Alex Cox attacks the Reagan years with a political tale sung in the key of the Italo Spaghetti Western: expect plenty of slow motion shots of stylish pistolero mercenaries fighting for the historical ‘filibuster’ William Walker. Look him up, he’s the patron saint of every neocon and would-be soldier of fortune. Everybody on this show goes the whole 9 yards in commitment, with Ed Harris in the lead — they filmed in Nicaragua. It may be director Cox’s finest film, packed with vivid images and surreal anachronisms — and a terrific music score by Joe Strummer.
Walker
Blu-ray
The Criterion Collection 423
1987 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 94 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date April 12, 2022 / 39.95
Starring: Ed Harris, Richard Masur, Rene Auberjonois, Xander Berkeley, Peter Boyle, Marlee Matlin, Alfonso Arau, Pedro Armendáriz Jr., Gerrit Graham, William O’Leary, Blanca Guerra, Miguel Sandoval.
Cinematography: David Bridges
Production Designer: Bruno Rubeo
Art Directors: Cecilia Montiel, Jorge Sainz
Film Editors: Alex Cox,...
Walker
Blu-ray
The Criterion Collection 423
1987 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 94 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date April 12, 2022 / 39.95
Starring: Ed Harris, Richard Masur, Rene Auberjonois, Xander Berkeley, Peter Boyle, Marlee Matlin, Alfonso Arau, Pedro Armendáriz Jr., Gerrit Graham, William O’Leary, Blanca Guerra, Miguel Sandoval.
Cinematography: David Bridges
Production Designer: Bruno Rubeo
Art Directors: Cecilia Montiel, Jorge Sainz
Film Editors: Alex Cox,...
- 4/16/2022
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
On March 8th, Scream Factory will offer fans of the Species franchise a treat with their Blu-ray release of Species II and the double feature high-def debut of Species III and Species: The Awakening:
Press Release: The first Species movie offers a terrifying look at an experiment combining human and alien DNA. The result proves more dangerous and terrifying than anyone could have ever imagined. The ongoing fight for supremacy between mankind and human-alien hybrids continued in three subsequent feature films. Fans of widely popular Species movies rejoice as the long-awaited Blu-ray™ editions of Species II and Double Feature Presentation of Species III & Species – The Awakening Uncut and Unrated hit home entertainment shelves everywhere on March 8, 2016 from Scream Factory™.
Based on the characters created by Dennis Feldman (Species) and directed by Peter Medak (Rome Is Bleeding), Speciesii, the sequel to the 1995 science fiction thriller stars Michael Madsen (Reservoir Dogs...
Press Release: The first Species movie offers a terrifying look at an experiment combining human and alien DNA. The result proves more dangerous and terrifying than anyone could have ever imagined. The ongoing fight for supremacy between mankind and human-alien hybrids continued in three subsequent feature films. Fans of widely popular Species movies rejoice as the long-awaited Blu-ray™ editions of Species II and Double Feature Presentation of Species III & Species – The Awakening Uncut and Unrated hit home entertainment shelves everywhere on March 8, 2016 from Scream Factory™.
Based on the characters created by Dennis Feldman (Species) and directed by Peter Medak (Rome Is Bleeding), Speciesii, the sequel to the 1995 science fiction thriller stars Michael Madsen (Reservoir Dogs...
- 1/13/2016
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
For a time in California, Alex Cox was Dennis Hopper's No 4 henchman. He recalls the director's brilliance and breakdowns – and how John Wayne once tried to kill him
Two nights ago, I had a wake for Dennis Hopper with my wife, Tod, and watched Giant. I also asked Cecilia Montiel, a production designer who lives on the same street as Dennis, to put some flowers on his gate. When I heard he was dying, I phoned a couple of times, spoke to the people in the office, and asked them to give Dennis my best regards. The last time I called, I talked to a lady who was either a nurse or the maid. She told me he was sleeping.
I'd like to have seen the old man before he went. In the late 1980s, I was Dennis Hopper's henchman, for a while. Dennis had several henchmen; I...
Two nights ago, I had a wake for Dennis Hopper with my wife, Tod, and watched Giant. I also asked Cecilia Montiel, a production designer who lives on the same street as Dennis, to put some flowers on his gate. When I heard he was dying, I phoned a couple of times, spoke to the people in the office, and asked them to give Dennis my best regards. The last time I called, I talked to a lady who was either a nurse or the maid. She told me he was sleeping.
I'd like to have seen the old man before he went. In the late 1980s, I was Dennis Hopper's henchman, for a while. Dennis had several henchmen; I...
- 6/3/2010
- by Alex Cox
- The Guardian - Film News
What have they done to the "Zorro" movie series? It's turned into "Spy Kids!" Instead of a lone masked champion of justice and freedom, the sequel to Amblin's 1998 "The Mask of Zorro" is now a family act. In "The Legend of Zorro", Antonio Banderas -- the star, of course, of both movie series -- fights the dark forces in 19th century California along with wife Elena (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and 10-year-old son Joaquin (Adrian Alonso). This is not all bad. The Mexican-born youngster is a genuine find, and no red-blooded male will object to the sight of Zeta-Jones in lacy, elaborate 19th century finery, paring and thrusting with a fine sword. But turning "Zorro" into a family movie with domestic squabbles and sitcom situations takes some of the luster off the romantic adventure of Old California.
Nevertheless, under returning director Martin Campbell, action sequences are many and the stars shine as stars are meant to, so Sony could realize a boxoffice take approaching the original's $235.1 million worldwide gross.
In 1850 California, the territory is poised to become the 31st state in the union. A referendum opens the movie, which gives Alejandro de la Vega disguised as Zorro (Banderas) the opportunity to recover a stolen ballot box from the clutches of marauding baddie Jacob McGivens (a sneeringly villainous Nick Chinlund). This is an extended and intricately choreographed series of stunts that sees Zorro take to the air nearly as often as Spider-Man.
Like most of the film's action sequences, Campbell leans heavily on close shots and quick cuts rather than sustained stunt work. Given that his stunt coordinator, animal wrangler and sword master all appear top notch, one can only presume Campbell didn't trust his actors to perform stunts in lengthy takes, which is understandable given the nature of much of the gravity-defying, circuslike gags.
Anyway, the referendum for statehood passes and happy crowds cheer. It really is amusing though to see so many Latino faces celebrating their "freedom" in a gringo-dominated government that will rule to the detriment of Mexican-Americans for another century and a half.
Almost immediately, a highly contrived quarrel between Alejandro and Elena leads to her filing for divorce, the estrangement of Alejandro from his son and comic jealousy that has Alejandro hit the bottle in reaction to the attention paid to his wife by French aristocrat and wine grower Armand (a not very French Rufus Sewell).
A foul plot unfolds soon enough in a story attributed to two teams of writers, in which neither Alejandro nor Elena's divorce attorneys are who they seem and everyone has a secret agenda. This far-fetched scheme concerning an ancient Christian order called the Knights of Aragon feels more like an episode of "The Wild Wild West". It does, however, trigger a succession of fights, rescues, skullduggery and chases that keep the screen excessively busy while pushing the running time well past two hours.
Unfortunately, the hero is made to fight with one hand behind his back -- for the PG rating and an emphasis on family values insist that we never see Zorro do more than hurt the pride of the villains despite their dastardly nature. One stunt has his horse outrun a runaway train, a pretty neat trick considering that the nag drinks more than Lee Marvin's mount in "Cat Ballou" and smokes as well. Must be steroids in his feed.
The heroic troika is the film's major calling card. Banderas exudes macho bravado and self-confidence, while Zeta-Jones combines drop-dead beauty with energetic athleticism. Alonso as Zorro Jr. has all his dad's moves -- though he doesn't realize his dad is Zorro -- and is cute without being cloying. Frankly, he steals the show.
Returning cinematographer Phil Meheux and designer Cecilia Montiel make the most of the location in and around historic Hacienda Gogorron in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, creating an authentic Old California of lavish haciendas, a Gold Rush town, inspiring mission, flowing fabrics, haughty caballeros and sultry senoritas.
THE LEGEND OF ZORRO
Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures/Spyglass Entertainment present an Amblin Entertainment production
Credits:
Director: Martin Campbell
Screenwriters: Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman
Story by: Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman, Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio
Producers: Walter F. Parkes, Laurie MacDonald, Lloyd Phillips
Executive producers: Steven Spielberg, Gary Barber, Roger Birnbaum
Director of photography: Phil Meheux
Production designer: Cecilia Montiel
Music: James Horner
Co-producer: John Gertz
Costumes: Graciela Mazon
Editor: Stuart Baird
Cast:
Don Alejandro de la Vega: Antonio Banderas
Elena: Catherine Zeta-Jones
Joaquin: Adrian Alonso
Armand: Rufus Sewell
Jacob McGivens: Nick Chinlund
Fray Felipe: Julio Oscar Mechoso
Ferroq: Raul Mendez
Cortez: Gustavo Sanchez Parra
MPAA rating PG
Running time -- 129 minutes...
Nevertheless, under returning director Martin Campbell, action sequences are many and the stars shine as stars are meant to, so Sony could realize a boxoffice take approaching the original's $235.1 million worldwide gross.
In 1850 California, the territory is poised to become the 31st state in the union. A referendum opens the movie, which gives Alejandro de la Vega disguised as Zorro (Banderas) the opportunity to recover a stolen ballot box from the clutches of marauding baddie Jacob McGivens (a sneeringly villainous Nick Chinlund). This is an extended and intricately choreographed series of stunts that sees Zorro take to the air nearly as often as Spider-Man.
Like most of the film's action sequences, Campbell leans heavily on close shots and quick cuts rather than sustained stunt work. Given that his stunt coordinator, animal wrangler and sword master all appear top notch, one can only presume Campbell didn't trust his actors to perform stunts in lengthy takes, which is understandable given the nature of much of the gravity-defying, circuslike gags.
Anyway, the referendum for statehood passes and happy crowds cheer. It really is amusing though to see so many Latino faces celebrating their "freedom" in a gringo-dominated government that will rule to the detriment of Mexican-Americans for another century and a half.
Almost immediately, a highly contrived quarrel between Alejandro and Elena leads to her filing for divorce, the estrangement of Alejandro from his son and comic jealousy that has Alejandro hit the bottle in reaction to the attention paid to his wife by French aristocrat and wine grower Armand (a not very French Rufus Sewell).
A foul plot unfolds soon enough in a story attributed to two teams of writers, in which neither Alejandro nor Elena's divorce attorneys are who they seem and everyone has a secret agenda. This far-fetched scheme concerning an ancient Christian order called the Knights of Aragon feels more like an episode of "The Wild Wild West". It does, however, trigger a succession of fights, rescues, skullduggery and chases that keep the screen excessively busy while pushing the running time well past two hours.
Unfortunately, the hero is made to fight with one hand behind his back -- for the PG rating and an emphasis on family values insist that we never see Zorro do more than hurt the pride of the villains despite their dastardly nature. One stunt has his horse outrun a runaway train, a pretty neat trick considering that the nag drinks more than Lee Marvin's mount in "Cat Ballou" and smokes as well. Must be steroids in his feed.
The heroic troika is the film's major calling card. Banderas exudes macho bravado and self-confidence, while Zeta-Jones combines drop-dead beauty with energetic athleticism. Alonso as Zorro Jr. has all his dad's moves -- though he doesn't realize his dad is Zorro -- and is cute without being cloying. Frankly, he steals the show.
Returning cinematographer Phil Meheux and designer Cecilia Montiel make the most of the location in and around historic Hacienda Gogorron in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, creating an authentic Old California of lavish haciendas, a Gold Rush town, inspiring mission, flowing fabrics, haughty caballeros and sultry senoritas.
THE LEGEND OF ZORRO
Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures/Spyglass Entertainment present an Amblin Entertainment production
Credits:
Director: Martin Campbell
Screenwriters: Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman
Story by: Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman, Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio
Producers: Walter F. Parkes, Laurie MacDonald, Lloyd Phillips
Executive producers: Steven Spielberg, Gary Barber, Roger Birnbaum
Director of photography: Phil Meheux
Production designer: Cecilia Montiel
Music: James Horner
Co-producer: John Gertz
Costumes: Graciela Mazon
Editor: Stuart Baird
Cast:
Don Alejandro de la Vega: Antonio Banderas
Elena: Catherine Zeta-Jones
Joaquin: Adrian Alonso
Armand: Rufus Sewell
Jacob McGivens: Nick Chinlund
Fray Felipe: Julio Oscar Mechoso
Ferroq: Raul Mendez
Cortez: Gustavo Sanchez Parra
MPAA rating PG
Running time -- 129 minutes...
- 11/17/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Opened Feb. 14, 2003
LONDON -- "Revengers Tragedy" provides the perfect platform for the very individual talents of director Alex Cox. Working from an impressive adaptation by Frank Cottrell Boyce of Thomas Middleton's 1607 play, he concocts a gloriously over-the-top revenge comedy-drama that could attract a cult following.
Theatrical life will probably be limited, but Cox has a fan base, and his films are always worth a look.
The updated play is transposed to gangland Liverpool of 2011, a ravaged city replete with partly demolished buildings and wrecked cars that is run by a corrupt duke and his vicious sons. Christopher Eccleston plays Vindici, a nobleman who returns to the city to avenge the murder of his bride, killed by the lusty duke (Derek Jacobi, sporting pale makeup and bright-red lipstick).
Vindici plots and counterplots against the duke's sons and other enemies until bloodshed and mayhem bring about the end of the rule of the duke and his clan.
With outrageous costume design by Monica Aslanian and brash production design from Cecilia Montiel and Remi Vaughan-Richards, the film could have been an overblown mess. But Cox is an experienced pro. He keeps an impressive control of the production, allowing the performances to border on the extreme yet serve the high drama of the Jacobean tale. Eccleston is powerful as the conniving Vindici, while Jacobi is suitably outrageous as the nasty duke.
Perhaps best of all, though, is Eddie Izzard as the duke's scheming son Lussurioso. With delectable line delivery, he maintains a devious playfulness throughout the story.
The film is also littered with various Liverpool-based performers, including Margi Clarke as Hannah and Antony Booth (father-in-law to British Prime Minister Tony Blair) as Lord Antonio.
There is a great deal of individualistic energy to Cox's film, which best of all achieves that great feat of not fitting into any easy cinematic bracket. Mixing comedy-drama with horror-revenge, he has constructed a refreshingly odd and highly watchable film.
REVENGERS TRAGEDY
The Film Council and Northcroft Films present a Bard Entertainments production of an Exterminating Angel film
Credits:
Director: Alex Cox
Screenwriter: Frank Cottrell Boyce
Based on the play by: Thomas Middleton
Producers: Margaret Matheson, Tod Davies
Executive producers: Paul Trijbits, Carolyn Bennett
Director of photography: Len Gowing
Production designers: Cecilia Montiel, Remi Vaughan-Richards
Music: Chumbawamba
Costume designer: Monica Aslanian
Editor: Ray Fowlis
Cast:
Vindici: Christopher Eccleston
Lussurioso: Eddie Izzard
Duke: Derek Jacobi
Firework: Kevin Knapman
Duchess: Diana Quick
Imogen: Sophie Dahl
Gloriana: Jean Butler
Running time -- 109 minutes
No MPAA rating...
LONDON -- "Revengers Tragedy" provides the perfect platform for the very individual talents of director Alex Cox. Working from an impressive adaptation by Frank Cottrell Boyce of Thomas Middleton's 1607 play, he concocts a gloriously over-the-top revenge comedy-drama that could attract a cult following.
Theatrical life will probably be limited, but Cox has a fan base, and his films are always worth a look.
The updated play is transposed to gangland Liverpool of 2011, a ravaged city replete with partly demolished buildings and wrecked cars that is run by a corrupt duke and his vicious sons. Christopher Eccleston plays Vindici, a nobleman who returns to the city to avenge the murder of his bride, killed by the lusty duke (Derek Jacobi, sporting pale makeup and bright-red lipstick).
Vindici plots and counterplots against the duke's sons and other enemies until bloodshed and mayhem bring about the end of the rule of the duke and his clan.
With outrageous costume design by Monica Aslanian and brash production design from Cecilia Montiel and Remi Vaughan-Richards, the film could have been an overblown mess. But Cox is an experienced pro. He keeps an impressive control of the production, allowing the performances to border on the extreme yet serve the high drama of the Jacobean tale. Eccleston is powerful as the conniving Vindici, while Jacobi is suitably outrageous as the nasty duke.
Perhaps best of all, though, is Eddie Izzard as the duke's scheming son Lussurioso. With delectable line delivery, he maintains a devious playfulness throughout the story.
The film is also littered with various Liverpool-based performers, including Margi Clarke as Hannah and Antony Booth (father-in-law to British Prime Minister Tony Blair) as Lord Antonio.
There is a great deal of individualistic energy to Cox's film, which best of all achieves that great feat of not fitting into any easy cinematic bracket. Mixing comedy-drama with horror-revenge, he has constructed a refreshingly odd and highly watchable film.
REVENGERS TRAGEDY
The Film Council and Northcroft Films present a Bard Entertainments production of an Exterminating Angel film
Credits:
Director: Alex Cox
Screenwriter: Frank Cottrell Boyce
Based on the play by: Thomas Middleton
Producers: Margaret Matheson, Tod Davies
Executive producers: Paul Trijbits, Carolyn Bennett
Director of photography: Len Gowing
Production designers: Cecilia Montiel, Remi Vaughan-Richards
Music: Chumbawamba
Costume designer: Monica Aslanian
Editor: Ray Fowlis
Cast:
Vindici: Christopher Eccleston
Lussurioso: Eddie Izzard
Duke: Derek Jacobi
Firework: Kevin Knapman
Duchess: Diana Quick
Imogen: Sophie Dahl
Gloriana: Jean Butler
Running time -- 109 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 2/24/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.