Looking back at some of the strangest cameos in film and TV history, we were struck by how many of them were by musicians. It makes sense. After all, musicians are already out of place among actors on a TV or film set. What they bring to the table is different from what actors bring, in terms of star quality, charisma, self-expression and established personae. If you’re familiar with both the musician’s work and the characters in a movie or TV show (and the actors who play them...
- 5/16/2020
- by Gary Susman
- Rollingstone.com
by Glenn Dunks
It can sometimes feel like we’ve seen WWII from so many perspectives that there can’t possibly be new ways to convey the weight of its tragedy. That Five Came Back, a new three-part mini-docu-series on Netflix, manages to succeed at doing this is just one of its many virtues. Adapted from Mark Harris’ book of the same name by Harris himself and directed by Laurent Bouzereau, this is a three-hour documentary about the work of five of Hollywood’s biggest directorial names of the 1930s who enlisted to support the American war effort the only way that they knew how: through film, and the personal battles they fought in order to do so.
They were Frank Capra, John Huston, George Stevens, William Wyler and John Ford – the latter of whom gets the biggest laugh labelling documentaries in the 1930s as “silly things that rich kooks...
It can sometimes feel like we’ve seen WWII from so many perspectives that there can’t possibly be new ways to convey the weight of its tragedy. That Five Came Back, a new three-part mini-docu-series on Netflix, manages to succeed at doing this is just one of its many virtues. Adapted from Mark Harris’ book of the same name by Harris himself and directed by Laurent Bouzereau, this is a three-hour documentary about the work of five of Hollywood’s biggest directorial names of the 1930s who enlisted to support the American war effort the only way that they knew how: through film, and the personal battles they fought in order to do so.
They were Frank Capra, John Huston, George Stevens, William Wyler and John Ford – the latter of whom gets the biggest laugh labelling documentaries in the 1930s as “silly things that rich kooks...
- 4/4/2017
- by Glenn Dunks
- FilmExperience
Sound mixer Kevin O’Connell had lost out 20 times before last night’s ceremony.
Forget Moonlight, Emma Stone or even Asghar Fahardi, the most heart-warming winner at the 2017 Oscars was Kevin O’Connell, who picked up the best sound mixing award for Hacksaw Ridge.
Sound engineer O’Connell had previously been nominated 20 times without winning, leading The Guardian to dub him the “unluckiest nominee in the history of the Academy Awards”.
After finally winning the Oscar for Hacksaw Ridge alongside Andy Wright, Robert Mackenzie and Peter Grace, O’Connell said: “I can’t even tell you the experience that it was for me. As much as I thought I was going to know what it felt like, I didn’t.
“And I have to tell you, it was the greatest feeling in my entire life and I’m so grateful for the opportunity I had, especially to work with these guys and I’m so grateful. It’s amazing...
Forget Moonlight, Emma Stone or even Asghar Fahardi, the most heart-warming winner at the 2017 Oscars was Kevin O’Connell, who picked up the best sound mixing award for Hacksaw Ridge.
Sound engineer O’Connell had previously been nominated 20 times without winning, leading The Guardian to dub him the “unluckiest nominee in the history of the Academy Awards”.
After finally winning the Oscar for Hacksaw Ridge alongside Andy Wright, Robert Mackenzie and Peter Grace, O’Connell said: “I can’t even tell you the experience that it was for me. As much as I thought I was going to know what it felt like, I didn’t.
“And I have to tell you, it was the greatest feeling in my entire life and I’m so grateful for the opportunity I had, especially to work with these guys and I’m so grateful. It’s amazing...
- 2/27/2017
- by orlando.parfitt@screendaily.com (Orlando Parfitt)
- ScreenDaily
★☆☆☆☆ Don't shoot the messenger. But the word on the wire at the Edinburgh Film Festival, where Meg Ryan's Ithaca is making its UK premiere, doesn't bode well for the actor's directorial debut. Set in the titular city post-Pearl Harbour, it's the story of a teenage boy who delivers telegrams to the townspeople during America's involvement in the Second World War. An attempted contemplation of the ill-effects on those helplessly left at home waiting on word of sons, husbands and brothers abroad, it grapples desperately for the grandeur of Greek mythology or the high-minded filmic philosophising of Terrence Malick but achieves neither.
- 6/23/2016
- by CineVue UK
- CineVue
Another Period, Season 1, Episode 2, “Divorce”
Written by Natasha Leggero and Riki Lindhome
Directed by Jeremy Konner
Airs Tuesdays at 10:30pm (Et) on Comedy Central
With increased confidence, Another Period’s second episode, “Divorce”, tackles the taboos of rape and divorce with fantastic delirium. After the sexually insatiable and recently-divorced Pussy Van Anderstein arrives at the Bellacourt residence, Lillian (Natasha Leggero) and Beatrice (Riki Lindhome) decide they too want to separate from their husbands. However, divorce at the turn of the century was a little more complicated than it is now and their plans don’t quite pan out.
When Pussy (Jessica Chaffin) arrives, she insists on a male room servant rather than the customary female one. She chooses the sheepish Garfield and as soon as she gets him into her room she “ravishes” him. Dejected and humiliated, the rest of the episode follows Garfield as he attempts to convince...
Written by Natasha Leggero and Riki Lindhome
Directed by Jeremy Konner
Airs Tuesdays at 10:30pm (Et) on Comedy Central
With increased confidence, Another Period’s second episode, “Divorce”, tackles the taboos of rape and divorce with fantastic delirium. After the sexually insatiable and recently-divorced Pussy Van Anderstein arrives at the Bellacourt residence, Lillian (Natasha Leggero) and Beatrice (Riki Lindhome) decide they too want to separate from their husbands. However, divorce at the turn of the century was a little more complicated than it is now and their plans don’t quite pan out.
When Pussy (Jessica Chaffin) arrives, she insists on a male room servant rather than the customary female one. She chooses the sheepish Garfield and as soon as she gets him into her room she “ravishes” him. Dejected and humiliated, the rest of the episode follows Garfield as he attempts to convince...
- 7/3/2015
- by Justine Smith
- SoundOnSight
Bradley Cooper's new film Aloha has not gone down well with native Hawaiians.
The Media Action Network for Asian Americans (Manaa) has taken particular issue with the film's cultural appropriation of the term 'aloha' for its title, while also accusing it of not accurately representing the region's ethnic diversity.
In a press release issued to the New York Post, Guy Aoki wrote: "Caucasians only make up 30% of the population [of Hawaii], but from watching this film, you'd think they made up 99%.
"This comes in a long line of films - The Descendants, 50 First Dates, Blue Crush, Pearl Harbour - that uses Hawaii for its exotic backdrop but goes out of its way to exclude the very people who live there.
"It's an insult to the diverse culture and fabric of Hawaii."
The war-themed comedy stars Cooper as defence contractor Brian Gilcrest, who is exiled in Hawaii for blowing a major military mission.
The Media Action Network for Asian Americans (Manaa) has taken particular issue with the film's cultural appropriation of the term 'aloha' for its title, while also accusing it of not accurately representing the region's ethnic diversity.
In a press release issued to the New York Post, Guy Aoki wrote: "Caucasians only make up 30% of the population [of Hawaii], but from watching this film, you'd think they made up 99%.
"This comes in a long line of films - The Descendants, 50 First Dates, Blue Crush, Pearl Harbour - that uses Hawaii for its exotic backdrop but goes out of its way to exclude the very people who live there.
"It's an insult to the diverse culture and fabric of Hawaii."
The war-themed comedy stars Cooper as defence contractor Brian Gilcrest, who is exiled in Hawaii for blowing a major military mission.
- 5/26/2015
- Digital Spy
When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour in December of 1941 Americans felt a major sense of anger and hatred to the Japanese because they felt they had been cowardly attacked for no reason. The American government, who knew that entering World War Two was now inevitable, needed to solidify support amongst the American public as they would need to engage in a total mobilisation where all parts of American society would be involved in the war effort.
This push for support led to some of the most incredibly explicit and unsubtle propaganda in history, and at the forefront of this was a racially caricatured image of the Japanese was commonly referred to as the ‘Jap’. The ‘Jap’ was all encompassing, brutally racist, and reflected an overwhelming anti-Japanese sentiment at both the highest and lowest levels of American society. The ‘Japs’ were presented as monkeys, with enormous buck teeth, slanted eyes, and were just generally subhuman.
This push for support led to some of the most incredibly explicit and unsubtle propaganda in history, and at the forefront of this was a racially caricatured image of the Japanese was commonly referred to as the ‘Jap’. The ‘Jap’ was all encompassing, brutally racist, and reflected an overwhelming anti-Japanese sentiment at both the highest and lowest levels of American society. The ‘Japs’ were presented as monkeys, with enormous buck teeth, slanted eyes, and were just generally subhuman.
- 1/20/2015
- by Bevan Morgan
- Obsessed with Film
We have a look at some of the more obscure comic book movie ideas which nearly made it to the big screen…
We've recently been investigating the pile of nearly-made-its in the ever-growing world of cinematic comic book adaptations. You could be forgiven for thinking Hollywood will strap wads of cash to any old comic book writer who stumbles past their door, but so far we’ve written approximately 5,000 words that say otherwise.
First, we delved into DC’s chequered past and found heaps of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman projects that we’ll sadly never get to see (and some other projects we’re quite glad we’ll never have to sit through). We then did the same for Marvel, unearthing plans for a Paul McCartney Silver Surfer rock opera, James Cameron’s bizarre Spider-Man script ideas and an amazingly-cast Dazzler animation from the 1980s.
Now, we turn our...
We've recently been investigating the pile of nearly-made-its in the ever-growing world of cinematic comic book adaptations. You could be forgiven for thinking Hollywood will strap wads of cash to any old comic book writer who stumbles past their door, but so far we’ve written approximately 5,000 words that say otherwise.
First, we delved into DC’s chequered past and found heaps of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman projects that we’ll sadly never get to see (and some other projects we’re quite glad we’ll never have to sit through). We then did the same for Marvel, unearthing plans for a Paul McCartney Silver Surfer rock opera, James Cameron’s bizarre Spider-Man script ideas and an amazingly-cast Dazzler animation from the 1980s.
Now, we turn our...
- 9/19/2014
- by ryanlambie
- Den of Geek
Very rarely has a TV show captured my attention in a way like Eastbound & Down. Some of you may have only a fleeting idea of what the show is, and some of you may have never heard of it. I was introduced to Eastbound & Down by a friend, who basically described it as ‘an American show about a washed up baseball player.’ Not having any interest in baseball at all, I was dubious. I gave it a pass, and watched Futurama instead.
That was a few years ago, and now I can safely say Eastbound & Down is one of my favourite comedies of all time. The show can be described as the aforementioned ‘American Show about a washed-up baseball player’, but that doesn’t capture any of the real story at all. Not in any way – it’s like describing the Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbour as a multi-national misunderstanding.
That was a few years ago, and now I can safely say Eastbound & Down is one of my favourite comedies of all time. The show can be described as the aforementioned ‘American Show about a washed-up baseball player’, but that doesn’t capture any of the real story at all. Not in any way – it’s like describing the Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbour as a multi-national misunderstanding.
- 11/18/2013
- by Jon Lovatt
- Obsessed with Film
Shaftesbury theatre, London
The musical version of James Jones's army novel is executed with skill – but you're left wondering, why make it now?
"Highly professional". Those are the words that come to mind watching this new musical, based on James Jones's 800-page novel about life on a Hawaiian army base in the runup to the attack on Pearl Harbour in December 1941.
But, for all the dedication of the creative team, which includes Tim Rice as lyricist, Stuart Brayson as composer and Bill Oakes as bookwriter, one is left asking two questions: why now, and what does music add to the story?
The first question is the harder to answer. In Oakes's version, the story is certainly a lot grittier than in the 1953 Fred Zinnemann movie as it follows the intertwined fortunes of three soldiers.
Robert E Lee Prewitt is a tough private who suffers for his refusal to...
The musical version of James Jones's army novel is executed with skill – but you're left wondering, why make it now?
"Highly professional". Those are the words that come to mind watching this new musical, based on James Jones's 800-page novel about life on a Hawaiian army base in the runup to the attack on Pearl Harbour in December 1941.
But, for all the dedication of the creative team, which includes Tim Rice as lyricist, Stuart Brayson as composer and Bill Oakes as bookwriter, one is left asking two questions: why now, and what does music add to the story?
The first question is the harder to answer. In Oakes's version, the story is certainly a lot grittier than in the 1953 Fred Zinnemann movie as it follows the intertwined fortunes of three soldiers.
Robert E Lee Prewitt is a tough private who suffers for his refusal to...
- 10/24/2013
- by Michael Billington
- The Guardian - Film News
Exclusive: Poland’s Akson Studio, producer of Andrzej Wajda’s Venice title Walesa. Man Of Hope, is preparing a film set in the world of the Polish mafia.
Speaking exclusively to ScreenDaily, producer Jan Kwiecinski said the feature, titled Totem, will be “a very raw movie in the vein of films like Bullhead or Pusher.”
He added: “It will be made with non-professional actors, very dark, low budget, and totally different from what we are doing at the moment.”
Totem will mark the feature directorial debut of Jakub Charon, who has previously written and directed two short films, Traces and Tension. He is also a member of alternative rock group NarcolipZ and an author of two novels.
Warsaw Uprising shoot underway
Akson is halfway through its 63-day shoot of Jan Komasa’s Warsaw44 about the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. The $8m production is already being touted as the biggest Polish film of 2014.
Eight years ago, Akson Studio’s founder...
Speaking exclusively to ScreenDaily, producer Jan Kwiecinski said the feature, titled Totem, will be “a very raw movie in the vein of films like Bullhead or Pusher.”
He added: “It will be made with non-professional actors, very dark, low budget, and totally different from what we are doing at the moment.”
Totem will mark the feature directorial debut of Jakub Charon, who has previously written and directed two short films, Traces and Tension. He is also a member of alternative rock group NarcolipZ and an author of two novels.
Warsaw Uprising shoot underway
Akson is halfway through its 63-day shoot of Jan Komasa’s Warsaw44 about the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. The $8m production is already being touted as the biggest Polish film of 2014.
Eight years ago, Akson Studio’s founder...
- 7/31/2013
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
London, May 25: Jersey Boys and Les Miserables have been declared as shows performing free songs to the public, to mark 350 years of West End theatre.
West End Live, which is the annual festival of musical and theatre, is now in its ninth year at it will be staged in Trafalgar Square on 22 and 23 June, the BBC reported.
Sir Tim Rice's new musical 'From Here to Eternity' will be previewed during the show.
The musical, which opens in the autumn, is set on the Hawaiian island of Oahu in 1941, before and during the attack on Pearl Harbour.
Cast members from Billy Elliot The Musical, Jersey Boys, Disney's The Lion King, Mamma Mia!, and Matilda The Musical will be among those featuring in this year's line-up.
London.
West End Live, which is the annual festival of musical and theatre, is now in its ninth year at it will be staged in Trafalgar Square on 22 and 23 June, the BBC reported.
Sir Tim Rice's new musical 'From Here to Eternity' will be previewed during the show.
The musical, which opens in the autumn, is set on the Hawaiian island of Oahu in 1941, before and during the attack on Pearl Harbour.
Cast members from Billy Elliot The Musical, Jersey Boys, Disney's The Lion King, Mamma Mia!, and Matilda The Musical will be among those featuring in this year's line-up.
London.
- 5/25/2013
- by Anita Agarwal
- RealBollywood.com
War? Huh? What is it good for? Now some would say absolutely nothing. I would tend to agree, on the socio-political side of things. Wars are messy, expensive and tear families and countries apart. But, my word, they provide some pretty good anecdotes to tell decades later.
Winning at all costs is the prime directive of armies and generals everywhere. In the eternal words of Ricky Bobby, if you’re not first you’re last. And nowhere is that statement more appropriate than the fields of war. One way to win is to make sure that tactically you are watertight and have the right weaponry to see you through. Warfare gave us machine guns, tanks and atomic bombs in a kind of military-style game on one-upmanship. These weapons decided the outcomes of wars, but there are some weapons once developed that were, how shall we say it, ridiculously idiotic and hilariously nonsensical.
Winning at all costs is the prime directive of armies and generals everywhere. In the eternal words of Ricky Bobby, if you’re not first you’re last. And nowhere is that statement more appropriate than the fields of war. One way to win is to make sure that tactically you are watertight and have the right weaponry to see you through. Warfare gave us machine guns, tanks and atomic bombs in a kind of military-style game on one-upmanship. These weapons decided the outcomes of wars, but there are some weapons once developed that were, how shall we say it, ridiculously idiotic and hilariously nonsensical.
- 5/9/2013
- by Sean Keating
- Obsessed with Film
Real Racing 3, Marvel Unlimited, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Toy Story: Smash It, Year Walk, Comics In The Classroom, Temple Run: Oz and more
It's time for our weekly roundup of brand new and notable apps for iPhone and iPad. Except this time, it's Best Apps This Fortnight, since this post took a week off for Mobile World Congress.
Read on, then, for a hand-picked selection of the 30 most interesting new (as in brand new, not updates) iOS apps from late February and early March. There's a separate 30 best Android apps this week roundup too.
Real Racing 3 (Free)
Its freemium timers may have proved controversial, but Real Racing 3 is still an excellent driving game, not least because the more you play and the more cars you own, the timer element stops being an issue. Anyway, the game sees you racing more than 45 cars over 900 events, upgrading as you go.
It's time for our weekly roundup of brand new and notable apps for iPhone and iPad. Except this time, it's Best Apps This Fortnight, since this post took a week off for Mobile World Congress.
Read on, then, for a hand-picked selection of the 30 most interesting new (as in brand new, not updates) iOS apps from late February and early March. There's a separate 30 best Android apps this week roundup too.
Real Racing 3 (Free)
Its freemium timers may have proved controversial, but Real Racing 3 is still an excellent driving game, not least because the more you play and the more cars you own, the timer element stops being an issue. Anyway, the game sees you racing more than 45 cars over 900 events, upgrading as you go.
- 3/8/2013
- by Stuart Dredge
- The Guardian - Film News
The digital music revolution started with Napster – the file-sharing service dreamt up by two teenagers in 1999. As a new film tells Napster's story, Tom Lamont recalls the incredible sense of liberation he felt as a young music fan, one of millions happily plundering the world's record collections…
In the first weeks of 2000 the founders of Napster were in their office above a bank in San Mateo, California, considering dizzying numbers. Figures scrawled on a whiteboard told how many people around the world had installed their file-sharing application and were using it to download music from each other's computers. As recounted in Downloaded – a documentary soon to premiere at the SXSW film festival, telling the story of a piece of software that came and went and whipped up a new digital music industry in its slip – Napster had 20 million users at the time. Some way from San Mateo, in suburban London...
In the first weeks of 2000 the founders of Napster were in their office above a bank in San Mateo, California, considering dizzying numbers. Figures scrawled on a whiteboard told how many people around the world had installed their file-sharing application and were using it to download music from each other's computers. As recounted in Downloaded – a documentary soon to premiere at the SXSW film festival, telling the story of a piece of software that came and went and whipped up a new digital music industry in its slip – Napster had 20 million users at the time. Some way from San Mateo, in suburban London...
- 2/24/2013
- by Tom Lamont
- The Guardian - Film News
Martin Scorsese turns 70 on Friday, and the man has never been busier. In the midst of a multitude of projects, he's currently shooting his next feature, "The Wolf Of Wall Street," but of course, he took some time out recently to talk about David Lean's masterpiece, "Lawrence Of Arabia," as it arrives in a brand new 4-disc set today (get that Christmas shopping done early, folks). But before we jump into that, let's rewind the clock slightly. It's hard to believe, but it's been thirty years since Scorsese dropped "The King Of Comedy," a movie that still remains a bit underrated in his canon. And we have to admit, either we missed it or just didn't know, but The Clash cameoed ever so briefly in the film. Look closely and you'll see Mick Jones, Joe Strummer and Paul Simonon (plus associates like manager Kosmo Vinyl, singers Ellen Foley and Pearl Harbour,...
- 11/13/2012
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
How much exactly did Disney fork out of their seemingly bottomless pockets to buy both Marvel and George Lucas’ Star Wars Universe? It’s extremely likely that by simply owning these lucrative brands they’ll make their money back very quickly not to mention how much they’ll make from churning out sequels in the next few years but it hasn’t always been so easy for the house that Walt built.
In fact, back in the day several cinematic releases very near left the company in ruins and poor old Mickey living rough on the mean streets of Toon Town. Here, What Culture brings you the 10 Disney movies that almost ruined them financially. We’re pretty certain that many of the titles involved will surprise you – read on.
10. Dumbo
We’ve seen a shoe fly. We’ve seen a house fly. Thanks to Disney we’ve seen a bloody elephant fly!
In fact, back in the day several cinematic releases very near left the company in ruins and poor old Mickey living rough on the mean streets of Toon Town. Here, What Culture brings you the 10 Disney movies that almost ruined them financially. We’re pretty certain that many of the titles involved will surprise you – read on.
10. Dumbo
We’ve seen a shoe fly. We’ve seen a house fly. Thanks to Disney we’ve seen a bloody elephant fly!
- 11/8/2012
- by Matt Aspin
- Obsessed with Film
Matt Bellamy has said that he no longer believes that the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 were an "inside job". The Muse frontman was quoted in 2006 as saying that that there was "massive evidence" to suggest that Us authorities either allowed the attacks to occur or "deliberately" made them happen. "There was a document called 'Project for the New America Century'... which clearly says, 'We need a Pearl Harbour-level event so we can have an excuse to invade the Middle East'," he said at the time. "I don't believe that any more, although there are lots of questions to be answered," Bellamy told Metro. "I still read a lot about political history, the influence of corporations and the military, but I make sure I'm reading from credible sources. I (more)...
- 9/24/2012
- by By Mayer Nissim
- Digital Spy
War films might perhaps not everyone’s bag, but Izuru Narushima’s epic The Admiral (aka ‘Admiral Yamamoto’) brings more to the table than just all out war with a back narrative following Yamamoto’s deep misgiving about organising a sneak attack on pearl Harbour in WWII. The Admiral arrives on Blu-ray and DVD via Cine Asia on Sept 24. Synopsis: Japan, 1941: With war raging in Europe, Japan’s imperial command sees an opportunity to advance their nation’s standing in the world. The plan to attack Pearl Harbour was drawn up, and one man was tasked with its implementation: Admiral Yamamoto. Opposed to the plan, Yamamoto must nevertheless carry out his orders and commit one of the biggest military mistakes in history. The Admiral trailer...
- 9/22/2012
- 24framespersecond.net
This latest offering from MadCatz is, in some ways, quite an ambitious one. An attempt to make a compelling and addictive flight-combat game, whilst also boasting historical accuracy, right down to the last lick of paint on each plane. The result is a game that is splendid in parts but disappointing in others. The graphics juxtapose between spellbinding and lazy, whilst the game play between addictive and laborious. But a real saving grace is that when this game is good, it is brilliant.
Accuracy is key
The creators of the game had extensive contact with historians from the USS Midway, and you can really tell the research into the authenticity and historical accuracy has been extensive. From the planes, locations, medals, and missions set in the campaign mode. The most striking part of this game visually is undoubtedly the selection of planes throughout. There are 68 variations of 32 unique aircraft, all...
Accuracy is key
The creators of the game had extensive contact with historians from the USS Midway, and you can really tell the research into the authenticity and historical accuracy has been extensive. From the planes, locations, medals, and missions set in the campaign mode. The most striking part of this game visually is undoubtedly the selection of planes throughout. There are 68 variations of 32 unique aircraft, all...
- 8/31/2012
- Shadowlocked
Liam Neeson has said that he wanted Rihanna's autograph for himself when they worked together on Battleship. The actor told Metro that it was not true that he wanted her signature for his children. "No, it was for me," Neeson said. "She is so cute. "Sadly, I didn't get to work with her much directly on set but in my first scene I am making a speech to some 500 cadets on a battleship and Rihanna is in there. "We had a holding area on the ship, a sort of green room, and she was in there with her little posse." Of why he joined the project, he added: "[Director] Pete Berg is an old friend and when I heard the words admiral of the fleet, Hawaii, Pearl Harbour (more)...
- 8/16/2012
- by By Mayer Nissim
- Digital Spy
In cinema history, there have been hundreds of films that have emerged as classics; titles which have defined – or redefined – their respective genres. All of you reading this will no doubt have your own personal favourites, just as I have mine.
They will vary from person to person, as we all have our own unique tastes, but there are always those which find their way into our DVD players time and time again. They are the films which have become regular sources of entertainment and a benchmark against which all other movies in that genre must be judged.
If you don’t know what I mean, check out some of my personal favourites below. They represent my top picks of movies that meet this criteria – however as I’m sure some of you will disagree with my choices, or will have additional titles to add to the list, please don...
They will vary from person to person, as we all have our own unique tastes, but there are always those which find their way into our DVD players time and time again. They are the films which have become regular sources of entertainment and a benchmark against which all other movies in that genre must be judged.
If you don’t know what I mean, check out some of my personal favourites below. They represent my top picks of movies that meet this criteria – however as I’m sure some of you will disagree with my choices, or will have additional titles to add to the list, please don...
- 8/14/2012
- by Jamie Simpson
- Obsessed with Film
Saboteur
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
Starring Priscilla Lane, Robert Cummings, Norman Lloyd
Hitchcock at war began in earnest with this 1942 thriller, a film rushed like many into production by the proudly patriotic studios, horrified at the sneak attack of Pearl Harbour in December 1941, Saboteur was released a remarkably swift five months later – that’s the efficiency of the studio, assembly line system for you. Hitchcock had already devoted energies to the overseas propaganda effort with his 1940 film Foreign Correspondent, detailing American journalist Joel McCrea’s traversing of a quivering Europe on the cusp of conflict, uncovering a conspiracy of fifth columnists in Britain whose operations plunge the world into global conflict, it was one part Hitchcock learning the ropes of the Studio System with their vastly superior resources, technicians and urge to innovate – see this remarkable shot from the movie for example – as well as his desire to contribute to...
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
Starring Priscilla Lane, Robert Cummings, Norman Lloyd
Hitchcock at war began in earnest with this 1942 thriller, a film rushed like many into production by the proudly patriotic studios, horrified at the sneak attack of Pearl Harbour in December 1941, Saboteur was released a remarkably swift five months later – that’s the efficiency of the studio, assembly line system for you. Hitchcock had already devoted energies to the overseas propaganda effort with his 1940 film Foreign Correspondent, detailing American journalist Joel McCrea’s traversing of a quivering Europe on the cusp of conflict, uncovering a conspiracy of fifth columnists in Britain whose operations plunge the world into global conflict, it was one part Hitchcock learning the ropes of the Studio System with their vastly superior resources, technicians and urge to innovate – see this remarkable shot from the movie for example – as well as his desire to contribute to...
- 8/14/2012
- by John
- SoundOnSight
Eric Liddell's win in the 400m in the 1924 Paris Olympics inspired the Oscar-winning film Chariots of Fire
Eric Liddell rarely spoke of the extraordinary day in 1924 when, head thrown back, arms flailing, he won the 400m gold at the Paris Olympics – but his small daughters realised there was something special about their father the day he caught the rabbit.
Liddell's dazzling speed, and the Christian faith that led him to refuse to compete when the heats for his original 100m distance were held on a Sunday, became the heart of the Oscar-winning film, and remarkable stage adaptation, Chariots of Fire.
"My mother said he always told her: 'I was not the fastest man, I was the fastest man on that day,'" Patricia Russell, his eldest daughter, said.
Russell was on a nostalgic visit from her home in Canada to the UK to study a large archive of letters, photographs...
Eric Liddell rarely spoke of the extraordinary day in 1924 when, head thrown back, arms flailing, he won the 400m gold at the Paris Olympics – but his small daughters realised there was something special about their father the day he caught the rabbit.
Liddell's dazzling speed, and the Christian faith that led him to refuse to compete when the heats for his original 100m distance were held on a Sunday, became the heart of the Oscar-winning film, and remarkable stage adaptation, Chariots of Fire.
"My mother said he always told her: 'I was not the fastest man, I was the fastest man on that day,'" Patricia Russell, his eldest daughter, said.
Russell was on a nostalgic visit from her home in Canada to the UK to study a large archive of letters, photographs...
- 7/8/2012
- by Maev Kennedy
- The Guardian - Film News
*spoiler alert. Director: Peter Berg. Writers: Erich Hoeber, Jon Hoeber. Cast: Taylor Kitsch, Brooklyn Decker, Rihanna, Liam Neeson. Hollywood has this fondness for developing what is well known, especially with huge moneymakers, into a movie. From books to comics, the board game world is not often touched. While they have yet to turn "Monopoly" or "Risk" into a viable plot, one particularly fondly played board game made its stamp with the moniker, "You sunk my Battleship!" For this atypical popcorn action-adventure alien-invasion flick, the movie Battleship does not have a lot of originality. The film centers on Alex Hopper (Taylor Kitsch), a slacker-bum who will have to become a hero. He also falls for the Admiral's daughter, Samantha Shane (Brooklyn Decker). When the aliens invade, they are conveniently separated and the two have to work together in order to save the world from this cosmic threat. Watching this movie brings...
- 5/20/2012
- by noreply@blogger.com (Ed Sum)
- 28 Days Later Analysis
The good, the bad, and the blockbusters … whatever you've seen recently, we'd like to hear about it
What films have you seen recently? Whatever you've been watching, we'd like you to tell us about it.
You can either leave a comment in the thread below, or tweet your thoughts with the hashtag #gdnreview. We'll pick the best and show them off here once a week.
Here's what some @guardianfilm followers had to say about recent films they'd seen:
@bexter2001
Damsels in Distress: witty, whimsical and deeply offbeat, it grew on me, mainly thanks to the wonderful Greta Gerwig
@StephWhalley
Sticky sweet & naughty with lashings of humour & a sprinkling of nineties nostalgia: everything an American Pie Reunion should be!
@RedAppleChango
Lockout: Ott action sci-fi. Very 90s vibe, in a good way. See if you like Timecop or Sudden Death (who doesn't?)
@hannah_echo
Drive. Beautiful aesthetics and faux-retro sound juxtaposed...
What films have you seen recently? Whatever you've been watching, we'd like you to tell us about it.
You can either leave a comment in the thread below, or tweet your thoughts with the hashtag #gdnreview. We'll pick the best and show them off here once a week.
Here's what some @guardianfilm followers had to say about recent films they'd seen:
@bexter2001
Damsels in Distress: witty, whimsical and deeply offbeat, it grew on me, mainly thanks to the wonderful Greta Gerwig
@StephWhalley
Sticky sweet & naughty with lashings of humour & a sprinkling of nineties nostalgia: everything an American Pie Reunion should be!
@RedAppleChango
Lockout: Ott action sci-fi. Very 90s vibe, in a good way. See if you like Timecop or Sudden Death (who doesn't?)
@hannah_echo
Drive. Beautiful aesthetics and faux-retro sound juxtaposed...
- 5/4/2012
- by Adam Boult
- The Guardian - Film News
Gearing up for the release of Universal’s Battleship, out Aprill 11th in cinemas nationwide, we sat down with lead actor Taylor Kitsch to talk about stunts, sea-sickness and CGI, alliteration so nearly perfect too.
Interview by Andrew Jones
Are you enjoying all the buzz lately?
It’s exciting for sure, we’re very proud of it so it’s fun to finally show it.
How was the preparation for Battleship?
I had a lot of fun, it was very collaborative with Hopper, with who he is, living on his brother’s couch, and Pete and I boiled it down to a guy who was simply afraid of his own potential. He didn’t take the risks that you have to take in life to push yourself and succeed. He was that guy, everyone’s been in that position in their lives, and some don’t leave it, you know.
Interview by Andrew Jones
Are you enjoying all the buzz lately?
It’s exciting for sure, we’re very proud of it so it’s fun to finally show it.
How was the preparation for Battleship?
I had a lot of fun, it was very collaborative with Hopper, with who he is, living on his brother’s couch, and Pete and I boiled it down to a guy who was simply afraid of his own potential. He didn’t take the risks that you have to take in life to push yourself and succeed. He was that guy, everyone’s been in that position in their lives, and some don’t leave it, you know.
- 4/8/2012
- by Guest
- Nerdly
TotalFilm magazine put together a list of the top 50 movies that fans love to hate the most. These aren't necessarily bad films, but with a movie like "Avatar," there's going to be a lot of hate, especially since its the highest-grossing and James Cameron is the director. Of course, the list does have a few stinkers, like Nicolas Cage's unintentionally funny "The Wicker Man" and M. Night Shymalan's "Lady in the Water." Both couldn't make their budgets back and both couldn't get a RottenTomatoes fresh rating over 25%. It's not surprising that "Twilight," "Titanic," "X-Men 3," "Transformers 2" and "Batman and Robin" are on the list, mostly because fans fill comments sections with hate every time one of these is mentioned. But the top two spots were saved for the work of George Lucas. Check out the full list below. 50. Daredevil (2003) 49. Superman Returns (2006) 48. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003) 47. Terminator: Salvation (2010) 46. Exorcist II: The Heretic...
- 3/6/2012
- WorstPreviews.com
Netflix – the world’s largest movie/TV online streaming and rental-by-post service - has launched today in the United Kingdom. That’s exciting news for those of us who have always been jealous of the ease and affordability that the company offers movie fans overseas.
And what better way to entice cinephiles to their esteemed services than a photo opportunity pairing founder Reed Hastings with two of our best-loved celebrities? If you’re thinking Gary Oldman and Michael Caine have teamed up with the Us entrepreneur for a classy snap or two, you’d be completely wrong: marketing have tapped into the collective UK consciousness and have instead brought us a couple of “characters” from The Only Way Is Essex (looking a bit confused as to why they’re even involved).
They’re involved, of course, because Netflix UK is set to target potential customers with a straight-forward service option:...
And what better way to entice cinephiles to their esteemed services than a photo opportunity pairing founder Reed Hastings with two of our best-loved celebrities? If you’re thinking Gary Oldman and Michael Caine have teamed up with the Us entrepreneur for a classy snap or two, you’d be completely wrong: marketing have tapped into the collective UK consciousness and have instead brought us a couple of “characters” from The Only Way Is Essex (looking a bit confused as to why they’re even involved).
They’re involved, of course, because Netflix UK is set to target potential customers with a straight-forward service option:...
- 1/9/2012
- by Tom Barnard
- Obsessed with Film
My favourite movie of the summer? Easily Captain America: The First Avenger. It’s more or less the Captain America movie I’ve been dreaming of ever since I stumbled across some comics in the early 90′s and for a while he became my favourite Marvel superhero. What I loved most about Cap was the era he belonged too, World War II, just a crazy time in our recent history and perhaps the most bizarre thing about Cap lore was that he was fighting Nazi’s before America was.
The first Captain America issue with Steve Rogers knocking out Adolf Hitler on the cover hit stands in March 1941 almost two years before Pearl Harbour. Just unbelievable to think of that now with America’s desire to pre-empt wars in recent years.
Anyway politics aside, Captain America is an awesome film but I have two nitpicks with it, both of which are related.
The first Captain America issue with Steve Rogers knocking out Adolf Hitler on the cover hit stands in March 1941 almost two years before Pearl Harbour. Just unbelievable to think of that now with America’s desire to pre-empt wars in recent years.
Anyway politics aside, Captain America is an awesome film but I have two nitpicks with it, both of which are related.
- 10/23/2011
- by Matt Holmes
- Obsessed with Film
Today, September 26th marks the 70th anniversary of Fleischer Studios Superman Animated Shorts. Widely regarded as one of the definitive interpretations of the Man of Steel, this series of 10 minute animated shorts consisted of 17 Superman adventures, the first nine were produced by Fleischer Studios while the following eight instalments were produced by Famous Studios.
Fleischer Studios was founded in 1921 by Polish cartoonist Max Fleischer, and his younger brother Dave. The studio stood out among other animation companies thanks to their rotoscoping technique. Rotoscoping, invented by Max, allowed animators to trace over live action models, leading to a more fluid and realistic look in the movements of cartoon characters. They were also home of Betty Boop, one of the most popular cartoon creations of all time. In 1939, burdened by the censorship of the recently introduced Hays Code, the studio decided to put an end to their Betty Boop series. Instead they...
Fleischer Studios was founded in 1921 by Polish cartoonist Max Fleischer, and his younger brother Dave. The studio stood out among other animation companies thanks to their rotoscoping technique. Rotoscoping, invented by Max, allowed animators to trace over live action models, leading to a more fluid and realistic look in the movements of cartoon characters. They were also home of Betty Boop, one of the most popular cartoon creations of all time. In 1939, burdened by the censorship of the recently introduced Hays Code, the studio decided to put an end to their Betty Boop series. Instead they...
- 9/26/2011
- by Tom Ryan
- Obsessed with Film
Restored by the BFI’s National Film Archive and released on DVD and Blu-ray by Optimum as part of their Ealing Classics restoration programme, Alberto Cavalcanti’s Went the Day Well? is a vivid example of British Ww II propaganda that remains rousing viewing today.
A squad of soldiers arrive in the sleepy village of Bramley End to conduct training exercises. Suspicions are aroused by the odd behaviour of a few of the men, and when a boy discovers a bar of German chocolate in the commanding officer’s rucksack, they are revealed to be German paratroopers sent to Britain to disrupt communications when the imminent Nazi invasion of the island commences. Most of the villagers are rounded up and held captive in the village church, but they refuse to accept their lot, and everyone from boys to the lady of the manor do their part to raise the alarm and foil the Germans’ plot.
A squad of soldiers arrive in the sleepy village of Bramley End to conduct training exercises. Suspicions are aroused by the odd behaviour of a few of the men, and when a boy discovers a bar of German chocolate in the commanding officer’s rucksack, they are revealed to be German paratroopers sent to Britain to disrupt communications when the imminent Nazi invasion of the island commences. Most of the villagers are rounded up and held captive in the village church, but they refuse to accept their lot, and everyone from boys to the lady of the manor do their part to raise the alarm and foil the Germans’ plot.
- 7/30/2011
- by Ian Gilchrist
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Written by Joe Simon, Pencils by Jack Kirby
Published by Timely Comics
In Marvel Digital Comics Now!
Is this a little strange? To be doing a review of a comic book that was released in 1941 and was the beginning of the iconic success of one of Marvel‘s foremost characters? It would be if I were talking about the wonderfully textural and olfactory paper edition (what I wouldn’t give to have a copy in my hands… scratch that. In my chemically-treated, scientific looking white-gloved hands in a vacuum-sealed bunker).
Instead I am re-reading and reliving the thrill of this piece of artistic history through my subscription to Marvel’s Digital Comics archive. With over 10,000 back issues already available, and more being added each week, Digital Comics is a wonderful, affordable and realistic way of getting to read all of those keystone issues that were published...
Written by Joe Simon, Pencils by Jack Kirby
Published by Timely Comics
In Marvel Digital Comics Now!
Is this a little strange? To be doing a review of a comic book that was released in 1941 and was the beginning of the iconic success of one of Marvel‘s foremost characters? It would be if I were talking about the wonderfully textural and olfactory paper edition (what I wouldn’t give to have a copy in my hands… scratch that. In my chemically-treated, scientific looking white-gloved hands in a vacuum-sealed bunker).
Instead I am re-reading and reliving the thrill of this piece of artistic history through my subscription to Marvel’s Digital Comics archive. With over 10,000 back issues already available, and more being added each week, Digital Comics is a wonderful, affordable and realistic way of getting to read all of those keystone issues that were published...
- 7/11/2011
- by David Hawkins
- Obsessed with Film
We all agree that the planet is in a perilous position. But what is the best way to save it? We name the 20 activists, filmmakers, writers, politicians and celebrities who will be setting the global environmental agenda in the coming year
From David Attenborough to Rob Hopkins, founder of the Transition Town movement, the Observer Ethical Awards has honoured many movers and shakers in ecological and social justice. So it seems fitting to launch our sixth awards by profiling the 20 global figures who'll exert influence in 2011. For those on our list, the coming year might best be described as "take your partners" time, as activists and corporates scramble for power – and we're predicting some unlikely marriages ahead. Commentators have noted that big business is taking an unprecedented interest in the environment and are pushing for conservation capitalism. The really big decisions from the climate-change conference in Cancun have effectively been...
From David Attenborough to Rob Hopkins, founder of the Transition Town movement, the Observer Ethical Awards has honoured many movers and shakers in ecological and social justice. So it seems fitting to launch our sixth awards by profiling the 20 global figures who'll exert influence in 2011. For those on our list, the coming year might best be described as "take your partners" time, as activists and corporates scramble for power – and we're predicting some unlikely marriages ahead. Commentators have noted that big business is taking an unprecedented interest in the environment and are pushing for conservation capitalism. The really big decisions from the climate-change conference in Cancun have effectively been...
- 1/16/2011
- by Lucy Siegle
- The Guardian - Film News
Mary Byrne has admitted that she got so upset on last week’s X Factor show, because her emotional ballad made her think of her late mum and dad.
The mum of one was visibly shaken after her rendition of ‘There You’ll Be’ from the American war movie ‘Pearl Harbour.’ The performance was below par and afterwards she admitted:
I don’t know. I haven’t been in the zone at all this week. I’m quite low, and lonely for my daughter. I’m very nervous tonight and I don’t know why.
Speaking in her official video diary this week, the Dublin singer confessed that she ‘couldn’t believe’ how sad she felt on the show. She said:
Saturday for me was a downer, because of the way I felt. I was so low, I couldn’t believe how I felt. The song, I couldn’t hear...
The mum of one was visibly shaken after her rendition of ‘There You’ll Be’ from the American war movie ‘Pearl Harbour.’ The performance was below par and afterwards she admitted:
I don’t know. I haven’t been in the zone at all this week. I’m quite low, and lonely for my daughter. I’m very nervous tonight and I don’t know why.
Speaking in her official video diary this week, the Dublin singer confessed that she ‘couldn’t believe’ how sad she felt on the show. She said:
Saturday for me was a downer, because of the way I felt. I was so low, I couldn’t believe how I felt. The song, I couldn’t hear...
- 11/11/2010
- by Lisa McGarry
- Unreality
X Factor contestant Mary Byrne has admitted that home sickness and a yearning for her daughter, led to her mini meltdown on last night’s live show.
Mary Byrne failed to impress the panel with her rendition of ‘There You’ll Be’ from the American war movie ‘Pearl Harbour.’ The performance was below par and afterwards the mum of one admitted:
I don’t know. I haven’t been in the zone at all this week. I’m quite low, and lonely for my daughter. I’m very nervous tonight and I don’t know why.
Speaking to The Daily Star Sunday she revealed:
“It’s harder for a mum to leave her children than it is for other contestants to leave their families.
“I’ve only ever been away from my daughter Deborah for a week in her whole life. Being away from her breaks my heart.”
Mary was...
Mary Byrne failed to impress the panel with her rendition of ‘There You’ll Be’ from the American war movie ‘Pearl Harbour.’ The performance was below par and afterwards the mum of one admitted:
I don’t know. I haven’t been in the zone at all this week. I’m quite low, and lonely for my daughter. I’m very nervous tonight and I don’t know why.
Speaking to The Daily Star Sunday she revealed:
“It’s harder for a mum to leave her children than it is for other contestants to leave their families.
“I’ve only ever been away from my daughter Deborah for a week in her whole life. Being away from her breaks my heart.”
Mary was...
- 11/7/2010
- by Lisa McGarry
- Unreality
Check out the pictures from tonight’s American Anthem themed X Factor show.
Cher Lloyd took on ‘Empire State of Mind’ by Alicia Keys and Jay Z tonight. Afterwards Simon Cowell said:
Any other week I would call that an incredible performance but after last week I’m a little disappointed. Last week was 100% original this was a little bit copycat. I’m not blaming you but in the standard of the competition this year, to make the final you’ve got to be more original. I think your mentor got a little bit lazy.
Mary Byrne sang ‘There You’ll Be’ from the American war movie ‘Pearl Harbour.’ The performance was below par and afterwards the mum of one admitted:
I don’t know. I haven’t been in the zone at all this week. I’m quite low, and lonely for my daughter. I’m very nervous tonight...
Cher Lloyd took on ‘Empire State of Mind’ by Alicia Keys and Jay Z tonight. Afterwards Simon Cowell said:
Any other week I would call that an incredible performance but after last week I’m a little disappointed. Last week was 100% original this was a little bit copycat. I’m not blaming you but in the standard of the competition this year, to make the final you’ve got to be more original. I think your mentor got a little bit lazy.
Mary Byrne sang ‘There You’ll Be’ from the American war movie ‘Pearl Harbour.’ The performance was below par and afterwards the mum of one admitted:
I don’t know. I haven’t been in the zone at all this week. I’m quite low, and lonely for my daughter. I’m very nervous tonight...
- 11/6/2010
- by Lisa McGarry
- Unreality
This week’s X Factor theme was confirmed by Yvie Burnett on yesterday’s F Factor episode. On Saturday night the contestants will be singing ‘American Anthems.’
It’s another wide theme, meaning that the judges can choose almost any song, from any genre of music. Many viewers have been criticising the vague guidelines each week, however we think it works well with singers as diverse as Treyc Cohen, Wagner Carillho and Cher Lloyd.
Check out the songlist below. This will be updated and added to as more information comes in.
Wagner Carillho: Elvis Presley…..Viva Las Vegas – Zoe Griffin heard him rehearse his dance routine to the tune repeatedly, in Covent Garden’s Nuffield Health Gym yesterday. Louis Walsh was on TV3 this evening and admitted that he wants Wagner to perform in an sparkly Elvis jumpsuit!
One Direction: No Boundaries – This was the winners single from the 2009 season of American Idol.
It’s another wide theme, meaning that the judges can choose almost any song, from any genre of music. Many viewers have been criticising the vague guidelines each week, however we think it works well with singers as diverse as Treyc Cohen, Wagner Carillho and Cher Lloyd.
Check out the songlist below. This will be updated and added to as more information comes in.
Wagner Carillho: Elvis Presley…..Viva Las Vegas – Zoe Griffin heard him rehearse his dance routine to the tune repeatedly, in Covent Garden’s Nuffield Health Gym yesterday. Louis Walsh was on TV3 this evening and admitted that he wants Wagner to perform in an sparkly Elvis jumpsuit!
One Direction: No Boundaries – This was the winners single from the 2009 season of American Idol.
- 11/4/2010
- by Lisa McGarry
- Unreality
This week’s X Factor theme has finally been revealed!
It had previously been reported that Simon Cowell had chosen to go rock for Saturday night, then Mary Byrne slipped up and told Rte radio that the theme would be ballads. Today Metro insisted that the contestants would be focussing on songs by Madonna and Michael Jackson but later in the afternoon Zoe Griffin claimed on her blog that the theme will be ‘America.’
The London It girl was in Covent Garden’s Nuffield Health Gym and noticed that the X Factor finalists were also in the building, rehearsing their routines for the weekend’s live extravaganza.
Paije Richardson, Aiden Grimshaw, Treyc Cohen, Cher Lloyd and One Direction were present in the gym and Zoe claims that Elvis Presley’s Viva Las Vegas and Alicia Keys’ Empire State of Mind were being ‘constantly rehearsed.’
Zoe was very close and on the official ITV website,...
It had previously been reported that Simon Cowell had chosen to go rock for Saturday night, then Mary Byrne slipped up and told Rte radio that the theme would be ballads. Today Metro insisted that the contestants would be focussing on songs by Madonna and Michael Jackson but later in the afternoon Zoe Griffin claimed on her blog that the theme will be ‘America.’
The London It girl was in Covent Garden’s Nuffield Health Gym and noticed that the X Factor finalists were also in the building, rehearsing their routines for the weekend’s live extravaganza.
Paije Richardson, Aiden Grimshaw, Treyc Cohen, Cher Lloyd and One Direction were present in the gym and Zoe claims that Elvis Presley’s Viva Las Vegas and Alicia Keys’ Empire State of Mind were being ‘constantly rehearsed.’
Zoe was very close and on the official ITV website,...
- 11/3/2010
- by Lisa McGarry
- Unreality
I have definitely hit a high in my blogger career getting a chance to catch up with inspirational filmmakers but right now Gareth Edwards takes the cake. The young upcoming filmmaker has garnered tons of attention due to his technically acclaimed thriller, Monsters, which explores a duo of travelers braving an infected zone inhabited by alien creatures from a Nasa probe crash.
In both our reviews on FusedFilm, we praised Edwards’ proficiency in making such a great looking movie while acting as director, writer, cinematographer, producer and special effects designer. Now you can get better acquainted to the filmmaker and his thoughts on the future of filmmaking, his next project with Timur Bekmembetov, and finally some interesting insights into Monsters ranging from – a funny story on the set to why he chose the design of his creatures the way he did.
Edwards is truly a character and embodies a true...
In both our reviews on FusedFilm, we praised Edwards’ proficiency in making such a great looking movie while acting as director, writer, cinematographer, producer and special effects designer. Now you can get better acquainted to the filmmaker and his thoughts on the future of filmmaking, his next project with Timur Bekmembetov, and finally some interesting insights into Monsters ranging from – a funny story on the set to why he chose the design of his creatures the way he did.
Edwards is truly a character and embodies a true...
- 10/28/2010
- by Kevin Coll
- FusedFilm
When two men disappear with $80,000 from the Pearl Harbour Naval Exchange investigators launch an island wide manhunt to try to capture the men before they make it off the island. Investigations reveal that one of the culprits was an unwilling participant in the crime and that he may have been murdered. Missed your favourite show, forgot to record it and can't wait for the repeat?...
- 10/11/2010
- Sky TV
Fans of the HBO miniseries The Pacific will awaken this morning with some news to sweeten the misery that is a Monday, for Warner Bros. have hired Bruce McKenna to get busy on a script for The Battle Of Midway, according to Deadline.
Mckenna has credits for 7 episode for The Pacific, a ten part WWII series produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, and garnered similar acclaim (and a whopping eight gongs at last night's Emmys) to that of its predecessor, Band of Brothers, which chronicled the fortunes of Easy Company in Europe, with which Mckenna also has credits for 3 of the episodes.
The Battle of Midway was a crucial part of WWII, coming off the back of Pearl Harbour. It took place from June 4th - 6th, 1942, and is considered a turning point in the war after so much of the Imperial Japanese Navy was destroyed. This would not...
Mckenna has credits for 7 episode for The Pacific, a ten part WWII series produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, and garnered similar acclaim (and a whopping eight gongs at last night's Emmys) to that of its predecessor, Band of Brothers, which chronicled the fortunes of Easy Company in Europe, with which Mckenna also has credits for 3 of the episodes.
The Battle of Midway was a crucial part of WWII, coming off the back of Pearl Harbour. It took place from June 4th - 6th, 1942, and is considered a turning point in the war after so much of the Imperial Japanese Navy was destroyed. This would not...
- 8/30/2010
- Screenrush
With this year’s HBO miniseries The Pacific a big success, it’s perhaps not all that surprising to learn that Warner Bros. wants to muscle in on the action. And in an encouraging move, the studio is recruiting one of the men who made that series so good, and has bought up writer/producer Bruce McKenna’s pitch The Battle Of Midway.Midway was one of the turning points in World War Two, coming at a time when the Us was still recovering from the devastating attack on Pearl Harbour. In a decisive victory, the American Navy took out a chunk of the Japanese sea-going forces, including four aircraft carriers and a heavy cruiser.It’s not the first time that such an important clash has been seen on screen: John Ford had the Navy itself shoot footage for 1942’s short Battle of Midway, while 1976’s Midway saw Charlton Heston,...
- 8/29/2010
- EmpireOnline
Axis of Evil DVD ArtNote: Ed Sum is an English Graduate from the University of Victoria, a part time food blogger, and a horror afficionada. Mr. Sum will be writing reviews for this site, as films are available and time permits. Please enjoy Sum's first review on the site for Puppet Master: Axis of Evil.
Director: David DeCoteau.
Writer: August White.
The puppets are back, and this time, they're working for the Allied powers during the outbreak of WW2. In Charles Band's Puppet Master : Axis of Evil, the propaganda is very hard not to dismiss and it overshadows what would otherwise be a fine return of Full Moon Feature's now classic line of creature comforts.
Who doesn't love seeing a cold willing Blade or dizzyingly sinister Jester get medieval with a company of humans? These puppets were once a product of nightmares for many a sleepless night, but...
Director: David DeCoteau.
Writer: August White.
The puppets are back, and this time, they're working for the Allied powers during the outbreak of WW2. In Charles Band's Puppet Master : Axis of Evil, the propaganda is very hard not to dismiss and it overshadows what would otherwise be a fine return of Full Moon Feature's now classic line of creature comforts.
Who doesn't love seeing a cold willing Blade or dizzyingly sinister Jester get medieval with a company of humans? These puppets were once a product of nightmares for many a sleepless night, but...
- 8/4/2010
- by 28DaysLaterAnalysis@gmail.com (Michael Ross Allen)
- 28 Days Later Analysis
Ken Watanabe is usually to be found being tough and awesome in front of the camera in the likes of Batman Begins, Letters From Iwo Jima and Chris Nolan’s upcoming Inception. Now rumour has it he might be stepping behind the lens to direct a film about World War Two’s legendary 442nd Us military unit.It’s certainly a story worth telling: following the events of Pearl Harbour, the Us moved to contain all Japanese/Japanese American citizens in internment camps, labelled as “enemy aliens” thanks to Japan’s opposition in the conflict. But thanks to the sheer number of Japanese Americans living on Hawaii, it was deemed impractical on the island. Plus there were many Japanese troops in the State still willing to fight for the Us.So an amalgam of volunteers from Hawaii (where 150,000 of the island’s 400,000 people were Japanese-American) and troops who had pledged...
- 6/1/2010
- EmpireOnline
The Pacific, the latest blockbuster mini series from HBO and executive producers Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg and Gary Goetzman, the creative team behind the Emmy-winning 2001 HBO miniseries Band of Brothers, is currently airing in the UK on Sky Movies Premiere and Sky Movies Premiere HD and tells the story of the events of World War II from the perspective of those that have lived it:
On 8th December 1941, just over 24 hours after the Japanese surprise attack on the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbour, Congress issued a formal declaration of war against the Empire of Japan. For a decade, tensions had been mounting between Japan and the Us, as the Japanese expanded their conquest of a large region including much of China and Southeast Asia. As a result of the bombing of Pearl Harbour, the United States officially entered World War II, already in its third year of being...
On 8th December 1941, just over 24 hours after the Japanese surprise attack on the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbour, Congress issued a formal declaration of war against the Empire of Japan. For a decade, tensions had been mounting between Japan and the Us, as the Japanese expanded their conquest of a large region including much of China and Southeast Asia. As a result of the bombing of Pearl Harbour, the United States officially entered World War II, already in its third year of being...
- 5/10/2010
- by Phil
- Nerdly
When James Cameron wakes up in the morning and looks at himself in the mirror he knows that it is going to be a beautiful day. No matter what happens he can live safe in the knowledge that he has directed the top two highest grossing films of all time.
He beat an army of Hobbits, Boy wizard’s, Pirates, and even Batman himself. Yes, all is well in the Cameron household. Who cares if the ex-wife walked away with most of the Oscars. What does the king of the world need with more golden bald-headed men anyway?
There really isn’t any point in denying the pure awesome power that Avatar showcased when it was first released. This was a film that arrived on the scene like a massive blue Megatron. Pushing every other film aside and destroying the major competition head on. In its wake it left huge scenes of box office carnage.
He beat an army of Hobbits, Boy wizard’s, Pirates, and even Batman himself. Yes, all is well in the Cameron household. Who cares if the ex-wife walked away with most of the Oscars. What does the king of the world need with more golden bald-headed men anyway?
There really isn’t any point in denying the pure awesome power that Avatar showcased when it was first released. This was a film that arrived on the scene like a massive blue Megatron. Pushing every other film aside and destroying the major competition head on. In its wake it left huge scenes of box office carnage.
- 4/25/2010
- by Alex Wagner
- FilmShaft.com
In 2001 a ten part HBO miniseries event instilled in millions a renewed respect for and awareness of the extraordinary sacrifices made by a generation of men little more than half a century before. That series was Band of Brothers, the compelling story of parachute infantry unit Easy Company and their role in the European front of WWII. The award-winning show, and its big screen predecessor Saving Private Ryan, reinvigorated stories, now more familiar from text books and exam papers, by breathing life into the history and giving names to the heroes who lived and died through it.
But the Second World War was fought on two fronts, and the second – The Pacific – is one we are less familiar with. Now, nearly ten years after the success of Band of Brothers, executive producers Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg and Gary Goetzman intend to set that right. Their brand new miniseries The Pacific...
But the Second World War was fought on two fronts, and the second – The Pacific – is one we are less familiar with. Now, nearly ten years after the success of Band of Brothers, executive producers Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg and Gary Goetzman intend to set that right. Their brand new miniseries The Pacific...
- 4/5/2010
- by Emily Breen
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Sky Movies HD have released a new trailer for The Pacific, the follow-up to the awesome mini series, Band of Brothers. It’s not so much a sequel but has the same driving force in Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg behind it. It’s on tonight so don’t miss out!
The series has been filmed completely in high definition and cost around $200 million which is nearly double what Band of Brothers was estimated. The Pacific focuses around three main characters, Robert Leckie (James Badge Dale), Eugene Sledge (Joe Mazzello) and John Basilone (Jon Seda).
There’s no exact release date as yet but we know it’s going to be around Easter. We were lucky enough to go and see the first two episodes and you will Not be disappointed. Check out the trailer below or head over to a previous post where we have some great photos from the series.
The series has been filmed completely in high definition and cost around $200 million which is nearly double what Band of Brothers was estimated. The Pacific focuses around three main characters, Robert Leckie (James Badge Dale), Eugene Sledge (Joe Mazzello) and John Basilone (Jon Seda).
There’s no exact release date as yet but we know it’s going to be around Easter. We were lucky enough to go and see the first two episodes and you will Not be disappointed. Check out the trailer below or head over to a previous post where we have some great photos from the series.
- 4/5/2010
- by David Sztypuljak
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
The Pacific – Episodes 1 And 2
Guest Review by Andrew James
Stars: James Badge Dale, Joe Mazzello, Jon Seda, Joshua Biton, Brendan Fletcher | Directed by Timothy Van Patten & David Nutter
The Pacific is the eagerly anticipated HBO World War II drama by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg. If that sounds a bit familiar it’s because HBO, Hanks and Spielberg were also the team behind Band of Brothers, which The Pacific is kind of a successor to.
Whilst many comparisons will be made between the two shows, The Pacific is closer in theme to Vietnam based TV shows such as Tour of Duty. Where Band of Brothers was concerned with Europe’s last great ground war, which was recognisable to western troops at the time, the Marines in Pacific are fighting in strange, alien landscapes, in unfamiliar and unknown locations with hard to pronounce names.
“We’ve been swallowed by the jungle...
Guest Review by Andrew James
Stars: James Badge Dale, Joe Mazzello, Jon Seda, Joshua Biton, Brendan Fletcher | Directed by Timothy Van Patten & David Nutter
The Pacific is the eagerly anticipated HBO World War II drama by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg. If that sounds a bit familiar it’s because HBO, Hanks and Spielberg were also the team behind Band of Brothers, which The Pacific is kind of a successor to.
Whilst many comparisons will be made between the two shows, The Pacific is closer in theme to Vietnam based TV shows such as Tour of Duty. Where Band of Brothers was concerned with Europe’s last great ground war, which was recognisable to western troops at the time, the Marines in Pacific are fighting in strange, alien landscapes, in unfamiliar and unknown locations with hard to pronounce names.
“We’ve been swallowed by the jungle...
- 3/24/2010
- by Phil
- Nerdly
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