It's probably not hard to argue that "Witness" is pretty close to being an American classic. Combining neo-noir and socio-religious commentary into an unassuming package, it became one of the buzziest movies of 1985. The reception was so positive, in fact, that it ended up getting eight Oscar nominations and a slew of other recognitions.
However, this praise could have never materialized at all, as the process of getting "Witness" greenlit at a studio was an arduous one. At the center of it all was producer Edward S. Feldman, whose recollections of getting the film on the big screen were documented in his autobiography "Tell Me How You Love The Picture." He claimed that, while star Harrison Ford's mainstream popularity was on the rise, studios weren't that keen on casting him as the police detective John Book due to his relative inexperience in headlining non-action fare.
"You can't ask [people before the release of 'Witness'] whether...
However, this praise could have never materialized at all, as the process of getting "Witness" greenlit at a studio was an arduous one. At the center of it all was producer Edward S. Feldman, whose recollections of getting the film on the big screen were documented in his autobiography "Tell Me How You Love The Picture." He claimed that, while star Harrison Ford's mainstream popularity was on the rise, studios weren't that keen on casting him as the police detective John Book due to his relative inexperience in headlining non-action fare.
"You can't ask [people before the release of 'Witness'] whether...
- 12/29/2022
- by Erin Brady
- Slash Film
On Oct,19, 1979, Columbia unveiled the R-rated legal drama ...And Justice for All in theaters. The film went on to earn two Oscar nominations at the 52nd Academy Awards, for its screenplay and for Al Pacino in the lead actor category. The Hollywood Reporter's original review is below.
...And Justice for All is one ironic title and one terrific movie. With Al Pacino starring and Norman Jewison directing, the Joe Wizan presentation for Columbia release socks across an often scathing, surprisingly funny and constantly terrifying scan of today's judicial system: it's a cinch to not only ...
...And Justice for All is one ironic title and one terrific movie. With Al Pacino starring and Norman Jewison directing, the Joe Wizan presentation for Columbia release socks across an often scathing, surprisingly funny and constantly terrifying scan of today's judicial system: it's a cinch to not only ...
- 10/19/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
On Oct,19, 1979, Columbia unveiled the R-rated legal drama ...And Justice for All in theaters. The film went on to earn two Oscar nominations at the 52nd Academy Awards, for its screenplay and for Al Pacino in the lead actor category. The Hollywood Reporter's original review is below.
...And Justice for All is one ironic title and one terrific movie. With Al Pacino starring and Norman Jewison directing, the Joe Wizan presentation for Columbia release socks across an often scathing, surprisingly funny and constantly terrifying scan of today's judicial system: it's a cinch to not only ...
...And Justice for All is one ironic title and one terrific movie. With Al Pacino starring and Norman Jewison directing, the Joe Wizan presentation for Columbia release socks across an often scathing, surprisingly funny and constantly terrifying scan of today's judicial system: it's a cinch to not only ...
- 10/19/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Screenwriter and novelist Jeb J. Rosebrook died Aug. 31 in Scottsdale, Az. He was 83.
Born in New York City on June 11, 1935, Rosebrook was raised in NYC and Connecticut before being diagnosed with childhood asthma. His parents sent him to the Quarter Circle V Bar Ranch School in Prescott, Az and spend Christmas in New York or Los Angeles. His adventures in various states would shape his life as a storyteller.
His career in the film and TV industry started with NBC in New York in 1956. He attended Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va and returned to New York in 1957 before heading west.
After marrying Dorothy Fischer, Jeb and his wife moved to the Los Angeles and settled in Brentwood. He worked for an advertising agency and in 1965 he published his first novel titled Saturday. He went on to pursue screenwriting for film and television in 1967 and was mentored by his friend Earl Hamner,...
Born in New York City on June 11, 1935, Rosebrook was raised in NYC and Connecticut before being diagnosed with childhood asthma. His parents sent him to the Quarter Circle V Bar Ranch School in Prescott, Az and spend Christmas in New York or Los Angeles. His adventures in various states would shape his life as a storyteller.
His career in the film and TV industry started with NBC in New York in 1956. He attended Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va and returned to New York in 1957 before heading west.
After marrying Dorothy Fischer, Jeb and his wife moved to the Los Angeles and settled in Brentwood. He worked for an advertising agency and in 1965 he published his first novel titled Saturday. He went on to pursue screenwriting for film and television in 1967 and was mentored by his friend Earl Hamner,...
- 9/5/2018
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Sam Peckinpah was a fine director of actors when the material was right, and his first collaboration with Steve McQueen is an shaded character study about a rodeo family dealing with changing times. Joe Don Baker and Ben Johnson shine, but the movie belongs to Ida Lupino and Robert Preston.
Junior Bonner
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1972 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 100 min. / Special Edition / Street Date October 31, 2017 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95
Starring: Steve McQueen, Robert Preston, Ida Lupino, Joe Don Baker, Ben Johnson, Mary Murphy, Dub Taylor, Don ‘Red’ Barry, Bill McKinney.
Cinematography: Lucien Ballard
Film Editors: Frank Santillo, Robert L. Wolfe
Second Unit Director: Frank Kowalski
Bud Hurlbud: Special Effects
Original Music: Jerry Fielding
Written by Jeb Rosebrook
Produced by Joe Wizan
Directed by Sam Peckinpah
I suppose there were plenty of successful rodeo-themed westerns back in the day, perhaps the kind interrupted by a cowboy song every ten minutes or so.
Junior Bonner
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1972 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 100 min. / Special Edition / Street Date October 31, 2017 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95
Starring: Steve McQueen, Robert Preston, Ida Lupino, Joe Don Baker, Ben Johnson, Mary Murphy, Dub Taylor, Don ‘Red’ Barry, Bill McKinney.
Cinematography: Lucien Ballard
Film Editors: Frank Santillo, Robert L. Wolfe
Second Unit Director: Frank Kowalski
Bud Hurlbud: Special Effects
Original Music: Jerry Fielding
Written by Jeb Rosebrook
Produced by Joe Wizan
Directed by Sam Peckinpah
I suppose there were plenty of successful rodeo-themed westerns back in the day, perhaps the kind interrupted by a cowboy song every ten minutes or so.
- 10/17/2017
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Years after making an indelible mark on the horror genre with The Exorcist, William Friedkin returned to the scarier side of cinema with The Guardian. Ahead of the 1990 film's January 19th Blu-ray debut from Scream Factory, we have the release's extensive list of bonus features and a look at the cover art:
Press Release: William Friedkin, the Academy Award® winning director of The Exorcist, delivers a new kind of fairy tale for adults. A handsome young couple finds the perfect live-in babysitter to look after their newborn child. It seems like a fairy tale, until ancient, supernatural forces turn the couples dream into a nightmare. On January 19, 2016, Scream Factory™ is proud to present The Guardian, arriving for the first time on Blu-ray™. A film by William Friedkin (The Exorcist, The Hunted), the supernatural thriller stars Jenny Seagrove (Local Hero), Dwier Broan (Red Dragon) and Carey Lowell (License to Kill).
A must-have for loyal fans,...
Press Release: William Friedkin, the Academy Award® winning director of The Exorcist, delivers a new kind of fairy tale for adults. A handsome young couple finds the perfect live-in babysitter to look after their newborn child. It seems like a fairy tale, until ancient, supernatural forces turn the couples dream into a nightmare. On January 19, 2016, Scream Factory™ is proud to present The Guardian, arriving for the first time on Blu-ray™. A film by William Friedkin (The Exorcist, The Hunted), the supernatural thriller stars Jenny Seagrove (Local Hero), Dwier Broan (Red Dragon) and Carey Lowell (License to Kill).
A must-have for loyal fans,...
- 12/3/2015
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Hollywood producer Joe Wizan has passed away at the age of 76.
Wizan died of natural causes after a long illness on Monday in Westlake Village, California.
He began his career at top talent agency William Morris and helped to guide the careers of actor/director Sydney Pollack and moviemaker Robert Altman, before moving into film production.
His movie credits include 1970s pictures Junior Bonner with Steve McQueen, Jeremiah Johnson with Robert Redford, and Robert Wise thriller Audrey Rose.
Wizan also worked on 1984's Romancing the Stone and 1992 action comedy Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot!, as well as the film adaptations of James Patterson's Alex Cross book Kiss the Girls (1997) and its 2001 sequel Along Came a Spider - the producer's final shoot.
He is survived by his wife Melanie, a son and a daughter, and two step-sons.
Wizan died of natural causes after a long illness on Monday in Westlake Village, California.
He began his career at top talent agency William Morris and helped to guide the careers of actor/director Sydney Pollack and moviemaker Robert Altman, before moving into film production.
His movie credits include 1970s pictures Junior Bonner with Steve McQueen, Jeremiah Johnson with Robert Redford, and Robert Wise thriller Audrey Rose.
Wizan also worked on 1984's Romancing the Stone and 1992 action comedy Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot!, as well as the film adaptations of James Patterson's Alex Cross book Kiss the Girls (1997) and its 2001 sequel Along Came a Spider - the producer's final shoot.
He is survived by his wife Melanie, a son and a daughter, and two step-sons.
- 3/25/2011
- WENN
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