Matthew Vaughn is a savvy filmmaker who should know his films, particularly when they go sailing over the top narratively and tonally — which describes pretty much all of them save for his 2004 debut directorial effort, "Layer Cake" and the open-hearted whimsy of "Stardust" — tend to divide critics. You either go with the rousingly ultraviolent superhero satire of "Kick-Ass," or you rage against its vile excesses, chief among them being the transformation of an 11-year-old into a gun-wielding, slicing-and-dicing whirlwind of death known as Hit Girl. He specializes in juvenile subversion, but if you can get past the giddy excess of his films, they occasionally contain a surprising degree of thematic depth.
Vaughn's 2024 flop "Argylle" was not, on any level, a thoughtful film. It's a star-studded stew of a spy-comedy romp that's meant as a one-and-done spinoff from the director's largely successful "Kingsman" franchise. On the surface, given its colorful assortment of celebrities,...
Vaughn's 2024 flop "Argylle" was not, on any level, a thoughtful film. It's a star-studded stew of a spy-comedy romp that's meant as a one-and-done spinoff from the director's largely successful "Kingsman" franchise. On the surface, given its colorful assortment of celebrities,...
- 6/9/2024
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
The espionage thriller Argylle, helmed by Matthew Vaughn, has sparked strong reactions since its January 2024 release. Despite its star-studded cast, including Bryce Dallas Howard, Henry Cavill, and Dua Lipa, the film faced harsh critical reviews. Director Shocked by Negative Feedback Vaughn expressed his surprise at the vitriolic reception: We didn't make 'Citizen Kane', but then the reviews came out, and I'm like, 'Wait, what have I done to offend these people?’ Unexpected Downturn Despite Positive Test Screenings Before its release, Argylle received positive feedback in test screenings. Vaughn shared: We had done test screenings that had gone fantastically well.
- 6/7/2024
- by Steve Delikson
- TVovermind.com
Any filmmaker worth their salt will acknowledge that the path to greatness comes from seeking inspiration from any source big or small, that could have a deep influence in their process of creating art. Australian director George Miller who has inspired many people through his iconic Mad Max franchise, has also found magic in various places.
Tom Hardy in Mad Max: Fury Road (image credit: Warner Brothers)
Miller expertly rebooted his famous action series in 2015 with Mad Max: Fury Road starring Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron that went on to become a blockbuster. While talking about different aspects of the film, the director revealed a 40s classic film with a controversial history that served as inspiration for one of his characters.
An Old Hollywood Film Made George Miller Christen This Mad Max Character
George Miller created the dystopian action series Mad Max back in 1979 with Mel Gibson, which was followed...
Tom Hardy in Mad Max: Fury Road (image credit: Warner Brothers)
Miller expertly rebooted his famous action series in 2015 with Mad Max: Fury Road starring Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron that went on to become a blockbuster. While talking about different aspects of the film, the director revealed a 40s classic film with a controversial history that served as inspiration for one of his characters.
An Old Hollywood Film Made George Miller Christen This Mad Max Character
George Miller created the dystopian action series Mad Max back in 1979 with Mel Gibson, which was followed...
- 6/6/2024
- by Sharanya Sankar
- FandomWire
Matthew Vaughn is responding to the heavy criticism his film Argylle received.
The film starring Henry Cavill and Bryce Dallas Howard was not well-received by film critics and the box office, and the director is weighing in on what happened.
“My guard came down on Argylle. We had done test screenings that had gone fantastically well. The premiere was a really fun night, and it was like going back to the Snatch days where there was such excitement. And I started drinking the Kool-Aid,” he said in an interview with Empire magazine.
He continued, “It’s a fun, feel-good movie, or I thought it was a fun, feel-good movie. We didn’t make Citizen Kane, but f***ing hell, then the reviews came out and I’m like, ‘Wait, what have I done to offend these people?’ They were vitriolic. I’m not saying the movie’s perfect by any means,...
The film starring Henry Cavill and Bryce Dallas Howard was not well-received by film critics and the box office, and the director is weighing in on what happened.
“My guard came down on Argylle. We had done test screenings that had gone fantastically well. The premiere was a really fun night, and it was like going back to the Snatch days where there was such excitement. And I started drinking the Kool-Aid,” he said in an interview with Empire magazine.
He continued, “It’s a fun, feel-good movie, or I thought it was a fun, feel-good movie. We didn’t make Citizen Kane, but f***ing hell, then the reviews came out and I’m like, ‘Wait, what have I done to offend these people?’ They were vitriolic. I’m not saying the movie’s perfect by any means,...
- 6/5/2024
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
Henry Cavill’s biggest flop of the year surprised director Matthew Vaughn in ways he did not expect. The filmmaker, who also helmed the successful Kingsman franchise, thought the 2024 spy thriller film would be a nice feel-good show for everyone, but what happened was the complete opposite.
Henry Cavill in Argylle / Universal Pictures
Argylle was peppered with harsh criticism from fans and reviewers. Over the past years, there has been an oversaturation of espionage-themed movies in the market, but the root cause of its failure was the early negative reviews that discouraged fans from giving it a chance.
Matthew Vaughn Addressed The Failure Of Argylle
During an interview with Empire, director Matthew Vaughn confessed he initially had a great feeling about Argylle.
We had done test screenings that had gone fantastically well. The premiere was a really fun night, and it was like going back to the ‘Snatch’ days where there was such excitement.
Henry Cavill in Argylle / Universal Pictures
Argylle was peppered with harsh criticism from fans and reviewers. Over the past years, there has been an oversaturation of espionage-themed movies in the market, but the root cause of its failure was the early negative reviews that discouraged fans from giving it a chance.
Matthew Vaughn Addressed The Failure Of Argylle
During an interview with Empire, director Matthew Vaughn confessed he initially had a great feeling about Argylle.
We had done test screenings that had gone fantastically well. The premiere was a really fun night, and it was like going back to the ‘Snatch’ days where there was such excitement.
- 6/4/2024
- by Ariane Cruz
- FandomWire
'Argylle' director Matthew Vaughn was hurt by the "vitriolic" reaction to his movie.The 53-year-old filmmaker was at the helm of the star studded spy comedy - which featured the likes of Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, Bryan Cranston, Catherine O'Hara, Henry Cavill, Dua Lipa, Ariana DeBose, John Cena and Samuel L. Jackson - and he admitted the poor reaction from critics and many fans left him disappointed and "rattled".He told Empire magazine: “My guard came down on 'Argylle'. We had done test screenings that had gone fantastically well."The premiere was a really fun night, and it was like going back to the 'Snatch' days where there was such excitement. And I started drinking the Kool-Aid.“It’s a fun, feel-good movie, or I thought it was a fun, feel-good movie. We didn’t make 'Citizen Kane', but f****** hell,...
- 6/4/2024
- by Alistair McGeorge
- Bang Showbiz
With a track record of turning stories into sensational films, Matthew Vaughn has already astonished us with his directorial finesse. Unfortunately, in addition to creating critically acclaimed flicks like Layer Cake, Stardust, X-Men: First Class, and Kingsman: The Secret Service, he has also directed films that fell flat with critics. That being said, his recent release—Argylle—starring Bryce Dallas Howard, Bryan Cranston, and Henry Cavill—has failed to capture the hearts of theatergoers.
Despite not breaking even at the box office, the film performed well on streaming platforms. While the box office numbers are still rolling in, with Vaughn at the helm and the film gaining traction, Argylle appears to be ripe for expansion.
A still from Matthew Vaughn’s Argylle | Universal Pictures
Yes, despite losing over $100 million on the action-packed spectacle, which also featured the charm of John Cena and Samuel L. Jackson, Vaughn remains undeterred, discussing the...
Despite not breaking even at the box office, the film performed well on streaming platforms. While the box office numbers are still rolling in, with Vaughn at the helm and the film gaining traction, Argylle appears to be ripe for expansion.
A still from Matthew Vaughn’s Argylle | Universal Pictures
Yes, despite losing over $100 million on the action-packed spectacle, which also featured the charm of John Cena and Samuel L. Jackson, Vaughn remains undeterred, discussing the...
- 6/4/2024
- by Siddhika Prajapati
- FandomWire
Matthew Vaughn was not expecting the demise Argylle, the director said this week.
“My guard came down on Argylle,” Vaughn told Empire. “We had done test screenings that had gone fantastically well. The premiere was a really fun night, and it was like going back to the Snatch days where there was such excitement. And I started drinking the Kool-Aid.”
The Hollywood Reporter slammed the spy comedy film for “its mirthless, shouty performances, its tortured random plot twists and its appallingly shonky-looking CGI” and the movie now holds 33 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
“It’s a fun, feel-good movie, or I thought it was a fun, feel-good movie,” Vaughn continued. “We didn’t make Citizen Kane, but fucking hell, then the reviews came out and I’m like, ‘Wait, what have I done to offend these people?’ They were vitriolic. I’m not saying the movie’s perfect by any means,...
“My guard came down on Argylle,” Vaughn told Empire. “We had done test screenings that had gone fantastically well. The premiere was a really fun night, and it was like going back to the Snatch days where there was such excitement. And I started drinking the Kool-Aid.”
The Hollywood Reporter slammed the spy comedy film for “its mirthless, shouty performances, its tortured random plot twists and its appallingly shonky-looking CGI” and the movie now holds 33 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
“It’s a fun, feel-good movie, or I thought it was a fun, feel-good movie,” Vaughn continued. “We didn’t make Citizen Kane, but fucking hell, then the reviews came out and I’m like, ‘Wait, what have I done to offend these people?’ They were vitriolic. I’m not saying the movie’s perfect by any means,...
- 6/4/2024
- by Zoe G Phillips
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Matthew Vaughn recently opened up to Empire magazine about enduring some of the worst reviews of his career with “Argylle,” the $200 million star-studded spy comedy that flopped in theaters this year with $96 million worldwide. The film, backed by Apple and released theatrically by Universal, intended to start a franchise and starred Bryce Dallas Howard as a reclusive spy novelist thrust into a real world of espionage. Henry Cavill, Sam Rockwell, Samuel L. Jackson, John Cena and more co-starred.
“Fuck yeah,” Vaughn responded when asked if the extremely negative “Argylle” reviews were disappointing to read. The movie has a 33% Rotten Tomatoes score from 292 reviews.
“We had done test screenings that had gone fantastically well,” Vaughn said. “The premiere was a really fun night, and it was like going back to the ‘Snatch’ days where there was such excitement. And I started drinking the Kool-Aid. It’s a fun, feel-good movie, or...
“Fuck yeah,” Vaughn responded when asked if the extremely negative “Argylle” reviews were disappointing to read. The movie has a 33% Rotten Tomatoes score from 292 reviews.
“We had done test screenings that had gone fantastically well,” Vaughn said. “The premiere was a really fun night, and it was like going back to the ‘Snatch’ days where there was such excitement. And I started drinking the Kool-Aid. It’s a fun, feel-good movie, or...
- 6/3/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
Matthew Vaughn has managed to establish himself as a brand name when action comedies are concerned. He managed to achieve success with the Kingsman series, but his filmography includes other interesting titles such as Stardust (2007), Kick-Ass (2010), and X-Men: First Class (2011). Vaughn is definitely a director who is interesting and who knows his trade, but his most recent feature, Argylle, was a complete flop, despite a potentially intriguing premise and a star-filled cast. The critics have panned the Kingsman spin-off, and it was a disaster at the box office, earning less than $100 million against a $200 million budget.
In a recent talk with Empire magazine, Vaughn discussed the reception of Argylle, and the director was not shy about expressing his disappointment with how it all turned out for the movie. He believes firmly that the movie was not that bad and that the reactions were simply too harsh.
For a director… no,...
In a recent talk with Empire magazine, Vaughn discussed the reception of Argylle, and the director was not shy about expressing his disappointment with how it all turned out for the movie. He believes firmly that the movie was not that bad and that the reactions were simply too harsh.
For a director… no,...
- 6/3/2024
- by Arthur S. Poe
- Fiction Horizon
Those Taylor Swift Easter-egg rumors didn’t help “Argylle” any at the box office, but director Matthew Vaughn felt more dismayed by the film’s “vitriolic” reviews than he did the ticket sales, according to a new interview with Empire.
Vaughn said that he was shocked by just how big of a flop the spy-adventure comedy was on a critical level.
“It’s a fun, feel-good movie, or I thought it was a fun, feel-good movie,” Vaughn said. “We didn’t make ‘Citizen Kane,’ but fucking hell, then the reviews came out and I’m like, ‘Wait, what have I done to offend these people?’ They were vitriolic.”
Vaughn added, “I’m not saying the movie’s perfect by any means, but I didn’t think it was offensive. That took me by surprise.”
The director recalled “fantastic” audience test-screenings prior to the film’s January 2024 release. The feature...
Vaughn said that he was shocked by just how big of a flop the spy-adventure comedy was on a critical level.
“It’s a fun, feel-good movie, or I thought it was a fun, feel-good movie,” Vaughn said. “We didn’t make ‘Citizen Kane,’ but fucking hell, then the reviews came out and I’m like, ‘Wait, what have I done to offend these people?’ They were vitriolic.”
Vaughn added, “I’m not saying the movie’s perfect by any means, but I didn’t think it was offensive. That took me by surprise.”
The director recalled “fantastic” audience test-screenings prior to the film’s January 2024 release. The feature...
- 6/3/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
In somewhat of an omen, one of the year’s earliest big releases that featured an all-star cast and aimed for major commercial appeal flopped at the box office amid some major critical and viewer jeers. Matthew Vaughn’s attempt at creating a new franchise with the twisty-turny action-comedy Argylle did not land in the slightest, despite it seeming like such a no-brainer hit that the director had already been coming up with ideas for sequels. Those who have seen the movie may even remember a post-credits scene that is intended to lead into the next chapter.
Vaughn has now recently opened up to Empire about being blindsided by the negative reactions to his film. When asked if it was disappointing to see such a reception, Vaughn naturally replied, “F*ck yeah.” The X-Men: First Class director went on to explain, “My guard came down on Argylle. We had done...
Vaughn has now recently opened up to Empire about being blindsided by the negative reactions to his film. When asked if it was disappointing to see such a reception, Vaughn naturally replied, “F*ck yeah.” The X-Men: First Class director went on to explain, “My guard came down on Argylle. We had done...
- 6/3/2024
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
When Argylle landed at the start of 2024, it was met – by and large – with a slew of negative reviews. Matthew Vaughn’s spy romp, in which Bryce Dallas Howard’s espionage author Elly Conway finds herself caught up in a real spy story, saw the Kingsman filmmaker engage with a different tone of action-adventure story than he’d previously explored. But while the film was welcomed by some viewers, it also received some starkly critical reactions – and grossed just $96.2 million at the box office, before making its way to Apple TV+. It was not exactly what Vaughn hoped for, having imagined Argylle as the starting point for all kinds of adventures to come, both in the ‘real-world’ setting inhabited by Conway and Sam Rockwell’s Aidan Wilde, and the fictional world of Conway’s novels led by Henry Cavill’s Agent Argylle.
In a major new Empire interview, Vaughn got...
In a major new Empire interview, Vaughn got...
- 6/3/2024
- by Ben Travis
- Empire - Movies
"Broadcast News" premiered at a pivotal time for the news industry: James L. Brooks' 1987 newsroom-set classic was born into a world in which pay cable, the internet, and the 24-hour news cycle were about to change the way the world received information for good. As such, the movie would already feel like a throwback to a simpler time just a few years after its release. Great as it is, it would soon join the ranks of movies and shows about legacy media that portray a writing world that looks nothing like the current freelance-heavy digital landscape.
Brooks was apparently acutely aware of the changing media world even as he made the film. In a retrospective interview with Entertainment Weekly in 2018, the filmmaker recalls being inspired to create one of the movie's most famous scenes when a visit to a real-life newsroom confirmed that it reflected reality. "I was in the...
Brooks was apparently acutely aware of the changing media world even as he made the film. In a retrospective interview with Entertainment Weekly in 2018, the filmmaker recalls being inspired to create one of the movie's most famous scenes when a visit to a real-life newsroom confirmed that it reflected reality. "I was in the...
- 6/2/2024
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
Everyone loves the Muppets. That is simply a truism in life, for anyone with a working pulse and a healthy joy gland. And so therefore everyone loves Jim Henson, the godlike creator/inventor/father figure of the whole Muppet project, whose creations — the colourful ensemble of goofy, absurdist, felt-based marionette-puppets — have become a beloved staple of film and television for seven decades.
This is a lovely feature-length documentary portrait of the Muppet man, as gentle and warm-hearted as the legend himself, if not exactly challenging or overly probing. It comes from director Ron Howard, these days as much a documentarian as anything else (in the last decade he has made roughly as many nonfictional films as he has fiction). Howard gives the piece some sparky, peppy visuals, via animated flourishes — Henson’s personal sketch book comes to life at one point — and a visual backdrop for its talking heads nodding to The Cube,...
This is a lovely feature-length documentary portrait of the Muppet man, as gentle and warm-hearted as the legend himself, if not exactly challenging or overly probing. It comes from director Ron Howard, these days as much a documentarian as anything else (in the last decade he has made roughly as many nonfictional films as he has fiction). Howard gives the piece some sparky, peppy visuals, via animated flourishes — Henson’s personal sketch book comes to life at one point — and a visual backdrop for its talking heads nodding to The Cube,...
- 5/31/2024
- by John Nugent
- Empire - Movies
The Trumps were on the red carpet this evening at the Cannes Film Festival — sort of — as Ali Abbasi’s The Apprentice world premiered in competition. The film was greeted with an 11-minute post-screening ovation at the Grand Theatre Lumiere.
Sebastian Stan, the Emmy and Golden Globe nominee known for his work in the MCU and the Hulu miniseries Pam & Tommy, here plays a young Donald Trump with Oscar nominee Maria Bakalova (Borat 2) as Trump’s first wife, Ivana. Emmy and Golden Globe winner Jeremy Strong also stars as infamous attorney Roy Cohn, and Martin Donovan is playing Fred Trump.
Stan and Bakalova attended the red-carpet premiere. Strong was not in attendance as we understand he stayed in New York where he is starring on Broadway in An Enemy of the People.
Abbasi in remarks after the film said he wanted to embrace the politics of now in cinema with so much unrest in the world.
“In the time of turmoil, there’s this tendency to look inwards, to bury your head deep in the sand … and hope for the best, hope for the storm to get away,” he said. “But you know, the storm is not going away, the storm is coming, actually. The worst times are to come.”
The storm is coming, it’s time to make movies political again says director of ‘The Apprentice’ Ali Abbasi #Cannes pic.twitter.com/mEUVdXV8Dp
— Deadline Hollywood (@Deadline) May 20, 2024
There was lots of hugs going around among Abbasi, Stan and Bakalova as the lights went up on the two-hour film. Cate Blanchett, Cynthia Erivo and Oliver Stone were among the crowd applauding afterward. Stone, who has made his share of political films, even offered a spot review.
Oliver Stone and @BazBam catch up after ‘The Apprentice’ premiere to discuss the film: “It’s like ‘Citizen Kane’ in that regard” #Cannes2024 pic.twitter.com/oCjYHmJnED
— Deadline Hollywood (@Deadline) May 20, 2024
An exploration of power and ambition, and set in a world of corruption and deceit, The Apprentice examines Trump’s efforts to build his real estate business in New York in the 1970s and 80s, also digging into his relationship with Cohn. It’s a mentor-protégé story that charts the origins of a major American dynasty. Filled with larger than life characters, it reveals the moral and human cost of a culture defined by winners and losers.
The real-life former Potus is currently standing trial in a criminal hush-money case in New York.
Gabriel Sherman, whose bestseller The Loudest Voice in the Room inspired Showtime’s miniseries The Loudest Voice, starring Russell Crowe as Fox News founder Roger Ailes, wrote The Apprentice script.
The Apprentice producers are Daniel Bekerman of Scythia Films, Jacob Jarek of Profile Pictures and Ruth Treacy of Taylored Films. Executive producers are Grant S. Johnson, Sherman and Amy Baer, in association with Kinematics as the financier.
International sales are being handled by Rocket Science with CAA and WME on domestic sales in Cannes. Studiocanal recently acquired UK-Ireland rights.
Sebastian Stan, the Emmy and Golden Globe nominee known for his work in the MCU and the Hulu miniseries Pam & Tommy, here plays a young Donald Trump with Oscar nominee Maria Bakalova (Borat 2) as Trump’s first wife, Ivana. Emmy and Golden Globe winner Jeremy Strong also stars as infamous attorney Roy Cohn, and Martin Donovan is playing Fred Trump.
Stan and Bakalova attended the red-carpet premiere. Strong was not in attendance as we understand he stayed in New York where he is starring on Broadway in An Enemy of the People.
Abbasi in remarks after the film said he wanted to embrace the politics of now in cinema with so much unrest in the world.
“In the time of turmoil, there’s this tendency to look inwards, to bury your head deep in the sand … and hope for the best, hope for the storm to get away,” he said. “But you know, the storm is not going away, the storm is coming, actually. The worst times are to come.”
The storm is coming, it’s time to make movies political again says director of ‘The Apprentice’ Ali Abbasi #Cannes pic.twitter.com/mEUVdXV8Dp
— Deadline Hollywood (@Deadline) May 20, 2024
There was lots of hugs going around among Abbasi, Stan and Bakalova as the lights went up on the two-hour film. Cate Blanchett, Cynthia Erivo and Oliver Stone were among the crowd applauding afterward. Stone, who has made his share of political films, even offered a spot review.
Oliver Stone and @BazBam catch up after ‘The Apprentice’ premiere to discuss the film: “It’s like ‘Citizen Kane’ in that regard” #Cannes2024 pic.twitter.com/oCjYHmJnED
— Deadline Hollywood (@Deadline) May 20, 2024
An exploration of power and ambition, and set in a world of corruption and deceit, The Apprentice examines Trump’s efforts to build his real estate business in New York in the 1970s and 80s, also digging into his relationship with Cohn. It’s a mentor-protégé story that charts the origins of a major American dynasty. Filled with larger than life characters, it reveals the moral and human cost of a culture defined by winners and losers.
The real-life former Potus is currently standing trial in a criminal hush-money case in New York.
Gabriel Sherman, whose bestseller The Loudest Voice in the Room inspired Showtime’s miniseries The Loudest Voice, starring Russell Crowe as Fox News founder Roger Ailes, wrote The Apprentice script.
The Apprentice producers are Daniel Bekerman of Scythia Films, Jacob Jarek of Profile Pictures and Ruth Treacy of Taylored Films. Executive producers are Grant S. Johnson, Sherman and Amy Baer, in association with Kinematics as the financier.
International sales are being handled by Rocket Science with CAA and WME on domestic sales in Cannes. Studiocanal recently acquired UK-Ireland rights.
- 5/20/2024
- by Nancy Tartaglione and Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Terry Gilliam has been to Cannes with three of his own films since 1983, but one of his favorite memories of the festival takes him back to that very first time, at the 36th edition, as the co-writer and co-star of Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life. Along with Graham Chapman and the film’s director Terry Jones, he’d emerged from the Carlton hotel’s iconic entrance, then bedecked with promotion for the upcoming Bond movie Octopussy, to encounter a camera crew. Jones started grabbing people at random, shouting, “Who Ees Monty Python???” in a ridiculous foreign accent, and got so carried away that, when they reached the hotel’s famous terrace, he accidentally did it to Gilliam too.
The crowd loved it, and the day only grew stranger. Out on the Carlton’s jetty, they gave an interview to British news channel ITN, with Jones hiding behind Graham...
The crowd loved it, and the day only grew stranger. Out on the Carlton’s jetty, they gave an interview to British news channel ITN, with Jones hiding behind Graham...
- 5/20/2024
- by Damon Wise
- Deadline Film + TV
Ireland’s screen industry is having a moment. With the Cannes Film Festival well underway, there’s a notable strong Irish presence in this year’s line-up including Element Pictures’ three entrants – Competition title Kinds of Kindness from Yorgos Lanthimos, Rungano Nyoni’s sophomore feature On Becoming A Guinea Fowl and Ariane Labed’s directorial debut September Says (both in Un Certain Regard). There’s also Competition title The Apprentice, which is co-produced with Irish outfit Tailored Films and Lorcan Finnegan’s Nicolas Cage starrer The Surfer premiering in the Midnight Screenings strand. Even Andrea Arnold’s Competition title Bird is rich with Irish talent with star Barry Keoghan and Oscar-nominated cinematographer Robbie Ryan both having worked on the film.
Irish actors continue to earn international acclaim – from Cillian Murphy’s Oscar win earlier this year for Best Actor in Oppenheimer and talent such as Paul Mescal, Jessie Buckley Keoghan...
Irish actors continue to earn international acclaim – from Cillian Murphy’s Oscar win earlier this year for Best Actor in Oppenheimer and talent such as Paul Mescal, Jessie Buckley Keoghan...
- 5/17/2024
- by Diana Lodderhose
- Deadline Film + TV
Fight Club, Zodiac, The Social Network, Gone Girl. There's hardly anyone who hasn't seen, let alone heard, all of these movies and the name of the man behind them, David Fincher. From Alien 3 to The Killer with Michael Fassbender, from House of Cards to Love, Death & Robots, Fincher's career is now in its fourth decade and his films have collectively grossed over $2.1 billion. But of course, no matter how original his work, even a director as innovative as Fincher is inspired by the achievements of filmmakers who came before him. Here is a list of 26 films that David Fincher has cited as his favorites.
26 Must-See Movies David Fincher Loves
26. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
25. Chinatown
24. Dr. Strangelove
23. The Godfather Part II
22. Taxi Driver
21. Being There
20. Alien
19. Rear Window
18. Jaws
17. Lawrence of Arabia
16. Zelig
15. Cabaret
14. All That Jazz
13. Paper Moon
12. All the President's Men
11. Citizen Kane
10. 8½
9. The Graduate...
26 Must-See Movies David Fincher Loves
26. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
25. Chinatown
24. Dr. Strangelove
23. The Godfather Part II
22. Taxi Driver
21. Being There
20. Alien
19. Rear Window
18. Jaws
17. Lawrence of Arabia
16. Zelig
15. Cabaret
14. All That Jazz
13. Paper Moon
12. All the President's Men
11. Citizen Kane
10. 8½
9. The Graduate...
- 5/16/2024
- by louise.everitt@startefacts.com (Louise Everitt)
- STartefacts.com
At 22, Damian Hurley has made his first feature film, in which his very famous mum is snogged and fondled by her female co-star. He talks about being a nepo baby, finally getting to vote, and coping with the deaths of his father and stepfather
Orson Welles was 25 when he directed Citizen Kane. What took him so long? He should have pulled his finger out like Damian Hurley, son of the model and actor Elizabeth Hurley, who was just 20 when he called “Action!” on his own debut, Strictly Confidential. It was filmed on Saint Kitts and Nevis, and could double as a tourist-board commercial for those Caribbean islands were it not for the murder and skulduggery, or lines such as: “You’ve been fucking your dead sister’s boyfriend!”
In his journey to the director’s chair, Hurley, who has a lucrative modelling career, has faced few obstacles. He was given...
Orson Welles was 25 when he directed Citizen Kane. What took him so long? He should have pulled his finger out like Damian Hurley, son of the model and actor Elizabeth Hurley, who was just 20 when he called “Action!” on his own debut, Strictly Confidential. It was filmed on Saint Kitts and Nevis, and could double as a tourist-board commercial for those Caribbean islands were it not for the murder and skulduggery, or lines such as: “You’ve been fucking your dead sister’s boyfriend!”
In his journey to the director’s chair, Hurley, who has a lucrative modelling career, has faced few obstacles. He was given...
- 5/10/2024
- by Ryan Gilbey
- The Guardian - Film News
The studio once known as 20th Century Fox is a younger entity than the other major Hollywood Studios. It was founded in 1935 out of the ashes of Fox Film, compared to Warner Bros (1923), Universal Pictures (1912), Paramount Pictures (1912), Columbia Pictures (1923), and Disney (1923) — the latter being the new parent company of 20th Century Studios.
Still, Fox waited only seven years to take home the top prize at the Oscars. At the 14th Academy Awards, held in 1942, Fox's film "How Green Was My Valley" won Best Picture, presented to Fox studio chief Darryl F. Zanuck. That wasn't the only prize "Valley" won that night: it also got Best Director (John Ford), Best Supporting Actor (Donald Crisp), Best Cinematography, Black-and-White (Arthur Miller), and finally Best Art Direction -- Interior Decoration, Black-and-White.
One of the films that "Valley" beat that night was "Citizen Kane" (which got only Best Original Screenplay for director Orson Welles and his co-writer Herman J.
Still, Fox waited only seven years to take home the top prize at the Oscars. At the 14th Academy Awards, held in 1942, Fox's film "How Green Was My Valley" won Best Picture, presented to Fox studio chief Darryl F. Zanuck. That wasn't the only prize "Valley" won that night: it also got Best Director (John Ford), Best Supporting Actor (Donald Crisp), Best Cinematography, Black-and-White (Arthur Miller), and finally Best Art Direction -- Interior Decoration, Black-and-White.
One of the films that "Valley" beat that night was "Citizen Kane" (which got only Best Original Screenplay for director Orson Welles and his co-writer Herman J.
- 5/7/2024
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
More essays have been written about "Citizen Kane" than any other movie (with the possible exceptions of "The Wizard of Oz" and "Star Wars"), so it feels churlish to recount the plot here, but for the uninitiated, however, here's a brief rundown:
A vicious newspaper tycoon named Charles Foster Kane (Welles) has died in bed, locked deep in his massive, palatial mansion. He clutched a snow globe in his hand in his final moments, moved by the sight of the swirling faux weather inside. He enigmatically whispers the word "Rosebud" before perishing. The film then shifts focus to a reporter (William Alland) who spends the film interviewing Kane's associates, wives, and lovers, hoping to get a full portrait of the man. He finds that Kane was a cad ruined by wealth and power. He finds that Kane was possessed of a deep and abiding unhappiness, likely spurred by having to...
A vicious newspaper tycoon named Charles Foster Kane (Welles) has died in bed, locked deep in his massive, palatial mansion. He clutched a snow globe in his hand in his final moments, moved by the sight of the swirling faux weather inside. He enigmatically whispers the word "Rosebud" before perishing. The film then shifts focus to a reporter (William Alland) who spends the film interviewing Kane's associates, wives, and lovers, hoping to get a full portrait of the man. He finds that Kane was a cad ruined by wealth and power. He finds that Kane was possessed of a deep and abiding unhappiness, likely spurred by having to...
- 5/5/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
After making what many people cite as the greatest film ever made, “Citizen Kane” (1941), multi-talented actor, writer, director and producer Orson Welles struggled to live up to the success he achieved when he was just 26 years old. Yet seen today, many of the films he made afterwards have attained a similar acclaim. Let’s take a look back at all 13 of his completed feature films as a director, ranked worst to best.
Born in 1915, Welles first came to prominence as a stage director, mounting groundbreaking productions of “Macbeth,” “Dr. Faustus,” and “The Cradle Will Rock” before forming his own repertory company, The Mercury Theater. In addition to Welles, the Mercury Theater Players included Joseph Cotten, Ray Collins, Agnes Moorhead, Everett Sloane, George Coulouris, Norman Lloyd, Martin Gabel and Paul Stewart, many of whom would go onto appear in the director’s films.
It was the Mercury Theater’s transition into...
Born in 1915, Welles first came to prominence as a stage director, mounting groundbreaking productions of “Macbeth,” “Dr. Faustus,” and “The Cradle Will Rock” before forming his own repertory company, The Mercury Theater. In addition to Welles, the Mercury Theater Players included Joseph Cotten, Ray Collins, Agnes Moorhead, Everett Sloane, George Coulouris, Norman Lloyd, Martin Gabel and Paul Stewart, many of whom would go onto appear in the director’s films.
It was the Mercury Theater’s transition into...
- 5/4/2024
- by Zach Laws and Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
With things being so slow at the box office in the early going of 2024, you would half expect to hear people reporting sightings of tumbleweeds rolling across the floors of their local movie theaters. Praise to the cinema gods, May is finally arriving with a promising crop of tentpoles to help rejuvenate the marketplace, starting with director David Leitch's much-buzzed-about '80s series turned contemporary action-comedy "The Fall Guy" (you can read our own Jacob Hall's glowing review of the picture here). But never fear! If you're searching for something to watch at home, too, Netflix will provide in bountiful amounts.
Well, sort of.
Truth be told, next month is looking kind of sparse when it comes to Netflix exclusives outside the purview of shows with firmly established fandoms (see: the latest season of "Bridgerton") or the service's usual smattering of specialty offerings, including live comedy events and ongoing anime series.
Well, sort of.
Truth be told, next month is looking kind of sparse when it comes to Netflix exclusives outside the purview of shows with firmly established fandoms (see: the latest season of "Bridgerton") or the service's usual smattering of specialty offerings, including live comedy events and ongoing anime series.
- 4/27/2024
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
George Lucas Nearly Cast a Different Actor as Darth Vader Changing the Flow of the Franchise Forever
Darth Vader is undeniably one of the most iconic fictional characters, known for his menacing black suit and distinctive voice. Many other works of fiction and art make reference to the character, making it a familiar presence.
But, did you know that the role of Vader nearly went to a different actor? One who, at the time, might have been even more preferred than James Earl Jones given the circumstances?
During the late 1970s, while filming ‘A New Hope’ in London, David Prowse, who portrayed Darth Vader physically, delivered all of Vader’s lines from behind the mask. However, the mask muffled his speech, necessitating dubbing in post-production. Prowse initially expected to dub his own lines, but logistical issues and concerns about his accent prompted George Lucas to seek another voice. Lucas sought a deep, distinguished voice befitting the enigmatic Darth Vader. Ultimately, James Earl Jones, then a relatively unknown actor,...
But, did you know that the role of Vader nearly went to a different actor? One who, at the time, might have been even more preferred than James Earl Jones given the circumstances?
During the late 1970s, while filming ‘A New Hope’ in London, David Prowse, who portrayed Darth Vader physically, delivered all of Vader’s lines from behind the mask. However, the mask muffled his speech, necessitating dubbing in post-production. Prowse initially expected to dub his own lines, but logistical issues and concerns about his accent prompted George Lucas to seek another voice. Lucas sought a deep, distinguished voice befitting the enigmatic Darth Vader. Ultimately, James Earl Jones, then a relatively unknown actor,...
- 4/25/2024
- by Valentina Kraljik
- Fiction Horizon
Darth Vader is without a doubt one of the most iconic fictional characters, recognized by his ominous black suit and his voice. Plenty of other works of fiction and art reference the character, and it’s one of those references we can always easily spot.
But, did you know that the iconic role almost went to a completely different actor? The one that at the time would be perhaps even favored above James Earl Jones under the circumstances?
While filming ‘A New Hope’ in London during the late 1970s, David Prowse, the actor behind Darth Vader’s physical performance, spoke all of Vader’s lines from behind the mask. However, due to the mask muffling his speech, his lines had to be dubbed over in post-production. Prowse assumed he would do the dubbing himself, but logistical and accent concerns led George Lucas to search for another voice. Lucas sought a deep,...
But, did you know that the iconic role almost went to a completely different actor? The one that at the time would be perhaps even favored above James Earl Jones under the circumstances?
While filming ‘A New Hope’ in London during the late 1970s, David Prowse, the actor behind Darth Vader’s physical performance, spoke all of Vader’s lines from behind the mask. However, due to the mask muffling his speech, his lines had to be dubbed over in post-production. Prowse assumed he would do the dubbing himself, but logistical and accent concerns led George Lucas to search for another voice. Lucas sought a deep,...
- 4/25/2024
- by Valentina Kraljik
- Comic Basics
There are not many movies that earn the status of all-time golden gems. It's the movies like The Godfather, Citizen Kane, Jaws and a few others that you've definitely seen not once, but many times over the years.
It seems that every genre has its own staple films that are considered the best to this day. And it's no wonder that when it comes to horror, it's Stephen King and the movies based on his novels that we celebrate the most.
One of such is definitely 1980 The Shining, Stanley Kubrick‘s movie featuring Jack Nicholson as a recovering alcoholic who loses his mind. The movie is one of the most valued in the industry, both for the gripping story it tells and for the excellent performance from all the cast members.
The movie revolves around Nicholson’s character, Jack Torrance, and his family, as they end up together in a...
It seems that every genre has its own staple films that are considered the best to this day. And it's no wonder that when it comes to horror, it's Stephen King and the movies based on his novels that we celebrate the most.
One of such is definitely 1980 The Shining, Stanley Kubrick‘s movie featuring Jack Nicholson as a recovering alcoholic who loses his mind. The movie is one of the most valued in the industry, both for the gripping story it tells and for the excellent performance from all the cast members.
The movie revolves around Nicholson’s character, Jack Torrance, and his family, as they end up together in a...
- 4/21/2024
- by info@startefacts.com (Rachel Bailey)
- STartefacts.com
Being one of the most important figures of New Hollywood and the most commercially successful director in history, Steven Spielberg has prominently inscribed his name in history. Movie recommendations of the pioneer of the modern blockbuster or even the whole 21st century’s cinema definitely deserve our close attention.
Speaking of one classic feature, the filmmaker stated it meant everything to him, calling it “one of the great movies ever made”, while many critics claim it’s the best film ever made in cinematic history. Indeed, its impact on the industry is hard to overestimate.
The 1941 drama that we’re talking about focuses on the rises and falls of a big publishing magnate, the character based on the renowned media barons and tycoons of that time and partially of the movie screenwriters' own real-life experiences. And yes, you guessed it right: the movie in question is Citizen Kane.
Why Does...
Speaking of one classic feature, the filmmaker stated it meant everything to him, calling it “one of the great movies ever made”, while many critics claim it’s the best film ever made in cinematic history. Indeed, its impact on the industry is hard to overestimate.
The 1941 drama that we’re talking about focuses on the rises and falls of a big publishing magnate, the character based on the renowned media barons and tycoons of that time and partially of the movie screenwriters' own real-life experiences. And yes, you guessed it right: the movie in question is Citizen Kane.
Why Does...
- 4/19/2024
- by info@startefacts.com (Ava Raxa)
- STartefacts.com
“Rebel Moon — Part Two: The Scargiver” has been dead since last December, when the irredeemable first chapter of Zack Snyder’s hyper-derivative space opera was released “in theaters” and on Netflix to deafening silence. As I concluded my review at the time: “It’s hard to be even morbidly curious, let alone excited, about any future iterations or installments of a franchise so determined to remix a million things you’ve seen before into one thing you’ll wish you’d never seen at all.”
And so, much as I might have hoped that the second and more concentrated half of Snyder’s sci-fi “Seven Samurai” would somehow atone for the sins of its previous chapter, I wasn’t exactly shocked to discover that it lacks any trace of a pulse from the moment it starts. Five months in the morgue can have that effect. Be that as it may,...
And so, much as I might have hoped that the second and more concentrated half of Snyder’s sci-fi “Seven Samurai” would somehow atone for the sins of its previous chapter, I wasn’t exactly shocked to discover that it lacks any trace of a pulse from the moment it starts. Five months in the morgue can have that effect. Be that as it may,...
- 4/19/2024
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
Clockwise left to right: Get Out (Universal Pictures), This Is Spinal Tap (MGM Home Entertainment), That Thing You Do! (20th Century Studios), Lady Bird (A24)Graphic: The A.V. Club
It’s always neat when someone you’ve admired shows off a hidden talent that makes you see them in a different light.
It’s always neat when someone you’ve admired shows off a hidden talent that makes you see them in a different light.
- 4/12/2024
- by Mary Kate Carr, Saloni Gajjar, Drew Gillis, William Hughes, Matthew Jackson, Jarrod Jones, Emma Keates, Jacob Oller, Matt Schimkowitz, and Cindy White
- avclub.com
The 1989 summer movie season might've officially kicked off on Memorial Day weekend with the release of Steven Spielberg's "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," but having been a movie-mad 15-year-old kid at the time, I can assure you that May's first adrenalized action spectacular opened a week earlier when Patrick Swayze introduced us to a man named Dalton in the instant s***-kicker classic "Road House." Critics initially wrote it off as a mindless meathead programmer from mayhem merchant Joel Silver, but the aptly-monikered director Rowdy Herrington and the screenwriting duo of David Lee Henry and Hilary Henkin understood their ludicrous assignment and aced it with knowing aplomb. Their unabashed commitment to inherently risible material turned "Road House" into the "Citizen Kane" of bar bouncer movies.
Of course, "Road House" was, for a long time, the only bar bouncer movie ever made. Surprisingly, given the film's enduring popularity, few...
Of course, "Road House" was, for a long time, the only bar bouncer movie ever made. Surprisingly, given the film's enduring popularity, few...
- 4/1/2024
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Exclusive: The Paris Theater is partnering with the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles to present a selection from the museum’s weekly series, Branch Selects, where movie lovers can journey through film history. Each of the 18 branches of the Academy, selects a film that represents a major achievement in the evolution of moviemaking and its unique disciplines.
The screening series will kick off on Wednesday, April 3, with screenings taking place select Wednesday evenings at 7pm and select Sunday matinees at 12pm – a full schedule is below, with special guest introductions to be announced.
Tickets will be available to the public at www.paristheaternyc.com and Academy members can request tickets at membership.oscars.org beginning at 11am Pt / 2pm Et on Thursday, March 28
The Netflix owed Paris Theater is New York City’s longest-running arthouse cinema and the last remaining single-screen cinema in Manhattan. The theater reopened on September 1, after technical upgrades,...
The screening series will kick off on Wednesday, April 3, with screenings taking place select Wednesday evenings at 7pm and select Sunday matinees at 12pm – a full schedule is below, with special guest introductions to be announced.
Tickets will be available to the public at www.paristheaternyc.com and Academy members can request tickets at membership.oscars.org beginning at 11am Pt / 2pm Et on Thursday, March 28
The Netflix owed Paris Theater is New York City’s longest-running arthouse cinema and the last remaining single-screen cinema in Manhattan. The theater reopened on September 1, after technical upgrades,...
- 3/28/2024
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
The highest grossing director of all time, Steven Spielberg enjoys high-brow classics as much as crowd-pleasing blockbusters. Known for “Jurassic Park,” “Indiana Jones,” “Jaws,” “West Side Story” (2021), and more favorites, the beloved American filmmaker premiered his semi-autobiographical “The Fabelmans” in theaters last November.
The movie, nominated for seven Oscars (winning none), tells the story of how Spielberg came to be Spielberg — chiefly through the lens of his parents’ traumatic divorce. Boasting a cast that includes not just Michelle Williams and Paul Dano as Spielberg’s mom and dad, but also David Lynch in a rare acting opportunity, “The Fabelmans” was described by IndieWire’s David Ehrlich as an epic rendering of “the breakup that launched a million blockbusters.”
Following the contemplative mood of two-ish years in Covid-19 lockdown, the 2022 fall film season was chockfull of projects meditating on the role — and, in the case of “TÁR,” responsibility — of artists. How...
The movie, nominated for seven Oscars (winning none), tells the story of how Spielberg came to be Spielberg — chiefly through the lens of his parents’ traumatic divorce. Boasting a cast that includes not just Michelle Williams and Paul Dano as Spielberg’s mom and dad, but also David Lynch in a rare acting opportunity, “The Fabelmans” was described by IndieWire’s David Ehrlich as an epic rendering of “the breakup that launched a million blockbusters.”
Following the contemplative mood of two-ish years in Covid-19 lockdown, the 2022 fall film season was chockfull of projects meditating on the role — and, in the case of “TÁR,” responsibility — of artists. How...
- 3/27/2024
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
A special piece of cinema history has been unveiled. Seven years before Orson Welles would embark on the production of his legendary directorial debut Citizen Kane, he shot one of his earliest short films, capturing his production of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. The year was 1933 and Welles, only 17 years old, returned to his alma mater, the Todd Seminary for Boys, an independent school in Woodstock, Illinois. Under the tutelage of headmaster and mentor Roger Hill, who encouraged Welles to freely experiment with theatrical and radio productions, he mounted the project.
Now, nearly a century later, around 10 minutes of surviving color footage with sound has been digitized, graciously released by Wellesnet, who acquired it from Roger Hill’s granddaughter Wendy Hill and her cousin Todd Tarbox, who holds the copyright. “My father, Hascy, was cast as Sir Andrew Aguecheek, and my mother, Joanne, played Viola,” Tarbox told Wellesnet. “This production...
Now, nearly a century later, around 10 minutes of surviving color footage with sound has been digitized, graciously released by Wellesnet, who acquired it from Roger Hill’s granddaughter Wendy Hill and her cousin Todd Tarbox, who holds the copyright. “My father, Hascy, was cast as Sir Andrew Aguecheek, and my mother, Joanne, played Viola,” Tarbox told Wellesnet. “This production...
- 3/27/2024
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
In collaboration with the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, the Paris Theater has announced it will be presenting the New York “Academy Museum Branch Select” screening series starting April 3. Each of the 18 branches of the Academy has selected a film for the series that represents a major milestone in the evolution of filmmaking. Some of the films included are “Fantastic Mr.Fox,” “Showgirls,” “Bonnie and Clyde,” “Nashville,” “Yi Yi,” “In the Mood for Love” and “Citizen Kane.”
Screenings will take place on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 12 p.m. at both the Paris Theater and the Academy Museum. Tickets will be available March 28 on the Paris Theater and Academy Museum websites respectively.
Cord Jefferson to Receive Wgaw’s Paul Selvin Award
Cord Jefferson will receive the Writers Guild of America West’s 2024 Paul Selvin Award for penning the screenplay for “American Fiction.” He will receive the honor at the 2024 Writers Guild Awards on Sunday,...
Screenings will take place on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 12 p.m. at both the Paris Theater and the Academy Museum. Tickets will be available March 28 on the Paris Theater and Academy Museum websites respectively.
Cord Jefferson to Receive Wgaw’s Paul Selvin Award
Cord Jefferson will receive the Writers Guild of America West’s 2024 Paul Selvin Award for penning the screenplay for “American Fiction.” He will receive the honor at the 2024 Writers Guild Awards on Sunday,...
- 3/26/2024
- by Jazz Tangcay, Jaden Thompson and Jack Dunn
- Variety Film + TV
Sunday saw the 96th Annual Oscars ceremony broadcast live across the world, and for UK audiences it saw the show broadcast on ITV. There is lots to be said about this year’s Oscars, from winners and losers, to poor broadcasting panels – it is safe to say the award season gave us everything we’re used to.
For the UK the show has found a new home. Previously playing exclusively on Sky, this year it was broadcast by ITV. When the news of this broke it was a welcome change to many viewers across the UK, as for years the exclusivity of Sky has left the award show inaccessible for many film fans. Now, the new home for the awards show has some things it needs to get right, ultimately to provide insight and entertainment, throughout the breaks in between the Oscars broadcast. Unfortunately, many viewers were left unsatisfied and...
For the UK the show has found a new home. Previously playing exclusively on Sky, this year it was broadcast by ITV. When the news of this broke it was a welcome change to many viewers across the UK, as for years the exclusivity of Sky has left the award show inaccessible for many film fans. Now, the new home for the awards show has some things it needs to get right, ultimately to provide insight and entertainment, throughout the breaks in between the Oscars broadcast. Unfortunately, many viewers were left unsatisfied and...
- 3/13/2024
- by Alex Ginnelly
- Nerdly
The Academy Awards, more popularly known as the Oscars, are one of the most prestigious awards an artist can win during their career. The statuette makes for a fine addition to one’s collection since it represents the pinnacle of cinema, and artists vie to get their hands on one.
Given its rich history, the trophy is truly priceless. However, it might shock readers to know that the statuette does indeed come with a baffling price tag of just $1.
How did the Oscar statuette come to be?
In 1927, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was established. One of the major goals of the then-fledgling body was to acknowledge and honor excellence in all aspects of filmmaking. The Oscars were first held in 1929 at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Since then, it has become one of the most highly regarded awards worldwide.
The first Oscar presentation banquet was held in...
Given its rich history, the trophy is truly priceless. However, it might shock readers to know that the statuette does indeed come with a baffling price tag of just $1.
How did the Oscar statuette come to be?
In 1927, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was established. One of the major goals of the then-fledgling body was to acknowledge and honor excellence in all aspects of filmmaking. The Oscars were first held in 1929 at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Since then, it has become one of the most highly regarded awards worldwide.
The first Oscar presentation banquet was held in...
- 3/9/2024
- by Sreshtha Roychowdhury
- FandomWire
Everything you need to know about the new movie Ricky Stanicky is on the poster with its stark message plastered right across it: Warning! An R-rated Comedy. Oh, and the fact that it is directed and co-written by Peter Farrelly also tells you a lot. This is undeniably a return to the kinds of outrageous, raunchy, anything-goes style of comedy that made the Farrelly brand a household name with films like Dumb and Dumber, Shallow Hal, Kingpin, Stuck On You and the “Citizen Kane” of the genre, There’s Something About Mary. More recently Farrelly, who also managed to put heart in even the wildest of situations, took his career in a different direction with his wonderful and emotional Oscar-winning Green Book, as well as the terrific true story The Greatest Beer Run Ever which starred Zac Efron. The latter is now reunited with the filmmaker and the results are laugh-out-loud hilarious in Ricky Stanicky,...
- 3/6/2024
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
There were movies about the Holocaust long before "Schindler's List." Superb movies. George Stevens' "The Diary of Anne Frank," Stanley Kramer's "Judgment at Nuremberg," Alan J. Pakula's "Sophie's Choice," and Paul Mazursky's "Enemies, a Love Story" (to name but a few) grappled with this staggeringly evil, carefully coordinated campaign of genocide so that moviegoers could, hopefully, comprehend how ordinary people could become bigoted, bloodthirsty monsters. The answers weren't comforting, but we couldn't move forward as a species without them.
Aside from the "how," there was another agonizing question that needed to be answered, one that was not as easy to dramatize: why didn't more people step up to stop this?
It doesn't take a great deal of research to realize that most good people were paralyzed by a mixture of cowardice and self-preservation. And while it is vital that we keep hammering home this observation for future generations,...
Aside from the "how," there was another agonizing question that needed to be answered, one that was not as easy to dramatize: why didn't more people step up to stop this?
It doesn't take a great deal of research to realize that most good people were paralyzed by a mixture of cowardice and self-preservation. And while it is vital that we keep hammering home this observation for future generations,...
- 3/5/2024
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
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Photo: Best Picture Snubs
Oscars 2024 is in a few days. With Cillian Murphy, Bradley Cooper, Margot Robbie, 'Barbie', Christopher Nolan, 'Oppenheimer', 'Maestro', all vying for the gold Academy Award, let us take a look at the past winners who were snubbed.
The Oscar for Best Picture may be the highest honor that a film could earn, but the Academy members who vote on the matter are anything but infallible--in fact, some of them don’t even watch the nominated movies at all. Audiences are often disappointed by the pick for Best Picture, but subjectivity mandates that there will always be some reasonable dissent--that said, this article will look back at some of the most widely agreed upon upsets that warrant a closer inspection.
Related...
Photo: Best Picture Snubs
Oscars 2024 is in a few days. With Cillian Murphy, Bradley Cooper, Margot Robbie, 'Barbie', Christopher Nolan, 'Oppenheimer', 'Maestro', all vying for the gold Academy Award, let us take a look at the past winners who were snubbed.
The Oscar for Best Picture may be the highest honor that a film could earn, but the Academy members who vote on the matter are anything but infallible--in fact, some of them don’t even watch the nominated movies at all. Audiences are often disappointed by the pick for Best Picture, but subjectivity mandates that there will always be some reasonable dissent--that said, this article will look back at some of the most widely agreed upon upsets that warrant a closer inspection.
Related...
- 3/3/2024
- by Daniel Choi
- Hollywood Insider - Substance & Meaningful Entertainment
Every cinephile knows that “What was the best movie of the year?” and “What movie will win Best Picture at the Oscars?” are two entirely different questions. In 2023, the answer for both was arguably the same.
The Daniels’ “Everything Everywhere All at Once” — A24’s mind-bending mother-daughter story about life’s unexplainable questions and the lengths we will go for love — won over audiences and critics before taking home Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress (for Michelle Yeoh), Best Supporting Actor (for Ke Huy Quan), Best Supporting Actress (for Jamie Lee Curtis), and Best Original Screenplay at the 95th Academy Awards. Still, despite the film’s accolades, it has its critics — and you’re likely to find many a pundit who feels that the top prize ultimately should have gone to Todd Field’s chillier, less crowd-pleasing “Tár” instead.
As long as there have been award shows, movie fans have...
The Daniels’ “Everything Everywhere All at Once” — A24’s mind-bending mother-daughter story about life’s unexplainable questions and the lengths we will go for love — won over audiences and critics before taking home Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress (for Michelle Yeoh), Best Supporting Actor (for Ke Huy Quan), Best Supporting Actress (for Jamie Lee Curtis), and Best Original Screenplay at the 95th Academy Awards. Still, despite the film’s accolades, it has its critics — and you’re likely to find many a pundit who feels that the top prize ultimately should have gone to Todd Field’s chillier, less crowd-pleasing “Tár” instead.
As long as there have been award shows, movie fans have...
- 3/2/2024
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
“Schindler’s List was never a cure for antisemitism,” emphasizes Steven Spielberg. “It was a reminder of the symptoms of it.”
These days, tragically, antisemitism is all over the headlines: Neo-Nazis chanting “Jews will not replace us” in Charlottesville. The Tree of Life Synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh. The Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel that claimed the lives of some 1,200 Jews, the largest slaughter since the Holocaust. Not to mention a former and possibly future American president using Hitler-like language at his Nuremberg-esque rallies, referring to immigrants as “vermin” who are “poisoning the blood” of America.
Liam Neeson and Steven Spielberg were photographed Jan. 5 at Quixote Studios West Hollywood.
All of which is why, 30 years after Spielberg won best picture and best director for his movie about Oskar Schindler, the German businessman who saved 1,200 Jews from the Nazis during World War II, THR is revisiting his film with an oral history...
These days, tragically, antisemitism is all over the headlines: Neo-Nazis chanting “Jews will not replace us” in Charlottesville. The Tree of Life Synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh. The Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel that claimed the lives of some 1,200 Jews, the largest slaughter since the Holocaust. Not to mention a former and possibly future American president using Hitler-like language at his Nuremberg-esque rallies, referring to immigrants as “vermin” who are “poisoning the blood” of America.
Liam Neeson and Steven Spielberg were photographed Jan. 5 at Quixote Studios West Hollywood.
All of which is why, 30 years after Spielberg won best picture and best director for his movie about Oskar Schindler, the German businessman who saved 1,200 Jews from the Nazis during World War II, THR is revisiting his film with an oral history...
- 2/21/2024
- by Scott Feinberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Zack Snyder is currently one of the most prominent directors in Hollywood, receiving both praise and criticism. While he has showcased his skills in directing a specific type of film, his work has also encountered criticism, and the reasons behind it are evident. He did not have anything to do with 2016’s Suicide Squad, but Snyder’s involvement in the Dceu certainly did no favors to the movie.
Zack Snyder and Ben Affleck working together
In fact, fans might not be shocked to know that 2016’s Suicide Squad took the Letterboxed top spot as the worst Oscar-winning film of all time, which is a very shameful achievement, to say the least. After all, the film ended up becoming one of the most hated films under the DC banner as it managed to do everything wrong.
SUGGESTEDSony and Helldivers 2 Put Yet Another Nail in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League’s...
Zack Snyder and Ben Affleck working together
In fact, fans might not be shocked to know that 2016’s Suicide Squad took the Letterboxed top spot as the worst Oscar-winning film of all time, which is a very shameful achievement, to say the least. After all, the film ended up becoming one of the most hated films under the DC banner as it managed to do everything wrong.
SUGGESTEDSony and Helldivers 2 Put Yet Another Nail in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League’s...
- 2/18/2024
- by Subhojeet Mookherjee
- FandomWire
Dakota Johnson’s Madame Web has been facing poor reception. It cast down fans with a confusing plot and bad execution. The film feels like a parody of comic characters and doesn’t do justice to extending the Spider-Man universe—according to many reviews given by top critics.
Madame Web tells the story of Cassandra Webb (a paramedic), whose psychic powers develop in the womb when her mother is bitten by a spider before dying.
Dakota Johnson as Cassandra Webb/ Madame Web
Fans who were excited about Madame Web are now let down after seeing its reviews. As a result, many have switched to DC for better entertainment options.
Suggesteddc Reportedly Developing Teen Titans Movie – 6 Actors and the Characters They Should Play in Rumored Film Disappointed Fans Shift Focus to Dcu Amid Madame Web‘s Poor Reviews
Madame Web has a 13 percent critics score, which is lower than Morbius. It...
Madame Web tells the story of Cassandra Webb (a paramedic), whose psychic powers develop in the womb when her mother is bitten by a spider before dying.
Dakota Johnson as Cassandra Webb/ Madame Web
Fans who were excited about Madame Web are now let down after seeing its reviews. As a result, many have switched to DC for better entertainment options.
Suggesteddc Reportedly Developing Teen Titans Movie – 6 Actors and the Characters They Should Play in Rumored Film Disappointed Fans Shift Focus to Dcu Amid Madame Web‘s Poor Reviews
Madame Web has a 13 percent critics score, which is lower than Morbius. It...
- 2/17/2024
- by Shreya Jha
- FandomWire
Curb Your Enthusiasm returns to Max this month in what’s being called the show’s final season (for now). If you’re not ready for the Larry David-centric comedy series to end, you can binge all eleven of the show’s previous seasons on Max right now before hitting the new episodes.
Tokyo Vice will also be back in February for season 2. Stars Ansel Elgort, Ken Watanabe, Rinko Kikuchi, Rachel Keller, Show Kasamatsu, and Ayumi Ito are joined by Kubozuka and Miki Maya this time around, as Jake Adelstein feels the danger closing in on him. Max also welcomes you to the premiere of the highly acclaimed (and highly depraved) Dicks: The Musical this month, as a couple of self-obsessed businessmen discover they’re identical twins and decided to bring their divorced parents back together.
Here’s everything coming to (and leaving) HBO and Max this month…
HBO...
Tokyo Vice will also be back in February for season 2. Stars Ansel Elgort, Ken Watanabe, Rinko Kikuchi, Rachel Keller, Show Kasamatsu, and Ayumi Ito are joined by Kubozuka and Miki Maya this time around, as Jake Adelstein feels the danger closing in on him. Max also welcomes you to the premiere of the highly acclaimed (and highly depraved) Dicks: The Musical this month, as a couple of self-obsessed businessmen discover they’re identical twins and decided to bring their divorced parents back together.
Here’s everything coming to (and leaving) HBO and Max this month…
HBO...
- 2/1/2024
- by Kirsten Howard
- Den of Geek
February may be the shortest month, but Max is staying true to its name with a jam-packed schedule of additions all month long!
In addition to dozens of library shows and movies getting added to the platform throughout February—from classics like “Citizen Kane” and “A Clockwork Orange” to recent A24 favorites like “Midsommar” and “Dicks: The Musical“—several major HBO premieres are coming this week to the cabler and its streamer, including Season 11 of “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” and the final season of the long-running “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”
Find out The Streamable’s top picks for February, and continue below to the full list of everything new on Max this month!
7-Day Free Trial $9.99+ / month Max via amazon.com What are the 5 Best Shows and Movies Coming to Max in February 2024? “Chasing Flavor” | Thursday, Feb. 1
“The Chew” host and “Top Chef” fan favorite Carla Hall hits the...
In addition to dozens of library shows and movies getting added to the platform throughout February—from classics like “Citizen Kane” and “A Clockwork Orange” to recent A24 favorites like “Midsommar” and “Dicks: The Musical“—several major HBO premieres are coming this week to the cabler and its streamer, including Season 11 of “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” and the final season of the long-running “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”
Find out The Streamable’s top picks for February, and continue below to the full list of everything new on Max this month!
7-Day Free Trial $9.99+ / month Max via amazon.com What are the 5 Best Shows and Movies Coming to Max in February 2024? “Chasing Flavor” | Thursday, Feb. 1
“The Chew” host and “Top Chef” fan favorite Carla Hall hits the...
- 1/29/2024
- by Ashley Steves
- The Streamable
Curb Your Enthusiasm begins its 12th and final season and Tokyo Vice returns for season two as part of Max’s February 2024 lineup. The streaming service has also set a February 18th launch date for season 11 of the award-winning, critically acclaimed series Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.
Chef and bestselling author Carla Hall’s Chasing Flavor makes its debut on February 1st, and one of the best seasons of True Detective, True Detective: Night Country with Jodie Foster and Kali Reis, wraps up its too-short season on February 25th. The popular animated series Clone High releases new season two episodes beginning on February 1st.
‘Last Week Tonight with John Oliver’ (Photograph by Courtesy of HBO) Series & Films Arriving On Max In January 2024
February 1
Bad Education (2004)
Batman vs. Robin (2015)
Batman: Bad Blood (2016)
The Bling Ring (2013)
Brooklyn (2015)
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)
Citizen Kane (1941)
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Dying of the Light (2014)
Everest...
Chef and bestselling author Carla Hall’s Chasing Flavor makes its debut on February 1st, and one of the best seasons of True Detective, True Detective: Night Country with Jodie Foster and Kali Reis, wraps up its too-short season on February 25th. The popular animated series Clone High releases new season two episodes beginning on February 1st.
‘Last Week Tonight with John Oliver’ (Photograph by Courtesy of HBO) Series & Films Arriving On Max In January 2024
February 1
Bad Education (2004)
Batman vs. Robin (2015)
Batman: Bad Blood (2016)
The Bling Ring (2013)
Brooklyn (2015)
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)
Citizen Kane (1941)
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Dying of the Light (2014)
Everest...
- 1/26/2024
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Every 10 years, the British Film Institute pulls together critics from around the world to vote on its “Sight and Sound” poll to determine the best films ever made. In the most recent poll, traditional heavy-hitters like “Vertigo” and “Citizen Kane” were pushed aside as a new film was crowned the greatest.
According to the critics, the best film ever made is “Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Brussels” from 1975. You can catch this classic with a 7-day free trial of Max. In fact, a whopping 41 films from this list can be found on Max.
7-Day Free Trial $9.99+ / month Max via amazon.com
The list contains masterworks from geniuses like Kubrick, Chaplin, Scorsese, Wilder, Godard, Miyazaki, and Hitchcock. The most recent films on the list both come from 2019: “Parasite” and “Portrait of a Lady on Fire.”
So pop the popcorn and fire up your favorite streaming device. Here’s the list of movies that surpass all others.
According to the critics, the best film ever made is “Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Brussels” from 1975. You can catch this classic with a 7-day free trial of Max. In fact, a whopping 41 films from this list can be found on Max.
7-Day Free Trial $9.99+ / month Max via amazon.com
The list contains masterworks from geniuses like Kubrick, Chaplin, Scorsese, Wilder, Godard, Miyazaki, and Hitchcock. The most recent films on the list both come from 2019: “Parasite” and “Portrait of a Lady on Fire.”
So pop the popcorn and fire up your favorite streaming device. Here’s the list of movies that surpass all others.
- 12/29/2023
- by Ben Bowman
- The Streamable
As she strolls comfortably toward multiple Oscar nominations for “Barbie,” Greta Gerwig is on track to set several Academy Awards records tied to her age, gender and the movie’s financial success. In terms of more general achievements, perhaps the most impressive one in her reach is becoming the first filmmaker to have all of her initial three solo features contend for Best Picture. Over the past 95 years, many directors have had shots at earning that distinction and a few have come remarkably close, but none of their chances have been quite as strong as hers.
Since Gerwig did not produce her first two independently-directed films – “Lady Bird” (2017) and “Little Women” (2019) – and, per academy rules, cannot officially share in a “Barbie” Best Picture nomination due to her screen credit of “executive producer” (rather than the qualifying “producer” or “produced by”), she does not and will not soon have any bids...
Since Gerwig did not produce her first two independently-directed films – “Lady Bird” (2017) and “Little Women” (2019) – and, per academy rules, cannot officially share in a “Barbie” Best Picture nomination due to her screen credit of “executive producer” (rather than the qualifying “producer” or “produced by”), she does not and will not soon have any bids...
- 12/21/2023
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
Chicago – Here we are again, the end of another year, and it’s time to momentarily look back. Thus opens the 10 Best Films Of 2023, the list that represents one soul interacting with the art of cinema. That soul belongs to Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, Wbgr-fm and Wssr-fm.
So begins my list, with such a lofty and third person proclamation. By far, the story of the year is Barbenheimer (the same weekend release of Barbie and Oppenheimer), proving in the digital age that something weird and organic can take hold, and get more people to the theaters, celebrating a true movie event. Kudos to the movie celebrators who did both in one magic day.
I format my 10 Best to reflect the on-air reviews I do weekly on Wbgr-fm and Wssr-fm and New on Missourinet.com. Each of the 10 Best will be in the on-air or audio format for your listening pleasure.
So begins my list, with such a lofty and third person proclamation. By far, the story of the year is Barbenheimer (the same weekend release of Barbie and Oppenheimer), proving in the digital age that something weird and organic can take hold, and get more people to the theaters, celebrating a true movie event. Kudos to the movie celebrators who did both in one magic day.
I format my 10 Best to reflect the on-air reviews I do weekly on Wbgr-fm and Wssr-fm and New on Missourinet.com. Each of the 10 Best will be in the on-air or audio format for your listening pleasure.
- 12/20/2023
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
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