Alfred Hitchcock was so prolific a director that very few years go by without a handful of his 53 feature films celebrating a significant anniversary. 2024 is no exception: his first version of The Man Who Knew Too Much turns 90 this year, Lifeboat drifts into its 80s, Dial M For Murder rings up 70 years, and Marnie – the baby of the bunch – is now a sprightly 60 years old.
Released just months after Dial M, Hitchcock’s sweatiest masterpiece Rear Window also celebrates 70 years of voyeuristic thrills this year. To celebrate, here’s an exclusive extract from regular Empire contributor Neil Alcock’s new book, Hitchology: A Film-by-Film Guide to the Style and Themes of Alfred Hitchcock. An accessible introduction for newcomers to Hitchcock and an insightful companion for devoted fans, Hitchology has been described by Empire’s editor Nick De Semlyen as “incisive, fresh and thunderingly entertaining.”
Have a read below, and look...
Released just months after Dial M, Hitchcock’s sweatiest masterpiece Rear Window also celebrates 70 years of voyeuristic thrills this year. To celebrate, here’s an exclusive extract from regular Empire contributor Neil Alcock’s new book, Hitchology: A Film-by-Film Guide to the Style and Themes of Alfred Hitchcock. An accessible introduction for newcomers to Hitchcock and an insightful companion for devoted fans, Hitchology has been described by Empire’s editor Nick De Semlyen as “incisive, fresh and thunderingly entertaining.”
Have a read below, and look...
- 4/12/2024
- by Neil Alcock
- Empire - Movies
One day in 1979, the phone rang at producer Bob Weiss’ house. “Be on your property tonight,” said the voice on the other line. According to the book Wild and Crazy Guys: The Comedy Mavericks of the ’80s Changed Hollywood Forever by Nick de Semlyen, later that evening, an object came flying over the fence and onto Weiss’ backyard. It was the script for a Blues Brothers movie that Wiess commissioned from Dan Aykroyd, who created the musical comedy act with John Belushi for Saturday Night Live.
If the way that Aykroyd delivered the manuscript was odd, the contents inside were even weirder. Titled The Return of the Blues Brothers and credited to the “Scriptatron Gl-9000,” the script was 324 pages long, far more than the 120 page standard, and filled with unlikely digressions.
Weiss shouldn’t have been surprised. Even if the 26-year-old Aykroyd had written a script before (he hadn’t...
If the way that Aykroyd delivered the manuscript was odd, the contents inside were even weirder. Titled The Return of the Blues Brothers and credited to the “Scriptatron Gl-9000,” the script was 324 pages long, far more than the 120 page standard, and filled with unlikely digressions.
Weiss shouldn’t have been surprised. Even if the 26-year-old Aykroyd had written a script before (he hadn’t...
- 3/22/2024
- by Joe George
- Den of Geek
Things were going badly on Saturday Night Live‘s 1980-1981 season, even before producer Jean Doumanian realized than the January 10, 1981 episode was headed towards disaster.
The previous season had seen the departure of Lorne Michaels and the entire cast, including founders Gilda Radner, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, and Laraine Newman, as well as Bill Murray and Harry Shearer. Doumanian had tried to pitch her incoming group of comedians as the next generation for the hit series, but the performers quickly gained reputations as also-rans. Charlie Rocket was a less funny Chevy Chase, Gail Matthius an off-brand Jane Curtin, and so on.
But on that Jan. 10, 1981 episode, hosted by actor Ray Sharkey, things were going particularly badly. The skits went faster than anticipated and the show had five extra minutes to fill. So in an act of desperation, Doumanian followed the advice of writer Neil Levy and pushed 19-year-old featured player...
The previous season had seen the departure of Lorne Michaels and the entire cast, including founders Gilda Radner, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, and Laraine Newman, as well as Bill Murray and Harry Shearer. Doumanian had tried to pitch her incoming group of comedians as the next generation for the hit series, but the performers quickly gained reputations as also-rans. Charlie Rocket was a less funny Chevy Chase, Gail Matthius an off-brand Jane Curtin, and so on.
But on that Jan. 10, 1981 episode, hosted by actor Ray Sharkey, things were going particularly badly. The skits went faster than anticipated and the show had five extra minutes to fill. So in an act of desperation, Doumanian followed the advice of writer Neil Levy and pushed 19-year-old featured player...
- 3/20/2024
- by Joe George
- Den of Geek
In 1985, Cannon Films brought us a Chuck Norris action movie called Invasion USA, which involved Norris’s character – former CIA agent Matt Hunter – trying to stop an invasion of the United States that’s being carried out (in December) by a team of Soviet and Cuban guerrillas headed up by a villain played by Richard Lynch. It’s a violent, explosive shoot ’em up that makes for good Christmastime viewing alongside classics like Lethal Weapon, First Blood, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, and Die Hard. It wasn’t a massive hit (it made $17.5 million on a budget of $12 million) and didn’t go over well with critics – but it has its fans, and apparently even helped overthrow the Communist government of Romania!
Directed by Joseph Zito from a screenplay that Chuck Norris and his brother Aaron crafted with James Bruner, Invasion USA has the following synopsis: Retired CIA agent Matt...
Directed by Joseph Zito from a screenplay that Chuck Norris and his brother Aaron crafted with James Bruner, Invasion USA has the following synopsis: Retired CIA agent Matt...
- 3/18/2024
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
While Bloodsport, the 1988 martial arts tournament movie, is widely considered by fans to be Jean-Claude Van Damme’s best film, it almost never saw the light of day. Indeed, according to Nick De Semlyen’s book, “Last Action Heroes” (buy it here), the film was deemed unreleasable by Cannon Pictures head Menachem Golan. The film sat on the shelf for fourteen months and was considered so bad that Golan intended to release the movie direct-to-video.
Things got so heated that Golan refused to go ahead with a proposed sequel to Lone Wolf McQuade, which would have featured Van Damme teaming up with Chuck Norris (who was an early mentor to Jcvd). He wanted Michael Dudikoff instead.
According to the book, Van Damme, who had returned to his old job as a limo driver when the movie wrapped, convinced the studio to allow him to re-edit the film with Towering Inferno editor Carl Press.
Things got so heated that Golan refused to go ahead with a proposed sequel to Lone Wolf McQuade, which would have featured Van Damme teaming up with Chuck Norris (who was an early mentor to Jcvd). He wanted Michael Dudikoff instead.
According to the book, Van Damme, who had returned to his old job as a limo driver when the movie wrapped, convinced the studio to allow him to re-edit the film with Towering Inferno editor Carl Press.
- 3/13/2024
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
A few months ago, a terrific book about the golden age of action stars called “The Last Action Heroes” came out (buy it here). Written by Nick De Semlyen, the book takes a very affectionate look at all of the icons we grew up with in the 80s and 90s, with one notable exception. Steven Seagal does not come off well in the book – at all. One of the wildest stories from the book recounts a time when Seagal grew outraged over the fact that a meeting room he wanted was being occupied by the legendary Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau.
The two actors, who would have been in their late sixties then, were participating in a read-through for their hit comedy Grumpy Old Men. According to the book, the vibe in the room was light, with the two old pros cracking up their director, Daniel Petrie and assembled guests.
The two actors, who would have been in their late sixties then, were participating in a read-through for their hit comedy Grumpy Old Men. According to the book, the vibe in the room was light, with the two old pros cracking up their director, Daniel Petrie and assembled guests.
- 2/26/2024
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Studiocanal launched a brand new official podcast – and the host might just be familiar to Film Stories listeners.
This is a bit of an odd story for me to write. Basically, well, because I’m in it. I’ll see how I get on.
The rather fine folks at Studiocanal have launched an official podcast, digging into the huge archive of movies under its stewardship. It’s arriving regularly, and as well as focusing on a movie of the month, there’s a broader exploration of other bits and bobs too.
Don’t take our word for it. Here’s Jamie McHale, the head of theatrical marketing at the studio: “We’re thrilled to be launching an official podcast to celebrate our incredible library of titles and upcoming theatrical releases. The in-depth analysis and regular features such as “Dream Double Bills” and “Hidden Gems” from Simon and his guests are...
This is a bit of an odd story for me to write. Basically, well, because I’m in it. I’ll see how I get on.
The rather fine folks at Studiocanal have launched an official podcast, digging into the huge archive of movies under its stewardship. It’s arriving regularly, and as well as focusing on a movie of the month, there’s a broader exploration of other bits and bobs too.
Don’t take our word for it. Here’s Jamie McHale, the head of theatrical marketing at the studio: “We’re thrilled to be launching an official podcast to celebrate our incredible library of titles and upcoming theatrical releases. The in-depth analysis and regular features such as “Dream Double Bills” and “Hidden Gems” from Simon and his guests are...
- 2/26/2024
- by Simon Brew
- Film Stories
Sumptuous isn’t often used to describe movies but Celine Song‘s debut feature “Past Lives” fits that description. The A24 movie, which was released in US theaters on June 2, is a showcase for Greta Lee and Teo Yoo who play childhood best friends who get back in touch years later to find that they still have a connection. The movie merits a jaw-dropping 97% on Rotten Tomatoes — that is the highest score out of any of our predicted Best Picture contenders.
Critics singled out Lee, who turns in a masterful, restrained performance as a woman caught between two worlds. She toys with ideas of destiny vs reality, wondering “what if…” while remaining grounded. It’s a great performance from “The Morning Show” actress. Here’s just a sampling of her rave reviews:
Nick De Semlyen (Empire) proclaimed: “This is Greta Lee’s show: she’s magnificent in the role, by turns steely,...
Critics singled out Lee, who turns in a masterful, restrained performance as a woman caught between two worlds. She toys with ideas of destiny vs reality, wondering “what if…” while remaining grounded. It’s a great performance from “The Morning Show” actress. Here’s just a sampling of her rave reviews:
Nick De Semlyen (Empire) proclaimed: “This is Greta Lee’s show: she’s magnificent in the role, by turns steely,...
- 11/27/2023
- by Jacob Sarkisian
- Gold Derby
This week's Empire Podcast is a little late, folks, for which we apologise. But we have an exceptionally good excuse — we didn't actually record it until Saturday night, when Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Ben Travis took to the stage of Kings Place's Hall One, in front of a crowd of around 350 loyal listeners, as part of this year's London Podcast Festival. And this is that show, in which our intrepid quartet bravely tackle an almost comical lack of movie news, review Celine Song'sPast Lives, Michael Chaves' The Nun II, and Nia Vardalos' My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3, answer a bunch of audience questions, and — we cannot state this enough, for legal reasons — do not make plans to kidnap Ryan Reynolds.
They were also joined on the night by ace composer Daniel Pemberton, who told Chris and Helen all about how he used a goose on the...
They were also joined on the night by ace composer Daniel Pemberton, who told Chris and Helen all about how he used a goose on the...
- 9/11/2023
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
Yes, you still have time to get some reading done before the (ugh) end of summer. To help you get started, our latest roundup of noteworthy new books connected to the world of cinema features a packed lineup of gems. And there are even more recent books (including an epic list of new novels) that we will highlight in our next column this fall.
Before we dive in, though, a note regarding the late William Friedkin, who is referenced in two entries below: I would encourage readers to check out his 2013 memoir, The Friedkin Connection. He was, as you would expect, remarkably candid about his ups and downs, making for one of the more forthright filmmaker memoirs ever written.
The Exorcist Legacy: 50 Years of Fear by Nat Segaloff (Citadel)
The world lost the aforementioned William Friedkin on August 7, and with his passing came a renewed appreciation for greats like The French Connection,...
Before we dive in, though, a note regarding the late William Friedkin, who is referenced in two entries below: I would encourage readers to check out his 2013 memoir, The Friedkin Connection. He was, as you would expect, remarkably candid about his ups and downs, making for one of the more forthright filmmaker memoirs ever written.
The Exorcist Legacy: 50 Years of Fear by Nat Segaloff (Citadel)
The world lost the aforementioned William Friedkin on August 7, and with his passing came a renewed appreciation for greats like The French Connection,...
- 8/17/2023
- by Christopher Schobert
- The Film Stage
Los Angeles, July 15 (Ians) Hollywood star Bruce Willis has said that crew members on the set of ‘Die Hard’ (1988) were concerned that he had died after he completed a stunt on the first day of filming the project.
The actor, now 68, played police officer John McClane in the beloved film and its subsequent sequels, which saw the character face various challenging situations, reports Mirror.co.uk.
He’s spoken in the past about the stunts in the film and it’s been claimed that Bruce “nearly died” taking on one of them whilst working on the first instalment in the series. His experience working on the film has been recalled in Nick de Semlyen’s newly-released book ‘The Last Action Heroes’, which goes behind-the-scenes with different actors.
As reported by Fox News, in the book, Bruce recalls a stunt almost going wrong whilst filming ‘Die Hard’. The stunt is said...
The actor, now 68, played police officer John McClane in the beloved film and its subsequent sequels, which saw the character face various challenging situations, reports Mirror.co.uk.
He’s spoken in the past about the stunts in the film and it’s been claimed that Bruce “nearly died” taking on one of them whilst working on the first instalment in the series. His experience working on the film has been recalled in Nick de Semlyen’s newly-released book ‘The Last Action Heroes’, which goes behind-the-scenes with different actors.
As reported by Fox News, in the book, Bruce recalls a stunt almost going wrong whilst filming ‘Die Hard’. The stunt is said...
- 7/15/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
The explosive first reactions to Christopher Nolan’s WWII epic “Oppenheimer” have lit the internet ablaze.
The film hosted its world premiere in Paris, shortly before the cast walked out of the U.K. premiere amid the SAG-AFTRA strike being announced July 14. “Oppenheimer” is set to debut in theaters July 20 and stars Cillian Murphy as the titular father of the atomic bomb, J. Robert Oppenheimer. Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Matt Damon, and Robert Downey Jr. are among the star-studded ensemble cast.
Writer-director Nolan used real explosions in lieu of CGI to mimic the first detonation of the atomic bomb during the Trinity Test. The entire film was shot in IMAX. “Oppenheimer” is inspired by 2005 book “American Prometheus” by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin and centers on Manhattan Project leader J. Robert Oppenheimer (Murphy) as he grapples with the moral repercussions of creating the bomb.
Murphy’s co-star...
The film hosted its world premiere in Paris, shortly before the cast walked out of the U.K. premiere amid the SAG-AFTRA strike being announced July 14. “Oppenheimer” is set to debut in theaters July 20 and stars Cillian Murphy as the titular father of the atomic bomb, J. Robert Oppenheimer. Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Matt Damon, and Robert Downey Jr. are among the star-studded ensemble cast.
Writer-director Nolan used real explosions in lieu of CGI to mimic the first detonation of the atomic bomb during the Trinity Test. The entire film was shot in IMAX. “Oppenheimer” is inspired by 2005 book “American Prometheus” by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin and centers on Manhattan Project leader J. Robert Oppenheimer (Murphy) as he grapples with the moral repercussions of creating the bomb.
Murphy’s co-star...
- 7/14/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Andrew Davis’ Under Siege is usually considered Steven Seagal’s best movie. However, at the time, most critics singled out Tommy Lee Jones’s performance as the baddie, Strannix, as a scene-stealer. According to Nick de Semlyen’s new book, “Last Action Heroes”, Jones dominating the film was intentional, as Seagal was somewhat reluctant to sign onto the movie. To help entice the star, his screen time was kept to only about 41 minutes. As Davis tells de Semlyen, “Between the Pentagon stuff and all the other cutaways, Tommy is actually in the movie more than Steven.”
According to Davis, Jones took the lead in reworking his bad guy, who he remembers was “flat” and “boring” in the original script. “Tommy said, ‘Why can’t I be a rock n’roll kinda guy? It was a little weird, but Tommy made it work.” Indeed, Jones’s performance would elevate his career,...
According to Davis, Jones took the lead in reworking his bad guy, who he remembers was “flat” and “boring” in the original script. “Tommy said, ‘Why can’t I be a rock n’roll kinda guy? It was a little weird, but Tommy made it work.” Indeed, Jones’s performance would elevate his career,...
- 6/27/2023
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Arnold Schwarzenegger says Bruce Willis should be remembered for more than his films.
In an interview with CinemaBlend, Schwarzenegger said Willis should also be thought of as “a kind man.”
“I think that he’s fantastic,” the former California governor said of Willis. “He was, always for years and years, is a huge, huge star. And I think that he will always be remembered as a great, great star. And a kind man.”
Willis is suffering from aphasia, a deteriorating brain disease, and has retired from acting.
Schwarzenegger continued, “I understand that under his circumstances, health-wise, that he had to retire. But in general, you know, we never really retire. Action heroes, they reload.”
Schwarzenegger was not always so kind. He once reminded Willis that his biceps needed some work.
In the book The Last Action Heroes by Nick de Semlyen, Schwarzenegger once yelled at Willis from across a crowded restaurant.
In an interview with CinemaBlend, Schwarzenegger said Willis should also be thought of as “a kind man.”
“I think that he’s fantastic,” the former California governor said of Willis. “He was, always for years and years, is a huge, huge star. And I think that he will always be remembered as a great, great star. And a kind man.”
Willis is suffering from aphasia, a deteriorating brain disease, and has retired from acting.
Schwarzenegger continued, “I understand that under his circumstances, health-wise, that he had to retire. But in general, you know, we never really retire. Action heroes, they reload.”
Schwarzenegger was not always so kind. He once reminded Willis that his biceps needed some work.
In the book The Last Action Heroes by Nick de Semlyen, Schwarzenegger once yelled at Willis from across a crowded restaurant.
- 5/28/2023
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
"Mission: Impossible II" is the most James Bond-flavored of the film series. John Woo's action is characteristically explosive, especially compared to Brian De Palma's lighter touch in the first film and the later movies' emphasis on death-defying stunts.
It's the only film so far where Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) isn't framed for treason or disavowed by the Impossible Mission Force (Imf). No, foiling the terrorist theft of a bio-weapon is just a day at the office for him, the way it is for Bond. Ethan even has a girl of the week, Nyah Nordoff-Hall (Thandiwe Newton).
Sir Anthony Hopkins also makes an uncredited appearance as Commander Swanbeck, who is M in all but name. Like the MI6 director in "Bond," Swanbeck is the old British man who gives our hero his mission. Originally, Woo and his crew had a different knighted British thespian in mind for the part: Sir Ian McKellen.
It's the only film so far where Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) isn't framed for treason or disavowed by the Impossible Mission Force (Imf). No, foiling the terrorist theft of a bio-weapon is just a day at the office for him, the way it is for Bond. Ethan even has a girl of the week, Nyah Nordoff-Hall (Thandiwe Newton).
Sir Anthony Hopkins also makes an uncredited appearance as Commander Swanbeck, who is M in all but name. Like the MI6 director in "Bond," Swanbeck is the old British man who gives our hero his mission. Originally, Woo and his crew had a different knighted British thespian in mind for the part: Sir Ian McKellen.
- 5/21/2023
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
Yub nub, motherfubbers! To celebrate Return Of The Jedi's 40th anniversary, and re-release in cinemas around the world, we bring you a gift that would have impressed even the mighty Jabba the Hutt: the live podcast we recorded a few weeks ago when Star Wars Celebration came to London.
So join Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, Nick de Semlyen, and Ben Travis for a fun-filled hour of bad impressions, even worse opinions, audience questions, and Ewok recipes. Oh, and it's a family show, so no swearies! Enjoy.
Listen to the episode on the pod app of your choice — or via the PlanetRadio player above.
So join Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, Nick de Semlyen, and Ben Travis for a fun-filled hour of bad impressions, even worse opinions, audience questions, and Ewok recipes. Oh, and it's a family show, so no swearies! Enjoy.
Listen to the episode on the pod app of your choice — or via the PlanetRadio player above.
- 5/1/2023
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
In 1984, a down-on-his-luck basketball scout working for a third-tier apparel company travels to Wilmington, North Carolina to go see about a rookie. The rest is history.
The Air Jordan not only represents a touchstone of American fashion, but also an assault on the corporate status quo. The monumental licensing deal Nike signed with Michael Jordan updated standard practices relating to the appraisal of an athlete’s worth and established precedent for the hard-won changes recently implemented across the NCAA. For Ben Affleck, this story is more than another filmography credit—it’s a mission statement. “Air,” a dramatization of this paradigm shift in professional sports, is the first title released under his and Matt Damon’s Artists Equity label, which aims to enfranchise overlooked crew members. The movie is scheduled for a wide theatrical release in the United States on April 5, 2023.
The most prominent figure in “Air” carrying the Jordan surname isn’t Michael,...
The Air Jordan not only represents a touchstone of American fashion, but also an assault on the corporate status quo. The monumental licensing deal Nike signed with Michael Jordan updated standard practices relating to the appraisal of an athlete’s worth and established precedent for the hard-won changes recently implemented across the NCAA. For Ben Affleck, this story is more than another filmography credit—it’s a mission statement. “Air,” a dramatization of this paradigm shift in professional sports, is the first title released under his and Matt Damon’s Artists Equity label, which aims to enfranchise overlooked crew members. The movie is scheduled for a wide theatrical release in the United States on April 5, 2023.
The most prominent figure in “Air” carrying the Jordan surname isn’t Michael,...
- 3/28/2023
- by Ronald Meyer
- Gold Derby
The National Lampoon is not a movie studio, though it might have seemed like it in the 1980s. The humor magazine that ran from 1970 to 1998 got into the movie business in 1978 when it put its name on "Animal House." The college comedy — co-written by Harold Ramis, directed by John Landis, and starring John Belushi — was wildly successful and launched a cinematic comedy institution. After a few disappointments, National Lampoon would hit cinematic gold again in 1983 with "National Lampoon's Vacation," a cross-country family vacation movie written by John Hughes and starring Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo. The franchise would see two John Hughes-penned sequels and a fourth movie not associated with National Lampoon (1997's "Vegas Vacation").
With a hot comedy label, one of the best screenwriters in Hollywood, and the lead actors returning, what went wrong with the first sequel, "National Lampoon's European Vacation?" According to one author, Griswold family patriarch...
With a hot comedy label, one of the best screenwriters in Hollywood, and the lead actors returning, what went wrong with the first sequel, "National Lampoon's European Vacation?" According to one author, Griswold family patriarch...
- 2/5/2023
- by Travis Yates
- Slash Film
Long before the success of "National Lampoon's Animal House" launched careers and a renewed interest in Greek fraternities, it had to get sold as a story. After multiple directors passed on it, John Landis would eventually come on board, telling Indiewire that he "was hired to develop it, basically to supervise the rewrite." The screenplay was a collaborative effort, the work of "The National Lampoon Show" star and writer Harold Ramis, "National Lampoon Magazine" co-founder Douglas Kenney, and Chris Miller, whose "The Night of the Seven Fires" story served as a springboard for what would become the sordid saga of Faber College's Delta Tau Chi house. Early drafts were going long on absurd concepts; one seedling of a story focused on cult leader Charles Manson as he navigated high school.
In Matty Simmons' book "Fat, Drunk, and Stupid," the producer looks back on the writing process for "Animal House," which...
In Matty Simmons' book "Fat, Drunk, and Stupid," the producer looks back on the writing process for "Animal House," which...
- 1/26/2023
- by Anya Stanley
- Slash Film
The "Fletch" movies have always been the product of turmoil. I.M. Fletcher, a hybrid private eye and journalist, made his first appearance in Gregory McDonald's 1974 novel "Fletch," following the investigator as he looks into a shady but tempting offer from a fat cat billionaire. His big-screen debut came in Michael Ritchie's ("Bad News Bears") 1985 feature of the same name, starring Chevy Chase in the lead role of the loose adaptation; it was a box-office smash. Four years later, the sequel "Fletch Lives" saw Chase and Ritchie reprising their respective roles in a follow-up Roger Ebert once described as a "dispirited slog through the rummage sale of movie cliches."
Since then, Fletch has undergone more iterations than his numerous implausible identities. The most talked about version is Kevin Smith's unproduced "Fletch Won," which he envisioned as a Miramax vehicle for "Mallrats" star and frequent Smith collaborator Jason Lee.
Since then, Fletch has undergone more iterations than his numerous implausible identities. The most talked about version is Kevin Smith's unproduced "Fletch Won," which he envisioned as a Miramax vehicle for "Mallrats" star and frequent Smith collaborator Jason Lee.
- 1/22/2023
- by Anya Stanley
- Slash Film
Recently, a Raising Cane's restaurant in Morton Grove, Illinois welcomed the Chevy Chase to its fine establishment in order to film a new commercial for the company. The commercial is supposed to be a spoof of a scene in what is perhaps Chase's most famous film, "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation," in which Chase's character, Clark Griswold, accidentally blinds his neighbors with his over-the-top, manic display of holiday Christmas lights. Fans of the "Vacation" franchise will recall that the movie is supposed to take place in Chicago, hence the decision to host Chase at a suburban chicken joint just west of the major city.
Photos of the event suggest that fun was had by all who attended, making it pretty clear that Chase's claim to fame is partially tied up with his portrayal of the well-meaning but blundering Clark Griswold. But before he made Hollywood holiday history, Chase was known for...
Photos of the event suggest that fun was had by all who attended, making it pretty clear that Chase's claim to fame is partially tied up with his portrayal of the well-meaning but blundering Clark Griswold. But before he made Hollywood holiday history, Chase was known for...
- 1/15/2023
- by Miyako Pleines
- Slash Film
Can you imagine anyone besides Tom Cruise in the role of Bill from "Eyes Wide Shut?" Probably not, as no matter your thoughts on the death-defying actor, it's hard to argue that he doesn't shine in Stanley Kubrick's final film. His discomforting and oftentimes goofy performance likely wouldn't work in any other film besides "Eyes Wide Shut," if we're being honest with ourselves.
However, Cruise was once barely a possibility for the project. After all, the origins for it date all the way back to the late 1960s when he was still a child. For the project's first decade, "Eyes Wide Shut" was slated to be a more traditional remake of the 1926 novella "Dream Story," set in the original setting of Vienna at beginning of the 20th century. During this phase of the film's development, Kubrick had his eye on one actor to play his leading man, and that was Steve Martin.
However, Cruise was once barely a possibility for the project. After all, the origins for it date all the way back to the late 1960s when he was still a child. For the project's first decade, "Eyes Wide Shut" was slated to be a more traditional remake of the 1926 novella "Dream Story," set in the original setting of Vienna at beginning of the 20th century. During this phase of the film's development, Kubrick had his eye on one actor to play his leading man, and that was Steve Martin.
- 1/14/2023
- by Erin Brady
- Slash Film
"Good evening. I'm Chevy Chase, and you're not." The weekly introduction from one of the human lightning rods of "Saturday Night Live" made it plain: no one does it like Chase. In the chronicle "Wild and Crazy Guys," telling the story of the comedy mavericks of '80s Hollywood, Nick de Semlyen designates Cornelius Crane "Chevy" Chase as the first "SNL" cast member to really hit the big time. The braggadocious funnyman's first and only season on the late-night variety series was a wild success — earning Emmys, a Golden Globe for writing, and New York Magazine's designation as "The funniest man in America" in 1975 — before moving onto the big screen with movies like "Tunnel Vision," "Foul Play" opposite Goldie Hawn, and eventually comedy juggernaut "Caddyshack."
The following decade would further boost Chase's ascension. The "National Lampoon's Vacation" movies yielded more of the physical comedy and straight-faced delivery that he was celebrated for,...
The following decade would further boost Chase's ascension. The "National Lampoon's Vacation" movies yielded more of the physical comedy and straight-faced delivery that he was celebrated for,...
- 1/14/2023
- by Anya Stanley
- Slash Film
Movies can and should be considered living, breathing entities. At least in the sense that they grow, change, and adapt based on their surroundings. What a screenplay looks like on paper at the beginning is rarely the same thing as the finished product. Even when a film is finished, many movies are screened for test audiences. If the filmmaker or studio doesn't like the feedback received from those screenings, a film might be cut down, re-edited, or even re-shot. Such was the case for "National Lampoon's Vacation."
Today the film stands as a beloved John Hughes movie and the hit that led to a quartet of films starring Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, and various Griswold family cast members. The road trip movie featuring the "Family Truckster" station wagon that half our fathers seemingly owned in the early 1980s hit home for a lot of Gen X'ers with families being ripped apart by divorce.
Today the film stands as a beloved John Hughes movie and the hit that led to a quartet of films starring Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, and various Griswold family cast members. The road trip movie featuring the "Family Truckster" station wagon that half our fathers seemingly owned in the early 1980s hit home for a lot of Gen X'ers with families being ripped apart by divorce.
- 1/12/2023
- by Travis Yates
- Slash Film
Right out of the gate, Chevy Chase became a household name and the clear standout performer when "Saturday Night Live" premiered in the fall of 1975. As the first anchor of Weekend Update, Chase had the most prominent screen time out of anyone in the cast and, instantaneously, his frat-boy good looks and unique comedic timing were beamed into the living rooms of millions of Americans. His persona seemed to be the most relatable to the average viewer. John Belushi was a little frightening, Danny Aykroyd looked way too amped up, Jane Curtain was too intimidating, and Gilda Radner was just too smart. Chase was just like the popular kid at school that would make you laugh over a couple of beers.
One of the main reasons audiences would stay home and tune in every week was to see the daring prat falls that Chase would commit with reckless abandon. His...
One of the main reasons audiences would stay home and tune in every week was to see the daring prat falls that Chase would commit with reckless abandon. His...
- 1/10/2023
- by Drew Tinnin
- Slash Film
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, any movie that featured a Not Ready for Prime Time Player from the first five seasons of "Saturday Night Live" was a big deal. The show was an intoxicating mix of counterculture humor and hip comedic irreverence, and viewers were eager to see its stars break free from the watchful eye of network censors. John Belushi in "National Lampoon's Animal House," Bill Murray in "Meatballs," Belushi and Dan Aykroyd in "The Blues Brothers..." people showed up to these films primed to laugh, and, for the most part, they delivered.
This phenomenon coincided with the last days of the New Hollywood revolution powered by the likes of Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, and Steven Spielberg. While most of these directors weren't interested in the raucous brand of comedy favored by the "SNL" gang, Spielberg wanted in on the fun. So after making two industry-altering...
This phenomenon coincided with the last days of the New Hollywood revolution powered by the likes of Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, and Steven Spielberg. While most of these directors weren't interested in the raucous brand of comedy favored by the "SNL" gang, Spielberg wanted in on the fun. So after making two industry-altering...
- 10/30/2022
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Eddie Murphy was the surest of bets in the 1980s. At the age of 19, he single-handedly yanked "Saturday Night Live" back from the brink of cancellation after the departure of the original cast, and was all of 21 when he shot to big-screen stardom opposite Nick Nolte in Walter Hill's action-comedy classic, "48 Hrs." His second feature, "Trading Places," was also a critical and commercial hit, while his stand-up LP "Eddie Murphy: Comedian" went platinum. By 1984, Murphy was so hot, Paramount inserted him into the finished Dudley Moore comedy "Best Defense" in the hopes that he could enliven the deathly unfunny film with his ad-libbed brilliance. It didn't work, but no one held it against Murphy. The movie was just that bad.
There was no question that Murphy had turned into one of Hollywood's biggest stars overnight, but his first two hits had been two-handers. He had yet to carry a film on his own.
There was no question that Murphy had turned into one of Hollywood's biggest stars overnight, but his first two hits had been two-handers. He had yet to carry a film on his own.
- 9/11/2022
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
The reviews for Marvel Studio’s “Black Widow” are in, and the consensus about the standalone superhero film is that the film “excels,” is “purely pop feminism” and a “deft spy caper.”
With more than 62 reviews in, the long overdue Scarlett Johansson solo film from Marvel studios has a 87% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In his review for the film, The Wrap’s Alonso Duralde writes, “Black Widow” excels most as Marvel’s attempt to make their own 007 movie. Like Christopher Nolan’s recent efforts “Tenet” and “Inception,” it doesn’t quite achieve that ineffable something that sets the best James Bond films apart, although each brings something to the table: Nolan’s films offer narrative acrostics, while “Black Widow” comes armed with a sense of humor and capable, self-possessed women at the helm.
Check out some more reviews below.
Leah Greenblatt, EW
If Widow, with its winky one-liners and spandexed catsuits,...
With more than 62 reviews in, the long overdue Scarlett Johansson solo film from Marvel studios has a 87% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In his review for the film, The Wrap’s Alonso Duralde writes, “Black Widow” excels most as Marvel’s attempt to make their own 007 movie. Like Christopher Nolan’s recent efforts “Tenet” and “Inception,” it doesn’t quite achieve that ineffable something that sets the best James Bond films apart, although each brings something to the table: Nolan’s films offer narrative acrostics, while “Black Widow” comes armed with a sense of humor and capable, self-possessed women at the helm.
Check out some more reviews below.
Leah Greenblatt, EW
If Widow, with its winky one-liners and spandexed catsuits,...
- 6/29/2021
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
In the 1980s, Walkmans and slap bracelets were popular, but comedians like Bill Murray and Chevy Chase were king. And a new book reveals that their lives were just as wild as the movies that they starred in.
For instance, Bill Murray, known for both kind and bizarre acts, once reportedly broke a heckler’s arm.
“According to people attending a performance of The National Lampoon Show in New York, after folk singer Martin Mull talked loudly throughout, [Bill] Murray attacked him backstage, bellowing, ‘I’LL Kill Him! I’LL Kill That F—–!'” Nick de Semlyen writes in Wild and...
For instance, Bill Murray, known for both kind and bizarre acts, once reportedly broke a heckler’s arm.
“According to people attending a performance of The National Lampoon Show in New York, after folk singer Martin Mull talked loudly throughout, [Bill] Murray attacked him backstage, bellowing, ‘I’LL Kill Him! I’LL Kill That F—–!'” Nick de Semlyen writes in Wild and...
- 5/30/2019
- by Sam Gillette
- PEOPLE.com
Paul Schrader has been writing and directing movies since 1974, and with Travis Bickle and “Taxi Driver” he’s responsible for one of the greatest films and characters in movie history, but these days it’s Taylor Swift who really excites the 72-year-old legend. After telling Polygon in June he was dying to see Swift in concert (he also called the pop star the “essence of the life force” and said “everything would fall apart” if she were to leave us), Schrader made good on his dream by spending his 72rd birthday at Swift’s “Reputation” stadium tour.
Schrader posted a selfie on his Facebook page announcing he had “crossed off the bucket list” seeing Swift in concert. The director raved about the show, saying he “loved it” and calling it a “show business machine operating at a maximum efficiency.” The Swift love didn’t stop there, however. Schrader’s Facebook selfie went viral,...
Schrader posted a selfie on his Facebook page announcing he had “crossed off the bucket list” seeing Swift in concert. The director raved about the show, saying he “loved it” and calling it a “show business machine operating at a maximum efficiency.” The Swift love didn’t stop there, however. Schrader’s Facebook selfie went viral,...
- 7/27/2018
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
The superhero genre has come a long way. “Wonder Woman” has claimed the title of one of the best reviewed superhero films ever. But critics haven’t always been kind to caped crusaders. Based on their Rotten Tomatoes score, these are the worst reviewed superhero movies ever and what critics had to say. “X-Men Origins – Wolverine” – 38% “Fox, no doubt casting a jealous eye on Warner Bros’ rebooting of Batman, have opted to make this ’70s-set prequel a fairly glum tale of revenge and betrayal.” — Nick De Semlyen, Empire “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer” – 37% “Given that the...
- 5/31/2017
- by Brian Welk and Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
Danny Boyle’s 1996 film “Trainspotting” follows a group of heroin addicts in an economically depressed Edinburgh in the late 1980s. Based on Irvine Welsh’s novel by the same name, the film went on to become a critical and commercial hit around the globe. Besides parking controversy for its subject matter, the film also produced two acclaimed soundtracks that featured music from and inspired by the film, including Iggy Pop, Brian Eno, Primal Scream, Pulp, New Order and more.
Read More: ‘Trainspotting 2’ Trailer: Danny Boyle Unleashes Another Round Of Mayhem On Rent Boy And The Gang
Now, Boyle has prepped a sequel, “T2 Trainspotting,” due out early this year, based on Welsh’s sequel “Porno,” that picks up 20 years after the events of the first film. Ahead of the film’s release, the soundtrack has leaked onto Amazon UK, as reported by NME, and features music from artists young and old.
Read More: ‘Trainspotting 2’ Trailer: Danny Boyle Unleashes Another Round Of Mayhem On Rent Boy And The Gang
Now, Boyle has prepped a sequel, “T2 Trainspotting,” due out early this year, based on Welsh’s sequel “Porno,” that picks up 20 years after the events of the first film. Ahead of the film’s release, the soundtrack has leaked onto Amazon UK, as reported by NME, and features music from artists young and old.
- 1/10/2017
- by Vikram Murthi
- Indiewire
The first reviews for Zack Snyder's "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" are in and with forty reviews counted, the film is sitting at 39% and a 5.3/10 on Rotten Tomatoes.
Over on Metacritic, 17 reviews are in with a 48/100. The scale and spectacle has been applauded, and everyone seems to like Wonder Woman, but the script has been an issue and there's difference of opinion over Batman and Luthor. Here's a few examples:
"As a pure visual spectacle, however, Batman v Superman ably blows the hinges off the multiplex doors, and editor David Brenner does excellent work to comprehensibly streamline the chaos, capably captured by d.p. Larry Fong...." Andrew Barker, Variety
"The villain here, Jesse Eisenberg's Lex Luthor, is so intensely annoying that, very early on, you wish Batman and Superman would just patch up their differences and join forces to put the squirrelly rascal out of his, and our,...
Over on Metacritic, 17 reviews are in with a 48/100. The scale and spectacle has been applauded, and everyone seems to like Wonder Woman, but the script has been an issue and there's difference of opinion over Batman and Luthor. Here's a few examples:
"As a pure visual spectacle, however, Batman v Superman ably blows the hinges off the multiplex doors, and editor David Brenner does excellent work to comprehensibly streamline the chaos, capably captured by d.p. Larry Fong...." Andrew Barker, Variety
"The villain here, Jesse Eisenberg's Lex Luthor, is so intensely annoying that, very early on, you wish Batman and Superman would just patch up their differences and join forces to put the squirrelly rascal out of his, and our,...
- 3/22/2016
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Director Bryan Singer is busy making "X-Men: Apocalypse," but he's also promoting the debut of the "Rogue Cut" of the previous movie, "X-Men: Days of Future Past," with more focus on Anna Paquin's Rogue and a ton of other special features. As Singer put it, "This is not just an extended edition of 'X-Men: Days Of Future Past,' but alternate version of the film."
Check out his tweet with the video link:
I'm happy to share this 30 second spot for the July 14th Blu-ray and Digital HD release date of #RogueCut! #xmen https://t.co/SW1pVuJm74
- Bryan Singer (@BryanSinger) July 1, 2015
Want more details on the "Rogue Cut"? Empire saw it and reported:
...we can confirm that it's 18 minutes longer than the theatrical version, and despite the Anna Paquin-centric title, surprisingly Rogue-light. "She gets rescued from the X-Mansion," says our man Nick De Semlyen, "but...
Check out his tweet with the video link:
I'm happy to share this 30 second spot for the July 14th Blu-ray and Digital HD release date of #RogueCut! #xmen https://t.co/SW1pVuJm74
- Bryan Singer (@BryanSinger) July 1, 2015
Want more details on the "Rogue Cut"? Empire saw it and reported:
...we can confirm that it's 18 minutes longer than the theatrical version, and despite the Anna Paquin-centric title, surprisingly Rogue-light. "She gets rescued from the X-Mansion," says our man Nick De Semlyen, "but...
- 7/3/2015
- by Gina Carbone
- Moviefone
20th Century Fox has begun screening Matthew Vaughn's ("X-Men: First Class") latest comic book movie, Kingsman: The Secret Service, and some of the lucky few have tweeted their initial reactions. The majority of the comments sound quite promising, if you love films that take full advantage of their R-ratings, which I do. I'm just so tired of films that play it safe, trying to garner that coveted PG-13 rating. I understand the benefits of PG-13 at the box office, as more people can go and view the film, but films were intended to entertain people not dance for the MPAA. So, when I see genuinely positive comments describing Kingsman as "jaw-droppingly violent" and "utterly demented" I get excited, and so should you. My favorite comment comes from Empire's Nick de Semlyen, who said, "Kingsman is to Bond what Kick-Ass was to Spider-Man." Sounds good to me. #Kingsman: by no means perfect,...
- 11/14/2014
- ComicBookMovie.com
Empire: "Best X-Men Film Since the Second One" "But what we do get here is largely fantastic, not only re-energising old-favourite characters (and after his two spin-offs, Wolverine was in dire need of re-energisation) but introducing intriguing new ones. Most surprising is the fact that the super-speedy Quicksilver (Evan Peters), whose Ramona Flowers-y appearance did not inspire much confidence in marketing materials, turns out to be the coolest thing in the film. " - Nick de Semlyen Digital Spy: "Nostalgia and New Frontier" "Where Days of Future Past ends up may not be entirely to everyone's tastes, but judged on its own terms this is a movie that delivers excellent performance and brains to compliment its bang-for-your-buck spectacle." - Simon Reynolds Bleeding Cool: "Most Ambitious X-Men Movie to Date" "There’s no denying that Days of Future Past is the most ambitious X-Men movie to date, stuffed full of ideas, overflowing with action,...
- 5/13/2014
- ComicBookMovie.com
This week's bumper-packed edition of your super sensational soaraway Empire Podcast features the greatest hat-trick since Sir Geoff Hurst benefited from the largesse of a Soviet linesman: McConaughey! Oldman! Jonze!Back of the net! We have Matthew McConaughey talking about his Oscar-nominated role in Dallas Buyers Club, and how the Money Chant from Wolf Of Wall Street came about.In off the post! Then there's national treasure Gary Oldman, star of RoboCop, reeling off a string of startling impressions including all Four Beatles.30-yard screamer! And we finish off with a chat to all-round genius Spike Jonze, director of the acclaimed Her.All that, plus the podcast team - Chris Hewitt, Nick de Semlyen, Phil de Semlyen and Ali Plumb - review the week's new releases, discuss the week's biggest movie news and pay a heartfelt tribute to the late, great Philip Seymour Hoffman.What are you waiting for? It's just a click away.
- 2/7/2014
- EmpireOnline
New Line Cinema
The Desolation Of Smaug, the second instalment in Peter Jackson’s three-part Hobbit adaptation based on the novel by J.R.R Tolkien, hit cinemas on December 13 to rave reviews.
Following the adventures of Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf and a company of Dwarves, The Desolation Of Smaug – it is widely agreed by critics – got the franchise back on track after predecessor ‘An Unexpected Journey’ received a mixed response.
Richard Corliss of Time has described Jackson’s latest offering one of the top 10 films of 2013, while Nick de Semlyen of Empire raved: “Middle-earth’s got its mojo back.” But for all the glowing reviews and the money it raked in at the box office ($209 million worldwide on its opening weekend), The Desolation Of Smaug is by no means a perfect film.
An avid fan of the novel it is based on, I found the many deviations from Tolkien’s writing to be glaring,...
The Desolation Of Smaug, the second instalment in Peter Jackson’s three-part Hobbit adaptation based on the novel by J.R.R Tolkien, hit cinemas on December 13 to rave reviews.
Following the adventures of Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf and a company of Dwarves, The Desolation Of Smaug – it is widely agreed by critics – got the franchise back on track after predecessor ‘An Unexpected Journey’ received a mixed response.
Richard Corliss of Time has described Jackson’s latest offering one of the top 10 films of 2013, while Nick de Semlyen of Empire raved: “Middle-earth’s got its mojo back.” But for all the glowing reviews and the money it raked in at the box office ($209 million worldwide on its opening weekend), The Desolation Of Smaug is by no means a perfect film.
An avid fan of the novel it is based on, I found the many deviations from Tolkien’s writing to be glaring,...
- 12/27/2013
- by Joseph Dempsey
- Obsessed with Film
New Hobbit 2,Desolation Of Smaug got mostly positive reviews from top critics. New Line Cinema (Warner Bros. Pictures) released their new adventure/action/fantasy flick, "The Hobbit 2: The Desolation Of Smaug" into theaters today, and the reviews from the top movie critics are in. It got mostly positive reviews with an overall score of 66 out of a 100 across 44 reviews on the Metacritic.com site. We've posted a couple of snippets from them,below. The movie stars: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, Evangeline Lilly, John Bell, Jed Brophy, Adam Brown, John Callen, Benedict Cumberbatch, Luke Evans, Stephen Fry, Ryan Gage, Mark Hadlow, Peter Hambleton, Stephen Hunter, William Kircher, Sylvester McCoy, Graham McTavish, Michael Mizrahi, James Nesbitt, Dean O'Gorman, Lee Pace, Mikael Persbrandt, Ken Stott, and Aidan Turner. Nick de Semlyen at Empire, gave it a perfect 100 score, claiming, "Middle-earth's got its mojo back.
- 12/13/2013
- by Eric
- OnTheFlix
The second instalment of Peter Jackson's Tolkien trilogy is picking up much stronger early reviews than his first Hobbit film
• The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug – first look review
• Martin Freeman: from Slough to Smaug – interview
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, the second instalment of Peter Jackson's fantasy trilogy based on Jrr Tolkien's book, has received positive reviews from critics.
Jackson's debut Hobbit film, An Unexpected Journey, received only lukewarm garlands from reviewers, in contrast to the critical adoration fostered by the New Zealand film-maker's Lord of the Rings trilogy a decade ago. But part two, which features the debut of Smaug, the Benedict Cumberbatch-voiced dragon, is picking up strong early reviews.
Todd McCarthy of the Hollywood Reporter writes:
Nearly everything … represents an improvement over the first instalment of Peter Jackson's three-part adaptation of Jrr Tolkien's beloved creation," "After exhibiting an almost craven fidelity...
• The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug – first look review
• Martin Freeman: from Slough to Smaug – interview
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, the second instalment of Peter Jackson's fantasy trilogy based on Jrr Tolkien's book, has received positive reviews from critics.
Jackson's debut Hobbit film, An Unexpected Journey, received only lukewarm garlands from reviewers, in contrast to the critical adoration fostered by the New Zealand film-maker's Lord of the Rings trilogy a decade ago. But part two, which features the debut of Smaug, the Benedict Cumberbatch-voiced dragon, is picking up strong early reviews.
Todd McCarthy of the Hollywood Reporter writes:
Nearly everything … represents an improvement over the first instalment of Peter Jackson's three-part adaptation of Jrr Tolkien's beloved creation," "After exhibiting an almost craven fidelity...
- 12/9/2013
- by Ben Child
- The Guardian - Film News
So close is the release of Peter Jackson's Hobbit sequel that we can almost smell Smaug's fiery dragon breath.
Much like its predecessor, The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug has divided film critics, although most agree that it's an improvement on An Unexpected Journey, which was criticised for its lumbering pace. Digital Spy rounds up a selection of the reviews below...
Emma Dibdin - Digital Spy
"Where last year's An Unexpected Journey steered too structurally close to Fellowship and suffered by comparison, The Desolation of Smaug feels Ringsier in tone while forging entirely its own narrative path, marrying breathless action with shrewd character building."
Peter Bradshaw - The Guardian
"Jackson has shown that he is an expert in big-league popular movie-making to rival Lucas and Spielberg. His Smaug, with its fight scenes, chase spectaculars, creepy creatures and secret stone doors opening with a grinding noise, is something to set alongside the Indiana Jones films.
Much like its predecessor, The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug has divided film critics, although most agree that it's an improvement on An Unexpected Journey, which was criticised for its lumbering pace. Digital Spy rounds up a selection of the reviews below...
Emma Dibdin - Digital Spy
"Where last year's An Unexpected Journey steered too structurally close to Fellowship and suffered by comparison, The Desolation of Smaug feels Ringsier in tone while forging entirely its own narrative path, marrying breathless action with shrewd character building."
Peter Bradshaw - The Guardian
"Jackson has shown that he is an expert in big-league popular movie-making to rival Lucas and Spielberg. His Smaug, with its fight scenes, chase spectaculars, creepy creatures and secret stone doors opening with a grinding noise, is something to set alongside the Indiana Jones films.
- 12/7/2013
- Digital Spy
Neil Marshall just posted this photo of the stunt team for his Game Of Thrones S4 episode, Castle Black. Cannot wait. pic.twitter.com/AI3b95BVTQ— Nick de Semlyen (@NickdeSemlyen) November 1, 2013 Those who've read the books will know what occurs in the ep, but I'm sure anyone could hazard a guess just from looking at the pic anyway. Just in case we won't spoil anything -- but with Marshall directing, this has the potential to outdo even his season 2 episode, "Blackwater".
- 11/3/2013
- ComicBookMovie.com
Since the first trailer for Alfonso Cuaron's "Gravity" debuted in May, audience anticipation for the space-set two-hander has been tumbling through cyberspace with an untethered excitement. Judging from the early reviews of "Gravity" after its Venice Film Festival bow on Wednesday, interested parties likely won't be disappointed.
"As scripted by Cuaron and his son Jonas, this tale of one woman’s grim expedition into the unknown is a nerve-shredding suspenser, a daring study in extreme isolation, and one of the most sophisticated and enveloping visions of space travel yet realized onscreen," wrote Variety critic Justin Chang in one of the many initial rave reviews. "It falls among that increasingly rare breed of popular entertainments capable of prompting genuine 'How did they do that?' reactions from even the most jaded viewers, even as its central premise is so simple and immediately gripping that one might just as readily ask,...
"As scripted by Cuaron and his son Jonas, this tale of one woman’s grim expedition into the unknown is a nerve-shredding suspenser, a daring study in extreme isolation, and one of the most sophisticated and enveloping visions of space travel yet realized onscreen," wrote Variety critic Justin Chang in one of the many initial rave reviews. "It falls among that increasingly rare breed of popular entertainments capable of prompting genuine 'How did they do that?' reactions from even the most jaded viewers, even as its central premise is so simple and immediately gripping that one might just as readily ask,...
- 8/28/2013
- by The Huffington Post
- Huffington Post
When French robots Daft Punk, nee Thomas Bangalter and Guy Manuel Christo de Homem, were making the press rounds for their latest masterpiece, the luxuriously expansive Random Access Memories, they frequently cited Brian De Palma's "Phantom of the Paradise" as a chief influence: not only was 'Phantom' star/composer Paul Williams featured in the album's centerpiece, "Touch," but he provided lyrics for another song and served as a major for the band's mysteriously helmeted look. So when a Pitchfork profile let casually slip that the band was talking to De Palma about doing something, it was cause for excitement. Sadly, it looks like it's not happening after all.De Palma A La Mod points out that, according to a Twitter conversation involving Nick De Semlyen, a reviews editor for British movie magazine Empire, and "The World's End" director Edgar Wright (of course), De Palma "was going to direct a...
- 7/2/2013
- by Drew Taylor
- The Playlist
World War Z reviews Several World War Z reviews are in, and for the most part they have been hardly enthusiastic. Directed by Marc Forster and starring Brad Pitt (who also wears a producer’s hat in the film), World War Z has been a troubled production from the get-go: there were financing woes, the budget reportedly escalated from $125 million to $200 million, there were numerous rewrites and quite a bit of reshooting, in addition to a red-alert delay in the film’s release date. Anyhow, here are a few English-language World War Z review snippets. Of note, perhaps it’s only a coincidence, but the American publications have tended to be considerably more welcoming to World War Z than the British / Irish ones: "What a disaster. This end-of-the-world epic — Brad Pitt’s ‘baby,’ which he’s been working on since 2007 — is mostly bland and extremely bloated. It’s Z for zombie,...
- 6/7/2013
- by Zac Gille
- Alt Film Guide
The one and only Sir Roger Moore stopped by Empire's podcast studio this week for a frank, funny and very enlightening chat, touching on such varied topics as Inception, eyebrow acting and how to cook the perfect Christmas dinner – and you can listen to the 40-minute result below.A must-listen for all Bond fans – much like our James Bond special and our Skyfall spoiler special – it also covers the matter of how confusing Sir Roger's dad finds Alan Partridge, as well as Moore's turn in 1970's The Man Who Haunted Himself.Interviewing the third James Bond were Chris Hewitt, Nick De Semlyen and Neil Alcock, and you can see them all grinning from ear to ear beside Sir Roger right here.P.S. As well as listening via SoundCloud, you can also download the Empire Podcast from our RSS feed or subscribe to us on iTunes.
- 11/2/2012
- EmpireOnline
Today, Friday October 5, has been designated by Q branch as Global James Bond Day. So with Skyfall hitting UK cinemas on October 26 – and Us ones on November 8 – there's no better time to talk Bond, and Empire is more than happy to oblige.So join Chris Hewitt, Nick de Semlyen, Dan Jolin and Neil Alcock (aka The Incredible Suit) for a journey through 007's back catalogue. They're joined by Mary Goodnight herself, Britt Ekland, and the director of the new Bond documentary Everything Or Nothing, Stevan Riley. Be warned, however: contains high levels of double entendre...Don't forget, as well as SoundCloud, you can also download the Empire Podcast from our RSS feed or subscribe to us on iTunes.ps As this is the Bondiest day of the year – aside from Skyfall's release date, perhaps – here's a special Skyfall video blog celebrating that fact, featuring interviews with Sam Mendes, Daniel Craig,...
- 10/5/2012
- EmpireOnline
The Dark Knight Rises has finally arrived in cinemas, and with it a huge number of questions - questions that we here at Empire have attempted to answer here in our special spoiler podcast.So prepare your Bane impressions and get ready for almost 40 minutes of plot points, plot holes and general Batman-related movie chat with Chris Hewitt, James Dyer, Nick de Semlyen and our resident Bat-expert, Dan Jolin.And for previous spoiler podcasts, check out this Avengers one (featuring Marvel head honcho Kevin Feige) and this Amazing Spider-Man one (featuring producers Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach), both of which are absolute must-listens. P.S. Here's the link to our iTunes page, the link to our SoundCloud account and finally our RSS feed, so you can subscribe to the Empire Podcast whichever way you like.
- 7/24/2012
- EmpireOnline
At long last we can announce that the third and final part of this year's Comic-Con Daily Podcast Specials is online, for your listening pleasure.And it's a doozy as well. Not only do Chris Hewitt, Nick de Semlyen and James White dissect the busiest, biggest day in the history of the 'Con, when the likes of Pacific Rim, Man Of Steel, Iron Man 3 and The Hobbit all graced Hall H, but we talk to Guillermo del Toro and Lord of the Rings legend, Richard Taylor.P.S. Here's the link to our iTunes page, the link to our SoundCloud account and finally our RSS feed, so you can subscribe to the Empire Podcast whichever way you like.
- 7/15/2012
- EmpireOnline
Friday has come and gone at Comic-Con in San Diego, but don't worry if you weren't there, for we have the next best thing: the second edition of our very special daily Comic-Con Empire Podcasts. There's a mouthful.On today's edition, our crack team - Nick de Semlyen, Chris Hewitt and Jaime 'James White' Blanco - discuss everything they saw, heard, did and smelled at the 'Con today. And that includes (deep breath) panels for The Walking Dead, spoiling the comic's 100th issue for Jonathan Ross (sorry, Wossy!), Resident Evil: Retribution, The Big Bang Theory, Looper, Total Recall, Game Of Thrones, Marvel's Item 47 short and - the big one for us today - the first look at Neill Blomkamp's new film, Elysium.We spoke to Blomkamp for the podcast as well. But that's not all. We also sat down with the new Judge Dredd, Mr. Karl Urban...
- 7/14/2012
- EmpireOnline
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