This article contains massive spoilers for "The Fall Guy."
Stunt work is all about selling an illusion. When the medium of cinema was first invented, it was initially marketed and thought of as something akin to a sideshow attraction, a wondrous magic trick where a series of pictures put next to each other and illuminated in rapid succession gave the illusion of movement. After this initial novelty gave way to artists utilizing the medium to tell stories, the craftspeople making movies realized that the concept of illusion extended to every aspect of filmmaking.
Where theatre was traditionally bound to a stage or perhaps a circus tent, the movies could expand the canvas of what could be done physically — if cameras could capture it, it could be performed. It's no surprise, then, that films saw people like Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, and others push the boundaries of physicality and feats of derring-do in the cinema.
Stunt work is all about selling an illusion. When the medium of cinema was first invented, it was initially marketed and thought of as something akin to a sideshow attraction, a wondrous magic trick where a series of pictures put next to each other and illuminated in rapid succession gave the illusion of movement. After this initial novelty gave way to artists utilizing the medium to tell stories, the craftspeople making movies realized that the concept of illusion extended to every aspect of filmmaking.
Where theatre was traditionally bound to a stage or perhaps a circus tent, the movies could expand the canvas of what could be done physically — if cameras could capture it, it could be performed. It's no surprise, then, that films saw people like Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, and others push the boundaries of physicality and feats of derring-do in the cinema.
- 5/3/2024
- by Bill Bria
- Slash Film
IFC’s Late Night With The Devil has scared up the distributor’s largest opening weekend ever with an estimated $2.8+ million on 1.043 screens, coming in at no. 6 at the domestic box office.
Prior to this weekend, Watcher was IFC’s top opening film at $827k, followed by Skinamarink with $819k and Blackberry at $801k. Late Night was IFC’s widest opening since The D Train, the distributor said, noting it was IFC’s highest opening day ($437k) since Skinamakink, and its highest Thursday pre-show ($317k). The film by Australian duo Colin and Cameron Cairnes unfolds almost in real-time on the set of a 1977 late-night talk show broadcast that unexpectedly transforms from amusing to sinister, unleashing evil into the nation’s living rooms. Stars David Dastmalchian as talk show host Jack Delroy.
The Image Nation Abu Dhabi and Spooky Pictures pic premiered at SXSW and has since played Fantasia Festival in Montreal,...
Prior to this weekend, Watcher was IFC’s top opening film at $827k, followed by Skinamarink with $819k and Blackberry at $801k. Late Night was IFC’s widest opening since The D Train, the distributor said, noting it was IFC’s highest opening day ($437k) since Skinamakink, and its highest Thursday pre-show ($317k). The film by Australian duo Colin and Cameron Cairnes unfolds almost in real-time on the set of a 1977 late-night talk show broadcast that unexpectedly transforms from amusing to sinister, unleashing evil into the nation’s living rooms. Stars David Dastmalchian as talk show host Jack Delroy.
The Image Nation Abu Dhabi and Spooky Pictures pic premiered at SXSW and has since played Fantasia Festival in Montreal,...
- 3/24/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Hollywood stunt people are a breed apart. They look at a skyscraper, and wonder what floor from which they could plummet onto an airbag. They encounter a ravine, and instantly want to hop astride a motorcycle and jump it. They see a fellow stunt performer get blasted with fire extinguishers after being set ablaze, and think to themselves, "I could've stayed on fire longer than that." They're wild folk, and they can make the kind of movie magic you'll savor for a lifetime.
For movie lovers, stunt people like Dar Robinson, Vic Armstrong, and Evelyn Finley are as legendary as the stars they doubled. Among casual moviegoers, however, they aren't nearly as appreciated as they should be. So when films like Richard Rush's "The Stunt Man," Hal Needham's "Hooper," or David Leitch's forthcoming "The Fall Guy" (based on the classic 1980s TV series starring Lee Majors) crash into theaters,...
For movie lovers, stunt people like Dar Robinson, Vic Armstrong, and Evelyn Finley are as legendary as the stars they doubled. Among casual moviegoers, however, they aren't nearly as appreciated as they should be. So when films like Richard Rush's "The Stunt Man," Hal Needham's "Hooper," or David Leitch's forthcoming "The Fall Guy" (based on the classic 1980s TV series starring Lee Majors) crash into theaters,...
- 3/15/2024
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
It's been several days now since this year's Oscars ceremony, and yet I'm still scratching my head as to why the Academy had Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt present a montage honoring stunts and stunt performers without mentioning why they had selected these two specific actors to do so. Then there's the bitter irony of the Academy celebrating stunt performers while stubbornly refusing to give them an Oscar of their own, but that's a whole other rabbit hole.
While it's true the pair starred in dual halves of Barbenheimer last year, they've also got a new film coming out in "The Fall Guy." Loosely adapted from Glen A. Larson's '80s action-adventure TV series of the same name, the movie casts Gosling as a stuntman who's rapidly aging out of his occupation from years of risking permanent bodily harm, only to find himself unraveling a mystery on the set...
While it's true the pair starred in dual halves of Barbenheimer last year, they've also got a new film coming out in "The Fall Guy." Loosely adapted from Glen A. Larson's '80s action-adventure TV series of the same name, the movie casts Gosling as a stuntman who's rapidly aging out of his occupation from years of risking permanent bodily harm, only to find himself unraveling a mystery on the set...
- 3/14/2024
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
In 99% of Hollywood movies, the goal is to make the stunt work invisible. Audiences are supposed to believe that the star — or better yet, the character he plays — put his own life at risk jumping off buildings, blowing up cars or duking it out with squads of bad guys. In “The Fall Guy,” the stuntman gets to be the hero (of an insanely overcomplicated story), while the star is a prima donna who claims to do all his own stunts but needs his double to step in when things get tough.
“The Fall Guy” is funny, it’s sexy, and it features the boy’s-toy version of “Barbie” scene-stealer Ryan Gosling — which is to say, after playing a Ken doll, now he embodies the ultimate action figure. This is the charisma-radiating side of Gosling audiences love (as opposed to expressionless “Only God Forgives” Gosling), and though his character doesn’t have much depth,...
“The Fall Guy” is funny, it’s sexy, and it features the boy’s-toy version of “Barbie” scene-stealer Ryan Gosling — which is to say, after playing a Ken doll, now he embodies the ultimate action figure. This is the charisma-radiating side of Gosling audiences love (as opposed to expressionless “Only God Forgives” Gosling), and though his character doesn’t have much depth,...
- 3/13/2024
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
When Netflix’s “Extraction” premiered in 2020, its elaborately constructed set pieces propelled it to become the streaming service’s most-watched original film to that point and marked director Sam Hargrave as a talent to watch. Hargrave and star Chris Hemsworth now return to the adventures of Australian black ops mercenary Tyler Rake (Hemsworth) for “Extraction 2,” a sequel that improves upon its predecessor in just about every way without losing sight of what audiences loved about the first movie. The action is bigger, the motivations more personal and affecting, and Hargrave’s command of his craft more assured.
Hargrave is part of one of the most positive trends in action filmmaking in recent years: The rise of directors with a background in stunts. The most famous examples are Chad Stahelski (the “John Wick” franchise) and David Leitch, who follow in the footsteps of ’70s and ’80s pioneers Hal Needham (“Smokey and the Bandit...
Hargrave is part of one of the most positive trends in action filmmaking in recent years: The rise of directors with a background in stunts. The most famous examples are Chad Stahelski (the “John Wick” franchise) and David Leitch, who follow in the footsteps of ’70s and ’80s pioneers Hal Needham (“Smokey and the Bandit...
- 6/14/2023
- by Jim Hemphill
- Indiewire
Gary Kent, an actor, director and, most notably, stuntman whose career is thought to have been an inspiration for Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, died Thursday at an assisted care facility in Austin, Texas. He was 89.
Born on June 7, 1933, in Walla Walla, Washington, Kent’s early film credits include 1959’s Battle Flame, and roles in other low-budget films of the 1960s including The Black Klansman (1966) and biker film The Savage Seven (1968). In 1969, he served as a stunt double for Bruce Dern in the now-cult-classic Richard Rush-directed exploitation film Psych-Out.
Among his other credits were such drive-in movie favorites as Peter Bogdanovich’s first film Targets (1968), featuring Boris Karloff, 1970’s Hell’s Bloody Devils and, the following year, The Incredible 2-Headed Transplant and Angels’ Wild Women.
Though he had numerous small acting parts through the era, his most endurable contributions to Hollywood would come as a...
Born on June 7, 1933, in Walla Walla, Washington, Kent’s early film credits include 1959’s Battle Flame, and roles in other low-budget films of the 1960s including The Black Klansman (1966) and biker film The Savage Seven (1968). In 1969, he served as a stunt double for Bruce Dern in the now-cult-classic Richard Rush-directed exploitation film Psych-Out.
Among his other credits were such drive-in movie favorites as Peter Bogdanovich’s first film Targets (1968), featuring Boris Karloff, 1970’s Hell’s Bloody Devils and, the following year, The Incredible 2-Headed Transplant and Angels’ Wild Women.
Though he had numerous small acting parts through the era, his most endurable contributions to Hollywood would come as a...
- 5/26/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Chicago – Ric Roman Waugh is a man of action, as this stuntman-turned-director is approaching his tenth film, several of which involving his actor partner Gerard Butler. The duo takes on the Afghanistan War from the CIA undercover operative angle with the new film “Kandahar,” opening in theaters on May 26th.
Tom Harris (Gerard Butler), is undercover for the Agency, stuck deep within hostile territory during the America’s war in Afghanistan. When an intelligence leak exposes his identity and mission, he must fight his way out. At his side is his translator (Navid Negahban), and together they must reach an extraction point in the Afghan city of Kandahar, all while avoiding the elite special forces unit tasked with hunting them down.
Director Ric Roman Waugh with Gerard Butler on the Set of ‘Kandahar’
Photo credit: Open Road Films
Ric Roman Waugh is a director, writer, producer, actor and former stuntman.
Tom Harris (Gerard Butler), is undercover for the Agency, stuck deep within hostile territory during the America’s war in Afghanistan. When an intelligence leak exposes his identity and mission, he must fight his way out. At his side is his translator (Navid Negahban), and together they must reach an extraction point in the Afghan city of Kandahar, all while avoiding the elite special forces unit tasked with hunting them down.
Director Ric Roman Waugh with Gerard Butler on the Set of ‘Kandahar’
Photo credit: Open Road Films
Ric Roman Waugh is a director, writer, producer, actor and former stuntman.
- 5/22/2023
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
The "John Wick" movies are a whirring, modern carnival of spectacular stunt work. They're a hyped-up throwback to the old days of Hollywood action filmmaking when audiences were pinned to their seats as Hal Needham launched a car over a ravine or Dar Robinson plummeted 220 feet from a high-rise hotel. Along with the "Mission: Impossible" franchise, these films celebrate the human element of making a blockbuster. Stuntmen are precious cargo, but, my, we sure do love to watch them risk life and limb for the sake of an unforgettable set piece.
Keanu Reeves breathed muscular life into his flagging career when he played FBI Agent Johnny Utah in Kathryn Bigelow's absurdly entertaining, "Point Break." The role of action hero agreed with him, as he proved emphatically three years later in Jan De Bont's masterpiece "Speed." If you've watched these movies semi-closely, you can see Reeves performing a number of his own stunts,...
Keanu Reeves breathed muscular life into his flagging career when he played FBI Agent Johnny Utah in Kathryn Bigelow's absurdly entertaining, "Point Break." The role of action hero agreed with him, as he proved emphatically three years later in Jan De Bont's masterpiece "Speed." If you've watched these movies semi-closely, you can see Reeves performing a number of his own stunts,...
- 3/15/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Donn Cambern, the Oscar-nominated Romancing the Stone film editor whose credits also include Easy Rider, The Last Picture Show and Ghostbusters II and was a longtime president of the Motion Picture Editors Guild, died Wednesday, his family told the guild. He was 93.
Born on October 9, 1929, in Los Angeles, Cambern came from a showbiz family. His father was in the music-publishing business, and his mother played harp on movie soundtracks including Top Hat for the Rko Pictures orchestra. He graduated from UCLA in 1952 and landed a gig at Disney as a messenger.
Related Story Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2023: Photo Gallery & Obituaries Related Story 'SNL' Post-Production Workers Form Union Through Motion Picture Editors Guild Related Story ShadowMachine Post-Production Staffers Unionize With Editors Guild
He began his career in 1960s television, serving as music editor for episodes of I Spy, That Girl and The Ghost and Mrs. Muir along with scores of...
Born on October 9, 1929, in Los Angeles, Cambern came from a showbiz family. His father was in the music-publishing business, and his mother played harp on movie soundtracks including Top Hat for the Rko Pictures orchestra. He graduated from UCLA in 1952 and landed a gig at Disney as a messenger.
Related Story Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2023: Photo Gallery & Obituaries Related Story 'SNL' Post-Production Workers Form Union Through Motion Picture Editors Guild Related Story ShadowMachine Post-Production Staffers Unionize With Editors Guild
He began his career in 1960s television, serving as music editor for episodes of I Spy, That Girl and The Ghost and Mrs. Muir along with scores of...
- 1/20/2023
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
The character of Flash Gordon has had a long and rich history in pop culture lasting almost 100 years. The first appearance of the space bound all-American hero was found in a science-fiction comic strip created in 1934 by illustrator Alex Raymond and writer Don Moore. Former Olympian and actor Buster Crabbe appeared as the character in the classic Universal serials that depicted Flash Gordon's clashes with Ming the Merciless on the planet Mongo. Fondly remembered for their air of wispy nostalgia, the "Flash Gordon" serials always ended on a cliffhanger. I remember one in particular where Flash is thrown down a dark hole with no chance of escape, only to be saved by the sudden deployment of a net in the first scene of the next episode.
That is to say, "Flash Gordon" was always a little ridiculous.
The Buster Crabbe serials have certainly left their mark on film history, but...
That is to say, "Flash Gordon" was always a little ridiculous.
The Buster Crabbe serials have certainly left their mark on film history, but...
- 12/25/2022
- by Drew Tinnin
- Slash Film
Click here to read the full article.
David Leitch first worked with Brad Pitt in the late ’90s when he doubled for him on the set of David Fincher’s Fight Club. The experience went so well that Pitt soon recommended him for the same role on Gore Verbinski’s The Mexican, but within a day, Leitch totaled two El Caminos during a driving stunt on set. So even though the second experience didn’t go as swimmingly as the first, Leitch and Pitt still bonded over this disastrous moment and laugh about it to this day.
Since their last collaboration on 2005’s Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Pitt has been watching Leitch climb the ranks from stunt performer and stunt coordinator to second unit director and ultimately director of Deadpool 2, Atomic Blonde and Hobbs & Shaw. So when Leitch reached out to his former collaborator (and Deadpool 2 cameo) regarding the assassin action-comedy Bullet Train,...
David Leitch first worked with Brad Pitt in the late ’90s when he doubled for him on the set of David Fincher’s Fight Club. The experience went so well that Pitt soon recommended him for the same role on Gore Verbinski’s The Mexican, but within a day, Leitch totaled two El Caminos during a driving stunt on set. So even though the second experience didn’t go as swimmingly as the first, Leitch and Pitt still bonded over this disastrous moment and laugh about it to this day.
Since their last collaboration on 2005’s Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Pitt has been watching Leitch climb the ranks from stunt performer and stunt coordinator to second unit director and ultimately director of Deadpool 2, Atomic Blonde and Hobbs & Shaw. So when Leitch reached out to his former collaborator (and Deadpool 2 cameo) regarding the assassin action-comedy Bullet Train,...
- 8/7/2022
- by Brian Davids
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Brad Pitt and Bad Bunny star in Bullet Train. Photo By: Scott Garfield. (C) 2022 Ctmg. All Rights Reserved
Fans of frenetic, bloody action comedies like Smokin’ Aces, Shoot ‘Em Up, Kung Fu Hustle or just about anything from Guy Ritchie are gifted this summer with a likely candidate for their list of escapist favorites. The title of Bullet Train refers not only to Japan’s ultra-modern railway system, but to the collection of assassins and thugs who wend their way through the cars and each other for a variety of reasons. The mix of players and agendas will make little sense… until it does.
David Leitch enhances his credentials as stunt man who worked his way up to becoming a first-rate director, following the examples of Clint Eastwood, Hal Needham, John Ford, John Landis and others. After nearly 20 years of stunt work, with a bevy of acting gigs in the mix,...
Fans of frenetic, bloody action comedies like Smokin’ Aces, Shoot ‘Em Up, Kung Fu Hustle or just about anything from Guy Ritchie are gifted this summer with a likely candidate for their list of escapist favorites. The title of Bullet Train refers not only to Japan’s ultra-modern railway system, but to the collection of assassins and thugs who wend their way through the cars and each other for a variety of reasons. The mix of players and agendas will make little sense… until it does.
David Leitch enhances his credentials as stunt man who worked his way up to becoming a first-rate director, following the examples of Clint Eastwood, Hal Needham, John Ford, John Landis and others. After nearly 20 years of stunt work, with a bevy of acting gigs in the mix,...
- 8/5/2022
- by Mark Glass
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Exclusive: Robert Schwartzman and Cole Harper’s growing U.S. distribution and sales firm Utopia has promoted Kyle Greenberg to Head of Marketing & Distribution.
During Greenberg’s tenure, Utopia has released movies including Vortex by Gaspar Noe, El Planeta by Amalia Ulman, American Dharma by Errol Morris, Indie Spirit winner Shiva Baby by Emma Seligman, We’re All Going to the World’s Fair by Jane Schoenbrun, Rad! by Hal Needham, Facing Nolan by Bradley Jackson and the upcoming Sharp Stick by Lena Dunham. As we recently revealed, the company made its biggest splash to date on Cannes movie Holy Spider.
Before joining Utopia, Greenberg worked at Gunpowder & Sky.
“Utopia has grown significantly over the past couple years, and with our explosive success in theatrical and digital distribution to complement our sales efforts, it’s time to take our team and infrastructure to the next level,” said Robert Schwartzman.
During Greenberg’s tenure, Utopia has released movies including Vortex by Gaspar Noe, El Planeta by Amalia Ulman, American Dharma by Errol Morris, Indie Spirit winner Shiva Baby by Emma Seligman, We’re All Going to the World’s Fair by Jane Schoenbrun, Rad! by Hal Needham, Facing Nolan by Bradley Jackson and the upcoming Sharp Stick by Lena Dunham. As we recently revealed, the company made its biggest splash to date on Cannes movie Holy Spider.
Before joining Utopia, Greenberg worked at Gunpowder & Sky.
“Utopia has grown significantly over the past couple years, and with our explosive success in theatrical and digital distribution to complement our sales efforts, it’s time to take our team and infrastructure to the next level,” said Robert Schwartzman.
- 7/25/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Screenwriter Jeb Stuart joins hosts Josh Olson and Joe Dante to discuss a few of his favorite movies.
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Die Hard (1988)
The Fugitive (1993)
Sword of Sherwood Forest (1960) – Charlie Largent’s Blu-ray review
The Face of Fu Manchu (1965) – Charlie Largent’s Blu-ray review
The Detective (1968) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
Dirty Harry (1971) – Alan Spencer’s trailer commentary, Josh Olson’s trailer commentary
Rear Window (1954) – John Landis’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
Vertigo (1958) – Dan Ireland’s trailer commentary, Brian Trenchard-Smith’s review, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
North By Northwest (1959)
The Trouble With Harry (1955)
Casablanca (1942) – John Landis’s trailer commentary
Wait Until Dark (1967) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
Switchback (1997)
Jeremiah Johnson (1972)
The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary
The Getaway (1972) – Larry Karaszewski’s trailer commentary
The Thin Man (1934)
Another 48 Hrs (1990)
Commando (1985) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary
The Long Riders (1980)
The Warriors...
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Die Hard (1988)
The Fugitive (1993)
Sword of Sherwood Forest (1960) – Charlie Largent’s Blu-ray review
The Face of Fu Manchu (1965) – Charlie Largent’s Blu-ray review
The Detective (1968) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
Dirty Harry (1971) – Alan Spencer’s trailer commentary, Josh Olson’s trailer commentary
Rear Window (1954) – John Landis’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
Vertigo (1958) – Dan Ireland’s trailer commentary, Brian Trenchard-Smith’s review, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
North By Northwest (1959)
The Trouble With Harry (1955)
Casablanca (1942) – John Landis’s trailer commentary
Wait Until Dark (1967) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
Switchback (1997)
Jeremiah Johnson (1972)
The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary
The Getaway (1972) – Larry Karaszewski’s trailer commentary
The Thin Man (1934)
Another 48 Hrs (1990)
Commando (1985) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary
The Long Riders (1980)
The Warriors...
- 3/8/2022
- by Kris Millsap
- Trailers from Hell
Normal 0 false false false En-us X-none X-none
By Fred Blosser
In Andrew V. McLaglen’s “One More Train to Rob,” an obscure but modestly entertaining Western from 1971, train robber Harker Fleet (George Peppard) masterminds the armed theft of $40,000 from a Wells Fargo express. Thanks to his careful planning, he and his gang all have airtight alibis when the law comes calling. His partners Tim (John Vernon) and Katy (Diana Muldaur) posed as passengers on the train, and his other henchmen Slim, Red, and Jimmy were presumed asleep in their bunks at a nearby ranch. Checking on Fleet’s whereabouts during the holdup, the sheriff is assured by the town madam Louella that she and Harker were together in her bed all night. Louella is played by Marie Windsor, still plenty hot at fifty-two, if I may be excused a little ageism and sexism. The sheriff is ready to let Fleet off the hook,...
By Fred Blosser
In Andrew V. McLaglen’s “One More Train to Rob,” an obscure but modestly entertaining Western from 1971, train robber Harker Fleet (George Peppard) masterminds the armed theft of $40,000 from a Wells Fargo express. Thanks to his careful planning, he and his gang all have airtight alibis when the law comes calling. His partners Tim (John Vernon) and Katy (Diana Muldaur) posed as passengers on the train, and his other henchmen Slim, Red, and Jimmy were presumed asleep in their bunks at a nearby ranch. Checking on Fleet’s whereabouts during the holdup, the sheriff is assured by the town madam Louella that she and Harker were together in her bed all night. Louella is played by Marie Windsor, still plenty hot at fifty-two, if I may be excused a little ageism and sexism. The sheriff is ready to let Fleet off the hook,...
- 12/21/2021
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Thirty-five years ago you could not go anywhere without tripping over a BMX bike. We could not begin to explain just how massive BMX culture was in the 80s. But if there were any films that captured the moment Hal Needham's 1986 film, Rad, would be right up there. The story of one young man, Cru Jones, who has the intensity and desire to win a BMX race called Helltrack. It's going to take a lot more than skill for Cru Jones to conquer the toughest BMX challenge in the world. It's going to take a miracle. The shot in Canada film Rad is enoying an anniversary revival at the moment and up here in Canada there was a one-night screening scheduled through...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 11/4/2021
- Screen Anarchy
A scene from the Japanese TV action series Hydra. Courtesy of WellGoUSA
When I saw the title of this television series was Hydra, I thought we were in for another Marvel origin movie – this time about the evil organization the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. spend their lives fighting. Not the case. This one’s a subtitled Japanese crime flick that’s long on action and short on everything else. The fight scenes will justify the time for any martial arts junkies who remember to set the rest of their expectations on low.
First-time director Kensuke Sonomura, who also appears in a substantial role, has 75 stunt gigs under his (presumably) black belt. That history allowed him to choreograph a couple of the most exciting, unique fight scenes in the genre. No wires or CGI pyrotechnics. Just a couple of foes squaring off in gritty matches of speed and agility with normal-people weapons.
When I saw the title of this television series was Hydra, I thought we were in for another Marvel origin movie – this time about the evil organization the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. spend their lives fighting. Not the case. This one’s a subtitled Japanese crime flick that’s long on action and short on everything else. The fight scenes will justify the time for any martial arts junkies who remember to set the rest of their expectations on low.
First-time director Kensuke Sonomura, who also appears in a substantial role, has 75 stunt gigs under his (presumably) black belt. That history allowed him to choreograph a couple of the most exciting, unique fight scenes in the genre. No wires or CGI pyrotechnics. Just a couple of foes squaring off in gritty matches of speed and agility with normal-people weapons.
- 7/16/2021
- by Mark Glass
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
With the Oscars (mercifully) behind us, it’s time to start worrying again about the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. That much-postponed institution is now scheduled to open with a gilt-edged gala honoring Sophia Loren and Haile Gerima, and sponsored by Rolex, on September 25, with a public opening five days later.
So here’s an idea the museum’s keepers can have for the price of a Wolfgang Puck sushi cone: Let the fans in first.
Seriously.
After years of delay, the film Academy’s museum should actually arrive at a fortuitous moment, just as the lockdown-weary audience is getting comfortable with theaters again. Last weekend’s strong box office performance points toward normalization. Barring a Covid-surge, all four quadrants should be back in the ticket line by September.
What better time to celebrate? The Movies Are Back!
And where better to do that than at a shiny new film museum,...
So here’s an idea the museum’s keepers can have for the price of a Wolfgang Puck sushi cone: Let the fans in first.
Seriously.
After years of delay, the film Academy’s museum should actually arrive at a fortuitous moment, just as the lockdown-weary audience is getting comfortable with theaters again. Last weekend’s strong box office performance points toward normalization. Barring a Covid-surge, all four quadrants should be back in the ticket line by September.
What better time to celebrate? The Movies Are Back!
And where better to do that than at a shiny new film museum,...
- 6/4/2021
- by Michael Cieply
- Deadline Film + TV
By Lee Pfeiffer
In days of old, there were precious few opportunities to see documentaries about the making of specific films. In 1960, John Wayne hosted "The Spirit of the Alamo", a one-hour publicity special for his epic film. In 1965, the James Bond film "Thunderball" was promoted with a one hour prime time TV special, a strategy that was repeated in 1967 for "You Only Live Twice". However, these were the exceptions. In most cases, "making of" documentaries were short featurettes lasting between five and ten minutes on average. Movie fans would only encounter them by accident. American viewers might catch one of them if a network needed something to fill some time gap, such as a rain delay in a live baseball game. The only way die-hard movie buffs could watch such films on demand required access to a 16mm film projector and the ability to know where to purchase them on the collector's circuit.
In days of old, there were precious few opportunities to see documentaries about the making of specific films. In 1960, John Wayne hosted "The Spirit of the Alamo", a one-hour publicity special for his epic film. In 1965, the James Bond film "Thunderball" was promoted with a one hour prime time TV special, a strategy that was repeated in 1967 for "You Only Live Twice". However, these were the exceptions. In most cases, "making of" documentaries were short featurettes lasting between five and ten minutes on average. Movie fans would only encounter them by accident. American viewers might catch one of them if a network needed something to fill some time gap, such as a rain delay in a live baseball game. The only way die-hard movie buffs could watch such films on demand required access to a 16mm film projector and the ability to know where to purchase them on the collector's circuit.
- 4/29/2021
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Utopia, the fledgling sales and distribution company co-founded by filmmaker Robert Schwartzman, has picked up North American rights to artist Amalia Ulman’s debut feature ‘El Planeta.’ The dark comedy was one of the buzz titles at Sundance’s World Dramatic competition.
Danielle Digiacomo, Utopia’s Head of Content commented: “Amalia Ulman’s “El Planeta” is a pure, transportive cinematic experience that is deceptively simple in its construction, yet so layered with wit, heart, and humanity that it leaves a profound impression akin to the work of many great auteurs.”
“It is a true gem of a film; Utopia couldn’t be more enamored of Amalia, her vision, and overjoyed about the ability to partner with her on its distribution,” added Digiacomo who joined Utopia early last year.
Set in the industrial northern Spanish city of Gijon during the country’s economic crisis in 2009, “El Planeta” turns on mother and daughter grifters,...
Danielle Digiacomo, Utopia’s Head of Content commented: “Amalia Ulman’s “El Planeta” is a pure, transportive cinematic experience that is deceptively simple in its construction, yet so layered with wit, heart, and humanity that it leaves a profound impression akin to the work of many great auteurs.”
“It is a true gem of a film; Utopia couldn’t be more enamored of Amalia, her vision, and overjoyed about the ability to partner with her on its distribution,” added Digiacomo who joined Utopia early last year.
Set in the industrial northern Spanish city of Gijon during the country’s economic crisis in 2009, “El Planeta” turns on mother and daughter grifters,...
- 3/17/2021
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety Film + TV
Breaker-breaker, we have a 10-20 on a Smokey and the Bandit TV series, which is being developed by executive producer Seth MacFarlane for NBC Universal’s Ucp (Universal Content Productions).
The original 1977 movie, directed by stuntman Hal Needham, starred Burt Reynolds as Bo “Bandit” Darville, who with fellow bootlegger Cledus “Snowman” Snow (Jerry Reed) attempted to illegally transport 400 cases of beer from Texarkana to Atlanta. Upon picking up hitchhiking runaway bride Carrie (Sally Field), the trio are further dogged by Texas county sheriff/”Smokey” Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason).
More from TVLineThe Orville Season 3: Seth MacFarlane Gives UpdateGood Times...
The original 1977 movie, directed by stuntman Hal Needham, starred Burt Reynolds as Bo “Bandit” Darville, who with fellow bootlegger Cledus “Snowman” Snow (Jerry Reed) attempted to illegally transport 400 cases of beer from Texarkana to Atlanta. Upon picking up hitchhiking runaway bride Carrie (Sally Field), the trio are further dogged by Texas county sheriff/”Smokey” Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason).
More from TVLineThe Orville Season 3: Seth MacFarlane Gives UpdateGood Times...
- 10/21/2020
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
David Gordon Green is developing a series adaptation of “Smokey and the Bandit” for Ucp, the studio announced Wednesday.
The project, based on the 1977 film starring Burt Reynolds and Sally Field, is described as “an epic adventure of family, small-town crime, unlikely heroes, legend and legacy. Inspired by the genre of 70s and 80s drive-in double-features, the series explores the crossroads where humble realities meet those larger-than-life, all in a blast of tailpipe exhaust.”
Green will direct the pilot and co-write with Brian Sides. Seth MacFarlane and Erica Huggins of Fuzzy Door will executive produce under their overall deal with Ucp, alongside Green, Danny McBride, Jody Hill and Brandon James of Rough House Pictures.
In a statement, Green linked the project to his experience growing up in Texas. “Growing up in the south, ‘Smokey and the Bandit’ was an iconic franchise for me,” he said. “The legacy of these characters...
The project, based on the 1977 film starring Burt Reynolds and Sally Field, is described as “an epic adventure of family, small-town crime, unlikely heroes, legend and legacy. Inspired by the genre of 70s and 80s drive-in double-features, the series explores the crossroads where humble realities meet those larger-than-life, all in a blast of tailpipe exhaust.”
Green will direct the pilot and co-write with Brian Sides. Seth MacFarlane and Erica Huggins of Fuzzy Door will executive produce under their overall deal with Ucp, alongside Green, Danny McBride, Jody Hill and Brandon James of Rough House Pictures.
In a statement, Green linked the project to his experience growing up in Texas. “Growing up in the south, ‘Smokey and the Bandit’ was an iconic franchise for me,” he said. “The legacy of these characters...
- 10/21/2020
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
This is an attention-getter: Smokey and the Bandit is being remade for television by Halloween’s David Gordon Green and Brian Sides.
The pair are developing the adaptation of the 1977 Burt Reynolds movie with Ucp and Seth MacFarlane’s Fuzzy Door.
The movie, which was directed by stuntman Hal Needham, follows Reynolds’ Bo ‘Bandit’ Darville and Jerry Reed’s Cledus ‘Snowman’ Snow, two bootleggers attempting to illegally transport 400 cases of beer from Texarkana to Atlanta as they are being chased by Jackie Gleason’s county sheriff Buford T. Justice.
The series is described as an epic adventure of family, small-town crime, unlikely heroes, legend and legacy. Inspired by the genre of 70s and 80s drive-in double-features, the series explores the crossroads where humble realities meet those larger-than-life, all in a blast of tailpipe exhaust.
Gordon Green, who was born in Little Rock, Arkansas and grew up in Texas, recently revived the Halloween franchise,...
The pair are developing the adaptation of the 1977 Burt Reynolds movie with Ucp and Seth MacFarlane’s Fuzzy Door.
The movie, which was directed by stuntman Hal Needham, follows Reynolds’ Bo ‘Bandit’ Darville and Jerry Reed’s Cledus ‘Snowman’ Snow, two bootleggers attempting to illegally transport 400 cases of beer from Texarkana to Atlanta as they are being chased by Jackie Gleason’s county sheriff Buford T. Justice.
The series is described as an epic adventure of family, small-town crime, unlikely heroes, legend and legacy. Inspired by the genre of 70s and 80s drive-in double-features, the series explores the crossroads where humble realities meet those larger-than-life, all in a blast of tailpipe exhaust.
Gordon Green, who was born in Little Rock, Arkansas and grew up in Texas, recently revived the Halloween franchise,...
- 10/21/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: After a heated auction, Universal Pictures has landed a package for an untitled drama that has David Leitch directing Ryan Gosling. Drew Pearce, who wrote for Universal the Leitch-directed hit Fast and Furious spinoff Hobbs & Shaw, is set to write the script. The deal is seven figures.
Guymon Casady is producing through Entertainment 360, along with Gosling producing through his company and Leitch and his 87North partner Kelly McCormick. Several other studios also were in the mix including Netflix, Paramount and MGM. Universal has a strong relationship with Leitch and McCormick, whose 87North is in a first-look deal there.
For Leitch, the project is extremely personal. He is the rare stuntman and stunt coordinator who transitioned to become an A-list filmmaker; his John Wick co-director Chad Stahelski is another, and not many before that dating back to Hal Needham. Leitch, who also directed Deadpool 2, has for a while...
Guymon Casady is producing through Entertainment 360, along with Gosling producing through his company and Leitch and his 87North partner Kelly McCormick. Several other studios also were in the mix including Netflix, Paramount and MGM. Universal has a strong relationship with Leitch and McCormick, whose 87North is in a first-look deal there.
For Leitch, the project is extremely personal. He is the rare stuntman and stunt coordinator who transitioned to become an A-list filmmaker; his John Wick co-director Chad Stahelski is another, and not many before that dating back to Hal Needham. Leitch, who also directed Deadpool 2, has for a while...
- 9/23/2020
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
At Sunday’s Emmys Tyler Perry was honored with the Governors Award. It was presented by his pal Oprah Winfrey and Perry delivered a powerful acceptance speech that was a highlight of the virtual ceremony. The Oscars used to include honorary awards most years and these too were often the most memorable moments of the evening. In 2009, the academy moved these de facto lifetime achievement awards off of the Oscars and staged separate Governor Awards.
The ceremony in mid November has become a key date in awards season, with contenders getting to schmooze with academy members. When this year’s Oscars were postponed for several months back in June so too were the Governor Awards. But we haven’t heard an update on the status of these honorary Oscars since then.
By not being part of the televised Academy Awards, this has meant more people could be honored each year...
The ceremony in mid November has become a key date in awards season, with contenders getting to schmooze with academy members. When this year’s Oscars were postponed for several months back in June so too were the Governor Awards. But we haven’t heard an update on the status of these honorary Oscars since then.
By not being part of the televised Academy Awards, this has meant more people could be honored each year...
- 9/21/2020
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
The new distribution platform Altavod is about to give filmmakers — especially independent filmmakers — more control of their work.
With Utopia founder and filmmaker Robert Schwartzman and Cole Harper founded the new platform launches which launches today. Altavod provides distributors and independent filmmakers with full control to upload, manage and distribute their movies directly to consumers.
In addition, the platform provides transparent back-end data and analytics around consumer engagement to allow filmmakers to have real-time access to page impressions, sales and conversions related to their campaign — which is a first for a platform of its kind.
“Altavod was created to give filmmakers better opportunities for self-distribution,” said Schwartzman. “With Altavod, filmmakers have full control over rental and purchase pricing, release dates, location availability and creative marketing aspects. We are excited to introduce this service to the filmmaking community, especially during a time when digital consumer engagement is at an all-time high.
With Utopia founder and filmmaker Robert Schwartzman and Cole Harper founded the new platform launches which launches today. Altavod provides distributors and independent filmmakers with full control to upload, manage and distribute their movies directly to consumers.
In addition, the platform provides transparent back-end data and analytics around consumer engagement to allow filmmakers to have real-time access to page impressions, sales and conversions related to their campaign — which is a first for a platform of its kind.
“Altavod was created to give filmmakers better opportunities for self-distribution,” said Schwartzman. “With Altavod, filmmakers have full control over rental and purchase pricing, release dates, location availability and creative marketing aspects. We are excited to introduce this service to the filmmaking community, especially during a time when digital consumer engagement is at an all-time high.
- 9/2/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Legendary stuntman Buddy Joe Hooker joins Josh and Joe to discuss the movies that made him.
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Harold And Maude (1971)
White Lightning (1974)
Blazing Saddles (1974)
White Line Fever (1975)
Bound For Glory (1976)
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
The Outsider (1980)
Freebie And The Bean (1978)
Sharky’s Machine (1981)
First Blood (1982)
Night Shift (1982)
Rumble Fish (1983)
Against All Odds (1984)
To Live And Die In L.A. (1985)
F/X (1986)
Tucker The Man And His Dream (1988)
Sea of Love (1989)
Miami Blues (1990)
Thelma & Louise (1991)
Demolition Man (1993)
The Crow (1994)
Waterworld (1995)
From Dusk Till Dawn(1996)
Grosse Point Blank (1997)
Django Unchained (2012)
Kiss Meets The Phantom Of The Park (1978)
Once Upon A Time In Hollywood (2019)
Seven Samurai (1954)
Kagemusha (1980)
Ran (1985)
The Fugitive (1993)
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
The Bourne Identity (2002)
Casino Royale (2006)
Quantum of Solace (2008)
The Fast And The Furious (2001)
The Strongest Man In The World (1975)
The War of the Worlds (1953)
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Bullitt (1968)
Robbery (1967)
S.O.B. (1981)
Vanishing Point...
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Harold And Maude (1971)
White Lightning (1974)
Blazing Saddles (1974)
White Line Fever (1975)
Bound For Glory (1976)
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
The Outsider (1980)
Freebie And The Bean (1978)
Sharky’s Machine (1981)
First Blood (1982)
Night Shift (1982)
Rumble Fish (1983)
Against All Odds (1984)
To Live And Die In L.A. (1985)
F/X (1986)
Tucker The Man And His Dream (1988)
Sea of Love (1989)
Miami Blues (1990)
Thelma & Louise (1991)
Demolition Man (1993)
The Crow (1994)
Waterworld (1995)
From Dusk Till Dawn(1996)
Grosse Point Blank (1997)
Django Unchained (2012)
Kiss Meets The Phantom Of The Park (1978)
Once Upon A Time In Hollywood (2019)
Seven Samurai (1954)
Kagemusha (1980)
Ran (1985)
The Fugitive (1993)
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
The Bourne Identity (2002)
Casino Royale (2006)
Quantum of Solace (2008)
The Fast And The Furious (2001)
The Strongest Man In The World (1975)
The War of the Worlds (1953)
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Bullitt (1968)
Robbery (1967)
S.O.B. (1981)
Vanishing Point...
- 8/11/2020
- by Kris Millsap
- Trailers from Hell
For only the second time in the five months of parallel theatrical/Video on Demand releases, one film led grosses both in available theaters and on at least one home viewing chart. Dave Franco’s “The Rental” (IFC) grossed $404,000 in 250 theaters, two thirds of them drive-ins, to easily best several library titles made available this week. “The Karate Kid” (1984) was #2 with about half that gross from a larger number of theaters.
The horror thriller, starring Dan Stevens and Alison Brie, about two couples at a vacation rental facing unexpected terror, also placed #1 on Apple TV’s list of most viewed titles. With the film only released on Friday (too late for inclusion on other current charts), this is likely only a harbinger of more success as other lists are updated.
Unlike “Trolls World Tour” (Universal), the previous dual top placer, this is a standard price rental ($5.99-$6.99 depending on venue...
The horror thriller, starring Dan Stevens and Alison Brie, about two couples at a vacation rental facing unexpected terror, also placed #1 on Apple TV’s list of most viewed titles. With the film only released on Friday (too late for inclusion on other current charts), this is likely only a harbinger of more success as other lists are updated.
Unlike “Trolls World Tour” (Universal), the previous dual top placer, this is a standard price rental ($5.99-$6.99 depending on venue...
- 7/28/2020
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
As someone who has been a huge fan of Talia Shire’s work for decades now, this writer was absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to speak with her recently in support of the recent restoration of Hal Needham’s Rad, which celebrated the BMX Bike craze that was all the rage during the 1980s.
For Shire, the project has always been a family affair; her late husband Jack Schwartzman produced Rad, and her son Robert has been the driving force behind the film finding a new life after nearly 35 years now. Rad was recently released by Vinegar Syndrome in 4K Ultra HD and on Blu-ray, and it’s also headed to AltaVOD on Friday, July 10th, with a subsequent On Demand Release on July 24th.
During my recent conversation with Shire, we discussed the timing of Rad’s resurrection, how personal the film and this restoration process has been for her and her family,...
For Shire, the project has always been a family affair; her late husband Jack Schwartzman produced Rad, and her son Robert has been the driving force behind the film finding a new life after nearly 35 years now. Rad was recently released by Vinegar Syndrome in 4K Ultra HD and on Blu-ray, and it’s also headed to AltaVOD on Friday, July 10th, with a subsequent On Demand Release on July 24th.
During my recent conversation with Shire, we discussed the timing of Rad’s resurrection, how personal the film and this restoration process has been for her and her family,...
- 7/7/2020
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
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By Doug Oswald
William Holden commands a newly formed commando group in “The Devil’s Brigade,” available by Kino Lorber on Blu-ray. On the heels of the successful “The Dirty Dozen” from the previous year, “The Devil’s Brigade” is based on the 1966 book by Robert H. Adleman and Colonel George Walton. It chronicles the true events of the 1st Special Service, a joint American and Canadian commando unit assigned to the United States Fifth Army. Inspired by true events, the movie follows the standard tropes of this type of action adventure men- at -war movie. A rag-tag group of soldiers are brought together for a mission, they initially mistrust each other, get into a fight, train together, get into another fight this time working together against another group, graduate from their training and then deploy on their mission to fight the enemy.
By Doug Oswald
William Holden commands a newly formed commando group in “The Devil’s Brigade,” available by Kino Lorber on Blu-ray. On the heels of the successful “The Dirty Dozen” from the previous year, “The Devil’s Brigade” is based on the 1966 book by Robert H. Adleman and Colonel George Walton. It chronicles the true events of the 1st Special Service, a joint American and Canadian commando unit assigned to the United States Fifth Army. Inspired by true events, the movie follows the standard tropes of this type of action adventure men- at -war movie. A rag-tag group of soldiers are brought together for a mission, they initially mistrust each other, get into a fight, train together, get into another fight this time working together against another group, graduate from their training and then deploy on their mission to fight the enemy.
- 7/3/2020
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
“How would you like to be the man responsible for bringing BMX to all the small towns in the USA?”
Utopia Distribution announced recently that the company will be re-releasing the 1986 BMX cult classic Rad for the first time on DVD and On Demand this summer. The film, which was scheduled to have a 4K Restoration World Premiere at the 2020 SXSW Film Festival, will launch across all Tvod and On Demand platforms on Friday, July 24th, with a ‘special edition’ premiere on the new digital streaming platform Altavod on Friday, July 10th and now available on Blu-ray directly through Vinegar Syndrome. Check out this new trailer:
Originally released in 1986 during the rise of the BMX bike craze, this powerful piece of pop cultural nostalgia is finally coming to disc, newly restored in 4K from its original negative by Fotokem. The film follows Cru Jones (Bill Allen), a small town kid...
Utopia Distribution announced recently that the company will be re-releasing the 1986 BMX cult classic Rad for the first time on DVD and On Demand this summer. The film, which was scheduled to have a 4K Restoration World Premiere at the 2020 SXSW Film Festival, will launch across all Tvod and On Demand platforms on Friday, July 24th, with a ‘special edition’ premiere on the new digital streaming platform Altavod on Friday, July 10th and now available on Blu-ray directly through Vinegar Syndrome. Check out this new trailer:
Originally released in 1986 during the rise of the BMX bike craze, this powerful piece of pop cultural nostalgia is finally coming to disc, newly restored in 4K from its original negative by Fotokem. The film follows Cru Jones (Bill Allen), a small town kid...
- 7/1/2020
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
In the early 1980s, Cinefantastique was an extraordinarily detailed and authoritative sci-fi film magazine. Founded as a mimeographed fanzine a year before the 1968 release of “2001: A Space Odyssey,” it became a serious, almost scholarly glossy. And in 1982, Cinefantastique opened the year with a double issue that featured “Blade Runner,” Ridley Scott’s adaptation of Philip K. Dick’s novel, “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?”
Looking back, Cinefantastique was right to recognize “Blade Runner;” its impact is still felt nearly 40 years later. However, in 1982 the $65 million production grossed just $41 million worldwide as one sci-fi title among many. June 11 saw the release of Steven Spielberg’s instant classic “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial;” June 4 was “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.” Those far less complex, more audience-friendly titles had already grossed over $125 million (this and all grosses here adjusted to 2020 values).
June 25 also saw the debut of “The Thing,” John Carpenter’s remake of the 1951 classic,...
Looking back, Cinefantastique was right to recognize “Blade Runner;” its impact is still felt nearly 40 years later. However, in 1982 the $65 million production grossed just $41 million worldwide as one sci-fi title among many. June 11 saw the release of Steven Spielberg’s instant classic “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial;” June 4 was “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.” Those far less complex, more audience-friendly titles had already grossed over $125 million (this and all grosses here adjusted to 2020 values).
June 25 also saw the debut of “The Thing,” John Carpenter’s remake of the 1951 classic,...
- 6/28/2020
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
Whether you experienced the Helltrack on the big screen in the ’80s or you've ridden it vicariously over the years from the comfort of your own couch, then you'll be pleased to know that Hal Needham's BMX movie Rad has been restored in 4K and is coming to Altavod on July 10th, followed by a VOD release on July 24th.
The Rad restoration was lovingly overseen by legendary actress Talia Shire and filmmaker Robert Coppola Schwartzman, the wife and son (respectively) of the late Rad producer Jack Schwartzman.
You can get a look at the new restoration in the official trailer below, stay tuned to Daily Dead for more coverage of Rad, and to learn more, visit:
https://www.altavod.com/content/rad
"Originally released in 1986 during the rise of the BMX bike craze, this powerful piece of pop cultural nostalgia is finally coming to disc, newly restored in...
The Rad restoration was lovingly overseen by legendary actress Talia Shire and filmmaker Robert Coppola Schwartzman, the wife and son (respectively) of the late Rad producer Jack Schwartzman.
You can get a look at the new restoration in the official trailer below, stay tuned to Daily Dead for more coverage of Rad, and to learn more, visit:
https://www.altavod.com/content/rad
"Originally released in 1986 during the rise of the BMX bike craze, this powerful piece of pop cultural nostalgia is finally coming to disc, newly restored in...
- 6/24/2020
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Don't worry, dude! If you missed seeing Hal Needham's Rad when it was released in theaters in 1986 -- that's me -- and then missed seeing a restored version during the SXSW film festival in March -- because the festival was cancelled -- and then missed out on ordering a limited-edition Blu-ray copy from the good folks at Vinegar Syndrome when it was recently released and then promptly sold out -- that's me, too! -- then there is no need to worry! What, me worry? Originally produced by the late Jack Schwartzman, the film has been restored by his wife and son - actress Talia Shire and filmmaker Robert Coppola Schwartzman. Rad will be available on AltaVOD on Friday, July 10, and then will be...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 6/22/2020
- Screen Anarchy
Rad (1986) is available on Altavod and VOD this July and it is now available on Blu-Ray through Vinegar Syndrome. Check out this new trailer:
Originally released in 1986 during the rise of the BMX bike craze, this powerful piece of pop cultural nostalgia is finally coming to disc, newly restored in 4K from its original negative by Fotokem. The film follows Cru Jones (Bill Allen), a small town kid determined to win an infamous BMX race set on a nearly impossible course known as Helltrack. A sleeper hit upon its initial release, Rad has become one of the iconic cult films of the 1980s and amongst BMX professionals, spawning fan clubs and repertory film screenings for decades.
“This is a very personal project for me. My Father produced the film, my brother John filmed the opening and closing credits, my Mother plays Cru’s Mom; my family grew up in and...
Originally released in 1986 during the rise of the BMX bike craze, this powerful piece of pop cultural nostalgia is finally coming to disc, newly restored in 4K from its original negative by Fotokem. The film follows Cru Jones (Bill Allen), a small town kid determined to win an infamous BMX race set on a nearly impossible course known as Helltrack. A sleeper hit upon its initial release, Rad has become one of the iconic cult films of the 1980s and amongst BMX professionals, spawning fan clubs and repertory film screenings for decades.
“This is a very personal project for me. My Father produced the film, my brother John filmed the opening and closing credits, my Mother plays Cru’s Mom; my family grew up in and...
- 6/22/2020
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
This week, the gang at How Did This Get Made? covered Megaforce (1982), an over-the-top action film directed by famed stuntman, Hal Needham. The first person I got in contact with was Megaforce’s producer, Al Ruddy. But unfortunately, he replied, “I’m participating in a German-produced documentary on the film currently and with my other projects, […]
The post How Did This Get Made: A Conversation With Al Ruddy, Producer of ‘The Godfather,’ ‘Megaforce,’ and ‘Ladybugs’ appeared first on /Film.
The post How Did This Get Made: A Conversation With Al Ruddy, Producer of ‘The Godfather,’ ‘Megaforce,’ and ‘Ladybugs’ appeared first on /Film.
- 5/29/2020
- by Blake Harris
- Slash Film
Gravitas Ventures has set multi-picture output deal with Kamikaze Dogfight to release up to two horror/thriller genre titles per month in an effort to bolster its film slate. Kamikaze Dogfight, led by Andrew van den Houten and Han Soto, was spawned on the heels of van den Houten and Soto’s recently produced revenge thriller, Don’t Look Back, the feature directorial debut from genre veteran Jeffrey Reddick (Final Destination creator-writer). “Horror fans are the most loyal and supportive out there,” said van den Houten. “Giving new and established filmmakers a platform to elevate their film’s release with the strongest key art, trailers and positioning is most important to us. Whether a film is a theatrical or digital release, through our trusted partnership with Gravitas, our curation will be able to reach over a hundred million viewers at any given time.” Added Soto, “It’s exciting to be partnering...
- 5/27/2020
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Utopia announced today that the company will be re-releasing the 1986Bmx cult classic Rad for the first time on DVD and On Demand this summer. The film, which was scheduled to have a 4K Restoration World Premiere at the 2020 SXSW Film Festival, will launch across all Tvod and On Demand platforms on Friday, July 24th, with a ‘special edition’ premiere on new digital streaming platform Altavod on Friday, July 10th and now available on Blu-ray directly through Vinegar Syndrome.
Originally released in 1986 during the rise of the BMX bike craze, this powerful piece of pop cultural nostalgia is finally coming to disc, newly restored in 4K from its original negative by Fotokem. The film follows Cru Jones (Bill Allen), a small town kid determined to win an infamous BMX race set on a nearly impossible course known as Helltrack. A sleeper hit upon its initial release, Rad has become one...
Originally released in 1986 during the rise of the BMX bike craze, this powerful piece of pop cultural nostalgia is finally coming to disc, newly restored in 4K from its original negative by Fotokem. The film follows Cru Jones (Bill Allen), a small town kid determined to win an infamous BMX race set on a nearly impossible course known as Helltrack. A sleeper hit upon its initial release, Rad has become one...
- 5/27/2020
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The movie stuntman has directed bone-crunching thriller Extraction – and says that CGI will never replace the thrill of seeing a real person risking life and limb on screen
The stunt performers who have made it as directors can be counted on the broken fingers of one bandaged hand. In the 70s and 80s there was Hal Needham (director of Smokey and the Bandit and reportedly the inspiration for Brad Pitt’s character in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) and Buddy Van Horn (Any Which Way You Can). But the past decade has brought a clutch of new examples: Chad Stahelski (the John Wick trilogy), David Leitch and now Sam Hargrave, the prodigiously bearded, 37-year-old stunt coordinator who doubled regularly for Chris Evans as Captain America.
Related: Extraction review – hokey, high-octane action thriller...
The stunt performers who have made it as directors can be counted on the broken fingers of one bandaged hand. In the 70s and 80s there was Hal Needham (director of Smokey and the Bandit and reportedly the inspiration for Brad Pitt’s character in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) and Buddy Van Horn (Any Which Way You Can). But the past decade has brought a clutch of new examples: Chad Stahelski (the John Wick trilogy), David Leitch and now Sam Hargrave, the prodigiously bearded, 37-year-old stunt coordinator who doubled regularly for Chris Evans as Captain America.
Related: Extraction review – hokey, high-octane action thriller...
- 4/29/2020
- by Ryan Gilbey
- The Guardian - Film News
There’s nothing like a good car chase in a movie. Maybe it’s the daring-do of the stunt drivers that makes you feel you’re in danger even though you’re comfortably in your seat, or the high stakes of the moment in which the characters we’re rooting for will either get out of the situation or have a gruesome finale, but an impressive car-chase scene can make even a mediocre movie a beloved classic. What makes a car chase legendary, you ask? They’re the ones that keep you at the edge of your seat and actually fit in with the rest of the plot. While the “Fast and Furious” movies have collectively taken the car chase to the next level, they don’t count. They’re far too CGI-enhanced. The 1970’s may have marked a new age in American cinema, but it was also a decade...
- 4/24/2020
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Contrary Mercenary: Hargrave’s Debut Holds Steady with Routinely Staged Action
There’s a rich, albeit somewhat underappreciated tradition of notable stuntmen who segue into the director’s chair, some who have managed to steer iconic classics, others who have formatted a serviceable career on bigger B-movies in recent years, like Ric Roman Waugh (Felon; Snitch; Angel Has Fallen), or even marched into art-house territory (Nash Edgerton with Spider or the broadly comedic Gringo). None have perhaps matched the franchise success of Chad Stahelski and David Leitch with their John Wick series.…...
There’s a rich, albeit somewhat underappreciated tradition of notable stuntmen who segue into the director’s chair, some who have managed to steer iconic classics, others who have formatted a serviceable career on bigger B-movies in recent years, like Ric Roman Waugh (Felon; Snitch; Angel Has Fallen), or even marched into art-house territory (Nash Edgerton with Spider or the broadly comedic Gringo). None have perhaps matched the franchise success of Chad Stahelski and David Leitch with their John Wick series.…...
- 4/22/2020
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
After unveiling its first lineup of feature film offerings last month, the SXSW Film Festival is rolling out more additions to its 2020 program. The annual Texas festival has already announced its features and episodic premieres, and now those picks are joined by Midnighters, Festival Favorites, Shorts, and Special Events, plus late-addition features and the full list of Episodic Pilot Competition shows.
This year’s program has 135 Feature Films, including 99 world premieres, nine North American premieres, five U.S. Premieres, 75 films from first-time filmmakers, and 119 short films. The lineup also features music videos, episodic premieres, pilots, special events, and Vr projects.
Today’s announcement sees additions to nearly every section of the feature film lineup, including the popular Midnighters section. Standouts include there Shana Feste’s “Run Sweetheart Run” and Natalie Erick James’ “Relic,” both of which premiered at Sundance in January, along with the U.S. premiere of Keith Thomas...
This year’s program has 135 Feature Films, including 99 world premieres, nine North American premieres, five U.S. Premieres, 75 films from first-time filmmakers, and 119 short films. The lineup also features music videos, episodic premieres, pilots, special events, and Vr projects.
Today’s announcement sees additions to nearly every section of the feature film lineup, including the popular Midnighters section. Standouts include there Shana Feste’s “Run Sweetheart Run” and Natalie Erick James’ “Relic,” both of which premiered at Sundance in January, along with the U.S. premiere of Keith Thomas...
- 2/5/2020
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Honorary Oscars for 2019 will be presented this Sunday, October 27. That’s earlier than ever due to a much short Academy Awards season this year. Trophies will be presented at the Governors Awards in Hollywood to actress Geena Davis, director David Lynch, actor Wes Studi and director Lina Wertmuller. Members of the Academy board of governors chose and announced these four recipients back in the early summer.
Davis is receiving the Jean Hersholt Award for her humanitarian work. She won the Best Supporting Actress trophy for “The Accidental Tourist” (1988) and was also nominated for “Thelma and Louise” (1991). Other films in her career have included “The Fly,” “Beetlejuice,” “A League of Their Own” and “Speechless.”
SEEGeena Davis movies: 15 greatest films ranked from worst to best
Lynch has received three directing nominations in his career for “The Elephant Man” (1980), “Blue Velvet” (1986) and “Mulholland Drive” (2001). He was also nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay for “The Elephant Man.
Davis is receiving the Jean Hersholt Award for her humanitarian work. She won the Best Supporting Actress trophy for “The Accidental Tourist” (1988) and was also nominated for “Thelma and Louise” (1991). Other films in her career have included “The Fly,” “Beetlejuice,” “A League of Their Own” and “Speechless.”
SEEGeena Davis movies: 15 greatest films ranked from worst to best
Lynch has received three directing nominations in his career for “The Elephant Man” (1980), “Blue Velvet” (1986) and “Mulholland Drive” (2001). He was also nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay for “The Elephant Man.
- 10/26/2019
- by Chris Beachum and Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
By John M. Whalen
Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time . . . in Hollywood” is a mad, wild romp through a film geek’s mind—a hallucinatory homage to America’s dream factory. It’s also a funny/sad farewell to a time when people believed in the dreams the factory once delivered on a regular basis. Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) is an actor who once had a popular TV western series called “Bounty Law.” The series got canceled and he’s making a living playing villains in guest star roles in other TV series. His agent Marvin Schwarzs (Al Pacino) advises him to go to Italy to make spaghetti westerns lest he finally fade into bad guy oblivion. Dalton’s friend, stunt double, and confidence booster, Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt), thinks it would be a great idea, especially since Dalton’s drinking is beginning to impact his career.
Tarantino plays...
Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time . . . in Hollywood” is a mad, wild romp through a film geek’s mind—a hallucinatory homage to America’s dream factory. It’s also a funny/sad farewell to a time when people believed in the dreams the factory once delivered on a regular basis. Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) is an actor who once had a popular TV western series called “Bounty Law.” The series got canceled and he’s making a living playing villains in guest star roles in other TV series. His agent Marvin Schwarzs (Al Pacino) advises him to go to Italy to make spaghetti westerns lest he finally fade into bad guy oblivion. Dalton’s friend, stunt double, and confidence booster, Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt), thinks it would be a great idea, especially since Dalton’s drinking is beginning to impact his career.
Tarantino plays...
- 7/28/2019
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
To fully appreciate some of the allusions and inspirations that propel Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” you should consider doing some homework — or streaming some other movies.
Of course, you don’t have to be familiar with any of the following titles to enjoy Tarantino’s 1969-set fact-and-fiction mashup about Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio), an actor flailing in professional limbo after the cancellation of his TV Western “Bounty Law”; Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt), Dalton’s long-time stunt double and close confidant; and Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie), a rising star and Dalton’s next-door neighbor. But you can enhance your enjoyment by having some knowledge of the stories behind the story.
“The Bandit” (2016)
Jesse Moss’ entertaining and insightful documentary is putatively about the making of 1977’s “Smokey and the Bandit,” but more interestingly concerned with the personal and professional bonds between superstar Burt Reynolds and stuntman-turned-filmmaker Hal Needham.
Of course, you don’t have to be familiar with any of the following titles to enjoy Tarantino’s 1969-set fact-and-fiction mashup about Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio), an actor flailing in professional limbo after the cancellation of his TV Western “Bounty Law”; Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt), Dalton’s long-time stunt double and close confidant; and Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie), a rising star and Dalton’s next-door neighbor. But you can enhance your enjoyment by having some knowledge of the stories behind the story.
“The Bandit” (2016)
Jesse Moss’ entertaining and insightful documentary is putatively about the making of 1977’s “Smokey and the Bandit,” but more interestingly concerned with the personal and professional bonds between superstar Burt Reynolds and stuntman-turned-filmmaker Hal Needham.
- 7/25/2019
- by Joe Leydon
- Variety Film + TV
It starts with the title — and let’s face it, Quentin Tarantino has always had a knack for great movie titles. How a joke about a Louis Malle movie gave birth to the cryptic phrase Reservoir Dogs is as much a part of his origin story as working at a video store. The man singlehandedly reintroduced the word pulp back into the pop vernacular. Inglourious Basterds wasn’t an original handle, but thematically, it was a beautifully borrowed, misspelled “bingo!” for his World War II story. You did not need...
- 7/25/2019
- by David Fear
- Rollingstone.com
Honorary Oscars for 2019 will be going to actress Geena Davis, director David Lynch, actor Wes Studi and director Lina Wertmuller. Members of the Academy board of governors have chosen these four people over the weekend for Academy Awards that will be given out a special Governors Awards ceremony in October.
Davis is receiving the Jean Hersholt Award for her humanitarian work. She won the Best Supporting Actress trophy for “The Accidental Tourist” (1988) and was also nominated for “Thelma and Louise” (1991). Other films in her career have included “The Fly,” “Beetlejuice,” “A League of Their Own” and “Speechless.”
SEEGeena Davis movies: 15 greatest films ranked from worst to best
Lynch has received three directing nominations in his career for “The Elephant Man” (1980), “Blue Velvet” (1986) and “Mulholland Drive” (2001). He was also nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay for “The Elephant Man.” Other films have included “Eraserhead,” “Dune,” “Wild at Heart,” “Lost Highway” and “The Straight Story.
Davis is receiving the Jean Hersholt Award for her humanitarian work. She won the Best Supporting Actress trophy for “The Accidental Tourist” (1988) and was also nominated for “Thelma and Louise” (1991). Other films in her career have included “The Fly,” “Beetlejuice,” “A League of Their Own” and “Speechless.”
SEEGeena Davis movies: 15 greatest films ranked from worst to best
Lynch has received three directing nominations in his career for “The Elephant Man” (1980), “Blue Velvet” (1986) and “Mulholland Drive” (2001). He was also nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay for “The Elephant Man.” Other films have included “Eraserhead,” “Dune,” “Wild at Heart,” “Lost Highway” and “The Straight Story.
- 6/3/2019
- by Chris Beachum and Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
Taking a page from Quentin Tarantino’s Instagram post this week imploring Cannes Film Festival audiences to keep the details of his competition film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood secret, Festival Artistic Director Thierry Fremaux did a highly unorthodox thing at the beginning of tonight’s world premiere gala screening. After conferring with Tarantino in the lobby for a few minutes, he came down and jumped onstage to tell the turnaway capacity crowd — in French, of course — to keep spoilers to themselves and not reveal key plot points. That is a very good idea because one of the great joys of this terrific, entertaining, funny, bittersweet, personal, movie-lover’s film is not knowing where it is going. Tarantino once again presents something completely unexpected, mixing together fiction and real events in ways that are meant to be discovered, not ruined. Do yourself a favor and don’t let anyone spoil it for you.
- 5/21/2019
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
By John M. Whalen
Back in 1978, Burt Reynolds was still at the beginning of a cycle of six action comedies that he made with director Hal Needham—a cycle that started with “Smokey and the Bandit “(1977) and ended with “Cannonball Run II” (1984). One of the best of these films was “Hooper”—a tribute to Hollywood’s unsung hero, the Hollywood stunt man. “Hooper” was a very personal film for both Reynolds and Needham who both started their movie careers as stunt doubles. Needham started doing stunt work in the early years of live TV in New York and is best remembered for his stunt driving in Steve McQueen’s “Bullitt” (1968). Reynolds also began in TV and parlayed his athletic ability along with his good looks to become one of tinseltown’s biggest stars. In a very real way, “Hooper” is even more personal film for Reynolds, because one of the...
Back in 1978, Burt Reynolds was still at the beginning of a cycle of six action comedies that he made with director Hal Needham—a cycle that started with “Smokey and the Bandit “(1977) and ended with “Cannonball Run II” (1984). One of the best of these films was “Hooper”—a tribute to Hollywood’s unsung hero, the Hollywood stunt man. “Hooper” was a very personal film for both Reynolds and Needham who both started their movie careers as stunt doubles. Needham started doing stunt work in the early years of live TV in New York and is best remembered for his stunt driving in Steve McQueen’s “Bullitt” (1968). Reynolds also began in TV and parlayed his athletic ability along with his good looks to become one of tinseltown’s biggest stars. In a very real way, “Hooper” is even more personal film for Reynolds, because one of the...
- 4/20/2019
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
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