“We weren’t really that interested in making money, we were interested in making movies,” said Star Wars franchise architect George Lucas about the early days of his career with mentor Francis Ford Coppola in a Cannes sit down discussion today.
In a wide-ranging chat before a packed Salle Debussy Theatre crowd, Lucas, who is here to receive an honorary Palme d’or at the 77th edition shared how his Thx-1138 was accepted into a new section at Cannes, the Director’s Fortnight, back in 1971, but Warner Bros didn’t want to send the filmmaker or his co-scribe Walter Murch to France for the premiere. The duo scraped their money together, went to their own premiere in a side street venue, but snuck in because they didn’t have tickets. Years later he was asked by the French media why he didn’t go to the press conference of Thx 1138,...
In a wide-ranging chat before a packed Salle Debussy Theatre crowd, Lucas, who is here to receive an honorary Palme d’or at the 77th edition shared how his Thx-1138 was accepted into a new section at Cannes, the Director’s Fortnight, back in 1971, but Warner Bros didn’t want to send the filmmaker or his co-scribe Walter Murch to France for the premiere. The duo scraped their money together, went to their own premiere in a side street venue, but snuck in because they didn’t have tickets. Years later he was asked by the French media why he didn’t go to the press conference of Thx 1138,...
- 5/24/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
The Megalopolis parties and debates last week generously fed Cannes’ appetite for media buzz. Fest-goers were reminded that Francis Coppola’s journey had been a thrill ride for those who witnessed it, invested in it or were impacted by its turmoil.
The auteur was trailed all week by fans and family, many having survived the melodramatic ordeals of One from the Heart, the operatic intrigues of Apocalypse Now and finally the utopian fever dream titled Megalopolis, which he financed by putting $120 million of his own money on the line.
All represented a defiant challenge to the pre-algorithmic definitions of risk and reward. But one long-term participant in the Coppola drama was a non-presence in Cannes last week — though he is receiving an honorary Palme d’Or on Saturday.
He’s George Lucas, the billionaire nerd from Modesto who in former years contributed a discipline and order to their company’s (Zoetrope) unruly landscape.
The auteur was trailed all week by fans and family, many having survived the melodramatic ordeals of One from the Heart, the operatic intrigues of Apocalypse Now and finally the utopian fever dream titled Megalopolis, which he financed by putting $120 million of his own money on the line.
All represented a defiant challenge to the pre-algorithmic definitions of risk and reward. But one long-term participant in the Coppola drama was a non-presence in Cannes last week — though he is receiving an honorary Palme d’Or on Saturday.
He’s George Lucas, the billionaire nerd from Modesto who in former years contributed a discipline and order to their company’s (Zoetrope) unruly landscape.
- 5/23/2024
- by Peter Bart
- Deadline Film + TV
Before "Star Wars," there was "Thx 1138." A strange, dystopic science fiction movie packed with big ideas up to its eyeballs, "Thx 1138" is now mostly known as the feature directorial debut of one George Walton Lucas Jr. (though it also came back in conversation when the best episode of "Andor" paid homage to it). The future Lucasfilm founder originally created this story of repressed emotions and stymied sexuality as a student film, but by the time it was reimagined as a feature, it had gained backing from Warner Bros.
Lucas' American Zoetrope co-founder Francis Ford Coppola also had faith in the movie, and served as one of its producers. "Thx 1138" starred Robert Duvall, then already known for his work on stage and television, not to mention in films like "To Kill A Mockingbird," "M*A*S*H," and "True Grit." Future "Halloween" actor Donald Pleasence co-starred, along with a then-unknown actress named Maggie McOmie.
Lucas' American Zoetrope co-founder Francis Ford Coppola also had faith in the movie, and served as one of its producers. "Thx 1138" starred Robert Duvall, then already known for his work on stage and television, not to mention in films like "To Kill A Mockingbird," "M*A*S*H," and "True Grit." Future "Halloween" actor Donald Pleasence co-starred, along with a then-unknown actress named Maggie McOmie.
- 5/12/2024
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
Filmmaker George Lucas, the creator of the “Star Wars” franchise, will receive the Honorary Palme d’Or at the closing ceremony of this year’s Cannes Film Festival, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The ceremony takes place on May 25, 11 days after Lucas’ 80th birthday.
“The Festival de Cannes has always held a special place in my heart. I was surprised and elated when my first film, ‘Thx-1138,’ was selected to be shown in a new program for first-time directors called the Directors’ Fortnight. Since then, I have returned to the festival on many occasions in a variety of capacities as a writer, director and producer. I am truly honored by this special recognition which means a great deal to me,” Lucas said in a statement.
“In the space of 40 years, George Lucas built a Hollywood empire through the nine episodes of the [‘Star Wars’] saga — four of which he directed himself,” the...
The ceremony takes place on May 25, 11 days after Lucas’ 80th birthday.
“The Festival de Cannes has always held a special place in my heart. I was surprised and elated when my first film, ‘Thx-1138,’ was selected to be shown in a new program for first-time directors called the Directors’ Fortnight. Since then, I have returned to the festival on many occasions in a variety of capacities as a writer, director and producer. I am truly honored by this special recognition which means a great deal to me,” Lucas said in a statement.
“In the space of 40 years, George Lucas built a Hollywood empire through the nine episodes of the [‘Star Wars’] saga — four of which he directed himself,” the...
- 4/9/2024
- by Liam Mathews
- Gold Derby
The life and achievements of filmmaker George Lucas will be celebrated at Cannes in May, as he’s to receive an Honorary Palme d’Or.
George Lucas, the legendary filmmaker behind such classics as Thx-1138 and American Graffiti, is to receive an Honorary Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. The award will be handed over during the glitzy event’s closing ceremony in May.
In a statement shared with Variety, the writer, director and Red Tails producer said, “The Festival de Cannes has always held a special place in my heart. I was surprised and elated when my first film, Thx-1138, was selected to be shown in a new program for first time directors called the Directors’ Fortnight. Since then, I have returned to the festival on many occasions in a variety of capacities as a writer, director and producer. I am truly honored by this...
George Lucas, the legendary filmmaker behind such classics as Thx-1138 and American Graffiti, is to receive an Honorary Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. The award will be handed over during the glitzy event’s closing ceremony in May.
In a statement shared with Variety, the writer, director and Red Tails producer said, “The Festival de Cannes has always held a special place in my heart. I was surprised and elated when my first film, Thx-1138, was selected to be shown in a new program for first time directors called the Directors’ Fortnight. Since then, I have returned to the festival on many occasions in a variety of capacities as a writer, director and producer. I am truly honored by this...
- 4/9/2024
- by Ryan Lambie
- Film Stories
“Star Wars” creator George Lucas is the latest star to receive a coveted honorary Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
Lucas will be feted with the honor during the festival’s closing ceremony May 25, as announced by the festival. While the closing night feature has yet to be announced, the 2024 festival opens with Quentin Dupieux’s comedy “Le Deuxième Acte” (“The Second Act”) on May 14. Greta Gerwig oversees the jury board.
Lucas’ first feature “Thx-1138” debuted at Cannes in the Directors’ Fortnight program in 1971. The sci-fi film was co-written and directed by Lucas, with Francis Ford Coppola producing. Robert Duvall starred in the film about a dystopian future where people are monitored by android police officers and are force-fed drugs to negate emotions.
“The Festival de Cannes has always held a special place in my heart. I was surprised and elated when my first film, ‘Thx-1138,’ was selected...
Lucas will be feted with the honor during the festival’s closing ceremony May 25, as announced by the festival. While the closing night feature has yet to be announced, the 2024 festival opens with Quentin Dupieux’s comedy “Le Deuxième Acte” (“The Second Act”) on May 14. Greta Gerwig oversees the jury board.
Lucas’ first feature “Thx-1138” debuted at Cannes in the Directors’ Fortnight program in 1971. The sci-fi film was co-written and directed by Lucas, with Francis Ford Coppola producing. Robert Duvall starred in the film about a dystopian future where people are monitored by android police officers and are force-fed drugs to negate emotions.
“The Festival de Cannes has always held a special place in my heart. I was surprised and elated when my first film, ‘Thx-1138,’ was selected...
- 4/9/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
George Lucas will receive an honorary Palme d’Or at the 77th edition of Cannes Film Festival.
The Star Wars and Indiana Jones director will be presented with the award at the festival’s closing ceremony on Saturday, May 25.
Lucas’ debut feature Thx 1138 premiered at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight in 1971.
The US director has been nominated for four Oscars, including two for his 1974 feature American Graffiti.
”The Festival de Cannes has always held a special place in my heart,” said Lucas. ”I was surprised and elated when my first film, Thx-1138, was selected to be shown in a new program...
The Star Wars and Indiana Jones director will be presented with the award at the festival’s closing ceremony on Saturday, May 25.
Lucas’ debut feature Thx 1138 premiered at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight in 1971.
The US director has been nominated for four Oscars, including two for his 1974 feature American Graffiti.
”The Festival de Cannes has always held a special place in my heart,” said Lucas. ”I was surprised and elated when my first film, Thx-1138, was selected to be shown in a new program...
- 4/9/2024
- ScreenDaily
George Lucas will receive the Honorary Palme d’Or at the closing ceremony of the 77th Cannes Film Festival on May 25.
“The Festival de Cannes is delighted to pay tribute to one of the greatest figures of contemporary cinema, a man with an extraordinary career, who brings together great entertainment and innovation, mythology and modernity and cinephilia and technology,” said the festival.
Lucas said that Cannes had always held a special place in his heart as a filmmaker for giving him one of his first festival breaks.
“The Festival de Cannes has always held a special place in my heart. I was surprised and elated when my first film, Thx-1138, was selected to be shown in a new program for first time directors called the Directors’ Fortnight.
“Since then, I have returned to the festival on many occasions in a variety of capacities as a writer, director and producer. I...
“The Festival de Cannes is delighted to pay tribute to one of the greatest figures of contemporary cinema, a man with an extraordinary career, who brings together great entertainment and innovation, mythology and modernity and cinephilia and technology,” said the festival.
Lucas said that Cannes had always held a special place in his heart as a filmmaker for giving him one of his first festival breaks.
“The Festival de Cannes has always held a special place in my heart. I was surprised and elated when my first film, Thx-1138, was selected to be shown in a new program for first time directors called the Directors’ Fortnight.
“Since then, I have returned to the festival on many occasions in a variety of capacities as a writer, director and producer. I...
- 4/9/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
George Lucas, the iconic filmmaker behind the “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones” franchises, will receive the Honorary Palme d’Or on May 25 during the closing ceremony of the 77th Cannes Film Festival.
“The Festival de Cannes has always held a special place in my heart,” Lucas said in a statement. “I was surprised and elated when my first film, ‘Thx-1138,’ was selected to be shown in a new program for first time directors called the Directors’ Fortnight. Since then, I have returned to the festival on many occasions in a variety of capacities as a writer, director and producer. I am truly honored by this special recognition which means a great deal to me.”
In announcing the Honorary Palme d’Or award, Cannes praised Lucas for building “a Hollywood empire through the nine episodes of the saga — four of which he directed himself,” and for his “unflagging passion for technology...
“The Festival de Cannes has always held a special place in my heart,” Lucas said in a statement. “I was surprised and elated when my first film, ‘Thx-1138,’ was selected to be shown in a new program for first time directors called the Directors’ Fortnight. Since then, I have returned to the festival on many occasions in a variety of capacities as a writer, director and producer. I am truly honored by this special recognition which means a great deal to me.”
In announcing the Honorary Palme d’Or award, Cannes praised Lucas for building “a Hollywood empire through the nine episodes of the saga — four of which he directed himself,” and for his “unflagging passion for technology...
- 4/9/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
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
Return to Oz, Disney’s 1985 dark take on Dorothy Gale (played by a then-9-year-old Fairuza Balk), shares its creative DNA with Star Wars. Not only that, George Lucas saved writer-director Walter Murch’s job after Disney fired Murch from the Oz shoot.
Lucas and Murch were old friends and collaborators, having met in the film department of the University of Southern California in the mid-1960s.
“My first memory of him was a shadowy figure behind me in the photograph developing room,” says Murch about Lucas on The Hollywood Reporter’s podcast It Happened in Hollywood. “I was trying unsuccessfully to develop one of the photographs that I had taken for an exercise, and there was this voice behind me that said, ‘You’re doing it wrong.’ And I turned around and I said, ‘Who is this guy?’ Of course, it turns out he was right. I was doing it wrong.
Lucas and Murch were old friends and collaborators, having met in the film department of the University of Southern California in the mid-1960s.
“My first memory of him was a shadowy figure behind me in the photograph developing room,” says Murch about Lucas on The Hollywood Reporter’s podcast It Happened in Hollywood. “I was trying unsuccessfully to develop one of the photographs that I had taken for an exercise, and there was this voice behind me that said, ‘You’re doing it wrong.’ And I turned around and I said, ‘Who is this guy?’ Of course, it turns out he was right. I was doing it wrong.
- 4/4/2024
- by Seth Abramovitch
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Photo: Francis Ford Coppola
As we prepare for Francis Ford Coppola's 'Megalopolis', written, produced and directed by the genius Coppola, let us pay tribute to the auteur. 'Megalopolis' is a mega-starrer with Adam Driver, Forest Whitaker, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jon Voight, Laurence Fishburne, Aubrey Plaza, Shia Labeouf, Jason Schwartzman, Grace VanderWaal, Kathryn Hunter, Talia Shire, Dustin Hoffman, D. B. Sweeney, and Giancarlo Esposito. Humble Beginnings Francis Ford Coppola has been well-known for directing the ground-breaking ‘Godfather Trilogy.’ Before he decided to sit on the director’s chair and make some of the most influential movies of his career, Coppola was a boy who grew up confined to bed with polio when he was nine years old. During his time indoors, he would create puppet shows in order to entertain himself. Eventually, he developed a keen interest in making 8-mm films. Despite the fact that he was born in Detroit Michigan,...
As we prepare for Francis Ford Coppola's 'Megalopolis', written, produced and directed by the genius Coppola, let us pay tribute to the auteur. 'Megalopolis' is a mega-starrer with Adam Driver, Forest Whitaker, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jon Voight, Laurence Fishburne, Aubrey Plaza, Shia Labeouf, Jason Schwartzman, Grace VanderWaal, Kathryn Hunter, Talia Shire, Dustin Hoffman, D. B. Sweeney, and Giancarlo Esposito. Humble Beginnings Francis Ford Coppola has been well-known for directing the ground-breaking ‘Godfather Trilogy.’ Before he decided to sit on the director’s chair and make some of the most influential movies of his career, Coppola was a boy who grew up confined to bed with polio when he was nine years old. During his time indoors, he would create puppet shows in order to entertain himself. Eventually, he developed a keen interest in making 8-mm films. Despite the fact that he was born in Detroit Michigan,...
- 3/21/2024
- by Marco Castaneda
- Hollywood Insider - Substance & Meaningful Entertainment
"Star Wars" was only the third feature film that George Lucas ever directed and it was easily more ambitious and expensive than "Thx 1138" and "American Graffiti" — the $11 million budget for "Star Wars" is equal to about $65 million today. Handling that kind of money, and spending it on a film whose absurdity invited dozens of ways to fail, strained Lucas' mental wellbeing.
It didn't help that the film suffered from a production that was anything but smooth, with constant effects problems and trailing behind schedule. Not all the actors (Harrison Ford included) had faith in Lucas' vision while they were shooting it. It's a matter of filmmaking legend now how "Star Wars" didn't come together until Marcia Lucas (one of the film's three credited editors and George's then-wife) cut it into shape in her editing bay; before that, Lucas was concerned he'd bitten off more than he could chew.
In...
It didn't help that the film suffered from a production that was anything but smooth, with constant effects problems and trailing behind schedule. Not all the actors (Harrison Ford included) had faith in Lucas' vision while they were shooting it. It's a matter of filmmaking legend now how "Star Wars" didn't come together until Marcia Lucas (one of the film's three credited editors and George's then-wife) cut it into shape in her editing bay; before that, Lucas was concerned he'd bitten off more than he could chew.
In...
- 2/18/2024
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
George Lucas' "Star Wars" is easily the most underestimated movie ever made.
When Lucas closed a deal with 20th Century Fox chief Alan Ladd Jr. in June 1973 to write and direct the space opera, he was two months away from hitting the box-office jackpot with his nostalgia-fueled classic "American Graffiti." And while Lucas was a part of the New Hollywood revolution on the strength of "Thx 1138" alone, he wasn't interested in making thematically/stylistically provocative films like William Friedkin, Francis Ford Coppola, and Martin Scorsese. He just wanted to tell stories, one of which happened to be an intergalactic saga inspired by the escapist adventures of his youth.
No one got it. So when "Star Wars" turned into the biggest cinematic phenomenon since "Gone with the Wind," just about everyone who made money off the motion picture industry was caught flat-footed. In many cases, the demand for anything related...
When Lucas closed a deal with 20th Century Fox chief Alan Ladd Jr. in June 1973 to write and direct the space opera, he was two months away from hitting the box-office jackpot with his nostalgia-fueled classic "American Graffiti." And while Lucas was a part of the New Hollywood revolution on the strength of "Thx 1138" alone, he wasn't interested in making thematically/stylistically provocative films like William Friedkin, Francis Ford Coppola, and Martin Scorsese. He just wanted to tell stories, one of which happened to be an intergalactic saga inspired by the escapist adventures of his youth.
No one got it. So when "Star Wars" turned into the biggest cinematic phenomenon since "Gone with the Wind," just about everyone who made money off the motion picture industry was caught flat-footed. In many cases, the demand for anything related...
- 12/28/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Renowned three-time Oscar-winning editor Walter Murch — known for films including Apocalypse Now, The Godfather Part II and The English Patient — and respected documentary editor Kate Amend — who cut Academy Award-winning docs Into the Arms of Strangers and The Long Way Home — will receive career achievement awards at the 74th American Cinema Editors Eddie Awards.
During the ceremony, which will be held March 3 at UCLA’s Royce Hall, Ace will also honor Stephen Lovejoy with its Heritage Award for his commitment to advancing the image of the film editor and dedication to the organization.
Murch’s legendary 55-year career as a film editor, sound designer, writer and director began in 1969 when he worked on the sound for Francis Ford Coppola’s The Rain People. His credits include American Graffiti and The Godfather Part II, and he won his first Oscar for the sound in Apocalypse Now, for which he was also nominated as an editor.
During the ceremony, which will be held March 3 at UCLA’s Royce Hall, Ace will also honor Stephen Lovejoy with its Heritage Award for his commitment to advancing the image of the film editor and dedication to the organization.
Murch’s legendary 55-year career as a film editor, sound designer, writer and director began in 1969 when he worked on the sound for Francis Ford Coppola’s The Rain People. His credits include American Graffiti and The Godfather Part II, and he won his first Oscar for the sound in Apocalypse Now, for which he was also nominated as an editor.
- 12/19/2023
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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
There was a time when a great many people would proclaim Francis Ford Coppola's mob masterpiece "The Godfather" as the greatest American film of the last 50 years. Those people can't do that anymore. It isn't because the movie has lost any of its artistic power or breathtaking cinematic invention. It's simply because "The Godfather" is now 51 years old, having been released back in 1972. The film is now closer to 1922, five years prior to the popularization of synchronized sound in film, than it is to today, and that gap will only continue to grow thanks to the inevitable march of time.
Because of that time, we have lost so many people involved in the making of the picture, including Mario Puzo, the film's co-writer and author of the original novel, and Gordon Willis, the cinematographer who crafted the signature dark look of the picture. Also gone are many of the film's cast members,...
Because of that time, we have lost so many people involved in the making of the picture, including Mario Puzo, the film's co-writer and author of the original novel, and Gordon Willis, the cinematographer who crafted the signature dark look of the picture. Also gone are many of the film's cast members,...
- 10/31/2023
- by Mike Shutt
- Slash Film
During the making of "Star Wars" back in 1976, writer/director George Lucas hadn't really yet defined what the Force was. In dialogue, Obi-Wan Kenobi eventually described it as "an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us; it binds the galaxy together." In J.W. Rinzler's invaluable book "The Making of Star Wars: The Definitive Story Behind the Original Film," it was indicated that early drafts of "Star Wars" originally called it the Force of Others, and possessed two parts called Ashla (what would become the light side) and Bogan (what would become the dark side). Lucas mixed in a bunch of Platonic notions as well, saying that "the pure soul is connected to a larger energy field that you would begin to understand if you went all the way back and saw yourself in your purest sense."
Additionally, in early drafts of Lucas' script,...
Additionally, in early drafts of Lucas' script,...
- 10/2/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Earlier this year, Max announced it would be housing over 200 episodes of AMC Networks’ television at no additional cost to subscribers beginning in September.
That two-month window is coming to an end, so you’ll want to catch up on “Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire” Season 1; “Dark Winds” Season 1; “Gangs of London” Seasons 1 and 2; “Fear the Walking Dead” Seasons 1-7; “Killing Eve” Seasons 1-4; “A Discovery of Witches” Seasons 1-3; and “Ride with Norman Reedus” Seasons 1-5 while you still can.
A number of great horror titles are leaving at the end of October as well, including: “A Cabin in the Woods,” “Beetlejuice,” “Eight Legged Freaks,” “From Hell,” “It” and “It: Chapter 2,” and several more. They’ll be great to put on while you host your Halloween bash.
Here’s everything leaving Max in October 2023.
October 3
Rx Early Detection: A Cancer Journey with Sandra Lee (2018) (HBO)
October...
That two-month window is coming to an end, so you’ll want to catch up on “Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire” Season 1; “Dark Winds” Season 1; “Gangs of London” Seasons 1 and 2; “Fear the Walking Dead” Seasons 1-7; “Killing Eve” Seasons 1-4; “A Discovery of Witches” Seasons 1-3; and “Ride with Norman Reedus” Seasons 1-5 while you still can.
A number of great horror titles are leaving at the end of October as well, including: “A Cabin in the Woods,” “Beetlejuice,” “Eight Legged Freaks,” “From Hell,” “It” and “It: Chapter 2,” and several more. They’ll be great to put on while you host your Halloween bash.
Here’s everything leaving Max in October 2023.
October 3
Rx Early Detection: A Cancer Journey with Sandra Lee (2018) (HBO)
October...
- 9/30/2023
- by Lawrence Yee
- The Wrap
For almost 50 years, John Williams' music has been virtually synonymous with the films of Steven Spielberg (and vice versa), and for nearly as long, Williams' compositions have formed the emotional backbone of the Skywalker Saga from "Star Wars." However, 20 years before the cinematic musical maestro become known for either of those things, Williams was merely a whipper-snapper fresh out of Julliard and eager to leave his mark on the worlds of concert and film music.
Williams' pre-Spielberg run would have made for an incredible career all by itself. It was an era that saw the composer collaborating with numerous giants among the old guard of Hollywood directors, including Robert Altman, Don Siegel, William Wyler, Irwin Allen, Frank Sinatra, and Norman Jewison. In 1974, Williams worked with Spielberg for the first time on the filmmaker's theatrical feature debut, "The Sugarland Express." Appearing with Williams at the American Cinematheque event "50 Years of...
Williams' pre-Spielberg run would have made for an incredible career all by itself. It was an era that saw the composer collaborating with numerous giants among the old guard of Hollywood directors, including Robert Altman, Don Siegel, William Wyler, Irwin Allen, Frank Sinatra, and Norman Jewison. In 1974, Williams worked with Spielberg for the first time on the filmmaker's theatrical feature debut, "The Sugarland Express." Appearing with Williams at the American Cinematheque event "50 Years of...
- 9/24/2023
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
The making of Apocalypse Now is the story of madness and disaster. As captured in the documentary Hearts of Darkness, the year plus filming saw every manner of bad luck, from conflicts with the Philippine government to massive storms to a constantly changing crew, to star Martin Sheen’s heart attack on set.
But the strangest behind the scenes tale of Apocalypse Now may actually be about the man who initially planned to direct it. The version of Apocalypse Now that hit theaters in 1979 matched the ambitions (and ego) of its director Francis Ford Coppola. But before Coppola took over, Apocalypse Now was actually the baby of the reserved and mild-mannered George Lucas.
Nirvana Now
Screenwriter John Milius wanted to go to war. One of the few conservatives within a group of lefty young filmmakers that included Martin Scorsese, Margot Kidder, and Paul Schrader, Milius had no interest in protesting the Vietnam War.
But the strangest behind the scenes tale of Apocalypse Now may actually be about the man who initially planned to direct it. The version of Apocalypse Now that hit theaters in 1979 matched the ambitions (and ego) of its director Francis Ford Coppola. But before Coppola took over, Apocalypse Now was actually the baby of the reserved and mild-mannered George Lucas.
Nirvana Now
Screenwriter John Milius wanted to go to war. One of the few conservatives within a group of lefty young filmmakers that included Martin Scorsese, Margot Kidder, and Paul Schrader, Milius had no interest in protesting the Vietnam War.
- 9/11/2023
- by Joe George
- Den of Geek
Spooky season is upon us and Max is getting in on the action.
New to the streamer in September are “Annabelle” (2014), “Annabelle: Creation” (2017) and “Annabelle Comes Home” (2019), as well as “The Curse of La Llorona” (2019) — all spin-offs from “The Conjuring” universe.
Other horror entries include “It” (2017), “It: Chapter Two” (2019), eight “Friday the 13th” films (from the 1980 cult classic to 1989’s “Jason Takes Manhattan”) and six “Children of the Corn” sequels.
As previously reported, over 200 episodes of AMC Networks’ television series are coming to Max in September at no additional cost to subscribers, spreading their availability beyond AMC+. Shows that are part of the partnership include “Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire” Season 1; ”Dark Winds” Season 1; “Gangs of London” Seasons 1 and 2; “Fear the Walking Dead” Seasons 1-7; “Killing Eve” Seasons 1-4; “A Discovery of Witches” Seasons 1-3; and “Ride with Norman Reedus” Seasons 1-5.
If fright flicks aren’t your thing,...
New to the streamer in September are “Annabelle” (2014), “Annabelle: Creation” (2017) and “Annabelle Comes Home” (2019), as well as “The Curse of La Llorona” (2019) — all spin-offs from “The Conjuring” universe.
Other horror entries include “It” (2017), “It: Chapter Two” (2019), eight “Friday the 13th” films (from the 1980 cult classic to 1989’s “Jason Takes Manhattan”) and six “Children of the Corn” sequels.
As previously reported, over 200 episodes of AMC Networks’ television series are coming to Max in September at no additional cost to subscribers, spreading their availability beyond AMC+. Shows that are part of the partnership include “Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire” Season 1; ”Dark Winds” Season 1; “Gangs of London” Seasons 1 and 2; “Fear the Walking Dead” Seasons 1-7; “Killing Eve” Seasons 1-4; “A Discovery of Witches” Seasons 1-3; and “Ride with Norman Reedus” Seasons 1-5.
If fright flicks aren’t your thing,...
- 9/1/2023
- by Lawrence Yee
- The Wrap
There’s an interesting experiment going on over at Max in September, as from the first of the month you’ll be able to find seven AMC+ series streaming for 60 days on the service. If you’ve been dying to check out some of their best shows but just haven’t had access to them, now’s your chance! Max will be streaming Fear the Walking Dead seasons 1-7, Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire season one, Dark Winds season one, Gangs of London seasons 1-2, Ride with Norman Reedus seasons 1-5, A Discovery of Witches seasons 1-3, and Killing Eve seasons 1-4.
Also on Max this September is the original animated series Young Love, a Matthew A. Cherry project which seeks to expand on the critically acclaimed short film, Hair Love. Sam Jay has a new stand-up special on HBO, too. Sam Jay: Salute or Shoot Me will...
Also on Max this September is the original animated series Young Love, a Matthew A. Cherry project which seeks to expand on the critically acclaimed short film, Hair Love. Sam Jay has a new stand-up special on HBO, too. Sam Jay: Salute or Shoot Me will...
- 9/1/2023
- by Kirsten Howard
- Den of Geek
It's not unusual for artists to have a complicated relationship with their work. Whether it's a piece that fails to land with viewers or a successful passion project that ultimately gets sucked into the commercial machine, it's an especially tight line for filmmakers to walk. For George Lucas, 1977's "Star Wars" (by 1981 it would be retitled "Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope") was the latter: an offbeat, mystical science fiction film that he had spent years developing and for which he had the lowest expectations. After all, the story of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hammill) leaving the comfort of his home planet to learn the ways of the mystical Force and befriend a ragtag rebel group facing off against an evil Empire was no sure thing.
"Star Wars" would go on to cast an awfully long shadow, creating a massive franchise and media phenomenon that would tie Lucas up...
"Star Wars" would go on to cast an awfully long shadow, creating a massive franchise and media phenomenon that would tie Lucas up...
- 8/20/2023
- by Anthony Crislip
- Slash Film
In the 1970s, no one expected the first "Star Wars" movie to be such a runaway hit, least of all theater exhibitors. Writer-director George Lucas famously shopped around his script to studios like United Artists, Universal Pictures, and even future Lucasfilm owner Disney, according to Vanity Fair, but he couldn't secure financing with any of them. Though Lucas had already earned two Academy Award nominations for his pre-"Star Wars" masterpiece, "American Graffiti," his previous foray into science fiction, "Thx 1138," had fared less successful. It was only 20th Century Fox, led by Alan Ladd Jr. at the time, that was willing to take a chance on Lucas and his space opera.
Getting "Star Wars" made was just the first step for Lucas. Fox had to distribute it next, and as Mental Floss notes, it was afraid the movie would flop if released as part of a packed summer schedule.
Getting "Star Wars" made was just the first step for Lucas. Fox had to distribute it next, and as Mental Floss notes, it was afraid the movie would flop if released as part of a packed summer schedule.
- 5/20/2023
- by Joshua Meyer
- Slash Film
Steven Spielberg and George Lucas have been good friends for decades, often supporting each other’s careers. But when Spielberg was influenced by Lucas to make a change to one of his own movies, Spielberg deeply regretted the end result.
Steven Spielberg was once jealous of George Lucas Steven Spielberg and George Lucas | Earl Gibson III/WireImage
Spielberg noticed Lucas’ filmmaking capabilities from a young age. The Close Encounters director first became aware of Lucas when Lucas premiered his film Thx-1138 at a University of California LA [UCLA] film festival. As impressed as Spielberg was by the feature, he admitted to being envious of the project at the same time.
“I realized that there was an entire generation coming out of NYU, USC and UCLA. Thx-1138, made me jealous to the marrow of my bones. I was eighteen years old and had directed fifteen short films by that time, and...
Steven Spielberg was once jealous of George Lucas Steven Spielberg and George Lucas | Earl Gibson III/WireImage
Spielberg noticed Lucas’ filmmaking capabilities from a young age. The Close Encounters director first became aware of Lucas when Lucas premiered his film Thx-1138 at a University of California LA [UCLA] film festival. As impressed as Spielberg was by the feature, he admitted to being envious of the project at the same time.
“I realized that there was an entire generation coming out of NYU, USC and UCLA. Thx-1138, made me jealous to the marrow of my bones. I was eighteen years old and had directed fifteen short films by that time, and...
- 5/6/2023
- by Antonio Stallings
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
When the initial list of titles debuting at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival was announced last week we wrote that there would be more to come. We know that Wes Anderson, Todd Haynes, and Jonathan Glazer will compete with international directors like Wang Bing, Wim Wenders, Alice Rohwacher, and Nuri Bilge Ceylan for the Palme D’Or, and that Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” James Mangold’s “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” Steve McQueen’s documentary “Occupied City,” and Sam Levinson’s series “The Idol” will also show out-of-competition at le Palais des Festivals et des Congrès adjacent to one of the Mediterranean’s most famous yacht basins.
But just a short stroll down le Boulevard de la Croisette (though it can sometimes take ya 15 minutes or more when it’s crowded) is the Jw Marriott Cannes, completed in 1992, and wow do those peach-pastel colors and gold-tinted glass show it!
But just a short stroll down le Boulevard de la Croisette (though it can sometimes take ya 15 minutes or more when it’s crowded) is the Jw Marriott Cannes, completed in 1992, and wow do those peach-pastel colors and gold-tinted glass show it!
- 4/18/2023
- by Jordan Hoffman
- Gold Derby
This article contains spoilers for "The Mandalorian" episode, "The Convert."
As "The Mandalorian" embarks on its third season, it faces tougher challenges than Pedro Pascal's beskar armor-clad Din Djarin does on a daily basis. For one thing, the return of Grogu neé Baby Yoda in the other Disney+ series, "The Book of Boba Fett," may have confused some of "The Mandalorian" viewers who skipped that show, as well as people who had tuned in for more Boba action and not "Mandalorian 2.5." For another, like most series entering their third season, the show faces many questions about its future: how long is it going to run, is there an endgame in play, and where else can the show (and Din and Grogu) go exploring?
That last question began to be answered with the show's latest episode, "The Convert." Although the beginning and end of the episode followed the further adventures of Din,...
As "The Mandalorian" embarks on its third season, it faces tougher challenges than Pedro Pascal's beskar armor-clad Din Djarin does on a daily basis. For one thing, the return of Grogu neé Baby Yoda in the other Disney+ series, "The Book of Boba Fett," may have confused some of "The Mandalorian" viewers who skipped that show, as well as people who had tuned in for more Boba action and not "Mandalorian 2.5." For another, like most series entering their third season, the show faces many questions about its future: how long is it going to run, is there an endgame in play, and where else can the show (and Din and Grogu) go exploring?
That last question began to be answered with the show's latest episode, "The Convert." Although the beginning and end of the episode followed the further adventures of Din,...
- 3/20/2023
- by Bill Bria
- Slash Film
Exclusive: XYZ Films has claimed North American rights to the sci-fi pic The Artifice Girl, starring Tatum Matthews (The Waltons: Homecoming) and Lance Henriksen (Aliens), which this past weekend had its U.S. premiere at SXSW after world premiering to critical acclaim at Fantasia Film Festival.
The film marking the feature debut of writer-director Franklin Ritch — which like Uni’s horror hit M3GAN, looks at the increasingly top-of-mind subject of AI through a genre prism — is slated for a theatrical release in 15+ U.S. Markets, as well as an accompanying digital debut this spring.
Related Story Oliver Stone Documentary ‘Nuclear Now’ Acquired By Abramorama, Giant Pictures Related Story Netflix Hops On 'Run Rabbit Run', Acquires XYZ Films Sundance Midnight Title Starring Sarah Snook Related Story Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead's Rustic Films Teams With V Channels & XYZ On Genre Slate
The Artifice Girl follows a small team of...
The film marking the feature debut of writer-director Franklin Ritch — which like Uni’s horror hit M3GAN, looks at the increasingly top-of-mind subject of AI through a genre prism — is slated for a theatrical release in 15+ U.S. Markets, as well as an accompanying digital debut this spring.
Related Story Oliver Stone Documentary ‘Nuclear Now’ Acquired By Abramorama, Giant Pictures Related Story Netflix Hops On 'Run Rabbit Run', Acquires XYZ Films Sundance Midnight Title Starring Sarah Snook Related Story Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead's Rustic Films Teams With V Channels & XYZ On Genre Slate
The Artifice Girl follows a small team of...
- 3/14/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
"Andor" is a "Star Wars" story like no other. It's a grounded and bleak drama about radicalization and oppression, a show that finally lets us experience the true evils of the Empire, and a show that illustrates why the Rebellion was necessary. Though it still connected to the rest of the "Star Wars" franchise, "Andor" didn't pander to fan service that felt forced in order to tease some grander plan.
Arguably the highlight of the first season (which also features phenomenal outings like the heist episode) is the prison arc on Narkina 5. This is the most self-contained arc of the season, as it has no direct impact on the larger plot — least of all compared to the Aldhani heist, which brings Cassian Andor's actions to the Empire's attention. And yet, this is the arc that changes everything, not only for Cassian and the show at large, but for the galaxy itself.
Arguably the highlight of the first season (which also features phenomenal outings like the heist episode) is the prison arc on Narkina 5. This is the most self-contained arc of the season, as it has no direct impact on the larger plot — least of all compared to the Aldhani heist, which brings Cassian Andor's actions to the Empire's attention. And yet, this is the arc that changes everything, not only for Cassian and the show at large, but for the galaxy itself.
- 3/11/2023
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
Looking over George Lucas' filmography, one can find no films set in the present day. Indeed, only one of Lucas' feature films is set in the future, and his "Thx 1138" is a dystopian hellscape of corporate control and utter emotionlessness. His other five directorial efforts are all set in the past, where youth was enjoyable and heroes existed in distant galaxies (even if "American Graffiti" was set just a decade before its release date). The past was bright. It's the future we have to be suspicious of.
Lucas once said that he was influenced by Arthur Lipsett's 1964 short film "21-87," a heady, abstract film about how humanity has reached an inflection point, and that society is now officially primed for collapse. This film, however obscure, offers a handy primer on Lucas' entire body of work. If there is a hero's journey to be had, it belongs in the ancient world.
Lucas once said that he was influenced by Arthur Lipsett's 1964 short film "21-87," a heady, abstract film about how humanity has reached an inflection point, and that society is now officially primed for collapse. This film, however obscure, offers a handy primer on Lucas' entire body of work. If there is a hero's journey to be had, it belongs in the ancient world.
- 3/11/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
It’s the much talked about Christmas special that you’re not allowed to talk about. It’s interesting to think that right after the cinema-changing release of 1977’s Star Wars, the immediate follow-up would be a dud. And I’m not talking about The Empire Strikes Back. In 1978, to capitalize on the success of the smash hit from George Lucas, director of such films as Thx 1138 and American Graffiti, there was a TV Christmas special that brought in all the stars of the movie. That special became the first big misstep of the franchise that was so bad that George Lucas won’t even speak about it.
The Hollywood Reporter has the details on a new documentary that goes behind the scenes of the much-maligned TV program, including a teaser trailer. A Disturbance in the Force is a new film from Jeremy Coon and Steve Kozak that is...
The Hollywood Reporter has the details on a new documentary that goes behind the scenes of the much-maligned TV program, including a teaser trailer. A Disturbance in the Force is a new film from Jeremy Coon and Steve Kozak that is...
- 3/2/2023
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
Before traversing the galaxy in the Millennium Falcon, Harrison Ford cruised the strip around Modesto, California, in his '55 Chevy in George Lucas's coming-of-age dramedy "American Graffiti." It was something of a breakout role for Ford, who managed to make the drag racing cowboy Bob Falfa stand out in a relatively short amount of screen time. Ford turned 30 during filming, and had already been put through the cookie cutter machine of the Hollywood system. Appearing in bit parts on shows like "The F.B.I." to little fanfare, Ford became a carpenter to the stars, even building a recording studio for bossa nova legend Sergio Mendes. Embittered by his experiences as a performer, Ford still had the acting bug in his blood, though. His father was a radio actor and ad man from Chicago -- and his grandfather was a vaudevillian.
But no matter what Ford tried, he just wasn't getting noticed.
But no matter what Ford tried, he just wasn't getting noticed.
- 1/19/2023
- by Drew Tinnin
- Slash Film
George Lucas has a thing for the past. Nearly every movie he's ever directed and/or written takes place in a period setting or, in the case of his most famous creation, "a long time ago." Even the big exception to this trend, his 1971 feature directing debut "Thx 1138," is a film about everyday civilians rebelling against an oppressive system and the tyrannical overseers that uphold it, like so much of the rest of his work.
If one were to ask the man behind "Star Wars" why that is, his answer would be straight and to the point, if not exactly comforting. "No matter who you look at in history, the story is always the same," Lucas told the Chicago Tribune in 2005. "That's what's eerie. It was a little eerie that things have developed the way they have." It's why previous attempts to make fellow sci-fi juggernaut "Star Trek" into...
If one were to ask the man behind "Star Wars" why that is, his answer would be straight and to the point, if not exactly comforting. "No matter who you look at in history, the story is always the same," Lucas told the Chicago Tribune in 2005. "That's what's eerie. It was a little eerie that things have developed the way they have." It's why previous attempts to make fellow sci-fi juggernaut "Star Trek" into...
- 1/11/2023
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
To its credit, "Andor" is a series that has largely eschewed the urge to turn "Star Wars" into an Easter egg hunt, avoiding some of the more overt callbacks or rhyming patterns of other movies and TV shows in the franchise. Sure, there's a nod to blue milk, and the latest episode batch, set in a pristine white prison work facility, visually and thematically references George Lucas's first movie, "Thx 1138." But on the whole, "Andor" has been subtle about echoing previous "Star Wars" moments. You wouldn't necessarily expect it to mirror a scene from the original "Star Wars" film, but that's what it did with the torture of Bix Caleen (Adria Arjona).
In "Andor" episode 9, Bix has headphones placed over her ears and is forced to endure a new insidious form of torture that subjects the listener to the dying screams of an alien race. The screams are...
In "Andor" episode 9, Bix has headphones placed over her ears and is forced to endure a new insidious form of torture that subjects the listener to the dying screams of an alien race. The screams are...
- 11/9/2022
- by Joshua Meyer
- Slash Film
(Welcome to The Daily Stream, an ongoing series in which the /Film team shares what they've been watching, why it's worth checking out, and where you can stream it.)
The Series: "Andor"
Where You Can Stream It: Disney+
The Pitch: You've seen "Star Wars" as a space opera, founded on "A New Hope." Here's what it looks like as a dystopian, sci-fi, prison work culture.
As the umpteenth "Andor" article on the interweb since the show's premiere, you have no reason to read this, and the recent episode title, "Nobody's Listening," has already prepared this writer for the likelihood that any further thoughts will — as the warden of Shawshank State Prison once put it — quickly up and vanish "like a fart in the wind." But I'm going to go ahead and load them up in a pneumatic tube, anyway, and send it along like a message in a bottle from a watery space prison.
The Series: "Andor"
Where You Can Stream It: Disney+
The Pitch: You've seen "Star Wars" as a space opera, founded on "A New Hope." Here's what it looks like as a dystopian, sci-fi, prison work culture.
As the umpteenth "Andor" article on the interweb since the show's premiere, you have no reason to read this, and the recent episode title, "Nobody's Listening," has already prepared this writer for the likelihood that any further thoughts will — as the warden of Shawshank State Prison once put it — quickly up and vanish "like a fart in the wind." But I'm going to go ahead and load them up in a pneumatic tube, anyway, and send it along like a message in a bottle from a watery space prison.
- 11/7/2022
- by Joshua Meyer
- Slash Film
Writer/Director Lucky McKee discusses a few of his favorite movies with Josh Olson and Joe Dante.
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Tár (2022)
Speed Racer (2008)
The Matrix (1999)
Gloria (1980) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
The Howling (1981) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairings
Old Man (2022)
Don’t Breathe (2016)
Avatar (2009)
Band of the Hand (1986)
May (2002)
The Piano (1993)
The Crying Game (1992)
Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Star Wars: Episode VI – Return Of The Jedi (1983)
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
Star Wars: Episode II – Attack Of The Clones (2002)
Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge Of The Sith (2005)
The Dark Crystal (1982) – Bernard Rose’s trailer commentary
Cockfighter (1974) – Jon Davison’s trailer commentary
Days of Heaven (1978)
Sweetie (1989)
The Power of the Dog (2021)
Do The Right Thing (1989) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary
A History Of Violence (2005)
Se7en (1995)
Straw Dogs (1971) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary,...
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Tár (2022)
Speed Racer (2008)
The Matrix (1999)
Gloria (1980) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
The Howling (1981) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairings
Old Man (2022)
Don’t Breathe (2016)
Avatar (2009)
Band of the Hand (1986)
May (2002)
The Piano (1993)
The Crying Game (1992)
Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Star Wars: Episode VI – Return Of The Jedi (1983)
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
Star Wars: Episode II – Attack Of The Clones (2002)
Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge Of The Sith (2005)
The Dark Crystal (1982) – Bernard Rose’s trailer commentary
Cockfighter (1974) – Jon Davison’s trailer commentary
Days of Heaven (1978)
Sweetie (1989)
The Power of the Dog (2021)
Do The Right Thing (1989) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary
A History Of Violence (2005)
Se7en (1995)
Straw Dogs (1971) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary,...
- 11/1/2022
- by Kris Millsap
- Trailers from Hell
Like a department store that pulls out its winter holiday items weeks before All Hallows' Eve, Netflix isn't going to let a little thing like the calendar stop it from bombarding its subscribers with Christmas movies in November. That's not to say the streamer's exclusive yuletide rom-coms are all bad — quite the opposite, in fact (consider this your friendly reminder to finally watch "Single All the Way" this year).
Fortunately, if films like "Falling for Christmas" (aka the long-awaited Lindsay Lohan Netflix Christmas movie) aren't your bag, there are plenty of other options on the service to choose from that month. Perhaps you'd be more inclined to watch "Slumberland," Francis Lawrence's fantasy film adaptation of Winsor McCay's classic "Little Nemo in Slumberland" comic strips starring Jason Momoa as a shaggy-furred half-man, half-animal with mountain goat horns and an impeccably flamboyant fashion sense? You could also go for the...
Fortunately, if films like "Falling for Christmas" (aka the long-awaited Lindsay Lohan Netflix Christmas movie) aren't your bag, there are plenty of other options on the service to choose from that month. Perhaps you'd be more inclined to watch "Slumberland," Francis Lawrence's fantasy film adaptation of Winsor McCay's classic "Little Nemo in Slumberland" comic strips starring Jason Momoa as a shaggy-furred half-man, half-animal with mountain goat horns and an impeccably flamboyant fashion sense? You could also go for the...
- 10/20/2022
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
There will be spoilers for "Andor" Episode 7 - "Announcement"
After George Lucas directed his first film, "Thx-1138", you would be hard pressed to find a film of his that followed without a reference to the sci-fi movie somehow. The number 1138 comes up a lot in his movies. In "American Grafitti", John Milner's license plate is "Thx 138." In "Star Wars: A New Hope," it was the cell block Princess Leia had been transferred from. In "The Empire Strikes Back", General Rieekan sends Rogue's "10 and 11 to Station 38." In "The Phantom Menace," one of the Battle Droids has "1138" scrawled out on its backpack. It's everywhere. But fans have learned to spot it, and the filmmakers behind "Star Wars" have had to find increasingly more subtle ways to reference the movie in their work.
This week's episode of "Andor" is no exception and has one of the most unique subtle references to "Thx 1138" yet.
After George Lucas directed his first film, "Thx-1138", you would be hard pressed to find a film of his that followed without a reference to the sci-fi movie somehow. The number 1138 comes up a lot in his movies. In "American Grafitti", John Milner's license plate is "Thx 138." In "Star Wars: A New Hope," it was the cell block Princess Leia had been transferred from. In "The Empire Strikes Back", General Rieekan sends Rogue's "10 and 11 to Station 38." In "The Phantom Menace," one of the Battle Droids has "1138" scrawled out on its backpack. It's everywhere. But fans have learned to spot it, and the filmmakers behind "Star Wars" have had to find increasingly more subtle ways to reference the movie in their work.
This week's episode of "Andor" is no exception and has one of the most unique subtle references to "Thx 1138" yet.
- 10/19/2022
- by Bryan Young
- Slash Film
Among the 100 top-grossing domestic movie releases, there have been three occasions when two of those films opened on the same weekend.
“Dr. Zhivago” and “Thunderball” shared Christmas 1965; “The Exorcist” and “The Sting” were Christmas 1973. And on Memorial Day Weekend 1977 there was “Smokey and the Bandit”… and “Star Wars.”
George Lucas’ film, of course, is second only to “Gone With the Wind” in tickets sold. But “Smokey” is #79 all-time, grossing $520 million (all figures here adjusted to 2022 values).
And for that first weekend, “Smokey” was actually #1. All-time, it’s a bigger hit than any “Harry Potter” film, “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” “West Side Story,” “Lawrence of Arabia,” all the “Hunger Games” films, and “Rocky.”
In May 1977, I was in my second year as a film buyer for a local Chicago exhibition chain. At that point, wide releases were not the rule and while Memorial Day was a desirable date, it wasn’t considered summer.
“Dr. Zhivago” and “Thunderball” shared Christmas 1965; “The Exorcist” and “The Sting” were Christmas 1973. And on Memorial Day Weekend 1977 there was “Smokey and the Bandit”… and “Star Wars.”
George Lucas’ film, of course, is second only to “Gone With the Wind” in tickets sold. But “Smokey” is #79 all-time, grossing $520 million (all figures here adjusted to 2022 values).
And for that first weekend, “Smokey” was actually #1. All-time, it’s a bigger hit than any “Harry Potter” film, “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” “West Side Story,” “Lawrence of Arabia,” all the “Hunger Games” films, and “Rocky.”
In May 1977, I was in my second year as a film buyer for a local Chicago exhibition chain. At that point, wide releases were not the rule and while Memorial Day was a desirable date, it wasn’t considered summer.
- 5/4/2022
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
"The Godfather" and "Apocalypse Now" director Francis Ford Coppola has never been one to follow the beaten path. A key figure in the American New Wave, Coppola teamed up with George Lucas early on in their careers to co-found what's now known as American Zoetrope. It was a privately-run production company meant to specialize in less conventional films, starting with Coppola's 1969 drama "The Rain People." Zoetrope also backed Lucas' first two movies as a director: The avant-garde 1971 dystopian sci-fi film "Thx-1138" and 1973's "American Graffiti," a '60s-set teen dramedy that helped establish the template for the modern hangout film.
Four years after...
The post Why Francis Ford Coppola Felt Sad About George Lucas' Star Wars Success appeared first on /Film.
Four years after...
The post Why Francis Ford Coppola Felt Sad About George Lucas' Star Wars Success appeared first on /Film.
- 2/1/2022
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
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In honor of George Lucas’ 74th birthday, we’re celebrating some of his best movies. Lucas has accomplished more in seven decades than most of us could do in seven lifetimes, and his filmography has something for everyone. After his early years directing experimental films, Lucas created some of the biggest blockbuster franchises in history. Then he used his Hollywood clout to help other daring filmmakers make their dream projects.
Since Lucas sold his company to Disney in 2012, many of his films, including all of the “Star Wars” movies, are streaming on Disney+. To watch all of them, plus new shows like “The Mandalorian,” Disney+ costs just $7.99 a month. For an even better deal,...
In honor of George Lucas’ 74th birthday, we’re celebrating some of his best movies. Lucas has accomplished more in seven decades than most of us could do in seven lifetimes, and his filmography has something for everyone. After his early years directing experimental films, Lucas created some of the biggest blockbuster franchises in history. Then he used his Hollywood clout to help other daring filmmakers make their dream projects.
Since Lucas sold his company to Disney in 2012, many of his films, including all of the “Star Wars” movies, are streaming on Disney+. To watch all of them, plus new shows like “The Mandalorian,” Disney+ costs just $7.99 a month. For an even better deal,...
- 5/14/2021
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
Stars: Julia Sarah Stone, Landon Liboiron, Carlee Ryski, Christopher Heatherington, Tedra Rogers | Written and Directed by Anthony Scott Burns
Stylishly directed, shot and edited by Anthony Scott Burns (Our House), this creepy Canadian sci-fi horror takes a nightmarish peek into the subconscious. Combining strong visuals with an intriguing mystery plot and at least one state-of-the-art jump scare, Come True brings new meaning to the term sleeper hit.
Julia Sarah Stone plays 18 year-old Sarah Dunne, a high school student whose relationship with her mother has soured to the point where she’s effectively a runaway, though she still pops home under cover of darkness to pick up things like a sleeping bag and her laptop. Tired of kipping overnight in a child’s playground, she jumps at the chance to participate in a sleep study, where she’s hooked up to a bunch of machines and is observed every night by Dr.
Stylishly directed, shot and edited by Anthony Scott Burns (Our House), this creepy Canadian sci-fi horror takes a nightmarish peek into the subconscious. Combining strong visuals with an intriguing mystery plot and at least one state-of-the-art jump scare, Come True brings new meaning to the term sleeper hit.
Julia Sarah Stone plays 18 year-old Sarah Dunne, a high school student whose relationship with her mother has soured to the point where she’s effectively a runaway, though she still pops home under cover of darkness to pick up things like a sleeping bag and her laptop. Tired of kipping overnight in a child’s playground, she jumps at the chance to participate in a sleep study, where she’s hooked up to a bunch of machines and is observed every night by Dr.
- 3/23/2021
- by Matthew Turner
- Nerdly
From My Little Pony ‘n Friends to G.I. Joe, here are some retro kids’ TV show created to sell toys.
“In the 1980s, kids didn’t need to rely on imagination alone to create elaborate worlds for their toys. They just had to watch Saturday morning cartoons to learn about the personalities, backstories, and adventures of their favorite stuffed animals and action figures.”
Read more at Mental Floss.
The studio behind Final Fantasy has unveiled their newest game, Fantasian. Here’s everything we know about it so far.
“Hironobu Sakaguchi’s studio Mistwalker unveiled its newest game, Fantasian, in March 2021. While it’s a mobile game for Apple Arcade, it still innovates on the classic isometric turn-based RPG formula with a novel new ‘Dimengeon’ mechanic and using dioramas to craft the game’s beautiful environments. Apple Arcade isn’t exactly a must-buy service just yet, but Fantasian could be the tipping point.
“In the 1980s, kids didn’t need to rely on imagination alone to create elaborate worlds for their toys. They just had to watch Saturday morning cartoons to learn about the personalities, backstories, and adventures of their favorite stuffed animals and action figures.”
Read more at Mental Floss.
The studio behind Final Fantasy has unveiled their newest game, Fantasian. Here’s everything we know about it so far.
“Hironobu Sakaguchi’s studio Mistwalker unveiled its newest game, Fantasian, in March 2021. While it’s a mobile game for Apple Arcade, it still innovates on the classic isometric turn-based RPG formula with a novel new ‘Dimengeon’ mechanic and using dioramas to craft the game’s beautiful environments. Apple Arcade isn’t exactly a must-buy service just yet, but Fantasian could be the tipping point.
- 3/11/2021
- by Ivan Huang
- Den of Geek
George Lucas was once a very promising young filmmaker working under the wing of his mentor Francis Ford Coppola in the heyday of New Hollywood, so it’s a bit depressing seeing his legacy get eclipsed by “Star Wars.” Between “American Graffiti” and “Thx 1138” audiences were robbed of more distinct films by Lucas, and Ford Coppola seems to be sad that Lucas has only directed “Star Wars” movies since 1977.
Continue reading Francis Ford Coppola Feels Sad That George Lucas’ Career Became Eclipsed By ‘Star Wars’ at The Playlist.
Continue reading Francis Ford Coppola Feels Sad That George Lucas’ Career Became Eclipsed By ‘Star Wars’ at The Playlist.
- 12/12/2020
- by Rafael Motamayor
- The Playlist
Ever since the ’50s, when the motion-picture industry felt existentially threatened by the rise of television (much as forces within it today feel existentially threatened by the rise of streaming), the movies have found ways to entice people into theaters with added benefits. 3D was the original P.T. Barnum attraction, and the return of 3D in the mid-2000s — it rose up from the dead as improbably as the beast in a “Creature From the Black Lagoon” sequel — was a sign of the tremors of economic anxiety that were starting to rumble through the industry.
Apart from “Avatar,” the 3D revival was always an annoying scam — a transparent way to jack up ticket prices, since what you were getting, in movie after movie (from “Journey to the Center of the Earth” to “Kung Fu Panda 2” to “Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert”), was a sea...
Apart from “Avatar,” the 3D revival was always an annoying scam — a transparent way to jack up ticket prices, since what you were getting, in movie after movie (from “Journey to the Center of the Earth” to “Kung Fu Panda 2” to “Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert”), was a sea...
- 8/9/2020
- by Owen Gleiberman
- Variety Film + TV
Much will be said about the memory and accomplishments of Tom Pollock, who passed away at age 77. He presided over Universal Pictures in a strong period in the ’80s and early ’90s when the studio released 200 pictures that globally grossed $10 billion and released Steven Spielberg’s then all time box office champ Jurassic Park and Best Picture Oscar winner Schindler’s List back to back. He and Ivan Reitman built a successful company in The Montecito Picture Company. But Pollock’s singular accomplishment is being the lawyer who made the greatest deal ever for a filmmaker, his first client George Lucas when Pollock started the firm Pollock, Rigrod, and Bloom, which later became Pollock, Bloom and Dekom, and then Bloom Hergott. Back when Star Wars was being relaunched by LucasFilm and JJ Abrams, Deadline got Pollock to explain how it all happened. Here is the interview from 2015:
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Behind many a...
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Behind many a...
- 8/3/2020
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Tom Pollock, the former chairman of Universal Pictures and the American Film Institute, has died, TheWrap has learned from longtime law partner Alan Hergott and screenwriter Nicholas Meyer. Pollock was 77.
As an entertainment lawyer and later a producer and studio head, Pollock helped several iconic filmmakers get their start and oversaw the release of some of the most famous blockbusters ever released. As a lawyer starting his own firm in 1970, one of his first clients was George Lucas, who he took on as he was working on his debut film “Thx-1138.” Pollock later helped Lucas secure a fortune by negotiating the merchandising and sequel rights to “Star Wars.”
He went on to be instrumental in initiating production of the “Indiana Jones” and “Superman” film franchises.
In 1986, he became EVP of McA and Chairman of Universal Pictures, overseeing the release of multiple record-breaking box office hits and Oscar winners, including “Jurassic Park,...
As an entertainment lawyer and later a producer and studio head, Pollock helped several iconic filmmakers get their start and oversaw the release of some of the most famous blockbusters ever released. As a lawyer starting his own firm in 1970, one of his first clients was George Lucas, who he took on as he was working on his debut film “Thx-1138.” Pollock later helped Lucas secure a fortune by negotiating the merchandising and sequel rights to “Star Wars.”
He went on to be instrumental in initiating production of the “Indiana Jones” and “Superman” film franchises.
In 1986, he became EVP of McA and Chairman of Universal Pictures, overseeing the release of multiple record-breaking box office hits and Oscar winners, including “Jurassic Park,...
- 8/2/2020
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
A tale of alien abduction, Proxmity serves as an in-and-out impressive calling card for debuting feature writer and director Eric Demeusy. His training in animation and visual effects helped Demeusy create the Emmy-winning title sequences for Stranger Things and Game of Thrones. So it’s a given that this L.A.-based filmmaker knows how to get things started. Proximity kicks off with a flashback set in 1979, which isn’t a coincidence — that was the decade of Close Encounters of the Third Kind, the Steven Spielberg sci-fi classic that informs...
- 5/15/2020
- by Peter Travers
- Rollingstone.com
The Mandalorian falls flat in "The Prisoner." Here is our review of the episode...
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This Star Wars: The Mandalorian review contains spoilers.
Star Wars: The Mandalorian Episode 6
It’s hard to believe we’re more than halfway through the season already. With the emotional heart of the story established in the first five episodes, it’s time to get back into the Star Wars underworld with “The Prisoner.” There’s something to be said here about creating an eight-episode bounty-of-the-week show -- some bounties are bound to feel disconnected from the rest. But with a dull cast of guest characters and not a lot to do even for our darling Baby Yoda, “The Prisoner” feels especially out of place.
With bounty hunters still tracking the Child, Mando retreats to a space station run by a suspicious old friend named Ran, a former bounty hunter who has a history with the Mandalorian.
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This Star Wars: The Mandalorian review contains spoilers.
Star Wars: The Mandalorian Episode 6
It’s hard to believe we’re more than halfway through the season already. With the emotional heart of the story established in the first five episodes, it’s time to get back into the Star Wars underworld with “The Prisoner.” There’s something to be said here about creating an eight-episode bounty-of-the-week show -- some bounties are bound to feel disconnected from the rest. But with a dull cast of guest characters and not a lot to do even for our darling Baby Yoda, “The Prisoner” feels especially out of place.
With bounty hunters still tracking the Child, Mando retreats to a space station run by a suspicious old friend named Ran, a former bounty hunter who has a history with the Mandalorian.
- 12/13/2019
- Den of Geek
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