In the vast, dusty landscape of Western films, Urban Cowboy broke new ground with its unique take on the genre. Released in 1980, this cult classic revolutionized the way audiences viewed cowboys and sparked a new era of urban Westerns. Set amidst the bustling honky-tonk scene of Houston, the film tells the story of Bud Davis (John Travolta), a working-class cowboy searching for love and adventure. With its electrifying soundtrack featuring country music legends like Johnny Lee and Mickey Gilley, Urban Cowboy captivated audiences. It had a unique blend of traditional cowboy culture and modern city living that was new...
- 9/21/2023
- by Ima Whyte
- TVovermind.com
Celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, Child’s Play is one of the precious few mainstream horror franchises to maintain its original continuity, even overcoming a remake and making the leap to television. A lot of credit is due to Don Mancini, who wrote the original script and has continued to shepherd the series ever since, but there would be no franchise if the first installment wasn’t successful. In that regard, master of horror Tom Holland deserves endless recognition for his direction as well as work on the script.
Child’s Play: A Visual Memoir by Tom Holland is, as its title suggests, a look back at the production through the filmmaker’s eyes. The 152-page hardcover book collects close to 150 behind-the-scenes photos — many of which are previously unreleased — accompanied by Holland’s running commentary plus his original treatment for the film. Presented in black and white, the images are...
Child’s Play: A Visual Memoir by Tom Holland is, as its title suggests, a look back at the production through the filmmaker’s eyes. The 152-page hardcover book collects close to 150 behind-the-scenes photos — many of which are previously unreleased — accompanied by Holland’s running commentary plus his original treatment for the film. Presented in black and white, the images are...
- 7/11/2023
- by Alex DiVincenzo
- bloody-disgusting.com
Director Tom Holland has recently been revisiting his classic projects with books. He teamed up with A. Jack Ulrich to write a novel called Fright Night: Origins, which kicks off a trilogy of books set in the world of 1985 vampire film Fright Night. Now he has released Child’s Play: A Visual Memoir (pick up a copy Here), which looks back at the making of his 1988 killer doll movie Child’s Play!
The book has the following description: Child’s Play: A Visual Memoir is a collection of behind-the-scenes photos from the making of the horror classic Child’s Play. Many of these images have never been released to the public before and they are accompanied by stories from the set by writer/director Tom Holland, legendary cinematographer Bill Butler, FX maestro Howard Berger, and stunt coordinator Bud Davis. Chris Sarandon provides an intro to the book and Alex Vincent adds an afterword.
The book has the following description: Child’s Play: A Visual Memoir is a collection of behind-the-scenes photos from the making of the horror classic Child’s Play. Many of these images have never been released to the public before and they are accompanied by stories from the set by writer/director Tom Holland, legendary cinematographer Bill Butler, FX maestro Howard Berger, and stunt coordinator Bud Davis. Chris Sarandon provides an intro to the book and Alex Vincent adds an afterword.
- 5/1/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
In 1946, the sleepy Texas town of Texarkana was rocked by a string of eight violent assaults, five of them resulting in murder. These crimes were later dubbed the Texarkana Moonlight Murders, named after the late-night timing of the attacks, and the unknown perpetrator become known as the “Phantom Killer.” It was truly a horrific crime and it’s no surprise that it’s one that would attract exploitation filmmakers. Filmmakers like Texarkana resident Charles B. Pierce.
Charles B. Pierce was, in every way, a product of gonzo drive-in exploitation. In the early ’70s, he rocked the grindhouse world with The Legend of Boggy Creek (1972), an absurd docudrama about a killer Sasquatch tormenting a sleepy village in Arkansas. It was his first true hit, successful enough to spawn a wave of Sasquatch-ploitation (another topic for another time), and kick-start his career. He’d go on to make a few more films in the years that followed,...
Charles B. Pierce was, in every way, a product of gonzo drive-in exploitation. In the early ’70s, he rocked the grindhouse world with The Legend of Boggy Creek (1972), an absurd docudrama about a killer Sasquatch tormenting a sleepy village in Arkansas. It was his first true hit, successful enough to spawn a wave of Sasquatch-ploitation (another topic for another time), and kick-start his career. He’d go on to make a few more films in the years that followed,...
- 9/30/2017
- by Perry Ruhland
- DailyDead
The original film helped cement John Travolta’s reputation as a movie star and brought both country music and, er, bar-based mechanical bulls more mainstream recognition. Now 20th Century Fox TV and Paramount TV are hoping that a series based on 1980 drama Urban Cowboy will stay on the ratings bull for a while. Hustle & Flow’s Craig Brewer is attached to write and direct the pilot, and oversee the potential series as executive producer. It’ll chronicle the star-crossed relationship of Bud Davis and Sissy (played in the film version by Debra Winger), who meet in a Texas bar, fall in love and marry quickly. Yet their relationship is filled with the push-and-pull of their differing outlooks on life, which causes them endless emotional friction. Though the movie was praised for the depiction of the romance and the world around it, the series should offer possibilities to explore it even more deeply,...
- 5/28/2015
- EmpireOnline
Have you ever wanted to see Mary Ann from ‘Gilligans Island’ covered in blood and chased through a corn field by a serial killer who wears a potato-sack as a hood and commits murders with a knife strapped to the end of a trombone? If so track The Town That Dreaded Sundown, a fact-based blend of police procedural, slasher flick, and redneck comedy from 1977. In addition to having one of the great movie titles of the ‘70s, The Town That Dreaded Sundown is a realistic, chilling, and effective thriller that Shout Factory has released on Blu-ray just ahead of its 2014 remake.
‘The Phantom Killer’(aka ‘The Moonlight Murderer’) was a real life fiend who committed a series of murders in Texarkana, a border town between Texas and Arkansas, in 1946. Like the ‘Zodiac’ killer who terrorized San Francisco 25 years later, he was never caught or identified. Stalking couples parked at lovers...
‘The Phantom Killer’(aka ‘The Moonlight Murderer’) was a real life fiend who committed a series of murders in Texarkana, a border town between Texas and Arkansas, in 1946. Like the ‘Zodiac’ killer who terrorized San Francisco 25 years later, he was never caught or identified. Stalking couples parked at lovers...
- 10/25/2013
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences brings you the Oscars (yep, that's why they're called Academy Awards), and on Friday, the organization announced that it was prepared to invite 176 new folks to its fold.
In a list posted on its website, the Academy deemed Matthew McConaughey, Jean Dujardin, Terrence Malick, Jonah Hill, Berenice Bejo, Jessica Chastain, Octavia Spencer and a host of other film luminaries worthy of inclusion in its nearly 6,000-member army.
The Academy has drawn the ire of critics who bemoan its overwhelmingly male, white population. A Los Angeles Times investigation found that of all Academy members, 94 percent are Caucasian and 77 percent are male. A mere 2 percent are black, with Latinos constituting an even smaller portion. Only 14 percent of members are under the age of 50.
Full members of the Academy select and vote on Oscars nominees. The organization was started in 1927 and is now governed by a 43-person board.
In a list posted on its website, the Academy deemed Matthew McConaughey, Jean Dujardin, Terrence Malick, Jonah Hill, Berenice Bejo, Jessica Chastain, Octavia Spencer and a host of other film luminaries worthy of inclusion in its nearly 6,000-member army.
The Academy has drawn the ire of critics who bemoan its overwhelmingly male, white population. A Los Angeles Times investigation found that of all Academy members, 94 percent are Caucasian and 77 percent are male. A mere 2 percent are black, with Latinos constituting an even smaller portion. Only 14 percent of members are under the age of 50.
Full members of the Academy select and vote on Oscars nominees. The organization was started in 1927 and is now governed by a 43-person board.
- 6/29/2012
- by The Huffington Post
- Huffington Post
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is extending invitations to join the organization to 176 artists and executives who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to theatrical motion pictures. Those who accept the invitation will be the only additions in 2012 to the Academy.s roster of members.
.These film professionals represent some of the most talented, most passionate contributors to our industry,. said Academy President Tom Sherak. .I.m glad to recognize that by calling each of them a fellow Academy member..
Voting membership in the organization has now held steady at just under 6,000 members since 2003.
The 2012 invitees are:
Actors
Simon Baker . .Margin Call,. .L.A. Confidential.
Sean Bean . .Flightplan,. .The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Bérénice Bejo . .The Artist,. .Oss 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies.
Tom Berenger . .Inception,. .Platoon.
Demián Bichir . .A Better Life,. .Che.
Jessica Chastain . .The Help,. .The Tree of Life.
Clifton Collins,...
.These film professionals represent some of the most talented, most passionate contributors to our industry,. said Academy President Tom Sherak. .I.m glad to recognize that by calling each of them a fellow Academy member..
Voting membership in the organization has now held steady at just under 6,000 members since 2003.
The 2012 invitees are:
Actors
Simon Baker . .Margin Call,. .L.A. Confidential.
Sean Bean . .Flightplan,. .The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Bérénice Bejo . .The Artist,. .Oss 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies.
Tom Berenger . .Inception,. .Platoon.
Demián Bichir . .A Better Life,. .Che.
Jessica Chastain . .The Help,. .The Tree of Life.
Clifton Collins,...
- 6/29/2012
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences extended their 2012 membership invitations today to 176 lucky actors, directors, cinematographers, and other members of the filmmaking industry.
Terrence Malick, who somehow wasn’t already a member, received an invitation, as did fellow directors Rodrigo Garcia and Asghar Farhadi.
For actors, Melissa McCarthy’s invitation continues her incredible post-Bridesmaids rise. In addition, actors Jonah Hill, Matthew McConaughey, Andy Serkis, Jessica Chastain, and Octavia Spencer were all invited to be members, among others.
Voting membership in the organization has now held steady at just under 6,000 members since 2003, according to the Academy’s website.
Terrence Malick, who somehow wasn’t already a member, received an invitation, as did fellow directors Rodrigo Garcia and Asghar Farhadi.
For actors, Melissa McCarthy’s invitation continues her incredible post-Bridesmaids rise. In addition, actors Jonah Hill, Matthew McConaughey, Andy Serkis, Jessica Chastain, and Octavia Spencer were all invited to be members, among others.
Voting membership in the organization has now held steady at just under 6,000 members since 2003, according to the Academy’s website.
- 6/29/2012
- by Erin Strecker
- EW - Inside Movies
HollywoodNews.com: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is extending invitations to join the organization to 176 artists and executives who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to theatrical motion pictures. Those who accept the invitation will be the only additions in 2012 to the Academy’s roster of members.
“These film professionals represent some of the most talented, most passionate contributors to our industry,” said Academy President Tom Sherak. “I’m glad to recognize that by calling each of them a fellow Academy member.”
Voting membership in the organization has now held steady at just under 6,000 members since 2003.
The 2012 invitees are:
Actors
Simon Baker – “Margin Call,” “L.A. Confidential”
Sean Bean – “Flightplan,” “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring”
Bérénice Bejo – “The Artist,” “Oss 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies”
Tom Berenger – “Inception,” “Platoon”
Demián Bichir – “A Better Life,” “Che”
Jessica Chastain – “The Help,” “The Tree of Life”
Clifton Collins,...
“These film professionals represent some of the most talented, most passionate contributors to our industry,” said Academy President Tom Sherak. “I’m glad to recognize that by calling each of them a fellow Academy member.”
Voting membership in the organization has now held steady at just under 6,000 members since 2003.
The 2012 invitees are:
Actors
Simon Baker – “Margin Call,” “L.A. Confidential”
Sean Bean – “Flightplan,” “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring”
Bérénice Bejo – “The Artist,” “Oss 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies”
Tom Berenger – “Inception,” “Platoon”
Demián Bichir – “A Better Life,” “Che”
Jessica Chastain – “The Help,” “The Tree of Life”
Clifton Collins,...
- 6/29/2012
- by Josh Abraham
- Hollywoodnews.com
Have you ever wanted to see Mary Ann from .Gilligans Island. covered in blood and chased through a corn field by a serial killer who wears a potato-sack as a hood and commits murders with a knife strapped to the end of a trombone? If so track The Town That Dreaded Sundown, a fact-based blend of police procedural, slasher flick, and redneck comedy from 1977. In addition to having one of the great movie titles of the .70s, The Town That Dreaded Sundown is a realistic, chilling, and effective thriller but it.s Not available on DVD.
.The Phantom Killer.(aka .The Moonlight Murderer.) was a real life fiend who committed a series of murders in Texarkana, a border town between Texas and Arkansas, in 1946. Like the .Zodiac. killer who terrorized San Francisco 25 years later, he was never caught or identified. Stalking couples parked at lovers lanes and striking exactly every 21 days,...
.The Phantom Killer.(aka .The Moonlight Murderer.) was a real life fiend who committed a series of murders in Texarkana, a border town between Texas and Arkansas, in 1946. Like the .Zodiac. killer who terrorized San Francisco 25 years later, he was never caught or identified. Stalking couples parked at lovers lanes and striking exactly every 21 days,...
- 2/25/2010
- by Tom
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
It's hard to pinpoint exactly when John Travolta stopped doing it for me. I wouldn't peg it during his famously rock bottom years (roughly between 1983's Stayin' Alive and 1994's Pulp Fiction, Aka the Look Who's Talking Years), but rather sometime in the past few decades, when Travolta decided he wanted to stretch himself by going increasingly, well, batshit crazy onscreen.
For the record, I'm no Travolta hater. He's excellent in earlier films, as Danny Zuko in Grease, Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever (and even in the aforementioned Stayin' Alive), and Bud Davis in Urban Cowboy. The man's proven his talent and shown his range over the years, which is why it's particularly disappointing to see him hamming it up in films like the recent Wild Hogs and Old Dogs, two comedies that both star Travolta, have titles that coincidentally rhyme, and feature grown men getting hit in the crotch in their respective trailers.
For the record, I'm no Travolta hater. He's excellent in earlier films, as Danny Zuko in Grease, Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever (and even in the aforementioned Stayin' Alive), and Bud Davis in Urban Cowboy. The man's proven his talent and shown his range over the years, which is why it's particularly disappointing to see him hamming it up in films like the recent Wild Hogs and Old Dogs, two comedies that both star Travolta, have titles that coincidentally rhyme, and feature grown men getting hit in the crotch in their respective trailers.
- 2/3/2010
- by Jen Yamato
- Cinematical
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