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Kathy Bates admits that she was horrified after watching herself starring in Stephen King's Misery for the first time. She feared it would be "the end of her career."

Bates' performance as Annie Wilkes drew widespread acclaim from critics, with Misery going on to become the only film based on a Stephen King novel to win an Oscar to date. Speaking at the TCM Classic Film Festival alongside director Rob Reiner, Bates talked about the film and the creative differences they shared on set. Ultimately, Bates' role in the film did anything but kill her career. Instead, it secured her the Academy Award for Best Actress.

Interestingly, there was one scene from Stephen King's original 1987 Misery novel that Bates and Reiner didn't agree on. In the original story, Paul Sheldon (James Caan) is subjected to a series of tortures after being "rescued" by super-fan Annie Wilkes (Bates). He ends...

In the 1990 Stephen King adaptation Misery (watch it Here), Kathy Bates’ character Annie Wilkes breaks author Paul Sheldon’s ankle with a sledgehammer and shoots another man in the back with a shotgun – but in King’s book, Annie cut off Sheldon’s foot with an axe instead of breaking his ankle, and stabbed the other man before running him over with her lawnmower. While appearing alongside director Rob Reiner at a special TCM Classic Film Festival 35th anniversary screening of the film, Bates revealed that she was disappointed Reiner toned down the violence for the film version.

Directed by Reiner from a screenplay by William Goldman (which received rewrites from Reiner and and producer Andrew Scheinman), Misery has the following synopsis: After a serious car crash, novelist Paul Sheldon is rescued by former nurse Annie Wilkes, who claims to be his biggest fan. Annie brings him to her remote cabin to recover,...

Kathy Bates wishes Misery was even more miserable.

The Matlock star took the stage at the TCM Classic Film Festival alongside director Rob Reiner, where they looked back on the 1990 horror. The film is an adaptation of Stephen King’s 1987 novel, which sees Bates’ character, Annie Wilkes, rescue the beloved author Paul Sheldon (James Caan) after suffering a car crash.

After being “rescued,” Annie subjects him to a series of torture. In the original story, Paul loses his foot, which was a detail that ultimately was omitted from Reiner’s adaptation — a shift Bates wasn’t keen on.

“I was crushed that you took that out,” she told Reiner, per IndieWire. “I didn’t agree with that at all.”

During their conversation, they discussed Bates’ Academy Award winning performance, which was an accolade Reiner thought she wouldn’t win for the role.

“You said, ‘You can campaign, but you’re not gonna get it,...

The years have seen some of the best Stephen King adaptations become controversial for the changes they have made to the prolific author’s original novels – we all know King’s feelings about Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, for example. However, it seems that another film courting controversy was the Oscar-winning 1990 Rob Reiner adaptation of Misery, which starred Kathy Bates in one of her greatest cinematic roles, playing everyone’s favorite obsessive “number one fan,” Annie Wilkes. The actress had a couple of issues when it came to some of the changes made to the movie compared to King’s original novel.

While the film is a brutal and tense movie as it stands, one scene that does not play out quite the same as King’s novel is the infamous “hobbling” scene. For many people, the moment in the movie where Bates’ Wilkes takes a sledgehammer to Paul Sheldon...

Last weekend thousands of the world’s most passionate and obsessive movie fans descended upon Hollywood for the 16th annual TCM Classic Film Festival, which provided opportunities to see everything from “Gunfight at the Ok Corral” and “We’re No Angels” projected in true VistaVision to nitrate prints of “Daisy Kenyon” and “Mildred Pierce” at The Egyptian Theatre, one of only five venues in the country capable of screening that format. There was also a restoration of a silent classic with live accompaniment (“Beau Geste“), a BFI restoration of Ernst Lubitsch’s timeless — and timely — comedy “To Be or Not to Be,” and a a tribute to groundbreaking director Michael Schultz, among many other delightful programs.

It’s hard to pick a favorite event from such a stacked weekend, but for sheer moviegoing pleasure it was tough to beat the 35th anniversary screening of “Misery,” which screened in the legendary Tcl...

At the 50th AFI Life Achievement Awards ceremony on Saturday, Hollywood icons Steven Spielberg and George Lucas united to honor Francis Ford Coppola, presenting him with the accolade. Spielberg and Coppola met in 1967, and in 1971 Coppola screened Spielberg's Duel at his home. Lucas was present, and that marked the beginning of Spielberg's relationships with both filmmakers. That same year, Coppola produced Lucas' first directorial project, Thx 1138. Spielberg lauded Coppola as "a warrior for independent artists" and someone "fearless in how open you are to ideas, opinions and inspiration."

Reflecting on Coppola's impressive filmography, Spielberg fondly recalled watching an early cut of Apocalypse Now, along with other filmmakers (via Variety):

"When the film ended, you asked us to tell you what we saw, how we felt. You invited all of us in, so one by one, we told you where we were lost and where we were found, and I sat there in awe,...

Hollywood legends gathered Saturday night to celebrate Francis Ford Coppola as he received the prestigious AFI Life Achievement Award, the highest honor bestowed by the American Film Institute.

Steven Spielberg and George Lucas presented Coppola with the 50th AFI Life Achievement Award.

Spielberg called Coppola “fearless.” Spielberg, who first met Coppola in 1967, said, “On one hand, you are a warrior for independent artists, you always champion their causes, but also, and always, you’re fearless in how open you are to ideas, opinions and inspiration.”

He recalled watching an early cut of “Apocalypse Now,” which was five hours long, with other filmmakers. “When the film ended, you asked us to tell you what we saw, how we felt. You invited all of us in, so one by one, we told you where we were lost and where we were found, and I sat there in awe, learning that leaving yourself open and searching was,...

A changing cultural climate in Hollywood beginning in the 2010s has led to unsavory revelations about many famous men and women, along with several arrests. People began speaking out, especially after the large social support generated by #MeToo. The landscape was much different than in 1989, when two women felt they needed to hide their names in order to write an exhibit about a famous director based on their own personal experiences with him and the experiences of 11 other women. That article in Spy actually featured a detailed fold-out chart of the Upper West Side in New York, visualizing where and women the director had approached women. That director, after many years of accusations, allegations, and legal bureaucracy, has now been ordered to pay $1.68 billion to 40 of his accusers.

The filmmaker in question is James Toback, and according to Deadline, "More than seven years after dozens of women accused director James Toback of sexual assault,...

Amid the new trailers and announcements at CinemaCon, we also learned that a new Sylvester Stallone movie is still in the works. This isn't a movie starring, written by, or directed by Stallone: it's about Stallone. I Play Rocky, a biopic about the actor's struggles getting his breakout film Rockymade, is still in development at Amazon MGM Studios. MovieWeb reports that Oscar-winner Peter Farrelly is attached to direct the film.

Farrelly, who won Oscars for co-writing and producing Green Book, which he also directed, is set to take the director's seat for I Play Rocky, which will detail how struggling actor Stallone wrote and sold a script about a Philadelphia boxer to United Artists, and even convinced the studio to let him star in it, too. The film is set to be produced by veteran Hollywood hand Toby Emmerich (Game Night), while Peter Gamble is penning the script. Notably,...

Shout! Studios has acquired distributor Gravitas Ventures under its strategy to build the library as it continues to acquire and distribute film and television through for its multi-platform operation.

Shout! Studios and Gravitas Ventures will operate as two distinct brands and continue to distribute from their respective catalogues.

The transaction gives Shout! access to more than 3,300 scripted, non-scripted, and sports-related narrative features, documentaries, and television titles. According to reports there had been talk of lay-offs at Gravitas for a while, highlighting the ongoing challenges in the independent sector.

Nolan Gallagher founded Gravitas in 2006 and the company’s recent films includeMack & Ritastarring Diane Keaton,...

Shout! Studios, the multi-platform media company backed by Oaktree Capital Management, has acquired Gravitas Ventures from Anthem Sports & Entertainment, Inc.

The deal was finalized over the weekend, we hear, with employees at Shout! being notified this morning. It came following rumblings of multiple layoffs at boutique distributor Gravitas. When Deadline reached out to various staff members at the distributor, we were met with bounce-backs, seemingly confirming sudden departures.

The ambition on Shout!’s part is to grow its content portfolio with the acquisition of entertainment companies and their content libraries, while continuing to partner with independent rights owners to monetize content and launch new streaming channels.

Going forward, Shout! Studios and Gravitas Ventures will operate as two distinct brands. Each will continue to actively distribute content from its respective catalogue, leveraging a scaled combined distribution organization to better monetize content across traditional and digital channels. The deal gives Shout! access to more than 3,300 scripted,...

Plot: Four interconnected tales follow a teenager in love (Jack Champion), two female rappers trying to make it (Normani and Dominique Thorne), a world-weary debt mob enforcer (Pedro Pascal ) and a basketball legend (Jay Ellis) looking for vengeance in 1987 Oakland.

Review: At Sundance 2023, directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck (Half Nelson) made a triumphant return to Sundance with one of the festival’s most energetic offerings in years. Mixing a Tarantino-style crime tale with high-octane action, Boden and Fleck use the bag of tricks they earned working for the MCU (Captain Marvel) to deliver an unexpected smash. Freaky Tales is the kind of movie Sundance would have shown in its nineties heyday, with it likely the only film playing this year that ends in a kung-fu-heavy bloodbath. I loved every second of it. Too bad it took over a year to finally hit theaters!

Freaky Tales mostly takes place...

In 1975, the sci-fi movies Death Race 2000 and Rollerball depicted 21st century futures that still feel relevant 50 years later.

In the middle of the 1970s, a group of filmmakers peered into the future and saw a hellscape of cruelty and violence. Released within months of each other in 1975, Death Race 2000 and Rollerball imagine 21st century dystopias where bloodthirsty competitions play out on TV.

The films are similar in genre and theme, but stylistically poles apart; one is blackly comic, the other grim-faced; one is pluckily low-budget, the other grand and expensive-looking. All the same, Death Race 2000 and Rollerball both offer a fascinating glimpse of the 21st century that, for all the 70s hairstyles and clothing, looks strangely recognisable.

Death Race 2000 came out first, but that was because producer Roger Corman, the wily old rascal, caught wind of Rollerball being in production and hurriedly commissioned a dystopian sports film of his own.

Did Robert De Niro and Al Pacino switch parts in crime movies? ( Photo Credit – Wikimedia )

Well, here’s the kicker, According to Screen Rant, Robert De Niro and Al Pacino swapped roles in a completely different gangster flick! Yes, you heard that right. Just before The Godfather graced the big screen, De Niro replaced Pacino in another crime movie, talk about an alternate universe where history could’ve gone very differently.

Picture it, a world where Pacino never became Michael Corleone, or where De Niro’s star had risen a little earlier. It’s a bizarre little twist in cinematic history, and it almost makes you wonder how many great films we’ve missed out on because of one little Hollywood shuffle.

Trust us, if this swap hadn’t happened, the legacy of these two legendary actors, and The Godfather franchise itself, would look very different today.

Trending General Hospital Spoilers: Lucky Surprises Elizabeth,...

Al Pacino Pay Gap(Photo Credit –YouTube)

Hollywood has always played by its own rules when it comes to paychecks, and The Godfather was no different. While today, Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, and Diane Keaton are icons forever linked to the film, back in 1972, the landscape was quite different.

The movie’s brilliance wasn’t just in its storytelling but in the depth of its performances, from Richard Conte’s calculating Barzini to Al Lettieri’s ruthless Sollozzo. Each actor, no matter how big or small the role, brought something unforgettable to the screen.

Al Pacino’s Shocking Salary vs. Richard Castellano’s Paycheck

However, not everyone in the cast was a superstar at the time. James Caan and Diane Keaton were still establishing themselves, and Al Pacino, despite playing the central role of Michael Corleone, was relative unknown and subsequently, that inexperience was reflected in his paycheck.

Al Pacino...

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Paramount+ might be one of the biggest losers in the streaming wars, but when it comes to content, it has some of the most brilliant movies and TV shows ever made. Which is the advantage of being one of the oldest Hollywood studios. That’s why we decided to compile a list of the absolute best movies you can find on Paramount+ right now.

Attack the Block Credit – Optimum Releasing

Attack the Block is a British sci-fi comedy horror film written and directed by Joe Cornish. The 2011 film is set in London as an alien species invades Earth. It follows a group of brave teenagers who must fight against predatory aliens to survive the night. Attack the Block stars John Boyega, Jodie Whittaker, Alex Esmail, Franz Drameh, Leeon Jones, Simon Howard, Luke Treadaway, Jumayn Hunter, and Nick Frost.

Renowned French actor and singer Patrick Bruel is making his TV debut in a leading role as a revered secret agent in “State of Alert,” a geopolitical thriller set in Paris.

The thriller, based on Dov Alfon’s bestselling novel “A Long Night in Paris” (“Unité 8200”), was produced by Elephant International with Keshet International (“Rough Diamonds”).

Slated to premiere later this year on TF1, “State of Alert” was directed by Dan Sachar, who notably worked as a second unit director on 36 episodes of “Fauda,” and co-directed episodes of “Tehran.”

Striking a similar chord as Netflix’s “Zero Day” with its timely techno plot and geo-political themes, “State of Alert” sees Bruel playing Israeli spy Zeey Abadi who travels to Paris for a tech summit where he embarks on an unexpected investigation to connect the dots between stolen software, the death of a Russian journalist and a mysterious disappearance three days...

On July 6, 2022, one of Hollywood's most iconic actors passed away at the age of 82.  Best remembered for his Oscar-nominated performance in "The Godfather" (1972), James Caan's career spanned almost 60 years of theatrical and television work.

Born in the Bronx on March 26, 1940, Caan made his TV debut on an episode of "Naked City" in 1961, and his film debut two years later in an uncredited role in Billy Wilder's "Irma la Douce." He soon made a name for himself co-starring alongside such Hollywood legends as Olivia de Havilland in "Lady in a Cage" (1964) and John Wayne and Robert Mitchum in "El Dorado."

In 1971, he earned his sole Primetime Emmy nomination for his title role in the tearjerker "Brian's Song," and the following year achieved an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor, for his memorable turn in "The Godfather." This was the role with which he became most identified; however, over the next half century,...

Adam Sandler had established a comedic "bad boy" persona on Saturday Night Live that appealed to young audiences in the early ‘90s. His leap to the big screen cemented him as a star and established him as an actor who often plays lovable slackers pushing into their thirties with the comedy gems Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore. In 1996, he joined forces with In Living Color’s Damon Wayans and The Godfather’s James Caan in the action comedy Bulletproof.

Becoming a legendary filmmaker like Francis Ford Coppola, director of The Godfather, doesn't occur overnight. For him, the path to masterful directing was a decade-long journey, starting with his enrollment in the Roger Corman school of low-budget, exploitation filmmaking to his misbegotten studio projects like the bloated musical, Finian's Rainbow. Nothing in his oeuvre suggested that he was destined to redefine American cinema by adapting Mario Puzo's best-selling novel until his 1969 film, The Rain People, where Coppola decided to strip down and focus on the essentials of character and performance work. This road drama, featuring future Godfather stars James Caan and Robert Duvall, is a somber portrait of the perils of re-building a new life and running away from your mundane past self, which contains reflections on Coppola's personal background.

There’s a sentimental heart to Michael Mann’s films, as much as his fans might not like to hear about it. Run a movie like Heat or Thief alongside the finest crime novels of the same bygone era Mann taps as fuel for his ongoing, elegiac meta-saga on heist men, bag men, and hit men. Run them against key works by Westlake, Chandler, Hammett, or Bezzerides—authors whose heroes and antiheroes are all hard, bad edges. In Mann’s world, sentimentality is front and center, the prize beyond the horizon for the Los Angeles cab driver, the storied Depression-era stickup man, or the Miami vice cop. It’s the reason for some of those mournful stares, those knowing half-smiles that punctuate your Miami Vice, your Public Enemies.

At the same time, these stories may also be that of the sentimental dream being crushed, its embers stubbed out by crippling disappointment.

The Godfather remains one of the most acclaimed and celebrated crime dramas ever made. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola and released in 1972, the film chronicles the transfer of power from aging mob boss Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) to his reluctant son, Michael (Al Pacino). The Godfather reviews were glowing and the film was a commercial success, not only launching Pacino to stardom, but spawning two immediate sequels.

The Godfather features a handful of iconic scenes that have stood the test of time, including several that are shockingly violent. Though the film couldn't be characterized as an action movie, a number of graphic shootouts and slayings play out over the course of Michael's rise to power, including the attempted assassination of Vito, Michael's killing of corrupt police captain Mark McCluskey (Sterling Hayden) and drug baron Sollozzo (Al Lettieri), and the brutal slaying of James Caan's Sonny Corleone.

Former Mobster...

For someone who started out as an athlete and then became one of the most iconic actors of his generation, James Caan is definitely a special kind of talent. It is up for debate which role and which film is his most iconic, but certainly The Godfather is one of the first movies people think of when they think of James Caan. In 1972, everything changed for Caan when he played Sonny Corleone in The Godfather and basically ignited his entire career. Throughout the '70s and '80s, James Caan starred in a number of great films that were looking to capitalize on what Caan brought to The Godfather. This started as early as two years later when Caan was the star of a solid crime film called The Gambler.

For the next two decades, Caan would star in multiple crime films and none of them reached the heights of The Godfather.

Originally released in 1977, A Bridge Too Far is nearly five decades old. For some fans of war movies, the film has been forgotten, but its availability on a new streaming home could bring some renewed attention to the acclaimed classic.

Currently,A Bridge Too Far is streaming on Prime Video. Directed by Richard Attenborough and written by William Goldman, the film was based on the original book of the same name written by Cornelius Ryan. It delves into the story of what's known as Operation Market Garden, a failed Allied operation against the Nazis in the Netherlands during World War II.

RelatedRichard Attenborough Starred in This WWII Masterpiece 59 Years Before Christopher Nolan's Version

Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk was a cinematic feat, but it was preceded by a 1958 movie with Richard Attenborough.

Fox was one of several members of the star-studded ensemble cast of A Bridge Too Far. Hollywood icon Gene Hackman,...

“Michael Mann’s “Thief” is a film of style, substance, and violently felt emotion, all wrapped up in one of the most intelligent thrillers I’ve seen.” – Roger Ebert

Glistening wet streets, intense neon lights, transient spaces, reflective objects, cool-blue color palette, and a pulsating score. Yeah, it’s all the recognizable nuggets of Michael Mann’s visual style, which isn’t just about remaining ‘showy’, but also remains wholly attuned to the story’s emotional textures. And, what’s fascinating about these confident and meticulous visuals is that Mann accomplished it all in his feature-film debut “Thief” (1981) itself.

The recurring themes in Mann’s works involving hardened, urban males are also present here. A single, rigorous frame and handful of colorful dialogues in “Thief” could serve as a fine blueprint for cinephiles on what to expect from Mann’s masterful film-making skills. Thematic and narrative wise, Mann’s debut...

Was Martin Scorsese’s Name Suggested For The Godfather Part II? ( Photo Credit – Wikimedia )

Few films have left as lasting an impact on cinema as The Godfather series. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, the trilogy redefined the gangster genre with its artistic brilliance. The first installment, released in 1972, became an instant classic, featuring powerhouse performances from Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, and James Caan.

The film’s success paved the way for The Godfather Part II (1974), which was both a sequel and a prequel, following Michael Corleone’s continued rise to power while also chronicling Vito Corleone’s early years, played by a young Robert De Niro. Besides the brilliance of the cast, the movies are also hailed for the work of director Francis Ford Coppola. However, rumors have long circulated that Coppola, at one point, wanted Martin Scorsese to direct the sequel, and now the sequel’s star, Robert De Niro,...

If you visit certain corners of social media every awards season, you're likely to see people bemoaning the fact that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences usually fails to recognize standout performances in the horror genre. You're likely to hear people calling for justice for Toni Collette's performance in "Hereditary," and Lupita Nyong'o's work in "Us," and Florence Pugh's turn in "Midsommar." Occasionally, though, a horror movie does break through and manage to pick up some Oscars recognition. After all, in 2018, Guillermo Del Toro's "The Shape of Water" took home Best Picture. Sure, it's a love story, but it's also a modern twist on classic Universal monster movies.

In fact, in that sentence alone, I'm doing the thing that film professor Adam Lowenstein told NPR always happens when horror gets discussed. "There's often an argument that has to be trotted out that goes something along the lines of,...

Quick LinksAnnie Wilkes is a Lead Character in MiseryThe Monkey's Annie Wilkes is Very Different to Misery'sAnnie Wilkes Isn't in Stephen King's Short Story

Recently released, The Monkeyhas brought one of Stephen King's popular works to the big screen. Whilst plenty of fans will already know of the plot, they won't be anticipating the presence of one particular iconic character, who is present elsewhere in King's multiverse. Director Oz Perkins managed to find a way of surprising the writers' followers, which went along nicely with the shocking plot.

A few other alterations were also made, which may have been a bold move to make, but Perkins clarified that King had "...had no notes, and didn't tell me to change anything." Seemingly, fans can rest in the knowledge that the film was given the King of Horror's seal of approval. Viewers due to see the movie can expect to encounter...

On Thursday 27 February 2025, BBC One broadcasts Dragons’ Den!

Season 22 Episode 8 Episode Summary

In the upcoming episode of “Dragons’ Den” on BBC One, entrepreneurs will present a variety of interesting products to the panel of investors. This episode promises to showcase creativity and innovation, with pitches that aim to impress the Dragons.

One of the products featured is a new type of hair towel. This pitch aims to provide a solution for those looking for a quick and efficient way to dry their hair. The entrepreneur hopes to demonstrate how this product stands out in a crowded market.

Another pitch focuses on an eco-conscious soap dispenser innovation. This product aims to reduce waste and promote sustainability. The entrepreneur will seek support from the Dragons to bring this environmentally friendly idea to consumers.

Additionally, anaphylaxis kits will be presented. These kits are designed to help those with severe allergies manage their condition effectively.

The Godfathertrilogy is regarded as one of the greatest film series of all time, yet not without its divisive moments. The Godfather Part III is widely considered the weakest of the trilogy, but remains an accepted part of the saga, despite its frustrating choices. One choice that left many fans confused, and, frankly, upset, was Vincent Mancini’s takeover as Don of the Corleone family.

Introduced in Part III, Vincent seemed like a rushed and questionable choice to lead the family, especially given that Sonny Corleone had other children – legitimate heirs who could have carried on the Corleone name. So, why choose Vincent, an illegitimate son, with little apparent connection to the family business? However, a deleted scene from The Godfather Part II sheds light on this choice, explaining why Sonny’s other children were left out of the family business entirely, leaving Vincent as the most viable option as Michael’s replacement.

On Thursday 20 February 2025, BBC One broadcasts Dragons’ Den!

Season 22 Episode 7 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Dragons’ Den” on BBC One promises to be an exciting showcase of creativity and entrepreneurship. In this episode, viewers will meet a pair of brothers who are ready to present their range of sauces. They hope that their flavorful creations will impress the Dragons and not rub them the wrong way. The brothers are eager to share their passion for cooking and the unique taste of their sauces.

Another interesting pitch comes from a recent graduate who has developed an automatic cooling device. This innovative product aims to solve a common problem, and the graduate is enthusiastic about showing the Dragons how it works. Her presentation is expected to highlight the device’s features and the potential market it could serve.

Additionally, a Welsh entrepreneur will take the stage with an innovative bike storage solution.

The upcoming episode of “Dragons’ Den” promises to bring a mix of innovation and creativity as it showcases four unique pitches. Scheduled to air on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 9:00 Pm on BBC One, this episode is sure to captivate audiences with its diverse range of products.

First up, entrepreneurs will present hair towels designed to make drying hair easier and more effective. This product aims to appeal to anyone who struggles with traditional towels. Next, an eco-conscious soap dispenser innovation will take center stage, highlighting the importance of sustainability in everyday products. This pitch is expected to resonate with viewers who value environmentally friendly solutions.

Additionally, the episode will feature anaphylaxis kits, which could be a game-changer for those with severe allergies. These kits are designed to provide quick and reliable emergency responses. Lastly, an inclusive make-up range will be introduced, focusing on diversity and accessibility in beauty products. This...

Kevyn Major Howard, known for appearing as Rafterman in the 1987 Stanley Kubrick Vietnam War film Full Metal Jacket, has died at the age of 69.

“Kevyn Major Howard gave and gave and gave so much to the world and especially the men and women of our armed forces,” wrote his friend and former co-star Matthew Modine on X in a tribute. “He became famous for his role of ‘Rafterman’ in Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket. His portrayal gave him a unique entrée into the world of the US Marine Corps. This led him on a decades-long journey to be in service of our nation’s bravest. Thank you for your dedication to others and to America. May all the gods bless you Kevyn. Rest in peace. #SemperFidelis“

He attached a photo from set featuring the “Lusthog Squad,” which included Howard alongside himself and co-stars Sal Lopez, Gary Landon Mills and Adam Baldwin.

Kevyn Major Howard, the actor and photographer best known for his role as "Rafterman" in Stanley Kubrick's acclaimed film Full Metal Jacket, has passed away. He was 69 years old.

Per TMZ, Howard died on Friday, Feb. 7, while surrounded by loving family and friends at a hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada. A cause of death was not shared, but the actor's family said he had been hospitalized for weeks with respiratory issues. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Howard's honor directly to FueledBytheFallen.org, a nonprofit established to help provide aid to veterans and first responders in need of assistance.

Howard was born on Jan. 27, 1956, in Montreal, Quebec, but with his dual citizenship, he relocated from Canada to Los Angeles, California, to embark on a career in show business. In 1981, he appeared in the hit TV show CHiPs, and he followed this up...

Stephen King's Misery has become a free streaming hit after dropping on Tubi a few weeks ago. Users of the free streaming service are finding the 1990 adaptation to be a worthy psychological horror thriller that just has to be revisited. At the time of writing, Misery sits in third spot on Tubi's list of most popular films. Other titles currently vying for attention on the platform include the Wesley Snipes thriller, Murder at 1600, Patrick Swayze's 80s hit, Road House, and the demonically delightful Megan Fox horror movie, Jennifer's Body.

Written by American playwright William Goldman, and directed by Rob Reiner, Misery is based on the 1987 novel of the same name by Stephen King. The story follows a writer named Paul Sheldon, who's returning from his retreat where he wrote the end of a successful series of romantic novels centering around the fictional character Misery Chastain. Sheldon has...

On Thursday 13 February 2025, BBC One broadcasts Dragons’ Den!

Season 22 Episode 6 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Dragons’ Den” on BBC One promises an exciting lineup of innovative pitches. Viewers can look forward to a variety of unique ideas that aim to capture the attention of the Dragons.

One of the standout pitches introduces a new way to buy crisps. This idea could change how people enjoy their favorite snacks, making it easier and more convenient. The Dragons will likely have plenty of questions about this concept and its potential market impact.

Another intriguing pitch features pre-packaged flowerbeds. This idea could appeal to gardening enthusiasts and those looking to beautify their spaces without the hassle of traditional planting. The Dragons may consider the practicality and appeal of such a product.

Additionally, a pitch addressing common umbrella dilemmas is set to be presented. With unpredictable weather, a solution that makes umbrellas more...

In the upcoming episode of “Dragons’ Den,” viewers can expect an exciting mix of creativity and innovation as Season 22 Episode 7 unfolds. Airing at 9:00 Pm on Thursday, February 20, 2025, on BBC One, this episode features a trio of intriguing pitches that will surely catch the attention of the Dragons.

First up, two brothers step into the Den, hoping their range of sauces will impress the investors. With a focus on unique flavors and quality ingredients, they aim to prove that their products are worthy of investment. However, the brothers know that the Dragons can be tough critics, and they will have to convince them that their sauces can stand out in a crowded market.

Next, a recent graduate introduces an automatic cooling device designed to make everyday life a little easier. This innovative gadget promises to tackle a common problem, and the young entrepreneur is eager to showcase its potential. The...

Will Smith is a bonafide movie star, and you don't get to become a movie star if you're not multi-faceted. Smith's career is one that clearly demonstrates his versatility and then some; he's got a physicality and swagger that lends itself easily to an action film lead, as seen in the "Bad Boys" franchise as well as movies like "Suicide Squad" and "Bright." He has the emotional depth and soulfulness to take on a variety of dramatic roles, as in "King Richard," "The Pursuit of Happyness," "Ali," and "Six Degrees of Separation." He also has a natural comic timing — honed during his years starring on the wildly successful sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" — which crops up in many of his performances, but has also led to winning leading roles in the rom-com "Hitch" and Disney live-action remake "Aladdin."

Despite his considerable range and his continued appeal, Smith has one...

Many would argue that The Godfather is simply a plethora of great scenes that perfectly culminate in one narrative, hence why it is considered one of, if not the, greatest film of all time. The presence of actors like Al Pacino, Marlon Brando, and James Caan resonates powerfully off the screen, with every action having a weight and significance for the audience to digest. However, one of the best scenes in The Godfather doesn’t even include the big hitters like Michael or Vito Corleone, yet sees their presence loom over everything. This is the scene where, after it is revealed that Tessio betrayed Michael—as Vito predicted someone would—hitmen snag Tessio (Abe Vigoda). The set-up and execution of the scene effectively communicate the power and threat that Michael and Vito present and explore some of the core themes of The Godfathersurrounding a changing of the guard. Yet, as with every adaptation,...

TheGodfathertrilogy introduced many memorable characters, from Michael Corleone’s rise to power to Vito Corleone’s old-world influence. Among these iconic figures, one quietly stands as Michael’s most trusted enforcer – Al Neri. While Neri’s role in the films is often reduced to a loyal figure, there’s far more to him than meets the eye. His importance extends beyond his capacity for violence, serving as the calculating force behind Michael’s decisions.

Though overshadowed by the more prominent Corleone family, Neri’s loyalty played a pivotal role in Michael’s reign. Al Neri was more than just an enforcer. He was the quiet hand that ensured Michael’s power remained unchallenged.

Who is Al Neri? The films downplay Al Neri’s importance, omitting key details about his past and rise within the Corleone family. Once a tough NYPD officer, personal tragedy and violent impulses led him to commit murder,...

One of the most iconic and darkest scenes of The Godfather is the attempted murder of Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando). The symbolism with the oranges, the tension of Vito spotting the assassins heading towards him, and Fredo’s weeping next to his father all make the scene a shocking display of violence that tears down our god-like perception of Vito. However, a deleted scene could have made the aftermath even better. That is a scene showing Sonny (James Caan) and Vito’s wife, Carmela (Morgana King). Whilst there are understandable reasons for removing this scene, such as keeping the tension of Sonny unaware of Luca Brasi's death, the scene shows us a more competent side to Sonny as he becomes head of the family. Furthermore, it gives Carmela a subtle moment of strength, as she is more prepared for a crisis like this than Sonny, presenting her as a Sicilian...

In the upcoming episode of “Dragons’ Den,” viewers can expect an exciting lineup of innovative pitches that promise to spark interest. Season 22, Episode 6, airing on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 9:00 Pm on BBC One, showcases a variety of creative entrepreneurs ready to impress the Dragons.

One of the standout pitches involves a new way to buy crisps. This concept aims to change the snacking experience, offering something fresh and unique to crisp lovers. The Dragons will be eager to see how this idea stands out in a competitive market.

Another intriguing pitch features pre-packaged flowerbeds. This idea could revolutionize gardening for those who want a beautiful outdoor space without the hassle. The Dragons will likely weigh the practicality and market potential of such a product.

Additionally, a solution to the common umbrella dilemma is on the table. This pitch addresses the frustrations many face with traditional umbrellas. Lastly, a dessert-inspired cocktail...

On Thursday 6 February 2025, BBC One broadcasts Dragons’ Den!

Season 22 Episode 5 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Dragons’ Den” promises to be an exciting showcase of ambition and creativity. Aspiring entrepreneurs will step into the famous den, ready to present their business ideas to a panel of five multimillionaire investors. For these hopefuls, this moment represents a significant opportunity to turn their dreams into reality.

In this episode, each entrepreneur will have a limited time to make their pitch. They will need to impress the dragons with their ideas, business plans, and passion. The stakes are high, as the investors will decide whether to invest their money and support these budding businesses or send them home empty-handed.

Viewers can expect a mix of innovative ideas, emotional stories, and tough questions from the dragons. The entrepreneurs will face the challenge of convincing these seasoned investors that their ideas are worth the risk.

Exclusive: Matlock is on the case this awards season. The Publicists of the International Cinematographers Guild said today that Kathy Bates will receive the 2025 Television Showperson of the Year Awards at the 62nd Icg Publicists Awards luncheon on February 28.

The annual award honors an individual whose accomplishments in TV best represent that special spirit traditionally defined as showmanship. Patrick Stewart received the honor at last year’s ceremony.

“Kathy Bates has consistently captivated audiences with her versatility, depth and the sheer power she brings to every role,” Publicists Awards Chair Tim Menke and Sheryl Main said in a joint statement. “It’s our honor to celebrate her unrivaled career and dedication to her craft.”

And quite a career it has been. Bates had done plenty of guest shots on TV and appeared in smaller film roles when she got her signature role in Misery, playing a novelist’s (James Caan...

Francis Ford Coppola's impressive filmography is just as well known as the director's varied history when it comes to troubled behind-the-scenes productions of those very same cinematic classics. The iconic filmmaker has made such masterpieces as Apocalypse Now, The Conversation,The Outsiders, and is perhaps best recognized for his trilogy of Godfather films that would set a new standard for Mafia and crime films for decades to come. There are plenty of iconic moments in the films that would be referenced or paid homage to in various forms, but, it turns out, the production on the first film was a struggle for Coppola, who fought to keep the creative integrity of his adaptation of Mario Puzo's novel intact.

In fact, Paramount wanted one line spoken early on by Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) in the opening wedding sequence of the film to be removed. In an excerpt from "The Godfather Treasures" by Peter Cowie,...

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This February, Tubi is bringing you a lot of entertainment, from the brilliant epic space opera film Dune: Part One to the classic sci-fi action film The Terminator. However, this article only includes the films coming to Tubi this month with a 90% or higher Rotten Tomatoes score. So, check out the ten best films coming to Tubi in February 2025 with a 90% or higher Rotten Tomatoes score.

Licorice Pizza (February 1) Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90% Credit – United Artists Releasing

Licorice Pizza is a coming-of-age romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. The 2021 film is set in the 1970s in California’s San Fernando Valley, and it follows Gary Valentine, a teen actor who falls for Alana Kane, an older girl. Licorice Pizza stars Alana Haim, Cooper Hoffman, Sean Penn, Tom Waits, Bradley Cooper, and Benny Safdie.

Leaving Las Vegas...

For all the excellent Stephen King film adaptations that are out there, from Frank Darabont's The Shawshank Redemption to Brian De Palma's Carrie and Stanley Kubrick's The Shining, only one can say that it came away with an Oscar – Rob Reiner's Misery. Released in 1990 to widespread critical acclaim, the feature based on King's 1987 novel of the same name is carried by a famous, career-defining performance by the great Kathy Bates as the obsessive Annie Wilkes that would earn the actress her only statuette to date. Between her scene-chewing acting and a strong screen partner in James Caan, it's still viewed among the best takes on the master of horror's work to date, with a 91% Rotten Tomatoes score. Starting this month, this gem of horror history is now also free to watch as part of Tubi's catalog.

It seems like not everyone cares that Buddy the Elf may be going through a midlife crisis.

In December, Will Ferrell went viral after he was seen dressed up as his beloved character from the 2003 holiday movie while watching the Los Angeles Kings play the Philadelphia Flyers from the stands. However, the actor decided to have some fun and make it appear as if time had not been friendly to Buddy, with a beer in hand, a fake cigarette sticking out of his mouth and a scowling expression across his face.

Though Ferrell thought it was hilarious, he recently told People magazine, “Some people were not too happy.”

“They thought, ‘Please be true to the character. That was not cool,'” he added. But Ferrell doubled down that “Buddy was having a bad day. Yeah. He just went to a hockey game, smoked cigarettes and drank beer.”

Elf, directed by Jon Favreau,...

Actor Will Ferrell is known for his comedic performances in a string of commercially successful movies. One of the most popular movies in Ferrell’s filmography is the 2003 Christmas comedy Elf, directed by Jon Favreau, which was a major hit at the box office. As a result, a sequel seemed guaranteed, and that possibility has been discussed over the years.

Will Ferrell’s Elf was a huge hit (Credit: New Line Cinema).

While there have been some rumors suggesting a sequel was in the works, Ferrell has remained adamant about not wanting to make another installment. During a recent podcast appearance, the actor was asked about why a sequel to the 2003 cult classic never materialized. Ferrell revealed his hesitance to make it for one understandable reason. Here is what Will Ferrell had to say about the Elf not getting a sequel.

Will Ferrell shared the real reason why Elf 2 never...

On Thursday 30 January 2025, BBC One broadcasts Dragons’ Den!

Season 22 Episode 4 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Dragons’ Den” promises to be an exciting one as fashion expert and entrepreneur Trinny Woodall steps into the den. Known for her sharp insights and vibrant personality, Trinny aims to bring her unique perspective to the panel of investors. This episode will see her joining the fierce group of five dragons, each with their own expertise and style.

Trinny Woodall has made a name for herself in the fashion industry, and her experience as a TV presenter adds another layer to her skills. In this episode, she will be looking to discover fresh talent and innovative business ideas that could fit into her investment portfolio. The entrepreneurs pitching their ideas will face the challenge of impressing not just Trinny, but also the other seasoned investors in the den.

Viewers can expect a mix of...