The pitch was "Rambo in an office building." In the 1980s, the idea of a Rambo type in anything, anywhere would at least get your project shuttled down the studio production pipeline. 20th Century Fox rightly believed they had a potential winner in "Die Hard." So why was the project anathema to every A-list movie star in Hollywood?
Perhaps it was the pedigree. "Die Hard" was an adaptation of Roderick Thorp's action novel "Nothing Lasts Forever," the author's 1979 sequel to his 1966 bestseller "The Detective." That cop thriller had been turned into a 1968 star vehicle for Frank Sinatra, who was nearing the end of his 1960s big-screen comeback. It was a solid hit for 20th Century Fox, but, despite a feint toward grittiness, it was viewed as nothing more than a paycheck gig for the Chairman.
So 20 years later, when Fox spied blockbuster potential in Thorp's sequel (which was...
Perhaps it was the pedigree. "Die Hard" was an adaptation of Roderick Thorp's action novel "Nothing Lasts Forever," the author's 1979 sequel to his 1966 bestseller "The Detective." That cop thriller had been turned into a 1968 star vehicle for Frank Sinatra, who was nearing the end of his 1960s big-screen comeback. It was a solid hit for 20th Century Fox, but, despite a feint toward grittiness, it was viewed as nothing more than a paycheck gig for the Chairman.
So 20 years later, when Fox spied blockbuster potential in Thorp's sequel (which was...
- 4/7/2024
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
One of the greatest entertainers of the 20th century, Frank Sinatra is not only considered one of the greatest actors to ever grace the silver screen but also an icon in the music industry. The actor-singer has numerous accolades under his name, including eleven Grammys. Among many of his works, Sinatra would also go on to record covers of Elvis Presley’s hit Love Me Tender, along with Paul Simon’s Mrs. Robinson.
Frank Sinatra in Suddenly (1954)
And Simon was not too pleased with the Guys and Dolls star’s cover of his song. The singer opened up about his initial reaction to Sinatra’s cover and how Warner Bros. got embroiled in the matter in a recent interview.
Paul Simon Expressed Discontent With Frank Sinatra Covering His Song
A year after the 82-year-old singer released the hit single Mrs. Robinson, Frank Sinatra released his cover of the song with some changes to the lyrics.
Frank Sinatra in Suddenly (1954)
And Simon was not too pleased with the Guys and Dolls star’s cover of his song. The singer opened up about his initial reaction to Sinatra’s cover and how Warner Bros. got embroiled in the matter in a recent interview.
Paul Simon Expressed Discontent With Frank Sinatra Covering His Song
A year after the 82-year-old singer released the hit single Mrs. Robinson, Frank Sinatra released his cover of the song with some changes to the lyrics.
- 3/16/2024
- by Laxmi Rajput
- FandomWire
John Carpenter's "Escape From New York" is a cult classic for a reason — it rules. Released in 1981, "Escape From New York" is a down-and-dirty sci-fi action pic in which New York City has become a giant maximum security prison. As bad luck would have it, an attempted hijacking of Air Force One forces the President (Donald Pleasence) to eject from the plane in an escape pod. Guess where he ends up? Yep — NYC, baby! The Big Apple! The militarized government wants to save the President and retrieve a top-secret briefcase he has cuffed to his wrist, but New York is too dangerous to simply enter for your average rescue mission. So the powers-that-be strike upon a simple plan: they force criminal Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell) into doing the job.
Snake, a cool dude with an eyepatch and a whispery voice, has no real choice in the matter: a device...
Snake, a cool dude with an eyepatch and a whispery voice, has no real choice in the matter: a device...
- 3/7/2024
- by Chris Evangelista
- Slash Film
As the aftereffects of the writers’ and actors’ strikes hit streaming in a big way, there’s not a lot of new content to offer subscribers early in 2024. Hulu still has some interesting things to offer in January, though.
The biggest new Hulu Original series in the new year is Death and Other Details, a locked room murder mystery starring Mandy Patinkin as Rufus Cotesworth, who is said to be the world’s greatest detective – at least in this universe. In the new series, Cotesworth comes to the rescue when an unfortunate soul is killed on lavish Mediterranean ocean liner, and he has to team up with the prime suspect (Violett Beane) to solve the crime.
The big Original movie premiere in January is Self Reliance, which follows a middle-aged dude (Jake Johnson) who gets randomly invited into a limo by Brooklyn Nine-Nine star Andy Samberg, and is soon offered...
The biggest new Hulu Original series in the new year is Death and Other Details, a locked room murder mystery starring Mandy Patinkin as Rufus Cotesworth, who is said to be the world’s greatest detective – at least in this universe. In the new series, Cotesworth comes to the rescue when an unfortunate soul is killed on lavish Mediterranean ocean liner, and he has to team up with the prime suspect (Violett Beane) to solve the crime.
The big Original movie premiere in January is Self Reliance, which follows a middle-aged dude (Jake Johnson) who gets randomly invited into a limo by Brooklyn Nine-Nine star Andy Samberg, and is soon offered...
- 1/1/2024
- by Kirsten Howard
- Den of Geek
Justice League x Rwby: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, Part Two is available on Blu-Ray from 30th October, and on Digital Download from 17th October! To celebrate its release, we’re giving one lucky winner a copy of the latest DC Animated Movie, Justice League x Rwby: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, Part Two on Blu-Ray!
Following Justice League x Rwby: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, Part One, the new animated film from Rooster Teeth Animation, DC and Warner Bros. Animation, will see the Justice League and Team Rwby team up again in a whole new environment to take on Grimm, who has arrived on earth with even more powers.
Joining the voice cast are Jamie Chung as Black Canary, David Dastmalchian as The Flash, Laura Bailey as Wonder Woman, Troy Baker as Batman and Travis Willingham as Superman. Returning from Part One are Ozioma Akagha (Teen Titans Go!) as Vixen, Jeannie Tirado as Green Lantern...
Following Justice League x Rwby: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, Part One, the new animated film from Rooster Teeth Animation, DC and Warner Bros. Animation, will see the Justice League and Team Rwby team up again in a whole new environment to take on Grimm, who has arrived on earth with even more powers.
Joining the voice cast are Jamie Chung as Black Canary, David Dastmalchian as The Flash, Laura Bailey as Wonder Woman, Troy Baker as Batman and Travis Willingham as Superman. Returning from Part One are Ozioma Akagha (Teen Titans Go!) as Vixen, Jeannie Tirado as Green Lantern...
- 10/22/2023
- by Competitions
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Die Hard is an unquestioned action masterpiece. Thanks to revelatory performances by both Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman, plus John McTiernan’s assured direction, Die Hard still has the power to awe and entertain even decades after its release. Few can say the same about the sequels, but what about the Die Hard prequel, The Detective?
Oh, you’ve never heard of a Die Hard prequel? Well, that could be because the 1968 Frank Sinatra vehicle The Detective is based on the 1966 novel by the same name, written by Roderick Thorp. And in 1979, Thorp published a sequel to The Detective called Nothing Lasts Forever, in which criminals led by a man called Gruber take control of a Los Angeles high-rise during a company party. Gruber even holds hostage the family member of a hero cop who must go rogue upstairs if he is going to thwart the terrorists. Also it’s Christmas time.
Oh, you’ve never heard of a Die Hard prequel? Well, that could be because the 1968 Frank Sinatra vehicle The Detective is based on the 1966 novel by the same name, written by Roderick Thorp. And in 1979, Thorp published a sequel to The Detective called Nothing Lasts Forever, in which criminals led by a man called Gruber take control of a Los Angeles high-rise during a company party. Gruber even holds hostage the family member of a hero cop who must go rogue upstairs if he is going to thwart the terrorists. Also it’s Christmas time.
- 7/4/2023
- by Joe George
- Den of Geek
Justice League x Rwby: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, Part One is set for release on Blu-ray Tm and DVD on 24th April 2023 and on Digital Download on 25th April 2023. To celebrate its release, we’re giving one lucky winner a copy of the latest DC Animated Movie, Justice League x Rwby: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, Part One on Blu-Ray!
The heroes of DC’s Justice League and Rooster Teeth Animation’s Rwby join forces to battle an evil entity attacking Remnant. The all-new, feature-length DC Animated Movie finds Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Cyborg, Green Lantern and Vixen in new iterations – transformed into teenagers while in transport to Rwby’s world, and presented in Rooster Teeth’s anime-influenced animation – and partnering with the heroes of Remnant to battle a mysterious, superpowered creature before it destroys everything they know.
The voice cast features a trio of first-time actors in DC’s Trinity roles...
The heroes of DC’s Justice League and Rooster Teeth Animation’s Rwby join forces to battle an evil entity attacking Remnant. The all-new, feature-length DC Animated Movie finds Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Cyborg, Green Lantern and Vixen in new iterations – transformed into teenagers while in transport to Rwby’s world, and presented in Rooster Teeth’s anime-influenced animation – and partnering with the heroes of Remnant to battle a mysterious, superpowered creature before it destroys everything they know.
The voice cast features a trio of first-time actors in DC’s Trinity roles...
- 4/20/2023
- by Competitions
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Sarah Shahi has been cast in the lead role of the ABC drama pilot “Judgement,” Variety has learned.
The project was originally ordered to pilot at the broadcaster in December. Shahi will star in the role of Mia Bahari in the show, which is described as a high-stakes legal soap. Shahi is also attached as a producer on the project.
Per the official character description, “We’ll meet Mia Bahari in two distinct periods of her life. In one, she’s a brilliant, successful Appeals Court judge being vetted for the U.S. Supreme Court…so long as her dark and painful secrets don’t derail the nomination. In another, she’s a young spitfire of an attorney, painfully awkward at times but ingenious when it comes to navigating the many nuances of the law. She’s also caught romantically between two feuding brothers who are at the root of...
The project was originally ordered to pilot at the broadcaster in December. Shahi will star in the role of Mia Bahari in the show, which is described as a high-stakes legal soap. Shahi is also attached as a producer on the project.
Per the official character description, “We’ll meet Mia Bahari in two distinct periods of her life. In one, she’s a brilliant, successful Appeals Court judge being vetted for the U.S. Supreme Court…so long as her dark and painful secrets don’t derail the nomination. In another, she’s a young spitfire of an attorney, painfully awkward at times but ingenious when it comes to navigating the many nuances of the law. She’s also caught romantically between two feuding brothers who are at the root of...
- 3/14/2023
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Screenwriter Jeb Stuart joins hosts Josh Olson and Joe Dante to discuss a few of his favorite movies.
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Die Hard (1988)
The Fugitive (1993)
Sword of Sherwood Forest (1960) – Charlie Largent’s Blu-ray review
The Face of Fu Manchu (1965) – Charlie Largent’s Blu-ray review
The Detective (1968) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
Dirty Harry (1971) – Alan Spencer’s trailer commentary, Josh Olson’s trailer commentary
Rear Window (1954) – John Landis’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
Vertigo (1958) – Dan Ireland’s trailer commentary, Brian Trenchard-Smith’s review, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
North By Northwest (1959)
The Trouble With Harry (1955)
Casablanca (1942) – John Landis’s trailer commentary
Wait Until Dark (1967) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
Switchback (1997)
Jeremiah Johnson (1972)
The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary
The Getaway (1972) – Larry Karaszewski’s trailer commentary
The Thin Man (1934)
Another 48 Hrs (1990)
Commando (1985) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary
The Long Riders (1980)
The Warriors...
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Die Hard (1988)
The Fugitive (1993)
Sword of Sherwood Forest (1960) – Charlie Largent’s Blu-ray review
The Face of Fu Manchu (1965) – Charlie Largent’s Blu-ray review
The Detective (1968) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
Dirty Harry (1971) – Alan Spencer’s trailer commentary, Josh Olson’s trailer commentary
Rear Window (1954) – John Landis’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
Vertigo (1958) – Dan Ireland’s trailer commentary, Brian Trenchard-Smith’s review, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
North By Northwest (1959)
The Trouble With Harry (1955)
Casablanca (1942) – John Landis’s trailer commentary
Wait Until Dark (1967) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
Switchback (1997)
Jeremiah Johnson (1972)
The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary
The Getaway (1972) – Larry Karaszewski’s trailer commentary
The Thin Man (1934)
Another 48 Hrs (1990)
Commando (1985) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary
The Long Riders (1980)
The Warriors...
- 3/8/2022
- by Kris Millsap
- Trailers from Hell
Guns firing, blood flying, goons dying, and an unlikely hero quipping before bringing down the big bad. Just your standard action movie, right? Now replace the blaring guitar or thunderous orchestra with “Jingle Bell Rock,” “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” and “The First Noel.” Wait… is this a holiday movie or Lethal Weapon?
Every year, the debate rages on. Bruce Willis, spraying machine gun fire. Hans, nonplussed, killing the world’s worst yuppie scumbag Ellis. Al, the redeemed killer cop, gunning down Karl in a surprise display of heroics. Sure, John McTiernan, Jeb Stuart, and Steven E. de Souza’s Die Hard is a certified classic of the action genre, but is it really a Christmas movie? There are arguments for and against this, but for whatever reason, the controversy has coalesced around Die Hard and forgotten the real action movie that deserves to be in the Christmas canon, and...
Every year, the debate rages on. Bruce Willis, spraying machine gun fire. Hans, nonplussed, killing the world’s worst yuppie scumbag Ellis. Al, the redeemed killer cop, gunning down Karl in a surprise display of heroics. Sure, John McTiernan, Jeb Stuart, and Steven E. de Souza’s Die Hard is a certified classic of the action genre, but is it really a Christmas movie? There are arguments for and against this, but for whatever reason, the controversy has coalesced around Die Hard and forgotten the real action movie that deserves to be in the Christmas canon, and...
- 11/26/2021
- by Ron Hogan
- Den of Geek
By Lee Pfeiffer
In Cinema Retro's never-ending quest to analyze relatively inconsequential movies, the trail takes us to Dirty Dingus Magee, one of Frank Sinatra's last starring feature films. The movie shocked critics when it opened in 1970 due to the trivial of the production. Time has done nothing to enhance its reputation and one can only wonder what possessed Sinatra to star in this tepid Western comedy. In reality, Sinatra's passion for movie-making was also tepid. He always preferred to concentrate on his singing career and regarded acting as a time-consuming sideline. His penchant for rarely approving a second take became legendary. Nevertheless, he was undeniably one of the cinema's great icons. Prior to Dirty Dingus Magee, Sinatra had shown good judgment with the majority of the films he made during the mid-to-late Sixties. There were some misguided efforts but Von Ryan's Express, Tony Rome, Lady in Cement...
In Cinema Retro's never-ending quest to analyze relatively inconsequential movies, the trail takes us to Dirty Dingus Magee, one of Frank Sinatra's last starring feature films. The movie shocked critics when it opened in 1970 due to the trivial of the production. Time has done nothing to enhance its reputation and one can only wonder what possessed Sinatra to star in this tepid Western comedy. In reality, Sinatra's passion for movie-making was also tepid. He always preferred to concentrate on his singing career and regarded acting as a time-consuming sideline. His penchant for rarely approving a second take became legendary. Nevertheless, he was undeniably one of the cinema's great icons. Prior to Dirty Dingus Magee, Sinatra had shown good judgment with the majority of the films he made during the mid-to-late Sixties. There were some misguided efforts but Von Ryan's Express, Tony Rome, Lady in Cement...
- 11/25/2021
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
ABC is continuing to push into year-round development with a pilot order for a comedy called The Son-in-Law.
The single-camera project comes from Disney’s 20th Television and writer Ajay Saghal (The Carmichael Show, Netflix’s Merry Happy Whatever). The potential series follows a salt of the earth man who finds himself seeking the approval of his new fiancée’s sophisticated parents — even as he’s a difficult to impress father-in-law to his daughter’s longtime boyfriend.
Saghal will write the pilot and executive produce alongside Jake Kasdan and Melvin Mar (Doogie Kamealoha, M.D., Fresh Off the Boat) of The Detective ...
The single-camera project comes from Disney’s 20th Television and writer Ajay Saghal (The Carmichael Show, Netflix’s Merry Happy Whatever). The potential series follows a salt of the earth man who finds himself seeking the approval of his new fiancée’s sophisticated parents — even as he’s a difficult to impress father-in-law to his daughter’s longtime boyfriend.
Saghal will write the pilot and executive produce alongside Jake Kasdan and Melvin Mar (Doogie Kamealoha, M.D., Fresh Off the Boat) of The Detective ...
- 10/19/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
ABC is continuing to push into year-round development with a pilot order for a comedy called The Son-in-Law.
The single-camera project comes from Disney’s 20th Television and writer Ajay Saghal (The Carmichael Show, Netflix’s Merry Happy Whatever). The potential series follows a salt of the earth man who finds himself seeking the approval of his new fiancée’s sophisticated parents — even as he’s a difficult to impress father-in-law to his daughter’s longtime boyfriend.
Saghal will write the pilot and executive produce alongside Jake Kasdan and Melvin Mar (Doogie Kamealoha, M.D., Fresh Off the Boat) of The Detective ...
The single-camera project comes from Disney’s 20th Television and writer Ajay Saghal (The Carmichael Show, Netflix’s Merry Happy Whatever). The potential series follows a salt of the earth man who finds himself seeking the approval of his new fiancée’s sophisticated parents — even as he’s a difficult to impress father-in-law to his daughter’s longtime boyfriend.
Saghal will write the pilot and executive produce alongside Jake Kasdan and Melvin Mar (Doogie Kamealoha, M.D., Fresh Off the Boat) of The Detective ...
- 10/19/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
New York, NY (4/23/21) – Yen Press, LLC announced a slate of upcoming releases that includes several light novels and manga. Additionally, Yen Press announced their entrance into the world of RPG books with Konosuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World! Trpg.
Reign of the Seven Spellblades (manga)
Story by Bokuto Uno
Character Design by Ruria Miyuki
Art by Sakae Esuno
When a boy and girl meet at a prestigious magic school, the curtain to a supreme fantasy series opens!
This year’s new students arrive at Kimberley Magic School. What meets them there is a brilliant parade of cherry blossoms in full bloom and magical creatures. They don’t know–this academy is a living demon’s shrine where no one’s life is guaranteed. A school fantasy about spellblades!
Reign of the Seven Spellblades is a manga adaptation of the hit light novel series, a rising star in the category.
Reign of the Seven Spellblades (manga)
Story by Bokuto Uno
Character Design by Ruria Miyuki
Art by Sakae Esuno
When a boy and girl meet at a prestigious magic school, the curtain to a supreme fantasy series opens!
This year’s new students arrive at Kimberley Magic School. What meets them there is a brilliant parade of cherry blossoms in full bloom and magical creatures. They don’t know–this academy is a living demon’s shrine where no one’s life is guaranteed. A school fantasy about spellblades!
Reign of the Seven Spellblades is a manga adaptation of the hit light novel series, a rising star in the category.
- 4/23/2021
- by Adam Symchuk
- AsianMoviePulse
Evans (right) with Robert Shaw on the set of "Black Sunday" in 1977.
By Lee Pfeiffer
Robert Evans has passed away at age 89. The former actor-turned-studio head had a long, dramatic career that saw him appointed to run Paramount Pictures at the tender age of 36 when the studio was bleeding red ink. Under Evans' management, the studio rebounded, releasing such classics as "Chinatown", "Rosemary's Baby", "The Odd Couple", "True Grit" and, most notably, "The Godfather". Even Evan's non-blockbusters became cult classics. Among them: "Harold and Maude" and "The Italian Job". Other hits brought to the screen by Evans include "Marathon Man" and "Black Sunday". His tumultuous private life was the stuff of Hollywood lore including his seven marriages. Evans' producing career started modestly when he bought the screen rights to the crime thriller "The Detective" by Roderick Thorp. He successfully brought it to the screen in an acclaimed 1968 film starring Frank Sinatra.
By Lee Pfeiffer
Robert Evans has passed away at age 89. The former actor-turned-studio head had a long, dramatic career that saw him appointed to run Paramount Pictures at the tender age of 36 when the studio was bleeding red ink. Under Evans' management, the studio rebounded, releasing such classics as "Chinatown", "Rosemary's Baby", "The Odd Couple", "True Grit" and, most notably, "The Godfather". Even Evan's non-blockbusters became cult classics. Among them: "Harold and Maude" and "The Italian Job". Other hits brought to the screen by Evans include "Marathon Man" and "Black Sunday". His tumultuous private life was the stuff of Hollywood lore including his seven marriages. Evans' producing career started modestly when he bought the screen rights to the crime thriller "The Detective" by Roderick Thorp. He successfully brought it to the screen in an acclaimed 1968 film starring Frank Sinatra.
- 10/28/2019
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Robert Evans, the legendary Paramount Pictures exec and consummate Hollywood producer behind films like Chinatown and Marathon Man, died on Saturday, October 26th, Variety reported. He was 89. A representative for Evans confirmed his death, though no cause or location was given; The New York Times reported that Evans died in Beverly Hills.
Evans’ career stretched across decades and was filled with an array of glitzy highs and brutal lows. He was best known for running and revitalizing Paramount in the late Sixties and early Seventies, overseeing hits like The Odd Couple,...
Evans’ career stretched across decades and was filled with an array of glitzy highs and brutal lows. He was best known for running and revitalizing Paramount in the late Sixties and early Seventies, overseeing hits like The Odd Couple,...
- 10/28/2019
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
Robert Evans, the legendary Hollywood producer of “Chinatown” and many more and the head of Paramount Pictures between 1967 and 1974, has died. He was 89.
An individual from Evans’ camp confirmed the news to TheWrap. He died on Saturday.
While at Paramount, Evans led a string of box office hits and critically acclaimed smashes that helped turn a struggling studio around, putting out classics such as the first two “The Godfather” films, “Harold and Maude,” “Serpico,” “Chinatown,” “Rosemary’s Baby,” “The Great Gatsby,” “True Grit,” “The Conversation” among many more.
Also Read: Paul Barrere, Little Feat Singer and Guitarist, Dies at 71
In 1974, Evans stepped down from the head of the studio to serve as an independent producer, including a hot streak that included “Marathon Man,” “Black Sunday,” “Players” and “Urban Cowboy.” He later produced the “Chinatown” sequel, “The Two Jakes,” “Silver” and “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.”
Born in New York City,...
An individual from Evans’ camp confirmed the news to TheWrap. He died on Saturday.
While at Paramount, Evans led a string of box office hits and critically acclaimed smashes that helped turn a struggling studio around, putting out classics such as the first two “The Godfather” films, “Harold and Maude,” “Serpico,” “Chinatown,” “Rosemary’s Baby,” “The Great Gatsby,” “True Grit,” “The Conversation” among many more.
Also Read: Paul Barrere, Little Feat Singer and Guitarist, Dies at 71
In 1974, Evans stepped down from the head of the studio to serve as an independent producer, including a hot streak that included “Marathon Man,” “Black Sunday,” “Players” and “Urban Cowboy.” He later produced the “Chinatown” sequel, “The Two Jakes,” “Silver” and “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.”
Born in New York City,...
- 10/28/2019
- by Brian Welk and Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
Robert Evans, the Paramount executive who produced “Chinatown” and “Urban Cowboy” and whose life became as melodramatic and jaw-dropping as any of his films, died on Saturday night. He was 89.
Even though Hollywood history is filled with colorful characters, few can match the tale of Evans, whose life would seem far-fetched if it were fiction. With his matinee-idol looks but little acting talent, Evans was given starring roles in a few movies and then, with no studio experience, was handed the production reins at Paramount in the 1960s. When he left the exec ranks, his first film as a producer was the classic “Chinatown,” and he followed with other hits, like “Marathon Man” and “Urban Cowboy.” Eventually, his distinctive look and speaking style turned him into a cult figure, and he had the distinction of being the only film executive who starred in his own animated TV series.
His life was a continuous roller-coaster.
Even though Hollywood history is filled with colorful characters, few can match the tale of Evans, whose life would seem far-fetched if it were fiction. With his matinee-idol looks but little acting talent, Evans was given starring roles in a few movies and then, with no studio experience, was handed the production reins at Paramount in the 1960s. When he left the exec ranks, his first film as a producer was the classic “Chinatown,” and he followed with other hits, like “Marathon Man” and “Urban Cowboy.” Eventually, his distinctive look and speaking style turned him into a cult figure, and he had the distinction of being the only film executive who starred in his own animated TV series.
His life was a continuous roller-coaster.
- 10/28/2019
- by Richard Natale and Carmel Dagan
- Variety Film + TV
Tom Atkins is a legend in the horror community. His first film was The Detective in 1968, which starred Frank Sinatra, but Atkins is most often associated with films like The Fog (1980), Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982), and Night of the Creeps (1986). He also starred in Creepshow (1982), Maniac Cop (1988), […]
The post Interview: Tom Atkins Talks About New Halloween Slasher Trick and His Favorite Horror Movie Role appeared first on Dread Central.
The post Interview: Tom Atkins Talks About New Halloween Slasher Trick and His Favorite Horror Movie Role appeared first on Dread Central.
- 10/17/2019
- by Michelle Swope
- DreadCentral.com
The Pang Brothers entered stardom with the Thai film “Bangkok Dangerous”, a stylized and beautifully shot action film that served them a cult following since then. “The Detective” proves very well that Oxide Pang Chun is very capable of telling an interesting story through his individual style.
Aaron Kwok plays Tam, a private detective who one day gets a commission from an enigmatic guy: he wants him to locate a woman who, years ago, tried to murder him. With a photograph and without further details, Tam begins his investigation and soon finds the woman, a habitual mahjong player. To make sure it’s her, Tam tries to contact the other players that accompany her.
“The Detective” opens up with a really good scene where the plot roots are planted, featuring Aaron Kwok and veteran actor Fui-on Shing (which was his last film by the way). Both of these actors are really great.
Aaron Kwok plays Tam, a private detective who one day gets a commission from an enigmatic guy: he wants him to locate a woman who, years ago, tried to murder him. With a photograph and without further details, Tam begins his investigation and soon finds the woman, a habitual mahjong player. To make sure it’s her, Tam tries to contact the other players that accompany her.
“The Detective” opens up with a really good scene where the plot roots are planted, featuring Aaron Kwok and veteran actor Fui-on Shing (which was his last film by the way). Both of these actors are really great.
- 8/29/2019
- by Pedro Morata
- AsianMoviePulse
Nominated for multiple accolades and winning a Golden Horse award for best art direction (Anusorn Pinyopojanee) and the Film of Merit at the Hong Kong Critics Society Awards, “The Detective” is a complex crime thriller from the legendary Pang brothers who staked their claim in cinema five years prior, with the internationally renowned horror ‘The Eye’.
We follow private detective Tam (Aaron Kwok) through a multi layered story, in a stylish neo-noir that at times borders on the horror Oxide Pang is known for.
Tam is a struggling private detective who is having a fairly boring morning, when a local drunk named Wing stumbles into his office to disrupt his mundane day and, unbeknownst to him, his entire life. He claims a local woman, Sum, is following him and maybe even trying to end his life. Wing pays him in full to follow her and ensure his safety,...
We follow private detective Tam (Aaron Kwok) through a multi layered story, in a stylish neo-noir that at times borders on the horror Oxide Pang is known for.
Tam is a struggling private detective who is having a fairly boring morning, when a local drunk named Wing stumbles into his office to disrupt his mundane day and, unbeknownst to him, his entire life. He claims a local woman, Sum, is following him and maybe even trying to end his life. Wing pays him in full to follow her and ensure his safety,...
- 8/12/2018
- by Nathan Last
- AsianMoviePulse
Cara Santana has been tapped to star in The Detective, an indie drama written by John Burd and directed by Michael Feifer. Santana will play Jeanie who, after her best friend is attacked by an intruder, starts to secretly investigate the Lapd officer at the center of the investigation who may know more then he is letting on. Feifer is producing via Feifer Productions. In addition, has joined Season 2 of the YouTube series, Real Bros Of Simi Valley. The first season followed four dope bros in California’s Simi Valley who try to throw a dope kickback. It’s produced by 71 Studio and exec produced by Michael Schreiber and Michael Rosenstein. Santana has appeared in Wgn’s Salem, Netflix’s Santa Clarita Diet, and is currently working on the feature, Steps, which she wrote and will produce. She’s repped by Gersh, Luber Roklin Entertainment, and Bloom, Hergott, Diemer,...
- 7/24/2018
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Oxide Pang has come a long way since he was directing horror films with his brother (The Eye). Currently, his prowess lies on crime movies, and “The Big Call” is another testament to the fact, as it deals with the phone scams that still torture China and the neighboring countries.
The Big Call is screening at the 17th New York Asian Film Festival
Ding Xiaotian is a young policeman whose sole goal is to catch Lin Ahai, the leader of a ring that deals in phone scams, and have caused his high-school teacher to commit suicide after being bankrupted by them. Eventually, Ding finds himself a temporary member of the Anti-Telecommunication Fraud Centre in Donghai city, under the leadership of Tan Sirong, who explains to him the actual size of Lin Ahai and his girlfriend’s, Liu Lifang’s ring, which has spread to Hong Kong and Thailand, “succeeding” in hundreds of frauds,...
The Big Call is screening at the 17th New York Asian Film Festival
Ding Xiaotian is a young policeman whose sole goal is to catch Lin Ahai, the leader of a ring that deals in phone scams, and have caused his high-school teacher to commit suicide after being bankrupted by them. Eventually, Ding finds himself a temporary member of the Anti-Telecommunication Fraud Centre in Donghai city, under the leadership of Tan Sirong, who explains to him the actual size of Lin Ahai and his girlfriend’s, Liu Lifang’s ring, which has spread to Hong Kong and Thailand, “succeeding” in hundreds of frauds,...
- 7/6/2018
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Stars: Cress Williams, China Anne McClain, Nafessa Williams, Christine Adams | Developed by Salim Akil
Black Lightning’s second episode brings Jefferson Pierce and his family into an even more complicated and dangerous world than Pierce wanted for his family. After using his powers for the first time in nine years, Pierce is in physical pain and only Lynn, living in the same house but in separate bedrooms, can comfort him back to health. Lynn admits it was selfish of her to make Pierce become Black Lightning again in order to save their daughters but Pierce promises his superhero activities were a “one night only” and he rather have a future with Lynn than be a superhero. The pieces of the Pierce family is coming back together, at least for a bit.
During a school assembly, Pierce learns from a former student’s mother, Lawanda (Tracey Bonner), Black Lightning’s attack...
Black Lightning’s second episode brings Jefferson Pierce and his family into an even more complicated and dangerous world than Pierce wanted for his family. After using his powers for the first time in nine years, Pierce is in physical pain and only Lynn, living in the same house but in separate bedrooms, can comfort him back to health. Lynn admits it was selfish of her to make Pierce become Black Lightning again in order to save their daughters but Pierce promises his superhero activities were a “one night only” and he rather have a future with Lynn than be a superhero. The pieces of the Pierce family is coming back together, at least for a bit.
During a school assembly, Pierce learns from a former student’s mother, Lawanda (Tracey Bonner), Black Lightning’s attack...
- 1/25/2018
- by Jason Brigger
- Nerdly
Books have been a great source of inspiration for the movie industry, but sometimes they sneak up on you and unless you really pay attention to the credits you’d never know a film was based on a book. As we continue our look at various book/movie adaptations, I’m taking a look at the movies you most likely didn’t know were based on books!
If you’re looking to dive more into our discussion on books and the movies, be sure to check out our articles on Bad Books That Made for Great Movies and the Top 10 Movie Franchises Based on Novels. Now...let’s get to it!
Die Hard
Yeah, I’m sure most people would have never guessed this was based off of a book. It’s easy to see why as the book is titled Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp and doesn’t...
If you’re looking to dive more into our discussion on books and the movies, be sure to check out our articles on Bad Books That Made for Great Movies and the Top 10 Movie Franchises Based on Novels. Now...let’s get to it!
Die Hard
Yeah, I’m sure most people would have never guessed this was based off of a book. It’s easy to see why as the book is titled Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp and doesn’t...
- 8/23/2017
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (Jordan Maison)
- Cinelinx
True-Crime Terror! Richard Fleischer and Edward Anhalt’s riveting serial killer makes extensive use of split- and multi-screen imagery. One of the most infamous murder sprees on record fudges some facts but still impresses as a novel approach.
The Boston Strangler
Blu-ray
Twilight Time
1968 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 116 min. / Street Date November 15, 2016 / Available from the Twilight Time Movies Store 29.95
Starring Tony Curtis, Henry Fonda, George Kennedy, Mike Kellin, Hurd Hatfield, Murray Hamilton, Jeff Corey, Sally Kellerman, George Furth
Cinematography Richard H. Kline
Art Direction Richard Day, Jack Martin Smith
Film Editor Marion Rothman
Written by Edward Anhalt from the book by Gerold Frank
Produced by Robert Fryer
Directed by Richard Fleischer
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
Twelve years ago i wasn’t all that impressed with The Boston Strangler. I thought it too slick and felt that its noted multi-screen sequences were a trick gimmick. I appreciate it more now — except for the name cast,...
The Boston Strangler
Blu-ray
Twilight Time
1968 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 116 min. / Street Date November 15, 2016 / Available from the Twilight Time Movies Store 29.95
Starring Tony Curtis, Henry Fonda, George Kennedy, Mike Kellin, Hurd Hatfield, Murray Hamilton, Jeff Corey, Sally Kellerman, George Furth
Cinematography Richard H. Kline
Art Direction Richard Day, Jack Martin Smith
Film Editor Marion Rothman
Written by Edward Anhalt from the book by Gerold Frank
Produced by Robert Fryer
Directed by Richard Fleischer
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
Twelve years ago i wasn’t all that impressed with The Boston Strangler. I thought it too slick and felt that its noted multi-screen sequences were a trick gimmick. I appreciate it more now — except for the name cast,...
- 11/26/2016
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
High camp or just plain trash? A cultural-cinematic swamp in perfectly rotten taste, this adaptation of Jacqueline Susann's supermarket 'dirty book' seeks out tawdry sleaze like no American movie had before. Junk beyond belief, and great entertainment if you're in a sick frame of mind. Valley of the Dolls Blu-ray The Criterion Collection 835 1967 / Color / 2:40 widescreen / 123 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date September 27, 2016 / 39.95 Starring Barbara Parkins, Patty Duke, Paul Burke, Sharon Tate, Susan Hayward, Tony Scotti, Martin Milner, Charles Drake, Alexander Davion, Lee Grant, Naomi Stevens, Robert H. Harris, Jacqueline Susann, Robert Viharo, Joey Bishop, George Jessel, Dionne Warwick, Sherry Alberoni, Margaret Whiting, Richard Angarola, Richard Dreyfuss, Marvin Hamlisch, Judith Lowry. Cinematography William H. Daniels Film Editor Dorothy Spencer Conductor / Music Adaptor John Williams Written by Helen Deutsch, Dorothy Kingsley Jacqueline Susann Produced by Mark Robson, David Weisbart Directed by Mark Robson
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
I...
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
I...
- 9/27/2016
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
It's ring-a-ding time, with producer-star Frank Sinatra and his cooperative director Gordon Douglas doing a variation on the hipster detective saga. The two Tony Rome pictures are lively and fun and chock-ful of borderline offensive content, like smash-zooms into women's rear ends. Tony Rome & Lady in Cement Blu-ray Twilight Time 1967, 1968 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 110 and 93 min. / Street Date September 8, 2016 / Available from the Twilight Time Movies Store / 29.95 Starring Frank Sinatra, Richard Conte; Tony Rome: Jill St. John, Sue Lyon, Gena Rowlands, Simon Oakland, Lloyd Bochner, Robert J. Wilke, Virginia Vincent, Joan Shawlee, Lloyd Gough, Rocky Graziano, Elisabeth Fraser, Shecky Greene, Jeanne Cooper, Joe E. Ross, Tiffany Bolling, Deanna Lund. Lady in Cement: Raquel Welch, Dan Blocker, Martin Gabel, Lainie Kazan, Paul Mungar, Richard Deacon, Joe E. Lewis, Bunny Yeager. Cinematography Joseph Biroc Original Music Billy May, Hugo Montenegro; song by Lee Hazelwood and Nancy Sinatra Written by Richard L. Breen...
- 8/30/2016
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
The origins of movies and the story of their continued developments are always of interest to die-hard fans, and especially to Die Hard fans. The classic action film has long been known to have a rich history as far as its source materials are concerned. It's somewhat based on the 1979 Roderick Thorp novel Nothing Lasts Forever, which is a sequel to his book The Detective. The earlier work became a movie of the same name in 1968 starring Frank Sinatra, and he was...
Read More
Read Comments...
Read More
Read Comments...
- 6/17/2016
- by affiliates@fandango.com
- Fandango
The origins of movies and the story of their continued developments are always of interest to die hard fans, and especially to Die Hard fans. The classic action film has long been known to have a rich history as far as its source materials are concerned. It's somewhat based on the 1979 Roderick Thorp novel Nothing Lasts Forever, which is a sequel to his book The Detective. The earlier work became a movie of the same name in 1968 starring Frank Sinatra, and he was expected to reprise the lead role in the follow up. Years went by after Sinatra passed on the movie and it was supposedly then reworked as a sequel to Commando (though screenwriter Steven de Souza has denied this). Eventually it wound up being a new property all its own, but there are two...
Read More...
Read More...
- 6/17/2016
- by Christopher Campbell
- Movies.com
Director Gordon Douglas is one of many prolific filmmakers who seemed to fall short of auteur recognition despite considerable iconic items lodged within a vast filmography. Starting out in Hollywood as a child actor, he was directing shorts throughout the 1930s and began developing a resume of B-grade features, the most notable from this period being the 1954 sci-fi classic Them!, one of several genre items capitalizing on nuclear warfare fears. The 1960s found Douglas evolving freely with the times, churning out some racy Carroll Baker numbers (including in a biopic of Jean Harlow), the James Bond knock-off In Like Flint (1967), and a trio of Frank Sinatra vehicles. In between directing Sinatra in a pair of movies where the crooner plays Miami Pi Tony Rome, Douglas concocted something much more provocative, a seedy, lurid neo-noir titled The Detective (1968). One of several oft-referenced titles detailed in Vito Russo’s The Celluloid Closet,...
- 1/19/2016
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
Frank Sinatra shines in a story of police corruption that tries to say it like it is -- or like it was in 1968, just before the ratings system came in. The well-intentioned, suspenseful story is burdened by odd censor choices, Sinatra's conservative self-image, and rudely retrograde attitudes toward gays. In a sparkling new transfer with Jerry Goldsmith's jazzy score isolated on its own track. The Detective Blu-ray Twilight Time Limited Edition 1968 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 114 min. / Ship Date December 8, 2015 / available through Twilight Time Movies / 29.95 Starring Frank Sinatra, Lee Remick, Ralph Meeker, Jacqueline Bisset, William Windom, Al Freeman Jr., Tony Musante, Lloyd Bochner, Robert Duvall, Horace McMahon Cinematography Joseph F. Biroc Art Direction William J. Creber, Jack Martin Smith Film Editor Robert L. Simpson Original Music Jerry Goldsmith Written by Abby Mann from a novel by Roderick Thorpe Produced by Aaron Rosenberg Directed by Gordon Douglas
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson...
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson...
- 12/30/2015
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Above: Italian 4-foglio for The Joker is Wild (Charles Vidor, USA, 1957). Art by Enzo Nistri.Frank Sinatra, arguably the most important entertainer of the 20th century, was born 100 years ago today. I’ve become a little obsessed with him over the past week after watching Alex Gibney’s terrific 2-part, 4-hour HBO portrait Sinatra: All or Nothing at All. This of course got me thinking about Frank in movie posters, and I realized that I could barely come up with images of Sinatra posters in my head. While his best album covers are indelible and iconic, his movie posters tend to be less so. Scrolling through his filmography I realized that part of the problem is that his greatest films—On the Town, From Here to Eternity, Guys and Dolls, Some Came Running, Ocean’s 11—were almost always ensemble films in which Sinatra was never the standalone star, and so...
- 12/12/2015
- by Adrian Curry
- MUBI
Above: Italian 4-foglio for The Joker is Wild (Charles Vidor, USA, 1957). Art by Enzo Nistri.Frank Sinatra, arguably the most important entertainer of the 20th century, was born 100 years ago today. I’ve become a little obsessed with him over the past week after watching Alex Gibney’s terrific 2-part, 4-hour HBO portrait Sinatra: All or Nothing at All. This of course got me thinking about Frank in movie posters, and I realized that I could barely come up with images of Sinatra posters in my head. While his best album covers are indelible and iconic, his movie posters tend to be less so. Scrolling through his filmography I realized that part of the problem is that his greatest films—On the Town, From Here to Eternity, Guys and Dolls, Some Came Running, Ocean’s 11—were almost always ensemble films in which Sinatra was never the standalone star, and so...
- 12/12/2015
- by Adrian Curry
- MUBI
Dear Len Wiseman… I'm going to do my best to avoid making the obvious joke here about your last name, since my last name is McWeeny, and nothing good can come from that particular war. However, I would like to drop you a few quick thoughts regarding your proposed pre-boot (part prequel, part reboot) of the "Die Hard" series before you go too far down a road that dead ends in Stupid Town. Obviously, I have not been in any of the conversations you're having about the film. Maybe the folks over at Deadline completely screwed up the reportage on the idea that you have. I certainly hope so, because if not, you are on the verge of doing something monumentally dumb, and I'd love to explain why. There is only one great "Die Hard" movie. Unfortunately, you did not direct it. Maybe you had a great time working with Bruce Willis.
- 10/15/2015
- by Drew McWeeny
- Hitfix
Los Angeles, Calif. (October 2, 2015) – In 1915 William Fox founded Fox Film Corporation and forever changed the course of cinema. Over the next century the studio would develop some of the most innovative and ground-breaking advancements in the history of cinema; the introduction of Movietone, the implementation of color in partnership with Eastman Kodak, the development of the wide format in 70mm and many more. Now in honor of the 100th anniversary of the studio, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment will celebrate by releasing some of their most iconic films that represent a decade of innovation.
Starting today, five classic films from the studio will be made available digitally for the first time ever – Sunrise (1927), Drums Along the Mohawk (1939), Man Hunt (1941), How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) and The Flight of the Phoenix (1965). Throughout the rest of the year a total of 100 digital releases will follow from Fox’s extensive catalog, including 10 films...
Starting today, five classic films from the studio will be made available digitally for the first time ever – Sunrise (1927), Drums Along the Mohawk (1939), Man Hunt (1941), How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) and The Flight of the Phoenix (1965). Throughout the rest of the year a total of 100 digital releases will follow from Fox’s extensive catalog, including 10 films...
- 10/3/2015
- by ComicMix Staff
- Comicmix.com
Producer Robert Evans, circa 1970s, in the documentary The Kid Stays in the Picture.
Robert Evans: The Kid Is Alright
By
Alex Simon
I interviewed legendary Hollywood producer Robert Evans in 2002 for Venice Magazine, in conjunction with the release of the documentary "The Kid Stays in the Picture," adapted from his iconic autobiography and audiobook. Our chat took place at Woodland, Evans' storied estate in Beverly Hills, in his equally famous screening room, which mysteriously burned down a couple years later. Evans was still physically frail, having recently survived a series of strokes, but his mind, his wit and his charm were sharp as ever, with near total recall for people, places and stories. Many, many stories. Here are a few of them.
It’s a widely-held belief that the years 1967-76 represent the “golden age” of American cinema. Just look at a few of these titles: Rosemary’s Baby,...
Robert Evans: The Kid Is Alright
By
Alex Simon
I interviewed legendary Hollywood producer Robert Evans in 2002 for Venice Magazine, in conjunction with the release of the documentary "The Kid Stays in the Picture," adapted from his iconic autobiography and audiobook. Our chat took place at Woodland, Evans' storied estate in Beverly Hills, in his equally famous screening room, which mysteriously burned down a couple years later. Evans was still physically frail, having recently survived a series of strokes, but his mind, his wit and his charm were sharp as ever, with near total recall for people, places and stories. Many, many stories. Here are a few of them.
It’s a widely-held belief that the years 1967-76 represent the “golden age” of American cinema. Just look at a few of these titles: Rosemary’s Baby,...
- 7/5/2015
- by The Hollywood Interview.com
- The Hollywood Interview
Part I.
1971 was an incredibly violent year for movies. That year saw, among others, Tom Laughlin’s Billy Jack, with its half-Indian hero karate-chopping rednecks; William Friedkin’s The French Connection, its dogged cops stymied by well-heeled drug runners; Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange, banned for the copycat crimes it reportedly inspired; and Sam Peckinpah’s Straw Dogs, featuring the most controversial rape in cinema history. Every bloody shooting, sexual assault and death by penis statue reflected a world gone mad.
It seemed a reaction to America’s skyrocketing crime. Between 1963 and 1975, violent crimes tripled; riots, robberies and assassinations racked major cities. The antiwar and Civil Rights movements generated violent offshoots like the Weathermen and Black Panthers. Citizens blamed politicians like New York Mayor John Lindsay (the original “limousine liberal”), who proclaimed “Peace cannot be imposed on our cities by force of arms,” and Earl Warren’s Supreme Court,...
1971 was an incredibly violent year for movies. That year saw, among others, Tom Laughlin’s Billy Jack, with its half-Indian hero karate-chopping rednecks; William Friedkin’s The French Connection, its dogged cops stymied by well-heeled drug runners; Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange, banned for the copycat crimes it reportedly inspired; and Sam Peckinpah’s Straw Dogs, featuring the most controversial rape in cinema history. Every bloody shooting, sexual assault and death by penis statue reflected a world gone mad.
It seemed a reaction to America’s skyrocketing crime. Between 1963 and 1975, violent crimes tripled; riots, robberies and assassinations racked major cities. The antiwar and Civil Rights movements generated violent offshoots like the Weathermen and Black Panthers. Citizens blamed politicians like New York Mayor John Lindsay (the original “limousine liberal”), who proclaimed “Peace cannot be imposed on our cities by force of arms,” and Earl Warren’s Supreme Court,...
- 5/28/2015
- by Christopher Saunders
- SoundOnSight
By Alex Simon
By the mid-1960s, the notorious Hayes Code, the censorship standards begun in the 1930s, had begun to fall away. Films like Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Bonnie & Clyde, The Graduate and In the Heat of the Night started pushing the envelope in terms of “adult” content portrayed on-screen. With the advent of the MPAA rating system in November, 1968 a new era of freedom was ushered in. Filmmakers could frankly portray sex, violence, profanity and formerly taboo subject matters. While the aforementioned films are all iconic in stature, one of the key films that pushed the rating system into being is now largely forgotten.
Roderick Thorp’s 1966 novel The Detective became an instant best-seller, a mammoth (600 pages), unflinching look at Joe Leland, a weary veteran cop who finds his legal and personal mettle tested while investigating the brutal murder of a wealthy, gay department store heir.
By the mid-1960s, the notorious Hayes Code, the censorship standards begun in the 1930s, had begun to fall away. Films like Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Bonnie & Clyde, The Graduate and In the Heat of the Night started pushing the envelope in terms of “adult” content portrayed on-screen. With the advent of the MPAA rating system in November, 1968 a new era of freedom was ushered in. Filmmakers could frankly portray sex, violence, profanity and formerly taboo subject matters. While the aforementioned films are all iconic in stature, one of the key films that pushed the rating system into being is now largely forgotten.
Roderick Thorp’s 1966 novel The Detective became an instant best-seller, a mammoth (600 pages), unflinching look at Joe Leland, a weary veteran cop who finds his legal and personal mettle tested while investigating the brutal murder of a wealthy, gay department store heir.
- 4/20/2015
- by The Hollywood Interview.com
- The Hollywood Interview
By Lee Pfeiffer
By the late 1960s, Jacqueline Bisset was clearly one of the "It" girls among a bevy of starlets who crossed over from flash-in-the-pan status to becoming a genuine star in her own right. Her breakthrough role opposite Steve McQueen in the 1968 blockbuster "Bullitt" helped catapult the British beauty to the top ranks of actresses who were deemed to have international boxoffice appeal. Among her major Hollywood successes: "The Detective", "Airport" and "The Deep". In between, however, Bisset was open to appearing in off-beat films that were most suited for the art house circuit. One of the more unusual productions was "Secret World", a 1969 French film that was the antithesis of the commercial successes she was enjoying. The film was directed by Robert Freeman, a famed photographer who is credited with shooting many of the classic album covers for The Beatles. (Some sources credit Paul Feyder as co-director...
By the late 1960s, Jacqueline Bisset was clearly one of the "It" girls among a bevy of starlets who crossed over from flash-in-the-pan status to becoming a genuine star in her own right. Her breakthrough role opposite Steve McQueen in the 1968 blockbuster "Bullitt" helped catapult the British beauty to the top ranks of actresses who were deemed to have international boxoffice appeal. Among her major Hollywood successes: "The Detective", "Airport" and "The Deep". In between, however, Bisset was open to appearing in off-beat films that were most suited for the art house circuit. One of the more unusual productions was "Secret World", a 1969 French film that was the antithesis of the commercial successes she was enjoying. The film was directed by Robert Freeman, a famed photographer who is credited with shooting many of the classic album covers for The Beatles. (Some sources credit Paul Feyder as co-director...
- 3/9/2015
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Ryan Lambie Dec 1, 2019
The Die Hard series may be quiet at the moment, but there's a unique story behind the writing of each one…
As any action fanatic will tell you, Die Hard is among the best films of its type ever made. Tautly directed by John McTiernan, deceptively well shot by cinematographer Jan de Bont, and full of charismatic turns from Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, and Bonnie Bedelia, it’s seldom been bettered, even by its sequels.
The key to the first film's success, and the sequels in their best moments, is hero John McClane. Tough, sarcastic but ultimately human, he cuts a very different figure from the beefed-up, larger-than-life heroes of 1980s and 90s action cinema. When John McClane gets shot or injured, he actually feels pain. It's something we were keenly aware of in the 1988 original, but gradually ebbed away as the Die Hard franchise drifted from...
The Die Hard series may be quiet at the moment, but there's a unique story behind the writing of each one…
As any action fanatic will tell you, Die Hard is among the best films of its type ever made. Tautly directed by John McTiernan, deceptively well shot by cinematographer Jan de Bont, and full of charismatic turns from Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, and Bonnie Bedelia, it’s seldom been bettered, even by its sequels.
The key to the first film's success, and the sequels in their best moments, is hero John McClane. Tough, sarcastic but ultimately human, he cuts a very different figure from the beefed-up, larger-than-life heroes of 1980s and 90s action cinema. When John McClane gets shot or injured, he actually feels pain. It's something we were keenly aware of in the 1988 original, but gradually ebbed away as the Die Hard franchise drifted from...
- 12/11/2014
- Den of Geek
The Die Hard series may be alive and well, but there's a unique story behind the writing of each one…
As any action fanatic will tell you, Die Hard is among the best films of its type ever made. Tautly directed by John McTiernan, deceptively well shot by cinematographer Jan de Bont, and full of charismatic turns from Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman and Bonnie Bedelia, it’s seldom been bettered, even by its sequels.
The key to the first film's success, and the sequels in their best moments, is hero John McClane. Tough, sarcastic but ultimately human and relatable, he cuts a very different figure from the beefed-up, larger-than-life heroes of 1980s and 90s action cinema. When John McClane gets shot or injured, he actually feels pain. It's something we were keenly aware of in the 1988 original, but gradually ebbed away as the Die Hard franchise drifted from thriller territory...
As any action fanatic will tell you, Die Hard is among the best films of its type ever made. Tautly directed by John McTiernan, deceptively well shot by cinematographer Jan de Bont, and full of charismatic turns from Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman and Bonnie Bedelia, it’s seldom been bettered, even by its sequels.
The key to the first film's success, and the sequels in their best moments, is hero John McClane. Tough, sarcastic but ultimately human and relatable, he cuts a very different figure from the beefed-up, larger-than-life heroes of 1980s and 90s action cinema. When John McClane gets shot or injured, he actually feels pain. It's something we were keenly aware of in the 1988 original, but gradually ebbed away as the Die Hard franchise drifted from thriller territory...
- 12/9/2014
- by ryanlambie
- Den of Geek
It's hard to believe Angelina Jolie has been a fixture of Hollywood for almost 20 years now.
Ever since breaking out in the late '90s with a string of critically-acclaimed performances, the actress quickly established herself as an international star. Between headlining hits like "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" and directing passion projects like "In the Land of Blood and Honey," Jolie is perhaps the biggest Hollywood spokesperson of humanitarian efforts worldwide. This summer, however, Jolie can be seen taking a wicked turn in Disney's "Maleficent" -- a re-imagining of "Sleeping Beauty" from the villain's point-of-view.
From her Oscar-winning godfather to her curiosity with blood, here are 33 things you probably don't know about Angelina Jolie.
1. Jolie was born June 4, 1975 in Los Angeles to Jon Voight and Marcheline Bertrand, both actors.
2. The actress was born Angelina Jolie Voight, but she legally dropped her surname "Voight" in 2002.
3. She is the goddaughter of actress Jacqueline Bisset and actor Maximilian Schell.
Ever since breaking out in the late '90s with a string of critically-acclaimed performances, the actress quickly established herself as an international star. Between headlining hits like "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" and directing passion projects like "In the Land of Blood and Honey," Jolie is perhaps the biggest Hollywood spokesperson of humanitarian efforts worldwide. This summer, however, Jolie can be seen taking a wicked turn in Disney's "Maleficent" -- a re-imagining of "Sleeping Beauty" from the villain's point-of-view.
From her Oscar-winning godfather to her curiosity with blood, here are 33 things you probably don't know about Angelina Jolie.
1. Jolie was born June 4, 1975 in Los Angeles to Jon Voight and Marcheline Bertrand, both actors.
2. The actress was born Angelina Jolie Voight, but she legally dropped her surname "Voight" in 2002.
3. She is the goddaughter of actress Jacqueline Bisset and actor Maximilian Schell.
- 5/30/2014
- by Jonny Black
- Moviefone
We’ll be honoring alternative lifestyle with a slate of Super-8 Movies celebrating Lbgt culture on April 1st at the Way Out Club! It’s Super-8 Gay Movie Madness, a fabulous night of gay-themed films shown on the Super-8 sound condensed format projected on our massive screen.
On April 1st we’ll be showing: The Village People and Bruce Jenner in Can’T Stop The Music, Tim Curry as the sweet transvestite Frank N. Furter in Rocky Horror Picture Show, a Judy Garland Double Feature of Easter Parade and Wizard Of Oz, the Ed Wood cross-dressing opus Glen Or Glenda, Lesbian Vampire ‘70s style in Vampyres, Frank Sinatra battles a gay serial killer in The Detective, Midnight Express, Bette Midler in The Rose, Joan Crawford in Straight-jacket, Karen Black in Airport ’75, It Conquered The World, the silent version of Ben Hur, and the gross educational film Coping With The Discomforts Of Pregnancy.
On April 1st we’ll be showing: The Village People and Bruce Jenner in Can’T Stop The Music, Tim Curry as the sweet transvestite Frank N. Furter in Rocky Horror Picture Show, a Judy Garland Double Feature of Easter Parade and Wizard Of Oz, the Ed Wood cross-dressing opus Glen Or Glenda, Lesbian Vampire ‘70s style in Vampyres, Frank Sinatra battles a gay serial killer in The Detective, Midnight Express, Bette Midler in The Rose, Joan Crawford in Straight-jacket, Karen Black in Airport ’75, It Conquered The World, the silent version of Ben Hur, and the gross educational film Coping With The Discomforts Of Pregnancy.
- 3/28/2014
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
He starred in Dario Argento’s first Giallo (The Bird With The Crystal Plumage), played a homicidal homosexual opposite Sinatra in The Detective, was ‘Uncle Pete’ in The Pope Of Greenwich Village, and even starred in a couple of fine Spaghetti Westerns. I liked actor Tony Musante who always turned in interesting performances, especially during the roguish bad-boy early phase of his career. He was especially memorable in The Incident (1967) as a young tough who terrorizes late-night passengers on a New York City train. Musante died last Tuesday in Manhattan of a hemorrhage while recovering from surgery. He was 77.
From The New York Times:
Tony Musante, a rugged-looking American actor who was seen on television, in films and on stage in the United States and Europe for over 50 years but who was probably best known for a TV series he left after one season, died on Tuesday in Manhattan…….
Read the rest Here
http://www.
From The New York Times:
Tony Musante, a rugged-looking American actor who was seen on television, in films and on stage in the United States and Europe for over 50 years but who was probably best known for a TV series he left after one season, died on Tuesday in Manhattan…….
Read the rest Here
http://www.
- 12/2/2013
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Tony Musante, the popular character actor who was a fixture in Italian films and TV series, has died in a New York hospital at age 77. Musante, who brought intensity to all of his roles, was driven more by artistic satisfaction than a desire to make the big money. He made a splash with U.S. audiences in 1967 playing a thug who terrorizes passengers on a New York City subway train in the film The Incident. He won acclaim for his role as a gay man who is wrongly convicted and executed for murder in the 1968 Frank Sinatra film The Detective. He also had a co-starring role with George C. Scott in the 1971 crime film The Last Run and starred in director Dario Argento's 1970 cult classic The Bird With the Crystal Plumage. In 1973 he reluctantly starred in the TV series Toma about a maverick cop. Despite the show's ratings success,...
- 11/28/2013
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
It's been 25 years since we were first held hostage with an ass-kicking Bruce Willis on Christmas Eve in "Die Hard," a film that's as fresh and awesome as it was when it first hit theaters (in limited release on July 15, 1988, and nationwide on July 22). Five films and 71 kills later, John McClane is still one of our favorite cop heros.
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the action classic, we're letting you in on 25 trivia facts about the film. From the unexpected origin of "Yippee-ki-yay, motherf*cker!" to Reginald VelJohnson's Twinkie attacks, "Die Hard" is full of fun facts that you probably never knew, even after a hundred viewings (don't deny it).
1. "Die Hard" was Alan Rickman's feature film debut. That's right, Professor Snape, who's set to play Ronald Reagan in the upcoming film "The Butler," was first introduced to the big screen as the infamous Hans Gruber.
2. Rickman...
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the action classic, we're letting you in on 25 trivia facts about the film. From the unexpected origin of "Yippee-ki-yay, motherf*cker!" to Reginald VelJohnson's Twinkie attacks, "Die Hard" is full of fun facts that you probably never knew, even after a hundred viewings (don't deny it).
1. "Die Hard" was Alan Rickman's feature film debut. That's right, Professor Snape, who's set to play Ronald Reagan in the upcoming film "The Butler," was first introduced to the big screen as the infamous Hans Gruber.
2. Rickman...
- 7/15/2013
- by Erin Whitney
- Moviefone
Today is the 25th anniversary of "Die Hard," a movie that forever changed the landscape of American action filmmaking. Director John McTiernan brought in European sensibilities and fluid camera movements that were unheard of at the time, adding an artistic edge and much-needed stylistic flourishes to a genre largely defined by hulking he-men and an almost complete lack of aesthetic embroidery (seriously — look at other action movies from 1988 and try not to fall asleep). It was as much a game changer as "Avatar," but never heralded as such; instead it was quietly acknowledged as an admirable achievement while its artistic merits went largely unheralded.
In honor of the film's anniversary, we thought we'd run down ten things that you probably don't know about "Die Hard," a movie whose legendary status was recently cemented when an entire wall of the Fox lot was painted up to resemble the sequence where Bruce Willis...
In honor of the film's anniversary, we thought we'd run down ten things that you probably don't know about "Die Hard," a movie whose legendary status was recently cemented when an entire wall of the Fox lot was painted up to resemble the sequence where Bruce Willis...
- 7/15/2013
- by Drew Taylor
- NextMovie
Them!
Directed by Gordon Douglas
Written by Ted Sherdeman
1954, USA
In that filled-to-bursting canon of 1950s science fiction cinema, movies range from true film classics – like the Hawksian The Thing from Another World (1951), and that alarm bell about human desensitization, Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) – to cheapie craptasmagoriums like Beginning of the End (1957 – giant grasshoppers crawling over photographs of downtown Chicago), and It Conquered the World (1956 – “It” being an alien that looks like a devil-faced carrot with lobster claws). I’d go as far as to say the consensus is probably there’s just a few of the former, and a whole stinking pile of the latter. But scattered (thinly, I’d have to say) between those poles are movies neither classic nor crap, but made with enough craftsmanship to be eminently and repeatably watchable. You know: just good, damned fun! One of my faves from that group: Them! (1954).
A...
Directed by Gordon Douglas
Written by Ted Sherdeman
1954, USA
In that filled-to-bursting canon of 1950s science fiction cinema, movies range from true film classics – like the Hawksian The Thing from Another World (1951), and that alarm bell about human desensitization, Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) – to cheapie craptasmagoriums like Beginning of the End (1957 – giant grasshoppers crawling over photographs of downtown Chicago), and It Conquered the World (1956 – “It” being an alien that looks like a devil-faced carrot with lobster claws). I’d go as far as to say the consensus is probably there’s just a few of the former, and a whole stinking pile of the latter. But scattered (thinly, I’d have to say) between those poles are movies neither classic nor crap, but made with enough craftsmanship to be eminently and repeatably watchable. You know: just good, damned fun! One of my faves from that group: Them! (1954).
A...
- 7/7/2013
- by Bill Mesce
- SoundOnSight
It's 25 years since Bruce Willis first brought John McClane to the screen in the first of the 'Die Hard' films, kickstarting one of the big screen's most successful franchises.
In the original and four sequels, McClane has been the reluctant hero, invariably caught in the wrong place, and proving the only human obstacle between good and the triumph of evil.
Bruce Willis has made the reluctant hero all his own in the 'Die Hard' films over 25 years
To mark the 25th anniversary, plus the home entertainment release on DVD of 'A Good Day to Die Hard', Bruce Willis reflects on the changing nature of his die-hard character, through five films. Watch Him In Our Exclusive Clip Above.
Plus here are 25 mind-blowing facts from all five films. Did you know...
1. The line "yippee-ki-yay," translates in Urdu to "Here - eat this" and is used in...
In the original and four sequels, McClane has been the reluctant hero, invariably caught in the wrong place, and proving the only human obstacle between good and the triumph of evil.
Bruce Willis has made the reluctant hero all his own in the 'Die Hard' films over 25 years
To mark the 25th anniversary, plus the home entertainment release on DVD of 'A Good Day to Die Hard', Bruce Willis reflects on the changing nature of his die-hard character, through five films. Watch Him In Our Exclusive Clip Above.
Plus here are 25 mind-blowing facts from all five films. Did you know...
1. The line "yippee-ki-yay," translates in Urdu to "Here - eat this" and is used in...
- 6/7/2013
- by The Huffington Post UK
- Huffington Post
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.