The Simpsons is truly one of the most brilliantly-written animated series ever created. Having been on the air since 1989, it has covered so many different but equally amazing storylines that no other show can boast of.
Everyone knows that The Simpsons is also a show that somehow predicted many things that would happen in reality long before they actually did, but today we are going to talk about something else that the show did and still does perfectly.
The Simpsons is a show that has some sort of pop culture reference, if not in every episode, then definitely in a bunch of them every season. And here we have 5 of them that have aged like fine wine.
1. The Shining
Every season of The Simpsons has a special episode called Treehouse of Horror, and in season 6 it went all the way using Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining as a script for the episode.
Everyone knows that The Simpsons is also a show that somehow predicted many things that would happen in reality long before they actually did, but today we are going to talk about something else that the show did and still does perfectly.
The Simpsons is a show that has some sort of pop culture reference, if not in every episode, then definitely in a bunch of them every season. And here we have 5 of them that have aged like fine wine.
1. The Shining
Every season of The Simpsons has a special episode called Treehouse of Horror, and in season 6 it went all the way using Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining as a script for the episode.
- 6/9/2024
- by info@startefacts.com (Rachel Bailey)
- STartefacts.com
It is a frequent occurrence in the entertainment world, where the director or actor initially associated with a project is not the same as those involved in the final product. And so it happened with the critically acclaimed film of Tim Burton, Big Fish (2003), which had Steven Spielberg originally slated to direct the film.
Steven Spielberg [PC: Gage Skidmore | Wikimedia Commons]But the Jaws director was forced to opt out due to his commitment to other projects, making Burton take over the reins. Yet, Spielberg does not regret leaving the film and even agrees that he made the right call.
Steven Spielberg was Happy to Quit Tim Burton’s Big Fish Ewan McGregor in a still from Big Fish | Sony Pictures
Big Fish is one of the best movies of Tim Burton‘s entire career. A deeply poignant, fantasy film starring Ewan McGregor, it is based on the 1998 novel by Daniel Wallace,...
Steven Spielberg [PC: Gage Skidmore | Wikimedia Commons]But the Jaws director was forced to opt out due to his commitment to other projects, making Burton take over the reins. Yet, Spielberg does not regret leaving the film and even agrees that he made the right call.
Steven Spielberg was Happy to Quit Tim Burton’s Big Fish Ewan McGregor in a still from Big Fish | Sony Pictures
Big Fish is one of the best movies of Tim Burton‘s entire career. A deeply poignant, fantasy film starring Ewan McGregor, it is based on the 1998 novel by Daniel Wallace,...
- 6/9/2024
- by Maria Sultan
- FandomWire
In 1960, Kirk Douglas had helped to break the Hollywood Blacklist with "Spartacus" by publicly crediting then-blacklisted writer Dalton Trumbo as the screenwriter. But in 1969, he found himself working with a director who had been anything but helpful to his Hollywood colleagues during the height of McCarthyism. Sadly, this team-up between Douglas and director Elia Kazan also had the unfortunate distinction of being one of the Greek-American filmmaker's most derided films.
"The Arrangement" currently has a 15% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which should tell you pretty much all you need to know about how this ill-fated drama was received upon release. The film is an adaptation of Kazan's own 1967 novel of the same name and follows LA advertising executive Evangelos Topouzoglou/Eddie Anderson (Douglas) as he endures a protracted nervous breakdown (which is what watching this incredible trailer feels like). Critics at the time were merciless with their condemnation of Kazan's film,...
"The Arrangement" currently has a 15% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which should tell you pretty much all you need to know about how this ill-fated drama was received upon release. The film is an adaptation of Kazan's own 1967 novel of the same name and follows LA advertising executive Evangelos Topouzoglou/Eddie Anderson (Douglas) as he endures a protracted nervous breakdown (which is what watching this incredible trailer feels like). Critics at the time were merciless with their condemnation of Kazan's film,...
- 6/9/2024
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
Jack Nicholson is one of the all-time Hollywood legends – and was one of the all-time partiers, too. With both comes a wealth of stories about his most raucous days. So saddle up, kids, it’s time to hear a funny tale about Jack Nicholson and cocaine!
As recalled by Kevin Spacey – who actually made his debut in the Jack Nicholson / Meryl Streep film Heartburn – the three-time Oscar winner put himself in a potentially awkward situation with a sound man during the making of Prizzi’s Honor, John Huston’s 1985 crime film which earned him his fifth Best Actor nomination. In a pitch-perfect Nicholson impression, Spacey remembered sound mixer Dennis Maitland telling him the story, which took place in Nicholson’s trailer.
As it goes, Maitland expressed his excitement for again working with the star, reminding the actor that they met back on 1976’s The Missouri Breaks. Nicholson replied, “Missouri Breaks, Jesus Christ!
As recalled by Kevin Spacey – who actually made his debut in the Jack Nicholson / Meryl Streep film Heartburn – the three-time Oscar winner put himself in a potentially awkward situation with a sound man during the making of Prizzi’s Honor, John Huston’s 1985 crime film which earned him his fifth Best Actor nomination. In a pitch-perfect Nicholson impression, Spacey remembered sound mixer Dennis Maitland telling him the story, which took place in Nicholson’s trailer.
As it goes, Maitland expressed his excitement for again working with the star, reminding the actor that they met back on 1976’s The Missouri Breaks. Nicholson replied, “Missouri Breaks, Jesus Christ!
- 6/8/2024
- by Mathew Plale
- JoBlo.com
James L. Brooks' 1997 dramedy "As Good As It Gets" was a massive awards darling when it came out. The film is about an intensely misanthropic author named Melvin (Jack Nicholson) who is deeply afflicted with obsessive-compulsive disorder. When his neighbor, Simon (Greg Kinnear), is horrible assaulted by thieves, Melvin agrees to care for Verdell, Simon's dog. This is the first step in Melvin's very gradual opening up to warmer aspects of humanity. He's still a cruel a-hole, but by the end of the movie, he becomes a lovable a-hole. He is also redeemed by his relationship with a frustrated waitress named Carol (Helen Hunt), who hates him, and then hates that she sees the humanity in him.
"As Good As It Gets" was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and won Oscars for Nicholson and Hunt's performances. It was considered a minor scandal in 1998 when Brooks was not nominated for Best Director.
"As Good As It Gets" was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and won Oscars for Nicholson and Hunt's performances. It was considered a minor scandal in 1998 when Brooks was not nominated for Best Director.
- 6/6/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Tim Burton’s rendition of Batman remains perhaps one of the most eccentric yet authentic versions of the Caped Crusader. To the gothic filmmaker, the orphaned superhero didn’t symbolize the heroic savior that comes to Gotham’s rescue, as is the quintessential take of the character.
Tim Burton’s Batman (1989) (Credit: Warner Bros.)
Perhaps it is this painfully realistic and gritty take on the character that sets Burton’s creation apart from the sundry other Batman films, making it next to impossible to recreate his historic vision.
Tim Burton’s Darkly Authentic Perspective of Batman (1989)
When the news of Michael Keaton’s casting broke, comic book fans approached the 1989 classic with nothing but outrage (via Vulture). But all their embittered outcries died down upon seeing Tim Burton’s somber version of the Dark Knight, who, in all his pathos-filled glory, depicted the very essence of Batman.
What Burton, 65, envisaged...
Tim Burton’s Batman (1989) (Credit: Warner Bros.)
Perhaps it is this painfully realistic and gritty take on the character that sets Burton’s creation apart from the sundry other Batman films, making it next to impossible to recreate his historic vision.
Tim Burton’s Darkly Authentic Perspective of Batman (1989)
When the news of Michael Keaton’s casting broke, comic book fans approached the 1989 classic with nothing but outrage (via Vulture). But all their embittered outcries died down upon seeing Tim Burton’s somber version of the Dark Knight, who, in all his pathos-filled glory, depicted the very essence of Batman.
What Burton, 65, envisaged...
- 6/6/2024
- by Khushi Shah
- FandomWire
This year has already proved it’s fruitful in high-class horror movies that bring new motifs and techniques to the genre or address its classics. Earlier in 2024 we saw such gems as Late Night with the Devil, Infested, Abigail, Immaculate and The First Omen.
However, there is one movie that is a rare guest of the year’s best horror lists, but it certainly deserves our attention. It is also proved by the fact it is now holding the third place in HBO’s global top and is gaining more and more viewership on the platform.
The plot revolves around Gwen, a young woman who takes up a job at a remote motel. While working her first night shift there, she starts suspecting she’s not alone in the hallways, and there is a character from her troubled past watching her. However, Gwen is quick to realize that it’s...
However, there is one movie that is a rare guest of the year’s best horror lists, but it certainly deserves our attention. It is also proved by the fact it is now holding the third place in HBO’s global top and is gaining more and more viewership on the platform.
The plot revolves around Gwen, a young woman who takes up a job at a remote motel. While working her first night shift there, she starts suspecting she’s not alone in the hallways, and there is a character from her troubled past watching her. However, Gwen is quick to realize that it’s...
- 6/5/2024
- by info@startefacts.com (Ava Raxa)
- STartefacts.com
Diane Keaton is a living lesson to all the female actors in the industry on how to stay relevant for more than 50 years. Keaton is definitely one of the most successful actors of all time with a glorious resume of credits to her name. The actor never got married and enjoyed her life as a single woman throughout her long illustrious career.
Diane Keaton in Annie Hall. Credit: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, United Artists
Of course, Keaton was one of the most sought-after actors in the 70s, and she showed exquisite beauty and prowess in acting. She appeared in many prominent movies and worked with several directors and actors including Annie Hall, acted and directed by Woody Allen.
Several Actors Wanted To Kiss Diane Keaton In Movies
Diane Keaton and Al Pacino in The Godfather. Credit: Paramount Pictures, FilmFlex
Diane Keaton who has an Oscar win and four nominations to her credit has...
Diane Keaton in Annie Hall. Credit: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, United Artists
Of course, Keaton was one of the most sought-after actors in the 70s, and she showed exquisite beauty and prowess in acting. She appeared in many prominent movies and worked with several directors and actors including Annie Hall, acted and directed by Woody Allen.
Several Actors Wanted To Kiss Diane Keaton In Movies
Diane Keaton and Al Pacino in The Godfather. Credit: Paramount Pictures, FilmFlex
Diane Keaton who has an Oscar win and four nominations to her credit has...
- 6/4/2024
- by Lachit Roy
- FandomWire
Throughout the 1950s, big-budget musicals were de rigueur for Hollywood, and there was a sudden glut of epics that sported gigantic budgets, recognizable stars, and no small amount of studio hype. Such films were exhibited as touring roadshow productions, which was a great way for films to make fistfuls of cash. Roadshow epics were also, it should be noted, a concerted ploy by studios to distract audiences from the rising threat of television. Studios felt the need to invest a lot of money into musicals and epics, hoping the massive productions could draw people into theaters and keep the industry afloat.
One might logically predict, however, that Hollywood tried to ride the trend of epics for a little longer than was healthy, and foolish overspending eventually became common. The age of the "roadshow epic" pretty much came to a close with the release of the notorious bomb "Cleopatra" in 1963.
But then,...
One might logically predict, however, that Hollywood tried to ride the trend of epics for a little longer than was healthy, and foolish overspending eventually became common. The age of the "roadshow epic" pretty much came to a close with the release of the notorious bomb "Cleopatra" in 1963.
But then,...
- 6/3/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
"Broadcast News" premiered at a pivotal time for the news industry: James L. Brooks' 1987 newsroom-set classic was born into a world in which pay cable, the internet, and the 24-hour news cycle were about to change the way the world received information for good. As such, the movie would already feel like a throwback to a simpler time just a few years after its release. Great as it is, it would soon join the ranks of movies and shows about legacy media that portray a writing world that looks nothing like the current freelance-heavy digital landscape.
Brooks was apparently acutely aware of the changing media world even as he made the film. In a retrospective interview with Entertainment Weekly in 2018, the filmmaker recalls being inspired to create one of the movie's most famous scenes when a visit to a real-life newsroom confirmed that it reflected reality. "I was in the...
Brooks was apparently acutely aware of the changing media world even as he made the film. In a retrospective interview with Entertainment Weekly in 2018, the filmmaker recalls being inspired to create one of the movie's most famous scenes when a visit to a real-life newsroom confirmed that it reflected reality. "I was in the...
- 6/2/2024
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission.
In this digital-dominated era, the allure of physical media like DVDs and Blu-rays remains robust, transcending mere nostalgia. These formats offer a tangible, personal connection to the artistry of film and television—a curated collection that one can physically handle, showcase, and possess.
As the industry increasingly veers towards streaming as its primary mode of distribution, collecting physical media is becoming a niche yet cherished pastime. It remains the most reliable method to ensure access to a broad spectrum of titles, often in the highest possible quality. A 4K Blu-ray on your shelf guarantees immediate, uninterrupted viewing—free from buffering or service outages—of your favorite films and TV shows in stunning resolution. Moreover, these discs frequently include a wealth of bonus content, ranging from archival gems to freshly...
In this digital-dominated era, the allure of physical media like DVDs and Blu-rays remains robust, transcending mere nostalgia. These formats offer a tangible, personal connection to the artistry of film and television—a curated collection that one can physically handle, showcase, and possess.
As the industry increasingly veers towards streaming as its primary mode of distribution, collecting physical media is becoming a niche yet cherished pastime. It remains the most reliable method to ensure access to a broad spectrum of titles, often in the highest possible quality. A 4K Blu-ray on your shelf guarantees immediate, uninterrupted viewing—free from buffering or service outages—of your favorite films and TV shows in stunning resolution. Moreover, these discs frequently include a wealth of bonus content, ranging from archival gems to freshly...
- 5/31/2024
- by Todd Gilchrist and Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
In the article series Sound and Vision we take a look at music videos from notable directors. This week we take a look at Kate Bush's King of the Mountain, directed by Jimmy T. Murakami. With the recent passing of Roger Corman, I would like to look back at the work of one of his protegés, and especially his music videos. Many people are aware that Corman helped launch the careers of people like Martin Scorsese, Joe Dante, James Cameron, Jack Nicholson and many many more. But one of the lesser known names is Jimmy T. Murakami, even though I consider him to be quite great. Murakami started out as an uncredited co-director on Humanoids from the Deep, before making one of Corman's bigger budget...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 5/27/2024
- Screen Anarchy
This post contains spoilers for "Metropolis" and Tim Burton's "Batman."
The colossal Gotham Cathedral, which stands more than 800 feet tall and towers over every other skyscraper in Gotham, is turned into a battleground towards the end of Tim Burton's "Batman." The director's distinct, often eccentric visual aesthetic directly informs the film's moody, noir-tinted visuals, the atypical camera angles and editing choices adding more palpable depth to the climactic Gotham Cathedral confrontation between Batman (Michael Keaton) and Joker (Jack Nicholson).
The cathedral's massive gargoyles, traditional symbols of warding off evil, take on new meaning as Joker toys with journalist Vicki Vale (Kim Basinger), who is forced to climb the rickety steps and play along with Joker's twisted game. There are many reasons why this scene feels singular — be it Batman stumbling over the pews and knocking them in his weakened, vulnerable state or the Joker dropping Vicki's shoe down the...
The colossal Gotham Cathedral, which stands more than 800 feet tall and towers over every other skyscraper in Gotham, is turned into a battleground towards the end of Tim Burton's "Batman." The director's distinct, often eccentric visual aesthetic directly informs the film's moody, noir-tinted visuals, the atypical camera angles and editing choices adding more palpable depth to the climactic Gotham Cathedral confrontation between Batman (Michael Keaton) and Joker (Jack Nicholson).
The cathedral's massive gargoyles, traditional symbols of warding off evil, take on new meaning as Joker toys with journalist Vicki Vale (Kim Basinger), who is forced to climb the rickety steps and play along with Joker's twisted game. There are many reasons why this scene feels singular — be it Batman stumbling over the pews and knocking them in his weakened, vulnerable state or the Joker dropping Vicki's shoe down the...
- 5/27/2024
- by Debopriyaa Dutta
- Slash Film
The gender pay gap in Hollywood is one of the most surprising yet unfortunate realities in Hollywood. Over the years, many actors and actresses like Jennifer Lawrence, Ronda Rousey, and many more are some big names that have spoken out about the gap in their pay in accordance with their male co-stars. Diane Keaton was also one of the big names, that talked about the issue when she was working with Jack Nicholson in their 2003 rom-com film.
Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson in Something’s Gotta Give. Credits: Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc.
Even though she was in the lead role in the film, her pay was substantially low in comparison to her co-star’s which had left her disappointed but not surprised. However, she was taken by surprise in the following years of the release of her film because she received a cheque with an enormous amount written on it.
Jack...
Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson in Something’s Gotta Give. Credits: Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc.
Even though she was in the lead role in the film, her pay was substantially low in comparison to her co-star’s which had left her disappointed but not surprised. However, she was taken by surprise in the following years of the release of her film because she received a cheque with an enormous amount written on it.
Jack...
- 5/26/2024
- by Tushar Auddy
- FandomWire
Stephen King had a very public dislike towards Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of his novel The Shining. He believed that Kubrick’s version had no real heart in it as he changed some of the fundamental elements in the book. The difference in their adaptation came from King and Kubrick’s view of good and evil. King believed in the Biblical demarcations of good and evil, while Kubrick did not believe in hell.
Jack Nicholson in a still from The Shining | The Producer Circle Company
The character Jack Torrance, played by Jack Nicholson, had psychopathic tendencies which made him a terrifying character in the movie. However, King’s novel suggests that external evil forces played a crucial role in the insanity of the character.
Stephen King v. Stanley Kubrick Over The Shining Had One Deep Reason Stephen King (credits: Stephanie Lawton | Wikimedia Commons)
Stanley Kubrick and Stephen King had two...
Jack Nicholson in a still from The Shining | The Producer Circle Company
The character Jack Torrance, played by Jack Nicholson, had psychopathic tendencies which made him a terrifying character in the movie. However, King’s novel suggests that external evil forces played a crucial role in the insanity of the character.
Stephen King v. Stanley Kubrick Over The Shining Had One Deep Reason Stephen King (credits: Stephanie Lawton | Wikimedia Commons)
Stanley Kubrick and Stephen King had two...
- 5/25/2024
- by Hashim Asraff
- FandomWire
The Big Cigar is a biographical drama thriller miniseries created by Jim Hecht. Based on the 2012 Playboy article of the same name by Joshua Bearman, the Apple TV+ series is set in the 1970s and it follows the story of Black Panther party founder Huey P. Newton as he tries to escape from the FBI to Cuba with the help of film and TV producer Bert Schneider.
If you love historical figures and their stories, The Big Cigar is for you as we get an in-depth look at the life of Huey P. Newton. So, if you love the Apple TV+ biographical series here are all the release dates for its upcoming episodes.
The Big Cigar – Episode Guide (When Will The New Episodes Come Out?) Credit – Apple TV+
The Big Cigar consists of six episodes in total. The biographical drama miniseries premiered on Apple TV+ with its first two episodes...
If you love historical figures and their stories, The Big Cigar is for you as we get an in-depth look at the life of Huey P. Newton. So, if you love the Apple TV+ biographical series here are all the release dates for its upcoming episodes.
The Big Cigar – Episode Guide (When Will The New Episodes Come Out?) Credit – Apple TV+
The Big Cigar consists of six episodes in total. The biographical drama miniseries premiered on Apple TV+ with its first two episodes...
- 5/25/2024
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
Imagine a constellation of stars—not in the sky but arrayed across the shimmering surface of a Vanity Fair cover. Who could outshine the radiant glamour of Matt Damon and Tom Hanks when gathered with their companions in this vintage picture of 13 iconic Hollywood A-listers in 2003?
2003’s Vanity Fair special on the ‘Kings of Hollywood’ showcased some of the most prominent faces in the industry, including Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks, Jack Nicholson, Harrison Ford, and Brad Pitt. However, it was not until you delved further into the magazine that you discovered the other eight actors in the picture.
A still from Ocean’s Eleven | Warner Bros.
That being said, the star-studded lineup featuring Cruise, Nicholson, Ford, and Pitt has left some aficionados pondering: How does one truly measure the magnitude of stardom in the glittering hierarchy of Tinseltown?
Iconic Hollywood Throwback: A-Listers Who (Still) Ruled the Silver Screen
Our dream came...
2003’s Vanity Fair special on the ‘Kings of Hollywood’ showcased some of the most prominent faces in the industry, including Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks, Jack Nicholson, Harrison Ford, and Brad Pitt. However, it was not until you delved further into the magazine that you discovered the other eight actors in the picture.
A still from Ocean’s Eleven | Warner Bros.
That being said, the star-studded lineup featuring Cruise, Nicholson, Ford, and Pitt has left some aficionados pondering: How does one truly measure the magnitude of stardom in the glittering hierarchy of Tinseltown?
Iconic Hollywood Throwback: A-Listers Who (Still) Ruled the Silver Screen
Our dream came...
- 5/24/2024
- by Siddhika Prajapati
- FandomWire
(from left) Three Thousand Years Of Longing (Metro Goldwyn Mayer); Mad Max: Fury Road (Warner Bros.); Lorenzo’s Oil (Universal Pictures); Happy Feet (Warner Bros.).Image: Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures; Warner Bros.; Universal Pictures; Warner Bros.
For the uninitiated, it would be easy to look over the filmography of Australian director...
For the uninitiated, it would be easy to look over the filmography of Australian director...
- 5/24/2024
- by Brett Buckalew, Mark Keizer, Don Lewis, Ian Spelling, Luke Y. Thompson, Todd Gilchrist, Tara Bennett
- avclub.com
Morgan Freeman did not reach the heights in Hollywood by always playing Mr. Nice Guy. His ruthless decision to fire a famous rapper from one of his movies shows the actor’s commitment to his craft. In 2013, Freeman joined forces with Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, and Kevin Kline to star in the comedy film Last Vegas. The film was supposed to have rapper T.I. in a supporting role in the film.
A promotion poster for Morgan Freeman’s Last Vegas | CBS Films
However, during the table read of the movie, the rapper’s unprofessional behavior greatly disappointed the veteran actor. The Shawshank Redemption actor let him know the next day that he was out of the ensemble cast of the film.
Morgan Freeman Fired Famous Rapper From His Movie With Robert De Niro
T.I. in a still from Marvel’s Ant-Man | Marvel Studios
T.I., real name Clifford Joseph Harris Jr.,...
A promotion poster for Morgan Freeman’s Last Vegas | CBS Films
However, during the table read of the movie, the rapper’s unprofessional behavior greatly disappointed the veteran actor. The Shawshank Redemption actor let him know the next day that he was out of the ensemble cast of the film.
Morgan Freeman Fired Famous Rapper From His Movie With Robert De Niro
T.I. in a still from Marvel’s Ant-Man | Marvel Studios
T.I., real name Clifford Joseph Harris Jr.,...
- 5/23/2024
- by Hashim Asraff
- FandomWire
Francis Ford Coppola made one of the greatest crime films ever when he adapted Mario Puzo’s The Godfather. The Marlon Brando-starrer saw the veteran win his second Oscar for Best Actor and was a breakthrough for Al Pacino. Coppola then followed it up with The Godfather – Part II, which became the first sequel to win Best Picture.
The sequel saw Robert De Niro play the role of a younger Vito Corleone (played by Brando in the original). De Niro won the Oscar for Best Supporting Role for the film and had a breakthrough with the film. While he did a phenomenal job as Corleone, he reportedly auditioned way back for the first part and was up for the role of Sonny Corleone.
Robert De Niro Originally Auditioned For Sonny Corleone In The Godfather Marlon Brando in The Godfather | Credits: Paramount Pictures/Alfran Productions
Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather...
The sequel saw Robert De Niro play the role of a younger Vito Corleone (played by Brando in the original). De Niro won the Oscar for Best Supporting Role for the film and had a breakthrough with the film. While he did a phenomenal job as Corleone, he reportedly auditioned way back for the first part and was up for the role of Sonny Corleone.
Robert De Niro Originally Auditioned For Sonny Corleone In The Godfather Marlon Brando in The Godfather | Credits: Paramount Pictures/Alfran Productions
Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather...
- 5/23/2024
- by Nishanth A
- FandomWire
One of the most promising Hollywood directors to-date, Robert Eggers is also an undeniable expert in modern horror, and good horror at that. Having started his directorial career back in 2015 with a folk horror movie The Witch, starring Anya Taylor-Joy, Eggers now has a short, yet very impressive portfolio of four high-rated horror flicks with the most recent of them hitting the cinemas later this year.
Though Eggers isn’t that prolific as many fans of his would want him to be, he’s definitely the one to go with a slower pace, leaving more space for each film to be polished, and seems like he has a right source to turn to when there’s need for inspiration.
In one of his previous interviews, Eggers stated that Stanley Cubrick’s The Shining, starring Jack Nicholson, eventually got to be his biggest source of inspiration when he turned to the director’s chair.
Though Eggers isn’t that prolific as many fans of his would want him to be, he’s definitely the one to go with a slower pace, leaving more space for each film to be polished, and seems like he has a right source to turn to when there’s need for inspiration.
In one of his previous interviews, Eggers stated that Stanley Cubrick’s The Shining, starring Jack Nicholson, eventually got to be his biggest source of inspiration when he turned to the director’s chair.
- 5/22/2024
- by benjamin-patel@startefacts.com (Benjamin Patel)
- STartefacts.com
The crowd at Los Angeles’ DGA Theater was treated to two Nolans for the price of one on Tuesday night, as Christopher Nolan joined brother Jonathan Nolan for a For Your Consideration event in support of the latter’s Fallout series.
Jonathan executive produced the Prime Video show — based on the popular video game exploring a postapocalyptic Los Angeles — as well as directed three of the episodes. The Oppenheimer filmmaker brought Jonathan to the stage by introducing him as “my baby brother,” as the two dove into a wide-ranging chat that touched on their previous collaboration on The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises (which they co-wrote and Christopher directed).
Jonathan noted at one point that in forming a video game into a series, “I watched the way that you adapted Batman from comic books to film and I think the underlying idea was treated with respect, not to...
Jonathan executive produced the Prime Video show — based on the popular video game exploring a postapocalyptic Los Angeles — as well as directed three of the episodes. The Oppenheimer filmmaker brought Jonathan to the stage by introducing him as “my baby brother,” as the two dove into a wide-ranging chat that touched on their previous collaboration on The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises (which they co-wrote and Christopher directed).
Jonathan noted at one point that in forming a video game into a series, “I watched the way that you adapted Batman from comic books to film and I think the underlying idea was treated with respect, not to...
- 5/22/2024
- by Kirsten Chuba
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
There has been a lot of noise at this year’s Cannes Film Festival about France’s accelerated MeToo movement, particularly by female cinema stars leading the charge. So whether coincidental or not, the world premiere in the Cannes Premiere section last night of Being Maria (aka Maria) seemed like perfect timing and more relevant than ever
Jessica Palud directs and co-wrote the screenplay with Laurette Polmanss (inspired by cousin Vanessa Schneider’s 2018 book) focusing on the life of actress Maria Schneider, who at age 19 was cast in 1973’s notorious sexual drama Last Tango In Paris, a scandal-riddled production from director Bernardo Bertolucci and starring Marlon Brando that got so heated the stars and director were even threatened with six months jail time in Italy upon its release, even as critics hailed the film as a masterpiece. Long before MeToo and the focus on treatment of women in Hollywood, Schneider...
Jessica Palud directs and co-wrote the screenplay with Laurette Polmanss (inspired by cousin Vanessa Schneider’s 2018 book) focusing on the life of actress Maria Schneider, who at age 19 was cast in 1973’s notorious sexual drama Last Tango In Paris, a scandal-riddled production from director Bernardo Bertolucci and starring Marlon Brando that got so heated the stars and director were even threatened with six months jail time in Italy upon its release, even as critics hailed the film as a masterpiece. Long before MeToo and the focus on treatment of women in Hollywood, Schneider...
- 5/22/2024
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
The Empire Strikes Back remains one of the most iconic films of all time and arguably the best Star Wars film. As a result, many fans might be surprised to learn that the film was shot simultaneously with another iconic horror film the Stanley Kubrick directed The Shining. However, the latter was responsible for adversely affecting The Empire Strikes Back.
The Empire Strikes Back shared studio space with The Shining (Image credit: Lucasfilm).
The Empire Strikes Back and The Shining were shot at the same studio, where they shared some studio space. However, after an unforeseen accident caused the decimation of the Kubrick film’s sets, George Lucas had to give up some of the studio space reserved for the production of his much-awaited Star Wars sequel. Here is how The Shining led to troubles for The Empire Strikes Back‘s production.
Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining Messed Up George...
The Empire Strikes Back shared studio space with The Shining (Image credit: Lucasfilm).
The Empire Strikes Back and The Shining were shot at the same studio, where they shared some studio space. However, after an unforeseen accident caused the decimation of the Kubrick film’s sets, George Lucas had to give up some of the studio space reserved for the production of his much-awaited Star Wars sequel. Here is how The Shining led to troubles for The Empire Strikes Back‘s production.
Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining Messed Up George...
- 5/22/2024
- by Pratik Handore
- FandomWire
Fred Roos, the Oscar-winning producer of The Godfather Part II and many other notable films, has died. He was 89.
Roos had a long relationship with Francis Ford Coppola, serving as producer or co-producer on many of the director’s best known films, including the second and third Godfather films (the second bringing him his Oscar), The Conversation, Apocalypse Now, One From The Heart and The Cotton Club.
Most recently, Roos served as executive producer of Coppola’s Megalopolis, which premiered this week at the Cannes festival.
Born in Santa Monica, Roos began his film career in the mailroom at talent agency McA.
Roos had a long relationship with Francis Ford Coppola, serving as producer or co-producer on many of the director’s best known films, including the second and third Godfather films (the second bringing him his Oscar), The Conversation, Apocalypse Now, One From The Heart and The Cotton Club.
Most recently, Roos served as executive producer of Coppola’s Megalopolis, which premiered this week at the Cannes festival.
Born in Santa Monica, Roos began his film career in the mailroom at talent agency McA.
- 5/21/2024
- ScreenDaily
Fred Roos, the longtime producing and casting collaborator of Francis Ford Coppola, has died at age 89.
Roos famously found Jack Nicholson and Harrison Ford, launching both actors’ respective careers, and even helped cast Carrie Fisher alongside Ford in “Star Wars.” He is credited for also boosting the careers of Kirsten Dunst, Diane Keaton, Laurence Fishburne, Frederic Forest, Diane Lane, Nicolas Cage, Richard Dreyfuss, Rob Lowe, Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze, Emilio Estevez, Jennifer Connelly, Billy Bob Thorton, Marshall Bell, and more.
Roos later served as the casting director for Coppola’s “The Godfather,” leading auteur Coppola to deem Roos “one of the great casting talents in the last 40 years of American movies” in a 2004 interview with the Chicago Tribune.
Roos produced follow-up film “The Godfather: Part II,” “Apocalypse Now,” and Coppola’s recent “Megalopolis,” for which he also helped cast the star-studded ensemble. In 1974, both Roos and Coppola earned two Oscar...
Roos famously found Jack Nicholson and Harrison Ford, launching both actors’ respective careers, and even helped cast Carrie Fisher alongside Ford in “Star Wars.” He is credited for also boosting the careers of Kirsten Dunst, Diane Keaton, Laurence Fishburne, Frederic Forest, Diane Lane, Nicolas Cage, Richard Dreyfuss, Rob Lowe, Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze, Emilio Estevez, Jennifer Connelly, Billy Bob Thorton, Marshall Bell, and more.
Roos later served as the casting director for Coppola’s “The Godfather,” leading auteur Coppola to deem Roos “one of the great casting talents in the last 40 years of American movies” in a 2004 interview with the Chicago Tribune.
Roos produced follow-up film “The Godfather: Part II,” “Apocalypse Now,” and Coppola’s recent “Megalopolis,” for which he also helped cast the star-studded ensemble. In 1974, both Roos and Coppola earned two Oscar...
- 5/21/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Fred Roos, the casting director turned producer who jump-started the career of Jack Nicholson and collaborated often with Francis Ford Coppola, sharing a best picture Oscar with the filmmaker for The Godfather Part II, has died. He was 89.
Roos died Saturday at his home in Beverly Hills, a publicist announced.
It’s part of Hollywood lore that before Harrison Ford became a famous actor, he was laboring as a carpenter to make ends meet. What some might not know is that it was at Roos’ house where Ford was woodworking when the casting director befriended him, eventually pushing him for roles in George Lucas’ American Graffiti (1973) and Star Wars (1977) and Coppola’s The Conversation (1974).
And it was Roos who convinced Lucas — who had been leaning toward Amy Irving — that Carrie Fisher should portray Princess Leia in Star Wars. (Roos did not have an official role on that film.)
Roos, however,...
Roos died Saturday at his home in Beverly Hills, a publicist announced.
It’s part of Hollywood lore that before Harrison Ford became a famous actor, he was laboring as a carpenter to make ends meet. What some might not know is that it was at Roos’ house where Ford was woodworking when the casting director befriended him, eventually pushing him for roles in George Lucas’ American Graffiti (1973) and Star Wars (1977) and Coppola’s The Conversation (1974).
And it was Roos who convinced Lucas — who had been leaning toward Amy Irving — that Carrie Fisher should portray Princess Leia in Star Wars. (Roos did not have an official role on that film.)
Roos, however,...
- 5/21/2024
- by Chris Koseluk
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Fred Roos, casting director for landmark films such as “American Graffiti” and who went on to have a close relationship with Francis Ford Coppola, including producing best picture winner “Godfather Part II” and “Apocalypse Now,” died Saturday in Beverly Hills. He was 89.
Roos was both casting director and executive producer on Coppola’s most recent film “Megalopolis” which premiered last week at the Cannes Film Festival. Last year, Coppola posted a photo of Roos with Adam Driver on Instagram and thanked him for his work on the long-gestating epic.
Roos was instrumental in helping stars including Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Carrie Fisher and Richard Dreyfuss get their early notable roles.
His long collaboration with Coppola as producer or co-producer included “The Conversation,” “One From the Heart,” “The Outsiders,” “Rumble Fish,” “The Cotton Club,” “The Godfather Part III,” “Tetro,” “Youth Without Youth” and “Tucker: The Man and His Dream.”
Roos was not credited,...
Roos was both casting director and executive producer on Coppola’s most recent film “Megalopolis” which premiered last week at the Cannes Film Festival. Last year, Coppola posted a photo of Roos with Adam Driver on Instagram and thanked him for his work on the long-gestating epic.
Roos was instrumental in helping stars including Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Carrie Fisher and Richard Dreyfuss get their early notable roles.
His long collaboration with Coppola as producer or co-producer included “The Conversation,” “One From the Heart,” “The Outsiders,” “Rumble Fish,” “The Cotton Club,” “The Godfather Part III,” “Tetro,” “Youth Without Youth” and “Tucker: The Man and His Dream.”
Roos was not credited,...
- 5/21/2024
- by Pat Saperstein
- Variety Film + TV
Fred Roos, the Oscar-winning The Godfather Part II producer and longtime executive producer for Francis Ford Coppola and Sofia Coppola, died Saturday in Beverly Hills at 89, four days shy of his 90th birthday.
The news about Roos, who won his Godfather Part II Oscar and later was nominated for Coppola’s Apocalypse Now, comes as Francis Ford Coppola is here at the Cannes Film Festival, 45 years after winning the Palme d’Or for Apocalypse Now. Coppola is in town with his $120 million passion project Megalopolis, which had its world premiere last week. Roos is billed as producer on Megalopolis.
The news also comes after Coppola’s wife of 61 years, Eleanor, died April 12. Roos was an executive producer on Hearts of Darkness, her famed documentary about the making of Apocalypse Now that won them both an Emmy in 1992.
Roos was Francis Coppola’s co-producer on The Conversation, The Godfather Part II and Apocalypse Now,...
The news about Roos, who won his Godfather Part II Oscar and later was nominated for Coppola’s Apocalypse Now, comes as Francis Ford Coppola is here at the Cannes Film Festival, 45 years after winning the Palme d’Or for Apocalypse Now. Coppola is in town with his $120 million passion project Megalopolis, which had its world premiere last week. Roos is billed as producer on Megalopolis.
The news also comes after Coppola’s wife of 61 years, Eleanor, died April 12. Roos was an executive producer on Hearts of Darkness, her famed documentary about the making of Apocalypse Now that won them both an Emmy in 1992.
Roos was Francis Coppola’s co-producer on The Conversation, The Godfather Part II and Apocalypse Now,...
- 5/21/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
“Chances are you’ve never heard of Preston Thomas Tucker; dreamer, inventor, visionary — a man ahead of his time.”
Chances are you’ve never heard of the movie made about him either. Like the car he had created in his name, it came and went in nearly the same breath. And yet, also like the car, the film’s legacy and staying power lies in the strength of its parts, as well as the personal passion put into it by its maker, Francis Ford Coppola. In fact, it’s hard not to watch his 1988 film “Tucker: The Man and His Dream” and discern a link between Coppola and the film’s eponymous character. Played by a still boyish Jeff Bridges with a glint in his eye and a manic energy that veers between zealous enthusiasm and fevered paranoia, Tucker is a man entwined with his dreams. Much like Coppola, he is driven by family,...
Chances are you’ve never heard of the movie made about him either. Like the car he had created in his name, it came and went in nearly the same breath. And yet, also like the car, the film’s legacy and staying power lies in the strength of its parts, as well as the personal passion put into it by its maker, Francis Ford Coppola. In fact, it’s hard not to watch his 1988 film “Tucker: The Man and His Dream” and discern a link between Coppola and the film’s eponymous character. Played by a still boyish Jeff Bridges with a glint in his eye and a manic energy that veers between zealous enthusiasm and fevered paranoia, Tucker is a man entwined with his dreams. Much like Coppola, he is driven by family,...
- 5/21/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
Although there were many Marvel allusions and homages in Spider-Man: Homecoming, it appears that one DC character escaped our notice. In the 2017 flick starring Tom Holland as Peter Parker, an Easter egg as elusive as a superhero’s secret identity was cleverly tucked away by none other than Michael Keaton.
While embracing his role as the high-flying Vulture, Keaton delivered a subtle nod to his iconic portrayal of the caped crusader from Tim Burton’s Batman (1989). This hidden gem was discovered by an avid comic book enthusiast, who noticed that during a moonlit skirmish, Vulture’s winged silhouette briefly resembles Batman’s icon.
Michael Keaton as the Vulture in Spider-Man: Homecoming | Marvel Studios
This fleeting moment might’ve been a conscious tribute or a happy coincidence, yet its existence is a delightful treat for those of us versed in the lore of both DC and Marvel.
Batman in the MCU?...
While embracing his role as the high-flying Vulture, Keaton delivered a subtle nod to his iconic portrayal of the caped crusader from Tim Burton’s Batman (1989). This hidden gem was discovered by an avid comic book enthusiast, who noticed that during a moonlit skirmish, Vulture’s winged silhouette briefly resembles Batman’s icon.
Michael Keaton as the Vulture in Spider-Man: Homecoming | Marvel Studios
This fleeting moment might’ve been a conscious tribute or a happy coincidence, yet its existence is a delightful treat for those of us versed in the lore of both DC and Marvel.
Batman in the MCU?...
- 5/21/2024
- by Siddhika Prajapati
- FandomWire
Jack Nicholson may have played numerous iconic villains throughout his long-standing career, but this movie probably started the actor’s vicious path in the cinema not less than 60 years ago.
Being a true hidden gem in Nicholson’s abundant filmography, the 1966 Western was quick to become a cult classic of the genre, yet it initially faced some major problems that would’ve easily let it sink into oblivion.
Directed by Monte Hellman, The Shooting now is an easy option to pick on the streaming, but back in the day things got to be much more complicated when it came to the movie’s performance in the theaters.
Released in 1966, The Shooting follows two men, Willet and Coley, portrayed by Warren Oates and Will Hutchins respectively, who are hired by a mysterious woman to keep her safe on the way to a town that lies across the several-mile-long desert. The woman...
Being a true hidden gem in Nicholson’s abundant filmography, the 1966 Western was quick to become a cult classic of the genre, yet it initially faced some major problems that would’ve easily let it sink into oblivion.
Directed by Monte Hellman, The Shooting now is an easy option to pick on the streaming, but back in the day things got to be much more complicated when it came to the movie’s performance in the theaters.
Released in 1966, The Shooting follows two men, Willet and Coley, portrayed by Warren Oates and Will Hutchins respectively, who are hired by a mysterious woman to keep her safe on the way to a town that lies across the several-mile-long desert. The woman...
- 5/19/2024
- by benjamin-patel@startefacts.com (Benjamin Patel)
- STartefacts.com
One of the most adapted authors in history, Stephen King yet has a significant experience with movies proving that he has developed his critical eye over the years of dealing with filmmakers.
Though he’s mostly known as a cinephile who doesn’t follow the mainstream preferring to crash the movies that everyone adores, King still left everyone bewildered when admitted he hadn’t enjoyed Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill, but nonetheless gave it a credit saying there are some worse movies out there.
Several years ago King revealed that he’s not into “narcissistic stuff like Kill Bill” calling the film’s opening part a “blah movie”, but then proceeded with some kind of weird compliment for Tarantino’s hit saying that “isn’t a benchmark of awfulness” comparing it to Mars Attacks! or Mommie Dearest.
While it’s still unclear what common features the proclaimed author found in...
Though he’s mostly known as a cinephile who doesn’t follow the mainstream preferring to crash the movies that everyone adores, King still left everyone bewildered when admitted he hadn’t enjoyed Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill, but nonetheless gave it a credit saying there are some worse movies out there.
Several years ago King revealed that he’s not into “narcissistic stuff like Kill Bill” calling the film’s opening part a “blah movie”, but then proceeded with some kind of weird compliment for Tarantino’s hit saying that “isn’t a benchmark of awfulness” comparing it to Mars Attacks! or Mommie Dearest.
While it’s still unclear what common features the proclaimed author found in...
- 5/19/2024
- by benjamin-patel@startefacts.com (Benjamin Patel)
- STartefacts.com
If you've ever watched any behind-the-scenes footage from "The Shining," you might remember Jack Nicholson working himself up into a frenzy prior to shooting the famous "Here's Johnny" scene. As poor Shelly Duvall quietly finds her way into the bathroom, Jack can be seen seething as he descends into the deranged mental space required for the scene. No wonder "The Shining" changed Shelly Duvall forever.
But while Nicholson's process for journeying to the outer edges of sanity involved jumping in place, repeating the words, "Come on!," and almost accidentally giving the Pa a concussion with a prop axe, not all actors follow that same method. We all know the punishing physical lengths to which Christian Bale goes in order to truly feel like the characters he portrays. As the actor told The Guardian, "I try to get as distant as possible. Otherwise, I can't do it. It's helpful not to look like yourself.
But while Nicholson's process for journeying to the outer edges of sanity involved jumping in place, repeating the words, "Come on!," and almost accidentally giving the Pa a concussion with a prop axe, not all actors follow that same method. We all know the punishing physical lengths to which Christian Bale goes in order to truly feel like the characters he portrays. As the actor told The Guardian, "I try to get as distant as possible. Otherwise, I can't do it. It's helpful not to look like yourself.
- 5/19/2024
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
Ang Lee is regarded as one of the most distinguished filmmakers in the Hollywood industry. Having 9 Academy Award nominations and three wins, he already has a fair share of wins and perhaps even more to come. With such understanding and dedication to his movies, the filmmaker has been fighting against any norm thrown at him for as long as he can remember.
Ang Lee | Credit: Wikimedia Commons/ Sean Reynolds
Despite holding so many wins in his pocket, regardless of it being an Oscar, a Golden Globe, or anything else, one loss is like a thorn in his back that forever hurts him. He has made many movies throughout his career but one stood out like no other. Starring Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Williams, and Anne Hathaway, Brokeback Mountain became the one that slipped away.
Ang Lee’s World Came Crashing Down
When Ang Lee won the Oscar for Best...
Ang Lee | Credit: Wikimedia Commons/ Sean Reynolds
Despite holding so many wins in his pocket, regardless of it being an Oscar, a Golden Globe, or anything else, one loss is like a thorn in his back that forever hurts him. He has made many movies throughout his career but one stood out like no other. Starring Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Williams, and Anne Hathaway, Brokeback Mountain became the one that slipped away.
Ang Lee’s World Came Crashing Down
When Ang Lee won the Oscar for Best...
- 5/19/2024
- by Adya Godboley
- FandomWire
Legendary producer and director Roger Corman, who died recently at age 98, had an immeasurable impact on American cinema as we know it. The number of actors, writers, and directors who learned their craft on a Corman production is staggering, and he was known for giving people chances to prove themselves on the low-budget pictures he either produced or directed himself. Tons of notable names went through the so-called "Corman school," including James Cameron, Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, Peter Bogdanovich, Jonathan Demme, Ron Howard, and Joe Dante, just to name a few.
Three-time Oscar-winning actor Jack Nicholson is another significant alumnus of the Corman school of filmmaking — in fact, his very first movie, "The Cry Baby Killer," was a Corman production, and it provided Nicholson the first of many starring roles across his incredible career. The film follows a young man who thinks he's committed murder outside of a local hang-out restaurant,...
Three-time Oscar-winning actor Jack Nicholson is another significant alumnus of the Corman school of filmmaking — in fact, his very first movie, "The Cry Baby Killer," was a Corman production, and it provided Nicholson the first of many starring roles across his incredible career. The film follows a young man who thinks he's committed murder outside of a local hang-out restaurant,...
- 5/19/2024
- by Ben Pearson
- Slash Film
Plot: The incredible true story of Hollywood revolution meeting social revolution: it’s a wild caper of Black Panther founder Huey Newton escaping from the FBI to Cuba with the help of famed producer Bert Schneider in an impossibly elaborate plan – involving a fake movie production — that goes wrong every way it possibly can. And somehow, it’s all true. Mostly.
Review: The stories of revolutionary political figures and social reformers have been popular for big and small screen adaptations for decades. There seems to be more focus on the 1960s and 1970s than any other period in American history. The 2021 film Judas and the Black Messiah looked at controversial figure Fred Hampton, while this year’s Shirley chronicled Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm’s run for United States President. While these and the stories of Martin Luther King Jr and Malcolm X have made for acclaimed productions, the story of Black...
Review: The stories of revolutionary political figures and social reformers have been popular for big and small screen adaptations for decades. There seems to be more focus on the 1960s and 1970s than any other period in American history. The 2021 film Judas and the Black Messiah looked at controversial figure Fred Hampton, while this year’s Shirley chronicled Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm’s run for United States President. While these and the stories of Martin Luther King Jr and Malcolm X have made for acclaimed productions, the story of Black...
- 5/18/2024
- by Alex Maidy
- JoBlo.com
The world recently said farewell to Roger Corman, the legendary B-movie producer, writer, director, and performer who passed away at the well-lived age of 98. Corman completely revolutionized the film industry, not only with his independent spirit and penchant for low-budget fare, but also serving as a launchpad for some of cinema's greatest creatives, including Robert De Niro, Martin Scorsese, Jonathan Demme, Francis Ford Coppola, James Cameron, Jack Nicholson, and Penelope Spheeris, and that's just scratching the surface.
Known by many for his hundreds of produced films, Corman was also a well-decorated director in his own right, helming 55 films before his death. Corman dabbled in any and all genres, with comedy, drama, horror, exploitation, monster, sci-fi, sexploitation, gothic, and action all well-represented throughout his filmography. In honor of the King of B-movies and one of the most prolific filmmakers of all time, here are his 10 best films as a director, ranked.
Known by many for his hundreds of produced films, Corman was also a well-decorated director in his own right, helming 55 films before his death. Corman dabbled in any and all genres, with comedy, drama, horror, exploitation, monster, sci-fi, sexploitation, gothic, and action all well-represented throughout his filmography. In honor of the King of B-movies and one of the most prolific filmmakers of all time, here are his 10 best films as a director, ranked.
- 5/17/2024
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
The Big Cigar, a new limited series on Apple TV+ that debuts on May 17, dramatizes a wild true story from the New Hollywood period of the 1970s.
Huey P. Newton, the co-founder of The Black Panther Party, had befriended a group of countercultural figures ruling Tinseltown at the time.
Bert Schneider and Steve Blauner were part of the generation that brought the values of the 1960s counterculture to the movie business through films such as Easy Rider and Five Easy Pieces, as well as the work of The Monkees.
This also entailed bankrolling and supporting left-wing political causes, including the Black Panthers' work.
But that approach had its limits.
The series, which consists of six episodes lasting about 40 minutes each, was produced by Jim Hecht, an executive producer of Winning Time.
Don Cheadle is among the episode directors.
Revolution and cocaine
Early on in the Big Cigar, Schneider exclaims, “I want to finance the revolution!
Huey P. Newton, the co-founder of The Black Panther Party, had befriended a group of countercultural figures ruling Tinseltown at the time.
Bert Schneider and Steve Blauner were part of the generation that brought the values of the 1960s counterculture to the movie business through films such as Easy Rider and Five Easy Pieces, as well as the work of The Monkees.
This also entailed bankrolling and supporting left-wing political causes, including the Black Panthers' work.
But that approach had its limits.
The series, which consists of six episodes lasting about 40 minutes each, was produced by Jim Hecht, an executive producer of Winning Time.
Don Cheadle is among the episode directors.
Revolution and cocaine
Early on in the Big Cigar, Schneider exclaims, “I want to finance the revolution!
- 5/17/2024
- by Stephen Silver
- TVfanatic
Get in touch to send in cinephile news and discoveries. To keep up with our latest features, sign up for the Weekly Edit newsletter and follow us @mubinotebook on Twitter and Instagram.NEWSThere Is No Evil.Facing eight years in prison, Mohammad Rasoulof has fled Iran for Europe and may even be in Cannes next week for the premiere of The Seed of the Sacred Fig. In a statement, he concludes, “Many people helped to make this film. My thoughts are with all of them, and I fear for their safety and well-being.”The US 10th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled against Netflix in a case determining whether a video excerpted for Tiger King (2020–21) constituted fair use. The ruling may have far-reaching implications for documentary makers.Cannesa rumored list of ten alleged abusers in the film industry has not yet materialized, but Cannes reportedly has a crisis management team...
- 5/15/2024
- MUBI
Courtroom movies are the dramas on which it’s easy to get hooked, watching the stress and the technicalities of trials and trying to figure out who is right: the prosecution or the defense. They attract millions of viewers observing the attempts to maintain law and order not only in the courthouse, but also in the participants’ minds.
Here are 5 of the subgenre’s must-watches, chosen by Reddit’s fair judgment and available on Netflix.
A Few Good Men (1992)
Starring Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore, it appears to be one of the most popular legal dramas. It follows a trial that takes place in a military court, and the case itself involves two U.S. Marines, accused of murdering their companion. The movie’s great cast, impeccably written dialogues and development of the plot make it worth-watching not only for the genre’s fans, but for all cinema lovers.
The Trial of the Chicago 7...
Here are 5 of the subgenre’s must-watches, chosen by Reddit’s fair judgment and available on Netflix.
A Few Good Men (1992)
Starring Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore, it appears to be one of the most popular legal dramas. It follows a trial that takes place in a military court, and the case itself involves two U.S. Marines, accused of murdering their companion. The movie’s great cast, impeccably written dialogues and development of the plot make it worth-watching not only for the genre’s fans, but for all cinema lovers.
The Trial of the Chicago 7...
- 5/15/2024
- by info@startefacts.com (Ava Raxa)
- STartefacts.com
George Miller keeps a photo on his phone. Taken somewhere in the ’70s, it’s a picture of Craig Hemsworth — back when the father of Chris Hemsworth hung out with the same gang of motorbike riders that appeared in the original “Mad Max.” He even knew Wonder Dog, that film’s cycle-riding canine. And of course, the younger Hemsworth is a dead ringer for his dad.
“[Chris] dug deep,” Miller told IndieWire of his “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” star. “He is highly considered on anything and everything, multi-dimensional. And he has wisdom. He is just 40. Now, at that age, if I only had half his understanding of the world at large, his place in it, the connection to family and the way he wants to conduct his life!”
We’re in Cannes and it’s the day before the festival’s out-of-competition world premiere of “Furiosa,” the fifth installment of his 45-year-old franchise.
“[Chris] dug deep,” Miller told IndieWire of his “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” star. “He is highly considered on anything and everything, multi-dimensional. And he has wisdom. He is just 40. Now, at that age, if I only had half his understanding of the world at large, his place in it, the connection to family and the way he wants to conduct his life!”
We’re in Cannes and it’s the day before the festival’s out-of-competition world premiere of “Furiosa,” the fifth installment of his 45-year-old franchise.
- 5/14/2024
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Men in Black is one of those franchises that defined the late 1990s and the early 2000s, along with franchises like The Mummy and Pirates of the Caribbean. However, given that this was the time when Hollywood did not shy away from experimenting, Men in Black had an earlier draft that would probably have made it less palatable to general audiences.
Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith in a still from Men in Black (1997)
Men in Black is a film that can be very neatly categorized as an action comedy. However, an earlier draft of the film did not have nearly as much action as the final cut of the movie and was also really grounded as compared to what the audiences finally got to see. However, thanks to the involvement of one Marvel actor, the film actually ended up doing a lot better as a zany science fiction adventure...
Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith in a still from Men in Black (1997)
Men in Black is a film that can be very neatly categorized as an action comedy. However, an earlier draft of the film did not have nearly as much action as the final cut of the movie and was also really grounded as compared to what the audiences finally got to see. However, thanks to the involvement of one Marvel actor, the film actually ended up doing a lot better as a zany science fiction adventure...
- 5/14/2024
- by Anuraag Chatterjee
- FandomWire
The most notorious unmade Stanley Kubrick project is probably his "Napoleon," a massive biopic that the director infamously researched for years. In 2012, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art hosted a Kubrick exhibit, and guests were permitted to see Kubrick's filing cabinet where he stored thousands of hand-written notecards, each one detailing a single day in Napoleon Bonaparte's life. Kubrick worked on "Napoleon" in the 1970s, and claimed he wanted Jack Nicholson to play the part. Kubrick wrote a screenplay, secured filming locations in Romania, and was all ready to go. The 1970 film "Waterloo" bombed, however, and the then-recent film version of "War and Peace" threatened to flood the market with too much Napoleon. A lot of Kubrick's "Napoleon" research went into the production of 1975's "Barry Lyndon."
Kubrick's unrealized projects are plentiful. Audiences may also know all about Kubrick's plans to make "A.I.: Artificial Intelligence" near the end of his life,...
Kubrick's unrealized projects are plentiful. Audiences may also know all about Kubrick's plans to make "A.I.: Artificial Intelligence" near the end of his life,...
- 5/14/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
When Roger Corman died on May 9 at age 98, the film world lost one of its great independent film legends. Over the course of his seven decade career, Corman directed over 55 films and received more than 500 producing credits, creating work that helped serve as the launchpad for major Hollywood stars and filmmakers like Peter Fonda, Frances Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, James Cameron, Peter Bogdanovich, and Jonathan Demme. And yet, from his first film to his last, Corman remained true to his roots of low-budget, independent, lowbrow-yet-brilliant genre filmmaking.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Corman was smart enough to attend Stanford University studying industrial engineering, but quit his first job in the field after only four days. Looking to go into the film industry, he worked his way up at 20th Century Fox from mail room messenger to story reader. But after he didn’t receive credit for the success of “The Gunslinger,...
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Corman was smart enough to attend Stanford University studying industrial engineering, but quit his first job in the field after only four days. Looking to go into the film industry, he worked his way up at 20th Century Fox from mail room messenger to story reader. But after he didn’t receive credit for the success of “The Gunslinger,...
- 5/14/2024
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
This article was originally published in Empire in October 2020
There’s never been a filmmaker like Roger Corman – putting some of the wildest premises in Hollywood history onto the screen, igniting the careers of countless fellow cinematic legends, and continuing to create against all the odds. Following his death at the age of 98, Empire presents our 2020 interview with the man himself – looking back on his wildest career moves, sharing his vital rules for making movies, and detailing the projects he still had in the works. Because even in his 90s, Corman was giving his all to cinema.
No force on Earth has ever been able to stop Roger Corman. From the moment he bankrolled his first film, Monster From The Ocean Floor, back in 1954, he has worked at a velocity that makes even Ben Wheatley look like Stanley Kubrick. Churning out one low-budget genre flick after another, he’s given...
There’s never been a filmmaker like Roger Corman – putting some of the wildest premises in Hollywood history onto the screen, igniting the careers of countless fellow cinematic legends, and continuing to create against all the odds. Following his death at the age of 98, Empire presents our 2020 interview with the man himself – looking back on his wildest career moves, sharing his vital rules for making movies, and detailing the projects he still had in the works. Because even in his 90s, Corman was giving his all to cinema.
No force on Earth has ever been able to stop Roger Corman. From the moment he bankrolled his first film, Monster From The Ocean Floor, back in 1954, he has worked at a velocity that makes even Ben Wheatley look like Stanley Kubrick. Churning out one low-budget genre flick after another, he’s given...
- 5/13/2024
- by Nick de Semlyen
- Empire - Movies
Roger Corman, the legendary B-movie filmmaker who directed, produced, and starred in upwards of 500 films over the course of a staggering eight decade-spanning career, has died. He passed away aged 98 this past Thursday at his home in Santa Monica, California.
In a statement posted on Roger’s Instagram to announce his passing, Corman’s wife Julie and daughters Mary and Catherine shared the following: “It is with profound sadness, and boundless gratitude for his extraordinary life, that we remember our beloved husband and father, Roger Corman. He passed away on May 9th, at home in Santa Monica, California, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife Julie and his daughters Catherine and Mary. He was generous, open-hearted and kind to all those who knew him. A devoted and selfless father, he was deeply loved by his daughters. His films were revolutionary and iconoclastic, and captured the spirit of an age.
In a statement posted on Roger’s Instagram to announce his passing, Corman’s wife Julie and daughters Mary and Catherine shared the following: “It is with profound sadness, and boundless gratitude for his extraordinary life, that we remember our beloved husband and father, Roger Corman. He passed away on May 9th, at home in Santa Monica, California, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife Julie and his daughters Catherine and Mary. He was generous, open-hearted and kind to all those who knew him. A devoted and selfless father, he was deeply loved by his daughters. His films were revolutionary and iconoclastic, and captured the spirit of an age.
- 5/13/2024
- by Jordan King
- Empire - Movies
Mark Damon, who starred in the Vincent Price horror classic House of Usher and spaghetti Westerns before revolutionizing the foreign sales and distribution film business and producing features including 9 1/2 Weeks, Monster and Lone Survivor, has died. He was 91.
Damon died Sunday of natural causes in Los Angeles, his daughter, Alexis Damon Ribaut, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Damon spent the first 20 years of his career as an actor, including about a dozen as a leading man in Italian action movies, before he transitioned to the business side.
He had early success as an executive producer with two movies written and directed by Wolfgang Petersen: the German-language World War II drama Das Boot (1981), which received six Oscar nominations, and The NeverEnding Story (1984), a big-budget fantasy film that featured a Damon-commissioned score by Giorgio Moroder for non-German audiences.
He shared an Independent Spirit Award with director Patty Jenkins and others...
Damon died Sunday of natural causes in Los Angeles, his daughter, Alexis Damon Ribaut, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Damon spent the first 20 years of his career as an actor, including about a dozen as a leading man in Italian action movies, before he transitioned to the business side.
He had early success as an executive producer with two movies written and directed by Wolfgang Petersen: the German-language World War II drama Das Boot (1981), which received six Oscar nominations, and The NeverEnding Story (1984), a big-budget fantasy film that featured a Damon-commissioned score by Giorgio Moroder for non-German audiences.
He shared an Independent Spirit Award with director Patty Jenkins and others...
- 5/13/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Mother of the Bride is a romantic comedy-drama film directed by Mark Waters from a screenplay by Robin Bernheim. The Netflix film follows the story of Lana Winslow as she is surprised, to say the least by her daughter Emma’s bombshell wedding at a resort in Phuket, Thailand. But the surprises don’t stop there as when she gets to the wedding she finds out that the groom’s father is the man who broke her heart years ago. Mother of the Bride stars Brooke Shields in the lead role with Benjamin Bratt, Miranda Cosgrove, Chad Michael Murray, Sean Teale, Rachel Harris, Wilson Cruz, and Michael McDonald starring in supporting roles. If you loved all the feels and situational comedy in Mother of the Bride here are some similar movies you could watch next.
Ticket to Paradise (Peacock & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – Working Title Films
Ticket to Paradise...
Ticket to Paradise (Peacock & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – Working Title Films
Ticket to Paradise...
- 5/12/2024
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
Hollywood spent the weekend paying tribute to Roger Corman, the independent filmmaking legend who died last Thursday at age 98.
Corman, known during his time as the “King of the B’s,” was a beloved producer and director who helped boost careers for names such as Jack Nicholson, Ron Howard, Peter Bogdanovich, Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, Jonathan Demme, Gale Anne Hurd and James Cameron.
“He was generous, open-hearted and kind to all those who knew him,” Corman’s family said in a statement. “When asked how he would like to be remembered, he said, ‘I was a filmmaker, just that.’”
In response to news of Corman’s death, many who knew and worked with the filmmaker paid tribute to him online. “A great movie maker and mentor,” Howard wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “When I was 23 he gave me my 1st shot at directing. He launched many careers & quietly lead our industry in important ways.
Corman, known during his time as the “King of the B’s,” was a beloved producer and director who helped boost careers for names such as Jack Nicholson, Ron Howard, Peter Bogdanovich, Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, Jonathan Demme, Gale Anne Hurd and James Cameron.
“He was generous, open-hearted and kind to all those who knew him,” Corman’s family said in a statement. “When asked how he would like to be remembered, he said, ‘I was a filmmaker, just that.’”
In response to news of Corman’s death, many who knew and worked with the filmmaker paid tribute to him online. “A great movie maker and mentor,” Howard wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “When I was 23 he gave me my 1st shot at directing. He launched many careers & quietly lead our industry in important ways.
- 5/12/2024
- by Zoe G Phillips
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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