Even more than his long-time colleague and friend, Steven Spielberg, George Lucas is the boy who never grew up. For one, Star Wars is so inspired by sci-fi serials like Flash Gordon and the WWII dogfight movies that his imagined sci-fi universe feels oddly antiquated, and befitting its setting in a moment “a long, long time ago.” No less fitting is that American Graffiti, Lucas’s breakout hit, is a love letter to his youth in the 1950s and ’60s, and that it’s become the ur-text of the nostalgia movie as a subgenre. Everything from Happy Days to The Big Chill lives in its shadow, though given the shininess of the film’s surfaces, from the neon-lit drive-ins to chrome-plated cars that have been buffed to perfection, perhaps it’s more accurate to say that the film’s descendants are illuminated by its gleaming glow.
American Graffiti has the most threadbare of plots.
American Graffiti has the most threadbare of plots.
- 11/8/2023
- by Jake Cole
- Slant Magazine
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Thanks to the release of "Star Wars" in 1977 — before it had any episode number or subtitle — Harrison Ford was transformed from being a mostly unknown character actor into cinema's ultimate cool guy. He was the roguish hero who could approach everything with a wink and a smirk, putting forth the veneer of someone whose loyalties you question but ultimately know will do the right thing. Not only did it change the trajectory of the actor's career, helping to make him one of the biggest movie stars in the world for the next nearly 50 years, but it redefined a new template for a character that every adventure movie tried to replicate thereafter.
The thing that is important to remember, though, is that Harrison Ford isn't Han Solo. Nor is he Indiana Jones or Richard Kimball. He is Harrison Ford, a regular...
Thanks to the release of "Star Wars" in 1977 — before it had any episode number or subtitle — Harrison Ford was transformed from being a mostly unknown character actor into cinema's ultimate cool guy. He was the roguish hero who could approach everything with a wink and a smirk, putting forth the veneer of someone whose loyalties you question but ultimately know will do the right thing. Not only did it change the trajectory of the actor's career, helping to make him one of the biggest movie stars in the world for the next nearly 50 years, but it redefined a new template for a character that every adventure movie tried to replicate thereafter.
The thing that is important to remember, though, is that Harrison Ford isn't Han Solo. Nor is he Indiana Jones or Richard Kimball. He is Harrison Ford, a regular...
- 10/8/2023
- by Mike Shutt
- Slash Film
Bo Goldman, the late-blooming guru of screenwriting who received Academy Awards for his work on One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Melvin and Howard, has died. He was 90.
Goldman died Tuesday in Helendale, California, his son-in-law, director Todd Field, told The New York Times.
Goldman’s first screenplay was, years after he wrote it, directed by Alan Parker for Shoot the Moon (1982), which featured Diane Keaton and Albert Finney in a raw, seriocomic drama about a disintegrating marriage.
He also co-wrote the Mark Rydell-directed rock drama The Rose (1979), starring Bette Midler in an Oscar-nominated turn, and Martin Brest’s Scent of a Woman (1992), which netted him his third Academy Award nom (and Al Pacino the best actor Oscar, too).
Goldman was one of the handful of screenwriters — Paddy Chayefsky, Francis Ford Coppola, Horton Foote, William Goldman, Billy Wilder and Joel and Ethan Coen among them — to win Academy...
Goldman died Tuesday in Helendale, California, his son-in-law, director Todd Field, told The New York Times.
Goldman’s first screenplay was, years after he wrote it, directed by Alan Parker for Shoot the Moon (1982), which featured Diane Keaton and Albert Finney in a raw, seriocomic drama about a disintegrating marriage.
He also co-wrote the Mark Rydell-directed rock drama The Rose (1979), starring Bette Midler in an Oscar-nominated turn, and Martin Brest’s Scent of a Woman (1992), which netted him his third Academy Award nom (and Al Pacino the best actor Oscar, too).
Goldman was one of the handful of screenwriters — Paddy Chayefsky, Francis Ford Coppola, Horton Foote, William Goldman, Billy Wilder and Joel and Ethan Coen among them — to win Academy...
- 7/26/2023
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Puppet Master episode of Best Horror Movie You Never Saw was Written by Cody Hamman, Narrated by Jason Hewlett, Edited by Paul Bookstaber, Produced by John Fallon and Tyler Nichols, and Executive Produced by Berge Garabedian.
Counting all sequels, prequels, spin-offs, crossovers, and even a Fangoria reboot, there are over a dozen entries in the Puppet Master franchise. Which can make the idea of diving into it rather intimidating. Especially since some of the films don’t have a stellar reputation. But while the series has ups and downs, there are some great entries. And its legion of living puppets – which can be villains or heroes, depending on who’s pulling their strings – are characters you have to see in action. So we’re urging you to give at least some of these films a chance. Starting with the very first Puppet Master (watch it Here)… which may be...
Counting all sequels, prequels, spin-offs, crossovers, and even a Fangoria reboot, there are over a dozen entries in the Puppet Master franchise. Which can make the idea of diving into it rather intimidating. Especially since some of the films don’t have a stellar reputation. But while the series has ups and downs, there are some great entries. And its legion of living puppets – which can be villains or heroes, depending on who’s pulling their strings – are characters you have to see in action. So we’re urging you to give at least some of these films a chance. Starting with the very first Puppet Master (watch it Here)… which may be...
- 5/16/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Harrison Ford nearly torpedoed his career early on as a member of Columbia Pictures' New Talent Program in the 1960s. The wet-behind-the-ears actor had the stature and looks of a born movie star, but he didn't want to coast on his physical gifts. When a studio executive told him Tony Curtis had famously distinguished himself as a star by popping off the screen as a delivery boy, Ford countered that Curtis had blown the assignment by being a star, not a delivery boy.
Ford stuck to his code as an actor by tending to the needs of his characters in classics like "American Graffiti" and "The Conversation," rather than trying to blow Paul Le Mat or Gene Hackman off the screen. He waited until a part called for him to throw the switch, at which point he gave us an intergalactic scoundrel whose cocksure charm is repeatedly undercut by his leap-without-looking decision-making.
Ford stuck to his code as an actor by tending to the needs of his characters in classics like "American Graffiti" and "The Conversation," rather than trying to blow Paul Le Mat or Gene Hackman off the screen. He waited until a part called for him to throw the switch, at which point he gave us an intergalactic scoundrel whose cocksure charm is repeatedly undercut by his leap-without-looking decision-making.
- 2/22/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Cindy Williams, who starred in the smash Happy Days spinoff Laverne & Shirley after appearing in two Best Picture Oscar nominees — George Lucas’ American Graffiti and Francis Ford Coppola’s The Conversation — has died. She was 75. Her family told the Associated Press today that the actress died Wednesday after a brief illness.
“The passing of our kind, hilarious mother, Cindy Williams, has brought us insurmountable sadness that could never truly be expressed,” reads the statement from her children, Emily and Zak Hudson, relayed through a spokesperson. “Knowing and loving her has been our joy and privilege. She was one of a kind, beautiful, generous and possessed a brilliant sense of humor and a glittering spirit that everyone loved.”
Related Story Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2023: Photo Gallery & Obituaries Related Story Laverne Cox & George Wallace Comedy 'Clean Slate' Produced By Norman Lear Gets Amazon Freevee Series Order Related Story Laverne...
“The passing of our kind, hilarious mother, Cindy Williams, has brought us insurmountable sadness that could never truly be expressed,” reads the statement from her children, Emily and Zak Hudson, relayed through a spokesperson. “Knowing and loving her has been our joy and privilege. She was one of a kind, beautiful, generous and possessed a brilliant sense of humor and a glittering spirit that everyone loved.”
Related Story Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2023: Photo Gallery & Obituaries Related Story Laverne Cox & George Wallace Comedy 'Clean Slate' Produced By Norman Lear Gets Amazon Freevee Series Order Related Story Laverne...
- 1/31/2023
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Before traversing the galaxy in the Millennium Falcon, Harrison Ford cruised the strip around Modesto, California, in his '55 Chevy in George Lucas's coming-of-age dramedy "American Graffiti." It was something of a breakout role for Ford, who managed to make the drag racing cowboy Bob Falfa stand out in a relatively short amount of screen time. Ford turned 30 during filming, and had already been put through the cookie cutter machine of the Hollywood system. Appearing in bit parts on shows like "The F.B.I." to little fanfare, Ford became a carpenter to the stars, even building a recording studio for bossa nova legend Sergio Mendes. Embittered by his experiences as a performer, Ford still had the acting bug in his blood, though. His father was a radio actor and ad man from Chicago -- and his grandfather was a vaudevillian.
But no matter what Ford tried, he just wasn't getting noticed.
But no matter what Ford tried, he just wasn't getting noticed.
- 1/19/2023
- by Drew Tinnin
- Slash Film
Had all gone according to a very vague plan, Jacques Demy's "Model Shop" would've turned Harrison Ford into a movie star — or, at the very least, it would've given him his first lead role. Columbia Pictures had zero faith in the unknown Ford, so they insisted on Gary Lockwood, who'd just played Frank Poole in Stanley Kubrick's "2001: A Space Opera." Needing to make a living to support his young family, Ford became a carpenter.
Being a carpenter in Hollywood brought Ford into the homes of several prominent artists (e.g. Joan Didion and John Gregory Dunne). Producer Fred Roos, a Francis Ford Coppola associate, was especially taken with Ford, and introduced him to Coppola's friend and filmmaking protege George Lucas. Maybe this charming, ruggedly handsome handyman could bring Bob Falfa, the street-racing rival to Paul Le Mat's John Milner, to rakish life in "American Graffiti."
Ford delivered,...
Being a carpenter in Hollywood brought Ford into the homes of several prominent artists (e.g. Joan Didion and John Gregory Dunne). Producer Fred Roos, a Francis Ford Coppola associate, was especially taken with Ford, and introduced him to Coppola's friend and filmmaking protege George Lucas. Maybe this charming, ruggedly handsome handyman could bring Bob Falfa, the street-racing rival to Paul Le Mat's John Milner, to rakish life in "American Graffiti."
Ford delivered,...
- 12/8/2022
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Jack Kehler, a prolific character actor, died Saturday from complications due to leukemia at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, Calif. He was 75 years old.
Kehler’s death was confirmed by his son, Eddie Kehler.
Born May 22, 1946 in Philadelphia, Pa., Kehler set his career off in acting at the age of 24 by beginning to work in theater. In 1982, Kehler fell in with Sanford Meisner and Wynn Handman, beginning his tenure as a lifelong member of the Actors Studio.
Soon after, Kehler relocated to Los Angeles where he began to accrue supporting roles in film and television. His first screen credit came in 1983 with Michael Laughlin’s sci-fi release “Strange Invaders,” starring Paul Le Mat and Nancy Allen. Kehler is credited as a gas station attendant in the film.
Kehler spent the remainder of the 1980’s primarily working in television, making appearances on “Hill Street Blues,” “Fresno,” “Cagney & Lacey” and “St. Elsewhere.
Kehler’s death was confirmed by his son, Eddie Kehler.
Born May 22, 1946 in Philadelphia, Pa., Kehler set his career off in acting at the age of 24 by beginning to work in theater. In 1982, Kehler fell in with Sanford Meisner and Wynn Handman, beginning his tenure as a lifelong member of the Actors Studio.
Soon after, Kehler relocated to Los Angeles where he began to accrue supporting roles in film and television. His first screen credit came in 1983 with Michael Laughlin’s sci-fi release “Strange Invaders,” starring Paul Le Mat and Nancy Allen. Kehler is credited as a gas station attendant in the film.
Kehler spent the remainder of the 1980’s primarily working in television, making appearances on “Hill Street Blues,” “Fresno,” “Cagney & Lacey” and “St. Elsewhere.
- 5/10/2022
- by J. Kim Murphy
- Variety Film + TV
Before the mammoth success of "Star Wars," George Lucas directed and co-wrote (along with Gloria Katz and Willard Huyck) the 1973 coming-of-age film "American Graffiti." A nostalgic slice of Americana pie filmed in a warm, naturalistic style, "American Graffiti" is the simple, wistful story of a group of California teenagers spending one last night together after their high school graduation in 1962. There's the best friends Curt Henderson (Richard Dreyfuss) and Steve Bolander (Ron Howard), the drag-racing John Milner (Paul Le Mat) and the nerdy Terry "The Toad" Fields (Charles Martin Smith). Harrison Ford makes an appearance as Bob Falfa, John's drag race rival.
They cruise the Modesto strip while listening to...
The post American Graffiti Ending Explained: The Calm Before the Storm appeared first on /Film.
They cruise the Modesto strip while listening to...
The post American Graffiti Ending Explained: The Calm Before the Storm appeared first on /Film.
- 2/28/2022
- by Caroline Madden
- Slash Film
“Peel out, I just love it when guys peel out!”
American Graffiti screens Sunday Night May 9th at the Sky View Drive-in in Lichtfield, Il. (1500 Historic Old Route 66) Arrive Early for a Mother’S Day Cruise In, co-sponsored by Gearhead Invasion. Gates open at 5:00 pm. American Graffiti starts at 8:05. This is part of the Sky View’s ‘Throwback Sundays’. The second Sunday of the month, they screen a classic movie. Drivers of Pre 1979 cars get one free entry! Admission is only $7 (free for kids under 5). The Sky View’s site can be found Here.
You can have all the Star Wars movies, Episodes One through whatever – I’ll trade them all straight up for American Graffiti and consider myself as having got the best end of the deal.. American Graffiti (1973) was only George Lucas’ second major film as a director (though he was already plenty experienced at filmmaking...
American Graffiti screens Sunday Night May 9th at the Sky View Drive-in in Lichtfield, Il. (1500 Historic Old Route 66) Arrive Early for a Mother’S Day Cruise In, co-sponsored by Gearhead Invasion. Gates open at 5:00 pm. American Graffiti starts at 8:05. This is part of the Sky View’s ‘Throwback Sundays’. The second Sunday of the month, they screen a classic movie. Drivers of Pre 1979 cars get one free entry! Admission is only $7 (free for kids under 5). The Sky View’s site can be found Here.
You can have all the Star Wars movies, Episodes One through whatever – I’ll trade them all straight up for American Graffiti and consider myself as having got the best end of the deal.. American Graffiti (1973) was only George Lucas’ second major film as a director (though he was already plenty experienced at filmmaking...
- 5/2/2021
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
In our 100th episode, Edgar Wright takes us on a musical journey through some of his favorite cinematic needle drops.
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls (1970)
Baby Driver (2017)
Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Vanishing Point (1971)
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Deja Vu (2006)
Man On Fire (2004)
The Bourne Supremacy (2004)
The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)
Alien (1979)
The Mexican (2001)
Gremlins (1984)
American Graffiti (1973)
Star Wars (1977)
Jaws (1975)
The Exorcist (1973)
Halloween (1978)
The Amityville Horror (1979)
Dawn of the Dead (1978)
Deep Red (1976)
Suspiria (1977)
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Monty Python And The Holy Grail (1975)
An American Werewolf In London (1981)
The Long Goodbye (1973)
The Evil Dead (1983)
Face/Off (1997)
The Wizard Of Oz (1939)
Mandy (2018)
The Hallow (2015)
The Nun (2018)
Mulholland Drive (2001)
Christine (1983)
Blue Collar (1978)
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
Mauvais Sang (1986)
Frances Ha (2012)
The Lovers On The Bridge (1991)
Holy Motors (2012)
Annette (Tbd)
Goodfellas (1990)
Mean Streets (1973)
Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974)
Raging Bull (1980)
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Mad Max (1979)
Babe (1995)
Happy Feet (2006)
Dr. Strangelove...
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls (1970)
Baby Driver (2017)
Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Vanishing Point (1971)
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Deja Vu (2006)
Man On Fire (2004)
The Bourne Supremacy (2004)
The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)
Alien (1979)
The Mexican (2001)
Gremlins (1984)
American Graffiti (1973)
Star Wars (1977)
Jaws (1975)
The Exorcist (1973)
Halloween (1978)
The Amityville Horror (1979)
Dawn of the Dead (1978)
Deep Red (1976)
Suspiria (1977)
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Monty Python And The Holy Grail (1975)
An American Werewolf In London (1981)
The Long Goodbye (1973)
The Evil Dead (1983)
Face/Off (1997)
The Wizard Of Oz (1939)
Mandy (2018)
The Hallow (2015)
The Nun (2018)
Mulholland Drive (2001)
Christine (1983)
Blue Collar (1978)
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
Mauvais Sang (1986)
Frances Ha (2012)
The Lovers On The Bridge (1991)
Holy Motors (2012)
Annette (Tbd)
Goodfellas (1990)
Mean Streets (1973)
Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974)
Raging Bull (1980)
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Mad Max (1979)
Babe (1995)
Happy Feet (2006)
Dr. Strangelove...
- 6/30/2020
- by Kris Millsap
- Trailers from Hell
What does the American dream mean to you? Hardworking folk just want the job and the house and the family as promised in the ‘old’ Contract With America that began to slip out of reach in the 1970s. To examine the social absurdities at the tacky end of the consumer divide, Bo Goldman and Jonathan Demme’s marvelous film follows Melvin Dummar, a luckless a guy who became an involuntary media sensation. You just want to hug plucky Paul Le Mat and adorable Mary Steenburgen, even though there’s not a thing to be done for them: going to ‘Easy Street’ isn’t so easy, not even after being named in a billionaire’s Last Will and Testament.
Melvin and Howard
Blu-ray
Twilight Time
1980 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 95 min. / Street Date April 16, 2019 / Available from the Twilight Time Movies Store / 29.95
Starring: Paul Le Mat, Mary Steenburgen, Jason Robards, Elizabeth Cheshire, Pamela Reed,...
Melvin and Howard
Blu-ray
Twilight Time
1980 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 95 min. / Street Date April 16, 2019 / Available from the Twilight Time Movies Store / 29.95
Starring: Paul Le Mat, Mary Steenburgen, Jason Robards, Elizabeth Cheshire, Pamela Reed,...
- 4/23/2019
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
A menacing man in a flannel shirt towers over a small, ragged blonde woman, seizing her by the hair for the crime of purchasing frozen TV dinners. "I didn't think we were going to eat here anyway," Francine (Farrah Fawcett) demurs, shrugging off this familiar violence as she slumps toward the kitchen. "That's the trouble with you. You're always thinking." Moments later, Mickey (Paul Le Mat) smacks his wife in the head and corners her with a fist, demanding she quit school. He tears pages from her textbooks. He strangles her. And then ...
Melvin Dummar, the man who inspired Jonathan Demme’s 1980 dramedy Melvin and Howard, died December 9 in hospice care in Nevada. He was 74.
Dummar was known as the man who argued that Howard Hughes bequeathed him over $150 million after he rescued him on a deserted road and drove him to Las Vegas in 1967. In the alleged hand-written “Mormon will”, the Hughes estate also left The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a beneficiary of the inheritance. Dummar battled cancer for years and quit referring to the document after losing the legal battle nearly a decade ago. Jurors and judges decided that Dummar lied and a U.S. appeals court in 2008 signed off on the decision that a Nevada state court jury 30 years ago said that the will was fake.
The story was the inspiration for Demme’s Melvin and Howard in 1980. The movie starred Paul Le Mat, Jason Robards,...
Dummar was known as the man who argued that Howard Hughes bequeathed him over $150 million after he rescued him on a deserted road and drove him to Las Vegas in 1967. In the alleged hand-written “Mormon will”, the Hughes estate also left The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a beneficiary of the inheritance. Dummar battled cancer for years and quit referring to the document after losing the legal battle nearly a decade ago. Jurors and judges decided that Dummar lied and a U.S. appeals court in 2008 signed off on the decision that a Nevada state court jury 30 years ago said that the will was fake.
The story was the inspiration for Demme’s Melvin and Howard in 1980. The movie starred Paul Le Mat, Jason Robards,...
- 12/11/2018
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
“Cruise,” written and directed by Robert Siegel, is its own intoxicating brand of youth nostalgia film. It’s set in the outer boroughs of New York in 1987, and it’s every bit as fresh and authentic about the period as a movie like “Adventureland” was — it gets the big hair and the bangles, the mall-boutique “street” fashions and greasy-synth-pop optimism, the whole dressed-in-attitude vibe of kids who’ve had five years of MTV to model themselves on. But “Cruise” also feels like a 1980s movie. That may sound like a contradiction in terms: How can an ’80s nostalgia film be authentic if it’s also mining our affectionate kitsch memories of what the ’80s looked like at the multiplex?
The reason it’s not a contradiction is that Siegel, who wrote the superb screenplays for “The Wrestler” and “The Founder,” isn’t interested in microwaving John Hughes tropes. He has...
The reason it’s not a contradiction is that Siegel, who wrote the superb screenplays for “The Wrestler” and “The Founder,” isn’t interested in microwaving John Hughes tropes. He has...
- 9/27/2018
- by Owen Gleiberman
- Variety Film + TV
The Best Supporting Actress Oscar winners of the 1980s include both well-known leading ladies and beloved veteran actresses. The decade saw stars like Jessica Lange, Geena Davis and Anjelica Huston earn their Oscars, joining Mary Steenburgen, Dianne Wiest, Linda Hunt, Olympia Dukakis and Brenda Fricker, who have all had solid careers since their wins. The decade also has two winning actresses that have since died, Maureen Stapleton and Peggy Ashcroft, though their performances will not be forgotten.
Who is your favorite Best Supporting Actress winner of the 1980s? Look back on each and vote in our poll below.
Mary Steenburgen, “Melvin and Howard” (1980) — The decade started off with Steenburgen winning her Oscar for “Melvin and Howard,” about Melvin Dummar (Paul Le Mat), who claimed to be the heir of Howard Hughes‘ fortune. Steenburgen plays Lynda, Melvin’s wife who takes up stripping and is frustrated by Melvin’s behavior. This...
Who is your favorite Best Supporting Actress winner of the 1980s? Look back on each and vote in our poll below.
Mary Steenburgen, “Melvin and Howard” (1980) — The decade started off with Steenburgen winning her Oscar for “Melvin and Howard,” about Melvin Dummar (Paul Le Mat), who claimed to be the heir of Howard Hughes‘ fortune. Steenburgen plays Lynda, Melvin’s wife who takes up stripping and is frustrated by Melvin’s behavior. This...
- 3/25/2018
- by Kevin Jacobsen
- Gold Derby
Melvin Dummar (Paul Le Mat) is a gambler of sorts, but that is intrinsic to the life of a lower-middle class American. He lives in a trailer, has an estranged wife (Mary Steenburgen, in an Oscar-winning performance), and drives a beaten-up truck whose paint job can only be described as “dirt on rust.” He’s the living epitome of a country music song where a man works 9 to 5 every day only to come home and scratch off lottery tickets in the dream of living in a more prosperous genre of music. Melvin is a bit of a singer as well, and prides himself on his Christmas jingle that he’s sure is going to be a hit someday, cutely titled “Santa’s Souped-up Sleigh.” Melvin debuts the song to a haggard crypt-keeper of a man (Jason Robards) he picked up off the road. Melvin infectiously sings the song, insisting that...
- 8/13/2017
- by The Film Stage
- The Film Stage
“No one seems to love or understand me. Oh what hard luck stories they all hand me”
Melvin And Howard screens Friday, June 16th at Webster University’s Moore Auditorium (470 East Lockwood). This is the third film in their ‘Tribute to Jonathan Demme’ The movie starts at 8:00pm.
Paul Le Mat is an average Joe named Melvin E. Dummar in Melvin And Howard (1980) an effective combination of drama and comedy from director Jonathan Demme. Melvin often finds it difficult to make ends meet, no matter what line of work he’s in. Then, one day, it seems as if his luck might change. A stranger leaves on his desk a will proclaiming Melvin to be one of 16 heirs to the fortune of reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes. Once upon a time, Melvin had given a lift to an aged, decrepit looking individual (Jason Robards) who claimed to be Hughes. The...
Melvin And Howard screens Friday, June 16th at Webster University’s Moore Auditorium (470 East Lockwood). This is the third film in their ‘Tribute to Jonathan Demme’ The movie starts at 8:00pm.
Paul Le Mat is an average Joe named Melvin E. Dummar in Melvin And Howard (1980) an effective combination of drama and comedy from director Jonathan Demme. Melvin often finds it difficult to make ends meet, no matter what line of work he’s in. Then, one day, it seems as if his luck might change. A stranger leaves on his desk a will proclaiming Melvin to be one of 16 heirs to the fortune of reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes. Once upon a time, Melvin had given a lift to an aged, decrepit looking individual (Jason Robards) who claimed to be Hughes. The...
- 6/12/2017
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Long live Michael Laughlin. Two years after he released one of my favorite early ‘80s oddities, Strange Behavior (I wrote about it here), he was back to unleash the next chapter in a proposed ‘Strange’ trilogy, Strange Invaders (1983). And while the former is a tribute to Mad Scientist films of the ‘50s via an updated Slasher take, the latter tips its fedora to the great Alien Invasion films of the same era. It may not reach the same dizzyingly weird heights, but Strange Invaders is an affectionate romp that captures the feel of those bygone drive-in classics and solidifies Laughlin’s unique voice.
A co-production between Emi Films and Lone Wolf McQuade Associates, Strange Invaders was released by Orion Pictures in mid September stateside to positive reviews and lackluster box office. Returning only a quarter of its $5 million plus budget, this was the Way of the Laughlin – everyone liked his movies,...
A co-production between Emi Films and Lone Wolf McQuade Associates, Strange Invaders was released by Orion Pictures in mid September stateside to positive reviews and lackluster box office. Returning only a quarter of its $5 million plus budget, this was the Way of the Laughlin – everyone liked his movies,...
- 4/8/2017
- by Scott Drebit
- DailyDead
'Play Misty for Me': Rabid fan Jessica Walter makes life difficult for disc jockey Clint Eastwood. Clint Eastwood, 'Harry Potter' and 'The Decline of Western Civilization': Packard Campus movies Movies set in the world of music and/or radio are among the April 2016 highlights at the Library of Congress' Packard Campus Theater in Culpeper, Virginia. Packard Campus Recorded Sound Curator Matt Barton selected the documentaries and narrative features in this particular program, which, according to the Theater's press release, includes “several rarely projected films in original release prints from the Library's holdings.” Radio/music titles include: Clint Eastwood's 1971 feature film directorial debut, the thriller Play Misty for Me, starring Jessica Walter as a woman obsessed with both a late night disc jockey (Eastwood) and the song “Misty,” jazzily played by Errol Garner at the piano. Also in the cast: Donna Mills, frequent Eastwood director Don Siegel (Dirty Harry,...
- 3/17/2016
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Eli Wallach and Anne Jackson on the Oscars' Red Carpet Eli Wallach and Anne Jackson at the Academy Awards Eli Wallach and wife Anne Jackson are seen above arriving at the 2011 Academy Awards ceremony, held on Sunday, Feb. 27, at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. The 95-year-old Wallach had received an Honorary Oscar at the Governors Awards in November 2010. See also: "Doris Day Inexplicably Snubbed by Academy," "Maureen O'Hara Honorary Oscar," "Honorary Oscars: Mary Pickford, Greta Garbo Among Rare Women Recipients," and "Hayao Miyazaki Getting Honorary Oscar." Delayed film debut The Actors Studio-trained Eli Wallach was to have made his film debut in Fred Zinnemann's Academy Award-winning 1953 blockbuster From Here to Eternity. Ultimately, however, Frank Sinatra – then a has-been following a string of box office duds – was cast for a pittance, getting beaten to a pulp by a pre-stardom Ernest Borgnine. For his bloodied efforts, Sinatra went on...
- 4/24/2015
- by D. Zhea
- Alt Film Guide
“I just love listening to Wolfman. My Mom won’t let me at home. Because he’s a Negro. I think he’s terrific!”
American Graffiti will screen in 35mm at Webster University’s Moore Auditorium Friday February 20th at 7:30pm. The screening will be introduced by Webster University Professor Joe Schuster.
You can have all the Star Wars movies, Episodes One through whatever – I’ll trade them all straight up for American Graffiti and consider myself as having got the best end of the deal.
American Graffiti (1973) was only George Lucas’ second major film as a director (though he was already plenty experienced at filmmaking) and it is an extraordinary movie that has aged wonderfully. American Graffiti chronicles one long night in the lives of some recent high school graduates in a north California in 1962. But it’s not just a look at the teenage ritual of cruising.
American Graffiti will screen in 35mm at Webster University’s Moore Auditorium Friday February 20th at 7:30pm. The screening will be introduced by Webster University Professor Joe Schuster.
You can have all the Star Wars movies, Episodes One through whatever – I’ll trade them all straight up for American Graffiti and consider myself as having got the best end of the deal.
American Graffiti (1973) was only George Lucas’ second major film as a director (though he was already plenty experienced at filmmaking) and it is an extraordinary movie that has aged wonderfully. American Graffiti chronicles one long night in the lives of some recent high school graduates in a north California in 1962. But it’s not just a look at the teenage ritual of cruising.
- 2/17/2015
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Howard Hughes movies (photo: Leonardo DiCaprio as Howard Hughes in 'The Aviator') Turner Classic Movies will be showing the Howard Hughes-produced, John Farrow-directed, Baja California-set gangster drama His Kind of Woman, starring Robert Mitchum, Hughes discovery Jane Russell, and Vincent Price, at 3 a.m. Pt / 6 a.m. Et on Saturday, November 8, 2014. Hughes produced a couple of dozen movies. (More on that below.) But what about "Howard Hughes movies"? Or rather, movies -- whether big-screen or made-for-television efforts -- featuring the visionary, eccentric, hypochondriac, compulsive-obsessive, all-American billionaire as a character? Besides Leonardo DiCaprio, who plays a dashing if somewhat unbalanced Hughes in Martin Scorsese's 2004 Best Picture Academy Award-nominated The Aviator, other actors who have played Howard Hughes on film include the following: Tommy Lee Jones in William A. Graham's television movie The Amazing Howard Hughes (1977), with Lee Purcell as silent film star Billie Dove, Tovah Feldshuh as Katharine Hepburn,...
- 11/6/2014
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
For the fifth consecutive year, thousands of movie lovers (and Geeks) from around the globe will descend upon Hollywood for the TCM Classic Film Festival beginning this Thursday, April 10 and running through Sunday, April 13.
Coinciding with TCM’s 20th anniversary as a leading authority in classic film, attendees will be treated to an extensive lineup of great movies, appearances by legendary stars and filmmakers, fascinating presentations and panel discussions, special events and more.
TCM recently announced the tribute to Mickey Rooney, who passed away last weekend, will be Sunday, April 13 at 9am with a screening of National Velvet at the Tcl Chinese Multiplex 4. Eddie Muller will speak with Margaret O’Brien and read a poem written by Mickey Rooney, titled “Flesh and Bones” to close the tribute.
Fans of Rooney can watch a full day of his films this Sunday on TCM beginning at 6Am with Broadway To Hollywood. The...
Coinciding with TCM’s 20th anniversary as a leading authority in classic film, attendees will be treated to an extensive lineup of great movies, appearances by legendary stars and filmmakers, fascinating presentations and panel discussions, special events and more.
TCM recently announced the tribute to Mickey Rooney, who passed away last weekend, will be Sunday, April 13 at 9am with a screening of National Velvet at the Tcl Chinese Multiplex 4. Eddie Muller will speak with Margaret O’Brien and read a poem written by Mickey Rooney, titled “Flesh and Bones” to close the tribute.
Fans of Rooney can watch a full day of his films this Sunday on TCM beginning at 6Am with Broadway To Hollywood. The...
- 4/10/2014
- by Melissa Thompson
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
We’re less than two weeks away from the Oscars, and that means it’s once again time for my favorite activity: griping about the past!
One of my biggest Oscar pet peeves is when actors who portray real-life roles garner more attention — for no good reason — than actors who portray fictional characters. The Academy has long been too pleased with big-named thespians who prove they can imitate recognizable figures. Sometimes the attention is justified (Sean Penn in Milk and Marion Cotillard in La Vie en Rose come to mind), but often real-life roles become filler nominees in the supporting categories. Here are nine examples of Oscar-nominated performances that caught fire with the academy simply for being based on a known personality.
1. Jason Robards as Howard Hughes in Melvin and Howard
Melvin and Howard is a movie that teaches you to appreciate its examination of a Utah man’s humdrum lower-middle-class existence,...
One of my biggest Oscar pet peeves is when actors who portray real-life roles garner more attention — for no good reason — than actors who portray fictional characters. The Academy has long been too pleased with big-named thespians who prove they can imitate recognizable figures. Sometimes the attention is justified (Sean Penn in Milk and Marion Cotillard in La Vie en Rose come to mind), but often real-life roles become filler nominees in the supporting categories. Here are nine examples of Oscar-nominated performances that caught fire with the academy simply for being based on a known personality.
1. Jason Robards as Howard Hughes in Melvin and Howard
Melvin and Howard is a movie that teaches you to appreciate its examination of a Utah man’s humdrum lower-middle-class existence,...
- 2/17/2014
- by Louis Virtel
- The Backlot
Last year we ran a schedule of every TV/Cable network schedule we could find that could be construed as Horror or Halloween related for the month of October. Let’s just say it proved useful for our readers and even for our staff when they were looking to find something to watch, wanted to program their DVR’s or didn’t want to miss out on some great “live” Horror. Isn’t there something about having a movie fed to you on TV as opposed to watching it on Blu-ray or DVD or streaming? We may not like commercials, but the randomness that you can associate with a TV program itinerary is novel. It removes a little bit of control from the audience who is all to concerned with being in control these days (just look at the reasons behind publishing a piece like this).
So here’s the 2013 Halloween Seasonal TV Preview,...
So here’s the 2013 Halloween Seasonal TV Preview,...
- 9/19/2013
- by Jimmy Terror
- The Liberal Dead
Chicago – Good things come in “threes.” It’s the new film, “The World’s End,” the third of the infamous “Cornetto Trilogy” – after “Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz” – and there are the “three” that made it all happen. It’s the actors and co-creators Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, along with director/writer Edgar Wright.
The “Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy” is a jokey reference to England’s Cornetto Ice Cream, with their three “flavours” (the British spelling) representing the three films that Frost, Pegg and Wright have teamed up on. “Shaun of the Dead,” the zombie comedy, gets red strawberry, “Hot Fuzz” is the original blue Cornetto flavour, naturally, and the new film – “The World’s End” – gets green mint chocolate chip to honor the alien-like sc-fi elements of the story.
Serious Business: The Comic Stylings of Nick Frost (left) and Simon Pegg in ‘The World’s End...
The “Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy” is a jokey reference to England’s Cornetto Ice Cream, with their three “flavours” (the British spelling) representing the three films that Frost, Pegg and Wright have teamed up on. “Shaun of the Dead,” the zombie comedy, gets red strawberry, “Hot Fuzz” is the original blue Cornetto flavour, naturally, and the new film – “The World’s End” – gets green mint chocolate chip to honor the alien-like sc-fi elements of the story.
Serious Business: The Comic Stylings of Nick Frost (left) and Simon Pegg in ‘The World’s End...
- 8/20/2013
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
The director's new film completes his trilogy of wistful pub-based comedies. Nostalgia is a bitter-sweet brew, he tells Alex Godfrey
When Edgar Wright was 19, he and his friends went on a pub crawl in his hometown, Wells in Somerset. "Out of 13 pubs, I managed to get through six before getting completely, wildly drunk," he laughs. "I then spent the rest of the night trying to find this girl I was going out with, forgetting she was out of town. I ran through somebody's garden into a clothesline and knocked myself out. I got a very thin purple bruise."
A couple of years later he wrote and directed his first film, A Fistful Of Fingers (tagline: The Greatest Western Ever Made … In Somerset), and followed it up with a script about his teenage pub crawl, "a big quest movie," he says. "There's a big noble sinking of the final pint followed...
When Edgar Wright was 19, he and his friends went on a pub crawl in his hometown, Wells in Somerset. "Out of 13 pubs, I managed to get through six before getting completely, wildly drunk," he laughs. "I then spent the rest of the night trying to find this girl I was going out with, forgetting she was out of town. I ran through somebody's garden into a clothesline and knocked myself out. I got a very thin purple bruise."
A couple of years later he wrote and directed his first film, A Fistful Of Fingers (tagline: The Greatest Western Ever Made … In Somerset), and followed it up with a script about his teenage pub crawl, "a big quest movie," he says. "There's a big noble sinking of the final pint followed...
- 7/15/2013
- by Alex Godfrey
- The Guardian - Film News
I honestly can't tell you why I've avoided American Graffiti (1973) for as long as I have especially since my childhood was filled with Star Wars trilogy mania to the extent that I even devoured a George Lucas paperback biography in the early 80s. But as the only remaining unseen nominee from an unusually diverse and entertaining Best Picture Vintage (American Graffiti, Cries and Whispers, The Exorcist, The Sting, and A Touch of Class) I thought it was time. My assumption that a leisurely drive back into American nostalgia would be just the ticket for the Fourth of July holiday was correct. What surprised me was the drive itself, which "leisurely" does not accurately describe though modern sensibilities might describe the unrushed pacing in just that way.
America Graffiti spends a single night cruising with a group of friends and new acquaintances (a couple of whom, at least, have just graduated...
America Graffiti spends a single night cruising with a group of friends and new acquaintances (a couple of whom, at least, have just graduated...
- 7/4/2013
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
A Planet Fury-approved selection of notable genre releases for December.
Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012) 20th Century Fox Blu-ray and DVD Available Now
Six-year-old Hushpuppy (fearless newcomer Quvenzhané Wallis) lives in the “Bathtub,” a southern Louisiana bayou community far removed from the civilized world. Her father Wink (Dwight Henry), a poor fisherman, keeps her at arm’s length but ensures her well-being within the cultural confines of their rough-and-tumble society. Seen through the eyes of the feisty Hushpuppy, the lines between myth and reality are blurred. An impending storm coincides with the melting of the arctic ice caps (and the thawing of some mythical creatures), which changes the world of the Bathtub forever. This heartbreaking little fable came out of nowhere last summer after building some positive buzz on the festival circuit. Shot on 16mm film for under $2 million, Beasts is a true independent film: a fiercely original and moving...
Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012) 20th Century Fox Blu-ray and DVD Available Now
Six-year-old Hushpuppy (fearless newcomer Quvenzhané Wallis) lives in the “Bathtub,” a southern Louisiana bayou community far removed from the civilized world. Her father Wink (Dwight Henry), a poor fisherman, keeps her at arm’s length but ensures her well-being within the cultural confines of their rough-and-tumble society. Seen through the eyes of the feisty Hushpuppy, the lines between myth and reality are blurred. An impending storm coincides with the melting of the arctic ice caps (and the thawing of some mythical creatures), which changes the world of the Bathtub forever. This heartbreaking little fable came out of nowhere last summer after building some positive buzz on the festival circuit. Shot on 16mm film for under $2 million, Beasts is a true independent film: a fiercely original and moving...
- 12/14/2012
- by Bradley Harding
- Planet Fury
Billy (Peter Billingsley) is shocked to discover that his father (Edward Herrmann) mother Sally (Catherine Hicks) are getting divorced. Torn away from his beloved New York City, Billy is relocated to Arizona along with her mother’s childhood sweetheart, Mike (Paul LeMat) whom she has reconnected with.
To make things worse, upon arriving in Death Valley for a vacation before their move, Billy stumbles upon a crime scene and becomes enmeshed in a life or death struggle with a mysterious man who is stalking the family.
Peter Billingsley is easily the star of the show. It’s a lot for any actor to handle, much less a child actor, and Billingsley plays everything right. Catherine Hicks is also notable as Billingsley’s mother. Before Child’s Play, Hicks was playing a mother doing everything possible to protect her child from murderous danger. She’s a very capable actress, and doesn...
To make things worse, upon arriving in Death Valley for a vacation before their move, Billy stumbles upon a crime scene and becomes enmeshed in a life or death struggle with a mysterious man who is stalking the family.
Peter Billingsley is easily the star of the show. It’s a lot for any actor to handle, much less a child actor, and Billingsley plays everything right. Catherine Hicks is also notable as Billingsley’s mother. Before Child’s Play, Hicks was playing a mother doing everything possible to protect her child from murderous danger. She’s a very capable actress, and doesn...
- 12/10/2012
- by Derek Botelho
- DailyDead
Scream Factory’s December releases include Death Valley and The Island on Blu-ray/DVD, and we have two clips available from each movie.
Death Valley Blu-ray™ + DVD Combo Pack: A divorcee, her son and her boyfriend are on a vacation in the beautiful but deadly Death Valley. What starts out as an ordinary, leisurely trip turns into a nightmare when they happen upon a murder and find themselves pursued by a maniac. Starring Catherine Hicks (Child’s Play), Paul Le Mat (Puppetmaster), Stephen McHattie (The Tall Man) and Peter Billingsley (A Christmas Story).
DTS HD Master Audio Mono (Blu-Ray)/Dolby Digital Mono (DVD)/Anamorphic Widescreen (1.78:1)/1982/Color/87 minutes
Death Valley Blu-ray™ + DVD Combo Pack bonus content:
Audio Commentary with Director Dick Richards
Theatrical Trailer & TV Spot
The Island Blu-ray™ + DVD Combo Pack: Michael Caine (The Dark Knight Trilogy) stars as Blair Maynard, an investigative writer who takes on one of...
Death Valley Blu-ray™ + DVD Combo Pack: A divorcee, her son and her boyfriend are on a vacation in the beautiful but deadly Death Valley. What starts out as an ordinary, leisurely trip turns into a nightmare when they happen upon a murder and find themselves pursued by a maniac. Starring Catherine Hicks (Child’s Play), Paul Le Mat (Puppetmaster), Stephen McHattie (The Tall Man) and Peter Billingsley (A Christmas Story).
DTS HD Master Audio Mono (Blu-Ray)/Dolby Digital Mono (DVD)/Anamorphic Widescreen (1.78:1)/1982/Color/87 minutes
Death Valley Blu-ray™ + DVD Combo Pack bonus content:
Audio Commentary with Director Dick Richards
Theatrical Trailer & TV Spot
The Island Blu-ray™ + DVD Combo Pack: Michael Caine (The Dark Knight Trilogy) stars as Blair Maynard, an investigative writer who takes on one of...
- 12/7/2012
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Horror fans should know the name Catherine Hicks well if only for her starring role as Karen Barclay in the original Child’s Play film. Not only does she give her son one of the very worst Christmas gifts in the history of the holiday, she then has to spend the majority of the film running from this possessed killer doll. Fans ate it up and turned this little film into a multi-film franchise that continues to this day (Don Mancini recently announced that filming had completed on Curse of Chucky in anticipation of a Halloween 2013 release). What fans might not know, however, is that Catherine Hicks actually made her feature film debut, alongside Peter Billingsley, way back in 1982 on a horror film called Death Valley.
With Shout! Factory’s Collector’s Edition Blu-ray of Death Valley hitting stores on December 11, FEARnet sat down with Hicks to discuss her feature film debut,...
With Shout! Factory’s Collector’s Edition Blu-ray of Death Valley hitting stores on December 11, FEARnet sat down with Hicks to discuss her feature film debut,...
- 12/4/2012
- by Scott Neumyer
- FEARnet
A Planet Fury-approved selection of notable genre releases for November.
Rites of Spring (2011) Mpi Home Video DVD Available Now
After abducting the daughter of a wealthy socialite, a group of kidnappers seek refuge in an abandoned school in the middle of a wooded nowhere. Little do they know that they’ve chosen the hunting grounds of a ravenous creature that can only be sated by ritualistic sacrifices every spring. Writer/director Padraig Reynolds’ crime thriller/slasher hybrid received mixed reviews during its short festival run, but it’s a solidly crafted piece with some good performances and impressive cinematography by Carl Herse. The one-sheet art is a thing of beauty.
Heaven’s Gate (1981) Criterion Blu-ray and DVD Available Now
Michael Cimino’s critically panned revisionist western has slowly gained a reputation as an overlooked gem. While it’s no masterpiece, his director’s cut is far better than the confusing...
Rites of Spring (2011) Mpi Home Video DVD Available Now
After abducting the daughter of a wealthy socialite, a group of kidnappers seek refuge in an abandoned school in the middle of a wooded nowhere. Little do they know that they’ve chosen the hunting grounds of a ravenous creature that can only be sated by ritualistic sacrifices every spring. Writer/director Padraig Reynolds’ crime thriller/slasher hybrid received mixed reviews during its short festival run, but it’s a solidly crafted piece with some good performances and impressive cinematography by Carl Herse. The one-sheet art is a thing of beauty.
Heaven’s Gate (1981) Criterion Blu-ray and DVD Available Now
Michael Cimino’s critically panned revisionist western has slowly gained a reputation as an overlooked gem. While it’s no masterpiece, his director’s cut is far better than the confusing...
- 11/28/2012
- by Bradley Harding
- Planet Fury
A short while ago Full Moon released remastered Blu-ray versions of the original Puppet Master, Puppet Master II, and Puppet Master III; and to celebrate, they want to give one lucky Dread Central reader an entire signed box set.
Synopsis:
The most successful independent direct to video horror franchise of all time stars Paul Le Mat (American Graffiti, American History X, Melvin and Howard), William Hickey (Prizzi's Honor, "One Life to Live," The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Name of the Rose), Irene Miracle (Inferno, Midnight Express, Walking Thunder), Jimmie F. Skaggs (Lethal Weapon, Hollow Man, Cutthroat Island).
The secret of life has been discovered by master puppeteer Andre Toulon. But we quickly discover Toulon's secret of death in the form of five killer puppets-each one uniquely qualified for murder and mayhem. Tunneler has a nasty habit of boring holes in people with his drill bit head. Ms. Leech regurgitates killer...
Synopsis:
The most successful independent direct to video horror franchise of all time stars Paul Le Mat (American Graffiti, American History X, Melvin and Howard), William Hickey (Prizzi's Honor, "One Life to Live," The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Name of the Rose), Irene Miracle (Inferno, Midnight Express, Walking Thunder), Jimmie F. Skaggs (Lethal Weapon, Hollow Man, Cutthroat Island).
The secret of life has been discovered by master puppeteer Andre Toulon. But we quickly discover Toulon's secret of death in the form of five killer puppets-each one uniquely qualified for murder and mayhem. Tunneler has a nasty habit of boring holes in people with his drill bit head. Ms. Leech regurgitates killer...
- 11/7/2012
- by The Woman In Black
- DreadCentral.com
Scream Factory is following up their release of Halloween II and III, with The Funhouse and Terror Train later this month and They Live in November. Those titles are only the start, and we have new details, along with cover art, for Scream Factory’s December and January releases:
Death Valley Blu-ray™ + DVD Combo Pack: A divorcee, her son and her boyfriend are on a vacation in the beautiful but deadly Death Valley. What starts out as an ordinary, leisurely trip turns into a nightmare when they happen upon a murder and find themselves pursued by a maniac. Starring Catherine Hicks (Child’s Play), Paul Le Mat (Puppetmaster), Stephen McHattie (The Tall Man) and Peter Billingsley (A Christmas Story).
DTS HD Master Audio Mono (Blu-Ray)/Dolby Digital Mono (DVD)/Anamorphic Widescreen (1.78:1)/1982/Color/87 minutes
Death Valley Blu-ray™ + DVD Combo Pack bonus content:
Audio Commentary with Director Dick Richards
Theatrical Trailer...
Death Valley Blu-ray™ + DVD Combo Pack: A divorcee, her son and her boyfriend are on a vacation in the beautiful but deadly Death Valley. What starts out as an ordinary, leisurely trip turns into a nightmare when they happen upon a murder and find themselves pursued by a maniac. Starring Catherine Hicks (Child’s Play), Paul Le Mat (Puppetmaster), Stephen McHattie (The Tall Man) and Peter Billingsley (A Christmas Story).
DTS HD Master Audio Mono (Blu-Ray)/Dolby Digital Mono (DVD)/Anamorphic Widescreen (1.78:1)/1982/Color/87 minutes
Death Valley Blu-ray™ + DVD Combo Pack bonus content:
Audio Commentary with Director Dick Richards
Theatrical Trailer...
- 10/2/2012
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
The first thing I should point out, is that movies are almost Never shot in chronological order, or in other words, in sequence of the events as they would unfold or "script order." This is pretty common knowledge, but don't beat yourself up if you didn't know already. For Dolly Parton's first motion picture (Nine to Five), she memorized the entire script, including the other characters' lines. Apparently, after letting on that she thought movies were filmed in chronological order, co-star Lily Tomlin burst out laughing.
Movies are shot out of sequence for a number of reasons. Among these reasons are; renting out locations or studio space, lighting, weather conditions, and most importantly, the availability of an actor. All of these basically boil down to time and money.
So with budget and time constraints almost always working against shooting a film in chronological order, what would drive a filmmaker to pursue such a course?...
- 9/19/2012
- by Eli Reyes
- GeekTyrant
We have new information and artwork on four Scream Factory Blu-ray releases, two of which have never before been available on DVD or Blu-ray.
Death Valley (1982, dir: Dick Richards)
This film stars Peter Billingsley (before he wore a pink bunny suit as ‘Ralphie’ in A Christmas Story) and has never been on DVD or Blu-ray before. Paul Le Mat, Catherine Hicks, Stephen McHattie, and Wilford Brimley co-star.
Synopsis
A divorced mother, her young son, and her new boyfriend set out on a road trip through Death Valley and run afoul of a local serial killer.
The Island (1980, dir: Michael Ritchie)
Peter Benchley’s swashbuckling The Island starring Michael Caine is coming soon! Here’s an exclusive first look at the official DVD & Blu-ray combo pack design which incorporates the original theatrical key art.
Synopsis
David Warner leads a band of modern day pirates who raid yachts and sail boats of...
Death Valley (1982, dir: Dick Richards)
This film stars Peter Billingsley (before he wore a pink bunny suit as ‘Ralphie’ in A Christmas Story) and has never been on DVD or Blu-ray before. Paul Le Mat, Catherine Hicks, Stephen McHattie, and Wilford Brimley co-star.
Synopsis
A divorced mother, her young son, and her new boyfriend set out on a road trip through Death Valley and run afoul of a local serial killer.
The Island (1980, dir: Michael Ritchie)
Peter Benchley’s swashbuckling The Island starring Michael Caine is coming soon! Here’s an exclusive first look at the official DVD & Blu-ray combo pack design which incorporates the original theatrical key art.
Synopsis
David Warner leads a band of modern day pirates who raid yachts and sail boats of...
- 8/29/2012
- by Alvin
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
We keep telling you cats to keep an eye on the Scream Factory's Facebook page, but for those of you who are too lazy or don't listen, be thankful that we're here so that you don't miss anything.
In the first bit of news, Sf has posted the artwork for two newly announced titles hitting Blu-ray and DVD! No specs or even a release date were given, but we are extremely happy that they're coming!
Death Valley - This 1982 film stars Peter Billingsley (before he wore a pink bunny suit as 'Ralphie' in A Christmas Story) and has never been on DVD or Blu-ray before. Paul Le Mat, Catherine Hicks, Stephen McHattie, and Wilford Brimley co-star.
Synopsis
A divorced mother, her young son, and her new boyfriend set out on a road trip through Death Valley and run afoul of a local serial killer.
The Island - Peter Benchley's...
In the first bit of news, Sf has posted the artwork for two newly announced titles hitting Blu-ray and DVD! No specs or even a release date were given, but we are extremely happy that they're coming!
Death Valley - This 1982 film stars Peter Billingsley (before he wore a pink bunny suit as 'Ralphie' in A Christmas Story) and has never been on DVD or Blu-ray before. Paul Le Mat, Catherine Hicks, Stephen McHattie, and Wilford Brimley co-star.
Synopsis
A divorced mother, her young son, and her new boyfriend set out on a road trip through Death Valley and run afoul of a local serial killer.
The Island - Peter Benchley's...
- 8/29/2012
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Full Moon Features recently announced that more of their cult horror titles would be released on Blu-ray. The first batch includes the first three Puppet Master movies available on Blu-ray individually or in a three-disc set. We have release details, plus a look at the HD-remastered trailers for all three films.
For over thirty years Charles Band has been creating modern day horror classics such as Puppetmaster, Trancers and Subspecies. According to Charles Band, Chairman and Founder of Full Moon Features, “After testing the Blu-ray market with the original Puppetmaster, and Subspecies, Full moon will move forward with additional Blu-ray releases of the best selling titles in the Full Moon catalog. The fan response has been overwhelming in support of Blu-ray, and they are demanding more. Featuring wide-screen 16:9 fully remastered picture and sound, these transfers have never looked more beautiful, and we’ll re-release the titles on DVD as well.
For over thirty years Charles Band has been creating modern day horror classics such as Puppetmaster, Trancers and Subspecies. According to Charles Band, Chairman and Founder of Full Moon Features, “After testing the Blu-ray market with the original Puppetmaster, and Subspecies, Full moon will move forward with additional Blu-ray releases of the best selling titles in the Full Moon catalog. The fan response has been overwhelming in support of Blu-ray, and they are demanding more. Featuring wide-screen 16:9 fully remastered picture and sound, these transfers have never looked more beautiful, and we’ll re-release the titles on DVD as well.
- 8/25/2012
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Puppet Master
Stars: Paul Le Mat, Irene Miracle, Matt Roe, Kathryn O’Reilly, Jimmie F. Skaggs, Robin Frates, William Hickey | Written by Charles Band, Kenneth J. Hall | Directed by David Schmoeller
Ahhh Puppet Master, a film which have seen countless times (at least over two dozen) since I first discovered it all those years ago at my local video rental store. Having owned the VHS (both ex-rental and sell-thru) and the UK and Us DVDs – the huge DVD boxset is still one of my prize possessions – my love for the film remains unbounded. So imagine how excited I was to learn that the film that got me acquainted with Charles Band’s Full Moon and the fantastic, yet perilous puppets, was finally going to see the light of day in glorious high definition on Blu-ray courtesy of 88 Films.
Bodega Bay Inn, 1939. Puppet maker Andre Toulon (the fantastic William Hickey), a...
Stars: Paul Le Mat, Irene Miracle, Matt Roe, Kathryn O’Reilly, Jimmie F. Skaggs, Robin Frates, William Hickey | Written by Charles Band, Kenneth J. Hall | Directed by David Schmoeller
Ahhh Puppet Master, a film which have seen countless times (at least over two dozen) since I first discovered it all those years ago at my local video rental store. Having owned the VHS (both ex-rental and sell-thru) and the UK and Us DVDs – the huge DVD boxset is still one of my prize possessions – my love for the film remains unbounded. So imagine how excited I was to learn that the film that got me acquainted with Charles Band’s Full Moon and the fantastic, yet perilous puppets, was finally going to see the light of day in glorious high definition on Blu-ray courtesy of 88 Films.
Bodega Bay Inn, 1939. Puppet maker Andre Toulon (the fantastic William Hickey), a...
- 8/18/2012
- by Phil
- Nerdly
After testing the waters with Blu-ray versions of Puppet Master and Subspecies, Full Moon has announced that they are working on bringing more of their horror catalog to Blu-ray. The first new release includes the first three Puppet Master films:
Press Release: For over thirty years Charles Band has been creating modern day horror classics such as Puppetmaster, Trancers and Subspecies. According to Charles Band, Chairman and Founder of Full Moon Features, “After testing the Blu-ray market with the original Puppetmaster, and Subspecies, Full moon will move forward with additional Blu-ray releases of the best selling titles in the Full Moon catalog. The fan response has been overwhelming in support of Blu-ray, and they are demanding more. Featuring wide-screen 16:9 fully remastered picture and sound, these transfers have never looked more beautiful, and we’ll re-release the titles on DVD as well.”
On September 18th, 2012, the premiere Full Moon Blu-ray...
Press Release: For over thirty years Charles Band has been creating modern day horror classics such as Puppetmaster, Trancers and Subspecies. According to Charles Band, Chairman and Founder of Full Moon Features, “After testing the Blu-ray market with the original Puppetmaster, and Subspecies, Full moon will move forward with additional Blu-ray releases of the best selling titles in the Full Moon catalog. The fan response has been overwhelming in support of Blu-ray, and they are demanding more. Featuring wide-screen 16:9 fully remastered picture and sound, these transfers have never looked more beautiful, and we’ll re-release the titles on DVD as well.”
On September 18th, 2012, the premiere Full Moon Blu-ray...
- 7/23/2012
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
All those who complain about the liberal domination of Hollywood have never come across John Milius. A film school pal of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, Milius had tried to join the Marine Corp, but was turned away due to his asthma. Instead, he channeled his frustrations into both a life-long obsession with firearms (he was paid for "Jeremiah Johnson" in antique weaponry, and has served on the NRA Board of Directors) and making some of the most masculine, testosterone-filled movies of all time, both as an acclaimed writer and as a director. The basis for both Paul Le Mat's character in "American Graffiti" and Walter in "The Big Lebowski" -- the Coens are friends of Milius, and offered him the part of Jack Lipnick in "Barton Fink" -- he's one of film history's most singular, colorful characters.
He might not have had the overwhelming success of Lucas or Spielberg,...
He might not have had the overwhelming success of Lucas or Spielberg,...
- 4/12/2012
- by Oliver Lyttelton
- The Playlist
Script rewrites. Exacting directors. Terrible twists of fate. We look back through the ages to bring you 20 nightmarish film shoots…
The lavish lifestyles of Hollywood’s more famous actors and filmmakers may hint at a world of glamour and cash, but as this list proves, the process of actually putting a movie together is rarely a dignified process. What follows is a lengthy catalogue of ill-advised location choices, tantrums, dreadful acts of God, spiked bowls of soup, ruined studios, bruised egos, broken bones and shattered dreams.
For the prospective filmmaker, this article could be read as a cautionary tale of just how badly wrong a production can go – though in order to keep the tone relatively light, we’ve excised those film productions that ended in tragedy (you’ll have to look elsewhere to discover the sad stories behind Twilight Zone: The Movie and The Crow).
Nevertheless, we suggest you...
The lavish lifestyles of Hollywood’s more famous actors and filmmakers may hint at a world of glamour and cash, but as this list proves, the process of actually putting a movie together is rarely a dignified process. What follows is a lengthy catalogue of ill-advised location choices, tantrums, dreadful acts of God, spiked bowls of soup, ruined studios, bruised egos, broken bones and shattered dreams.
For the prospective filmmaker, this article could be read as a cautionary tale of just how badly wrong a production can go – though in order to keep the tone relatively light, we’ve excised those film productions that ended in tragedy (you’ll have to look elsewhere to discover the sad stories behind Twilight Zone: The Movie and The Crow).
Nevertheless, we suggest you...
- 1/19/2012
- Den of Geek
His name may not ring a bell at first, but chances are you're quite familiar with the work of character actor Roberts Blossom. Sadly, Mr. Blossom passed away last Friday in Santa Monica, California, at the age of 87.
The New York Times posted quite a nice tribute to the quirky actor, excerpts of which follow:
Roberts Blossom was known for playing cantankerous old coots, both comic and sinister, but may be best remembered as the kindly next-door neighbor in the comedy Home Alone. He was an ill-fated patient in the George C. Scott film The Hospital, the delirious Wild Bob Cody in Slaughterhouse-Five, Paul Le Mat’s ornery father in Citizens Band, the farmer who once saw Bigfoot in Close Encounters of the Third Kind, the convict who paints the warden’s portrait in Escape From Alcatraz, and the irate judge who sentences Michael J. Fox to community service in...
The New York Times posted quite a nice tribute to the quirky actor, excerpts of which follow:
Roberts Blossom was known for playing cantankerous old coots, both comic and sinister, but may be best remembered as the kindly next-door neighbor in the comedy Home Alone. He was an ill-fated patient in the George C. Scott film The Hospital, the delirious Wild Bob Cody in Slaughterhouse-Five, Paul Le Mat’s ornery father in Citizens Band, the farmer who once saw Bigfoot in Close Encounters of the Third Kind, the convict who paints the warden’s portrait in Escape From Alcatraz, and the irate judge who sentences Michael J. Fox to community service in...
- 7/13/2011
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Hitting movie theaters this weekend:
X-Men: First Class – James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence
Movie of the Week
X-Men: First Class
The Stars: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence
The Plot: In 1963, Charles Xavier (McAvoy) starts up a school and later a team, for humans with superhuman abilities. Among them is Erik Lensherr (Fassbender), his best friend, and future archenemy.
The Buzz: The film’s preliminary reviews have been solid, with 41 favorable reviews to 1 unfavorable, as of today at Rottentomates. The cast is really strong too. However, I personally have zero interest in this film, as it looks to have zero style (other than the standard nerdy film-version X-Men vibe), but perhaps this will be the first good X-Men film? I loved the comic books, was a pretty big reader for awhile there, and I’ve always felt like, of all the Marvel films, the X-Men films have fallen the furthest from their book.
X-Men: First Class – James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence
Movie of the Week
X-Men: First Class
The Stars: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence
The Plot: In 1963, Charles Xavier (McAvoy) starts up a school and later a team, for humans with superhuman abilities. Among them is Erik Lensherr (Fassbender), his best friend, and future archenemy.
The Buzz: The film’s preliminary reviews have been solid, with 41 favorable reviews to 1 unfavorable, as of today at Rottentomates. The cast is really strong too. However, I personally have zero interest in this film, as it looks to have zero style (other than the standard nerdy film-version X-Men vibe), but perhaps this will be the first good X-Men film? I loved the comic books, was a pretty big reader for awhile there, and I’ve always felt like, of all the Marvel films, the X-Men films have fallen the furthest from their book.
- 6/1/2011
- by Aaron Ruffcorn
- The Scorecard Review
Edgar Wright returns to the New Beverly grindhouse in Los Angeles with his resume of flicks along with a boatload of his favorites. This is the second time the fan favorite filmmaker has taken over the retro theater where he will be present for Q & A’s and a raucous good time.
january 14, 15 The Wright Stuff II – Triple Feature! All Tickets $10
Shaun Of The Dead Fri / Sat: 7:30 2004, UK / France / USA, 99 minutes Edgar Wright will appear In Person, schedule permitting, Friday & Saturday to discuss! directed by Edgar Wright; written by Simon Pegg & Edgar Wright; starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Kate Ashfield, Lucy Davis, Dylan Moran Trailer
Hot Fuzz Fri / Sat: 9:30 2007, UK / France / USA, 121 minutes directed by Edgar Wright; written by Simon Pegg & Edgar Wright; starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Timothy Dalton, Jim Broadbent, Paddy Considine, Bill Nighy
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World Fri / Sat: 11:59pm (Midnight) 2009, USA / UK / Canada,...
january 14, 15 The Wright Stuff II – Triple Feature! All Tickets $10
Shaun Of The Dead Fri / Sat: 7:30 2004, UK / France / USA, 99 minutes Edgar Wright will appear In Person, schedule permitting, Friday & Saturday to discuss! directed by Edgar Wright; written by Simon Pegg & Edgar Wright; starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Kate Ashfield, Lucy Davis, Dylan Moran Trailer
Hot Fuzz Fri / Sat: 9:30 2007, UK / France / USA, 121 minutes directed by Edgar Wright; written by Simon Pegg & Edgar Wright; starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Timothy Dalton, Jim Broadbent, Paddy Considine, Bill Nighy
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World Fri / Sat: 11:59pm (Midnight) 2009, USA / UK / Canada,...
- 1/3/2011
- by Jason Bene
- Killer Films
Title: Puppet Master Director: David Schmoeller Writers: Charles Band and Kenneth J. Hall Starring: Paul Le Mat, William Hickey and Irene Miracle Since the birth of the the film industry, puppetry has continuously loaned its magic of entertaining people to the screen, particularly in the horror genre. Several horror franchises featuring puppets have been met with great financial success, including ‘Saw’ and ‘Child’s Play.’ While these series certainly have their flaws, the cult classic ‘Puppet Master,’ which was released this past summer on Blu-ray in honor of its twentieth anniversary, will certainly leave many horror fans wondering why they’ve become so enticed with the dolls. ‘Puppet Master,’ which was co-written by Charles Band, the head [...]...
- 1/1/2011
- by karen
- ShockYa
A look at what's new on DVD today:
"And Soon the Darkness"
Directed by Marcus Efron
Released by Anchor Bay Entertainment
A remake of the 1970 British thriller of the same name, director Marcos Efron transplants the story from France to Argentina where two friends' bike ride across the mountains takes a turn for the disastrous when one mysteriously disappears. "All the Boys Love Mandy Lane" star Amber Heard and "The Unborn"'s Odette Yustman bring their collected screaming ability to this horror film. Karl Urban and "Babel"'s Adrianna Barraza co-star.
"The American"
Directed by Anton Corbijn
Released by Universal Home Video
Ahh, Focus might've suckered unsuspecting moviegoers at the multiplex with an amped-up action ad campaign for this elegaic account of the last assignment of a hit man (George Clooney) - "The American" scored an impressive D- from Cinemascore as it became the number one film at the box...
"And Soon the Darkness"
Directed by Marcus Efron
Released by Anchor Bay Entertainment
A remake of the 1970 British thriller of the same name, director Marcos Efron transplants the story from France to Argentina where two friends' bike ride across the mountains takes a turn for the disastrous when one mysteriously disappears. "All the Boys Love Mandy Lane" star Amber Heard and "The Unborn"'s Odette Yustman bring their collected screaming ability to this horror film. Karl Urban and "Babel"'s Adrianna Barraza co-star.
"The American"
Directed by Anton Corbijn
Released by Universal Home Video
Ahh, Focus might've suckered unsuspecting moviegoers at the multiplex with an amped-up action ad campaign for this elegaic account of the last assignment of a hit man (George Clooney) - "The American" scored an impressive D- from Cinemascore as it became the number one film at the box...
- 12/20/2010
- by Stephen Saito
- ifc.com
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