“Forget the Alamo,” says Elizabeth Peña’s Pilar Cruz at the end of John Sayles’s 1996 neo-western noir Lone Star. After the unexpected discovery of a body unravels the countless fictions propping up a Texas border town’s unstable status quo, Pilar’s defiant statement casts off the weight of mythology altogether. And yet, with that memorable bit of closing dialogue, the legend of Sayles’s film had only just begun.
As indicated by the film’s induction into the Criterion Collection, Lone Star isn’t something so easily cast aside or forgotten. Sayles’s sprawling film fuses western iconography with the thrilling structure of a noir-like mystery as Frontera’s sheriff, Sam Deeds (Chris Cooper), probes the decades-old death of a man who once held his office. The investigation brings him into contact with an intergenerational and multiracial group of individuals who all have distinct reasons for putting up...
As indicated by the film’s induction into the Criterion Collection, Lone Star isn’t something so easily cast aside or forgotten. Sayles’s sprawling film fuses western iconography with the thrilling structure of a noir-like mystery as Frontera’s sheriff, Sam Deeds (Chris Cooper), probes the decades-old death of a man who once held his office. The investigation brings him into contact with an intergenerational and multiracial group of individuals who all have distinct reasons for putting up...
- 1/22/2024
- by Marshall Shaffer
- Slant Magazine
The term “literary” tends to be invoked to describe films with a grand narrative sweep, featuring a sizable cast and beholden to a dialogue-heavy script. A more holistic definition, though, might be one that highlights how the elements that make up a movie operate in such perfect harmony that they seem to flow from the same pen. On those terms, John Sayles’s Lone Star is among the most literary films ever made. Ostensibly a murder mystery set in a Texas border town, the 1996 neo-western blossoms into something far more complex: a reckoning with personal and historical skeletons that, true to the setting, are left exposed under harsh sunlight even as people struggle to hide them in the faintest sliver of shade.
The story sets into motion with the discovery of a skeleton belonging to Charlie Wade (Kris Kristofferson), Frontera’s racist, corrupt sheriff during the 1960s, who ruled the...
The story sets into motion with the discovery of a skeleton belonging to Charlie Wade (Kris Kristofferson), Frontera’s racist, corrupt sheriff during the 1960s, who ruled the...
- 1/22/2024
- by Jake Cole
- Slant Magazine
Criterion Collection cover for Lone Star; John SaylesPhoto: The Criterion Collection, Vivien Killilea (Getty Images for TCM)
John Sayles has been a fixture of American independent cinema for nearly 50 years. Like many indie filmmakers, Sayles began his career making monster movies before directing his microbudget debut, Return Of The Secaucus 7.
John Sayles has been a fixture of American independent cinema for nearly 50 years. Like many indie filmmakers, Sayles began his career making monster movies before directing his microbudget debut, Return Of The Secaucus 7.
- 1/16/2024
- by Matt Schimkowitz
- avclub.com
Kathryn Bigelow’s 1990 film Blue Steel flirts with contrivance from the start. Megan Turner (Jamie Lee Curtis) joins the NYPD out of a desire to overcome an abusive childhood with a position of civic authority, then finds her job immediately threatened when a fatal shootout at a convenience store places her under internal-affairs review. To make matters more outlandish, Eugene Hunt (Ron Silver), a commodities trader whose theft of a gun from the crime scene prompted Turner’s investigation in the first place, begins to romantically pursue and eventually outright stalk her.
These are a lot of farfetched narrative strands to pile onto a B movie, but Bigelow uses this setup to deconstruct the eroticized violence of 1980s action cinema in a manner as striking and confrontational as her earlier Point Break. But if that film examined the homosocial bonds between men, Blue Steel leans into complex, insoluble gender politics...
These are a lot of farfetched narrative strands to pile onto a B movie, but Bigelow uses this setup to deconstruct the eroticized violence of 1980s action cinema in a manner as striking and confrontational as her earlier Point Break. But if that film examined the homosocial bonds between men, Blue Steel leans into complex, insoluble gender politics...
- 11/16/2023
- by Jake Cole
- Slant Magazine
Gone are the days when Westerns ruled the box office, with superheroes now filling the role that cowboys once played in the American consciousness. But fear not, the Western genre is far from dead. The brutality of the American West, combined with the hope that many people found in it, continues to inspire some of the most exciting filmmakers working today. It also has one of the richest histories of any genre, which allows filmmakers with a passion for Hollywood history to engage with the classics of the 20th century while updating Western tropes for modern audiences. The genre is so versatile that Westerns can reflect almost any political sentiment, meaning that Western movies tend to be an interesting barometer of the era in which they were made.
In just the last few Oscar seasons, modern Westerns have repeatedly emerged as major contenders for Best Picture. Jane Campion’s “The Power of the Dog...
In just the last few Oscar seasons, modern Westerns have repeatedly emerged as major contenders for Best Picture. Jane Campion’s “The Power of the Dog...
- 10/20/2023
- by Wilson Chapman and Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
“Don’t be such a dreamer,” says Bob (Esai Morales) to his younger brother, to which soon-to-be teen star Ritchie Valens (Lou Diamond Phillips), né Richard Valenzuela, quickly retorts, “My dreams are pure rock ‘n’ roll.” It’s the kind of blunt, overearnest exchange found in countless music-based biopics, but it also exemplifies La Bamba’s penchant for the cartoonishly archetypal. Indeed, everyone surrounding Ritchie is stripped of both nuance and agency as their roles in the film rarely extend beyond fueling or antagonizing the future icon.
Ritchie’s girlfriend, Donna (Danielle von Zerneck), the namesake of one of his biggest hits, is little more than a poodle skirt and a cheery smile, while his doting mother, Connie (Rosanna DeSoto), is the quintessential ultra-supportive parent. Bob is certainly the most fully fleshed out of this trio, but even most of his personal ups and downs are presented as being directly...
Ritchie’s girlfriend, Donna (Danielle von Zerneck), the namesake of one of his biggest hits, is little more than a poodle skirt and a cheery smile, while his doting mother, Connie (Rosanna DeSoto), is the quintessential ultra-supportive parent. Bob is certainly the most fully fleshed out of this trio, but even most of his personal ups and downs are presented as being directly...
- 10/16/2023
- by Derek Smith
- Slant Magazine
Killer Collectibles highlights five of the most exciting new horror products announced each and every week, from toys and apparel to artwork, records, and much more.
Here are the coolest horror collectibles unveiled this week!
The Alfred Hitchcock Classics Collection: Volume 3 4K Uhd Box Set from Universal
Five more Alfred Hitchcock movies are coming to 4K Ultra HD: Rope, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Torn Curtain, Topaz, and Frenzy. They’ll be available both individually ($19.99) and together in the third volume of The Alfred Hitchcock Classics Collection box set ($69.98) on October 31 via Universal.
1948’s Rope stars James Stewart, John Dall, and Farley Granger. 1956’s The Man Who Knew Too Much stars James Stewart and Doris Day. 1966’s Torn Curtain stars Paul Newman and Julie Andrews. 1969’s Topaz stars Frederick Stafford, Dany Robin, and John Forsythe. 1972’s Frenzy stars Jon Finch, Alec McCowen, and Barry Foster.
All five thrillers have...
Here are the coolest horror collectibles unveiled this week!
The Alfred Hitchcock Classics Collection: Volume 3 4K Uhd Box Set from Universal
Five more Alfred Hitchcock movies are coming to 4K Ultra HD: Rope, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Torn Curtain, Topaz, and Frenzy. They’ll be available both individually ($19.99) and together in the third volume of The Alfred Hitchcock Classics Collection box set ($69.98) on October 31 via Universal.
1948’s Rope stars James Stewart, John Dall, and Farley Granger. 1956’s The Man Who Knew Too Much stars James Stewart and Doris Day. 1966’s Torn Curtain stars Paul Newman and Julie Andrews. 1969’s Topaz stars Frederick Stafford, Dany Robin, and John Forsythe. 1972’s Frenzy stars Jon Finch, Alec McCowen, and Barry Foster.
All five thrillers have...
- 9/22/2023
- by Alex DiVincenzo
- bloody-disgusting.com
Lionsgate has announced that the next film to reach Blu-ray as part of their Vestron Video Collector’s Series is the 1990 thriller Blue Steel! The release date is November 14th and copies are already available for pre-order at This Link.
Directed by Kathryn Bigelow, who crafted the screenplay with her Near Dark co-writer Eric Red, Blue Steel centers on newly minted NYPD officer Megan Turner, who responds to a grocery store robbery – and kills the perpetrator – her first day on the job. But Megan’s uncorroborated story of the shooting gets her suspended from active duty when the stickup gun mysteriously vanishes. Enter a charming-but-disturbed commodities trader, whose obsession with Megan threatens to destroy everything she holds dear, pushing her into a desperate fight to salvage her reputation… and save her own life.
The film stars Jamie Lee Curtis, Ron Silver, Clancy Brown, Elizabeth Peña, Louise Fletcher, Philip Bosco, Richard Jenkins,...
Directed by Kathryn Bigelow, who crafted the screenplay with her Near Dark co-writer Eric Red, Blue Steel centers on newly minted NYPD officer Megan Turner, who responds to a grocery store robbery – and kills the perpetrator – her first day on the job. But Megan’s uncorroborated story of the shooting gets her suspended from active duty when the stickup gun mysteriously vanishes. Enter a charming-but-disturbed commodities trader, whose obsession with Megan threatens to destroy everything she holds dear, pushing her into a desperate fight to salvage her reputation… and save her own life.
The film stars Jamie Lee Curtis, Ron Silver, Clancy Brown, Elizabeth Peña, Louise Fletcher, Philip Bosco, Richard Jenkins,...
- 9/21/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Leon Ichaso, who directed the Jennifer Lopez and Mark Anthony-starrer El Cantante in 2006 and dozens of high-profile TV series, has died of a massive heart attack, according to his sister Mari Rodriguez Ichaso. He was 74.
Ichaso also directed the acclaimed Piñero in 2001, starring Benjamin Bratt and his breakthrough, indie El Super, starring Elizabeth Peña in 1979.
Throughout his big screen career, Ichaso also directed on some of TV’s biggest shows, including multiple episodes of SNL, Crime Story, Miami Vice, Medium, The Cleaner, Criminal Minds and, most recently, Queen of the South.
His sister, a journalist who is a longtime contributor to the Spanish-language staple Vandiades as well as CNN Español Style announced his passing early this morning in a series of tweets, the first of which is translated below.
My beloved brother Leon Ichaso died today of an unexpected “massive heart attack” in Los Angeles. Brilliant, full of life,...
Ichaso also directed the acclaimed Piñero in 2001, starring Benjamin Bratt and his breakthrough, indie El Super, starring Elizabeth Peña in 1979.
Throughout his big screen career, Ichaso also directed on some of TV’s biggest shows, including multiple episodes of SNL, Crime Story, Miami Vice, Medium, The Cleaner, Criminal Minds and, most recently, Queen of the South.
His sister, a journalist who is a longtime contributor to the Spanish-language staple Vandiades as well as CNN Español Style announced his passing early this morning in a series of tweets, the first of which is translated below.
My beloved brother Leon Ichaso died today of an unexpected “massive heart attack” in Los Angeles. Brilliant, full of life,...
- 5/22/2023
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s time for a new episode of The Arrow in the Head Show, and in this one hosts John “The Arrow” Fallon and Lance Vlcek are digging into the 1990 thriller Blue Steel (get it Here). To find out what they had to say about the movie, check out the video embedded above.
Directed by Kathryn Bigelow, who crafted the screenplay with her Near Dark co-writer Eric Red, Blue Steel has the following synopsis: When rookie cop Megan Turner kills a convenience store robber, she does not notice when psychopathic commodities trader Eugene Hunt takes the dead man’s gun. With no weapon at the crime scene, the police hold Turner accountable for killing an unarmed man. Meanwhile, Hunt uses the stolen weapon to go on a killing spree. Turner teams up with detective Nick Mann to clear her name and catch the killer. An unexpected romance complicates matters.
The film stars Jamie Lee Curtis,...
Directed by Kathryn Bigelow, who crafted the screenplay with her Near Dark co-writer Eric Red, Blue Steel has the following synopsis: When rookie cop Megan Turner kills a convenience store robber, she does not notice when psychopathic commodities trader Eugene Hunt takes the dead man’s gun. With no weapon at the crime scene, the police hold Turner accountable for killing an unarmed man. Meanwhile, Hunt uses the stolen weapon to go on a killing spree. Turner teams up with detective Nick Mann to clear her name and catch the killer. An unexpected romance complicates matters.
The film stars Jamie Lee Curtis,...
- 4/1/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
"Nothing Like the Holidays" has become the definitive Latinx Christmas movie. The 2008 film features a stellar lineup of our stars - John Leguizamo as the striving son, Luis Guzmán as the obnoxious cousin, Freddy Rodriguez as the returning brother, Melonie Diaz as the one who got away, the late great Elizabeth Peña as the long-suffering mother, and more. It's non-Latinx talent includes Debra Messing as part of a cross-cultural marriage and Alfred Molina (who is of Spanish and Italian descent) as the family's patriarch.
Watching it more than a decade after its release, "Nothing Like the Holidays" still holds up. The plot works, hitting the right emotional notes, while also keeping the audience guessing. The performances sing with real chemistry, mischief, and frustration. But why the film remains so relevant is in how it depicts the Latinx family at its center, using the Rodriguezes to get something right about la cultura.
Watching it more than a decade after its release, "Nothing Like the Holidays" still holds up. The plot works, hitting the right emotional notes, while also keeping the audience guessing. The performances sing with real chemistry, mischief, and frustration. But why the film remains so relevant is in how it depicts the Latinx family at its center, using the Rodriguezes to get something right about la cultura.
- 12/13/2022
- by Cristina Escobar
- Popsugar.com
The selection of media available on Prime Video might be a bit overwhelming at first, and it is probably no surprise that it has one of the largest streaming libraries online. This size means that a lot of movies and television shows heading to the platform end up slipping under the radar. In this current age of streaming dominance and potential overabundance, finding something truly great can feel nearly impossible.
Thankfully, that's why you have us here at /Film to help you navigate this digital landscape, especially Prime Video's sometimes confusing user interface. It may not even be Halloween yet, but if you're looking to be in the Christmas spirit, Prime's got you covered with movies like "Scrooged" and "Arthur Christmas." If you're looking for some fashion inspiration, Rihanna will hold her fourth "Savage X Fenty" fashion show on the streamer. No matter what type of mood you're in, Prime...
Thankfully, that's why you have us here at /Film to help you navigate this digital landscape, especially Prime Video's sometimes confusing user interface. It may not even be Halloween yet, but if you're looking to be in the Christmas spirit, Prime's got you covered with movies like "Scrooged" and "Arthur Christmas." If you're looking for some fashion inspiration, Rihanna will hold her fourth "Savage X Fenty" fashion show on the streamer. No matter what type of mood you're in, Prime...
- 10/22/2022
- by Erin Brady
- Slash Film
Screenwriter Bruce Joel Rubin still recalls one viewer’s reaction to Jacob’s Ladder.
“I was stood outside the theatre on the very first day it opened in LA, waiting for the crowds to come out to see how they responded,” Rubin recalls. “As the credits started rolling this guy ran out, probably five feet from me, and yelled at nobody in particular: ‘If I ever meet the guy that wrote that movie, I’ll kill him.’”
It was an extraordinary reaction but, then again, Jacob’s Ladder is an extraordinary movie.
Released on November 2, 1990, the film was only a modest success at the box office, debuting at number one in the US before being knocked off the top spot by Child’s Play 2 just a week later. But while plastic dolls reigned supreme on the big screen, Jacob’s Ladder would have its day on home video, where it garnered a cult...
“I was stood outside the theatre on the very first day it opened in LA, waiting for the crowds to come out to see how they responded,” Rubin recalls. “As the credits started rolling this guy ran out, probably five feet from me, and yelled at nobody in particular: ‘If I ever meet the guy that wrote that movie, I’ll kill him.’”
It was an extraordinary reaction but, then again, Jacob’s Ladder is an extraordinary movie.
Released on November 2, 1990, the film was only a modest success at the box office, debuting at number one in the US before being knocked off the top spot by Child’s Play 2 just a week later. But while plastic dolls reigned supreme on the big screen, Jacob’s Ladder would have its day on home video, where it garnered a cult...
- 11/11/2020
- by Rosie Fletcher
- Den of Geek
Juliano Dornelles on Michael in Bacurau: “When Udo Kier’s character said to the outsiders about the Brazilian collaborators, ‘They don’t speak Brazilian here.’ Brazilian, it’s not a name.”
In celebration of the theatrical release of Bacurau in New York, Kleber Mendonça Filho and Juliano Dornelles will present Mapping Bacurau, a program of films that include John Sayles’s Lone Star,; Colin Eggleston’s Long Weekend; Paul Morrissey’s Blood For Dracula; 70mm print of John Carpenter’s Starman; Ted Kotcheff’s Wake In Fright, and a 4K restoration of Robin Hardy’s The Wicker Man: The Final Cut.
Kleber Mendonça Filho with Juliano Dornelles on Bacurau: “The horses for us is a very interesting marker that this is a Western. They’re beautiful animals, the way they move.” Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
Bacurau, shot by Pedro Sotero, edited by Eduardo Serrano, costumes by Rita Azevedo, with a.
In celebration of the theatrical release of Bacurau in New York, Kleber Mendonça Filho and Juliano Dornelles will present Mapping Bacurau, a program of films that include John Sayles’s Lone Star,; Colin Eggleston’s Long Weekend; Paul Morrissey’s Blood For Dracula; 70mm print of John Carpenter’s Starman; Ted Kotcheff’s Wake In Fright, and a 4K restoration of Robin Hardy’s The Wicker Man: The Final Cut.
Kleber Mendonça Filho with Juliano Dornelles on Bacurau: “The horses for us is a very interesting marker that this is a Western. They’re beautiful animals, the way they move.” Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
Bacurau, shot by Pedro Sotero, edited by Eduardo Serrano, costumes by Rita Azevedo, with a.
- 2/23/2020
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Happy 71st birthday to Richard Dreyfuss on October 29, 2018! The Oscar-winning actor has been an integral part of so many American films that are now considered classics, such as “Jaws,” “American Graffiti” and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” and a key collaborator on a number of films directed by George Lucas and Steven Spielberg.
Dreyfuss has proven himself adept in his wide range of characters — from a music teacher to a blood-thirsty gangster, and from an aspiring actor to an obnoxious oceanographer. The result has been a Best Actor Academy Award with an additional nomination, plus a Golden Globe victory with three additional Globe nominations.
So let’s celebrate Richard’s big day by looking back and ranking his 12 greatest films from worst to best in the photo gallery above.
SEESteven Spielberg movies: Every film ranked from worst to best
12. Always (1989)
For a third time, Dreyfuss teams up with his...
Dreyfuss has proven himself adept in his wide range of characters — from a music teacher to a blood-thirsty gangster, and from an aspiring actor to an obnoxious oceanographer. The result has been a Best Actor Academy Award with an additional nomination, plus a Golden Globe victory with three additional Globe nominations.
So let’s celebrate Richard’s big day by looking back and ranking his 12 greatest films from worst to best in the photo gallery above.
SEESteven Spielberg movies: Every film ranked from worst to best
12. Always (1989)
For a third time, Dreyfuss teams up with his...
- 10/29/2018
- by Tom O'Brien and Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
In her final film role, “The Song of Sway Lake,” the late Elizabeth Peña delivers withering looks — equal parts disgust and dismay — to a variety of characters, all of whom ably deserve her scorn. A clunky, lurching affair populated by barely sketched individuals who seem to be competing for a most-intolerable prize, Ari Gold’s drama concerns a young man who returns to his grandparents’ lake house in search of a rare treasure, for reasons as thinly defined as everything else in this saga. Shot years ago (Peña passed away in 2014), and released more than 15 months after its below-the-radar Los Angeles Film Festival premiere, it should have remained on whatever shelf it’s been occupying.
In the wake of dad Tim’s (Jason Brill) suicide, Ollie Sway (Rory Culkin) visits Sway Lake, a peaceful upstate New York idyll where he and best friend Nikolai (Robert Sheehan) hope to locate Tim...
In the wake of dad Tim’s (Jason Brill) suicide, Ollie Sway (Rory Culkin) visits Sway Lake, a peaceful upstate New York idyll where he and best friend Nikolai (Robert Sheehan) hope to locate Tim...
- 9/20/2018
- by Nick Schager
- Variety Film + TV
"I gave you a home, I didn't give you my name!" The Orchard has debuted a new official trailer for an indie film titled The Song of Sway Lake, a funky musical fable of sorts about a boy who tries to steal a rare vinyl record from his own family's estate. Rory Culkin stars in this as Ollie, and the cast includes Robert Sheehan, Isabelle McNally, Mary Beth Peil, Elizabeth Peña, Jack Falahee, Brian Dennehy, and Anna Shields. This is actually, strangely enough, supposedly a musical featuring vocal performances by Brian Dennehy, John Grant, and The Staves. This looks wacky and weird and a bit too strange to actually be any good, but you never know. If you think any of this sounds compelling, then check out the trailer below. Here's the new official trailer (+ poster) for Ari Gold's The Song of Sway Lake, direct from YouTube: A...
- 8/3/2018
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Exclusive: Ari Gold’s The Song Of Sway Lake is having its world premiere next week at the Los Angeles Film Festival, debuting in the Premieres section. Rory Culkin, Robert Sheehan and 2017 Tony nominee Mary Beth Peil star in the story of a young jazz collector (Culkin) who plots to rob his wealthy grandmother (Peil) of a rare 78 record, but his plan is derailed when his accomplice (Sheehan) falls for the glamorous matriarch. Isabelle McNally, Elizabeth Peña, Jack Falahee…...
- 6/14/2017
- Deadline
I stayed virtually silent last week, as we lost both Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds in the span of 36 hours. While everyone else was posting touching tributes, and covering the story from various angles, I just kind of had to sit and process what had just happened. I still kind of am. But today I'm tasked with sharing this trailer for Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds with you, and so I'm going to take this opportunity to put a few of my thoughts down.
Fisher and Reynolds speak directly to both parts of my life: My geekdom and my lifelong passion for performing. Fisher was Princess Leia, a monumental role in one of my most beloved series, and that character (like Luke, Han, and Vader) has been a part of my fanboy DNA for as long as I can remember. Reynolds was a star during the golden era of Hollywood musicals,...
Fisher and Reynolds speak directly to both parts of my life: My geekdom and my lifelong passion for performing. Fisher was Princess Leia, a monumental role in one of my most beloved series, and that character (like Luke, Han, and Vader) has been a part of my fanboy DNA for as long as I can remember. Reynolds was a star during the golden era of Hollywood musicals,...
- 1/4/2017
- by Mario-Francisco Robles
- LRMonline.com
I should probably start by reiterating a very key point:
I don't care about diversity.
Despite being a latino actor, myself, and being the nephew of Elizabeth Peña- who was a role model for many hispanic actors- I've really never batted an eyelash over the idea of diversity on television or a desire to be represented on screens both big and small. For me, personally, when considering what movie to watch, what network to tune into, or which artist to support, it all boils down to one question: Does it interest me? I don't see skin color. I don't see gender. I see an opportunity for entertainment, and ask myself if it's something I'd like to check out.
With that said, I do find it cool when I see certain marginalized groups get recognition in an organic and natural way. In last week's column "Will Latino Audiences Continue To...
I don't care about diversity.
Despite being a latino actor, myself, and being the nephew of Elizabeth Peña- who was a role model for many hispanic actors- I've really never batted an eyelash over the idea of diversity on television or a desire to be represented on screens both big and small. For me, personally, when considering what movie to watch, what network to tune into, or which artist to support, it all boils down to one question: Does it interest me? I don't see skin color. I don't see gender. I see an opportunity for entertainment, and ask myself if it's something I'd like to check out.
With that said, I do find it cool when I see certain marginalized groups get recognition in an organic and natural way. In last week's column "Will Latino Audiences Continue To...
- 9/8/2016
- by Mario-Francisco Robles
- LRMonline.com
The excellent retrospective of Joe Dante's subversive, eccentric cinema in New York at Bam this month includes all the expected classics, which can hardly be termed "forgotten"—"fondly remembered" would be more like it—but also some intriguing and more obscure pieces: The Film Orgy, a five-hour found footage riot; several items programmed by Dante, such as Anthony Mann's The Black Book (a.k.a. Reign of Terror) and Arthur Penn's existential art film Mickey One; and also some of Dante's TV work, much of which is far less well-known than it ought to be...Dante's episodes of cable show Masters of Horror are uniquely dark, savage affairs with strong political agendas—Homecoming (2005) was the first bit of American filmed drama to deal openly with the war in Iraq. The "serious comedy" of this all-out, take-no-prisoners assault on the Bush administration is anticipated by the...
- 8/11/2016
- MUBI
Early last year, we exclusively broke the story that Sony and Disney had brokered a deal that would bring Spider-Man into to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But before anyone knew Tom Holland would be the new Spider-Man, there was lots of speculation that this new take on the character would actually be Miles Morales and not Peter Parker. Ultimately, Marvel stuck with the tried, true, and most iconic Spider-Man alter ego. But now that the time has come for Ghost Rider to enter Marvel's live-action Universe via ABC's "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." they went the opposite way. Rather than go with Johnny Blaze- the most well-known Ghost Rider- they went with the newer, Latino character Robbie Reyes.
They made this announcement shortly after our intrepid Scoop Hunter, Kellvin Chavez, broke the story.
This move makes sense, if you think about it. Unlike with Spidey/Parker, Rider/Blaze has more negative baggage associated with him.
They made this announcement shortly after our intrepid Scoop Hunter, Kellvin Chavez, broke the story.
This move makes sense, if you think about it. Unlike with Spidey/Parker, Rider/Blaze has more negative baggage associated with him.
- 7/29/2016
- by Mario-Francisco Robles
- LRMonline.com
Tony Sokol Jul 1, 2016
The new Jacob's Ladder will be a "modern-day paranoid action thriller about two brothers"
As you may know, a Jacob's Ladder remake is in the works. Ld Entertainment says that Jacob’s Ladder will be an homage to the classic 1990 supernatural thriller rather than a remake, meaning it will take place in the present and deal with contemporary issues.
Jacob’s Ladder will be directed by David M Rosenthal. The screenplay was written by Jeff Buhler (The Midnight Meat Train) and Sarah Thorp.
It's now being reported that Karla Souza, a regular on the Us TV show How to Get Away With Murder, will play Annie/Angel, a trauma nurse who works with Jacob’s medical crew in Afghanistan. Souza’s latest movie ¿Qué Culpa Tiene el Niño? opened at number one in her native Mexico in May.
Ray Donovan's Guy Burnet will play Hoffman, a...
The new Jacob's Ladder will be a "modern-day paranoid action thriller about two brothers"
As you may know, a Jacob's Ladder remake is in the works. Ld Entertainment says that Jacob’s Ladder will be an homage to the classic 1990 supernatural thriller rather than a remake, meaning it will take place in the present and deal with contemporary issues.
Jacob’s Ladder will be directed by David M Rosenthal. The screenplay was written by Jeff Buhler (The Midnight Meat Train) and Sarah Thorp.
It's now being reported that Karla Souza, a regular on the Us TV show How to Get Away With Murder, will play Annie/Angel, a trauma nurse who works with Jacob’s medical crew in Afghanistan. Souza’s latest movie ¿Qué Culpa Tiene el Niño? opened at number one in her native Mexico in May.
Ray Donovan's Guy Burnet will play Hoffman, a...
- 6/28/2016
- Den of Geek
Tony Sokol Jul 2, 2019
A remake of the 1990 film, Jacob's Ladder, provides a modern update to a classic horror tale.
This may be one of my flashbacks, but a Jacob's Ladder remake is in the works from the same people who might bring you a remake of Angel Heart. Studio Ld Entertainment promises that Jacob’s Ladder will be an homage to the classic 1990 supernatural thriller, rather than a remake, meaning that it will take place in the present and deal with contemporary issues.
Jacob’s Ladder will be directed by David M. Rosenthal. The screenplay was written by Jeff Buhler (The Midnight Meat Train) and Sarah Thorp.
Jacob's Ladder Trailer
Here's the trailer for the reimagined Jacob's Ladder.
Video of Jacob's Ladder Official Trailer (2019) Michael Ealy, Jesse Williams Horror Movie HD Jacob's Ladder Release Date
Jacob's Ladder is set to arrive on August 23.
Jacob's Ladder Cast and Details
Joining primary...
A remake of the 1990 film, Jacob's Ladder, provides a modern update to a classic horror tale.
This may be one of my flashbacks, but a Jacob's Ladder remake is in the works from the same people who might bring you a remake of Angel Heart. Studio Ld Entertainment promises that Jacob’s Ladder will be an homage to the classic 1990 supernatural thriller, rather than a remake, meaning that it will take place in the present and deal with contemporary issues.
Jacob’s Ladder will be directed by David M. Rosenthal. The screenplay was written by Jeff Buhler (The Midnight Meat Train) and Sarah Thorp.
Jacob's Ladder Trailer
Here's the trailer for the reimagined Jacob's Ladder.
Video of Jacob's Ladder Official Trailer (2019) Michael Ealy, Jesse Williams Horror Movie HD Jacob's Ladder Release Date
Jacob's Ladder is set to arrive on August 23.
Jacob's Ladder Cast and Details
Joining primary...
- 6/28/2016
- Den of Geek
Masterfully directed by Adrian Lyne, featuring a palpable performance by Tim Robbins, and swimming through an eerie score by Maurice Jarre (a must-have on your Halloween night soundtrack), 1990’s Jacob’s Ladder still sets the bar high for other psychological horror films, and it is now available to watch online for free in the Us via The Paramount Vault.
You can view Jacob Singer’s emotional journey in its entirety below, as it was revealed on Reddit that Paramount Pictures has officially posted Jacob’s Ladder on their YouTube channel, The Paramount Vault, which is also home to other films to watch for free, including 1979’s Prophecy and 2004’s Twisted.
In addition to Robbins, the cast of Jacob’s Ladder includes Elizabeth Peña, Matt Craven, Jason Alexander, Eriq La Salle, Ving Rhames, Lewis Black, Kyle Gass, and Macaulay Culkin. Dim the lights, sit back, and enjoy…
Synopsis (via Blu-ray.com...
You can view Jacob Singer’s emotional journey in its entirety below, as it was revealed on Reddit that Paramount Pictures has officially posted Jacob’s Ladder on their YouTube channel, The Paramount Vault, which is also home to other films to watch for free, including 1979’s Prophecy and 2004’s Twisted.
In addition to Robbins, the cast of Jacob’s Ladder includes Elizabeth Peña, Matt Craven, Jason Alexander, Eriq La Salle, Ving Rhames, Lewis Black, Kyle Gass, and Macaulay Culkin. Dim the lights, sit back, and enjoy…
Synopsis (via Blu-ray.com...
- 6/6/2016
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Is satire obsolete? Our appalling present political reality has surpassed some of the wildest jokes in director Joe Dante's 'exaggerated, outrageous' 1997 cable movie. An immigration squabble snowballs until a renegade state governor closes his border and threatens to secede from the Union. It's a 'political idiocy' version of It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World ... and nineteen years later, we're stuck living it. The Second Civil War DVD (2005) HBO Video 1997 / Color / 1:78 widescreen / 96 min. / Street Date August 30, 2005 / 14.98 Starring Beau Bridges, Joanna Cassidy, Phil Hartman, James Earl Jones, James Coburn, Dan Hedaya, Elizabeth Peña, Denis Leary, Ron Perlman, Kevin Dunn, Brian Keith, Kevin McCarthy, Dick Miller, William Schallert, Catherine Lloyd Burns, Jerry Hardin, Roger Corman, Rance Howard, Robert Picardo, Alexandra Wilson, Belinda Belaski, Jennifer Carlson, Sean Lawlor. Cinematography Mac Ahlberg Film Editor Marshall Harvey Original Music Hummie Mann Written by Martyn Burke Produced by Guy Riedel Directed by Joe Dante...
- 4/23/2016
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Back in 1990 my late aunt, Elizabeth Peña starred opposite Tim Robbins in the thriller Jacob's Ladder. The film centered on a Vietnam veteran haunted by flashbacks and hallucinations based on his experiences before, during, and after the nightmarish war. Robbins played the titular Jacob, Peña played Jezzie.
I recall it was a big deal when it came out. I wasn't allowed to see it, since I was only 7. And, actually, to this day I haven't seen it. Mainly cause I've been told by friends of mine that my Ñaña was involved in some fairly risqué scenes, so...no thanks. But yes, the original Jacob's Ladder was directed by Adrian Lyne (Fatal Attraction) and continues to have a strong following to this day.
Now it's being remade, and it's got Michael Ealy (Almost Human) and Jesse Williams (Cabin In The Woods) attached to star. This iteration of the story will focus on a pair of brothers,...
I recall it was a big deal when it came out. I wasn't allowed to see it, since I was only 7. And, actually, to this day I haven't seen it. Mainly cause I've been told by friends of mine that my Ñaña was involved in some fairly risqué scenes, so...no thanks. But yes, the original Jacob's Ladder was directed by Adrian Lyne (Fatal Attraction) and continues to have a strong following to this day.
Now it's being remade, and it's got Michael Ealy (Almost Human) and Jesse Williams (Cabin In The Woods) attached to star. This iteration of the story will focus on a pair of brothers,...
- 4/19/2016
- by Mario-Francisco Robles
- LRMonline.com
Ten days after she said an official "good bye" to Fox's “Sleepy Hollow” series, Nicole Beharie has joined Michael Ealy in the previously-announced remake of "Jacob's Ladder," the 1990 psychological thriller directed by Adrian Lyne, which starred Tim Robbins, Elizabeth Peña and Danny Aiello. Also previously cast is Jesse Williams; although I'm only just learning about his joining the film. In the original, the protagonist, Jacob, is a Vietnam veteran whose experiences prior to and during the war result in fragmented flashbacks and bizarre hallucinations that continue to haunt him, as he desperately tries to get to the bottom of it all. Budgeted...
- 4/19/2016
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Justin Hires would like you to understand these words coming outta his mouth: “No one wants to see me do a Chris Tucker impersonation.”
The star of CBS’ Rush Hour (premiering Thursday, March 31 at 10/9c) — from executive producers Brett Ratner (who directed the original 1998 action-comedy), Bill Lawrence and Blake McCormick (Cougar Town) — is not interested in some second-rate adaptation of the beloved Tucker/Jackie Chan film trilogy.
“[Chris Tucker]’s already done Chris Tucker and he did it brilliantly,” he tells TVLine. “I knew I had to bring myself to this role.”
RelatedCriminal Minds Boss: Prentiss’ Visit Brings ‘Laughs and Love...
The star of CBS’ Rush Hour (premiering Thursday, March 31 at 10/9c) — from executive producers Brett Ratner (who directed the original 1998 action-comedy), Bill Lawrence and Blake McCormick (Cougar Town) — is not interested in some second-rate adaptation of the beloved Tucker/Jackie Chan film trilogy.
“[Chris Tucker]’s already done Chris Tucker and he did it brilliantly,” he tells TVLine. “I knew I had to bring myself to this role.”
RelatedCriminal Minds Boss: Prentiss’ Visit Brings ‘Laughs and Love...
- 3/29/2016
- TVLine.com
Michael Ealy has booked a starring role in a remake of "Jacob's Ladder," the 1990 psychological thriller directed by Adrian Lyne, which starred Tim Robbins, Elizabeth Peña and Danny Aiello. In the original film, the protagonist, Jacob, is a Vietnam veteran whose experiences prior to and during the war result in fragmented flashbacks and bizarre hallucinations that continue to haunt him, as he desperately tries to get to the bottom of it all. Budgeted at a reported $25 million, it wasn't much of a box office success, grossing just over $26 million domestically, according to Box Office Mojo. It received mostly positive reviews, scoring a 69% rating on movie aggregator site...
- 3/21/2016
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
"Eckhart saw Hell too. He said: The only thing that burns in Hell is the part of you that won't let go of life, your memories, your attachments. They burn them all away. But they're not punishing you, he said. They're freeing your soul. So, if you're frightened of dying and you're holding on, you'll see devils tearing your life away. But if you've made your peace, then the devils are really angels, freeing you from the earth." -- Louis (Danny Aiello) in "Jacob's Ladder" I first viewed "Jacob's Ladder" on VHS several years after its release in theaters, when it received a lukewarm response from audiences (it grossed around $26 million by the end of its run) and received a polarizing response from critics: Roger Ebert called it "powerfully written, directed and acted" while The Washington Post's Hal Hinson charged it with being "garbled and cliched." My initial reaction to...
- 12/31/2015
- by Chris Eggertsen
- Hitfix
CBS is getting set to launch its TV adaptation of the successful buddy action franchise Rush Hour. The original films starred international superstar Jackie Chan and Chris "I Only Do Rush Hour Movies" Tucker, as a pair of mismatched cops. While I can't speak for the sequels, since I didn't see them, I know the first one was plenty of fun. It also co-starred Elizabeth Peña, so I was a bit biased. The films cost $263 total, and pulled in a cumulative haul of about $850 million for New Line. They also made Brett Ratner a Hollywood entity, so we can thank them for that.
Now Ratner is working on this series as a producer, and it looks like the series is going to closely follow the blueprint he created for the films. You can see for yourself with this special sneak preview below:
Based on the preview, it's clear that this...
Now Ratner is working on this series as a producer, and it looks like the series is going to closely follow the blueprint he created for the films. You can see for yourself with this special sneak preview below:
Based on the preview, it's clear that this...
- 11/5/2015
- by Mario-Francisco Robles
- LRMonline.com
Dreams and hallucinations can be the broadest of horror staples. Throw in some weird imagery, maybe a few jarring cuts, and you have an instant scare. But an effective dream sequence is more than technique, it’s a filmmaker capturing a specific type of fear: losing control, having your life shattered, or meeting a manifestation of your guilt. The dream or the hallucination is the character’s psyche putting the pieces together or falling apart completely. Of course, dreams don’t always require messages. Sometimes, they’re just damn scary.
****
Aliens (1986)- Ripley’s nightmare
Aliens is the perfect sequel for many reasons. It follows in the footsteps of the original 1979 classic while existing as its own entity and delivering new characters that are just as memorable as the first’s. What’s more, it favors high-tension action scenes over more traditional horror-centric scenes, demonstrating the malleability of the series.
****
Aliens (1986)- Ripley’s nightmare
Aliens is the perfect sequel for many reasons. It follows in the footsteps of the original 1979 classic while existing as its own entity and delivering new characters that are just as memorable as the first’s. What’s more, it favors high-tension action scenes over more traditional horror-centric scenes, demonstrating the malleability of the series.
- 10/14/2015
- by Staff
- SoundOnSight
Chicago – There is a circumstantial and frank presentation of abortion in the new Paul Weitz film “Grandma,” and it probably could not have resulted the way it did if the story wasn’t anchored by the great Lily Tomlin. She portrays the title character, helping her granddaughter get to the procedure.
Rating: 3.5/5.0
There are some clunky scenes along the way to the clinic, but the film does point toward the emotional element in the choice women make, above and beyond the abortion “issue.” By using Lily Tomlin’s character – a representative of the 1960s, when abortion was illegal – as a contrast to her granddaughter’s fate, is almost to have the whole history of the debate portrayed. The difference is it’s not done with placards and loudmouths, but through the very human decision that has to be made – difficult, unfortunate and vital to provide. Despite some über surliness by the curmudgeonly drawn Lily character,...
Rating: 3.5/5.0
There are some clunky scenes along the way to the clinic, but the film does point toward the emotional element in the choice women make, above and beyond the abortion “issue.” By using Lily Tomlin’s character – a representative of the 1960s, when abortion was illegal – as a contrast to her granddaughter’s fate, is almost to have the whole history of the debate portrayed. The difference is it’s not done with placards and loudmouths, but through the very human decision that has to be made – difficult, unfortunate and vital to provide. Despite some über surliness by the curmudgeonly drawn Lily character,...
- 8/28/2015
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – Actor Sam Eliott will make you smile. The distinctive voice, his famous mustache and his character presence in a film or TV show increases any potential in the production. He recently was in Chicago with director Paul Weitz, as they teamed up in the film “Grandma,” starring the incomparable Lily Tomlin.
“Grandma” has a very unique premise. Tomlin is the title character of Elle, who is visited by her granddaughter Sage (Julia Garner). The girl is seeking an abortion, and her feminist poet grandmother seems like the right fellow traveler on her way to the procedure. Sam Elliott portrays Karl, Elle’s ex-husband – she left him for a same sex partner – who harbors a resentment toward circumstances in their relationship. The two meet along the way to the clinic, and the resentment boils to the surface.
Lily Tomlin and Sam Elliott in ‘Grandma’
Photo credit: Sony Pictures Classics
Sam Elliott...
“Grandma” has a very unique premise. Tomlin is the title character of Elle, who is visited by her granddaughter Sage (Julia Garner). The girl is seeking an abortion, and her feminist poet grandmother seems like the right fellow traveler on her way to the procedure. Sam Elliott portrays Karl, Elle’s ex-husband – she left him for a same sex partner – who harbors a resentment toward circumstances in their relationship. The two meet along the way to the clinic, and the resentment boils to the surface.
Lily Tomlin and Sam Elliott in ‘Grandma’
Photo credit: Sony Pictures Classics
Sam Elliott...
- 8/26/2015
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Citizen Lily: Weitz’s Character Study Homage to Iconic Lead
Since beginning his directorial career with 1999’s American Pie, Paul Weitz has hovered in an in-between realm of either studio courting mixed or the main stream indie realm, sometimes reaching success, such as with 2002’s About a Boy, but generally languishing in tepid waters with fare like Being Flynn and Admission. He reunites with actress Lily Tomlin, who had a throwaway supporting role in his last feature for Grandma, which superficially contends to be more of the same lackluster output. Fortunately, it becomes quickly apparent that this is definitely Weitz’s strongest work in well over a decade, and gives Tomlin her best material outside of all those delectable Robert Altman titles that are peppered throughout her filmography. A character study that also serves as a familial drama and a topical issue film, its strengths aren’t apparent in every sequence,...
Since beginning his directorial career with 1999’s American Pie, Paul Weitz has hovered in an in-between realm of either studio courting mixed or the main stream indie realm, sometimes reaching success, such as with 2002’s About a Boy, but generally languishing in tepid waters with fare like Being Flynn and Admission. He reunites with actress Lily Tomlin, who had a throwaway supporting role in his last feature for Grandma, which superficially contends to be more of the same lackluster output. Fortunately, it becomes quickly apparent that this is definitely Weitz’s strongest work in well over a decade, and gives Tomlin her best material outside of all those delectable Robert Altman titles that are peppered throughout her filmography. A character study that also serves as a familial drama and a topical issue film, its strengths aren’t apparent in every sequence,...
- 8/21/2015
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
Paul Weitz can’t and won’t be pigeonholed, as writer or director. His credits range from American Pie and Nutty Professor II: The Klumps to About a Boy and In Good Company. His latest effort debuted to great response earlier this year at South by Southwest, an ideal showcase for this indie drama. Grandma offers Lily Tomlin a juicy leading role and audiences a satisfying experience on a modest scale. What really makes it work is Weitz’s attention to detail in delineating his characters and his keen eye for casting. Every part matters to him; even actors who have just a few lines manage to leave an impression, among them Laverne Cox and the late Elizabeth Peña. ...
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[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]...
- 8/21/2015
- by Leonard Maltin
- Leonard Maltin's Movie Crazy
Paul Weitz’s “Grandma” is the sort of movie that should grow on you. By the time it finishes you should be fully invested in the fate of Elle Reid, a woman attempting to help her granddaughter while also coming to peace with some of her own personal demons. Thanks to the always-impressive Lily Tomlin and a few key supporting performances it almost hits the mark. Again, "almost." When we first meet Elle (Tomlin) she’s an aging, but noteworthy writer forcing a breakup with her significantly younger girlfriend, Olivia (Judy Greer). Eventually we’ll discover this four-month long affair was Elle’s first since the death of her longtime companion just a few years before, but at this point Elle’s behavior seems decidedly cruel and Olivia leaves distraught. Neither she nor moviegoers understand why Elle would try and push Olivia away. Weitz, who also wrote the screenplay, no...
- 8/20/2015
- by Gregory Ellwood
- Hitfix
It's fitting that Clint Eastwood and John Wayne both have the same birthday week. (Wayne, who died in 1979, was born May 26, 1907, while Eastwood turns 85 on May 31). After all, these two all-American actors' careers span the history of that most American of movie genres, the western.
Both iconic actors were top box office draws for decades, both seldom stretched from their familiar personas, and both played macho, conservative cowboy heroes who let their firearms do most of the talking. Each represented one of two very different strains of western, the traditional and the revisionist.
As a birthday present to Hollywood's biggest heroes of the Wild West, here are the top 57 westerns you need to see.
57. 'Meek's Cutoff' (2010)
Indie filmmaker Kelly Reichardt and her frequent leading lady, Michelle Williams, are the talents behind this sparse, docudrama about an 1845 wagon train whose Oregon Trail journey goes horribly awry. It's an intense...
Both iconic actors were top box office draws for decades, both seldom stretched from their familiar personas, and both played macho, conservative cowboy heroes who let their firearms do most of the talking. Each represented one of two very different strains of western, the traditional and the revisionist.
As a birthday present to Hollywood's biggest heroes of the Wild West, here are the top 57 westerns you need to see.
57. 'Meek's Cutoff' (2010)
Indie filmmaker Kelly Reichardt and her frequent leading lady, Michelle Williams, are the talents behind this sparse, docudrama about an 1845 wagon train whose Oregon Trail journey goes horribly awry. It's an intense...
- 5/26/2015
- by Gary Susman
- Moviefone
Lily Tomlin with writer/director Paul Weitz of "About a Boy" fameJoe Reid reporting from the Tribeca Film Festival
After months of feeling left out for not being at Sundance when this little gem debuted (Nathaniel reviewed it), I was at long last able to see Paul Weitz's Grandma, featuring as charming and exciting a central performance by Lily Tomlin as you've heard. Tomlin plays Elle Reid (no relation...though that's not what I'll be telling people), a thorny old lesbian who at times she describes herself both as a misanthrope and as a "terrible person," yet the good heart at her center never gets covered up all that effectively. She's just dumped her lover (Judy Greer) when she's visited by her teen granddaughter, Sage (Julia Garner), who needs money for an abortion. Elle doesn't have it, but she thinks she knows where she can get it, and pretty soon,...
After months of feeling left out for not being at Sundance when this little gem debuted (Nathaniel reviewed it), I was at long last able to see Paul Weitz's Grandma, featuring as charming and exciting a central performance by Lily Tomlin as you've heard. Tomlin plays Elle Reid (no relation...though that's not what I'll be telling people), a thorny old lesbian who at times she describes herself both as a misanthrope and as a "terrible person," yet the good heart at her center never gets covered up all that effectively. She's just dumped her lover (Judy Greer) when she's visited by her teen granddaughter, Sage (Julia Garner), who needs money for an abortion. Elle doesn't have it, but she thinks she knows where she can get it, and pretty soon,...
- 4/20/2015
- by Joe Reid
- FilmExperience
Following the success of "Jane The Virgin," which is based on a telenovela, the new film "Ana Maria in Novela Land" follows the magical conundrum of super fan, Ana Maria, who swaps places with her favorite telenovela star, Ariana Tomosa. The film stars Edy Ganem ("Devious Maids") who takes on the roles of both Ana Maria and Ariana Tomosa. In the new clip, we see a very confused and angry Ariana Tomosa who confronts Ana Maria's parents, presumably before realizing that they have switched places. The acting in this clip appears to be very much in the vein of a telenovela, so the film is sure to be a fun watch. Directed by Georgina Garcia Riedel, the film also stars Michael Steger, Luis Guzmán and the late Elizabeth Peña. The film, distributed by Fluency Studios, will open in select theaters today, February 27. Check out the clip below: Read More:...
- 2/27/2015
- by Jena Keahon
- Indiewire
All the winners from Sunday’s 87th Academy Awards.
Show host Harris signs off with a chirpy, “Buenos noches!”
Sean Penn walks on. It’s time for the big one. Best film. Will it be Birdman or Boyhood? It’s Birdman! The movie ends the night tied with The Grand Budapest Hotel on four Oscars. Inarritu, referring to his pal Alfonso Cuaron who enjoyed success with Gravity at last year’s show, says, “Two Mexicans in a row. That’s suspicious, I guess.” Slightly more seriously, Agi also calls on his fellow Mexicans to help build a strong future for his beloved country. Wow, a good night for Birdman and a surprisingly barren one for Boyhood. Pirates indeed, Ethan Hawke, but glorious pirates.
And now Matthew McConaughey saunters on stage to announce best actress. Julianne Moore, five times a nominee at the Oscars is the favourite. Will she get it this time for Still Alice? Yes she’s got...
Show host Harris signs off with a chirpy, “Buenos noches!”
Sean Penn walks on. It’s time for the big one. Best film. Will it be Birdman or Boyhood? It’s Birdman! The movie ends the night tied with The Grand Budapest Hotel on four Oscars. Inarritu, referring to his pal Alfonso Cuaron who enjoyed success with Gravity at last year’s show, says, “Two Mexicans in a row. That’s suspicious, I guess.” Slightly more seriously, Agi also calls on his fellow Mexicans to help build a strong future for his beloved country. Wow, a good night for Birdman and a surprisingly barren one for Boyhood. Pirates indeed, Ethan Hawke, but glorious pirates.
And now Matthew McConaughey saunters on stage to announce best actress. Julianne Moore, five times a nominee at the Oscars is the favourite. Will she get it this time for Still Alice? Yes she’s got...
- 2/22/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Lily Tomlin in “Grandma”
Grandma
Written by Paul Weitz
Directed by Paul Weitz
USA, 2015
Director Paul Weitz (About A Boy, American Dreamz) has tailor-made Grandma to showcase the strength of comedy legend Lily Tomlin. As poet Elle Reid, her wry personality has an overpowering screen presence that is entertaining, but comes at the expense a talented supporting cast that is made to funnel all attention back to her. The fact that Tomlin came out of the closet late in life adds depth to her portrayal of a woman who absolutely owns her success and sexuality. Elle’s teenage granddaughter Sage (Julia Garner of Electrick Children) comes to Elle in desperate need of terminating an unwanted pregnancy and so ensues a quirky, caustic road trip to procure enough money to get it done.
Elle verbally bulldozes old friends, family, and lovers for the money. Proudly uncouth, she barely flinches while she...
Grandma
Written by Paul Weitz
Directed by Paul Weitz
USA, 2015
Director Paul Weitz (About A Boy, American Dreamz) has tailor-made Grandma to showcase the strength of comedy legend Lily Tomlin. As poet Elle Reid, her wry personality has an overpowering screen presence that is entertaining, but comes at the expense a talented supporting cast that is made to funnel all attention back to her. The fact that Tomlin came out of the closet late in life adds depth to her portrayal of a woman who absolutely owns her success and sexuality. Elle’s teenage granddaughter Sage (Julia Garner of Electrick Children) comes to Elle in desperate need of terminating an unwanted pregnancy and so ensues a quirky, caustic road trip to procure enough money to get it done.
Elle verbally bulldozes old friends, family, and lovers for the money. Proudly uncouth, she barely flinches while she...
- 2/9/2015
- by Lane Scarberry
- SoundOnSight
Sony Pictures Classics announced late last night that it has acquired the worldwide rights to "Grandma," in a deal reported to be worth roughly $2 million. Premiering Friday at Sundance, the film stars Lily Tomlin as sharp-tongued poet Elle Reid, who breaks off a four-month relationship with her girlfriend (Judy Greer) and traverses L.A. to scrounge up the $600 her granddaughter (Julia Garner) needs for an abortion. Directed by Paul Weitz ("About a Boy"), the film also features Marcia Gay Harden, Sam Elliott, "Orange is the New Black" stalwart Laverne Cox, John Cho, and the late Elizabeth Peña, in one of her final screen roles. The news marks the latest milestone in Tomlin's resurgence, 40 years after her career-defining role in Robert Altman's "Nashville." The 75-year-old actress is slated to appear with Jane Fonda in Netflix's highly anticipated comedy "Grace and Frankie," which debuts May 8. Early notices for...
- 1/28/2015
- by Matt Brennan
- Thompson on Hollywood
Telemundo has a new boss in the network news department.
The network has hired Luis Carlos Vélez as its new executive vice president of network news.
See photos: 24 TV Newscasters Ranked by Popularity
Vélez, who was previously anchor and news director at Caracol Television in Colombia, will report to Telemundo Network president Luis Silberwasser.
In his new position, Vélez will handle the editorial direction, programming and production for all of Telemundo’s news properties, a portfolio that includes the nightly newscast “Noticiero Telemundo;” the Sunday news program “Enfoque con Jose Diaz-Balart;” the national weekend newscast “Noticias Telemundo Fin de Semana...
The network has hired Luis Carlos Vélez as its new executive vice president of network news.
See photos: 24 TV Newscasters Ranked by Popularity
Vélez, who was previously anchor and news director at Caracol Television in Colombia, will report to Telemundo Network president Luis Silberwasser.
In his new position, Vélez will handle the editorial direction, programming and production for all of Telemundo’s news properties, a portfolio that includes the nightly newscast “Noticiero Telemundo;” the Sunday news program “Enfoque con Jose Diaz-Balart;” the national weekend newscast “Noticias Telemundo Fin de Semana...
- 1/27/2015
- by Tim Kenneally
- The Wrap
It’s game over for El Rey Network’s Matador.
The action-drama series, which starred Gabriel Luna as Tony Bravo, a soccer player and CIA mole, has been cancelled after one season, our sister site Deadline is reporting.
Related Cable Renewal Scorecard: What’s Coming Back? What’s Cancelled? What’s on the Bubble?
This decision will likely come as a surprise to Matador fans, as the series was picked up for a second season before it premiered in July. According to Deadline, Matador performed well in the U.S., but the network had hoped for more international success.
“Ultimately,...
The action-drama series, which starred Gabriel Luna as Tony Bravo, a soccer player and CIA mole, has been cancelled after one season, our sister site Deadline is reporting.
Related Cable Renewal Scorecard: What’s Coming Back? What’s Cancelled? What’s on the Bubble?
This decision will likely come as a surprise to Matador fans, as the series was picked up for a second season before it premiered in July. According to Deadline, Matador performed well in the U.S., but the network had hoped for more international success.
“Ultimately,...
- 11/29/2014
- TVLine.com
Elizabeth Peña, who died last month at age 55, stars in “Ana Maria in Novela Land,” her final film, individuals with knowledge of the project told TheWrap. The film, which will premiere in theaters at the end of February, was produced for Telemundo division Fluency, which is part of NBCUniversal's Hispanic Enterprises and Content. Produced for Fluency by Zach and Shane O'Brien at Synthetic Cinema International, the film will make its television debut next summer. See photos: Hollywood's Notable Deaths of 2014 The movie is shot in predominately English with about 10 percent in Spanish and geared toward a young hispanic audience. Peña,...
- 11/5/2014
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
Alexa here with your weekly art appreciation. Hard to believe that it's been 10 years since the release of The Incredibles. The (hopefully) happy news that Brad Bird is working on a sequel was followed by the sad news of Elizabeth Peña's passing; she was so recognizable as the voice of Mirage. Here's hoping that everyone else returns (Sara Vowell!), especially my personal favorite, Edna Mode (voiced by Brad Bird himself). Here are some curios to celebrate a decade of this superhero family.
Tom Whalen's poster for Mondo, available here.
...
Tom Whalen's poster for Mondo, available here.
...
- 11/4/2014
- by Alexa
- FilmExperience
Joan Quigley passed away at her home in San Francisco.
Joan Quigley, one of history's most influential astrologers, died at the age of 87 on October 21 at her San Francisco home. She is best known for advising former first lady Nancy Reagan.
In 1988, President Reagan denied the role of astrology in his political decisions after it was revealed that he and wife were deeply interested in it. He said at a photo-taking session, "No policy or decision in my mind has ever been influenced by astrology.''
News: Ronald Reagan Crewmembers Visit Et
It was revealed that Nancy began consulting astrologer Joan Quigley after the 1981 assassination attempt on her husband. The ladies first met on the Merv Griffin Show.
In her 1989 memoir, My Turn, Nancy wrote she wanted to help her husband from getting shot again.
A New York Times article from 1988 confirmed the role of astrology in their lives after Ted Koppel reported that he had learned...
Joan Quigley, one of history's most influential astrologers, died at the age of 87 on October 21 at her San Francisco home. She is best known for advising former first lady Nancy Reagan.
In 1988, President Reagan denied the role of astrology in his political decisions after it was revealed that he and wife were deeply interested in it. He said at a photo-taking session, "No policy or decision in my mind has ever been influenced by astrology.''
News: Ronald Reagan Crewmembers Visit Et
It was revealed that Nancy began consulting astrologer Joan Quigley after the 1981 assassination attempt on her husband. The ladies first met on the Merv Griffin Show.
In her 1989 memoir, My Turn, Nancy wrote she wanted to help her husband from getting shot again.
A New York Times article from 1988 confirmed the role of astrology in their lives after Ted Koppel reported that he had learned...
- 10/25/2014
- Entertainment Tonight
Jack Bruce has passed away at the age of 71.
The 1960s rock band Cream's bassist and singer Jack Bruce has passed away at the age of 71 at home with his family.
His family went on Facebook and Jack's official web site today to share the news.
Post by Jack Bruce.
The Scottish musician is described on his web site as "one of the most powerful vocalists and greatest bassists of his time." His web site also notes that "his improvisation skill and utterly unique, free-spirited approach to composition and performance would forever change electric music. His pioneering, full-toned, free-wheeling playing on the electric bass revolutionized the way the instrument is used and influenced the playing of countless bassists to today."
Bruce was part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band with guitarist Eric Clapton and drummer Ginger Baker. After Cream split up in 1968, Bruce went solo. He also formed a blues rock power trio called...
The 1960s rock band Cream's bassist and singer Jack Bruce has passed away at the age of 71 at home with his family.
His family went on Facebook and Jack's official web site today to share the news.
Post by Jack Bruce.
The Scottish musician is described on his web site as "one of the most powerful vocalists and greatest bassists of his time." His web site also notes that "his improvisation skill and utterly unique, free-spirited approach to composition and performance would forever change electric music. His pioneering, full-toned, free-wheeling playing on the electric bass revolutionized the way the instrument is used and influenced the playing of countless bassists to today."
Bruce was part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band with guitarist Eric Clapton and drummer Ginger Baker. After Cream split up in 1968, Bruce went solo. He also formed a blues rock power trio called...
- 10/25/2014
- Entertainment Tonight
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