Two years ago, during the lockdown, I wrote that I had become addicted to those little bird-box libraries that make walking here something of a literary pilgrimage.
I’m still addicted. And almost two months ago, just before the writers strike began, I made a charming discovery–that one of my neighbors is a Very Famous Writer– all thanks to his sidewalk library.
The writer will remain unnamed, because privacy is something to be respected, even by reporters. But here’s the short form:
About four o’clock one afternoon, before the dog-crowd comes out, I felt a need for one of those short, head-clearing walks. A good target, I figured, would be a spot some blocks away, where somebody or other was maintaining what I’d long thought was the best little library in town. I won’t give titles, because some of those might tip the owner’s identity.
I’m still addicted. And almost two months ago, just before the writers strike began, I made a charming discovery–that one of my neighbors is a Very Famous Writer– all thanks to his sidewalk library.
The writer will remain unnamed, because privacy is something to be respected, even by reporters. But here’s the short form:
About four o’clock one afternoon, before the dog-crowd comes out, I felt a need for one of those short, head-clearing walks. A good target, I figured, would be a spot some blocks away, where somebody or other was maintaining what I’d long thought was the best little library in town. I won’t give titles, because some of those might tip the owner’s identity.
- 6/11/2023
- by Michael Cieply
- Deadline Film + TV
From the very beginning, Arnold Schwarzenegger was enthusiastic about "Last Action Hero," and for good reason. His 1993 action blockbuster had an ace up its sleeve. Namely, that it was a meta take on the very genre to which it purported to belong.
The film tells the story of a boy named Danny who's transported into his favorite action franchise by way of a magic movie ticket, finding himself alongside his hero, Jack Slater (Schwarzenegger). That premise provided a way for co-screenwriter Shane Black -- who rewrote the script along with David Arnott based on the original screenplay by Zak Penn and Adam Leff -- to send up the action genre that the film's star had helped build.
In fact, Black himself had a hand in establishing the kind of '80s action "Last Action Hero" was parodying, having penned 1987's "Lethal Weapon." All of which made for an ironic twist...
The film tells the story of a boy named Danny who's transported into his favorite action franchise by way of a magic movie ticket, finding himself alongside his hero, Jack Slater (Schwarzenegger). That premise provided a way for co-screenwriter Shane Black -- who rewrote the script along with David Arnott based on the original screenplay by Zak Penn and Adam Leff -- to send up the action genre that the film's star had helped build.
In fact, Black himself had a hand in establishing the kind of '80s action "Last Action Hero" was parodying, having penned 1987's "Lethal Weapon." All of which made for an ironic twist...
- 5/18/2023
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
It's a natural occurrence in art that trends, fads, subgenres, and the like must run their course. That doesn't necessarily mean they go away forever, just that their heyday is contained to a finite period of time.
Some trends are so of a moment, however, that even if their genre never goes away, the aesthetics particular to their peak can't come back completely. That's especially true of the 1980s action hero, a figure that only could have emerged during that decade of excess and one that had to say farewell once the more introspective 1990s rolled around.
As with most trends, it's debatable where to objectively define their start — and endpoints. A usually reliable bellwether is when a trend or genre is parodied or satirized. If the parody is external, it may signal the end (as 1980's "Airplane!" did regarding the disaster movie) or simply the genre's popularity (as with...
Some trends are so of a moment, however, that even if their genre never goes away, the aesthetics particular to their peak can't come back completely. That's especially true of the 1980s action hero, a figure that only could have emerged during that decade of excess and one that had to say farewell once the more introspective 1990s rolled around.
As with most trends, it's debatable where to objectively define their start — and endpoints. A usually reliable bellwether is when a trend or genre is parodied or satirized. If the parody is external, it may signal the end (as 1980's "Airplane!" did regarding the disaster movie) or simply the genre's popularity (as with...
- 2/17/2023
- by Bill Bria
- Slash Film
When it was released in theaters on June 18, 1993, John McTiernan's "Last Action Hero" was one of the most hotly anticipated films of the year. The film's star, Arnold Schwarzenegger, was coming off the success of "Terminator 2: Judgment Day," and the film's credited co-screenwriter Shane Black (writing with David Arnott from a story by Zak Penn and Adam Leff) was one of the most sought-out authors in Hollywood, having been paid 1 million to re-write it. The director had a hit in "Die Hard" a few years previous, and the film's fantastical premise — a young boy is magically transported into...
The post Arnold Schwarzenegger's Enthusiasm Shaped Last Action Hero, For Better Or For Worse appeared first on /Film.
The post Arnold Schwarzenegger's Enthusiasm Shaped Last Action Hero, For Better Or For Worse appeared first on /Film.
- 5/19/2022
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
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
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
Con Air, Last Action Hero, Brainscan and Die Hard 4.0 could all have been very different films, going by the early drafts of their scripts.
The life of a Hollywood screenwriter might sound like a glamorous one, but it's not all premieres and champagne.
As one of the smaller cogs in an often complex machine, the writer can often find his or her work changed almost beyond recognition by other hands. Such is the case with the following movies, which were all changed quite drastically in one way or another between their original draft and their final cut.
Some scripts were pressed into service as sequels. Some began in one genre and wound up in another. Rather than put together an exhaustive list, we've chosen a few examples of the script changes that intrigued or bemused us most.
Con Air
Nic Cage with lank hair and a thick southern drawl. An...
The life of a Hollywood screenwriter might sound like a glamorous one, but it's not all premieres and champagne.
As one of the smaller cogs in an often complex machine, the writer can often find his or her work changed almost beyond recognition by other hands. Such is the case with the following movies, which were all changed quite drastically in one way or another between their original draft and their final cut.
Some scripts were pressed into service as sequels. Some began in one genre and wound up in another. Rather than put together an exhaustive list, we've chosen a few examples of the script changes that intrigued or bemused us most.
Con Air
Nic Cage with lank hair and a thick southern drawl. An...
- 6/17/2015
- by ryanlambie
- Den of Geek
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
Crooked Arrows, the first ever mainstream lacrosse movie, hits theaters nationally on May 18th. The film centers on coach Joe Logan, who reluctantly leads a Native American high school team on their unlikely journey to the state lacrosse championship game against their prep school rivals. Along the way, Joe and the team rediscover their connection to the spiritual tradition of the ancient sport of lacrosse. Set in the diverse worlds of modern Native American culture and prep school lacrosse, Crooked Arrows offers moviegoers a new twist on a classic underdog sports story.
Directed by Steve Rash (American Pie Presents Band Camp), Crooked Arrows stars Brandon Routh (Superman Returns) and Gil Birmingham (Twilight). The film was produced by J. Todd Harris (The Kids Are All Right), Mitchell Peck (Priest), and Adam Leff (The Last Action Hero). In addition, the movie features top lacrosse players from around the country, including a team...
Directed by Steve Rash (American Pie Presents Band Camp), Crooked Arrows stars Brandon Routh (Superman Returns) and Gil Birmingham (Twilight). The film was produced by J. Todd Harris (The Kids Are All Right), Mitchell Peck (Priest), and Adam Leff (The Last Action Hero). In addition, the movie features top lacrosse players from around the country, including a team...
- 4/3/2012
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Steve Rash (American Pie Presents Band Camp) has signed on to direct "Crooked Arrows," an underdog sports comedy set in the world of lacrosse. Mitchell Peck and Adam Leff, who co-wrote and executive produced "Bio-Dome." The trio are fans of the sport and, in the words of Peck, aim to make "the first mainstream lacrosse movie out of Hollywood." They are finalizing financing and sponsorships for a late-summer shoot in the Northeast. They have already lined up endorsements from Major League Lacrosse, the National Lacrosse League, Us Lacrosse and LaxFestUSA. The producers also are talking to sports brands, colleges and prep schools. The sport's origins date back to northeastern American Indian tribes in the 1100s, and "Arrows" will have a Native American angle, with the story set on an upstate New York reservation. The film centers on a 30-year-old of mixed blood who must postpone his casino-building dreams to coach...
- 3/16/2009
- WorstPreviews.com
Steve Rash has signed on to direct "Crooked Arrows," an underdog sports comedy set in the world of lacrosse.
Mitchell Peck and Adam Leff, who co-wrote and exec produced "Bio-Dome," are producing with J. Todd Harris ("Bottle Shock"). The trio are fans of the sport and, in the words of Peck, aim to make "the first mainstream lacrosse movie out of Hollywood."
They are finalizing financing and sponsorships for a late-summer shoot in the Northeast. They have already lined up endorsements from Major League Lacrosse, the National Lacrosse League, Us Lacrosse and LaxFestUSA. The producers also are talking to sports brands, colleges and prep schools.
The sport's origins date back to northeastern American Indian tribes in the 1100s, and "Arrows" will have a Native American angle, with the story set on an upstate New York reservation.
The film centers on a 30-year-old of mixed blood who must postpone his casino-building...
Mitchell Peck and Adam Leff, who co-wrote and exec produced "Bio-Dome," are producing with J. Todd Harris ("Bottle Shock"). The trio are fans of the sport and, in the words of Peck, aim to make "the first mainstream lacrosse movie out of Hollywood."
They are finalizing financing and sponsorships for a late-summer shoot in the Northeast. They have already lined up endorsements from Major League Lacrosse, the National Lacrosse League, Us Lacrosse and LaxFestUSA. The producers also are talking to sports brands, colleges and prep schools.
The sport's origins date back to northeastern American Indian tribes in the 1100s, and "Arrows" will have a Native American angle, with the story set on an upstate New York reservation.
The film centers on a 30-year-old of mixed blood who must postpone his casino-building...
- 3/15/2009
- by By Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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