Steven Spielberg and George Lucas are the Hollywood duo who have had a significant cultural impact with their creative partnership on franchises like Indiana Jones. After the 1981 film Raiders of the Lost Ark, Lucas reportedly wanted to continue their collaborative journey with the third installment in the epic space opera, Return of the Jedi.
Return of the Jedi (image credit: LucasFilm)
Lucas had stepped away from the director’s chair after Episode I – A New Hope. After Irvin Kershner helmed the sequel, he sought Spielberg with the offer to direct the third installment of his epic space opera. However, his plans did not come to fruition due to Lucas’ feud and Spielberg’s association with the Directors Guild of America.
Steven Spielberg Could Not Direct Episode VI – Return of the Jedi
Following their successful collaboration on Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars: Episode VI seemed like an...
Return of the Jedi (image credit: LucasFilm)
Lucas had stepped away from the director’s chair after Episode I – A New Hope. After Irvin Kershner helmed the sequel, he sought Spielberg with the offer to direct the third installment of his epic space opera. However, his plans did not come to fruition due to Lucas’ feud and Spielberg’s association with the Directors Guild of America.
Steven Spielberg Could Not Direct Episode VI – Return of the Jedi
Following their successful collaboration on Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars: Episode VI seemed like an...
- 5/27/2024
- by Laxmi Rajput
- FandomWire
After working with George Lucas in the first Star Wars film, A New Hope, Mark Hamill found it a little uncomfortable to work with Irvin Kershner in the next film. Kershner directed The Empire Strikes Back, which is considered one of the best Star Wars movies ever. Hamill and Kershner often butted heads over the creative direction with the character of Luke Skywalker. Nevertheless, Hamill shared that they had a mutual respect for each other for being opinionated.
Mark Hamill in a still from Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back | Lucasfilm Ltd.
Hamill had more heated arguments with another Star Wars director. His return to the sequel trilogy in a major role was under Rian Johnson’s The Last Jedi. Hamill had his apprehensions about the director’s vision, which led to clashes between the two.
Mark Hamill Butted Heads With The Director Of The Best Star Wars...
Mark Hamill in a still from Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back | Lucasfilm Ltd.
Hamill had more heated arguments with another Star Wars director. His return to the sequel trilogy in a major role was under Rian Johnson’s The Last Jedi. Hamill had his apprehensions about the director’s vision, which led to clashes between the two.
Mark Hamill Butted Heads With The Director Of The Best Star Wars...
- 5/27/2024
- by Hashim Asraff
- FandomWire
Irvin Kershner-directed The Empire Strikes Back from the Star Wars franchise is one of the highly recognized movies but it has a lot of behind-the-screen moments that would reshape the very outline of the movie. Thanks to the mastermind behind the franchise, George Lucas fans got the best treatment from the 1980 movie.
Yoda. Credit: 20th Century Studios
The Empire Strikes Back has undergone several changes before reaching the final product. Written by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan from the story developed by Lucas had different plans for the iconic character, Yoda who would later make several appearances throughout the Star Wars franchise.
George Lucas’ Original Plan For Yoda Was Different
Jedi Master Yoda. Credit: 20th Century Studios
Legendary filmmaker and the father of the Star Wars franchise, George Lucas, had a different plan for Yoda— a small, green humanoid alien and a Jedi Master— and that would have potentially...
Yoda. Credit: 20th Century Studios
The Empire Strikes Back has undergone several changes before reaching the final product. Written by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan from the story developed by Lucas had different plans for the iconic character, Yoda who would later make several appearances throughout the Star Wars franchise.
George Lucas’ Original Plan For Yoda Was Different
Jedi Master Yoda. Credit: 20th Century Studios
Legendary filmmaker and the father of the Star Wars franchise, George Lucas, had a different plan for Yoda— a small, green humanoid alien and a Jedi Master— and that would have potentially...
- 5/23/2024
- by Lachit Roy
- FandomWire
Han Solo as a character looks like he was built to deliver one-liners. Harrison Ford brought the character to life with his signature charm, which didn’t miss a beat when he returned to play the character in The Force Awakens. The actor’s handling of the role, along with lines that he improvised, has not only become important for Star Wars history but have become important moments in cinema history too.
Billy Dee Williams and Harrison Ford from Star Wars: Episode V—The Empire Strikes Back | Lucasfilm
One of the most iconic scenes from Empire Strikes Back has Princess Leia Organa confessing her love for Han Solo, to which the character simply responds with ‘I know’. Held in pretty high regard by cinema enthusiasts and Star Wars fans alike, this particular line of dialogue was improvised by Harrison Ford on the set of the film.
Suggested“That might be the...
Billy Dee Williams and Harrison Ford from Star Wars: Episode V—The Empire Strikes Back | Lucasfilm
One of the most iconic scenes from Empire Strikes Back has Princess Leia Organa confessing her love for Han Solo, to which the character simply responds with ‘I know’. Held in pretty high regard by cinema enthusiasts and Star Wars fans alike, this particular line of dialogue was improvised by Harrison Ford on the set of the film.
Suggested“That might be the...
- 5/22/2024
- by Anuraag Chatterjee
- FandomWire
The Star Wars franchise is one of the highest-grossing franchises of all time and has spawned multiple films, shows, animated series, and comic books. The Galaxies created by George Lucas changed pop culture as well as blockbuster filmmaking since the first film was released in 1977. The film earned $775 million against a budget of $11 million.
While Lucas directed the first film in the original trilogy, he wanted to take more of a creative producer role in subsequent films of the original trilogy. The Empire Strikes Back was helmed by Irvin Kershner while Return of the Jedi was directed by Richard Marquand. However, Lucas reportedly first had David Lynch in mind for the latter.
David Lynch Rejected The Opportunity To Direct A Star Wars Movie George Lucas | Credits: YouTube/Full Bodied Productions
George Lucas’ Star Wars was and still is one of the hottest properties in Hollywood and many filmmakers would give...
While Lucas directed the first film in the original trilogy, he wanted to take more of a creative producer role in subsequent films of the original trilogy. The Empire Strikes Back was helmed by Irvin Kershner while Return of the Jedi was directed by Richard Marquand. However, Lucas reportedly first had David Lynch in mind for the latter.
David Lynch Rejected The Opportunity To Direct A Star Wars Movie George Lucas | Credits: YouTube/Full Bodied Productions
George Lucas’ Star Wars was and still is one of the hottest properties in Hollywood and many filmmakers would give...
- 5/20/2024
- by Nishanth A
- FandomWire
There are many sung heroes associated with the overall Star Wars franchise, such as Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and George Lucas. However, all of these stars have been lauded for their work humungously and continue to receive praise habitually from fans of the never-dying series.
However, some names that also played a huge role in making the original trilogy of films a reality did not quite get the same due. Among them is none other than Frank Oz, originally a puppeteer, and the man responsible for bringing to life one of the most celebrated characters in the Star Wars universe: Yoda.
George Lucas wanted Frank Oz to be nominated for an Oscar after Empire Strikes Back. | Disney+
Oz’s troubles with respect to his work on the franchise included a ‘freaky encounter’ with snakes. Yes, actual, slithering, poisonous, moving, snakes that he was exposed to by the director, Irvin Kershner.
However, some names that also played a huge role in making the original trilogy of films a reality did not quite get the same due. Among them is none other than Frank Oz, originally a puppeteer, and the man responsible for bringing to life one of the most celebrated characters in the Star Wars universe: Yoda.
George Lucas wanted Frank Oz to be nominated for an Oscar after Empire Strikes Back. | Disney+
Oz’s troubles with respect to his work on the franchise included a ‘freaky encounter’ with snakes. Yes, actual, slithering, poisonous, moving, snakes that he was exposed to by the director, Irvin Kershner.
- 5/19/2024
- by Rishabh Bhatnagar
- FandomWire
Star Wars – one of the many phenomena that forever changed the landscape of pop culture in modern history – has brought us stories of unbridled joy, hope, love, friendship, camaraderie, candor, optimism in the face of utter loss, and resolution in the face of utter despair. And yet, there remain aspects of the narrative that are as mysterious today as they were 47 years ago.
After the first chapter of the story premiered with Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, George Lucas established a new dynasty belonging to new-age superheroes who defied the rules and boundaries of this universe to achieve heroic deeds that resound throughout the entire galaxy.
The Star Wars gang [Credit: Lucasfilm/20th Century Studios]Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, and Han Solo would then go on to be names that inspired indelible virtue, bravery, and strength of moral character for generations to come just as much as Darth Vader...
After the first chapter of the story premiered with Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, George Lucas established a new dynasty belonging to new-age superheroes who defied the rules and boundaries of this universe to achieve heroic deeds that resound throughout the entire galaxy.
The Star Wars gang [Credit: Lucasfilm/20th Century Studios]Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, and Han Solo would then go on to be names that inspired indelible virtue, bravery, and strength of moral character for generations to come just as much as Darth Vader...
- 5/17/2024
- by Diya Majumdar
- FandomWire
George Lucas directed 1977’s Star Wars, which set up the popular space-opera franchise that is going strong even today. Lucas followed up the original with two sequels, which improved on the formula of the first film while delivering an epic sci-fi fantasy and emotional drama. However, Lucas stepped back from the director’s chair for the latter two installments.
George Lucas did not return to direct The Empire Strike Back and its sequel.
In an interview, Lucas was asked about whether stepping away from directing the movies impacted the final product. In response, Lucas had a surprising answer, explaining how the movies would have differed if he had taken on the directorial responsibility. Here is everything you need to know about how Lucas feels about not directing the sequels to his original 1977 film.
George Lucas Answers Whether the Star Wars Movies Would’ve Been Different If He Directed
George Lucas...
George Lucas did not return to direct The Empire Strike Back and its sequel.
In an interview, Lucas was asked about whether stepping away from directing the movies impacted the final product. In response, Lucas had a surprising answer, explaining how the movies would have differed if he had taken on the directorial responsibility. Here is everything you need to know about how Lucas feels about not directing the sequels to his original 1977 film.
George Lucas Answers Whether the Star Wars Movies Would’ve Been Different If He Directed
George Lucas...
- 5/8/2024
- by Pratik Handore
- FandomWire
The mastermind behind the massively fan-favorite Star Wars universe, George Lucas, never ceases to bring about the most epic of ideas to life. Be it ideas to include in his superhit lore or ideas to protect the same, he has most certainly been one of the most imaginative people to have ever walked on this planet. In fact, he even devised a plan to make his saga leak-proof!
George Lucas. | Credit: Joey Gannon/Wikimedia Commons.
While the rest of the franchises suffer brutally because of all the leaks — even the super-secretive Marvel Cinematic Universe, thanks to actors like Tom Holland — Lucas devised a leak-proof plan for the biggest spoiler in The Empire Strikes Back. And, surprisingly enough, this worked so terrifically that even the internet couldn’t spoil this mystery!
George Lucas’ Leak-Proof Plan for The Empire Strikes Back
Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back, which is...
George Lucas. | Credit: Joey Gannon/Wikimedia Commons.
While the rest of the franchises suffer brutally because of all the leaks — even the super-secretive Marvel Cinematic Universe, thanks to actors like Tom Holland — Lucas devised a leak-proof plan for the biggest spoiler in The Empire Strikes Back. And, surprisingly enough, this worked so terrifically that even the internet couldn’t spoil this mystery!
George Lucas’ Leak-Proof Plan for The Empire Strikes Back
Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back, which is...
- 5/5/2024
- by Mahin Sultan
- FandomWire
Movie fans love to discover behind-the-scenes tidbits about their favorite films, and there are few movie facts more exciting than an improvised line or scene. Stories of improvisation remind us that filmmaking is a collaborative, creative process, and that sometimes the most unexpected ideas make the biggest impact.
Writers and directors lay the foundation and set the scene, while it's up to actors to make the characters their own. Take one of the most classic lines in "The Godfather," a perfect example of improvisation upon a strong foundation. The phrase "leave the gun," was written in the script, but actor Richard Castellano added the line "take the cannoli," turning it into the iconic catchphrase it is today. Clearly, Francis Ford Coppola's decision to keep that ad-lib in the final cut was the right one.
We now turn our attention to the world of science fiction, where actors are often...
Writers and directors lay the foundation and set the scene, while it's up to actors to make the characters their own. Take one of the most classic lines in "The Godfather," a perfect example of improvisation upon a strong foundation. The phrase "leave the gun," was written in the script, but actor Richard Castellano added the line "take the cannoli," turning it into the iconic catchphrase it is today. Clearly, Francis Ford Coppola's decision to keep that ad-lib in the final cut was the right one.
We now turn our attention to the world of science fiction, where actors are often...
- 5/5/2024
- by Kira Deshler
- Slash Film
The famous twist at the end of Irvin Kershner's 1980 sci-fi epic "The Empire Strikes Back" — that the evil Darth Vader (James Earl Jones/David Prowse) was actually the father of the heroic Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) — was shocking enough to send seismic ripples through the future of pop culture. Young prospective filmmakers reared in 1980 were so shocked by the famed "Empire" revelation that the "hero was secretly related to the villain this whole time" twist would eventually become a common screenwriting trope.
As many Starwoids will be able to tell you, the "I am your father" twist famously contradicts dialogue from George Lucas' "Star Wars" from three years earlier. In that film, the trustworthy Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness) revealed that he was friends with Luke's father, who was, by Obi-Wan's own description, definitely not Darth Vader. Indeed, Darth Vader was said to have murdered Luke's father. So when...
As many Starwoids will be able to tell you, the "I am your father" twist famously contradicts dialogue from George Lucas' "Star Wars" from three years earlier. In that film, the trustworthy Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness) revealed that he was friends with Luke's father, who was, by Obi-Wan's own description, definitely not Darth Vader. Indeed, Darth Vader was said to have murdered Luke's father. So when...
- 4/28/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The red carpet will soon roll out for the 77th Festival de Cannes. The international film festival, playing out May 14-25, has a distinct American voice this year. “Barbie” filmmaker Greta Gerwig is the first U.S. female director name jury president. Many veteran American helmers are heading to the French Rivera resort town. George Lucas, who turns 80 on May 14, will receive an honorary Palme d’Or. Francis Ford Coppola’s much-anticipated “Megalopolis” is screening in competition, as is Paul Schrader’s “Oh Canada.” Kevin Costner’s new Western “Horizon, An American Saga” will premiere out of competition and Oliver Stone’s “Lula” is part of the special screening showcase.
Fifty years ago, Coppola was the toast of the 27th Cannes Film Festival. His brilliant psychological thriller “The Conversation” starring Gene Hackman won the Palme D’Or and well as a Special Mention from the Ecumenical Jury. The film would earn three Oscar nominations: picture,...
Fifty years ago, Coppola was the toast of the 27th Cannes Film Festival. His brilliant psychological thriller “The Conversation” starring Gene Hackman won the Palme D’Or and well as a Special Mention from the Ecumenical Jury. The film would earn three Oscar nominations: picture,...
- 4/25/2024
- by Susan King
- Gold Derby
In Jay Roach's 1997 James Bond spoof "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery," the film's villain, Dr. Evil (Mike Myers), aims to murder off his arch-nemesis by dropping him into a tank full of man-eating sharks. In a supervillainous twist, the sharks will be equipped with laser beams affixed to their heads. Dr. Evil says he likes his pets to have a well-cooked meal before eating. He then cackles maniacally. A lieutenant of his, however, informs Dr. Evil that buying sharks equipped with lasers is immensely difficult and that the tank is, instead, filled with flesh-eating sea bass. Dr. Evil isn't thrilled. "You know, I have one simple request," Dr. Evil says, "and that is to have sharks with frickin' laser beams attached to their heads!"
One cannot say if there's a direct connection to the above scene and a James Bond movie that Sean Connery once wrote, but there are a few uncanny similarities.
One cannot say if there's a direct connection to the above scene and a James Bond movie that Sean Connery once wrote, but there are a few uncanny similarities.
- 4/23/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Until recently, if one were asked to name some of the best films of preeminent 1970s filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, it would be easy to pick the big hits. “The Godfather” (1972), “The Godfather II” (1974) and “Apocalypse Now” (1979) are definitely his most iconic and respected films. You’d also be hard-pressed to find a person aged 25-50 who isn’t keenly aware of his adaption of S.E. Hinton’s mandatory high school assigned “The Outsiders” (1983) or his classics “Peggy Sue Got Married” (1986) and maybe even “Tucker: The Man and His Dream” (1988). Yet lately, Coppola’s “The Conversation” (1974) has entered the chat as a somewhat under the radar, low-key masterpiece from the filmmaker, and this year the film celebrates its 50th birthday.
After honing his directorial chops on films like the Roger Corman-produced horror film “Dementia 13” (1963) and fledgling films like “You’re a Big Boy Now” (1966), “Finian’s Rainbow” (1968) and “The Rain People...
After honing his directorial chops on films like the Roger Corman-produced horror film “Dementia 13” (1963) and fledgling films like “You’re a Big Boy Now” (1966), “Finian’s Rainbow” (1968) and “The Rain People...
- 4/8/2024
- by Don Lewis
- Indiewire
Killer Collectibles highlights five of the most exciting new horror products announced each and every week, from toys and apparel to artwork, records, and much more.
Here are the coolest horror collectibles unveiled this week!]
RoboCop 2 4K Uhd from Scream Factory
RoboCop 2 will protect the innocent on 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray on June 18 via Scream Factory. The 1990 sequel has been newly scanned in 4K from the original camera negative with Dolby Vision.
Irvin Kershner (Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back) directs from a script by comic book legend Frank Miller and Walon Green (Eraser). Peter Weller returns to star with Nancy Allen, Dan O’Herlihy, Tom Noonan, Belinda Bauer, and Gabriel Damon.
Special features include: commentaries by CG supervisor Paul M. Sammon and the RoboDoc: The Creation of RoboCop documentarians; Corporate Wars: The Making of RoboCop 2; Machine Parts: The FX of RoboCop 2; Ocp Declassified; and more.
Species...
Here are the coolest horror collectibles unveiled this week!]
RoboCop 2 4K Uhd from Scream Factory
RoboCop 2 will protect the innocent on 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray on June 18 via Scream Factory. The 1990 sequel has been newly scanned in 4K from the original camera negative with Dolby Vision.
Irvin Kershner (Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back) directs from a script by comic book legend Frank Miller and Walon Green (Eraser). Peter Weller returns to star with Nancy Allen, Dan O’Herlihy, Tom Noonan, Belinda Bauer, and Gabriel Damon.
Special features include: commentaries by CG supervisor Paul M. Sammon and the RoboDoc: The Creation of RoboCop documentarians; Corporate Wars: The Making of RoboCop 2; Machine Parts: The FX of RoboCop 2; Ocp Declassified; and more.
Species...
- 4/5/2024
- by Alex DiVincenzo
- bloody-disgusting.com
I don’t think it’s a controversial opinion to state that, of all the RoboCop movies, only Paul Verhoeven’s original 1987 film deserves to be called a classic. However, a lot of us have always thought that the ultra-violent sequel, RoboCop 2, was better than its reputation suggests. I know from our Original Video on the movie that it has more than a few fans, so it’s exciting to reveal that RoboCop 2 is finally getting a 4K Blu-ray release via Scream Factory.
The news was broken by our friends at Blu-ray.com. The company has also licensed José Padilha’s 2014 remake for release. No RoboCop 3 yet. I suppose the company just decided to let that one go, and you can’t really blame them, as it just might be one of the worst sequels of all time.
No news yet on whether RoboCop 2 will contain any special features.
The news was broken by our friends at Blu-ray.com. The company has also licensed José Padilha’s 2014 remake for release. No RoboCop 3 yet. I suppose the company just decided to let that one go, and you can’t really blame them, as it just might be one of the worst sequels of all time.
No news yet on whether RoboCop 2 will contain any special features.
- 4/1/2024
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
"Oh, they've encased him in carbonite. He should be quite well protected, if he survived the freezing process, that is," quips C-3Po after Han Solo (Harrison Ford) is frozen alive in a slab of carbonite in "The Empire Strikes Back." It is a memorable scene, as it is preceded by Leia's (Carrie Fisher) declaration of love for Han, to which he replies with the characteristically suave, brilliantly ad-libbed "I know." The frozen Han is eventually handed over to Jabba the Hutt, whose lair is later infiltrated by Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and gang to rescue their friend from his frozen state in "Return of the Jedi."
This is not the only instance of a person being carbon-frozen in the "Star Wars" universe. Although the process was widely used to encase and preserve transport materials (such as gaseous substances), it was often utilized to transfer sentient beings. Even Anakin Skywalker...
This is not the only instance of a person being carbon-frozen in the "Star Wars" universe. Although the process was widely used to encase and preserve transport materials (such as gaseous substances), it was often utilized to transfer sentient beings. Even Anakin Skywalker...
- 4/1/2024
- by Debopriyaa Dutta
- Slash Film
It's fun going back to watch Irvin Kershner's 1980 sci-fi epic "The Empire Strikes Back," knowing what twists would come in subsequent sequels. In "Empire," Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) became angry at Han Solo (Harrison Ford), a man Leia knew was attracted to her. To make Han jealous, Leia brazenly grabs a nearby Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and kisses him full on the mouth. Luke knows that Leia was only playing a game, but was happy to be kissed. Han stormed out of the room, outraged. Luke smiled in smug satisfaction.
In Richard Marquand's 1983 follow-up film "Return of the Jedi," it would be revealed that Luke and Leia were siblings. This was clearly a last-minute plot twist, meant to parallel the "surprise" from "Empire" that the villainous Darth Vader was actually Luke Skywalker's father. The "Jedi" twist wasn't thought out, however, as it retroactively incorporated into "Star Wars" an...
In Richard Marquand's 1983 follow-up film "Return of the Jedi," it would be revealed that Luke and Leia were siblings. This was clearly a last-minute plot twist, meant to parallel the "surprise" from "Empire" that the villainous Darth Vader was actually Luke Skywalker's father. The "Jedi" twist wasn't thought out, however, as it retroactively incorporated into "Star Wars" an...
- 3/19/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Michael Culver, the veteran British actor who portrayed the doomed Captain Needa in The Empire Strikes Back and a bigoted police inspector in David Lean’s A Passage to India, has died. He was 85.
Culver died Feb. 27, according to Alliance Agents, which represented him for the past decade. No other details were immediately available.
Culver also appeared on lots of British television over the years, from The Befrienders, Secret Army and The Adventures of Black Beauty to The Return of Sherlock Holmes, Game Set and Match, The House of Eliott and the Derek Jacobi-starring Cadfael.
In Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back (1980), directed by Irvin Kershner, Culver’s character, as captain of the Imperial Star Destroyer Avenger, loses track of the Millennium Falcon piloted by Han Solo during a pursuit.
Needa takes full responsibility and apologizes to Darth Vader, who then kills him (“Apology accepted, Captain...
Culver died Feb. 27, according to Alliance Agents, which represented him for the past decade. No other details were immediately available.
Culver also appeared on lots of British television over the years, from The Befrienders, Secret Army and The Adventures of Black Beauty to The Return of Sherlock Holmes, Game Set and Match, The House of Eliott and the Derek Jacobi-starring Cadfael.
In Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back (1980), directed by Irvin Kershner, Culver’s character, as captain of the Imperial Star Destroyer Avenger, loses track of the Millennium Falcon piloted by Han Solo during a pursuit.
Needa takes full responsibility and apologizes to Darth Vader, who then kills him (“Apology accepted, Captain...
- 3/13/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
When people talk about "Star Wars," they often bring up creator George Lucas or one of its stars, but perhaps the greatest unsung hero of the franchise is Frank Oz. Oz is a puppeteer best known for his work on "Sesame Street" and "The Muppets," but in "Star Wars," he puppeteered and provided the voice of the sage Jedi, Yoda. Making Yoda come to life meant hiding beneath the sets so he could move the puppets' limbs, his work hidden offscreen while his performance appeared through Yoda's face and body. It's pretty thankless work that wasn't even considered acting when Lucas campaigned to get Oz nominated for an Oscar, and that didn't even account for some of the physical misery Oz had to endure in order to do his job -- specifically, dealing with snakes.
In a 2018 interview on The Star Wars Show, Oz revealed that one of the most...
In a 2018 interview on The Star Wars Show, Oz revealed that one of the most...
- 3/11/2024
- by Danielle Ryan
- Slash Film
Pamela Salem, who portrayed Miss Moneypenny in Never Say Never Again opposite Sean Connery in his final turn as James Bond, has died. She was 80.
Salem died Wednesday in Surfside, Florida, according to Big Finish Productions, for whom she participated in several audio productions.
“Whenever there was a Big Finish recording for her, she’d fly in from Miami on her own steam, without fuss or fanfare, and appear at the studio armed with the warmest smiles, the biggest hugs and often presents,” producer David Richardson said in a statement.
For the BBC’s Doctor Who, Salem played the sandminer pilot Lish Toos on 1977’s “The Robots of Death” and Professor Rachel Jensen on 1988’s “Remembrance of the Daleks.” She reprised both roles for Big Finish in the audio drama series The Robots and radio spinoff series Counter Measures.
Salem also portrayed the evil sorceress Belor on the 1981-82 ITV...
Salem died Wednesday in Surfside, Florida, according to Big Finish Productions, for whom she participated in several audio productions.
“Whenever there was a Big Finish recording for her, she’d fly in from Miami on her own steam, without fuss or fanfare, and appear at the studio armed with the warmest smiles, the biggest hugs and often presents,” producer David Richardson said in a statement.
For the BBC’s Doctor Who, Salem played the sandminer pilot Lish Toos on 1977’s “The Robots of Death” and Professor Rachel Jensen on 1988’s “Remembrance of the Daleks.” She reprised both roles for Big Finish in the audio drama series The Robots and radio spinoff series Counter Measures.
Salem also portrayed the evil sorceress Belor on the 1981-82 ITV...
- 2/23/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
One of the best things about the old Star Wars Expanded Universe was that it afforded writers a chance to delve deeply into the various supporting players who would pop in and out of the original trilogy with nary an explanation for who they were or what their deal even was. One might call this the Boba Fett Syndrome. Take Lando Calrissian's (Billy Dee Williams) cyborg pal Lobot, who joined the smuggler in going legit after Lando became the Baron Administrator of Cloud City. He makes but a few wordless appearances in "The Empire Strikes Back" only to vamoose, never to be seen or mentioned again.
These days, Lobot has a wholly fleshed-out and consistent canonical backstory thanks to books like the "Lando" and "War of the Bounty Hunters" comics series. However, before Disney assumed control of the franchise, you just had to piece together the character's history as best...
These days, Lobot has a wholly fleshed-out and consistent canonical backstory thanks to books like the "Lando" and "War of the Bounty Hunters" comics series. However, before Disney assumed control of the franchise, you just had to piece together the character's history as best...
- 2/8/2024
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
Don Murray, the venturesome actor who earned an Oscar nomination for playing a rodeo cowboy smitten by Marilyn Monroe in Bus Stop, then spurned Hollywood’s attempts to mold him, has died. He was 94.
Murray’s son Christopher announced his dad’s death to The New York Times without providing details.
The actor was also known for the interesting parts he went after in such serious films as A Hatful of Rain (1957), The Hoodlum Priest (1961) and Advise & Consent (1962).
Fresh off a starring role in a 1955 Broadway revival of Thornton Wilder’s The Skin of Our Teeth, Murray was sought by director Joshua Logan to portray Bo Decker, the naive Montana man who falls for the chanteuse Chérie (Monroe), in Bus Stop (1956). It was his first movie, and he was 26 at the time.
“No one could have been less equipped for the job,” he once said. “I was a New...
Murray’s son Christopher announced his dad’s death to The New York Times without providing details.
The actor was also known for the interesting parts he went after in such serious films as A Hatful of Rain (1957), The Hoodlum Priest (1961) and Advise & Consent (1962).
Fresh off a starring role in a 1955 Broadway revival of Thornton Wilder’s The Skin of Our Teeth, Murray was sought by director Joshua Logan to portray Bo Decker, the naive Montana man who falls for the chanteuse Chérie (Monroe), in Bus Stop (1956). It was his first movie, and he was 26 at the time.
“No one could have been less equipped for the job,” he once said. “I was a New...
- 2/2/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Not every horror movie is going to connect with critics, no matter how much the public loves it or if its wider reputation grows more favorably over time. These range from cult classics that earned legions of devoted fans to maligned sequels and reboots that didn't deserve the critical hate they got upon release. Simply put, even the most poorly reviewed horror flicks deserve a reappraisal and are, at the very least worth a look from the curious and unfamiliar.
There are plenty of horror movies that hold a rotten critics' approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes that still make for interesting, and in many cases, even great viewings. With everything from supernatural giallo movies to slasher sequels that subvert expectations, there is a horror movie for every scary sensibility. Here are the 15 horror flicks that didn't connect with most critics that should be given at least one solid viewing.
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There are plenty of horror movies that hold a rotten critics' approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes that still make for interesting, and in many cases, even great viewings. With everything from supernatural giallo movies to slasher sequels that subvert expectations, there is a horror movie for every scary sensibility. Here are the 15 horror flicks that didn't connect with most critics that should be given at least one solid viewing.
Read...
- 1/27/2024
- by Samuel Stone
- Slash Film
Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy is a two-time Oscar winner and the first female director of a Star Wars film.
Having an iconic franchise in her hands thrills the filmmaker as she says it was “about time” a woman took the reigns of a project in the Star Wars universe.
“I’m very thrilled about the project because I feel what we’re about to create is something very special,” Obaid-Chinoy told CNN. “We’re in 2024 now, and it’s about time that we had a woman come forward to shape a story in a galaxy far, far away.”
George Lucas created Star Wars, with the first film released in 1977. Following Lucas, only male directors have helmed the franchise, like Irvin Kershner, Richard Marquand and J.J. Abrams. Standalone movies in the same universe have also been directed by men like Gareth Edwards’ Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Ron Howard’s Solo: A Star Wars Story.
Having an iconic franchise in her hands thrills the filmmaker as she says it was “about time” a woman took the reigns of a project in the Star Wars universe.
“I’m very thrilled about the project because I feel what we’re about to create is something very special,” Obaid-Chinoy told CNN. “We’re in 2024 now, and it’s about time that we had a woman come forward to shape a story in a galaxy far, far away.”
George Lucas created Star Wars, with the first film released in 1977. Following Lucas, only male directors have helmed the franchise, like Irvin Kershner, Richard Marquand and J.J. Abrams. Standalone movies in the same universe have also been directed by men like Gareth Edwards’ Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Ron Howard’s Solo: A Star Wars Story.
- 1/3/2024
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
Daisy Ridley’s Rey is coming back to the big screen in a new “Star Wars” movie directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy (“Ms. Marvel”) and written by Steven Knight (“Peaky Blinders”). The film makes Obaid-Chinoy the first woman and first person of color to direct a “Star Wars” feature film. Previous film directors in the franchise include original creator George Lucas, Irvin Kershner (“Empire Strikes Back”), Richard Marquand (“Return of the Jedi”), J.J. Abrams and Rian Johnson (“The Last Jedi”). While “Star Wars” television projects have featured female directors, most notably Deborah Chow, the movies have shut them out until now.
“I’m very thrilled about the project because I feel what we’re about to create is something very special,” Obaid-Chinoy recently told CNN. “We’re in 2024 now, and it’s about time that we had a woman come forward to shape a story in a galaxy far, far away.
“I’m very thrilled about the project because I feel what we’re about to create is something very special,” Obaid-Chinoy recently told CNN. “We’re in 2024 now, and it’s about time that we had a woman come forward to shape a story in a galaxy far, far away.
- 1/2/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
Over the course of "Star Wars," "The Empire Strikes Back," and "Return of the Jedi," the masked character of Boba Fett only has four lines of dialogue and six and a half minutes of screentime. Add in "The Star Wars Holiday Special," and the character suddenly had 20 additional lines. Either way, he was not a major player in "Star Wars," and ultimately fell into the mouth of a Shai Hulud on Arrakis a Sarlacc on Tattooine. It wasn't until the decade-and-a-half following the release of 1983's "Jedi" that Boba Fett would come to be admired by Starwoids who watched the "Star Wars" movies dozens of times each. In the "Star Wars" prequel films released from 1999 to 2005, Boba Fett was given a mythic backstory, and in 2021, he became the star of his own TV series.
But for many years, outside of the old Expanded Universe, he was merely the "four lines...
But for many years, outside of the old Expanded Universe, he was merely the "four lines...
- 1/2/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Moms loved actor Robert Shaw. He wasn’t traditionally handsome, but he was sexy with his piercing blue eyes and forceful British accent. There was a gravatas to his performances, a danger that was appealing to women of a certain age. And he knew how to make an entrance on the big screen. Who could forget his introduction as the fanatical shark hunter Quint in the 1975 blockbuster “Jaws” when he runs his fingernails down the blackboard. He was the bad boy of many a mother’s dreams in the 1970s.
Let’s face it, they don’t make them like Shaw anymore. In its 1978 obit of the British actor, the Washington Post declared him as “one of the most forceful and successful character actors on the contemporary English-speaking screen.” He was also a true renaissance man having written five novels and three plays. He was writing his sixth novel when...
Let’s face it, they don’t make them like Shaw anymore. In its 1978 obit of the British actor, the Washington Post declared him as “one of the most forceful and successful character actors on the contemporary English-speaking screen.” He was also a true renaissance man having written five novels and three plays. He was writing his sixth novel when...
- 12/27/2023
- by Susan King
- Gold Derby
BFI IMAX has announced an incredibly rare chance to experience ‘Star Wars: Episode IV – New Hope, ‘Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back’ and ‘Star Wars Episode Vi: Return Of The Jedi’ on the UK’s largest screen this December.
The special editions of these beloved films will play for an extremely limited time, with all three shown back-to-back on both Friday 29 and Saturday 30 December before they return to the vault indefinitely. Rarely shown in cinemas, this is an unmissable chance to see the sci-fi trilogy that changed the face of Hollywood on BFI IMAX’s 65-foot screen with 12-channel immersive sound. These must-see screenings of the original Star Wars trilogy mark the culmination of the four-month-long BFI IMAX sci-fi celebration, Sci-fIMAX: Into the Future, Now!
Tickets will be on sale here Now.
Also in news – George Clooney & Adam Sandler team for Noah Baumbach movie
The trilogy begins with...
The special editions of these beloved films will play for an extremely limited time, with all three shown back-to-back on both Friday 29 and Saturday 30 December before they return to the vault indefinitely. Rarely shown in cinemas, this is an unmissable chance to see the sci-fi trilogy that changed the face of Hollywood on BFI IMAX’s 65-foot screen with 12-channel immersive sound. These must-see screenings of the original Star Wars trilogy mark the culmination of the four-month-long BFI IMAX sci-fi celebration, Sci-fIMAX: Into the Future, Now!
Tickets will be on sale here Now.
Also in news – George Clooney & Adam Sandler team for Noah Baumbach movie
The trilogy begins with...
- 12/19/2023
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
In Irvin Kershner's 1980 sci-fi epic "The Empire Strikes Back," the Rebel hero Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) travels to a distant planet called Dagobah to hone his nascent mental powers with the gnome-like sage Yoda (Frank Oz). During his training, Luke learns about the Force, the godlike spiritual energy that binds the universe together. He learns to better move objects with his mind, and also to see vaguely into the future. Yoda warns Luke that directing one's Force-inspired powers toward violence and selfish desires can lead one toward the Dark Side, a corrupting, demonic facet of the Force that encourages evil.
As a demonstration of the Dark Side, Luke has a vision in a cave. He sees a ghostly imprint of Darth Vader (David Prowse), the fascist warlock who killed one of Luke's old friends. Luke has a slow-motion duel with the masked Vader, and, in a fit of murderous anger,...
As a demonstration of the Dark Side, Luke has a vision in a cave. He sees a ghostly imprint of Darth Vader (David Prowse), the fascist warlock who killed one of Luke's old friends. Luke has a slow-motion duel with the masked Vader, and, in a fit of murderous anger,...
- 12/18/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Hoth seems like a terrible planet for a rebel station. Sure, it's far enough away from anything that the Empire would have a tough time finding it (not that it ultimately stopped them), but it's cold, dangerous, and brutal.
Those conditions weren't just fictional, however. The production for "Star Wars: Episode V -- The Empire Strikes Back" shot the exterior scenes in Finse, Norway, with the battle scenes on nearby Hardangerjøkulen Glacier, and conditions weren't exactly favorable. Sure, it's got the right look, but Finse's average temperature in March when the Hoth scenes were filmed has highs around 25 degrees Fahrenheit and lows around 12 degrees Fahrenheit. That's just average, mind you, and not the only thing they were dealing with as they shot outside.
When "Empire" was filming, the weather was "awful," according to the book "The Making of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (Enhanced Edition)" by J.W. Rinzler. In fact,...
Those conditions weren't just fictional, however. The production for "Star Wars: Episode V -- The Empire Strikes Back" shot the exterior scenes in Finse, Norway, with the battle scenes on nearby Hardangerjøkulen Glacier, and conditions weren't exactly favorable. Sure, it's got the right look, but Finse's average temperature in March when the Hoth scenes were filmed has highs around 25 degrees Fahrenheit and lows around 12 degrees Fahrenheit. That's just average, mind you, and not the only thing they were dealing with as they shot outside.
When "Empire" was filming, the weather was "awful," according to the book "The Making of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (Enhanced Edition)" by J.W. Rinzler. In fact,...
- 12/2/2023
- by Jenna Busch
- Slash Film
We will probably never see a motion picture phenomenon like George Lucas' "Star Wars" ever again. The United States was still shaking off its Vietnam War hangover in the mid-1970s, and while the top filmmakers of the New Hollywood were mostly attracted to edgy material that explored its characters' damaged psyches, audiences were in the mood to escape. Steven Spielberg's "Jaws" offered emphatic proof of this mindset during the summer of 1975 when it briefly became the highest-grossing movie in U.S. box office history.
Lucas' space opera was an altogether different kind of sensation. The briskly paced yarn about a young farm boy who discovers he might be the galaxy's savior ignited the imaginations of kids the world over, and Lucas deepened the viewer's immersion by employing an array of pioneering special effects and wildly inventive creature/production designs. "Star Wars" was world-building on a scale that matched "The Wizard of Oz,...
Lucas' space opera was an altogether different kind of sensation. The briskly paced yarn about a young farm boy who discovers he might be the galaxy's savior ignited the imaginations of kids the world over, and Lucas deepened the viewer's immersion by employing an array of pioneering special effects and wildly inventive creature/production designs. "Star Wars" was world-building on a scale that matched "The Wizard of Oz,...
- 12/2/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Victor J. Kemper, the veteran cinematographer who shot more than 50 features, including Dog Day Afternoon, Eyes of Laura Mars, The Jerk and Slap Shot, has died. He was 96.
Kemper died Monday of natural causes in Sherman Oaks, his son, Steven Kemper, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Kemper earned his inaugural D.P. credit on Husbands (1970), written and directed by John Cassavetes, then shot Elia Kazan’s final feature, The Last Tycoon (1976) and Tim Burton’s first, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985).
Kemper also did six films for director Arthur Hiller — The Tiger Makes Out (1967), The Hospital (1971), Author! Author! (1982), The Lonely Guy (1984), See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989) and Married to It (1991) — and three in a row for Carl Reiner: Oh God! (1977), The One and Only (1978) and The Jerk (1979).
The New Jersey native said he had to wear ice skates when he photographed the hockey scenes in George Roy Hill’s Slap Shot (1977) and...
Kemper died Monday of natural causes in Sherman Oaks, his son, Steven Kemper, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Kemper earned his inaugural D.P. credit on Husbands (1970), written and directed by John Cassavetes, then shot Elia Kazan’s final feature, The Last Tycoon (1976) and Tim Burton’s first, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985).
Kemper also did six films for director Arthur Hiller — The Tiger Makes Out (1967), The Hospital (1971), Author! Author! (1982), The Lonely Guy (1984), See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989) and Married to It (1991) — and three in a row for Carl Reiner: Oh God! (1977), The One and Only (1978) and The Jerk (1979).
The New Jersey native said he had to wear ice skates when he photographed the hockey scenes in George Roy Hill’s Slap Shot (1977) and...
- 11/29/2023
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
When actor David Prowse was filming "Star Wars" back in 1976, he knew that his face would be obscured by a mask, but he hadn't yet any clue that his voice was going to be dubbed over by another actor. Famously, Prowse's vocal performance was replaced by award-winning actor James Earl Jones. Fans of "Star Wars" may have come to associate the character of Darth Vader with both Prowse and Jones, but there was a period when Prowse was miffed he wasn't able to provide his own vocals. Jones has said that Darth Vader belongs entirely to Prowse, as his voice wasn't so much a performance as an enhancing special effect.
By the time the 1980 sequel, "The Empire Strikes Back" was being made in 1979, Prowse knew the score, understanding that his voice was to be used as a place-holder until Jones could be brought in to dub it over. This allowed...
By the time the 1980 sequel, "The Empire Strikes Back" was being made in 1979, Prowse knew the score, understanding that his voice was to be used as a place-holder until Jones could be brought in to dub it over. This allowed...
- 11/26/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Despite numerous stuffies, toys, and webcomics making wampas seem cuddly and cute, when "Star Wars: Episode V -- The Empire Strikes Back" first came out, the fluffy white monster was pretty scary. A denizen of the ice planet Hoth where the Rebels have a base, a wampa sneaks up on Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and captures him. He sticks Luke's feet to the ceiling of his cave with ice and saves him as a snack for later. As it turns out, the wampa costume itself was pretty difficult to deal with, according to a 2013 issue of "Star Wars Insider." It was also uncomfortable to wear and move in, leading to a scene that ended up being left out of the finished film, as was detailed in the book "The Making of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (Enhanced Edition)" by J.W. Rinzler.
Though the wampa scene we did see gave...
Though the wampa scene we did see gave...
- 11/25/2023
- by Jenna Busch
- Slash Film
In a 2000 Star Wars Insider interview with "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back" director Irvin Kershner, he admits that he was initially reluctant to take on the project: "'Star Wars' was one of the greatest successes we ever had in film, and I felt to follow it would only be to make a film not as good." Even the studio did not want him to get involved with the sequel, feeling that Kershner was "too old, because it's a young person's film." He also knew next to nothing about special effects.
But as much of a success as "Star Wars" became, it was not initially received that way. In the same interview, Kershner recalls viewing a trailer at Francis Ford Coppola's New Year's Eve party: "We were all baffled, to tell you the truth. We did not believe that he was going to get away with this. We all had...
But as much of a success as "Star Wars" became, it was not initially received that way. In the same interview, Kershner recalls viewing a trailer at Francis Ford Coppola's New Year's Eve party: "We were all baffled, to tell you the truth. We did not believe that he was going to get away with this. We all had...
- 11/25/2023
- by Caroline Madden
- Slash Film
It was revealed at the end of Irvin Kershner's 1980 sci-fi/fantasy film "The Empire Strikes Back" that the masked fascist warlock Darth Vader was secretly the father of the young hero Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill). This information was shocking enough to echo through multiple generations, and the "villain is secretly related to the hero" twist has been repeated throughout much of popular media for decades. The revelation also famously contradicts dialogue from 1977's "Star Wars." Luke was previously told, by the reliable Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness), that Darth Vader had killed Luke's father. The reason for Obi-Wan's deception has never been satisfactorily explained.
In the broader context of the "Star Wars" saga, the relationship between Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker has become a vital narrative fulcrum, but in the contained 1980-only context of just "Star Wars" and "The Empire Strikes Back," the twist doesn't make a lot of sense.
In the broader context of the "Star Wars" saga, the relationship between Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker has become a vital narrative fulcrum, but in the contained 1980-only context of just "Star Wars" and "The Empire Strikes Back," the twist doesn't make a lot of sense.
- 11/13/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
One of the things that gets lost when you look back on the incredible history of "Star Wars" as a franchise was just how precarious the whole Lucasfilm empire (no pun intended) was between the release of the original 1977 classic and its first sequel "The Empire Strikes Back." George Lucas is a genius for about a billion different reasons, but how he navigated Lucasfilm through this time period and somehow ended up not only controlling the rights to his creation but also producing the (arguably) best installment of the entire franchise is about the height of his business acumen.
Remember, Fox owned "Star Wars." They bought the pitch from Lucas and funded it, which meant Fox owned "Star Wars," not George Lucas. What Lucas was able to do in those original contracts with the studio was to claim a few key points that most folks ignored in their deal memos,...
Remember, Fox owned "Star Wars." They bought the pitch from Lucas and funded it, which meant Fox owned "Star Wars," not George Lucas. What Lucas was able to do in those original contracts with the studio was to claim a few key points that most folks ignored in their deal memos,...
- 11/5/2023
- by Eric Vespe
- Slash Film
Sometimes there's an exchange in a movie that is so perfect, so natural and in character, that you have to assume it was the result of a deep, thorough writing process with all the top creative minds. The "I love you," "I know" exchange between Han and Leia in the last act of "The Empire Strikes Back" is one of those magical movie moments that perfectly captures their characters and is delivered with all the charisma of those wonderful actors at the top of their game.
It's fairly common trivia that Harrison Ford's "I know" wasn't pre-planned. In the original script he responded with the more sentimental "I love you, too," but something about that didn't work for director Irvin Kershner. In a 2014 interview with StarWars.com, Kershner recalls that the crew was mighty angry at him the day they shot that scene because he refused to move on...
It's fairly common trivia that Harrison Ford's "I know" wasn't pre-planned. In the original script he responded with the more sentimental "I love you, too," but something about that didn't work for director Irvin Kershner. In a 2014 interview with StarWars.com, Kershner recalls that the crew was mighty angry at him the day they shot that scene because he refused to move on...
- 11/5/2023
- by Eric Vespe
- Slash Film
Billy Dee Williams was primed for stardom in the 1970s. He reduced grown men to tears as Chicago Bears running back Gayle Sayers in the classic made-for-tv movie "Brian's Song," and made a super suave impression as Diana Ross' manager in the Billie Holiday biopic "Lady Sings the Blues." Handsome as hell and armed with a velvety bass voice, Williams was a seduction machine in search of the right vehicle to vault him to the Hollywood A-list.
This being the 1970s, when Black leads were generally relegated to the Blaxploitation arena, that vehicle never arrived. He was terrific in the title role of John Badham's "The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings," but he couldn't build off its box office success because the studios weren't developing movies with Black protagonists.
Although he was in his leading-man prime, Williams disappeared from the big screen for four years after "Bingo Long.
This being the 1970s, when Black leads were generally relegated to the Blaxploitation arena, that vehicle never arrived. He was terrific in the title role of John Badham's "The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings," but he couldn't build off its box office success because the studios weren't developing movies with Black protagonists.
Although he was in his leading-man prime, Williams disappeared from the big screen for four years after "Bingo Long.
- 11/4/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
For the bulk of Irvin Kershner's 1980 sci-fantasy flick "The Empire Strikes Back," the evil Empire devotes an unreasonable amount of resources to chasing down the scrappy starship known a the Millennium Falcon, a ship full of outlaws and rebels. One of the Empire's most formidable foes, the masked Darth Vader (portayed by David Prowse but voiced by James Earl Jones), thinks that Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) is on board the Falcon, and needs to apprehend him for some as-yet unrevealed reason. Luke is away on a religious sabbatical, however, and it will be up to the Falcon's crafty pilot Han Solo (Harrison Ford) to evade capture.
Eventually, Han Solo will be forced to flee into the protection of an old associate named Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams), the Administrator of Cloud City, a city suspended in the clouds above the planet Bespin. Han and Lando have a past. It...
Eventually, Han Solo will be forced to flee into the protection of an old associate named Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams), the Administrator of Cloud City, a city suspended in the clouds above the planet Bespin. Han and Lando have a past. It...
- 10/28/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
As a young boy growing up in Budapest, a town that would come to be known as “Hollywood on the Danube,” Béla Bunyik dreamed of being in the pictures. “I fell in love with movies in Hungary back in the ’50s,” Bunyik tells Variety. “When I was 12 years old, I started to work as an extra in a few movies…. In 1953, I spent a whole summer with a bunch of kids and some of the best Hungarian actors at the time.”
He recalls being picked up after school by talent scouts and cutting his teeth on the sets of films like Viktor Gertler’s 1954 adventure-comedy “Me and My Grandfather.” “Seeing how a movie was done was very exciting for me and I was sad when the summer ended, and the film was shut,” he says. But those formative years sparked a lifelong obsession. “I got hooked.”
Bunyik would later emigrate to the U.
He recalls being picked up after school by talent scouts and cutting his teeth on the sets of films like Viktor Gertler’s 1954 adventure-comedy “Me and My Grandfather.” “Seeing how a movie was done was very exciting for me and I was sad when the summer ended, and the film was shut,” he says. But those formative years sparked a lifelong obsession. “I got hooked.”
Bunyik would later emigrate to the U.
- 10/22/2023
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
For a certain generation, spoilers weren't something you got on the Internet. They happened when you walked up behind someone on the playground and heard them discussing how Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) were twins. One huge spoiler for the first "Star Wars" generation was the fact that Darth Vader was Luke's father. You have to remember that this reveal occurred many years before the prequel films gave us the story of a young Anakin Skywalker and how he went from an unusually Force-sensitive child to the villain terrorizing the entire galaxy.
Back then, it was really hard to believe that this character, who was described as "more machine than man," could ever have fathered children. I remember leaving the theater in my footie pajamas, listening to the adults say this was unbelievable, and they absolutely couldn't wrap their heads around it. As it turns out,...
Back then, it was really hard to believe that this character, who was described as "more machine than man," could ever have fathered children. I remember leaving the theater in my footie pajamas, listening to the adults say this was unbelievable, and they absolutely couldn't wrap their heads around it. As it turns out,...
- 8/29/2023
- by Jenna Busch
- Slash Film
Few American filmmakers of the last 40 years await a major rediscovery like Hal Hartley, whose traces in modern movies are either too-minor or entirely unknown. Thus it’s cause for celebration that the Criterion Channel are soon launching a major retrospective: 13 features (which constitutes all but My America) and 17 shorts, a sui generis style and persistent vision running across 30 years. Expect your Halloween party to be aswim in Henry Fool costumes.
Speaking of: there’s a one-month headstart on seasonal programming with the 13-film “High School Horror”––most notable perhaps being a streaming premiere for the uncut version of Suspiria, plus the rare opportunity to see a Robert Rodriguez movie on the Criterion Channel––and a retrospective of Hong Kong vampire movies. A retrospective of ’70s car movies offer chills and thrills of a different sort
Six films by Allan Dwan and 12 “gaslight noirs” round out the main September series; The Eight Mountains,...
Speaking of: there’s a one-month headstart on seasonal programming with the 13-film “High School Horror”––most notable perhaps being a streaming premiere for the uncut version of Suspiria, plus the rare opportunity to see a Robert Rodriguez movie on the Criterion Channel––and a retrospective of Hong Kong vampire movies. A retrospective of ’70s car movies offer chills and thrills of a different sort
Six films by Allan Dwan and 12 “gaslight noirs” round out the main September series; The Eight Mountains,...
- 8/21/2023
- by Leonard Pearce
- The Film Stage
The Will Rogers Picture Pioneers Foundation is holding a screening of Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back on Aug. 30, 7Pm at the Tcl Chinese Theatre in Hollywood to raise funds for its charity.
The non-profit provides support to a multitude of national health and social service programs, as well as financial assistance to members of the motion picture community in times of need. A special appearance will be made by the 501st Legion, an international costuming organization comprised of and operated by Star Wars fans that are committed to supporting communities, moviegoers and charitable causes nationwide.
“We’re incredibly grateful to the historic Tcl Chinese Theatre for their generosity in supporting Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation to raise much-needed funds for members of our community during a time of increasing need,” said Christina Blumer, Executive Director of Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation. “We’re also thrilled to collaborate with...
The non-profit provides support to a multitude of national health and social service programs, as well as financial assistance to members of the motion picture community in times of need. A special appearance will be made by the 501st Legion, an international costuming organization comprised of and operated by Star Wars fans that are committed to supporting communities, moviegoers and charitable causes nationwide.
“We’re incredibly grateful to the historic Tcl Chinese Theatre for their generosity in supporting Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation to raise much-needed funds for members of our community during a time of increasing need,” said Christina Blumer, Executive Director of Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation. “We’re also thrilled to collaborate with...
- 8/9/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
“Star Wars” is one of the biggest franchises of all time and has welcomed multiple generations to a galaxy far, far away for 45 years. George Lucas’ groundbreaking vision, which began all the way back in 1977 with “A New Hope,” changed the movie industry forever and, with that, made a mark on the Academy Awards that year with a Best Picture nomination. However, the relationship between “Star Wars” and the Oscars hasn’t always been as lovable as Han Solo and Chewie. In fact, there’s often been a touch of Vader-Luke in the conflicted dynamic between the two institutions. Here’s a breakdown of the history of every “Star Wars” movie at the Academy Awards, ranked in terms of Oscars success.
“A New Hope” (1977)
Dir: George Lucas
Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness
“Luke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and...
“A New Hope” (1977)
Dir: George Lucas
Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness
“Luke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and...
- 7/28/2023
- by Jacob Sarkisian
- Gold Derby
Clockwise from top left: Black Adam (Warner Bros.), The Silence Of The Lambs (Orion Pictures), Star Wars: Episode V–The Empire Strikes Back. (20th Century Fox), Mission: Impossible—Dead Reckoning Part One (Paramount)
We’re over halfway through 2023 and there are already three major blockbusters with cliffhanger endings. First came Fast X,...
We’re over halfway through 2023 and there are already three major blockbusters with cliffhanger endings. First came Fast X,...
- 7/16/2023
- by Robert DeSalvo
- avclub.com
Intro: There’s a scene, roughly half way through the much maligned Robocop 3, in which the eponymous law enforcer is malfunctioning, battered and bruised, which is almost the perfect metaphor for the franchise at this point. As outlined in our previous video in this series, Robocop 2 may have had its fair share of issues, but alongside the annoying characters and a frustratingly dumbed down hero, it’s actually a pretty decent movie. It was just nowhere near the sequel it could so easily have been. Which leads us to part three, which is, well…Where do we start? Historically, in the wonderful world of movies in which we all often reside, part three’s, and later sequels to popular franchises, have that nagging tendency to Look like they should, but for the most part, this familiarity leads to something so very, very…Wrong! Beverley Hills Cop 3 lost all...
- 7/3/2023
- by Adam Walton
- JoBlo.com
We’ve all dreamt of what taking an adventure worthy of cinema would be like. Exploring depths unknown, defeating evil at impossible odds, meeting and making lifelong friends…you get the picture.
It’s why adventure remains a popular entertainment format even today. And the genre doesn’t seem to be slowing down either…
Capturing moviegoers’ imaginations, the 2023 releases of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3” and “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” affirms this trend conclusively.
There’s good news for fans of reel epics filled with breathtaking journeys and heart-stopping escapades. With platforms like IMDb, uncovering the crème de la crème of adventure films is a mere click away.
Based on the democratic verdict of millions of viewers on IMDb, we bring you the most revered adventure movies of all time. These films often glitter with accolades, embodying the zenith of cinematic exploration and adventure.
Related: 10 Best Movie Remakes of All Time,...
It’s why adventure remains a popular entertainment format even today. And the genre doesn’t seem to be slowing down either…
Capturing moviegoers’ imaginations, the 2023 releases of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3” and “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” affirms this trend conclusively.
There’s good news for fans of reel epics filled with breathtaking journeys and heart-stopping escapades. With platforms like IMDb, uncovering the crème de la crème of adventure films is a mere click away.
Based on the democratic verdict of millions of viewers on IMDb, we bring you the most revered adventure movies of all time. These films often glitter with accolades, embodying the zenith of cinematic exploration and adventure.
Related: 10 Best Movie Remakes of All Time,...
- 6/14/2023
- by Buddy TV
- buddytv.com
Though "The Empire Strikes Back" is often regarded now as the best "Star Wars" film, the surprising runner-up in our poll two years ago was "Return of the Jedi," which is celebrating its 40th anniversary today. That "Jedi" should make such a strong showing was surprising if only because the film tends to take a slight critical drubbing in comparison to "Empire" and the first "Star Wars" movie, now known as "A New Hope."
With "A New Hope" and "The Empire Strikes Back," directors George Lucas and Irvin Kershner each carved out a distinct tone and vision for what the original "Star Wars" trilogy could be. Still, the contemporary love for "Empire" doesn't necessarily align with the immediate reaction audiences had to it back in the day. Last year, the Vice TV docuseries "Icons Unearthed: Star Wars" spliced in footage of one '80s fan exiting the theater, saying, "It could've been a better ending,...
With "A New Hope" and "The Empire Strikes Back," directors George Lucas and Irvin Kershner each carved out a distinct tone and vision for what the original "Star Wars" trilogy could be. Still, the contemporary love for "Empire" doesn't necessarily align with the immediate reaction audiences had to it back in the day. Last year, the Vice TV docuseries "Icons Unearthed: Star Wars" spliced in footage of one '80s fan exiting the theater, saying, "It could've been a better ending,...
- 5/25/2023
- by Joshua Meyer
- Slash Film
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