Graphic: Images: IMDBThe Thing (1982)
A research team in Antarctica is hunted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of its victims.
Rating: 8.2/10
Stars: Kurt Russell (MacReady), Wilford Brimley (Dr. Blair), Keith David (Childs), Richard Masur (Clark)
Halloween (1978)
Fifteen years after murdering his sister on Halloween night 1963, Michael Myers escapes...
A research team in Antarctica is hunted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of its victims.
Rating: 8.2/10
Stars: Kurt Russell (MacReady), Wilford Brimley (Dr. Blair), Keith David (Childs), Richard Masur (Clark)
Halloween (1978)
Fifteen years after murdering his sister on Halloween night 1963, Michael Myers escapes...
- 10/28/2023
- avclub.com
Synopsis
All his life, people have told Rudy he’s not good enough, not smart enough, not big enough. But nothing can stop his impossible dream of playing football for Notre Dame. From the time he’s a young boy, Rudy (Sean Astin) is determined to join the Fighting Irish. But his blue collar family only laughs at his ambitions – they know Rudy will follow his father and brothers to the local steel mill. And, for four long years after high school, he does just that. But some dreams won’t die, as Rudy proves when he goes to heroic, occasionally hilarious, lengths to win admission to Notre Dame. Once there, he becomes a walk-on player, serving as little more than a human tackling dummy against the starting players. Bloodied but unbeaten, Rudy wins the respect of legendary coach Ara Parseghian and the other Irish players, who give him one shot at gridiron glory.
All his life, people have told Rudy he’s not good enough, not smart enough, not big enough. But nothing can stop his impossible dream of playing football for Notre Dame. From the time he’s a young boy, Rudy (Sean Astin) is determined to join the Fighting Irish. But his blue collar family only laughs at his ambitions – they know Rudy will follow his father and brothers to the local steel mill. And, for four long years after high school, he does just that. But some dreams won’t die, as Rudy proves when he goes to heroic, occasionally hilarious, lengths to win admission to Notre Dame. Once there, he becomes a walk-on player, serving as little more than a human tackling dummy against the starting players. Bloodied but unbeaten, Rudy wins the respect of legendary coach Ara Parseghian and the other Irish players, who give him one shot at gridiron glory.
- 9/3/2023
- by ComicMix Staff
- Comicmix.com
John Carpenter’s They Live and Christine returning to theatres for their 35th and 40th anniversaries
2023 marks the 35th anniversary of director John Carpenter‘s cult classic sci-fi thriller They Live (watch it Here) and the 40th anniversary of his awesome Stephen King adaptation Christine (watch that one Here) – and to celebrate these anniversaries, Fathom Events will be bringing both movies back to the big screen in September! They Live is first, with its theatrical screenings set for September 3rd and 6th, then Christine follows on September 10th and 13th. To see if the movies will be showing in your area, and to secure tickets if they are, click over to the Fathom Events website.
Inspired by the 1963 short story Eight O’Clock in the Morning by Ray Nelson, They Live tells us that aliens are systematically gaining control of the Earth by masquerading as humans and lulling the public into submission. Humanity’s last chance lies with a lone drifter who stumbles upon a harrowing...
Inspired by the 1963 short story Eight O’Clock in the Morning by Ray Nelson, They Live tells us that aliens are systematically gaining control of the Earth by masquerading as humans and lulling the public into submission. Humanity’s last chance lies with a lone drifter who stumbles upon a harrowing...
- 8/23/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
A new episode of the Best Horror Movie You Never Saw video series has just surfaced online, and in this one we’re looking back at the 1983 film The Keep (watch it Here), which was directed by future Oscar nominee Michael Mann… and turned out to be a very troubled production for the filmmaker. You can hear all about it in the video embedded above.
Based on a novel by F. Paul Wilson, The Keep has the following synopsis:
This superb gothic thriller will grip you with its combination of horror, romance and the supernatural. It is World War II in German-occupied Romania. Nazi soldiers have been sent to garrison a mysterious fortress, but a nightmarish discovery is soon made. The Keep was not built to keep anything out. The massive structure was, in fact built to keep something in… Scott Glenn portrays the stranger who alone must battle the...
Based on a novel by F. Paul Wilson, The Keep has the following synopsis:
This superb gothic thriller will grip you with its combination of horror, romance and the supernatural. It is World War II in German-occupied Romania. Nazi soldiers have been sent to garrison a mysterious fortress, but a nightmarish discovery is soon made. The Keep was not built to keep anything out. The massive structure was, in fact built to keep something in… Scott Glenn portrays the stranger who alone must battle the...
- 11/3/2022
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Amazon Prime Video continues to roll out a mix of movies for its ongoing summer slate. In the peak month of the season, viewers will be able to access some major recent releases like Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Licorice Pizza” starring the Haim sisters as well as “The Lost City,” which is loaded with stars like Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum, Daniel Radcliffe and Brad Pitt.
Those looking for older classic films won’t be disappointed either as Meryl Streep-studded “The Devil Wears Prada,” and “Mamma Mia! ”will also head to the streamer (with the musical gracing Freevee’s catalog). Nicholas Cage’s “Face/Off” and the late James Caan’s “Thief” arrive August 1 along with “Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion,” which stars the late Paul Sorvino’s daughter Mira. Don’t count out “Grey’s Anatomy” alums Sandra Oh and Kate Walsh in “Under the Tuscan Sun” either.
For those who like true story films,...
Those looking for older classic films won’t be disappointed either as Meryl Streep-studded “The Devil Wears Prada,” and “Mamma Mia! ”will also head to the streamer (with the musical gracing Freevee’s catalog). Nicholas Cage’s “Face/Off” and the late James Caan’s “Thief” arrive August 1 along with “Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion,” which stars the late Paul Sorvino’s daughter Mira. Don’t count out “Grey’s Anatomy” alums Sandra Oh and Kate Walsh in “Under the Tuscan Sun” either.
For those who like true story films,...
- 8/7/2022
- by Dessi Gomez, Harper Lambert and Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
Writer/director Johannes Roberts discusses his favorite Stephen King adaptations of the ’80s with host Josh Olson.
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
47 Meters Down (2017)
Jaws: The Revenge (1987)
Great White a.k.a. The Last Shark (1981)
The Exorcist III (1990) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary
Resident Evil: Welcome To Raccoon City (2021)
The Strangers: Prey At Night (2018)
Carrie (1976) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary
Maximum Overdrive (1986)
The Shining (1980) – Adam Rifkin’s trailer commentary
Children of the Corn (1984)
The Night Flier (1997)
Christine (1983)
The Dead Zone (1983) – Mick Garris’s trailer commentary
Cujo (1983) – Mick Garris’s trailer commentary
Roar (1981) – Brian Trenchard-Smith’s trailer commentary
The Thing (1982) – Jesus Trevino’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s’ Blu-ray review
Halloween (1978) – Adam Rifkin’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairing, Alex Kirschenbaum’s timeline and movie power rankings
Assault On Precinct 13 (1976) – Neil Marshall’s trailer commentary
Pet Sematary (1989) – Alex Kirschenbaum’s review
Pet Sematary (2019)
Blade Runner...
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
47 Meters Down (2017)
Jaws: The Revenge (1987)
Great White a.k.a. The Last Shark (1981)
The Exorcist III (1990) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary
Resident Evil: Welcome To Raccoon City (2021)
The Strangers: Prey At Night (2018)
Carrie (1976) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary
Maximum Overdrive (1986)
The Shining (1980) – Adam Rifkin’s trailer commentary
Children of the Corn (1984)
The Night Flier (1997)
Christine (1983)
The Dead Zone (1983) – Mick Garris’s trailer commentary
Cujo (1983) – Mick Garris’s trailer commentary
Roar (1981) – Brian Trenchard-Smith’s trailer commentary
The Thing (1982) – Jesus Trevino’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s’ Blu-ray review
Halloween (1978) – Adam Rifkin’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairing, Alex Kirschenbaum’s timeline and movie power rankings
Assault On Precinct 13 (1976) – Neil Marshall’s trailer commentary
Pet Sematary (1989) – Alex Kirschenbaum’s review
Pet Sematary (2019)
Blade Runner...
- 11/16/2021
- by Kris Millsap
- Trailers from Hell
Arnold Schwarzenegger in Last Action Hero will be available on 4K Ultra HD May 18th
Young Danny Madigan (Austin O’Brien) is a lonely 11-year-old boy who escapes from his bleak reality by watchingthe action adventure movies of his favorite film character, Jack Slater (Arnold Schwarzenegger). When his best friend, Nick the projectionist, gives him a special ticket to the new Slater film, Danny is magically transported into Jack’s world, where the good guys always win. Danny becomes his helper as Jack battles a trio of nefarious bad guys, Benedict (Charles Dance), Vivaldi (Anthony Quinn) and The Ripper (Tom Noonan). But things get out of hand when Benedict steals Danny’s magic ticket stub and transports himself into the real world, where crime can, and often does, pay. Jack and Danny must leave fictional Los Angeles for real-life New York and battle the villains without the aid of movie magic or stuntmen.
Young Danny Madigan (Austin O’Brien) is a lonely 11-year-old boy who escapes from his bleak reality by watchingthe action adventure movies of his favorite film character, Jack Slater (Arnold Schwarzenegger). When his best friend, Nick the projectionist, gives him a special ticket to the new Slater film, Danny is magically transported into Jack’s world, where the good guys always win. Danny becomes his helper as Jack battles a trio of nefarious bad guys, Benedict (Charles Dance), Vivaldi (Anthony Quinn) and The Ripper (Tom Noonan). But things get out of hand when Benedict steals Danny’s magic ticket stub and transports himself into the real world, where crime can, and often does, pay. Jack and Danny must leave fictional Los Angeles for real-life New York and battle the villains without the aid of movie magic or stuntmen.
- 5/13/2021
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
David Mamet’s gangster fable benefits from a casting match made in heaven — Don Ameche and Joe Mantegna. A shoeshine vendor is tapped to take a rap for a mob boss, but the hoodlum delivering him to court instead takes him on a two-day escape to Reno … against mob orders. It’s low-key comedy with delightful characters and the sobering knowledge that the weekend will end in jail … or the morgue. After a thirty-year hiatus Ameche makes a marvelous return to starring glory… just think, a Mamet film where we really warm up to the players!
Things Change
Region B Blu-ray
Powerhouse Indicator
1988 / Color / 1:85 / 100 min. / Street Date March 22, 2021 / available from Powerhouse Films UK / £15.99
Starring: Don Ameche, Joe Mantegna, Robert Prosky, J.J. Johnston, Ricky Jay, Mike Nussbaum, Jack Wallace, William H. Macy, J.T. Walsh, Felicity Huffman, Sara Eckhardt, Karen Kohlhaas, Paul Butler.
Cinematography: Juan Ruiz Anchía
Film Editor: Trudy Ship...
Things Change
Region B Blu-ray
Powerhouse Indicator
1988 / Color / 1:85 / 100 min. / Street Date March 22, 2021 / available from Powerhouse Films UK / £15.99
Starring: Don Ameche, Joe Mantegna, Robert Prosky, J.J. Johnston, Ricky Jay, Mike Nussbaum, Jack Wallace, William H. Macy, J.T. Walsh, Felicity Huffman, Sara Eckhardt, Karen Kohlhaas, Paul Butler.
Cinematography: Juan Ruiz Anchía
Film Editor: Trudy Ship...
- 2/23/2021
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge follows two shows from the 2004-2005 season on this edition of Broadway Rewind. It's a look at The Beach Boys musical Good Vibrations, but we start things off at the opening night celebration of the New York production of Michael Frayn's play Democracywhich starred Richard Thomas, James Naughton and Robert Prosky. Richard talked about sharing the stage once again with his friend, James Naughton. 'We go way back. This is our fourth play we've done together. We love being onstage together. We're so different in every way, physically and vocally. It's a terrific match for us and we just love to talk to each other onstage.'...
- 3/21/2020
- by BroadwayWorld TV
- BroadwayWorld.com
An all-female cast will hit Broadway in David Mamet’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play Glengarry Glen Ross next year under the direction of Chicago P.D. actress Amy Morton.
The new production will begin performances in May 2019, with cast, design team, a venue and exact dates to be announced. The producing team is headed by Jeffrey Richards, Will Trice, Rebecca Gold and Steve Traxler.
Morton, Tony-nominated as an actress for her Broadway performances in August: Osage County and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, will make her Broadway directing debut with Glengarry. An ensemble member of Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Company, she directed Guards at the Taj for off-Broadway’s Atlantic Theater Company in 2015, and has a lengthy roster of directing credits for Steppenwolf including a 2001 production of Glengarry that featured a traditional male cast.
Morton’s acting credits, in addition to Chicago P.D., include Boss, Chicago Fire, Blue Bloods,...
The new production will begin performances in May 2019, with cast, design team, a venue and exact dates to be announced. The producing team is headed by Jeffrey Richards, Will Trice, Rebecca Gold and Steve Traxler.
Morton, Tony-nominated as an actress for her Broadway performances in August: Osage County and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, will make her Broadway directing debut with Glengarry. An ensemble member of Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Company, she directed Guards at the Taj for off-Broadway’s Atlantic Theater Company in 2015, and has a lengthy roster of directing credits for Steppenwolf including a 2001 production of Glengarry that featured a traditional male cast.
Morton’s acting credits, in addition to Chicago P.D., include Boss, Chicago Fire, Blue Bloods,...
- 8/9/2018
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
“Ru-dy! Ru-dy! Ru-dy!”
He’s five-feet-nothin’, a hundred and nothin’ and barely has a speck of athletic ability, but Rudy Ruettiger still became a sports legend. As the 2018 football season begins, the film that introduced the world to “Rudy” will return to movie theaters nationwide for two days only on August 28 and September 2, in celebration of its 25th anniversary.
Accompanying these theatrical screenings of “Rudy” is an introduction featuring the real-life Rudy Ruettiger and a Q&A hosted by Michael Phillips, film critic for the Chicago Tribune, and filmed in front of a live audience at Chicago’s historic Music Box Theatre.
Tickets for “Rudy” are available now at www.FathomEvents.com and participating theater box offices.
Fathom Events and Sony Pictures Entertainment present “Rudy” in more than 600 select movie theaters on Tuesday, August 28, and Sunday, September 2, at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. local time (both days) through...
He’s five-feet-nothin’, a hundred and nothin’ and barely has a speck of athletic ability, but Rudy Ruettiger still became a sports legend. As the 2018 football season begins, the film that introduced the world to “Rudy” will return to movie theaters nationwide for two days only on August 28 and September 2, in celebration of its 25th anniversary.
Accompanying these theatrical screenings of “Rudy” is an introduction featuring the real-life Rudy Ruettiger and a Q&A hosted by Michael Phillips, film critic for the Chicago Tribune, and filmed in front of a live audience at Chicago’s historic Music Box Theatre.
Tickets for “Rudy” are available now at www.FathomEvents.com and participating theater box offices.
Fathom Events and Sony Pictures Entertainment present “Rudy” in more than 600 select movie theaters on Tuesday, August 28, and Sunday, September 2, at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. local time (both days) through...
- 8/8/2018
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
He’s five-feet-nothin’, a hundred and nothin’ and barely has a speck of athletic ability, but Rudy Ruettiger still became a sports legend. As the 2018 football season begins, the film that introduced the world to “Rudy” will return to movie theaters nationwide for two days only on August 28 and September 2, in celebration of its 25th anniversary.
Accompanying these theatrical screenings of “Rudy” is an introduction featuring the real-life Rudy Ruettiger and a Q&A hosted by Michael Phillips, film critic for the Chicago Tribune, and filmed in front of a live audience at Chicago’s historic Music Box Theatre.
Tickets for “Rudy” are available now at www.FathomEvents.com and participating theater box offices.
Fathom Events and Sony Pictures Entertainment present “Rudy” in more than 600 select movie theaters on Tuesday, August 28, and Sunday, September 2, at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. local time (both days) through Fathom’s Digital...
Accompanying these theatrical screenings of “Rudy” is an introduction featuring the real-life Rudy Ruettiger and a Q&A hosted by Michael Phillips, film critic for the Chicago Tribune, and filmed in front of a live audience at Chicago’s historic Music Box Theatre.
Tickets for “Rudy” are available now at www.FathomEvents.com and participating theater box offices.
Fathom Events and Sony Pictures Entertainment present “Rudy” in more than 600 select movie theaters on Tuesday, August 28, and Sunday, September 2, at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. local time (both days) through Fathom’s Digital...
- 8/8/2018
- by Melissa Thompson
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Padraig Cotter Jan 5, 2017
Michael Mann has all-but-disowned The Keep. But why? And how has the fanbase kept it going?
Every auteur has a black sheep in their filmography. Something which doesn’t gel with their established style, and was rejected by critics and fans upon release. On this front Spielberg has 1941, Oliver Stone has The Hand, Brian De Palma has Wiseguys and so on.
See related Kevin Feige on Black Panther, female superhero movie Avengers: Infinity War – the first set picture Thor: Ragnarok: the first official synopsis released
Michael Mann has the crown jewel of them all. He's a director best known for his precise, beautifully shot thrillers like Heat, Manhunter or The Insider. So how a director famed for his commitment to realism and methodical research ended up crafting a gothic horror movie set during World War II is anyone’s guess.
That’s what happened with 1983’s The Keep,...
Michael Mann has all-but-disowned The Keep. But why? And how has the fanbase kept it going?
Every auteur has a black sheep in their filmography. Something which doesn’t gel with their established style, and was rejected by critics and fans upon release. On this front Spielberg has 1941, Oliver Stone has The Hand, Brian De Palma has Wiseguys and so on.
See related Kevin Feige on Black Panther, female superhero movie Avengers: Infinity War – the first set picture Thor: Ragnarok: the first official synopsis released
Michael Mann has the crown jewel of them all. He's a director best known for his precise, beautifully shot thrillers like Heat, Manhunter or The Insider. So how a director famed for his commitment to realism and methodical research ended up crafting a gothic horror movie set during World War II is anyone’s guess.
That’s what happened with 1983’s The Keep,...
- 11/2/2016
- Den of Geek
Stars: James Caan, Tuesday Weld, Willie Nelson, James Belushi, Robert Prosky, Tom Signorelli, Dennis Farina, Nick Nickeas, W.R. Brown, Norm Tobin, John Santucci | Written and Directed by Michael Mann
When it comes to Michael Mann the number of movies he’s directed may not be huge, but the impact that they have has been. With the likes of Manhunter, Heat, and The Last of the Mohicans he created memorable movies that have a definite Mann style. Thief, which gets the Arrow Video treatment with this new Blu-ray release, was his first move into major movie making and a fine example of him at his best.
Thief is the story of Frank (James Caan) a professional safecracker who specialises in diamond jobs. Looking for a way out of the business and living his dream of a normal family life he agrees to do a high paying job for big-time gangster Leo...
When it comes to Michael Mann the number of movies he’s directed may not be huge, but the impact that they have has been. With the likes of Manhunter, Heat, and The Last of the Mohicans he created memorable movies that have a definite Mann style. Thief, which gets the Arrow Video treatment with this new Blu-ray release, was his first move into major movie making and a fine example of him at his best.
Thief is the story of Frank (James Caan) a professional safecracker who specialises in diamond jobs. Looking for a way out of the business and living his dream of a normal family life he agrees to do a high paying job for big-time gangster Leo...
- 2/5/2015
- by Paul Metcalf
- Nerdly
'Idol's Eye' production shut down: Robert De Niro, Robert Pattinson and Rachel Weisz to have starred in Olivier Assayas' action-thriller (photo: Robert Pattinson) Production on screenwriter-director Olivier Assayas' action-thriller Idol's Eye, which was to have starred two-time Oscar winner Robert De Niro (The Godfather: Part II, Raging Bull), Robert Pattinson (the Twilight movies, The Rover), and Oscar winner Rachel Weisz (The Constant Gardener), has been shut down, officially due to financing woes. Michael Benaroya's Beverly Hills-based Benaroya Pictures announced the bad news earlier today, November 3, 2014. “Due to the criteria for financing not being met by producers, Benaroya Pictures has formally decided to discontinue financing the motion picture titled Idol's Eye. The company cannot continue to put its investment at risk and has been forced to stop cash flowing [to] the production. “This is something all of us wanted to avoid, but due to the producers missing...
- 11/4/2014
- by Zac Gille
- Alt Film Guide
Last Action Hero
Written by Zak Penn, Adam Leff, Shane Black, and David Argott
Directed by John McTiernan
USA, 1993
The concept of a film within a film is an idea that provides for truly interesting cinema. Films that are self-referential, satiric, and make fun of their own genre are often hilarious, thought-provoking, and downright fun. 1993’s cult favorite Last Action Hero is an action-fantasy that pokes fun at the action film genre in more ways than one. It stars the incomparable blockbuster movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger who is playing himself. Last Action Hero pretty much has it all and if you are a fan of the Austrian star or just action cinema in general, then this is the perfect film for you.
The film focuses on Danny Madigan (Austin O’Brien), a 12-year-old troublemaker obsessed with movies, in particular those of action hero Jack Slater, a fictionalized version of Schwarzenegger.
Written by Zak Penn, Adam Leff, Shane Black, and David Argott
Directed by John McTiernan
USA, 1993
The concept of a film within a film is an idea that provides for truly interesting cinema. Films that are self-referential, satiric, and make fun of their own genre are often hilarious, thought-provoking, and downright fun. 1993’s cult favorite Last Action Hero is an action-fantasy that pokes fun at the action film genre in more ways than one. It stars the incomparable blockbuster movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger who is playing himself. Last Action Hero pretty much has it all and if you are a fan of the Austrian star or just action cinema in general, then this is the perfect film for you.
The film focuses on Danny Madigan (Austin O’Brien), a 12-year-old troublemaker obsessed with movies, in particular those of action hero Jack Slater, a fictionalized version of Schwarzenegger.
- 8/26/2014
- by Randall Unger
- SoundOnSight
By Lee Pfeiffer
Criterion has released a dual format Blu-ray/DVD edition of director Michael Mann's 1981 crime thriller Thief starring James Caan. It's a highly impressive film on many levels, especially when one considers this was Mann's big screen feature debut. He had previously directed the acclaimed 1979 TV movie The Jericho Mile, which was set in Folsom Prison. Mann was inspired by his interaction with the world of convicts and wrote the screenplay for Thief, which is credited as being based on author Frank Hohimer's novel The Home Invaders, but he maintains virtually none of the source material ended up on screen. The story centers on Frank (James Caan), a bitter man with a troubled past. As a child he was raised in state-run homes before being sent to jail for a petty crime. Inside prison, he committed violent acts in order to defend himself but this only resulted in lengthier jail terms.
Criterion has released a dual format Blu-ray/DVD edition of director Michael Mann's 1981 crime thriller Thief starring James Caan. It's a highly impressive film on many levels, especially when one considers this was Mann's big screen feature debut. He had previously directed the acclaimed 1979 TV movie The Jericho Mile, which was set in Folsom Prison. Mann was inspired by his interaction with the world of convicts and wrote the screenplay for Thief, which is credited as being based on author Frank Hohimer's novel The Home Invaders, but he maintains virtually none of the source material ended up on screen. The story centers on Frank (James Caan), a bitter man with a troubled past. As a child he was raised in state-run homes before being sent to jail for a petty crime. Inside prison, he committed violent acts in order to defend himself but this only resulted in lengthier jail terms.
- 2/26/2014
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Michael Mann’s “Thief” is a crime movie that’s more about the criminal than his illegal acts. It’s about a man who has been torn down to nothing who slowly puts pieces back into his life, like a love affair and a family, only to learn that he has to give all of them up for his own safety. It’s a fascinating film, stunning in its technical acumen and with stellar performances from James Caan, Tuesday Weld, and Robert Prosky (making his film debut). It’s also a great inclusion in The Criterion Collection, perfectly remastered and with some interesting interview insights.
Rating: 4.5/5.0
What is “Thief”? Like most Michael Mann films, it’s hard to pin down into a genre. Yes, there are traditional elements of the crime film and even some degree of noir but it’s so distinctly character driven that it transcends the cliches of its genre.
Rating: 4.5/5.0
What is “Thief”? Like most Michael Mann films, it’s hard to pin down into a genre. Yes, there are traditional elements of the crime film and even some degree of noir but it’s so distinctly character driven that it transcends the cliches of its genre.
- 1/12/2014
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
As all lovers of crime, suspense thriller, war, western, horror and science fiction films know, creating a truly great cinematic villain is no easy task. When it happens, it’s virtually impossible to forget that character.
We’ll now take a look at the greatest film villains of the 1980’s.
The criteria for this article is the same as my previous article Cinema’s Greatest Villains: The 1970’s: the villains must be from live-action films-no animated features-and must pose some type of direct or indirect lethal threat. The villains can be either individuals or small groups that act as one unit.
The villains must be human or human in appearance, so no shape-shifting alien from John Carpenter’s amazing 1982 The Thing, no Aliens from James Cameron’s classic 1986 sequel and no Predator from John McTiernan’s beloved 1987 film of the same name.
Also, individuals that are the central protagonists/antiheroes...
We’ll now take a look at the greatest film villains of the 1980’s.
The criteria for this article is the same as my previous article Cinema’s Greatest Villains: The 1970’s: the villains must be from live-action films-no animated features-and must pose some type of direct or indirect lethal threat. The villains can be either individuals or small groups that act as one unit.
The villains must be human or human in appearance, so no shape-shifting alien from John Carpenter’s amazing 1982 The Thing, no Aliens from James Cameron’s classic 1986 sequel and no Predator from John McTiernan’s beloved 1987 film of the same name.
Also, individuals that are the central protagonists/antiheroes...
- 6/12/2013
- by Terek Puckett
- SoundOnSight
Thief
Directed by Michael Mann
Written by Michael Mann
1981, USA
1981 saw the release of Michael Mann’s feature directorial debut Thief. James Caan plays Frank, a professional safecracker whose plan to settle down spirals out-of-control when he becomes indebted to an underworld criminal organization. Thief is a gritty modern film noir that bubbles with Mann’s stylish, atmospheric direction. For a first feature Thief is simply put, a masterpiece. Through Mann’s unique and effective story-telling approach, and Caan’s world-class performance, Thief ranks along side the very best caper flicks.
Frank’s mentor Okla (Willie Nelson) is sitting behind bars desperately trying to get out and Frank’s latest job goes bust when his business partner decides to walk off the ledge of a sky rise. Frank has also spent quite a bit of time in jail but with a new relationship blooming with waitress Jessie (Tuesday Weld) he’s looking to settle down.
Directed by Michael Mann
Written by Michael Mann
1981, USA
1981 saw the release of Michael Mann’s feature directorial debut Thief. James Caan plays Frank, a professional safecracker whose plan to settle down spirals out-of-control when he becomes indebted to an underworld criminal organization. Thief is a gritty modern film noir that bubbles with Mann’s stylish, atmospheric direction. For a first feature Thief is simply put, a masterpiece. Through Mann’s unique and effective story-telling approach, and Caan’s world-class performance, Thief ranks along side the very best caper flicks.
Frank’s mentor Okla (Willie Nelson) is sitting behind bars desperately trying to get out and Frank’s latest job goes bust when his business partner decides to walk off the ledge of a sky rise. Frank has also spent quite a bit of time in jail but with a new relationship blooming with waitress Jessie (Tuesday Weld) he’s looking to settle down.
- 4/20/2013
- by Ricky da Conceição
- SoundOnSight
This article is dedicated to Andrew Copp: filmmaker, film writer, artist and close friend who passed away on January 19, 2013. You are loved and missed, brother.
****
Looking at the Best Actor Academy Award nominations for the film year 2012, the one miss that clearly cries out for more attention is Liam Neeson’s powerful performance in Joe Carnahan’s excellent survival film The Grey, easily one of the best roles of Neeson’s career.
In Neeson’s case, his lack of a nomination was a case of neglect similar to the Albert Brooks snub in the Best Supporting Actor category for the film year 2011 for Drive(Nicolas Winding Refn, USA).
Along with negligence, other factors commonly prevent outstanding lead acting performances from getting the kind of critical attention they deserve. Sometimes it’s that the performance is in a film not considered “Oscar material” or even worthy of any substantial critical attention.
****
Looking at the Best Actor Academy Award nominations for the film year 2012, the one miss that clearly cries out for more attention is Liam Neeson’s powerful performance in Joe Carnahan’s excellent survival film The Grey, easily one of the best roles of Neeson’s career.
In Neeson’s case, his lack of a nomination was a case of neglect similar to the Albert Brooks snub in the Best Supporting Actor category for the film year 2011 for Drive(Nicolas Winding Refn, USA).
Along with negligence, other factors commonly prevent outstanding lead acting performances from getting the kind of critical attention they deserve. Sometimes it’s that the performance is in a film not considered “Oscar material” or even worthy of any substantial critical attention.
- 2/27/2013
- by Terek Puckett
- SoundOnSight
Last week, we took a look back at the first Gremlins movie. This week, it’s on to Gremlins 2: The New Batch.
Although I had not watched the movie in nearly two decades, there were a few things I remembered about the sequel before sitting down to rewatch. For starters, as a kid, it was a more fun movie than the original film. “The new batch” had powers. When you’re a kid, powers are all the rage. I remembered that at least one Gremlin could talk perfect English, while another darted around the screen like it had the powers of Electro (an Amazing Spider-Man villain from Marvel Comics). I also recalled the story taking place in New York and Gizmo wearing a red bandana – though I couldn’t for the life of me remember why Gizmo would be wearing gang colors.
Gremlins 2 begins similar to Superman IV: The Quest for Peace.
Although I had not watched the movie in nearly two decades, there were a few things I remembered about the sequel before sitting down to rewatch. For starters, as a kid, it was a more fun movie than the original film. “The new batch” had powers. When you’re a kid, powers are all the rage. I remembered that at least one Gremlin could talk perfect English, while another darted around the screen like it had the powers of Electro (an Amazing Spider-Man villain from Marvel Comics). I also recalled the story taking place in New York and Gizmo wearing a red bandana – though I couldn’t for the life of me remember why Gizmo would be wearing gang colors.
Gremlins 2 begins similar to Superman IV: The Quest for Peace.
- 5/29/2012
- by Bags Hooper
- BuzzFocus.com
*full disclosure: a blu-ray copy of this film was provided by Warner Bros. for review. Director: Joe Dante. Writer: Charlie Haas. Cast: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, John Glover, Robert Prosky, Robert Picardo, Christopher Lee, Haviland Morris, Marla Bloodstone, Dick Miller, Jackie Joseph, and Gedde Watanabe. Warner Bros. is set to release Joe Dante's gremlins on New York City once again. Gremlins 2: The New Batch is releasing on Blu-Ray for the first time May 8th and comedy fans might want to take notice. Many of the characters from the original film such as Gizmo, Billy (Zach Galligan) and Phoebe (Kate Beringer) return for this sequel. This time they are in New York with new jobs and new problems. Gizmo releases more monsters after getting wet and the chaos begins once again! The story here follows the original film's rules: do not get the mogwais wet, do not feed them...
- 5/9/2012
- by noreply@blogger.com (Michael Allen)
- 28 Days Later Analysis
There's nothing quite like turning back the clock and revisiting some of your favorite classic horror on the big screen on original 35mm prints. Only a shitter wouldn't appreciate that.
You've got a great opportunity this Saturday, April 28, good people of Los Angeles, as Brian Collins of HorrorMovieADay.com will host a midnight showing of Christine at the New Beverly Theater.
For more info, check out the New Bev website or if you're already convinced you're as good as there, you can pre-order your tix (8 bucks, cheap!) at BrownPaperTickets.com. Read on for the deets.
From Brian Collins at HorrorMovieADay.com
This Saturday, April 28, check out a 35mm screening of John Carpenter's Christine (based on the Stephen King novel) at the New Beverly! Personally I think this is one of his most underrated films (2nd only to In The Mouth Of Madness, which I've already hosted!), and always enjoy seeing it on the big screen.
You've got a great opportunity this Saturday, April 28, good people of Los Angeles, as Brian Collins of HorrorMovieADay.com will host a midnight showing of Christine at the New Beverly Theater.
For more info, check out the New Bev website or if you're already convinced you're as good as there, you can pre-order your tix (8 bucks, cheap!) at BrownPaperTickets.com. Read on for the deets.
From Brian Collins at HorrorMovieADay.com
This Saturday, April 28, check out a 35mm screening of John Carpenter's Christine (based on the Stephen King novel) at the New Beverly! Personally I think this is one of his most underrated films (2nd only to In The Mouth Of Madness, which I've already hosted!), and always enjoy seeing it on the big screen.
- 4/24/2012
- by Doctor Gash
- DreadCentral.com
The guys at Cinema Cool have been on a bit of a hiatus since last summer, but they're coming out of "retirement", as it were, to host a midnight screening of John Carpenter's classic Christine tomorrow night (Friday, March 4th) at the Nuart Theatre in West Los Angeles.
The film is being shown via a brand new 35mm print, and if that's not enough to get you out to the Nuart, there'll also be a Blu-ray/DVD giveaway (based on John Carpenter trivia) and the premiere of a very special video tribute to Carpenter, featuring clips and commentary on all of his films.
Synopsis:
She was born in Detroit on an automobile assembly line. But she is no ordinary automobile. Deep within her chassis lives an unholy presence. She is Christine — a red and white 1958 Plymouth Fury whose unique standard equipment includes an evil, indestructible vengeance that will destroy anyone in her way.
The film is being shown via a brand new 35mm print, and if that's not enough to get you out to the Nuart, there'll also be a Blu-ray/DVD giveaway (based on John Carpenter trivia) and the premiere of a very special video tribute to Carpenter, featuring clips and commentary on all of his films.
Synopsis:
She was born in Detroit on an automobile assembly line. But she is no ordinary automobile. Deep within her chassis lives an unholy presence. She is Christine — a red and white 1958 Plymouth Fury whose unique standard equipment includes an evil, indestructible vengeance that will destroy anyone in her way.
- 3/3/2011
- by The Woman In Black
- DreadCentral.com
I'd never seen James L. Brooks's Broadcast News prior to screening Criterion's brand new Blu-ray release, but I had certainly heard enough about it to have lofty expectations. Unlike Brooks's debut feature, Terms of Endearment, Broadcast News didn't win the Oscar for Best Picture, it didn't win any Oscars as a matter of fact. Though nominated for seven Oscars, Bernardo Bertolucci's The Last Emperor won the lion's share in 1988, and yet, Broadcast News is probably Brooks's most celebrated film, even above his more recent Best Picture nominee As Good as It Gets and it came back into conversation after the recently released Morning Glory was unable to match its cadence.
Brooks, however, instead of being celebrated for past success, seems to find his work (perhaps unfairly) compared to previous triumphs rather than viewed at face value. Recent efforts including Spanglish and last year's How Do You Know were met with biting criticism.
Brooks, however, instead of being celebrated for past success, seems to find his work (perhaps unfairly) compared to previous triumphs rather than viewed at face value. Recent efforts including Spanglish and last year's How Do You Know were met with biting criticism.
- 1/31/2011
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
I hope you had a great Thanksgiving weekend last week and hopefully have a few movies to share. This week I caught up with a film I thought I'd never see and a personal holiday favorite. I did also watch Guillermo del Toro's Cronos for the first time as well as a couple of awards screeners including Barney's Version and Sofia Coppola's Somewhere, but more on those films a little later down the line.
The Keep (1983) Quick Thoughts: Did any of you take my advice last week and watch Michael Mann's second feature film The Keep on Netflix Instant Play, which as far as I know is the only way you can watch it now unless you own the VHS or Laser Disc edition? Well I decided to give it a go and there are some moments that are quite good, such as the opening sequence and...
The Keep (1983) Quick Thoughts: Did any of you take my advice last week and watch Michael Mann's second feature film The Keep on Netflix Instant Play, which as far as I know is the only way you can watch it now unless you own the VHS or Laser Disc edition? Well I decided to give it a go and there are some moments that are quite good, such as the opening sequence and...
- 12/5/2010
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
DVD Playhouse—April 2010
By
Allen Gardner
Ride With The Devil (Criterion) Ang Lee’s revisionist take on the Civil War is awash in moral ambiguity, along with some stunning cinematography, production design, and fine performances. Set during the Kansas-Missouri border war, Tobey Maguire and Skeet Ulrich star as two friends who join up with the Confederate-sympathizing Bushwhackers, finding an odd ally in a former slave (Jeffrey Wright). While it’s fascinating to see America’s bloodiest conflict through the eyes of a foreigner, thereby allowing much of the previously mentioned ambiguity a certain latitude, the film never loses the bad taste it leaves for one simple reason: it asks us, the audience, to side with not just the Confederates, but some of the lowest trash that made up the dregs, and the fringes, of the movement. Big points for audacity, but snake eyes on the story itself. Singer Jewel is impressive in her film debut.
By
Allen Gardner
Ride With The Devil (Criterion) Ang Lee’s revisionist take on the Civil War is awash in moral ambiguity, along with some stunning cinematography, production design, and fine performances. Set during the Kansas-Missouri border war, Tobey Maguire and Skeet Ulrich star as two friends who join up with the Confederate-sympathizing Bushwhackers, finding an odd ally in a former slave (Jeffrey Wright). While it’s fascinating to see America’s bloodiest conflict through the eyes of a foreigner, thereby allowing much of the previously mentioned ambiguity a certain latitude, the film never loses the bad taste it leaves for one simple reason: it asks us, the audience, to side with not just the Confederates, but some of the lowest trash that made up the dregs, and the fringes, of the movement. Big points for audacity, but snake eyes on the story itself. Singer Jewel is impressive in her film debut.
- 4/16/2010
- by The Hollywood Interview.com
- The Hollywood Interview
I always feel a little gypped when a self-professed horror movie ends up taking the "it was all in his head" road. If there wasn't really anything supernatural or murderous behind the whole thing, does that really make it a horror flick? Isn't that one of the main things that makes a movie a horror rather than a thriller?
For the sake of argument -- and because it's never actually cleared up whether it really was all in his head -- we'll call The Skeptic a horror movie. It's a spooky ghost(?) story, centering on Bryan (Tim Daly, of "Wings" fame), who is -- you guessed it -- a skeptic. He's also an attorney, so it makes sense that he's suspicious by nature. Bryan is virtually a stone, a Tin Man, but without the drive to secure a heart for himself. His wife accuses him of being too unemotional, which...
For the sake of argument -- and because it's never actually cleared up whether it really was all in his head -- we'll call The Skeptic a horror movie. It's a spooky ghost(?) story, centering on Bryan (Tim Daly, of "Wings" fame), who is -- you guessed it -- a skeptic. He's also an attorney, so it makes sense that he's suspicious by nature. Bryan is virtually a stone, a Tin Man, but without the drive to secure a heart for himself. His wife accuses him of being too unemotional, which...
- 12/10/2009
- by Jess Goodwin
- JustPressPlay.net
Curious to know what frightful films and devilish discs will be available to view in the privacy of your own digital dungeon this week? Fango's got you covered.
Below the jump you'll find the full list of titles arriving in-stores this Tuesday, December 8, 2009 in our weekly version of the famous Fangoria Chopping List.
While there's not a lot of new titles hitting the market this week, there's a ton of great re-issues hitting Hi-Def for the first time with the Blu-ray debuts of Behind The Mask, Jack Brooks, and more. And for the indie fans out there, how about a little Run! Bitch, Run!?
Note: Some product descriptions provided by Amazon. Clickable links lead to Amazon.com
Alphabet Killer (Bd)
A ten year old girl is found brutally murdered outside the small blue-collar city of Rochester, New York, and obsessed police detective Megan Paige (Eliza Dushku of Buffy The Vampire...
Below the jump you'll find the full list of titles arriving in-stores this Tuesday, December 8, 2009 in our weekly version of the famous Fangoria Chopping List.
While there's not a lot of new titles hitting the market this week, there's a ton of great re-issues hitting Hi-Def for the first time with the Blu-ray debuts of Behind The Mask, Jack Brooks, and more. And for the indie fans out there, how about a little Run! Bitch, Run!?
Note: Some product descriptions provided by Amazon. Clickable links lead to Amazon.com
Alphabet Killer (Bd)
A ten year old girl is found brutally murdered outside the small blue-collar city of Rochester, New York, and obsessed police detective Megan Paige (Eliza Dushku of Buffy The Vampire...
- 12/6/2009
- by no-reply@fangoria.com (James Zahn)
- Fangoria
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: The Skeptic (currently available via video-on-demand and opening in limited theatrical engagements in New York today and Albany and Los Angeles later in May from IFC) is about a man who inherits an old house from his aged aunt after she dies. He decides to move into the creepy old place and…
What, already? Hold on, I’ve only just started.
The reason Bryan Becket (Tim Daly) chooses to relocate into the manse is that things are strained at home with his wife Robin (Andrea Roth). That’s because Bryan, a lawyer by trade, is what a character in the beat-you-over-the-head script by director Tennyson Bardwell refers to as “one die-hard rationalist.” He has no room in his personality for sentiment (“You bet I’m unemotional!” he says at another choice moment), compares religious faith to belief in the Loch Ness...
What, already? Hold on, I’ve only just started.
The reason Bryan Becket (Tim Daly) chooses to relocate into the manse is that things are strained at home with his wife Robin (Andrea Roth). That’s because Bryan, a lawyer by trade, is what a character in the beat-you-over-the-head script by director Tennyson Bardwell refers to as “one die-hard rationalist.” He has no room in his personality for sentiment (“You bet I’m unemotional!” he says at another choice moment), compares religious faith to belief in the Loch Ness...
- 5/1/2009
- Fangoria
By Edwin Pagán, for Latin Horror
Seems like 2009 is the year when our marketable Latina actresses are taking the plunge into the darker side of the industry's genre landscape. First we mentioned here [http://tinyurl.com/cs4set] that Salma Hayek is riding a leading role in Paul Weitz' Cirque Du Freak as the bearded lady of sideshow fame, now another venerable talent, Zoe Saldana (Vantage Point, The Terminal, Premium, Guess Who), is set to hone her cognitive powers in the haunted-house thriller, The Skeptic, which was written/helmed by Tennyson Bardwell (Dorian Blues) and hits theater in a limited run on May 1st at the IFC Center in New York and elsewhere. The film also stars Tim Daly, Tom Arnold, Andrea Roth, Edward Herrmann, Robert Prosky and Bruce Altman. The project marks Bardwell's second feature outing.
The suspense thriller follows a skeptical lawyer (Daly) who moves into a haunted mansion after the unexplained...
Seems like 2009 is the year when our marketable Latina actresses are taking the plunge into the darker side of the industry's genre landscape. First we mentioned here [http://tinyurl.com/cs4set] that Salma Hayek is riding a leading role in Paul Weitz' Cirque Du Freak as the bearded lady of sideshow fame, now another venerable talent, Zoe Saldana (Vantage Point, The Terminal, Premium, Guess Who), is set to hone her cognitive powers in the haunted-house thriller, The Skeptic, which was written/helmed by Tennyson Bardwell (Dorian Blues) and hits theater in a limited run on May 1st at the IFC Center in New York and elsewhere. The film also stars Tim Daly, Tom Arnold, Andrea Roth, Edward Herrmann, Robert Prosky and Bruce Altman. The project marks Bardwell's second feature outing.
The suspense thriller follows a skeptical lawyer (Daly) who moves into a haunted mansion after the unexplained...
- 4/23/2009
- by noreply@blogger.com (LATIN HORROR)
- Latin Horror
IFC Films sent along specifics on the theatrical play for The Skeptic, a haunted-house thriller written and directed by Tennyson Bardwell. The movie stars Tim Daly as a lawyer who moves into his aunt’s Victorian mansion after her death, where his rational nature is challenged by increasingly frightening supernatural occurrences.
The Skeptic, which also stars Tom Arnold, Zoe Saldana, Andrea Roth, Edward Herrmann, Robert Prosky and Bruce Altman, will open Friday, May 1 at New York City’s IFC Center, on May 8 at Albany, NY’s Spectrum 8 Theatres (with a Q&A with Bardwell, producer Mary-Beth Taylor and editor Ann Marie Lizzi after the first evening show) and May 15 at Los Angeles’ Laemmle Music Hall 3. The film, whose producers also include The Alphabet Killer’s Isen Robbins and Aimee Schoof, will be available via video-on-demand as well, starting April 29 and continuing for three months on IFC’s In Theaters platform,...
The Skeptic, which also stars Tom Arnold, Zoe Saldana, Andrea Roth, Edward Herrmann, Robert Prosky and Bruce Altman, will open Friday, May 1 at New York City’s IFC Center, on May 8 at Albany, NY’s Spectrum 8 Theatres (with a Q&A with Bardwell, producer Mary-Beth Taylor and editor Ann Marie Lizzi after the first evening show) and May 15 at Los Angeles’ Laemmle Music Hall 3. The film, whose producers also include The Alphabet Killer’s Isen Robbins and Aimee Schoof, will be available via video-on-demand as well, starting April 29 and continuing for three months on IFC’s In Theaters platform,...
- 4/23/2009
- Fangoria
See the trailer embedded for IFC Films' "The Skeptic," starring Tim Daly, Tom Arnold, Zoe Saldana, Andrea Roth, Edward Hermann, Robert Prosky, Bruce Altman, Christina Rouner and Lea Coco. Tennyson Bardwell directs from his own writing as well as producing alongside Isen Robbins, Aimee Schoof and Mary-Beth Taylor. This sees limited areas on May 1st. What's "The Skeptic" about? Following the mysterious death of his aunt, power lawyer Bryan Becket (Tim Daly) moves into the elderly woman's purportedly haunted Victorian mansion. A die hard skeptic, he dismisses one eerie incident after another, until the haunting turns so personal and vicious, Becket's cool, unemotional veneer begins to unravel. Whispers in the night, things he sees in the darkness, clues of a horrible secret, turn our rationalist into a terrified and reluctant seeker. A seeker of a truth so unspeakable it could destroy him. And the mystery, always just out of reach down the darkened hall,...
- 4/16/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
See the trailer embedded for IFC Films' "The Skeptic," starring Tim Daly, Tom Arnold, Zoe Saldana, Andrea Roth, Edward Hermann, Robert Prosky, Bruce Altman, Christina Rouner and Lea Coco. Tennyson Bardwell directs from his own writing as well as producing alongside Isen Robbins, Aimee Schoof and Mary-Beth Taylor. This sees limited areas on May 1st. Following the mysterious death of his aunt, power lawyer Bryan Becket (Tim Daly) moves into the elderly woman's purportedly haunted Victorian mansion. A die hard skeptic, he dismisses one eerie incident after another, until the haunting turns so personal and vicious, Becket's cool, unemotional veneer begins to unravel. Whispers in the night, things he sees in the darkness, clues of a horrible secret, turn our rationalist into a terrified and reluctant seeker. A seeker of a truth so unspeakable it could destroy him...
- 4/16/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
See the trailer embedded for IFC Films' "The Skeptic," starring Tim Daly, Tom Arnold, Zoe Saldana, Andrea Roth, Edward Hermann, Robert Prosky, Bruce Altman, Christina Rouner and Lea Coco. Tennyson Bardwell directs from his own writing as well as producing alongside Isen Robbins, Aimee Schoof and Mary-Beth Taylor. This sees limited areas on May 1st. Following the mysterious death of his aunt, power lawyer Bryan Becket (Tim Daly) moves into the elderly woman's purportedly haunted Victorian mansion. A die hard skeptic, he dismisses one eerie incident after another, until the haunting turns so personal and vicious, Becket's cool, unemotional veneer begins to unravel. Whispers in the night, things he sees in the darkness, clues of a horrible secret, turn our rationalist into a terrified and reluctant seeker. A seeker of a truth so unspeakable it could destroy him...
- 4/16/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
As actors go, Ron Silver, who died Sunday at age 62, was a real winner. In 1988, he took both the Tony and Drama Desk awards as lead actor in a play for portraying a combative wannabe film producer named Charlie Fox in David Mamet's "Speed-the-Plow" on Broadway. For the Tony, Ron Silver beat Derek Jacobi ("Breaking the Code"), John Lithgow ("M. Butterfly"), and Robert Prosky ("A Walk in the Woods").
"Mr. Silver gives the performance of his career," wrote Frank Rich in the New York Times. "While one expects this actor to capture Charlie's cigar-chomping vulgarity, Mr. Silver's frightening eruptions of snarling anger and crumpled demeanor in the face of defeat make what could be another Beverly Hills caricature into a figure of pathos." Four-time Tony nominee Raul Esparza played the part in the recent revival of the play.
Prior to his death from cancer on Sunday, Ron Silver was also nominated for three Emmys.
"Mr. Silver gives the performance of his career," wrote Frank Rich in the New York Times. "While one expects this actor to capture Charlie's cigar-chomping vulgarity, Mr. Silver's frightening eruptions of snarling anger and crumpled demeanor in the face of defeat make what could be another Beverly Hills caricature into a figure of pathos." Four-time Tony nominee Raul Esparza played the part in the recent revival of the play.
Prior to his death from cancer on Sunday, Ron Silver was also nominated for three Emmys.
- 3/16/2009
- by tomoneil
- Gold Derby
To mark the release of Lionsgate's comedy "New in Town," we've thrown together a list of actors and actresses we remember best as new folks in town Renee Zellweger in “New In Town” Ambition can kick you in the butt when you least expect it. Such is a tale about Lucy Hill, an ambitious Miami-based executive who's used to all the spoils of modern-day-life. When the company needs to reorganize, she proudly says ‘I can do it’ to a job in Minnesota and winds up biting off more than she can chew with the bone-chilling cold. Still, after being introduced to Ted Mitchell (Harry Connick Jr.), an unexpected romancemay just blossom if she can just survive long enough. Michael J. Fox “Doc Hollywood” En route to La to take up a great position as a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, Dr. Ben Stone (Fox) winds up crashing through a fence...
- 1/28/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Robert Prosky, best known to TV audiences as Sgt. Stan Jablonski on Hill Street Blues, has died. He was 77.
Prosky passed away Monday night in Washington, D.C. from complications following a heart procedure, his son Stefan Prosky told The Associated Press.
"He went gracefully last night, not in pain," Stefan Prosky said. "Everybody knows him as a fairly famous actor. My brothers and I know him as a marvelous father."
A veteran of not only television, but of stage and film as well, Prosky got his start in productions on the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., spending a total of ...
Read More >...
Prosky passed away Monday night in Washington, D.C. from complications following a heart procedure, his son Stefan Prosky told The Associated Press.
"He went gracefully last night, not in pain," Stefan Prosky said. "Everybody knows him as a fairly famous actor. My brothers and I know him as a marvelous father."
A veteran of not only television, but of stage and film as well, Prosky got his start in productions on the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., spending a total of ...
Read More >...
- 12/11/2008
- by Joyce Eng
- TVGuide - Breaking News
Actor Robert Prosky has died at a hospital near his home in Washington DC. He was 77.
Prosky enjoyed a long stage career, and starred in more than 200 Broadway productions and over 100 plays at the Arena Theatre in Washington, a venue close to his heart.
But he will be best remembered by most for his film and TV roles, with appearances in movies Dead Man Walking, Mrs Doubtfire, Hoffa and Far and Away and shows Cheers and Hill Street Blues.
Prosky's eldest son Stefan reveals the star died on Monday night (8Dec08) after undergoing a heart procedure.
He says, "He went gracefully last night, not in pain. Everybody knows him as a fairly famous actor. My brothers and I know him as a marvellous father."
Prosky is survived by his wife, Ida, and three sons, Stefan, John and Andrew.
Prosky enjoyed a long stage career, and starred in more than 200 Broadway productions and over 100 plays at the Arena Theatre in Washington, a venue close to his heart.
But he will be best remembered by most for his film and TV roles, with appearances in movies Dead Man Walking, Mrs Doubtfire, Hoffa and Far and Away and shows Cheers and Hill Street Blues.
Prosky's eldest son Stefan reveals the star died on Monday night (8Dec08) after undergoing a heart procedure.
He says, "He went gracefully last night, not in pain. Everybody knows him as a fairly famous actor. My brothers and I know him as a marvellous father."
Prosky is survived by his wife, Ida, and three sons, Stefan, John and Andrew.
- 12/10/2008
- WENN
The medium is the story in Warner Bros.' "Mad City", as an invasively smarmy TV news reporter tailors a hostage situation to bolster his career. Starring John Travolta and Dustin Hoffman, this Warner Bros. release is an ambitious tale of media manipulation and personal breakdown.
In a slug line, it's "Broadcast News" meets "Dog Day Afternoon", not a bad combo, but under Costa-Gavras' grim, staccato direction, "Mad City" is strictly yesterday's news.
No doubt about it, producer Arnold Kopelson has smartly assembled an all-star movie unit, but "Mad City"'s parts are far greater than their sum. It's a tricky call for the marketers, whether to platform this topical, serious-minded film to sophisticated audiences, who will consider it old hat, or to launch it wide based on its star draws, and then watch it tumble through negative word-of-mouth.
Either way, "Mad City"'s boxoffice population will reflect bright flight -- brainy viewers heading away toward more challenging and entertaining filmic regions. "Mad City"'s best region may be on the left bank side of Europe, where Costa-Gavras is greatly regarded as a political filmmaker and the United States generally is thought of as a media circus.
Undeniably, in this age of paparazzi pestilence, "Mad City" is timely. Dustin Hoffman stars as Brackett, a loose-cannon, prima-donna TV news reporter who has been sent down from the network to the journalistic bush leagues for past transgressions. It's his all-consuming desire to make it back to the network, and, he feels, he needs just one big story to do it.
Brackett's opportunity comes in an unexpected package, when he is relegated to a puff story about a natural history museum going under financially. While on the assignment, a disgruntled ex-employee, Sam Travolta) barges in with a shotgun, ostensibly to plead with the museum director (Blythe Danner) to get back his old job as a security guard. Blam, Sam: his gun goes off accidentally, and, worse, straight into the gut of the on-duty guard. Bad luck for the guard but good luck for the vainglorious Brackett, who is inside the story for an exclusive.
You don't have to have just watched the latest inane freeway chase on Channel 2 to guess what happens next. Unfortunately, Tom Matthews' screenplay unfolds like a New York Times story: predictable, plodding, pedantic and personality-deficient. Through Brackett's interviews with Sam, we're presented a capsule portrait of the hostage-taker, a schlub who has reached his melting point.
Unfortunately, we learn about as much as this crazed cluck as we do in 20-second TV news bits about those postal workers who go berserk with guns. Yet, because the hostages are kids, the story loses a deeper psychological and political perspective. While it's fun to watch Travolta goof around with the kiddies, the narrative is largely unchallenging.
The serioso posture of the film's themes are further lunked up by an array of stereotypical backdrop characters, including an old warhorse station manager (Robert Prosky); a drippy, local news anchor (William Atherton), an ingenue, cub reporter (Mia Kirshner), a patrician museum director (Danner), a two-faced network anchor star (Alan Alda), as well as sharkish, 20-something network honchos. All perform admirably, given the constricted dimensions of their prototype characters.
For their roles, Hoffman and Travolta acquit themselves capably, given the deficiencies of the writing. Hoffman is, not surprisingly, well-cast as the bantam news hound, a cross between Carl Bernstein and Geraldo Rivera. Travolta is less lucky in his blubbering, blue-collar role. His worker-character is, alas, -- tubby, dumb and friendly. Kind of like one of those generic "Mr. Goodwrench"-type guys in the TV commercials for car parts. Although Travolta's inherent good-naturedness truly comes across, and we come to feel sorry for the character, this overblown story is, through all its staccato furor, the story of a big puppy dog overcome by the snarling, evil pack of wolves, i.e. the press.
That Sam's hostages are primarily little kids also diminishes the depth of the storyline: i.e. the Stockholm Syndrome, where captives tend to bond with their captors, is completely wasted. Having Sam cuddle up to kids is, alas, lazy dramaturgy and superficial psychodynamics. Most woefully, the relationship between the manipulative newsman and the dunderheaded assailant never develops beyond a predatory level as the slimy newsman circles his prey; incredibly, the story line climaxes with a character reversal that is largely unbelievable, given all that we have seen before.
Aesthetically, Costa-Gavras' film is comparable to an academic publication -- you know those weighty theories published by university presses who think brown-paper-bag wrappings and no gloss or glitter somehow dignify their findings.
Compositionally, "Mad City" is dullsville, but it is also abrasive: Charged with tight shots, propelled by a quick clip, painted with dull colors and muddied with odd fluty music, it's ramrodded with all the incendiary firepower of groundbreaking developments. Through all its bombastic fury, we half expect the junta to come running up the stairs and swarm the palace, er, museum. Under such shrill direction, the film soon snaps under its own strident gait. It seems likely that Costa-Gavras has no sense of humor -- a necessary punctuation for as tightly wound a story as this one -- and the film's utter relentlessness soon trips it up. How do you say "loosen up" in Greek?
Ultimately, "Mad City" is more ornery than mad. It's so stiff that even when it wanders into "Network" territory, it does not seem to recognize any story dimension other than its preachy, evil-media cant.
This rigid work, like fellows with top hats, seems ripe for comic leveling. Paging the Zucker brothers ... Leslie Nielsen.
MAD CITY
Warner Bros.
An Arnold Kopelson production
in association with Punch Prods.
A Costa-Gavras film
Producers Arnold Kopelson, Anne Kopelson
Director Costa-Gavras
Screenwriter Tom Matthews
Story Tom Matthews, Eric Williams
Executive producers Stephen Brown,
Jonathan D. Krane, Wolfgang Glattes
Director of photograhy Patrick Blossier
Production designer Catherine Hardwicke
Editor Francoise Bonnot
Music Thomas Newman
Costume designer Deborah Nadoolman
Casting Amanda Mackey Johnson,
Cathy Sandrich
Sound designer Bertrand Lenclos
Color/stereo
Cast:
Sam John Travolta
Brackett Dustin Hoffman
Laurie Mia Kirshner
Hollander Alan Alda
Lou Potts Robert Prosky
Mrs. Banks Blythe Danner
Dohlen William Atherton
Lemke Ted Levine
Miss Rose Tammy Lauren
Running time -- 120 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
In a slug line, it's "Broadcast News" meets "Dog Day Afternoon", not a bad combo, but under Costa-Gavras' grim, staccato direction, "Mad City" is strictly yesterday's news.
No doubt about it, producer Arnold Kopelson has smartly assembled an all-star movie unit, but "Mad City"'s parts are far greater than their sum. It's a tricky call for the marketers, whether to platform this topical, serious-minded film to sophisticated audiences, who will consider it old hat, or to launch it wide based on its star draws, and then watch it tumble through negative word-of-mouth.
Either way, "Mad City"'s boxoffice population will reflect bright flight -- brainy viewers heading away toward more challenging and entertaining filmic regions. "Mad City"'s best region may be on the left bank side of Europe, where Costa-Gavras is greatly regarded as a political filmmaker and the United States generally is thought of as a media circus.
Undeniably, in this age of paparazzi pestilence, "Mad City" is timely. Dustin Hoffman stars as Brackett, a loose-cannon, prima-donna TV news reporter who has been sent down from the network to the journalistic bush leagues for past transgressions. It's his all-consuming desire to make it back to the network, and, he feels, he needs just one big story to do it.
Brackett's opportunity comes in an unexpected package, when he is relegated to a puff story about a natural history museum going under financially. While on the assignment, a disgruntled ex-employee, Sam Travolta) barges in with a shotgun, ostensibly to plead with the museum director (Blythe Danner) to get back his old job as a security guard. Blam, Sam: his gun goes off accidentally, and, worse, straight into the gut of the on-duty guard. Bad luck for the guard but good luck for the vainglorious Brackett, who is inside the story for an exclusive.
You don't have to have just watched the latest inane freeway chase on Channel 2 to guess what happens next. Unfortunately, Tom Matthews' screenplay unfolds like a New York Times story: predictable, plodding, pedantic and personality-deficient. Through Brackett's interviews with Sam, we're presented a capsule portrait of the hostage-taker, a schlub who has reached his melting point.
Unfortunately, we learn about as much as this crazed cluck as we do in 20-second TV news bits about those postal workers who go berserk with guns. Yet, because the hostages are kids, the story loses a deeper psychological and political perspective. While it's fun to watch Travolta goof around with the kiddies, the narrative is largely unchallenging.
The serioso posture of the film's themes are further lunked up by an array of stereotypical backdrop characters, including an old warhorse station manager (Robert Prosky); a drippy, local news anchor (William Atherton), an ingenue, cub reporter (Mia Kirshner), a patrician museum director (Danner), a two-faced network anchor star (Alan Alda), as well as sharkish, 20-something network honchos. All perform admirably, given the constricted dimensions of their prototype characters.
For their roles, Hoffman and Travolta acquit themselves capably, given the deficiencies of the writing. Hoffman is, not surprisingly, well-cast as the bantam news hound, a cross between Carl Bernstein and Geraldo Rivera. Travolta is less lucky in his blubbering, blue-collar role. His worker-character is, alas, -- tubby, dumb and friendly. Kind of like one of those generic "Mr. Goodwrench"-type guys in the TV commercials for car parts. Although Travolta's inherent good-naturedness truly comes across, and we come to feel sorry for the character, this overblown story is, through all its staccato furor, the story of a big puppy dog overcome by the snarling, evil pack of wolves, i.e. the press.
That Sam's hostages are primarily little kids also diminishes the depth of the storyline: i.e. the Stockholm Syndrome, where captives tend to bond with their captors, is completely wasted. Having Sam cuddle up to kids is, alas, lazy dramaturgy and superficial psychodynamics. Most woefully, the relationship between the manipulative newsman and the dunderheaded assailant never develops beyond a predatory level as the slimy newsman circles his prey; incredibly, the story line climaxes with a character reversal that is largely unbelievable, given all that we have seen before.
Aesthetically, Costa-Gavras' film is comparable to an academic publication -- you know those weighty theories published by university presses who think brown-paper-bag wrappings and no gloss or glitter somehow dignify their findings.
Compositionally, "Mad City" is dullsville, but it is also abrasive: Charged with tight shots, propelled by a quick clip, painted with dull colors and muddied with odd fluty music, it's ramrodded with all the incendiary firepower of groundbreaking developments. Through all its bombastic fury, we half expect the junta to come running up the stairs and swarm the palace, er, museum. Under such shrill direction, the film soon snaps under its own strident gait. It seems likely that Costa-Gavras has no sense of humor -- a necessary punctuation for as tightly wound a story as this one -- and the film's utter relentlessness soon trips it up. How do you say "loosen up" in Greek?
Ultimately, "Mad City" is more ornery than mad. It's so stiff that even when it wanders into "Network" territory, it does not seem to recognize any story dimension other than its preachy, evil-media cant.
This rigid work, like fellows with top hats, seems ripe for comic leveling. Paging the Zucker brothers ... Leslie Nielsen.
MAD CITY
Warner Bros.
An Arnold Kopelson production
in association with Punch Prods.
A Costa-Gavras film
Producers Arnold Kopelson, Anne Kopelson
Director Costa-Gavras
Screenwriter Tom Matthews
Story Tom Matthews, Eric Williams
Executive producers Stephen Brown,
Jonathan D. Krane, Wolfgang Glattes
Director of photograhy Patrick Blossier
Production designer Catherine Hardwicke
Editor Francoise Bonnot
Music Thomas Newman
Costume designer Deborah Nadoolman
Casting Amanda Mackey Johnson,
Cathy Sandrich
Sound designer Bertrand Lenclos
Color/stereo
Cast:
Sam John Travolta
Brackett Dustin Hoffman
Laurie Mia Kirshner
Hollander Alan Alda
Lou Potts Robert Prosky
Mrs. Banks Blythe Danner
Dohlen William Atherton
Lemke Ted Levine
Miss Rose Tammy Lauren
Running time -- 120 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
- 10/27/1997
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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