-mill Jason Statham-Clive Owen action flick is in fact a serious evocation of the chaotic geopolitical scene circa 1980, and based on a true story. Naively, I felt a twinge of eager anticipation. Could this actually be a serious globe-trotting thriller, a chance for Statham to showcase some dramatic range? Not so much. Gary McKendry’s movie, based on the novel The Feather Men by Sir Ranulph Fiennes, is in fact only dubiously based on fact at all (there’s been an ongoing controversy over its claim to be a “true adventure” since its publication in 1991). Beyond that, the flick is basically the full-throttle machismo fest that’s the natural outcome when Statham and Owen get top billing on the same film, with Robert De Niro checking in for good measure. There’s butt-kicking in Oman, France...
- 9/23/2011
- by Robert Levin
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Having Jason Statham, Clive Owen and Robert De Niro in your movie may be enough to get people to check out the new Open Road action-thriller Killer Elite when it open in theaters today, but what really impressed us was that it was the debut feature from a director we'd never heard of before, named Gary McKendry. After directing an Oscar-nominated short film called Everything in This Country Must back in 2004, McKendry had mainly been directing commercials, while working on his adaptation of Sir Ranulph Fiennes' novel "The Feather Men" ever since, and the results are quite impressive. Set in the early '80s, Statham and Owen play assassins on opposite sides of a mission to kill a trio of special forces men responsible for killing the sons of a sheikh, and McKendry uses...
- 9/23/2011
- Comingsoon.net
(Our review from Toronto Film Festival re-posted as Killer Elite is released in cinema’s today)
Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
I remember, back when I first saw the trailer for Killer Elite I showed it to a friend, mainly for the part where Jason Statham crushed Clive Owen’s balls with a well placed uppercut. My partner in crime at the time turned to me and said “By based on a true story, does it mean that, one time there was this guy, who shot at another guy, and there was some sort of fight?”.
After watching Killer Elite, I can pretty much confirm that, that might as well have been what it was based on, but no, sadly it was based on Ranulph Fiennes “factional” book The Feather Men which details the supposedly sordid events that the Sas took part in during the Oman war, which itself was a very dark time.
Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
I remember, back when I first saw the trailer for Killer Elite I showed it to a friend, mainly for the part where Jason Statham crushed Clive Owen’s balls with a well placed uppercut. My partner in crime at the time turned to me and said “By based on a true story, does it mean that, one time there was this guy, who shot at another guy, and there was some sort of fight?”.
After watching Killer Elite, I can pretty much confirm that, that might as well have been what it was based on, but no, sadly it was based on Ranulph Fiennes “factional” book The Feather Men which details the supposedly sordid events that the Sas took part in during the Oman war, which itself was a very dark time.
- 9/23/2011
- by Quigs
- Obsessed with Film
Jason Statham is matched with Robert de Niro and Clive Owen in this headcracking hitman yarn, but it's a bit overcomplicated for its own good
"May the best man live" is the cheery tagline for this hitman faceoff with Jason Statham, Robert De Niro (grizzled mentor) and Clive Owen (bad-tache'd nemesis). A tasty trio, but there's something vanilla about this one-last-job saga in which the slaphead superstar must slice and dice ex-sas geezers lest De Niro get decapitated by a vengeful sheikh, all the while eluding Owen, who's been commissioned by a coterie of cackling bankers. Maybe it's all the detail that bogs it down: the ancient war crimes and the 80s stylings, the A-list support and the weirdly complex plot (based on a book by Ranulph Fiennes). They're a distraction from the main event: a bald man beating people up. Keep it simple. Keep it Stath.
Rating: 2/5
ThrillerAction and...
"May the best man live" is the cheery tagline for this hitman faceoff with Jason Statham, Robert De Niro (grizzled mentor) and Clive Owen (bad-tache'd nemesis). A tasty trio, but there's something vanilla about this one-last-job saga in which the slaphead superstar must slice and dice ex-sas geezers lest De Niro get decapitated by a vengeful sheikh, all the while eluding Owen, who's been commissioned by a coterie of cackling bankers. Maybe it's all the detail that bogs it down: the ancient war crimes and the 80s stylings, the A-list support and the weirdly complex plot (based on a book by Ranulph Fiennes). They're a distraction from the main event: a bald man beating people up. Keep it simple. Keep it Stath.
Rating: 2/5
ThrillerAction and...
- 9/23/2011
- by Catherine Shoard
- The Guardian - Film News
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