On Nov. 29, 1945, Paramount Pictures and Billy Wilder brought their adaptation of The Lost Weekend to theaters in Los Angeles. The film would go on to be nominated for seven Oscars at the 18th Academy Awards, claiming four wins, including best picture. The Hollywood Reporter’s original review, headlined “Brackett, Wilder, Milland Do Great Jobs In ‘Weekend,'” is below:
This is undoubtedly the best horror picture of the year and it is without question one of the best pieces of picture-making, so far as writing, directing, acting and any other techniques are concerned, that Hollywood has turned out in many a long moon. The word-of-mouth advertising alone will prove to be as terrific as the picture is horrific.
Effective is a mild word for the picturization of this novel, taken from the book of the same name. With the exception of the end, it has stuck most faithfully to the original,...
This is undoubtedly the best horror picture of the year and it is without question one of the best pieces of picture-making, so far as writing, directing, acting and any other techniques are concerned, that Hollywood has turned out in many a long moon. The word-of-mouth advertising alone will prove to be as terrific as the picture is horrific.
Effective is a mild word for the picturization of this novel, taken from the book of the same name. With the exception of the end, it has stuck most faithfully to the original,...
- 11/28/2023
- by THR Staff
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
It’s a nearly perfect tale of identity swaps and royal intrigues: Ronald Colman’s voice is velvet smooth as the poet-rogue François Villon, who uses his wits when dealing with Basil Rathbone’s (very strangely played) Louis XI. The real charm comes with lady-in-waiting Frances Dee (swoon) and the peasant firebrand Ellen Drew (double swoon). And don’t forget the sophisticated, semi-satirical screenplay by Preston Sturges. The refreshing Blu-ray discovery comes with a commentary by Julie Kirgo.
If I Were King
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1938 / B&w / 1:37 Academy / 101 min. / Street Date February 7, 2023 / available through Kino Lorber / 24.95
Starring: Ronald Colman, Basil Rathbone, Frances Dee, Ellen Drew, C.V. France, Henry Wilcoxon, Heather Thatcher, Stanley Ridges, Alma Lloyd, Sidney Toler, John Miljan, Montagu Love, May Beatty, Henry Brandon, Darryl Hickman.
Cinematography: Theodore Sparkuhl
Costumer: Edith Head
Art Directors: Hans Drier, John Goodman
Film Editor: Hugh Bennett
Visual Effects: Gordon Jennings
Original Music:...
If I Were King
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1938 / B&w / 1:37 Academy / 101 min. / Street Date February 7, 2023 / available through Kino Lorber / 24.95
Starring: Ronald Colman, Basil Rathbone, Frances Dee, Ellen Drew, C.V. France, Henry Wilcoxon, Heather Thatcher, Stanley Ridges, Alma Lloyd, Sidney Toler, John Miljan, Montagu Love, May Beatty, Henry Brandon, Darryl Hickman.
Cinematography: Theodore Sparkuhl
Costumer: Edith Head
Art Directors: Hans Drier, John Goodman
Film Editor: Hugh Bennett
Visual Effects: Gordon Jennings
Original Music:...
- 2/18/2023
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Avatar: The Way of Water — which this week crossed the 2 billion mark at the worldwide box office and is now the sixth highest-grossing movie in history — earned a best picture Oscar nomination this morning, as well as noms for its production design, sound and visual effects.
But James Cameron, who has now directed three of the six highest-grossing movies ever — his 2009 Avatar sits at the top of that chart — was passed over in the directing competition for his groundbreaking film for the 2023 Oscar nominations. (The movie also missed an editing nomination; Cameron edited the movie, along with Stephen Rivkin, John Refoua, and the late David Brenner, who died in early 2022).
In this year’s best picture race, Cameron and producer Jon Landau (who together won best picture for Titanic, for which Cameron also claimed the directing trophy) are nominated alongside the producers of All Quiet on the Western Front, The Banshees of Inisherin,...
But James Cameron, who has now directed three of the six highest-grossing movies ever — his 2009 Avatar sits at the top of that chart — was passed over in the directing competition for his groundbreaking film for the 2023 Oscar nominations. (The movie also missed an editing nomination; Cameron edited the movie, along with Stephen Rivkin, John Refoua, and the late David Brenner, who died in early 2022).
In this year’s best picture race, Cameron and producer Jon Landau (who together won best picture for Titanic, for which Cameron also claimed the directing trophy) are nominated alongside the producers of All Quiet on the Western Front, The Banshees of Inisherin,...
- 1/24/2023
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
It’s one of the year’s most awaited discs: the recent restored and remastered The War of the Worlds ’53 in a glorious 4K Ultra HD edition. A second Blu-ray disc of When Worlds Collide ’51 is too good to be called a bonus extra: this edition looks better than anything seen since original Technicolor prints. In one show we endure scurvy invaders from The Red Planet; in the other a rogue Astral Body threatens Earth with obliteration, necessitating escape on a space ship. Don’t bother checking online for tickets, the flight is sold out. CineSavant has the lowdown for collectors: how good does the new release look?
The War of the Worlds on 4K Ultra-hd
When Worlds Collide on Blu-ray
Digital HD Access for both titles.
Paramount Presents
George Pal Sci-fi Double Feature
Color / 1:37 Academy / Street Date September 27, 2022 / 167 minutes / Available from Amazon / 39.99
Starring: Richard Derr, Barbara Rush, John Hoyt; Gene Barry,...
The War of the Worlds on 4K Ultra-hd
When Worlds Collide on Blu-ray
Digital HD Access for both titles.
Paramount Presents
George Pal Sci-fi Double Feature
Color / 1:37 Academy / Street Date September 27, 2022 / 167 minutes / Available from Amazon / 39.99
Starring: Richard Derr, Barbara Rush, John Hoyt; Gene Barry,...
- 9/24/2022
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
If a single WW2 Hollywood war epic can sum up the complexity of homefront morale-building, this one is it. Claudette Colbert, Paulette Goddard and Veronica Lake enlist as Army nurses and are plunged into the disastrous opening onslaught in the Philippines. Adroit screenwriting and direction use the clichés of Hollywood glamour to give mom & dad back home a dramatic idea of what it might be like for a company of nurses in a failing war zone. Great studio effects show the rough retreats and casualties, while George Reeves and Sonny Tufts serve as reassuring sentimental diversions. And a squad of ‘unglamorous’ actresses get to play strong, patriotic roles. It’s an entertaining winner.
So Proudly We Hail
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1943 / B&w / 1:37 Academy / 126 min. / Street Date September 13, 2022 / available through Kino Lorber / 24.95
Starring: Claudette Colbert, Paulette Goddard, Veronica Lake, George Reeves, Barbara Britton, Walter Abel, Sonny Tufts, Mary Servoss,...
So Proudly We Hail
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1943 / B&w / 1:37 Academy / 126 min. / Street Date September 13, 2022 / available through Kino Lorber / 24.95
Starring: Claudette Colbert, Paulette Goddard, Veronica Lake, George Reeves, Barbara Britton, Walter Abel, Sonny Tufts, Mary Servoss,...
- 9/10/2022
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Surreal delirium in cinema! Gary Cooper and Ann Harding are a tragic romantic pair, but even when separated by space, time and the law they manage to live a full life together as virtual dream lovers. The odd art film out in Henry Hathaway’s career, this unabashed spiritualist fantasy was adopted by French surrealists as emblematic of their values. It’s beautifully filmed by cameraman Charles Lang, avoiding overdone expressionist effects… reality is a dream, folks, and this star-crossed pair makes dreams real by a simple force of will. Spiritual Nirvana or pretension? It’s crazy, but it connects with real life as we experience it — with our romantic memories and regrets.
Peter Ibbetson
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1935 / B&w / 1:37 Academy / 85 min. / Street Date August 10, 2021 / available through Kino Lorber / 24.95
Starring: Gary Cooper, Ann Harding, Ida Lupino, John Halliday, Dickie Moore, Virginia Weidler, Douglass Dumbrille, Donald Meek, Leonid Kinskey,...
Peter Ibbetson
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1935 / B&w / 1:37 Academy / 85 min. / Street Date August 10, 2021 / available through Kino Lorber / 24.95
Starring: Gary Cooper, Ann Harding, Ida Lupino, John Halliday, Dickie Moore, Virginia Weidler, Douglass Dumbrille, Donald Meek, Leonid Kinskey,...
- 8/31/2021
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Cecil B. DeMille delivers a satisfying western epic starring Barbara Stanwyck, Joel McCrea, Robert Preston, Brian Donlevy & Akim Tamiroff; the story of the building of a railroad is historically bogus but highly entertaining and action-filled. Joel McCrea is our favorite ethical frontier lawman; here he’s a troubleshooter keeping crooks, Indians and proto-Bolsheviks from delaying construction. The huge cast includes scores of favorite supporting actors — although the screen is so busy some of them will be hard to spot.
Union Pacific
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1939 / B&w / 1:37 flat Academy / 135 min. / Street Date August 3, 2021 / available through Kino Lorber / 24.95
Starring: Barbara Stanwyck, Joel McCrea, Akim Tamiroff, Robert Preston, Brian Donlevy, Henry Kolker, Anthony Quinn, Lynne Overman.
Cinematography: Victor Milner
Art Directors: Hans Dreier, Roland Anderson
Film Editor: Anne Bauchens
Special Effects: Gordon Jennings, George Tomasini, Loren L. Ryder, Barney Wolff, Jan Domela, Paul K. Lerpae
Original Music: Sigmund Krumgold, John Leipold
Written by Jack Cunningham,...
Union Pacific
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1939 / B&w / 1:37 flat Academy / 135 min. / Street Date August 3, 2021 / available through Kino Lorber / 24.95
Starring: Barbara Stanwyck, Joel McCrea, Akim Tamiroff, Robert Preston, Brian Donlevy, Henry Kolker, Anthony Quinn, Lynne Overman.
Cinematography: Victor Milner
Art Directors: Hans Dreier, Roland Anderson
Film Editor: Anne Bauchens
Special Effects: Gordon Jennings, George Tomasini, Loren L. Ryder, Barney Wolff, Jan Domela, Paul K. Lerpae
Original Music: Sigmund Krumgold, John Leipold
Written by Jack Cunningham,...
- 8/24/2021
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
72 Normal 0 false false false En-us X-none X-none
By Tim McGlynn
$70,000 is hidden somewhere on the Fleagle family farm and everyone wants to find it. Kino-Lorber has released a Blu-ray of the madcap comedy Murder, He Says from Paramount in 1945 wherein a wild cast of crazies will do just about anything to find the loot.
Fred MacMurray plays pollster Pete Marshall who is searching the highways and byways of rural Arkansas looking for a fellow employee of his company, Trotter Polls. After he gets lost on a dark road one night he meets the Fleagle family led by the whip-snapping matriarch Mamie Fleagle Smithers Johnson (Marjorie Main). Aided by her twin sons Mert and Bert (Peter Whitney), Mamie believes that Pete knows where the booty from a bank holdup that their sister, Bonnie Fleagle (Barbara Pepper), hid on the grounds before she landed in the slammer. Add in Elany (Jean Heather...
By Tim McGlynn
$70,000 is hidden somewhere on the Fleagle family farm and everyone wants to find it. Kino-Lorber has released a Blu-ray of the madcap comedy Murder, He Says from Paramount in 1945 wherein a wild cast of crazies will do just about anything to find the loot.
Fred MacMurray plays pollster Pete Marshall who is searching the highways and byways of rural Arkansas looking for a fellow employee of his company, Trotter Polls. After he gets lost on a dark road one night he meets the Fleagle family led by the whip-snapping matriarch Mamie Fleagle Smithers Johnson (Marjorie Main). Aided by her twin sons Mert and Bert (Peter Whitney), Mamie believes that Pete knows where the booty from a bank holdup that their sister, Bonnie Fleagle (Barbara Pepper), hid on the grounds before she landed in the slammer. Add in Elany (Jean Heather...
- 9/14/2020
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
George Pal’s second science fiction classic has conceptual imagination and visual wonder to spare, along with a million awkward and dated details. When rogue planets threaten to obliterate the Earth, a super-Ark spaceship is built to spirit forty ‘chosen ones’ to safety. The Ark passengers have the right stuff, but you may be enraged by the rigged process to select who gets to go. Gee-whiz spectacle is the order of the day — how many End Of The World movies actually show terra firma expunged from the Solar System? Barbara Rush and John Hoyt are the acting standouts, but top honors go to Pal’s visual effect artists and designers.
When Worlds Collide
Blu-ray
Viavision / [Imprint] 6 (Australia)
1951 / Color / 1:37 Academy / 83 min. / Street Date August 26, 2020 / available through [Imprint] : $34.95
Starring: Barbara Rush, Richard Derr, Larry Keating, John Hoyt, Judith Ames, James Congden, Stephen Chase, Frank Cady, Hayden Rorke, Kirk Alyn, Casey Rogers, John Ridgely,...
When Worlds Collide
Blu-ray
Viavision / [Imprint] 6 (Australia)
1951 / Color / 1:37 Academy / 83 min. / Street Date August 26, 2020 / available through [Imprint] : $34.95
Starring: Barbara Rush, Richard Derr, Larry Keating, John Hoyt, Judith Ames, James Congden, Stephen Chase, Frank Cady, Hayden Rorke, Kirk Alyn, Casey Rogers, John Ridgely,...
- 9/12/2020
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
George Pal’s second science fiction classic has conceptual imagination and visual wonder to spare, along with a million awkward and dated details. When rogue planets threaten to obliterate the Earth, a super-Ark spaceship is built to spirit forty ‘chosen ones’ to safety. The Ark passengers have the right stuff, but you may be enraged by the rigged process to select who gets to go. Gee-whiz spectacle is the order of the day — how many End Of The World movies actually show terra firma expunged from the Solar System? Barbara Rush and John Hoyt are the acting standouts, but top honors go to Pal’s visual effect artists and designers.
When Worlds Collide
Blu-ray
Viavision / Imprint (Australia)
1951 / Color / 1:37 Academy / 83 min. / Street Date August 26, 2020 / available through [Imprint] : $34.95
Starring: Barbara Rush, Richard Derr, Larry Keating, John Hoyt, Judith Ames, James Congden, Stephen Chase, Frank Cady, Hayden Rorke, Kirk Alyn, Casey Rogers,...
When Worlds Collide
Blu-ray
Viavision / Imprint (Australia)
1951 / Color / 1:37 Academy / 83 min. / Street Date August 26, 2020 / available through [Imprint] : $34.95
Starring: Barbara Rush, Richard Derr, Larry Keating, John Hoyt, Judith Ames, James Congden, Stephen Chase, Frank Cady, Hayden Rorke, Kirk Alyn, Casey Rogers,...
- 9/12/2020
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
“It neutralizes mesons somehow. They’re the atomic glue holding matter together!” For most of the 1950s George Pal’s Martian invasion spectacle reigned as the top Sci-fi spectacle about an alien invasion. All the money went into the visuals, beautifully turned out by Byron Haskin and Gordon Jennings. Paramount’s much-awaited full restoration job does the picture justice, even if fussy fans will continue to argue the ‘what about the wires?’ battle. Even more impressive than the visuals is the film’s superb sound design, which still blows audiences away whether in mono or a new 5.1 remix. Criterion’s extras don’t critique the film as much as they tout the high-class restoration (and minor revisions).
The War of the Worlds
Blu-ray
The Criterion Collection 1037
1953 / Color / 1:37 Academy / 85 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date July 7, 2020 / 39.95
Starring: Gene Barry, Ann Robinson, Les Tremayne.
Cinematography: George Barnes
Film Editor:...
The War of the Worlds
Blu-ray
The Criterion Collection 1037
1953 / Color / 1:37 Academy / 85 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date July 7, 2020 / 39.95
Starring: Gene Barry, Ann Robinson, Les Tremayne.
Cinematography: George Barnes
Film Editor:...
- 7/14/2020
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Buster Keaton’s first full feature is a real accomplishment, a little masterpiece that deftly balances comedy and drama. Buster’s star appeal is on full display as an 1830 lad who returns to the hill country to resettle the old homestead and lands in the middle of a murderous feud — with the girl he loves on the other side. It’s an historically sensitive, hilarious comedy, with a hair-raising waterfall stunt set-piece for a finale.
Our Hospitality
Blu-ray
Kino Classics
1923 / B&w / 1:33 Silent Ap. / 75 min. / Street Date October 15, 2019 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95
Starring: Buster Keaton, Natalie Talmadge, Joe Roberts, Monte Collins, Kitty Bradbury, Joe Keaton.
Cinematography: Gordon Jennings, Elgin Lessley
2019 Music Score by: Robert Israel
Written by Jean C. Havez, Clyde Bruckman, Joseph A. Mitchell
Produced by Joseph M. Schenck
Directed by Jack Blystone, Buster Keaton
Our Hospitality shows Buster Keaton coming into his own, as a comic genius...
Our Hospitality
Blu-ray
Kino Classics
1923 / B&w / 1:33 Silent Ap. / 75 min. / Street Date October 15, 2019 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95
Starring: Buster Keaton, Natalie Talmadge, Joe Roberts, Monte Collins, Kitty Bradbury, Joe Keaton.
Cinematography: Gordon Jennings, Elgin Lessley
2019 Music Score by: Robert Israel
Written by Jean C. Havez, Clyde Bruckman, Joseph A. Mitchell
Produced by Joseph M. Schenck
Directed by Jack Blystone, Buster Keaton
Our Hospitality shows Buster Keaton coming into his own, as a comic genius...
- 4/11/2020
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Murder, He Says
Blu ray
Kino Lorber
1945 / 1.33:1 / 94 min.
Starring Fred MacMurray, Marjorie Main, Peter Whitney
Cinematography by Theodor Sparkuhl
Directed by George Marshall
The Snopes family were a collection of Southern-fried scoundrels introduced by William Faulkner in 1940’s The Hamlet. Over the course of three novels and several short stories, the clan proved themselves capable of just about any atrocity. They were so comically loathsome they could have been kissing cousins to Mamie, Mert and Bert: the Fleagle family – a slapstick version of the Snopes. Even the local sheriff is terrified of the Fleagles and a greenhorn census taker from the big city is about to find out why.
Fred MacMurray plays Pete Marshall, the eager beaver field man for the Trotter Poll who’s searching for a missing colleague last seen headed toward the Fleagle house, way, way out in the woods (where presumably no one can hear...
Blu ray
Kino Lorber
1945 / 1.33:1 / 94 min.
Starring Fred MacMurray, Marjorie Main, Peter Whitney
Cinematography by Theodor Sparkuhl
Directed by George Marshall
The Snopes family were a collection of Southern-fried scoundrels introduced by William Faulkner in 1940’s The Hamlet. Over the course of three novels and several short stories, the clan proved themselves capable of just about any atrocity. They were so comically loathsome they could have been kissing cousins to Mamie, Mert and Bert: the Fleagle family – a slapstick version of the Snopes. Even the local sheriff is terrified of the Fleagles and a greenhorn census taker from the big city is about to find out why.
Fred MacMurray plays Pete Marshall, the eager beaver field man for the Trotter Poll who’s searching for a missing colleague last seen headed toward the Fleagle house, way, way out in the woods (where presumably no one can hear...
- 3/28/2020
- by Charlie Largent
- Trailers from Hell
It may be a little creaky, but Dr. Cyclops is a genuine classic of the imagination, from a time long before pulp fantasy dominated Hollywood filmmaking. For 1940 audiences this must have felt like a strange dream. Five humans are miniaturized and terrorized by Albert Dekker’s Dr. Thorkel, a card-carrying mad scientist. Held firm by a giant rubber hand, ‘Mr. Crabby’ Charles Halton keeps an unfortunate appointment with a horrifying fate. Who will survive, and how big will they be? Did Thorkel change his name to Soberin, move to California, and steal The Great Whatzit? Kino’s new HD transfer of this oddball gem is a wonderment — the Technicolor is outstanding, better than Paramount’s old nitrate studio print.
Dr. Cyclops
Blu-ray
Kino Lorber Kino Classics
1940 / Color / 1:37 Academy / 77 min. / Street Date January 7, 2019 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95
Starring: Albert Dekker, Thomas Coley, Janice Logan, Charles Halton, Victor Kilian, Frank Yaconelli,...
Dr. Cyclops
Blu-ray
Kino Lorber Kino Classics
1940 / Color / 1:37 Academy / 77 min. / Street Date January 7, 2019 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95
Starring: Albert Dekker, Thomas Coley, Janice Logan, Charles Halton, Victor Kilian, Frank Yaconelli,...
- 12/28/2019
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
A few years ago the editors of Shadowlocked asked me to compile a list of what was initially to be, the ten greatest movie matte paintings of all time. A mere ten selections was too slim by a long shot, so my list stretched considerably to twenty, then thirty and finally a nice round fifty entries. Even with that number I found it wasn’t easy to narrow down a suitably wide ranging showcase of motion picture matte art that best represented the artform. So with that in mind, and due to the surprising popularity of that 2012 Shadowlocked list (which is well worth a visit, here Ed), I’ve assembled a further fifty wonderful examples of this vast, vital and more extensively utilised than you’d imagine – though now sadly ‘dead and buried’ – movie magic.
It would of course be so easy to simply concentrate on the well known, iconic,...
It would of course be so easy to simply concentrate on the well known, iconic,...
- 12/28/2015
- Shadowlocked
The art of the glass shot or matte painting is one which originated very much in the early ‘teens’ of the silent era. Pioneer film maker, director, cameraman and visual effects inventor Norman Dawn is generally acknowledged as the father of the painted matte composite, with other visionary film makers such as Ferdinand Pinney Earle, Walter Hall and Walter Percy Day being heralded as making vast contributions to the trick process in the early 1920’s.
Boiled down, the matte process is one whereby a limited film set may be extended to whatever, or wherever the director’s imagination dictates with the employment of a matte artist. In it’s most pure form, the artist would set up a large plate of clear glass in front of the motion picture camera upon which he would carefully paint in new scenery an ornate period ceiling, snow capped mountains, a Gothic castle or even an alien world.
Boiled down, the matte process is one whereby a limited film set may be extended to whatever, or wherever the director’s imagination dictates with the employment of a matte artist. In it’s most pure form, the artist would set up a large plate of clear glass in front of the motion picture camera upon which he would carefully paint in new scenery an ornate period ceiling, snow capped mountains, a Gothic castle or even an alien world.
- 5/27/2012
- Shadowlocked
©Paramount Pictures
“My momma always said, .Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get..” That line was immortalized by Tom Hanks in the award-winning movie “Forest Gump” in 1994. Librarian of Congress James H. Billington today selected that film and 24 others to be preserved as cultural, artistic and historical treasures in the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress.
Spanning the period 1912-1994, the films named to the registry include Hollywood classics, documentaries, animation, home movies, avant-garde shorts and experimental motion pictures. Representing the rich creative and cultural diversity of the American cinematic experience, the selections range from Walt Disney.s timeless classic “Bambi” and Billy Wilder.s “The Lost Weekend,” a landmark film about the devastating effects of alcoholism, to a real-life drama between a U.S. president and a governor over the desegregation of the University of Alabama. The selections also...
“My momma always said, .Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get..” That line was immortalized by Tom Hanks in the award-winning movie “Forest Gump” in 1994. Librarian of Congress James H. Billington today selected that film and 24 others to be preserved as cultural, artistic and historical treasures in the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress.
Spanning the period 1912-1994, the films named to the registry include Hollywood classics, documentaries, animation, home movies, avant-garde shorts and experimental motion pictures. Representing the rich creative and cultural diversity of the American cinematic experience, the selections range from Walt Disney.s timeless classic “Bambi” and Billy Wilder.s “The Lost Weekend,” a landmark film about the devastating effects of alcoholism, to a real-life drama between a U.S. president and a governor over the desegregation of the University of Alabama. The selections also...
- 12/28/2011
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
I’m never one to put significant stock in the film-based choices made by any kind of committee — be it an awards group, critics circle, soup kitchen line, etc. — but the National Film Registry is a little different. Not that they’re any different than those aforementioned organization types, but because the government assemblage preserves works deemed “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.” No small potatoes.
Their latest list — created for both public awareness and the opportunity to grumble, as I’ll do in a second — has been unveiled, and the selections are none too out-of-left-field. The biggest of these 25 would have to be Forrest Gump, a choice I fully understand but completely disagree with on an opinion and moral scale. The only other true objection I can raise is toward El Mariachi, film school-level junk from a director whose finest works are the direct result of working with those more talented.
Their latest list — created for both public awareness and the opportunity to grumble, as I’ll do in a second — has been unveiled, and the selections are none too out-of-left-field. The biggest of these 25 would have to be Forrest Gump, a choice I fully understand but completely disagree with on an opinion and moral scale. The only other true objection I can raise is toward El Mariachi, film school-level junk from a director whose finest works are the direct result of working with those more talented.
- 12/28/2011
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
New Takers movie delivered lots of action,shooting & scheming. Screen Gems released their new action flick "Takers" into theaters this weekend. I just got done checking it out. It got mixed reviews from the top critics,but I give it a positive review. I thought it was great and entertaining as it delivered some good shootout action,along with very advanced scheming and plotting. It stars: Matt Dillon, Paul Walker, Idris Elba, Jay Hernandez, Tip "T.I." Harris, Michael Ealy, Chris Brown, and Hayden Christensen. "Takers" movie revolved around a group of guys who rob banks for living. They're led by Idris Alba's character Gordon Jennings. Most of their robberies run pretty smoothly as they are masked and have a perfectly,well thought out execution,and escape route. However, after their last robbery success, their old running mate Ghost (T.I.) gets out of prison after serving five years for getting caught...
- 8/29/2010
- by Andre@ontheflix
- OnTheFlix
Title: Takers Starring: Chris Brown, Hayden Christensen, Matt Dillon, Michael Ealy, Idris ELba and T.I. Passing itself off as ‘The Expendables’ for the younger generation, Screen Gems’ new crime thriller ‘Takers’ features a slew of younger action stars with non-stop explosions and stunts. While not receiving as much press coverage as other summer films, and only working on a budget of $20 million, a modest amount for an action movie, ‘Takers’ ultimately proves it can grab its audience’s attention and not let go. ‘Takers’ starts off with a bang, showing a group of professional robbers pull off a spectacular heist in a Los Angeles bank, led by Gordon Jennings (played by Idris Elba). [...]...
- 8/28/2010
- by karen
- ShockYa
Few men can wow a female audience like actor Idris Elba. The tall, dark and handsome Brit is starring as bank thief Gordon Jennings in the film "Takers" which premieres in theaters nationwide today. We won't give much away, but we will say that if you like your Idris served up nearly naked, make your way to the movies this weekend. Essence.com spoke to Idris about playing a thief, why he likes playing the bad guy and just what we can expect from "Takers."...
- 8/27/2010
- Essence
Takers
Directed by: John Luessenhop
Cast: Matt Dillon, Hayden Christensen, Idris Elba, Paul Walker, T.I., Chris Brown, Zoe Saldana
Running Time: 1 hr 47 mins
Rating: PG-13
Release Date: August 27, 2010
Plot: A group of bank robbers decide to rush their next job for a potential $20 million pay out, but a detective (Dillon) is hot on their trail.
Who’S It For? You must love at least two of the actors in this film in order to get attached to it. That’s the requirement. It’s a typical cops, robbers and “one big job” story.
Expectations: Luessenhop directed Lockdown in 2000. Remember that movie? No, not Rundown with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson … Lockdown. I’m not sure what Luessenhop has been doing since then, but it didn’t instill a lot of faith going into this one.
Scorecard (0-10)
Actors:
Matt Dillon as Jack Welles: Something is fishy, and it’s up to...
Directed by: John Luessenhop
Cast: Matt Dillon, Hayden Christensen, Idris Elba, Paul Walker, T.I., Chris Brown, Zoe Saldana
Running Time: 1 hr 47 mins
Rating: PG-13
Release Date: August 27, 2010
Plot: A group of bank robbers decide to rush their next job for a potential $20 million pay out, but a detective (Dillon) is hot on their trail.
Who’S It For? You must love at least two of the actors in this film in order to get attached to it. That’s the requirement. It’s a typical cops, robbers and “one big job” story.
Expectations: Luessenhop directed Lockdown in 2000. Remember that movie? No, not Rundown with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson … Lockdown. I’m not sure what Luessenhop has been doing since then, but it didn’t instill a lot of faith going into this one.
Scorecard (0-10)
Actors:
Matt Dillon as Jack Welles: Something is fishy, and it’s up to...
- 8/27/2010
- by Jeff Bayer
- The Scorecard Review
Chicago – The ensemble cast is decent, the story fits the action/adventure essence of the heist film and one of the hottest music stars of the moment, Tip “T.I.” Harris, has a prominent role. Then why is the new film “Takers” such a seen-it-all-before exercise in action blandness? It feels like a total waste of all those resources.
Rating: 3.0/5.0
Four writers were necessary to pen the screenplay regarding a gang of robbers – including Hayden Christensen, Chris Brown and Paul Walker – who keep a low profile by doing only one prominent and well-planned heist a year. The film takes great pains to show the sophistication of the gang in general, showcasing an unnecessary debate on foreign currency investment and plenty of expensive cigars. What it doesn’t express is why we should care or consider them anti-heroes.
Gordon Jennings (Idris Elba) is the de facto leader of the heist gang, and...
Rating: 3.0/5.0
Four writers were necessary to pen the screenplay regarding a gang of robbers – including Hayden Christensen, Chris Brown and Paul Walker – who keep a low profile by doing only one prominent and well-planned heist a year. The film takes great pains to show the sophistication of the gang in general, showcasing an unnecessary debate on foreign currency investment and plenty of expensive cigars. What it doesn’t express is why we should care or consider them anti-heroes.
Gordon Jennings (Idris Elba) is the de facto leader of the heist gang, and...
- 8/27/2010
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
'I bring a twinkle, like he's smiling all the time,' actor tells MTV News.
By Shaheem Reid
Idris Elba
Photo: Jeff Vespa/ WireImage
A few weeks ago, Idris Elba was in Beverly Hills, sitting next to Hayden Christensen, who played one of the most iconic movie bad guys of all time: Darth Vader. When it comes to memorable desperados, however, Elba has more than his share of experience.
While fans feared Vader and cheered for his demise, Elba played one of the most-loved baddies in the past decade: Stringer Bell, the street-savvy master manipulator from "The Wire." In his new film "Takers" — which also stars Christensen, T.I., Paul Walker, Michael Ealy and Chris Brown — Elba is back at it as Gordon Jennings, the leader of a crew of bank robbers. But once again, you will cheer for him.
As Matt Dillon and Jay Hernandez's detectives get hot on the Takers' trail,...
By Shaheem Reid
Idris Elba
Photo: Jeff Vespa/ WireImage
A few weeks ago, Idris Elba was in Beverly Hills, sitting next to Hayden Christensen, who played one of the most iconic movie bad guys of all time: Darth Vader. When it comes to memorable desperados, however, Elba has more than his share of experience.
While fans feared Vader and cheered for his demise, Elba played one of the most-loved baddies in the past decade: Stringer Bell, the street-savvy master manipulator from "The Wire." In his new film "Takers" — which also stars Christensen, T.I., Paul Walker, Michael Ealy and Chris Brown — Elba is back at it as Gordon Jennings, the leader of a crew of bank robbers. But once again, you will cheer for him.
As Matt Dillon and Jay Hernandez's detectives get hot on the Takers' trail,...
- 8/27/2010
- MTV Movie News
'I bring a twinkle, like he's smiling all the time,' actor tells MTV News.
By Shaheem Reid
Idris Elba
Photo: Jeff Vespa/ WireImage
A few weeks ago, Idris Elba was in Beverly Hills, sitting next to Hayden Christensen, who played one of the most iconic movie bad guys of all time: Darth Vader. When it comes to memorable desperados, however, Elba has more than his share of experience.
While fans feared Vader and cheered for his demise, Elba played one of the most-loved baddies in the past decade: Stringer Bell, the street-savvy master manipulator from "The Wire." In his new film "Takers" — which also stars Christensen, T.I., Paul Walker, Michael Ealy and Chris Brown — Elba is back at it as Gordon Jennings, the leader of a crew of bank robbers. But once again, you will cheer for him.
As Matt Dillon and Jay Hernandez's detectives get hot on the Takers' trail,...
By Shaheem Reid
Idris Elba
Photo: Jeff Vespa/ WireImage
A few weeks ago, Idris Elba was in Beverly Hills, sitting next to Hayden Christensen, who played one of the most iconic movie bad guys of all time: Darth Vader. When it comes to memorable desperados, however, Elba has more than his share of experience.
While fans feared Vader and cheered for his demise, Elba played one of the most-loved baddies in the past decade: Stringer Bell, the street-savvy master manipulator from "The Wire." In his new film "Takers" — which also stars Christensen, T.I., Paul Walker, Michael Ealy and Chris Brown — Elba is back at it as Gordon Jennings, the leader of a crew of bank robbers. But once again, you will cheer for him.
As Matt Dillon and Jay Hernandez's detectives get hot on the Takers' trail,...
- 8/27/2010
- MTV Music News
Takers , the new action heist film from director John Luessenhop, is hitting theaters this Friday and ComingSoon.net got a chance to speak exclusively with some of the cast. Idris Elba stars as Gordon Jennings, a classy, high-stakes criminal who always manages to deliver the perfect heist. At his side is a group of slick thieves brought to life by the ensemble cast of Chris Brown, Hayden Christensen, Michael Ealy, Tip 'T.I.' Harris and Paul Walker. On the opposite side of the thin blue line is police detective Jack Welles (Matt Dillon), a down-on-his-luck who turns solving the case into something of an obsession. Packed with jarring chase scenes (including impressively self-performed Parkour stunts on the part of Brown) and cinematic homages to heist films throughout the ages,...
- 8/24/2010
- Comingsoon.net
'I increased my responsibilities and just basically sacrificed my time,' Tip says of dual roles on the film.
By Shaheem Reid
T.I. in "Takers"
Photo: Columbia Pictures
T.I. had two roles for the upcoming film "Takers." Not only did he play the main villain, he also was behind the scenes as one of the action thriller's producers.
"I did assist with the producing," Tip said humbly a couple of weeks ago in Los Angeles, where he and his co-star Jay Hernandez were promoting the project.
"I lost sleep to say the least," he added about juggling all of his professional and personal obligations while "Takers" was in production. "I increased my responsibilities and just basically sacrificed my time. Just sacrificed in every way possible whenever necessary."
In the movie, Tip plays Delonte "Ghost" Rivers, who helps put together a team of bank robbers with Idris Elba's character, Gordon Jennings.
By Shaheem Reid
T.I. in "Takers"
Photo: Columbia Pictures
T.I. had two roles for the upcoming film "Takers." Not only did he play the main villain, he also was behind the scenes as one of the action thriller's producers.
"I did assist with the producing," Tip said humbly a couple of weeks ago in Los Angeles, where he and his co-star Jay Hernandez were promoting the project.
"I lost sleep to say the least," he added about juggling all of his professional and personal obligations while "Takers" was in production. "I increased my responsibilities and just basically sacrificed my time. Just sacrificed in every way possible whenever necessary."
In the movie, Tip plays Delonte "Ghost" Rivers, who helps put together a team of bank robbers with Idris Elba's character, Gordon Jennings.
- 8/23/2010
- MTV Movie News
'I increased my responsibilities and just basically sacrificed my time,' Tip says of dual roles on the film.
By Shaheem Reid
T.I. in "Takers"
Photo: Columbia Pictures
T.I. had two roles for the upcoming film "Takers." Not only did he play the main villain, he also was behind the scenes as one of the action thriller's producers.
"I did assist with the producing," Tip said humbly a couple of weeks ago in Los Angeles, where he and his co-star Jay Hernandez were promoting the project.
"I lost sleep to say the least," he added about juggling all of his professional and personal obligations while "Takers" was in production. "I increased my responsibilities and just basically sacrificed my time. Just sacrificed in every way possible whenever necessary."
In the movie, Tip plays Delonte "Ghost" Rivers, who helps put together a team of bank robbers with Idris Elba's character, Gordon Jennings.
By Shaheem Reid
T.I. in "Takers"
Photo: Columbia Pictures
T.I. had two roles for the upcoming film "Takers." Not only did he play the main villain, he also was behind the scenes as one of the action thriller's producers.
"I did assist with the producing," Tip said humbly a couple of weeks ago in Los Angeles, where he and his co-star Jay Hernandez were promoting the project.
"I lost sleep to say the least," he added about juggling all of his professional and personal obligations while "Takers" was in production. "I increased my responsibilities and just basically sacrificed my time. Just sacrificed in every way possible whenever necessary."
In the movie, Tip plays Delonte "Ghost" Rivers, who helps put together a team of bank robbers with Idris Elba's character, Gordon Jennings.
- 8/23/2010
- MTV Music News
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