George Lucas established himself as a blockbuster filmmaker with 1977’s Star Wars, which has had an enduring legacy in cinema. However, before undertaking the epic space opera saga, Lucas was once considering directing a war drama film focusing on the Vietnam War, which Francis Ford Coppola eventually directed.
Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now was initially developed by George Lucas (Credit: United Artists).
The 1979 war drama Apocalypse Now was initially going to be helmed by Lucas, who was involved in the project since the writing stage. Moreover, Lucas and writer John Milius had an extremely outrageous idea for the film’s production as the duo intended to shoot on actual locations where the war was still taking place. Here is everything you need to know about what could’ve been George Lucas’ Apocalypse Now.
George Lucas Almost Directed Apocalypse Now Before Creating Star Wars
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, Apocalypse Now...
Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now was initially developed by George Lucas (Credit: United Artists).
The 1979 war drama Apocalypse Now was initially going to be helmed by Lucas, who was involved in the project since the writing stage. Moreover, Lucas and writer John Milius had an extremely outrageous idea for the film’s production as the duo intended to shoot on actual locations where the war was still taking place. Here is everything you need to know about what could’ve been George Lucas’ Apocalypse Now.
George Lucas Almost Directed Apocalypse Now Before Creating Star Wars
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, Apocalypse Now...
- 6/2/2024
- by Pratik Handore
- FandomWire
After breaking into Hollywood in the 1970s, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas laid the groundwork for modern blockbuster cinema. The duo is also known for collaborating on hits like the Indiana Jones film series, which has become a cinematic icon over the years. Both have also expressed their joy in working together and their mutual admiration.
Steven Spielberg and George Lucas | Credit: Jarc12030 via Wikimedia Commons
After meeting in the late 60s, the two bonded over a shared love of cinema and respect for each other’s craft. Lucas even visited Spielberg during the pre-production of his iconic thriller Jaws. However, Spielberg’s antics and his friend’s mischievous nature could have taken a drastic turn amid an unexpected malfunction with the mechanical shark used in the movie.
George Lucas Stuck His Head in the Mechanical Shark Used in Jaws
According to the Inside Jaws podcast, filmmaker Steven Spielberg’s...
Steven Spielberg and George Lucas | Credit: Jarc12030 via Wikimedia Commons
After meeting in the late 60s, the two bonded over a shared love of cinema and respect for each other’s craft. Lucas even visited Spielberg during the pre-production of his iconic thriller Jaws. However, Spielberg’s antics and his friend’s mischievous nature could have taken a drastic turn amid an unexpected malfunction with the mechanical shark used in the movie.
George Lucas Stuck His Head in the Mechanical Shark Used in Jaws
According to the Inside Jaws podcast, filmmaker Steven Spielberg’s...
- 6/1/2024
- by Laxmi Rajput
- FandomWire
To celebrate the release of Once Upon a Time in the West on 4K Ultra HD today, as part of a 4K Uhd & Blu-Ray Collector’s Edition, we have a Collector’s Edition to give away to a lucky winner!
Director Sergio Leone’s monumental Western classic Once Upon A Time In The West celebrates its 55th anniversary this year and to mark the occasion Paramount Home Entertainment will release the fully restored film for the first time on 4K Ultra HD on May 13, 2024, as part of a 4K Uhd & Blu-ray Collector’s Edition.
One of the most iconic and influential movies ever made, Once Upon A Time In The West has been restored from the original 35mm Techniscope camera negative by Paramount’s archive team, L’Immagine Ritrovata and The Film Foundation. This restoration honours the 2007 Film Foundation photochemical restoration overseen by legendary director Martin Scorsese by matching its build and colour palette.
Director Sergio Leone’s monumental Western classic Once Upon A Time In The West celebrates its 55th anniversary this year and to mark the occasion Paramount Home Entertainment will release the fully restored film for the first time on 4K Ultra HD on May 13, 2024, as part of a 4K Uhd & Blu-ray Collector’s Edition.
One of the most iconic and influential movies ever made, Once Upon A Time In The West has been restored from the original 35mm Techniscope camera negative by Paramount’s archive team, L’Immagine Ritrovata and The Film Foundation. This restoration honours the 2007 Film Foundation photochemical restoration overseen by legendary director Martin Scorsese by matching its build and colour palette.
- 5/13/2024
- by Competitions
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
With the back-to-back blockbuster combo of "Jaws" and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," Steven Spielberg had firmly established himself as a sui generis Hollywood visionary when, in 1978, he chose to make "1941." Most people consider this a near-disaster of a decision. The anarchic World War II comedy, set in panicked Southern California in the immediate wake of the assault on Pearl Harbor, was a 180-degree turn from the spirited adventure and childlike yearning of his previous two films. It was silly, vulgar and more than a little mean. And, most audaciously, it was making light of the country's understandably crazed reaction to an attack that killed thousands of U.S. military personnel.
Spielberg's co-conspirators in this juvenile affront to one of the worst days in 20th century American history were screenwriters John Milius, Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale — and, really, all you have to do is watch "Used Cars...
Spielberg's co-conspirators in this juvenile affront to one of the worst days in 20th century American history were screenwriters John Milius, Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale — and, really, all you have to do is watch "Used Cars...
- 4/27/2024
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
For his forthcoming one from the heart, Megalopolis, Francis Ford Coppola has once again violated the cardinal rule of the entertainment business: Never invest your own money in the show. Reports are that to bankroll the $120 million epic he has literally mortgaged the farm, or vineyard. The investment is slated to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 14.
We — and he — have all been here before. Coppola last went into hock for another long-aborning and cost-overrunning project, which 45 years ago, almost to the day, also premiered at Cannes: the now legendary Apocalypse Now (1979).
At the time, Coppola was bathing in the afterglow of one of the most astonishing back-to-back double, or triple, plays in the industry’s history: The Godfather (1972) and The Godfather: Part II (1974), the operatic two-part saga of mob family business in which organized crime serves less as a metaphor for American capitalism than its purest expression (“Michael,...
We — and he — have all been here before. Coppola last went into hock for another long-aborning and cost-overrunning project, which 45 years ago, almost to the day, also premiered at Cannes: the now legendary Apocalypse Now (1979).
At the time, Coppola was bathing in the afterglow of one of the most astonishing back-to-back double, or triple, plays in the industry’s history: The Godfather (1972) and The Godfather: Part II (1974), the operatic two-part saga of mob family business in which organized crime serves less as a metaphor for American capitalism than its purest expression (“Michael,...
- 4/22/2024
- by Thomas Doherty
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Until recently, if one were asked to name some of the best films of preeminent 1970s filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, it would be easy to pick the big hits. “The Godfather” (1972), “The Godfather II” (1974) and “Apocalypse Now” (1979) are definitely his most iconic and respected films. You’d also be hard-pressed to find a person aged 25-50 who isn’t keenly aware of his adaption of S.E. Hinton’s mandatory high school assigned “The Outsiders” (1983) or his classics “Peggy Sue Got Married” (1986) and maybe even “Tucker: The Man and His Dream” (1988). Yet lately, Coppola’s “The Conversation” (1974) has entered the chat as a somewhat under the radar, low-key masterpiece from the filmmaker, and this year the film celebrates its 50th birthday.
After honing his directorial chops on films like the Roger Corman-produced horror film “Dementia 13” (1963) and fledgling films like “You’re a Big Boy Now” (1966), “Finian’s Rainbow” (1968) and “The Rain People...
After honing his directorial chops on films like the Roger Corman-produced horror film “Dementia 13” (1963) and fledgling films like “You’re a Big Boy Now” (1966), “Finian’s Rainbow” (1968) and “The Rain People...
- 4/8/2024
- by Don Lewis
- Indiewire
It’s not just action stars going to unscrupulous lengths to achieve cinematic prowess in their movies, Action megastar Arnold Schwarzenegger also proved his commitment to his roles by doing what could be unthinkable for many. The actor has endured a lot for his character in his 1982 movie Conan the Barbarian.
Arnold Schwarzenegger in Conan the Barbarian
In his book, Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life, the actor revealed the extent of the path he took to meet the demand of the director to acutely portray his character. Schwarzenegger’s confession might be a goosebump for many fans, but it shows how the actor went on to do terrible things for the sake of perfecting a character.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Endured Terrible Things For Conan The Barbarian
Arnold Schwarzenegger in and as Conan the Barbarian
Arnold Schwarzenegger is an action legend with several blockbusters to his credit in his career spanning several decades.
Arnold Schwarzenegger in Conan the Barbarian
In his book, Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life, the actor revealed the extent of the path he took to meet the demand of the director to acutely portray his character. Schwarzenegger’s confession might be a goosebump for many fans, but it shows how the actor went on to do terrible things for the sake of perfecting a character.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Endured Terrible Things For Conan The Barbarian
Arnold Schwarzenegger in and as Conan the Barbarian
Arnold Schwarzenegger is an action legend with several blockbusters to his credit in his career spanning several decades.
- 3/13/2024
- by Lachit Roy
- FandomWire
Shōgun is one of the best beautiful and intense action drama series ever. Based on a 1975 novel of the same name by James Clavell, the FX series is adapted for television by Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks. Set in the year 1600 in Japan, the historical series follows the story of Lord Yoshii Toranaga as enemies unite and come to take his life, but he sees an opportunity when a mysterious European ship is found marooned in a village nearby. Shōgun has a brilliant ensemble cast including Hiroyuki Sanada, Cosmo Jarvis, Anna Sawai, Néstor Carbonell, and Fumi Nikaido. So, if you loved the beautiful imagery and ruthless action of Shōgun, then you should check out these shows next.
Medici: Masters of Florence (Netflix) Credit – Rai
Medici: Masters of Florence is not big on action but if you loved all the politics and scheming in Shōgun, then it might be right up your alley.
Medici: Masters of Florence (Netflix) Credit – Rai
Medici: Masters of Florence is not big on action but if you loved all the politics and scheming in Shōgun, then it might be right up your alley.
- 2/29/2024
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
“That which does not kill us makes us stronger,” reads the Nietzschean maxim that serves as epigraph for writer-director John Milius’s 1982 adaptation of Conan the Barbarian, thereby encouraging viewers to plumb the philosophical depths of this rousing sword-and-sorcery epic starring Arnold Schwarzenegger from the get-go. So it’s sort of ironic to consider that, given the film’s commercial success and subsequent cult status, Milius no doubt contributed to the seemingly endless proliferation of this slogan across multiple platforms, emblazoned on everything from motivational posters to coffee mugs.
Milius’s seriousness of intent is signaled from the opening scene when Conan’s father (William Smith) advises his young son (Jorge Sanz) to trust nothing in this world but his sword. Critics at the time believed this solipsistic bit of paternal advice to reflect the ruthless individualism of Reagan’s America. But things are a bit more complicated than that,...
Milius’s seriousness of intent is signaled from the opening scene when Conan’s father (William Smith) advises his young son (Jorge Sanz) to trust nothing in this world but his sword. Critics at the time believed this solipsistic bit of paternal advice to reflect the ruthless individualism of Reagan’s America. But things are a bit more complicated than that,...
- 1/30/2024
- by Budd Wilkins
- Slant Magazine
In a 2000 Star Wars Insider interview with "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back" director Irvin Kershner, he admits that he was initially reluctant to take on the project: "'Star Wars' was one of the greatest successes we ever had in film, and I felt to follow it would only be to make a film not as good." Even the studio did not want him to get involved with the sequel, feeling that Kershner was "too old, because it's a young person's film." He also knew next to nothing about special effects.
But as much of a success as "Star Wars" became, it was not initially received that way. In the same interview, Kershner recalls viewing a trailer at Francis Ford Coppola's New Year's Eve party: "We were all baffled, to tell you the truth. We did not believe that he was going to get away with this. We all had...
But as much of a success as "Star Wars" became, it was not initially received that way. In the same interview, Kershner recalls viewing a trailer at Francis Ford Coppola's New Year's Eve party: "We were all baffled, to tell you the truth. We did not believe that he was going to get away with this. We all had...
- 11/25/2023
- by Caroline Madden
- Slash Film
This post contains spoilers for the "Dirty Harry" films.
Don Siegel's "Dirty Harry" changed cop movies forever upon its release in 1971. Capitalizing on the "law and order" craze stoked by President Richard Nixon, which was a reaction to the perceived anarchy of the various protest movements of the 1960s, Clint Eastwood's Miranda rights-flouting Harry Callahan fed conservative moviegoers a big, juicy slab of red meat. It also allowed the actor to flourish in a genre outside of Westerns, thus expanding his appeal and turning him into one of the most bankable stars in Hollywood.
"Dirty Harry" ends with Callahan, having caught and killed (in self-defense) a vicious serial killer, hurling his badge into a quarry. Throughout the movie, his hard-driving, occasionally extrajudicial methods, which could've resulted in a swift arrest and saved multiple lives, are decried by his superiors. It appears the inspector has had enough. Audiences, however,...
Don Siegel's "Dirty Harry" changed cop movies forever upon its release in 1971. Capitalizing on the "law and order" craze stoked by President Richard Nixon, which was a reaction to the perceived anarchy of the various protest movements of the 1960s, Clint Eastwood's Miranda rights-flouting Harry Callahan fed conservative moviegoers a big, juicy slab of red meat. It also allowed the actor to flourish in a genre outside of Westerns, thus expanding his appeal and turning him into one of the most bankable stars in Hollywood.
"Dirty Harry" ends with Callahan, having caught and killed (in self-defense) a vicious serial killer, hurling his badge into a quarry. Throughout the movie, his hard-driving, occasionally extrajudicial methods, which could've resulted in a swift arrest and saved multiple lives, are decried by his superiors. It appears the inspector has had enough. Audiences, however,...
- 11/12/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
The Israeli-Gaza morass this week seemed to defy coherent media coverage, reminding me of critic David Thomson’s conclusion about Hollywood war movies and how they “used to celebrate courage, not confusion.”
Thomson’s new book, The Fatal Alliance, deals with the history of the war movie from Gallipoli to Saving Private Ryan, guiding readers from “war is hell” to “war is a blur.”
The war movie once constituted a reliable genre product for Hollywood, along with the Western and the musical. To be sure, Israel-Gaza is a tragedy of enormous and dramatic proportions, as symbolized by its chaotic cross-cutting from drones to tunnels.
From Paths of Glory to Dunkirk, war movies once set forth a structure and pathos to guide audiences through the nihilism of combat.
Thomson reminds us of the pageantry of the knights on horseback in Olivier’s Henry V, the churning helicopters in Apocalypse Now or...
Thomson’s new book, The Fatal Alliance, deals with the history of the war movie from Gallipoli to Saving Private Ryan, guiding readers from “war is hell” to “war is a blur.”
The war movie once constituted a reliable genre product for Hollywood, along with the Western and the musical. To be sure, Israel-Gaza is a tragedy of enormous and dramatic proportions, as symbolized by its chaotic cross-cutting from drones to tunnels.
From Paths of Glory to Dunkirk, war movies once set forth a structure and pathos to guide audiences through the nihilism of combat.
Thomson reminds us of the pageantry of the knights on horseback in Olivier’s Henry V, the churning helicopters in Apocalypse Now or...
- 11/2/2023
- by Peter Bart
- Deadline Film + TV
One of the curious things about "The Twilight Zone's" enduring popularity is that Rod Serling's classic anthology series has been rebooted three separate times, and even spun off into movies, and yet the original series is still considered the gold standard. You'll hear "Star Trek" fans sing the praises of "The Original Series," sure, but you'll also find lots of them who think the franchise peaked with "The Next Generation," "Deep Space Nine," or "Enterprise." But the reboots of the "Twilight Zone" aren't nearly as well remembered or celebrated as the original series, no matter how many great filmmakers or actors appeared in them.
Take the first TV reboot, for example. That version of "The Twilight Zone" aired for three seasons between 1985 and 1989 — peak, influential pop culture years — and featured episodes directed by cinematic luminaries like Wes Craven, Joe Dante, John Milius, Curtis Harrington, Bill Duke, Martha Coolidge,...
Take the first TV reboot, for example. That version of "The Twilight Zone" aired for three seasons between 1985 and 1989 — peak, influential pop culture years — and featured episodes directed by cinematic luminaries like Wes Craven, Joe Dante, John Milius, Curtis Harrington, Bill Duke, Martha Coolidge,...
- 10/21/2023
- by William Bibbiani
- Slash Film
This episode of Revisited was Written by Cody Hamman, Narrated by Travis Hopson, Edited by Juan Jimenez, Produced by Adam Walton and Chris Bumbray, and Executive Produced by Berge Garabedian.
Intro: The eyes of the ranger are upon you… and while his name isn’t Walker, he is played by Chuck Norris. Ten years before he started playing a Texas Ranger on TV, Norris brought another Ranger to life in a feature film. His name was J.J. McQuade, and this martial arts practicing lawman brings down an international gun smuggler in an action-packed adventure released in 1983. Lone Wolf McQuade (watch it Here) is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year – so it’s time for it to be Revisited.
Set-up: Writer B.J. Nelson was inspired to write Lone Wolf McQuade after hearing about the life of a real-life Texas Ranger. A man who also had the nickname “Lone Wolf”: Manuel T.
Intro: The eyes of the ranger are upon you… and while his name isn’t Walker, he is played by Chuck Norris. Ten years before he started playing a Texas Ranger on TV, Norris brought another Ranger to life in a feature film. His name was J.J. McQuade, and this martial arts practicing lawman brings down an international gun smuggler in an action-packed adventure released in 1983. Lone Wolf McQuade (watch it Here) is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year – so it’s time for it to be Revisited.
Set-up: Writer B.J. Nelson was inspired to write Lone Wolf McQuade after hearing about the life of a real-life Texas Ranger. A man who also had the nickname “Lone Wolf”: Manuel T.
- 10/17/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
To mark the release of his upcoming book, “Be Useful: Tools for Life”, Arnold Schwarzenegger came up with a pretty fitting way to unveil his copies: by using his Conan the Barbarian sword to open the box. Outside of firing a rocket launcher at the box, it seems to be about the coolest way for Schwarzenegger to promote the release.
Not only did Arnold Schwarzenegger get to show off copies of his self-help book – which is now out – to his Instagram followers but he also got his miniature pony Whiskey, donkey Lulu and pig Schnelly in on the fun. And while Arnold is known to be an animal lover, we just don’t see him teaching these barnyard creatures how to read.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Arnold Schwarzenegger (@schwarzenegger)
While it can be hard to pinpoint exactly how much the Conan the Barbarian sword is worth,...
Not only did Arnold Schwarzenegger get to show off copies of his self-help book – which is now out – to his Instagram followers but he also got his miniature pony Whiskey, donkey Lulu and pig Schnelly in on the fun. And while Arnold is known to be an animal lover, we just don’t see him teaching these barnyard creatures how to read.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Arnold Schwarzenegger (@schwarzenegger)
While it can be hard to pinpoint exactly how much the Conan the Barbarian sword is worth,...
- 10/15/2023
- by Mathew Plale
- JoBlo.com
Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s self-help book and memoir Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life is now on store shelves (copies can be purchased at This Link), and in that book Schwarzenegger discusses some of the terrible stuff – actually, he says terrible shit, but I didn’t want to put that in the headline – that Conan the Barbarian director John Milius had him doing during the making of that classic.
Schwarzenegger wrote (with thanks to Insider for sharing), “I learned to ride horses and camels and elephants. I learned how to jump from large rocks, how to climb and swing from long ropes, how to fall from a height. I basically went to another vocational school, this one for aspiring action heroes. Then on top of that, Milius had me doing all kinds of terrible shit. I crawled through rocks, take after take, until my forearms bled. I ran from wild dogs...
Schwarzenegger wrote (with thanks to Insider for sharing), “I learned to ride horses and camels and elephants. I learned how to jump from large rocks, how to climb and swing from long ropes, how to fall from a height. I basically went to another vocational school, this one for aspiring action heroes. Then on top of that, Milius had me doing all kinds of terrible shit. I crawled through rocks, take after take, until my forearms bled. I ran from wild dogs...
- 10/11/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s new self-help book and memoir “Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life” recalls the crazy things he had to do to pull off his most iconic film roles. Most wildly, he reveals that he bit into a real, dead vulture while filming takes for 1982’s “Conan the Barbarian.” Schwarzenegger writes that the film’s director, John Milius, forced him to do “terrible shit” during the making of the film.
“I learned to ride horses and camels and elephants. I learned how to jump from large rocks, how to climb and swing from long ropes, how to fall from a height,” Schwarzenegger writes (via Insider). “I basically went to another vocational school, this one for aspiring action heroes.”
“Then on top of that, Milius had me doing all kinds of terrible shit. I crawled through rocks, take after take, until my forearms bled. I ran from wild dogs that...
“I learned to ride horses and camels and elephants. I learned how to jump from large rocks, how to climb and swing from long ropes, how to fall from a height,” Schwarzenegger writes (via Insider). “I basically went to another vocational school, this one for aspiring action heroes.”
“Then on top of that, Milius had me doing all kinds of terrible shit. I crawled through rocks, take after take, until my forearms bled. I ran from wild dogs that...
- 10/10/2023
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
As of this writing, there have been four TV versions of "The Twilight Zone." There was Rod Serling's original series which ran from 1959 until 1964, of course, and that series completely shook the pop culture landscape, becoming a new pivot point by which new shows would be measured. In 1985, a decade after Serling's death, "The Twilight Zone" was revived and tried to adhere to the spirit of the original series by adapting stories from experienced sci-fi writers and employing an interesting raft of known actors and directors. Wes Craven, Tommy Lee Wallace, William Friedkin, Joe Dante, John Milius, Martha Coolidge, Bill Duke, and Atom Egoyan helmed episodes.
Many may also recall, merely through recency bias, that there was a 2019 "Twilight Zone" revival produced by Jordan Peele and broadcast on CBS All Access (now Paramount+). That new version has already been canceled after two ten-episode seasons.
Less well-remembered may be the...
Many may also recall, merely through recency bias, that there was a 2019 "Twilight Zone" revival produced by Jordan Peele and broadcast on CBS All Access (now Paramount+). That new version has already been canceled after two ten-episode seasons.
Less well-remembered may be the...
- 10/2/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Red Dawn is an American action war film released in 2012. It is a remake of the 1984 film directed by John Milius. The film tells the tale of a group of young people who defend their hometown from a North Korean invasion. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer was responsible for the remake which they announced in 2008. The film was originally scheduled to be released on November 24, 2010. However, it wasn’t released due to the production company’s financial troubles. The cast for the invading army and antagonists were also changed from the initial Chinese to North Korean including Chinese symbols to North...
- 9/25/2023
- by Nkem
- TVovermind.com
The making of Apocalypse Now is the story of madness and disaster. As captured in the documentary Hearts of Darkness, the year plus filming saw every manner of bad luck, from conflicts with the Philippine government to massive storms to a constantly changing crew, to star Martin Sheen’s heart attack on set.
But the strangest behind the scenes tale of Apocalypse Now may actually be about the man who initially planned to direct it. The version of Apocalypse Now that hit theaters in 1979 matched the ambitions (and ego) of its director Francis Ford Coppola. But before Coppola took over, Apocalypse Now was actually the baby of the reserved and mild-mannered George Lucas.
Nirvana Now
Screenwriter John Milius wanted to go to war. One of the few conservatives within a group of lefty young filmmakers that included Martin Scorsese, Margot Kidder, and Paul Schrader, Milius had no interest in protesting the Vietnam War.
But the strangest behind the scenes tale of Apocalypse Now may actually be about the man who initially planned to direct it. The version of Apocalypse Now that hit theaters in 1979 matched the ambitions (and ego) of its director Francis Ford Coppola. But before Coppola took over, Apocalypse Now was actually the baby of the reserved and mild-mannered George Lucas.
Nirvana Now
Screenwriter John Milius wanted to go to war. One of the few conservatives within a group of lefty young filmmakers that included Martin Scorsese, Margot Kidder, and Paul Schrader, Milius had no interest in protesting the Vietnam War.
- 9/11/2023
- by Joe George
- Den of Geek
This article contains spoilers for "Ahsoka" episode 4, "Fallen Jedi."
"I grew up in a small town in northern California," George Lucas once related during a 2001 interview for the Criterion Collection's edition of Akira Kurosawa's "The Hidden Fortress." "The movie theatres there didn't show much more than 'Bridge on the River Kwai' and 'The Blob.' So I didn't really experience foreign films until I found my way into film school. At that point is when I was exposed to Kurosawa. A friend of mine, John Milius, was actually a huge fan of Kurosawa's, so whenever a film was showing, he'd say, 'Oh, you gotta come see this.' The first one I saw was 'Seven Samurai,' and then after that I was completely hooked. I said, 'This is really good.'"
In order to understand the DNA of "Star Wars," one must understand the film DNA of Kurosawa -- specifically,...
"I grew up in a small town in northern California," George Lucas once related during a 2001 interview for the Criterion Collection's edition of Akira Kurosawa's "The Hidden Fortress." "The movie theatres there didn't show much more than 'Bridge on the River Kwai' and 'The Blob.' So I didn't really experience foreign films until I found my way into film school. At that point is when I was exposed to Kurosawa. A friend of mine, John Milius, was actually a huge fan of Kurosawa's, so whenever a film was showing, he'd say, 'Oh, you gotta come see this.' The first one I saw was 'Seven Samurai,' and then after that I was completely hooked. I said, 'This is really good.'"
In order to understand the DNA of "Star Wars," one must understand the film DNA of Kurosawa -- specifically,...
- 9/7/2023
- by Bryan Young
- Slash Film
Born in Houston, Texas, on August 18, 1952, Patrick Wayne Swayze was the son of Patsy Swayze, a choreographer, and Jesse Wayne Swayze, a draftsman at a chemical plant. Patrick honed his dancing skills at his mother’s dance school in their hometown of Houston.
Renowned for his captivating performances, Patrick Wayne Swayze was a multifaceted talent. As an actor, dancer, and singer-songwriter, Swayze left an indelible imprint on Hollywood with his unique ability to embody romantic, rugged, and comedic roles. His charm was so irresistible that he was deemed the “Sexiest Man Alive” by People magazine in 1991.
Related: 25 Sexiest Men of 2022 (on TV and Movies)
Beyond his acting prowess, he penned and performed the famous song “She’s Like the Wind,” further solidifying his place in the annals of entertainment.
From the passionate intensity of “Dirty Dancing“ to the adrenaline-fueled action of “Point Break,” Swayze’s diverse roles showcased his wide-ranging talent.
Renowned for his captivating performances, Patrick Wayne Swayze was a multifaceted talent. As an actor, dancer, and singer-songwriter, Swayze left an indelible imprint on Hollywood with his unique ability to embody romantic, rugged, and comedic roles. His charm was so irresistible that he was deemed the “Sexiest Man Alive” by People magazine in 1991.
Related: 25 Sexiest Men of 2022 (on TV and Movies)
Beyond his acting prowess, he penned and performed the famous song “She’s Like the Wind,” further solidifying his place in the annals of entertainment.
From the passionate intensity of “Dirty Dancing“ to the adrenaline-fueled action of “Point Break,” Swayze’s diverse roles showcased his wide-ranging talent.
- 8/24/2023
- by Israr Ahmed
- buddytv.com
It's not unusual for artists to have a complicated relationship with their work. Whether it's a piece that fails to land with viewers or a successful passion project that ultimately gets sucked into the commercial machine, it's an especially tight line for filmmakers to walk. For George Lucas, 1977's "Star Wars" (by 1981 it would be retitled "Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope") was the latter: an offbeat, mystical science fiction film that he had spent years developing and for which he had the lowest expectations. After all, the story of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hammill) leaving the comfort of his home planet to learn the ways of the mystical Force and befriend a ragtag rebel group facing off against an evil Empire was no sure thing.
"Star Wars" would go on to cast an awfully long shadow, creating a massive franchise and media phenomenon that would tie Lucas up...
"Star Wars" would go on to cast an awfully long shadow, creating a massive franchise and media phenomenon that would tie Lucas up...
- 8/20/2023
- by Anthony Crislip
- Slash Film
Filmmaker and video essayist Patrick H. Willems has some thoughts about Zack Snyder (who will henceforth be known as our "himbo auteur"). He's proposed that the key to understanding the director is his love of John Boorman's 1981 medieval fantasy epic "Excalibur." Snyder has expressed his love of Boorman's film many times over the years, even incorporating it into his version of the Caped Crusader's origin story in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice." Snyder's ultimate goal as an artist, Willems reasons, is basically making his version of "Excalibur," a film Roger Ebert once described as "a record of the comings and goings of arbitrary, inconsistent, shadowy, figures who are not heroes but simply giants run amok."
The more you think about it, the sounder this argument becomes. It certainly explains Snyder's tendency to craft brutal, bombastic films that prioritize spectacle over coherent storytelling or political messaging. Indeed, given his love of mythic storytelling,...
The more you think about it, the sounder this argument becomes. It certainly explains Snyder's tendency to craft brutal, bombastic films that prioritize spectacle over coherent storytelling or political messaging. Indeed, given his love of mythic storytelling,...
- 8/8/2023
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
A genre that has been around for decades and gets talked about too rarely, sword and sorcery can encompass many films and sub-genres. So, what makes a sword and sorcery film better than the others? What makes it worthy of being the best? For some it will be how closely it follows the genre’s established rules and typical stories. For others, it will be how well-written and directed they are. For us, it’s how enjoyable they are, so, yes, some will deviate a bit from the usual rules of the genre, but all will be fun. So let’s take a look at what we consider the best sword and sorcery movies!
The Green Knight (2021)
A more recent offering in a genre that doesn’t seem to get enough representation lately, The Green Knight is a fantastic adaptation of the writings by The Gawain Poet. The source material...
The Green Knight (2021)
A more recent offering in a genre that doesn’t seem to get enough representation lately, The Green Knight is a fantastic adaptation of the writings by The Gawain Poet. The source material...
- 7/9/2023
- by Emilie Black
- JoBlo.com
While it may feel a little blasphemous to admit, sometimes the book just isn’t better than the movie. And that’s really okay. Both authors and directors tell stories using the tools they have available in their medium. A perfectly turned phrase can be just as emotional as a beautifully framed shot in the right hands, and sometimes a filmmaker’s choices perfectly align with the author’s sensibility, bringing fan fave characters to vivid life.
However, the best movie adaptations can often transform the source material into a nearly unrecognizable vision. When this happens, it may still authentically express the original soul of a novel—or at least a soul of its own. Writing is a lonely job, but film is all about collaboration, and when it goes well, well, audiences are treated to something truly special.
So instead of repeating the familiar refrain of “the book was better,...
However, the best movie adaptations can often transform the source material into a nearly unrecognizable vision. When this happens, it may still authentically express the original soul of a novel—or at least a soul of its own. Writing is a lonely job, but film is all about collaboration, and when it goes well, well, audiences are treated to something truly special.
So instead of repeating the familiar refrain of “the book was better,...
- 7/6/2023
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
Written by Gary Smart, Neil Morris | Directed by Christopher Griffiths, Gary Smart
Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story picks up with a 12-year-old Robert being sent to theatre camp getting attention from girls and being complimented by talk show host Steve Allen. That, especially the female attention, pointed him toward his career. And really, what better motivation can a young man have?
Best known for playing Freddy Krueger in the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, Robert Englund already had a long history in the genre. dating back to Tobe Hooper’s Eaten Alive in 1976. Who could forget his entrance announcing “My name’s Buck, and I’m here to fuck!” and the criminally underrated Dead and Buried in 1981 as well as Galaxy of Terror and a host of others. And it’s continued well past his time as Freddy, most recently doing voice acting in the bizarre puppet film Abruptio.
Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story picks up with a 12-year-old Robert being sent to theatre camp getting attention from girls and being complimented by talk show host Steve Allen. That, especially the female attention, pointed him toward his career. And really, what better motivation can a young man have?
Best known for playing Freddy Krueger in the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, Robert Englund already had a long history in the genre. dating back to Tobe Hooper’s Eaten Alive in 1976. Who could forget his entrance announcing “My name’s Buck, and I’m here to fuck!” and the criminally underrated Dead and Buried in 1981 as well as Galaxy of Terror and a host of others. And it’s continued well past his time as Freddy, most recently doing voice acting in the bizarre puppet film Abruptio.
- 6/1/2023
- by Jim Morazzini
- Nerdly
I believe Jeff Bridges is one of the most charming actors of the last 50 years, and I'm not alone. Pauline Kael went one step further by calling Jeff, in an oft-quoted line, "[maybe] the most natural and least self-conscious screen actor who ever lived." I don't know if Kael harbored any sort of attraction toward Bridges, but I can't claim that my appreciation of him is entirely platonic.
He's not only a fine figure of a leading man (with an even finer head of hair), but he also possesses an easy charisma that has bolstered his screen presence from "The Last Picture Show" in 1971 all the way to "The Old Man," his recent Hulu show. If Bridges has ever given a bad performance, please enlighten me because I have yet to find it among his many credits. Instead of any further hagiography, here is a breakdown of Jeff Bridges' best movies.
He's not only a fine figure of a leading man (with an even finer head of hair), but he also possesses an easy charisma that has bolstered his screen presence from "The Last Picture Show" in 1971 all the way to "The Old Man," his recent Hulu show. If Bridges has ever given a bad performance, please enlighten me because I have yet to find it among his many credits. Instead of any further hagiography, here is a breakdown of Jeff Bridges' best movies.
- 5/27/2023
- by Jack Hawkins
- Slash Film
In the very early days of prestige television, a series appeared (some say it began the prestige era) that gave us a glimpse of what the future would hold. That series was "Rome," the story of the rise and fall of Julius Caesar (Ciarán Hinds) and the romance and death of Mark Antony (James Purefoy) and Cleopatra (Lyndsey Marshal). The series was gorgeous and full of rich historical detail, and the performances were spectacular.
The series, which ran from 2005-2007, came to us from John Milius, William J. MacDonald, and Bruno Heller. It nabbed talented actors like Hinds, Purefoy, Marshal, Lindsay Duncan, Polly Walker, Tobias Menzies, Kevin McKidd, and the late Ray Stevenson. It won a Director's Guild award, seven Primetime Emmy Awards, and quite a number of others.
The sets were stunning and actually existed in the world, in the historic Cinecittà Studios, right in Rome, from the Forum...
The series, which ran from 2005-2007, came to us from John Milius, William J. MacDonald, and Bruno Heller. It nabbed talented actors like Hinds, Purefoy, Marshal, Lindsay Duncan, Polly Walker, Tobias Menzies, Kevin McKidd, and the late Ray Stevenson. It won a Director's Guild award, seven Primetime Emmy Awards, and quite a number of others.
The sets were stunning and actually existed in the world, in the historic Cinecittà Studios, right in Rome, from the Forum...
- 5/26/2023
- by Jenna Busch
- Slash Film
Arnold Schwarzenegger is one of the film industry’s biggest and most recognizable leading men thanks to films like Terminator and Predator. But earlier in Schwarzenegger’s career, many told him he had no chance of becoming a star.
Arnold Schwarzenegger was told he gave people the ‘creeps’ Arnold Schwarzenegger | Michael Kovac/Getty Images
Schwarzenegger wanted to become an actor from an early age. The Terminator star grew up in poverty, and was determined to leave that lifestyle behind as he grew older. This was one of his main motivators for succeeding in his formative years.
“My own plan formed when I was 14 years old. My father had wanted me to be a police officer like he was. My mother wanted me to go to trade school. But me – I wanted to find my own passion – something I could excel in – be great in,” Schwarzenegger said on Sacramento Metro Chamber...
Arnold Schwarzenegger was told he gave people the ‘creeps’ Arnold Schwarzenegger | Michael Kovac/Getty Images
Schwarzenegger wanted to become an actor from an early age. The Terminator star grew up in poverty, and was determined to leave that lifestyle behind as he grew older. This was one of his main motivators for succeeding in his formative years.
“My own plan formed when I was 14 years old. My father had wanted me to be a police officer like he was. My mother wanted me to go to trade school. But me – I wanted to find my own passion – something I could excel in – be great in,” Schwarzenegger said on Sacramento Metro Chamber...
- 5/20/2023
- by Antonio Stallings
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Arnold Schwarzenegger managed to maintain his reputation as an action star even in his much older years. But Clint Eastwood was a significant motivator for Schwarzenegger’s continued run in the genre.
How Clint Eastwood inspired Arnold Schwarzenegger’s future career as an action star Arnold Schwarzenegger | Leon Bennett/WireImage
Schwarzenegger was determined to become a blockbuster superstar at an early age, which he accomplished at the highest level. His roles in features like Predator, Terminator, and Commando helped turn him into one of Hollywood’s biggest action heroes. He felt like the movie Conan the Barbarian was when he truly cemented himself as a leading man.
“Universal Studios sold movies internationally, and Dino De Laurentiis was the biggest producer and had more awards on his shelves than you can even imagine,” he once told Buzzfeed. “You have Oliver Stone write the script and have John Milius rewrite it and then direct.
How Clint Eastwood inspired Arnold Schwarzenegger’s future career as an action star Arnold Schwarzenegger | Leon Bennett/WireImage
Schwarzenegger was determined to become a blockbuster superstar at an early age, which he accomplished at the highest level. His roles in features like Predator, Terminator, and Commando helped turn him into one of Hollywood’s biggest action heroes. He felt like the movie Conan the Barbarian was when he truly cemented himself as a leading man.
“Universal Studios sold movies internationally, and Dino De Laurentiis was the biggest producer and had more awards on his shelves than you can even imagine,” he once told Buzzfeed. “You have Oliver Stone write the script and have John Milius rewrite it and then direct.
- 5/20/2023
- by Antonio Stallings
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
During a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter that covered various topics, Arnold Schwarzenegger briefly spoke about two big time franchises that are synonymous with his name: Terminator and Conan the Barbarian. He’s done with one. But not the other.
“The franchise is not done. I’m done,” Schwarzenegger tells THR when speaking about the long-running Terminator franchise that he recently returned to for 2019’s Dark Fate.
The actor continues, “I got the message loud and clear that the world wants to move on with a different theme when it comes to The Terminator. Someone has to come up with a great idea. The Terminator was largely responsible for my success, so I always would look at it very fondly. The first three movies were great. Number four [Salvation] I was not in because I was governor. Then five [Genisys] and six [Dark Fate] didn’t close the deal as far as I’m concerned.
“The franchise is not done. I’m done,” Schwarzenegger tells THR when speaking about the long-running Terminator franchise that he recently returned to for 2019’s Dark Fate.
The actor continues, “I got the message loud and clear that the world wants to move on with a different theme when it comes to The Terminator. Someone has to come up with a great idea. The Terminator was largely responsible for my success, so I always would look at it very fondly. The first three movies were great. Number four [Salvation] I was not in because I was governor. Then five [Genisys] and six [Dark Fate] didn’t close the deal as far as I’m concerned.
- 5/18/2023
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Arnold Schwarzenegger is "done" with the 'Terminator' franchise.The 75-year-old actor thinks the franchise could have a successful future - but Schwarzenegger insists that he won't be a part of it.Schwarzenegger - who starred in 2019's 'Terminator: Dark Fate' - told The Hollywood Reporter: "The franchise is not done. I’m done."I got the message loud and clear that the world wants to move on with a different theme when it comes to 'The Terminator'. Someone has to come up with a great idea."Despite this, Schwarzenegger will always have fond memories of the franchise.The actor - who starred in the original 'Terminator' movie in 1984 - explained: "'The Terminator' was largely responsible for my success, so I always would look at it very fondly."The first three movies were great. Number four ['Salvation'] I was not in because I...
- 5/17/2023
- by Josh Evans
- Bang Showbiz
Arnold Schwarzenegger may be done with the Terminator franchise, but he’s not ready to call it quits on Conan the Barbarian.
Following the release of Conan the Barbarian and Conan the Destroyer, a third installment of the franchise was planned before it eventually entered development hell. Since then, the project has surfaced several times over the years but just can’t seem to get off the ground. While speaking with THR, Arnold Schwarzenegger reveals that he’s still game to play Conan one more time, but the issue seems to be tied up with who owns the rights.
“It’s been pending for the last 10 years. [Fredrik] Malmberg owns the rights,” Arnold Schwarzenegger said. “He comes to me and says, ‘Oh, I have a deal with Netflix,’ and when we ask Netflix, they don’t know anything about it. It’s one of those crazy things. I hope he figures it out.
Following the release of Conan the Barbarian and Conan the Destroyer, a third installment of the franchise was planned before it eventually entered development hell. Since then, the project has surfaced several times over the years but just can’t seem to get off the ground. While speaking with THR, Arnold Schwarzenegger reveals that he’s still game to play Conan one more time, but the issue seems to be tied up with who owns the rights.
“It’s been pending for the last 10 years. [Fredrik] Malmberg owns the rights,” Arnold Schwarzenegger said. “He comes to me and says, ‘Oh, I have a deal with Netflix,’ and when we ask Netflix, they don’t know anything about it. It’s one of those crazy things. I hope he figures it out.
- 5/16/2023
- by Kevin Fraser
- JoBlo.com
It's one of those projects that has floated around development limbo for years, but according to Arnold Schwarzenegger, the sequel to 1988 Ivan Reitman comedy Twins, known as Triplets, is currently sitting on the slush pile. And it's all thanks to Reitman's son, Jason.
As part of a sprawling career and life interview in The Hollywood Reporter, Schwarzenegger opens up about his disappointment with the movie, which would have reunited him with original co-star Danny DeVito and was to have also starred first Eddie Murphy then Tracy Morgan, with the elder Reitman back to direct. At least until his death, whereupon his filmmaker son decided not to move it forward.
"Jason Reitman fucked it up!" says Schwarzenegger. "Jason Reitman literally stopped the project when his father died. His father wanted to do it really badly. I wanted to do it really badly. Danny DeVito wanted to do it really badly. We had the financing.
As part of a sprawling career and life interview in The Hollywood Reporter, Schwarzenegger opens up about his disappointment with the movie, which would have reunited him with original co-star Danny DeVito and was to have also starred first Eddie Murphy then Tracy Morgan, with the elder Reitman back to direct. At least until his death, whereupon his filmmaker son decided not to move it forward.
"Jason Reitman fucked it up!" says Schwarzenegger. "Jason Reitman literally stopped the project when his father died. His father wanted to do it really badly. I wanted to do it really badly. Danny DeVito wanted to do it really badly. We had the financing.
- 5/16/2023
- by James White
- Empire - Movies
The 1982 fantasy epic "Conan the Barbarian" is a silly but fun flick filled with swords, sorcery, and sandals, and it signaled the beginning of star Arnold Schwarzenegger's decades-long career as an action star. The movie received mixed reviews at the time but has gone on to be a bit of a cult classic, in part because of the love for the overall "Conan" franchise, which started with Robert E. Howard's "Conan" stories. Schwarzenegger plays the title character, a barbarian out for revenge after the deaths of his parents, and he would reprise the role in the 1984 sequel, "Conan the Destroyer." The role is kind of perfect for Schwarzenegger, playing a buff and brutal warrior with natural charisma but not a lot of dialogue, putting him on the map and introducing audiences everywhere to the Hyborian Age.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter while promoting his upcoming Netflix series,...
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter while promoting his upcoming Netflix series,...
- 5/16/2023
- by Danielle Ryan
- Slash Film
In 1988, "Saturday Night Live" debuted a sketch about two gym rats who wanted to help you get swole. It was called "Pumping Up with Hans & Franz," a fake TV show featuring two "cousins" of Arnold Schwarzenegger called Hans (Dana Carvey) and Franz (Kevin Nealon). These guys featured gap-toothed grins, spiky hair, and grey sweat suits full of dollar-store-looking muscle padding. Hans and Franz had Austrian accents like Schwarzenegger and told people how they were "girlie men" and, in one Halloween episode, gave out vitamin C instead of candy. You know, for fitness.
Behind them was almost always a poster or standee of cousin Ah-nahld from his bodybuilding days. Schwarzenegger himself even showed up in one episode. The idea was inspired by Arnold himself, according to a 2013 DMJuice interview with Nealon, who said that while Nealon and Carvey were on tour after their first year at "SNL," they watched Schwarzenegger do...
Behind them was almost always a poster or standee of cousin Ah-nahld from his bodybuilding days. Schwarzenegger himself even showed up in one episode. The idea was inspired by Arnold himself, according to a 2013 DMJuice interview with Nealon, who said that while Nealon and Carvey were on tour after their first year at "SNL," they watched Schwarzenegger do...
- 2/26/2023
- by Jenna Busch
- Slash Film
John Milius' Reagan-era action hit "Red Dawn" wasn't just a running "Hot Tub Time Machine" gag; the Cold War fantasy of guerilla patriot youths marked a new peak of commercial success for the "Wind and the Lion" director and stimulated the careers of several of its young stars.
The story, of teen freedom fighters repelling commies in Soviet-invaded Colorado, was a box-office smash in the summer of 1984, nestled alongside the Los Angeles Olympics — which the Soviets were boycotting after the U.S. boycotted the Moscow Olympics four years prior. Filled with All-American treasures like Chevy pickup trucks and Coca-Cola to defend, the movie depended on strong performances from the actors who would play the "Wolverine" partisans. These kids weren't particularly political; their claim was a simple 1:1 reaction to being invaded. Among them, city sisters Erica and Toni Mason -- played by a pre-"Back to the Future" Lea Thompson...
The story, of teen freedom fighters repelling commies in Soviet-invaded Colorado, was a box-office smash in the summer of 1984, nestled alongside the Los Angeles Olympics — which the Soviets were boycotting after the U.S. boycotted the Moscow Olympics four years prior. Filled with All-American treasures like Chevy pickup trucks and Coca-Cola to defend, the movie depended on strong performances from the actors who would play the "Wolverine" partisans. These kids weren't particularly political; their claim was a simple 1:1 reaction to being invaded. Among them, city sisters Erica and Toni Mason -- played by a pre-"Back to the Future" Lea Thompson...
- 2/8/2023
- by Anya Stanley
- Slash Film
Robert Dalva, the film editor who earned an Oscar nomination for his work on the touching family adventure The Black Stallion and collaborated with director Joe Johnston on five films, including Jumanji and Captain America: The First Avenger, has died. He was 80.
Dalva died Jan. 27 of lymphoma in Marin County, California, his son Matthew Dalva told The Hollywood Reporter.
Dalva attended USC film school in the same class with George Lucas, and he went to work with him and Francis Ford Coppola in 1969 as the pair launched their innovative American Zoetrope production company in San Francisco.
The relationship paid off when Lucas hired Dalva to handle second-unit photography — he shot the land speeder going across the desert — on the original Star Wars (1977).
On the Coppola-produced Black Stallion (1979), starring Mickey Rooney in an Oscar-nominated performance, Dalva partnered with director Carroll Ballard, who also did second-unit work on Star Wars.
“We had...
Dalva died Jan. 27 of lymphoma in Marin County, California, his son Matthew Dalva told The Hollywood Reporter.
Dalva attended USC film school in the same class with George Lucas, and he went to work with him and Francis Ford Coppola in 1969 as the pair launched their innovative American Zoetrope production company in San Francisco.
The relationship paid off when Lucas hired Dalva to handle second-unit photography — he shot the land speeder going across the desert — on the original Star Wars (1977).
On the Coppola-produced Black Stallion (1979), starring Mickey Rooney in an Oscar-nominated performance, Dalva partnered with director Carroll Ballard, who also did second-unit work on Star Wars.
“We had...
- 2/6/2023
- by Mike Barnes and Christy Piña
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
With Ronald Reagan coasting to a landslide reelection in 1984 via patriotic posturing and Cold War fear-mongering, the time was right for John Milius' "Red Dawn." This expertly crafted martial fantasy about the Soviet Union capitalizing on a global catastrophe to invade a geopolitically isolated United States made a killing at the box office thanks largely to teenagers who believed they could, via ingenuity and love for country, lead a guerilla resistance against the freedom-hating Commie horde.
I fell hard for it as a 10-year-old in 1984, and still love it as a strange, heartfelt relic of post-Vietnam confidence building. Americans were so desperate for a military victory that they puffed their chests out after the successful invasion of Grenada in 1983. Since we all knew that a toe-to-toe slugfest against the Ussr would likely result in nuclear armageddon, we had to get our ass-kicking wishes fulfilled at the multiplex. And so Milius...
I fell hard for it as a 10-year-old in 1984, and still love it as a strange, heartfelt relic of post-Vietnam confidence building. Americans were so desperate for a military victory that they puffed their chests out after the successful invasion of Grenada in 1983. Since we all knew that a toe-to-toe slugfest against the Ussr would likely result in nuclear armageddon, we had to get our ass-kicking wishes fulfilled at the multiplex. And so Milius...
- 1/27/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
The prolific producer of more than 90 movies across seven decades, it’s being reported today that Edward R. Pressman passed away on Tuesday in Los Angeles at the age of 79.
Edward Pressman’s notable genre credits include American Psycho and The Crow, as well as genre-spanning films including Conan the Barbarian, Judge Dredd, Bad Lieutenant, Phantom of the Paradise, Sisters, The Island of Dr. Moreau, and the slasher Christmas Evil.
Pressman also produced films including Crimewave, Masters of the Universe, Wall Street, Blue Steel, Street Fighter, Wendigo, Party Monster, Thank You for Smoking, and She Will (2022).
Variety notes, “Pressman was born in New York to Jack and Lynn Pressman, the founders of Pressman Toy. After studying philosophy at Stanford, he went to grad school at the London School of Economics, where he met director Paul Williams. The filmmakers came to Hollywood, where they secured a two-picture deal from United Artists.
Edward Pressman’s notable genre credits include American Psycho and The Crow, as well as genre-spanning films including Conan the Barbarian, Judge Dredd, Bad Lieutenant, Phantom of the Paradise, Sisters, The Island of Dr. Moreau, and the slasher Christmas Evil.
Pressman also produced films including Crimewave, Masters of the Universe, Wall Street, Blue Steel, Street Fighter, Wendigo, Party Monster, Thank You for Smoking, and She Will (2022).
Variety notes, “Pressman was born in New York to Jack and Lynn Pressman, the founders of Pressman Toy. After studying philosophy at Stanford, he went to grad school at the London School of Economics, where he met director Paul Williams. The filmmakers came to Hollywood, where they secured a two-picture deal from United Artists.
- 1/18/2023
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Edward Pressman, the legendary producer of “Wall Street,” “The Crow” and “Conan the Barbarian,” has died, according to a rep for the Pressman family. Pressman was 79.
Pressman, who also produced “American Psycho” and “Bad Lieutenant,” died Tuesday night in Los Angeles. He was surrounded by family and friends and members of the Pressman Film company.
With over 90 diverse motion pictures produced over his 50+ year career, Pressman forged a career fostering renowned director-driven titles that pushed the envelope with originality and eclecticism. Pressman’s foremost specialty was discovering new talent and bringing new cinematic experiences to global audiences.
Also Read:
Hollywood’s Notable Deaths of 2022 (Photos)
Some of the notable directors Pressman has worked with include Oliver Stone, Abel Ferrara, Terrence Malick, John Milius, Mary Harron and Alex Proyas.
Pressman helped hone and broke out the first films of Brian DePalma (“Sisters” and “Phantom of the Paradise”), Terrence Malick (“Badlands”) and...
Pressman, who also produced “American Psycho” and “Bad Lieutenant,” died Tuesday night in Los Angeles. He was surrounded by family and friends and members of the Pressman Film company.
With over 90 diverse motion pictures produced over his 50+ year career, Pressman forged a career fostering renowned director-driven titles that pushed the envelope with originality and eclecticism. Pressman’s foremost specialty was discovering new talent and bringing new cinematic experiences to global audiences.
Also Read:
Hollywood’s Notable Deaths of 2022 (Photos)
Some of the notable directors Pressman has worked with include Oliver Stone, Abel Ferrara, Terrence Malick, John Milius, Mary Harron and Alex Proyas.
Pressman helped hone and broke out the first films of Brian DePalma (“Sisters” and “Phantom of the Paradise”), Terrence Malick (“Badlands”) and...
- 1/18/2023
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Maverick independent producer Edward R. “Ed” Pressman, who shepherded more than 90 movies including “Wall Street,” “Badlands,” “Bad Lieutenant,” “Conan the Barbarian” and “American Psycho,” died Tuesday in Los Angeles. He was 79.
The fiercely independent producer had an impressive track record for discovering new talent, having worked with an array of notable filmmakers including Oliver Stone, Werner Herzog, Kathryn Bigelow, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Alex Cox, Brian De Palma, Abel Ferrara, Terrence Malick, John Milius and Mary Harron.
Pressman shepherded De Palma’s early films “Sisters” and “Phantom of the Paradise,” as well as Malick’s directorial debut “Badlands” with Sissy Spacek and Martin Sheen.
His longtime collaboration with Oliver Stone started with the filmmaker’s directing debut “The Hand,” and Pressman met his future wife, actor Annie McEnroe, on the set of that film. Pressman went on to produce Stone’s “Talk Radio” and “Wall Street,” and the sequel “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps.
The fiercely independent producer had an impressive track record for discovering new talent, having worked with an array of notable filmmakers including Oliver Stone, Werner Herzog, Kathryn Bigelow, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Alex Cox, Brian De Palma, Abel Ferrara, Terrence Malick, John Milius and Mary Harron.
Pressman shepherded De Palma’s early films “Sisters” and “Phantom of the Paradise,” as well as Malick’s directorial debut “Badlands” with Sissy Spacek and Martin Sheen.
His longtime collaboration with Oliver Stone started with the filmmaker’s directing debut “The Hand,” and Pressman met his future wife, actor Annie McEnroe, on the set of that film. Pressman went on to produce Stone’s “Talk Radio” and “Wall Street,” and the sequel “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps.
- 1/18/2023
- by Pat Saperstein
- Variety Film + TV
There's much more to Arnold Schwarzenegger than his time portraying T-800. Anyone familiar with his book, "Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story," will realize how brilliantly this title lives up to the remarkable tales he has to tell. Growing up in rural Austria amid the rubble of failed Nazi Germany, Schwarzenegger dominated the body-building world, emerging as Mr. Universe at 20 years old. He won the Mr. Olympia title a staggering seven times.
But he didn't stop there -- in fact, far from it. Moving to America, he set his sights on acting, an unlikely goal considering his size and accent. Despite these challenges, Schwarzenegger stuck at it, taking language lessons to lose his native intonation and eventually bagged film roles, including the lead in 1970's "Hercules in New York." For the film, they dubbed his voice and credited him under the name Arnold Strong. More roles followed as his accent and acting improved,...
But he didn't stop there -- in fact, far from it. Moving to America, he set his sights on acting, an unlikely goal considering his size and accent. Despite these challenges, Schwarzenegger stuck at it, taking language lessons to lose his native intonation and eventually bagged film roles, including the lead in 1970's "Hercules in New York." For the film, they dubbed his voice and credited him under the name Arnold Strong. More roles followed as his accent and acting improved,...
- 1/17/2023
- by Simon Bland
- Slash Film
When The New Yorker's Pauline Kael wrote of Don Siegel's "Dirty Harry" in 1971 that the American cop thriller "has always had a fascist potential, and it has finally surfaced," she kicked off a fierce debate about the genre that still roils today.
Taken at face value, it's difficult to dispute that the film is meant to titillate viewers with the ultimate, judge-jury-executioner justice pursued and dispensed by Clint Eastwood's Harry Callahan. He despises the Miranda Warning, and complains that the United States' judicial system has been corrupted to favor the rights of criminals. The screenplay, credited to Harry Julian Fink, R.M. Fink, and Dean Riesner, stacks the deck to a ludicrous degree by having Andrew Robinson's Scorpio Killer orchestrate an act of police brutality late in the movie to get Callahan kicked off the case. At this moment, it feels like we're meant to throw our hands...
Taken at face value, it's difficult to dispute that the film is meant to titillate viewers with the ultimate, judge-jury-executioner justice pursued and dispensed by Clint Eastwood's Harry Callahan. He despises the Miranda Warning, and complains that the United States' judicial system has been corrupted to favor the rights of criminals. The screenplay, credited to Harry Julian Fink, R.M. Fink, and Dean Riesner, stacks the deck to a ludicrous degree by having Andrew Robinson's Scorpio Killer orchestrate an act of police brutality late in the movie to get Callahan kicked off the case. At this moment, it feels like we're meant to throw our hands...
- 12/30/2022
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
There wasn't a hotter author in the early 1990s than Tom Clancy. When the one-time insurance salesman took a crack at writing a Cold War military thriller in 1982, the resulting novel, "The Hunt for Red October," rocketed from niche page-turner to full-blown national bestseller (thanks in part to praise from then President Ronald Reagan). The book's hero, CIA analyst Jack Ryan, quickly became Clancy's James Bond through whom the author explored a shifting balance of global power as the Soviet Union gradually broke apart. By 1996, Clancy had authored seven Ryan adventures, promoting his protagonist nearly every step of the way until he inevitably became President of the United States in "Debt of Honor."
Though the books quickly became hopelessly convoluted and, finally, unreadably nonsensical, the character was immensely franchisable as a big-screen hero. With the box-office success of John McTiernan's "The Hunt for Red October" in 1990, it looked like...
Though the books quickly became hopelessly convoluted and, finally, unreadably nonsensical, the character was immensely franchisable as a big-screen hero. With the box-office success of John McTiernan's "The Hunt for Red October" in 1990, it looked like...
- 12/28/2022
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Composer Bear McCreary discusses a few of his favorite movies with Josh Olson and Joe Dante.
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
The Wolf Man (1941) – Alex Kirschenbaum’s Wolf Man movie power rankings
Host (2020)
Gremlins (1984) – Glenn Erickson’s 4K Blu-ray review, Tfh’s 30th anniversary celebration
Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)
Total Recall (1990)
Robot Monster (1953) – Joe Dante’s trailer commentary
Cat-Women Of The Moon (1953)
The Man With The Golden Arm (1955) – Katt Shea’s trailer commentary
The Ten Commandments (1956) – Larry Cohen’s trailer commentary
The Swarm (1978) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
The Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983)
The Howling (1981) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairings
Batman (1989)
Dick Tracy (1990)
Looney Tunes: Back In Action (2003) – Mike Schlesinger’s trailer commentary
Chinatown (1974) – Ernest Dickerson’s trailer commentary
The Professor And The Madman (2019)
Hollywood Boulevard (1976) – Jon Davison’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairing
Do The Right Thing (1989) – Allan Arkush...
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
The Wolf Man (1941) – Alex Kirschenbaum’s Wolf Man movie power rankings
Host (2020)
Gremlins (1984) – Glenn Erickson’s 4K Blu-ray review, Tfh’s 30th anniversary celebration
Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)
Total Recall (1990)
Robot Monster (1953) – Joe Dante’s trailer commentary
Cat-Women Of The Moon (1953)
The Man With The Golden Arm (1955) – Katt Shea’s trailer commentary
The Ten Commandments (1956) – Larry Cohen’s trailer commentary
The Swarm (1978) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
The Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983)
The Howling (1981) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairings
Batman (1989)
Dick Tracy (1990)
Looney Tunes: Back In Action (2003) – Mike Schlesinger’s trailer commentary
Chinatown (1974) – Ernest Dickerson’s trailer commentary
The Professor And The Madman (2019)
Hollywood Boulevard (1976) – Jon Davison’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairing
Do The Right Thing (1989) – Allan Arkush...
- 12/6/2022
- by Kris Millsap
- Trailers from Hell
Denver, Nov. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Fathom Events and Universal Pictures are bringing the original action-packed epic adventure “Conan the Barbarian” back to movie theaters for a two-night engagement this December.
Following his parents’ savage murder, young Conan (Schwarzenegger) is captured by the cold-blooded Thulsa Doom (James Earl Jones) and spends the next fifteen years in agony, first chained to the Wheel of Pain and then enslaved as a Pit Fighter. Rather than allowing this brutal fate to conquer him, Conan builds an incomparable body and an indomitable spirit—both of which he needs when he suddenly finds himself a free man.
Aided by his companions Subotai the Mongol (Gerry Lopez) and Valeria, Queen of Thieves (Sandahl Bergman), Conan sets out to solve the “riddle of steel,” seize ultimate power and, finally, take revenge on the warlord who killed his family.
Directed by John Milius and co-written by Milius and Oliver Stone, the...
Following his parents’ savage murder, young Conan (Schwarzenegger) is captured by the cold-blooded Thulsa Doom (James Earl Jones) and spends the next fifteen years in agony, first chained to the Wheel of Pain and then enslaved as a Pit Fighter. Rather than allowing this brutal fate to conquer him, Conan builds an incomparable body and an indomitable spirit—both of which he needs when he suddenly finds himself a free man.
Aided by his companions Subotai the Mongol (Gerry Lopez) and Valeria, Queen of Thieves (Sandahl Bergman), Conan sets out to solve the “riddle of steel,” seize ultimate power and, finally, take revenge on the warlord who killed his family.
Directed by John Milius and co-written by Milius and Oliver Stone, the...
- 11/19/2022
- by Martin Cid Magazine
- Martin Cid Magazine - Movies
(Welcome to The Daily Stream, an ongoing series in which the /Film team shares what they've been watching, why it's worth checking out, and where you can stream it.)
The Series: "Rome"
Where You Can Stream It: HBO Max
The Pitch: Ah, what could and should have been. Back in 2005, which is exactly 1000 years ago in the post-pandemic reckoning, HBO pretty much began the era of very expensive, prestige television with the TV series "Rome." This was before streaming and the rise (and fall) of many services with a whole lot of money to burn. "Rome" was incredibly expensive, but it was so good that fans clamored for more. There were supposed to be five seasons, though we only got the first wonderful one and a second, very rushed (but still good) season. Think of it this way; "Rome" had to walk (and get canceled early) so that "House of the Dragon...
The Series: "Rome"
Where You Can Stream It: HBO Max
The Pitch: Ah, what could and should have been. Back in 2005, which is exactly 1000 years ago in the post-pandemic reckoning, HBO pretty much began the era of very expensive, prestige television with the TV series "Rome." This was before streaming and the rise (and fall) of many services with a whole lot of money to burn. "Rome" was incredibly expensive, but it was so good that fans clamored for more. There were supposed to be five seasons, though we only got the first wonderful one and a second, very rushed (but still good) season. Think of it this way; "Rome" had to walk (and get canceled early) so that "House of the Dragon...
- 11/19/2022
- by Jenna Busch
- Slash Film
It's wild to consider, but there was a moment in Steven Spielberg's historic career when he faced a crucible, and he fell disastrously short.
The year was 1991. Spielberg had entered middle age and was still trying to segue from the escapist entertainment that had made him one of the most successful filmmakers of all time to dramas with loftier intentions. It worked at first. His 1985 adaptation of Alice Walker's "The Color Purple" was a respectful, emotionally devastating tale of a Black woman's hard-won liberation in the segregated South of the early 20th century. It was a box-office smash that received 11 Academy Award nominations, but Spielberg was mystifyingly denied a Best Director nod. When the film won zero Oscars, it felt personal, especially after he won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement.
His next serious film, 1987's "Empire of the Sun," based on J.G. Ballard's semi-autobiographical novel,...
The year was 1991. Spielberg had entered middle age and was still trying to segue from the escapist entertainment that had made him one of the most successful filmmakers of all time to dramas with loftier intentions. It worked at first. His 1985 adaptation of Alice Walker's "The Color Purple" was a respectful, emotionally devastating tale of a Black woman's hard-won liberation in the segregated South of the early 20th century. It was a box-office smash that received 11 Academy Award nominations, but Spielberg was mystifyingly denied a Best Director nod. When the film won zero Oscars, it felt personal, especially after he won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement.
His next serious film, 1987's "Empire of the Sun," based on J.G. Ballard's semi-autobiographical novel,...
- 11/18/2022
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
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