George Lucas gave birth to one of the greatest pop culture phenomena when he made Star Wars in 1977. The space-opera feature smashed box office records and established a new unique franchise. However, after the conclusion of the Original Trilogy, when Lucas released the Prequel Trilogy, things did not play out well.
Hayden Christensen and Ewan McGregor in Star Wars prequel trilogy
While the Original Trilogy of Star Wars was widely appreciated and still loved by the fans, the departure from the traditional style was disliked by many in the Prequel stories. Interestingly, George Lucas played a massive gamble by financing the second Prequel film, Attack of the Clones, which does not have a good name among the fans. It generated a mixed to negative reception worldwide.
George Lucas gambled by financing Star Wars: Episode II
A still from Attack of the Clones
After George Lucas made the Original Trilogy with Mark Hamill‘s Luke Skywalker,...
Hayden Christensen and Ewan McGregor in Star Wars prequel trilogy
While the Original Trilogy of Star Wars was widely appreciated and still loved by the fans, the departure from the traditional style was disliked by many in the Prequel stories. Interestingly, George Lucas played a massive gamble by financing the second Prequel film, Attack of the Clones, which does not have a good name among the fans. It generated a mixed to negative reception worldwide.
George Lucas gambled by financing Star Wars: Episode II
A still from Attack of the Clones
After George Lucas made the Original Trilogy with Mark Hamill‘s Luke Skywalker,...
- 4/29/2024
- by Subham Mandal
- FandomWire
While we gloat over the achievements of Tinseltown, we should ask ourselves if Schindler’s List, Steven Spielberg’s 1993 moving historical drama, could have come to fruition without the support of any super alliance. The Ohio-born director, 77, himself expressed his deep appreciation for the decisive support he received from none other than, George Lucas, his loyal comrade.
Earlier this year, Spielberg discussed in detail the paramount role that Lucas had in the creation of Schindler’s List. Indeed, thanks to Lucas and Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy, who was in the US completing Jurassic Park’s sound mixing, Spielberg was able to work effectively on the moving and impactful Holocaust flick.
Steven Spielberg | Credits: Wikimedia Commons
Spielberg even remembered saying, “George, I am in trouble”, when he reached out to Lucas. That being said, both Schindler’s List and Jurassic Park became timeless masterpieces because of Lucas’ helping hands and generosity.
Steven Spielberg...
Earlier this year, Spielberg discussed in detail the paramount role that Lucas had in the creation of Schindler’s List. Indeed, thanks to Lucas and Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy, who was in the US completing Jurassic Park’s sound mixing, Spielberg was able to work effectively on the moving and impactful Holocaust flick.
Steven Spielberg | Credits: Wikimedia Commons
Spielberg even remembered saying, “George, I am in trouble”, when he reached out to Lucas. That being said, both Schindler’s List and Jurassic Park became timeless masterpieces because of Lucas’ helping hands and generosity.
Steven Spielberg...
- 4/29/2024
- by Siddhika Prajapati
- FandomWire
With the back-to-back blockbuster combo of "Jaws" and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," Steven Spielberg had firmly established himself as a sui generis Hollywood visionary when, in 1978, he chose to make "1941." Most people consider this a near-disaster of a decision. The anarchic World War II comedy, set in panicked Southern California in the immediate wake of the assault on Pearl Harbor, was a 180-degree turn from the spirited adventure and childlike yearning of his previous two films. It was silly, vulgar and more than a little mean. And, most audaciously, it was making light of the country's understandably crazed reaction to an attack that killed thousands of U.S. military personnel.
Spielberg's co-conspirators in this juvenile affront to one of the worst days in 20th century American history were screenwriters John Milius, Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale — and, really, all you have to do is watch "Used Cars...
Spielberg's co-conspirators in this juvenile affront to one of the worst days in 20th century American history were screenwriters John Milius, Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale — and, really, all you have to do is watch "Used Cars...
- 4/27/2024
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Signage at the 2024 TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood, CA.
Once again, it was time for our favorite film festival, the Turner Classic Movies Film Festival, and as usual, the Stars were shining brightly!
Movie lovers from around the globe descended upon Hollywood for the 15th edition of the festival, which took place Thursday, April 18 – Sunday, April 21. Over four packed days and nights, fans were treated to a lineup of great movies, appearances by legendary stars and filmmakers, fascinating presentations and panel discussions.
There were quite a few big-name notables, both on the red carpet and introducing some of our favorite classic films.
Thursday’s opening night gala was a stunner, with the 30th anniversary screening of Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction (1994). Many of the iconic film’s stars walked the red carpet for a reunion that included John Travolta, Samuel Jackson, Uma Thurman, and Harvey Keitel.
This set the...
Once again, it was time for our favorite film festival, the Turner Classic Movies Film Festival, and as usual, the Stars were shining brightly!
Movie lovers from around the globe descended upon Hollywood for the 15th edition of the festival, which took place Thursday, April 18 – Sunday, April 21. Over four packed days and nights, fans were treated to a lineup of great movies, appearances by legendary stars and filmmakers, fascinating presentations and panel discussions.
There were quite a few big-name notables, both on the red carpet and introducing some of our favorite classic films.
Thursday’s opening night gala was a stunner, with the 30th anniversary screening of Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction (1994). Many of the iconic film’s stars walked the red carpet for a reunion that included John Travolta, Samuel Jackson, Uma Thurman, and Harvey Keitel.
This set the...
- 4/24/2024
- by Melissa Thompson
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Steven Spielberg has had a lifelong fascination with alien beings from beyond the stars. When the legendary director was just 17, he made a nearly two-and-a-half-hour epic on his 8mm camera called Firelight, a film that he more or less remade 14 years later as Close Encounters of the Third Kind. That 1977 classic would be the first of three professional movies Spielberg would make about aliens arriving on our planet, the other two being E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) and War of the Worlds (2005). And each trip into the extraterrestrial has led to one of the director’s most successful and acclaimed films (we’re not counting 2008’s Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull since Spielberg didn’t actually want aliens in the movie).
It’s also a subject that continues to fascinate the filmmaker, with Variety recently reporting that Spielberg’s next film is going to be another...
It’s also a subject that continues to fascinate the filmmaker, with Variety recently reporting that Spielberg’s next film is going to be another...
- 4/24/2024
- by Don Kaye
- Den of Geek
Having directed the brilliant Arrival (2015), Blade Runner 2049 (2017) and the two Dune movies (2021 and 2024), Denis Villeneuve has already inscribed his name in cinematic history as the acclaimed sci-fi filmmaker.
Here are 7 movies, recommended by the director and available for watching on Prime Video, that guarantee a superior sci-fi experience.
1. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
It comes as no surprise that this iconic Old Hollywood masterpiece is in Villeneuve’s list. According to his own admission, Kubrick’s epic space opera was his first "cinematic shock" that became his most favorite movie, inspiring him for his own science fiction works.
2. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
Steven Spielberg’s classic drama movie affected not only the 1980’s genre’s features, but also the Dune director’s cinema taste, entering him the world of the French New Wave by assembling Francois Truffaut in its cast, and, obviously, his love for sci-fi films.
3. Blade Runner...
Here are 7 movies, recommended by the director and available for watching on Prime Video, that guarantee a superior sci-fi experience.
1. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
It comes as no surprise that this iconic Old Hollywood masterpiece is in Villeneuve’s list. According to his own admission, Kubrick’s epic space opera was his first "cinematic shock" that became his most favorite movie, inspiring him for his own science fiction works.
2. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
Steven Spielberg’s classic drama movie affected not only the 1980’s genre’s features, but also the Dune director’s cinema taste, entering him the world of the French New Wave by assembling Francois Truffaut in its cast, and, obviously, his love for sci-fi films.
3. Blade Runner...
- 4/21/2024
- by info@startefacts.com (Ava Raxa)
- STartefacts.com
When Steven Soderbergh saw this sci-fi film (with a 92% Rotten Tomatoes score) at Slamdance, which takes place on the same dates and in the same location as Sundance, the experienced filmmaker paid debut director Andrew Patterson the most priceless complement of all:
“In my mind, there are three components to directing that a filmmaker should have some grasp of. The first being narrative, the second being performance and the third being the camera. […] It’s rare to see somebody that […] had a grasp of all three, […] not only in one movie but in a first film.”
Maybe that's why Amazon Studios is patiently waiting for the next idea from a debutant who spent ten years thinking about his first movie and made it for only a million dollars.
In 2019, Andrew Patterson's The Vast of Night became one of the most unexpected online releases of the Covid pandemic. The movie that...
“In my mind, there are three components to directing that a filmmaker should have some grasp of. The first being narrative, the second being performance and the third being the camera. […] It’s rare to see somebody that […] had a grasp of all three, […] not only in one movie but in a first film.”
Maybe that's why Amazon Studios is patiently waiting for the next idea from a debutant who spent ten years thinking about his first movie and made it for only a million dollars.
In 2019, Andrew Patterson's The Vast of Night became one of the most unexpected online releases of the Covid pandemic. The movie that...
- 4/20/2024
- by zoe-wallace@startefacts.com (Zoe Wallace)
- STartefacts.com
Steven Spielberg is one maverick director among his contemporaries who has mastered every genre in the cinema handbook. The director has made intense thrillers, sci-fi dramas, historical/war epics, and comedies. Spielberg can do no wrong and as an ardent lover of cinema, he has no plans of slowing down.
Henry Thomas in Steven Spielberg’s E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
His sci-fi flicks such as Close Encounters of the Third Kind, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and A.I. Artificial Intelligence have been celebrated as some of the best entries in the genre. According to new reports, he is heading back to that genre yet again with his new film, and the recently released Dune: Part Two may have had a hand in Spielberg developing that itch.
Steven Spielberg Reportedly Returning to The Sci-Fi Genre With New UFO Film Steven Spielberg’s 1977 UFO film Close Encounters of the Third Kind was...
Henry Thomas in Steven Spielberg’s E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
His sci-fi flicks such as Close Encounters of the Third Kind, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and A.I. Artificial Intelligence have been celebrated as some of the best entries in the genre. According to new reports, he is heading back to that genre yet again with his new film, and the recently released Dune: Part Two may have had a hand in Spielberg developing that itch.
Steven Spielberg Reportedly Returning to The Sci-Fi Genre With New UFO Film Steven Spielberg’s 1977 UFO film Close Encounters of the Third Kind was...
- 4/18/2024
- by Rahul Thokchom
- FandomWire
Veteran director Steven Spielberg’s follow-up to The Fabelmans will be a return to a subject that the filmmaker has history with: UFOs.
Since the release of The Fabelmans at the beginning of 2023, Steven Spielberg hasn’t announced his next project. As is always the case, we know the filmmaker has things cooking away: there’s the remake of Bullitt that looked to be in pole position to be the director’s next film to go in front of cameras. There’s also the Cape Fear TV series for Apple that he’s setting up with Martin Scorsese, not to mention the Ready Player One sequel that he will be stepping back from but still producing.
However, we didn’t know what Spielberg’s next directorial project until now. Variety is claiming that the veteran filmmaker’s next move is to ‘likely make his next project a UFO film based on his own original idea.
Since the release of The Fabelmans at the beginning of 2023, Steven Spielberg hasn’t announced his next project. As is always the case, we know the filmmaker has things cooking away: there’s the remake of Bullitt that looked to be in pole position to be the director’s next film to go in front of cameras. There’s also the Cape Fear TV series for Apple that he’s setting up with Martin Scorsese, not to mention the Ready Player One sequel that he will be stepping back from but still producing.
However, we didn’t know what Spielberg’s next directorial project until now. Variety is claiming that the veteran filmmaker’s next move is to ‘likely make his next project a UFO film based on his own original idea.
- 4/18/2024
- by Dan Cooper
- Film Stories
Steven Spielberg is one of the most influential and celebrated directors of all time. He helped define the blockbuster, established the look and feel of '80s genre fare, and gave us the best (and possibly only well-shot) big-budget studio musical of the last decade. But despite getting his start in science fiction, Spielberg has mostly distanced himself from the genre in the past decade or so.
Still, Spielberg has remained an ardent fan of the genre, praising recent gems such as "Godzilla Minus One" and proclaiming his fandom for Denis Villeneuve's "Dune: Part Two." Perhaps this has rekindled a passion for sci-fi in 77-year-old Spielberg, seeing as he's now getting ready to return to one of his favorite subjects — aliens.
According to Variety, Spielberg is likely going to "make his next project a UFO film based on his own original idea." David Koepp is writing the screenplay, according to the outlet's sources.
Still, Spielberg has remained an ardent fan of the genre, praising recent gems such as "Godzilla Minus One" and proclaiming his fandom for Denis Villeneuve's "Dune: Part Two." Perhaps this has rekindled a passion for sci-fi in 77-year-old Spielberg, seeing as he's now getting ready to return to one of his favorite subjects — aliens.
According to Variety, Spielberg is likely going to "make his next project a UFO film based on his own original idea." David Koepp is writing the screenplay, according to the outlet's sources.
- 4/17/2024
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
Martin Scorsese is taking on biopics of both Jesus and a music god: Frank Sinatra.
The Oscar-winning auteur is rumored to be once more developing a biopic based on the legendary crooner — a project Scorsese’s been associated with before — with longtime collaborator Leonardo DiCaprio in talks to portray Ol’ Blue Eyes himself. Variety reported the news. DiCaprio recently starred in Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” and also led other Scorsese-helmed biopics like “The Wolf of Wall Street” and “The Aviator.”
Variety noted that Frank Sinatra’s daughter Tina Sinatra controls her father’s estate and hasn’t yet approved a film adaptation of his life story. However, Scorsese is already looking to cast both DiCaprio and fellow Academy Award winner Jennifer Lawrence in the film, with Lawrence portraying screen star Ava Gardner, who was Sinatra’s second wife after Nancy Barbato. Lawrence and DiCaprio co-starred in “Don’t Look Up.
The Oscar-winning auteur is rumored to be once more developing a biopic based on the legendary crooner — a project Scorsese’s been associated with before — with longtime collaborator Leonardo DiCaprio in talks to portray Ol’ Blue Eyes himself. Variety reported the news. DiCaprio recently starred in Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” and also led other Scorsese-helmed biopics like “The Wolf of Wall Street” and “The Aviator.”
Variety noted that Frank Sinatra’s daughter Tina Sinatra controls her father’s estate and hasn’t yet approved a film adaptation of his life story. However, Scorsese is already looking to cast both DiCaprio and fellow Academy Award winner Jennifer Lawrence in the film, with Lawrence portraying screen star Ava Gardner, who was Sinatra’s second wife after Nancy Barbato. Lawrence and DiCaprio co-starred in “Don’t Look Up.
- 4/17/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Fresh off baring his soul and telling his own life story in the Oscar-nominated movie The Fabelmans, Steven Spielberg is reportedly headed back into the world of extraterrestrials!
Variety notes in a report this week that Spielberg will “likely make his next project a UFO film based on his own original idea,” set to be written by David Koepp (Jurassic Park).
Interesting to note, Koepp is himself returning to his early roots with the next installment in the Jurassic World franchise. He’ll be writing next year’s untitled new installment.
Steven Spielberg is of course no stranger to extraterrestrial encounters, directing two of the greatest alien movies of all time: Close Encounters of the Third Kind in 1977 and E.T. in 1982. It’s an arena he returned to in 2005, directing an adaptation of H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds.
Even more recently, Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment produced the Netflix docuseries “Encounters” last year,...
Variety notes in a report this week that Spielberg will “likely make his next project a UFO film based on his own original idea,” set to be written by David Koepp (Jurassic Park).
Interesting to note, Koepp is himself returning to his early roots with the next installment in the Jurassic World franchise. He’ll be writing next year’s untitled new installment.
Steven Spielberg is of course no stranger to extraterrestrial encounters, directing two of the greatest alien movies of all time: Close Encounters of the Third Kind in 1977 and E.T. in 1982. It’s an arena he returned to in 2005, directing an adaptation of H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds.
Even more recently, Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment produced the Netflix docuseries “Encounters” last year,...
- 4/17/2024
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Dan Goozee, the acclaimed artist who created posters for such films as Clash of the Titans, Superman IV and the James Bond movies Moonraker, Octopussy and A View to a Kill, has died. He was 80.
Goozee died April 7 at West Hills Hospital & Medical Center of an age-related condition he had battled for two years, his son, Rob, told The Hollywood Reporter.
The unassuming Goozee spent years as a Walt Disney Imagineering theme park consultant, crafting conceptual artwork for Disneyland Paris and Tokyo DisneySea, for Splash Mountain and Big Thunder rides, for the Imagination Pavilion and Seas Pavilion at Epcot and for the Tree of Life attraction at Animal Kingdom.
He also handled effects work for Battlestar Galactica (1978) and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979).
Born in 1943 in Astoria, Oregon, Daniel Goozee worked on weekends at movie theaters that his father and uncle owned and operated in nearby Seaside, then graduated...
Goozee died April 7 at West Hills Hospital & Medical Center of an age-related condition he had battled for two years, his son, Rob, told The Hollywood Reporter.
The unassuming Goozee spent years as a Walt Disney Imagineering theme park consultant, crafting conceptual artwork for Disneyland Paris and Tokyo DisneySea, for Splash Mountain and Big Thunder rides, for the Imagination Pavilion and Seas Pavilion at Epcot and for the Tree of Life attraction at Animal Kingdom.
He also handled effects work for Battlestar Galactica (1978) and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979).
Born in 1943 in Astoria, Oregon, Daniel Goozee worked on weekends at movie theaters that his father and uncle owned and operated in nearby Seaside, then graduated...
- 4/16/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Director Steven Spielberg has delivered many blockbusters, and has touched many lives with his art. The filmmaker is known for extremely personal films on a blockbuster scale, with films such as Jaws, E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, and Jurassic Park being some of his most acclaimed films. He has also won the Oscar twice for Schindler’s List and Saving Private Ryan.
While Spielberg has been known for his blockbusters, he was also reportedly clairvoyant in predicting the cultural phenomenon that George Lucas’ Star Wars was going to be. The Indiana Jones filmmaker reportedly believed in the legendary space opera’s success even more than Lucas himself, who only believed that it was a hit after the first weekend.
Steven Spielberg Was The Only One Who Believed In Star Wars A still from Star Wars
George Lucas’ Star Wars became a pop cultural phenomenon upon its release in 1977. The beginning of a multi-billion dollar franchise,...
While Spielberg has been known for his blockbusters, he was also reportedly clairvoyant in predicting the cultural phenomenon that George Lucas’ Star Wars was going to be. The Indiana Jones filmmaker reportedly believed in the legendary space opera’s success even more than Lucas himself, who only believed that it was a hit after the first weekend.
Steven Spielberg Was The Only One Who Believed In Star Wars A still from Star Wars
George Lucas’ Star Wars became a pop cultural phenomenon upon its release in 1977. The beginning of a multi-billion dollar franchise,...
- 4/12/2024
- by Nishanth A
- FandomWire
When interviewed by the Chicago Tribune in 1973, the critic and trailblazing French New Wave actor/filmmaker Francois Truffaut famously stated that he'd yet to see a truly "antiwar" movie, adding, "Every film about war ends up being pro-war." His argument, in essence, was that the very act of making war cinematic tends to infuse it with qualities that make it more entertaining and, as a result, less horrifying. In contrast to that, Truffaut's "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" director Steven Spielberg -- then on the heels of helming his WWII drama "Saving Private Ryan" -- once told Newsweek that "every war movie, good or bad, is an antiwar movie." In his case, Spielberg reasoned that by portraying warfare as convincingly as plausible, it becomes impossible for a film to be pro-war since war is, itself, an inherently horrific thing.
If there's a middle ground between these two camps of thought,...
If there's a middle ground between these two camps of thought,...
- 4/10/2024
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
Anybody who has ever taken a stab at acting knows one aspect of the process deemed the absolute worst: the audition. Imagine stepping foot into a room filled with several people who are all there to judge you. Your looks, personality, emotions… every aspect of who you are on display for a room full of strangers. Well, in Hollywood, there is a legend of one audition that has been deemed the best put on tape. It was an audition for a new film by a director who was credited with single-handedly creating the summer blockbuster and who had a dream about crafting a more intimate family story about a kid and an alien. Imagine the immense pressure any actor, let alone a ten-year-old child, would be under to nail this audition. Yet this audition was so good that within seconds, the director, Steven Spielberg, uttered the words that would forever change this ten-year-old life: “Ok,...
- 4/5/2024
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
We look ahead to Gareth Edwards’ Jurassic City, what it might be like, and how it connects to his very earliest work.
In the press tour for his 2023 sci-fi film The Creator, British director Gareth Edwards suggested that, after the bruising experiences of making 2014’s Godzilla and in particular 2016’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, he wouldn’t rush to go back to studio filmmaking again.
Suggesting that both of those films had started production without finalised scripts, Edwards said as recently as January that “I have to concentrate on personal and original projects.”
This stance appeared to change rather abruptly just one month later, when Universal approached Edwards with the offer to direct the next Jurassic Park (or Jurassic World) sequel. Original director David Leitch had dropped out, and with the film’s production racing to meet a self-set 2025 release date, Universal Pictures needed a replacement in a...
In the press tour for his 2023 sci-fi film The Creator, British director Gareth Edwards suggested that, after the bruising experiences of making 2014’s Godzilla and in particular 2016’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, he wouldn’t rush to go back to studio filmmaking again.
Suggesting that both of those films had started production without finalised scripts, Edwards said as recently as January that “I have to concentrate on personal and original projects.”
This stance appeared to change rather abruptly just one month later, when Universal approached Edwards with the offer to direct the next Jurassic Park (or Jurassic World) sequel. Original director David Leitch had dropped out, and with the film’s production racing to meet a self-set 2025 release date, Universal Pictures needed a replacement in a...
- 4/4/2024
- by Ryan Lambie
- Film Stories
If the $579 million at the box office and 93% Rotten Tomatoes score weren’t enough, Quebecois director Denis Villeneuve got one of the greatest boosts one can receive in his field. None other than Steven Spielberg, who knows a thing or two about science fiction, interviewed the “Dune: Part Two” director for the DGA’s “Director’s Cut” podcast, and told him “you have made one of the most brilliant science fiction films I’ve ever seen.”
The creator of “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” and “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” continued by extolling Villeneuve’s “world-building” prowess, by placing him on a Mount Olympus with several other greats. “Starting with [Georges] Méliès and Disney and Kubrick, George Lucas. Ray Harryhausen, I include in that list. Fellini built his own worlds. Tim Burton. Obviously Wes Anderson, Peter Jackson, James Cameron, Christopher Nolan, Ridley Scott, Guillermo del Toro. The list goes on but it...
The creator of “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” and “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” continued by extolling Villeneuve’s “world-building” prowess, by placing him on a Mount Olympus with several other greats. “Starting with [Georges] Méliès and Disney and Kubrick, George Lucas. Ray Harryhausen, I include in that list. Fellini built his own worlds. Tim Burton. Obviously Wes Anderson, Peter Jackson, James Cameron, Christopher Nolan, Ridley Scott, Guillermo del Toro. The list goes on but it...
- 3/28/2024
- by Jordan Hoffman
- Gold Derby
“You have made one of the most brilliant science fiction films I’ve ever seen,” Steven Spielberg says to Denis Villeneuve. It’s fair to say he quite liked Dune: Part Two.
Steven Spielberg really liked Dune: Part Two. So much so that, in a podcast for the Directors Guild of America – simply called Director’s Cut – Spielberg said to its maker, Denis Villeneuve, “It’s an honour for me to sit here and talk to you.”
Spielberg – no slouch when it comes to making sci-fi films himself – then said, “You have made one of the most brilliant science fiction films I have ever seen.”
Comparing Villeneuve favourably to other filmmakers who are “builders of worlds,” including Ray Harryhausen, Stanley Kubrick and Ridley Scott, to name a few, Spielberg then went on to talk about Dune: Part Two’s sandworm taming sequence.
“This is a desert-loving story, but for such...
Steven Spielberg really liked Dune: Part Two. So much so that, in a podcast for the Directors Guild of America – simply called Director’s Cut – Spielberg said to its maker, Denis Villeneuve, “It’s an honour for me to sit here and talk to you.”
Spielberg – no slouch when it comes to making sci-fi films himself – then said, “You have made one of the most brilliant science fiction films I have ever seen.”
Comparing Villeneuve favourably to other filmmakers who are “builders of worlds,” including Ray Harryhausen, Stanley Kubrick and Ridley Scott, to name a few, Spielberg then went on to talk about Dune: Part Two’s sandworm taming sequence.
“This is a desert-loving story, but for such...
- 3/28/2024
- by Ryan Lambie
- Film Stories
Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two has enthralled audiences worldwide and the film is also doing great business at the box office. The film expanded the Dune lore and evolved the characters from the first film. Just like Part 1, Villeneuve presented Dune: Part Two in a visual awe-inspiring way with great character depth and narrative coherence.
A still from Dune: Part Two
Various filmmakers including Christopher Nolan have heaped praises on the brilliance of the film and Villeneuve’s capabilities as a director. Steven Spielberg, who is known for making some of the greatest sci-fi films over the years, has joined the bandwagon of Dune 2 admirers, calling it one of the best sci-films ever made.
Steven Spielberg Was Blown Away By Dune 2‘s Sandworm Surfing Scene
Steven Spielberg is very impressed by the filmmaking that has gone into making Dune 2
Ever since its release, Dune: Part Two...
A still from Dune: Part Two
Various filmmakers including Christopher Nolan have heaped praises on the brilliance of the film and Villeneuve’s capabilities as a director. Steven Spielberg, who is known for making some of the greatest sci-fi films over the years, has joined the bandwagon of Dune 2 admirers, calling it one of the best sci-films ever made.
Steven Spielberg Was Blown Away By Dune 2‘s Sandworm Surfing Scene
Steven Spielberg is very impressed by the filmmaking that has gone into making Dune 2
Ever since its release, Dune: Part Two...
- 3/27/2024
- by Rahul Thokchom
- FandomWire
Steven Spielberg has weighed in on Dune: Part Two, and the iconic filmmaker had some strong praise for director Denis Villeneuve’s sequel — and for one scene in particular.
The duo appeared together on DGA’s Director’s Cut podcast, where the filmmaker behind sci-fi classics Close Encounters of the Third Kind and E.T. The Extra Terrestrial heaped praise on the Dune and Arrival director.
“This is truly a visual epic, and it’s also filled with deeply, deeply drawn characters,” Spielberg said. “Yet the dialogue is very sparse when you look at it proportionately to the running time of the film. It’s such cinema. The shots are so painterly, yet there’s not an angle or single setup that’s pretentious … you have made one of the most brilliant science fiction films I have ever seen.”
Spielberg also got detailed in his praise for the blockbuster film. “There...
The duo appeared together on DGA’s Director’s Cut podcast, where the filmmaker behind sci-fi classics Close Encounters of the Third Kind and E.T. The Extra Terrestrial heaped praise on the Dune and Arrival director.
“This is truly a visual epic, and it’s also filled with deeply, deeply drawn characters,” Spielberg said. “Yet the dialogue is very sparse when you look at it proportionately to the running time of the film. It’s such cinema. The shots are so painterly, yet there’s not an angle or single setup that’s pretentious … you have made one of the most brilliant science fiction films I have ever seen.”
Spielberg also got detailed in his praise for the blockbuster film. “There...
- 3/27/2024
- by James Hibberd
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Steven Spielberg had nothing but praise for “Dune: Part Two” while interviewing Denis Villeneuve on the latest episode of the DGA’s “Director’s Cut” podcast. The Oscar winner told Villeneuve that “you have made one of the most brilliant science-fiction films I’ve ever seen,” which is high praise coming from the mastermind behind “E.T: Extra Terrestrial” and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” And that wasn’t the only praise Spielberg bestowed upon the “Dune” director.
“It’s an honor for me to sit here and talk to you,” Spielberg said. “Let me start by saying there are filmmakers who are the builders of worlds. It’s not a long list and we know who a lot of them are. Starting with [Georges] Méliès and Disney and Kubrick, George Lucas. Ray Harryhausen I include in that list. Fellini built his own worlds. Tim Burton. Obviously Wes Anderson, Peter Jackson,...
“It’s an honor for me to sit here and talk to you,” Spielberg said. “Let me start by saying there are filmmakers who are the builders of worlds. It’s not a long list and we know who a lot of them are. Starting with [Georges] Méliès and Disney and Kubrick, George Lucas. Ray Harryhausen I include in that list. Fellini built his own worlds. Tim Burton. Obviously Wes Anderson, Peter Jackson,...
- 3/27/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
Steven Spielberg is undoubtedly one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. The filmmaker has captivated audiences for over five decades with his entertaining and deeply impactful stories along with introducing hit franchises like Indiana Jones and Jurassic Park. However, despite his illustrious career, there’s one coveted project he has been unable to tackle, a James Bond film.
Steven Spielberg | Credits: Wikimedia Commons
Multiple iterations of the character have been brought to the screen by several filmmakers and actors throughout the years. Although Spielberg expressed interest in making a film with a beloved character, his offers were met with rejection from the franchise’s producers.
Steven Spielberg Faced Rejections From the James Bond Producer
Steven Spielberg has shared that he is a “huge [James] Bond fan.” And during a conversation on Michael Ball’s BBC Radio 2, the filmmaker revealed that he even approached the franchise’s producer to direct a James Bond film.
Steven Spielberg | Credits: Wikimedia Commons
Multiple iterations of the character have been brought to the screen by several filmmakers and actors throughout the years. Although Spielberg expressed interest in making a film with a beloved character, his offers were met with rejection from the franchise’s producers.
Steven Spielberg Faced Rejections From the James Bond Producer
Steven Spielberg has shared that he is a “huge [James] Bond fan.” And during a conversation on Michael Ball’s BBC Radio 2, the filmmaker revealed that he even approached the franchise’s producer to direct a James Bond film.
- 3/26/2024
- by Laxmi Rajput
- FandomWire
Possibly the greatest collection of films for a modern classic showcase is about to take place at the TCM Classic Film Festival. The Wrap has revealed that the channel Turner Classic Movies, which is dedicated to unaltered, unedited film broadcasts of renowned movies in the history of cinema, has revealed the list of titles and guest appearances that will be featured at this year’s festival. The festival this year will be commemorating the 30th anniversary of the network. The TCM Classic Festival will be taking place in Los Angeles on April 18-21.
The event will screen the world premiere of a brand-new restoration of the 1995 film Se7en, the dark crime thriller starring Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman. Director David Fincher will be there personally to unveil the film in IMAX. Another big screening will be the director’s cut of Close Encounters of the Third Kind, which will play...
The event will screen the world premiere of a brand-new restoration of the 1995 film Se7en, the dark crime thriller starring Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman. Director David Fincher will be there personally to unveil the film in IMAX. Another big screening will be the director’s cut of Close Encounters of the Third Kind, which will play...
- 3/22/2024
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
For those of us who remember going to the movies in 1977, we were treated to Star Wars, Smokey And The Bandit, The Spy Who Loved Me, Airport 77, The Car, Orca and Capricorn One. There was a rich wealth of movies to choose from and a time when audiences in their local cinemas would cheer and clap for the heroes. Then on December 14, 1977, coming off the success of Jaws, that director Steven Spielberg’s sci-fi masterpiece graced the screens. Close Encounters Of The Third Kind was the filmmaker’s next movie and, along with star Richard Dreyfuss and the magnificent score from composer John Williams, took audiences on a journey of mankind’s first meeting with aliens and let us know we are not alone in the universe.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind was nominated for eight Academy Awards, winning for Best Cinematography by Director of Photography Vilmos Zsigmond (The Sugarland Express...
Close Encounters of the Third Kind was nominated for eight Academy Awards, winning for Best Cinematography by Director of Photography Vilmos Zsigmond (The Sugarland Express...
- 3/21/2024
- by Melissa Thompson
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The 2024 TCM Film Festival is ringing in its 15th anniversary with a slew of star-studded panels and premieres.
The festival, which takes place in Los Angeles from April 18 to 21, will kick off with a special 35mm screening of “Pulp Fiction” with actor John Travolta in attendance. This year’s festival theme is “Most Wanted: Crime and Justice in Film,” and fittingly, the festival boasts a cast reunion of prison escape drama “The Shawshank Redemption” with stars Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins.
Both “The Shawshank Redemption” and “Pulp Fiction” are celebrating 30 years since their respective 1994 releases.
The festival will close with Mel Brooks’ “Spaceballs,” with Brooks presenting the feature.
Additional programming includes the world premiere of the IMAX restoration of David Fincher’s “Se7en,” a restoration of “The Searchers” courtesy of Warner Bros. and The Film Foundation with Oscar-nominated writer/director Alexander Payne introducing the film, and “Jeopardy!” host Ken Jennings presenting the U.
The festival, which takes place in Los Angeles from April 18 to 21, will kick off with a special 35mm screening of “Pulp Fiction” with actor John Travolta in attendance. This year’s festival theme is “Most Wanted: Crime and Justice in Film,” and fittingly, the festival boasts a cast reunion of prison escape drama “The Shawshank Redemption” with stars Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins.
Both “The Shawshank Redemption” and “Pulp Fiction” are celebrating 30 years since their respective 1994 releases.
The festival will close with Mel Brooks’ “Spaceballs,” with Brooks presenting the feature.
Additional programming includes the world premiere of the IMAX restoration of David Fincher’s “Se7en,” a restoration of “The Searchers” courtesy of Warner Bros. and The Film Foundation with Oscar-nominated writer/director Alexander Payne introducing the film, and “Jeopardy!” host Ken Jennings presenting the U.
- 3/21/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Those attending the 15th annual TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood next month will have an opportunity to engage with Mel Brooks and Vitaphone, both born in 1926. One’s extinct, the other’s still going strong.
While Brooks, 97, will be on hand for a closing-night screening of his 1987 comedy Spaceballs, six Vitaphone vaudeville shorts from the 1920s will be projected in 35mm, with sound played back from their original 16-inch discs on a turntable designed and engineered by Warner Bros.’ postproduction engineering department.
Also announced Thursday:
• Steven Spielberg will participate in a Q&a with Howard Suber — the UCLA faculty member at the center of the recent six-part TCM documentary The Power of Film — ahead of a director’s cut of Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977);
• Nancy Meyers and Alexander Payne, respectively, will introduce world premiere restorations of Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest (1959) and John Ford’s The Searchers...
While Brooks, 97, will be on hand for a closing-night screening of his 1987 comedy Spaceballs, six Vitaphone vaudeville shorts from the 1920s will be projected in 35mm, with sound played back from their original 16-inch discs on a turntable designed and engineered by Warner Bros.’ postproduction engineering department.
Also announced Thursday:
• Steven Spielberg will participate in a Q&a with Howard Suber — the UCLA faculty member at the center of the recent six-part TCM documentary The Power of Film — ahead of a director’s cut of Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977);
• Nancy Meyers and Alexander Payne, respectively, will introduce world premiere restorations of Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest (1959) and John Ford’s The Searchers...
- 3/21/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Richard Dreyfuss, a familiar face in Steven Spielberg’s filmography, went to unorthodox lengths to land a role in one of their collaborations. While Dreyfuss’s performance in Jaws cemented his status as a leading actor, it wasn’t a smooth sail to win the role in Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
A still of Richard Dreyfuss in Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977).
Steven Spielberg explored various options by seeking an actor with a touch of eccentricity to portray the role. Initially considering names like Steve McQueen, Al Pacino, Gene Hackman, and Jack Nicholson, Spielberg had his eyes set on an actor who could embody Neary’s beloved yet unconventional character.
Suggested‘Halloween’ Director John Carpenter Dismissed 1 Steven Spielberg Film as “Pretentious”, Claimed Director “Lost control of it”
Amidst the competition, Richard Dreyfuss emerged as a frontrunner by strategically advocating for himself. Going beyond traditional auditioning, Dreyfuss adopted a bold approach.
A still of Richard Dreyfuss in Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977).
Steven Spielberg explored various options by seeking an actor with a touch of eccentricity to portray the role. Initially considering names like Steve McQueen, Al Pacino, Gene Hackman, and Jack Nicholson, Spielberg had his eyes set on an actor who could embody Neary’s beloved yet unconventional character.
Suggested‘Halloween’ Director John Carpenter Dismissed 1 Steven Spielberg Film as “Pretentious”, Claimed Director “Lost control of it”
Amidst the competition, Richard Dreyfuss emerged as a frontrunner by strategically advocating for himself. Going beyond traditional auditioning, Dreyfuss adopted a bold approach.
- 3/16/2024
- by Prantik Prabal Roy
- FandomWire
The King of Monsters finally has his share of Oscars glory.
In an ironic triumph of small over large, Japanese monster movie sensation Godzilla Minus One — which was made for only about $15 million — beat out four big-budget Hollywood tentpoles to win the best visual effects category. It’s the first time in decades that a non-u.S. studio film has won the category. Despite its deep influence on the history of visual effects in cinema, this year was the first time in the Godzilla franchise’s seven-decade history that it was nominated for an Oscar.
Godzilla Minus One was written and directed by Takashi Yamazaki, who also headed up the film’s VFX team, which included Kiyoko Shibuya, Masaki Takahashi and Tatsuji Nojima. The team is now Japan’s first-ever winner of the best visual effects Oscar. In another rarity, a director winning the category has only occurred once before...
In an ironic triumph of small over large, Japanese monster movie sensation Godzilla Minus One — which was made for only about $15 million — beat out four big-budget Hollywood tentpoles to win the best visual effects category. It’s the first time in decades that a non-u.S. studio film has won the category. Despite its deep influence on the history of visual effects in cinema, this year was the first time in the Godzilla franchise’s seven-decade history that it was nominated for an Oscar.
Godzilla Minus One was written and directed by Takashi Yamazaki, who also headed up the film’s VFX team, which included Kiyoko Shibuya, Masaki Takahashi and Tatsuji Nojima. The team is now Japan’s first-ever winner of the best visual effects Oscar. In another rarity, a director winning the category has only occurred once before...
- 3/11/2024
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Godzilla Minus One was such an epic and delightful surprise blockbuster of 2023. The Kaiju film surprised audiences with its big-scale storytelling mixed with a cathartic human story. The fact that it was made with under a $15 million budget made the feat even more impressive.
A still from Godzilla Minus One
The film was nominated in the Best Visual Effects category at the Oscars. At the ceremony, it managed to win the coveted award. Guillermo del Toro, who has been singing praises of the film since it came out, was overjoyed at the much-deserved win.
Guillermo del Toro Celebrates Godzilla Minus One’s Win at the Oscars
Godzilla Minus One‘s Oscar win is a historic feat
Godzilla Minus One was a triumphant effort from director Takashi Yamazaki, where he combined a big-scale Kaiju narrative with a human story that connected with fans. The film proved to be one of the...
A still from Godzilla Minus One
The film was nominated in the Best Visual Effects category at the Oscars. At the ceremony, it managed to win the coveted award. Guillermo del Toro, who has been singing praises of the film since it came out, was overjoyed at the much-deserved win.
Guillermo del Toro Celebrates Godzilla Minus One’s Win at the Oscars
Godzilla Minus One‘s Oscar win is a historic feat
Godzilla Minus One was a triumphant effort from director Takashi Yamazaki, where he combined a big-scale Kaiju narrative with a human story that connected with fans. The film proved to be one of the...
- 3/11/2024
- by Rahul Thokchom
- FandomWire
Steven Spielberg kissed his wife and embraced his mother before his left hand floated to his temple in disbelief. Then he grew visibly emotional as he made his way to the stage of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. The 46-year-old Spielberg had just won his first Oscar — as best director for “Schindler’s List,” an unflinching look at the Holocaust and its horrors. “This is a big surprise,” presenter Clint Eastwood said somewhat sarcastically.
As Eastwood’s joke suggests, Spielberg’s victory at the 1994 Academy Awards was preordained — an unavoidable coronation after he had dominated popular culture so completely over the past year. Not only had he subverted his image as a boy genius, spinning escapist fantasies out of celluloid, by tackling a project as grown up as “Schindler’s List,” but he had also reestablished himself as the most successful director in Hollywood with another 1993 release, “Jurassic Park.” The adventure film, essentially “Jaws” with dinosaurs,...
As Eastwood’s joke suggests, Spielberg’s victory at the 1994 Academy Awards was preordained — an unavoidable coronation after he had dominated popular culture so completely over the past year. Not only had he subverted his image as a boy genius, spinning escapist fantasies out of celluloid, by tackling a project as grown up as “Schindler’s List,” but he had also reestablished himself as the most successful director in Hollywood with another 1993 release, “Jurassic Park.” The adventure film, essentially “Jaws” with dinosaurs,...
- 3/6/2024
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
When Gene Roddenberry began developing the screenplay for "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" in 1975, expectations for how a science fiction film could look and feel were rapidly shifting. "2001: A Space Odyssey" offered moviegoers a 70mm trip to outer space, while "The Omega Man," "Soylent Green," and the "Planet of the Apes" series fed off the sociopolitical tumult of the times to thrust audiences into dystopian futures of our own foolish making.
Where did a show that was, at its core, a dream of racially and ethnically inclusive space exploration fit in an era of consciousness-raising spectacle and pessimistic earthbound forecasting? Though the series had failed to enthrall a sizable enough viewership to survive more than three seasons during its initial run on NBC in the late 1960s, "Star Trek" had become popular in syndication with 1970s couch potatoes. There was clearly a hunger for more, and there weren't any...
Where did a show that was, at its core, a dream of racially and ethnically inclusive space exploration fit in an era of consciousness-raising spectacle and pessimistic earthbound forecasting? Though the series had failed to enthrall a sizable enough viewership to survive more than three seasons during its initial run on NBC in the late 1960s, "Star Trek" had become popular in syndication with 1970s couch potatoes. There was clearly a hunger for more, and there weren't any...
- 3/3/2024
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
You’d be hard-pressed to find a filmmaker who has put together a finer body of work than Denis Villeneuve has since making his U.S. debut in 2013. From the mold-breaking thrillers of Prisoners, Enemy and Sicario to a murderers’ row of sci-fi films including Arrival, Blade Runner 2049 and Dune, the French Canadian director’s films have amassed over $1.1 billion in worldwide box office and landed him three Oscar nominations. His winning streak is all the more impressive when you consider that he put his camera down for much of the 2000s in order to refine his cinematic identity. That nine-year gap was still flanked by a handful of lauded Canadian films, but it wasn’t until 2010’s Oscar-nominated Incendies that Villeneuve felt like he’d finally discovered his signature. Now, Dune: Part Two (March 1) is poised to be his new top grosser after effusive early reactions and reviews.
- 3/1/2024
- by Brian Davids
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
It's fair to say that "Schindler's List" changed the course of Steven Spielberg's career. The wunderkind filmmaker invented the blockbuster with "Jaws" and rose to become one of the most successful directors of all time. But there was something Spielberg wanted more than fame and money: respect. He didn't just want to be the blockbuster guy; he wanted to be taken seriously as an artist.
"Schindler's List" was the film that finally did that, signaling Spielberg as a "serious" filmmaker capable of winning multiple Oscars for his hard work. The historical drama earned Spielberg some of the best reviews of his career, and it took home seven Academy Awards — including giving Spielberg his first Best Director Oscar.
Spielberg had to work his way up to making such a serious movie, and "Schindler's List" wasn't the first time the filmmaker chased Oscar gold and artistic respect. In a new oral history of "Schindler's List,...
"Schindler's List" was the film that finally did that, signaling Spielberg as a "serious" filmmaker capable of winning multiple Oscars for his hard work. The historical drama earned Spielberg some of the best reviews of his career, and it took home seven Academy Awards — including giving Spielberg his first Best Director Oscar.
Spielberg had to work his way up to making such a serious movie, and "Schindler's List" wasn't the first time the filmmaker chased Oscar gold and artistic respect. In a new oral history of "Schindler's List,...
- 2/26/2024
- by Chris Evangelista
- Slash Film
The background is well-known to Trekkies. Throughout the 1970s, "Star Trek" exploded in popularity. This was thanks largely to some sweet eternal syndication deals, which allowed the series to stay on the air pretty much in perpetuity. In the mid-'70s, "Star Trek" conventions were born, revealing to the world that there was a passionate, ultra-nerdy contingency of Trek fans willing to discuss and celebrate their pop obsession in public. It was at these conventions that series creator Gene Roddenberry opened an ongoing conversation with Trekkies as to what made his series so appealing. One could argue that it wasn't until these conversations that Roddenberry discovered the depth of his show, and the pragmatic philosophies of pacifism and diplomacy it represented.
It was in 1975 that Roddenberry began working on a "Star Trek" movie, although that early concept fell apart over some complex script issues. After that, Roddenberry began work on "Star Trek: Phase II,...
It was in 1975 that Roddenberry began working on a "Star Trek" movie, although that early concept fell apart over some complex script issues. After that, Roddenberry began work on "Star Trek: Phase II,...
- 2/25/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
In the late Spring of 1979, Paramount Pictures' production of "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" was in big trouble. With a looming release date of December 7 of that year, the film was still struggling to be completed, with the bulk of its visual effects work yet to be even attempted, let alone finished.
In retrospect, given the movie's production history, this was an inevitable problem. Ever since the original "Star Trek" series was cancelled in the summer of 1969, the franchise had experienced a number of stops and starts when it came to being revived. Around the mid-'70s, creator Gene Roddenberry had seemingly set up a script and a production for the show's leap to the big screen, only for Paramount to pivot and seek to turn that work into a proposed reboot of the series back on television, to be known as "Star Trek: Phase II." That show was literal...
In retrospect, given the movie's production history, this was an inevitable problem. Ever since the original "Star Trek" series was cancelled in the summer of 1969, the franchise had experienced a number of stops and starts when it came to being revived. Around the mid-'70s, creator Gene Roddenberry had seemingly set up a script and a production for the show's leap to the big screen, only for Paramount to pivot and seek to turn that work into a proposed reboot of the series back on television, to be known as "Star Trek: Phase II." That show was literal...
- 2/25/2024
- by Bill Bria
- Slash Film
The story is familiar to Trekkies. When "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" was in production in the late 1970s, SFX guru Douglas Trumbull was busy completing work on Steven Spielberg's "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." Paramount asked Trumbull to work on their movie, but he turned them down. Not only was not quite done with "Close Encounters," but he was eager to return to a personal project of his, the development of Showscan. Showscan was a new filming process that ran high-fidelity 70mm film through a camera at 60 frames per second, allowing for crystal clear images and more natural movement. Although such a process had the potential to revolutionize the film industry, Paramount didn't care. There was a rumor that Paramount managed to get Trumbull's Scowscan funding cut as revenge for not working on "Star Trek."
Instead, Paramount hired Robert Abel and Associates to develop then-novel CGI for "Star Trek.
Instead, Paramount hired Robert Abel and Associates to develop then-novel CGI for "Star Trek.
- 2/25/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
On February 7, 2022, special effect pioneer Douglas Trumbull died at the age of 79. He left behind a massive and impressive legacy of cinematic visuals that might be some of the best in the history of the medium. Trumbull worked on the effects for "2001: A Space Odyssey," "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," and "Blade Runner." Trumbull was also the inventor of a filming process called Showscan, which involved shooting 70mm film at 60 frames per second. Showscan was meant to increase the visual fidelity of film by a massive margin. Modern-day 8K cameras are close to the visual fidelity of 70mm film, and most movies, despite tinkering by Peter Jackson and Ang Lee, still run at 24 frames per second.
Trumbull's work on Robert Wise's "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" might be the most impressive gig of his career merely because of the circumstances under which he worked. The story goes...
Trumbull's work on Robert Wise's "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" might be the most impressive gig of his career merely because of the circumstances under which he worked. The story goes...
- 2/23/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Acclaimed director Denis Villeneuve recently revealed his four all-time favorite films, spanning sci-fi masterpieces to psychological drama. Topping the list is Stanley Kubrick’s sci-fi epic 2001: A Space Odyssey, which Villeneuve deemed “a perfect movie for many reasons.” As Dune 2 is soon to be released, Villeneuve his idea of the best movies of all time.
Denis Villeneuve Names His All-Time Favorite Films
Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey
While talking to Letterboxd about his top 4 favorite movies, Denis Villeneuve said:
“My four favorite films, to be honest, that list can change every morning. There’s one of my favorites of all time that’s at top there that stayed there after many years – 2001: A Space Odyssey – for me, a perfect movie for many reasons. Apocalypse Now from Coppola is probably the movie I watch the most in my life; it’s a movie that I absolutely adore.
Denis Villeneuve Names His All-Time Favorite Films
Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey
While talking to Letterboxd about his top 4 favorite movies, Denis Villeneuve said:
“My four favorite films, to be honest, that list can change every morning. There’s one of my favorites of all time that’s at top there that stayed there after many years – 2001: A Space Odyssey – for me, a perfect movie for many reasons. Apocalypse Now from Coppola is probably the movie I watch the most in my life; it’s a movie that I absolutely adore.
- 2/19/2024
- by Nivedita Dubey
- FandomWire
Michael Phillips — producer of The Sting, Taxi Driver and Close Encounters of the Third Kind — learned in early January 2023 that a Buddha sculpture he owned was plundered. An anonymous online activist collective, Lost Arts of Nepal, had publicized a previously published photo of the object, residing on a low glass table in his Beverly Hills living room, alongside another, older picture revealing it ensconced at the base of a temple monument in Bungamati, a town in the Kathmandu Valley known worldwide for its ancient culture. “Faith Stolen,” the group announced on social media: “Looted Gods.”
“It was a sad shock,” Phillips recalls of the revelation. He’d purchased the piece more than a decade earlier from Swiss dealers based in New York. “I was enjoying living with it. But the minute I found out it was ‘stolen,’ I couldn’t live with it.” He contacted Nepal’s embassy, which soon repatriated it.
“It was a sad shock,” Phillips recalls of the revelation. He’d purchased the piece more than a decade earlier from Swiss dealers based in New York. “I was enjoying living with it. But the minute I found out it was ‘stolen,’ I couldn’t live with it.” He contacted Nepal’s embassy, which soon repatriated it.
- 2/15/2024
- by Gary Baum
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The man, the legend, The Mandalorian. Few performers are able to make such an impact in such distinctly different fashion across the decades, but athlete-turned-actor/director Carl Weathers was certainly one of those. He has died at the age of 76.
Born on January 14, 1948, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Weathers’ initial career was much more focused on sports, specifically American Football, relying on athletic prowess to overcome adversity. He played on teams at Long Beach City College, San Diego State and signed on with the Oakland Raiders in 1970, making a mark as a linebacker.
But after various injuries, he decided in 1974 to focus on performance, pursuing a drama degree at San Francisco State University. Weathers took a familiar route to screens, working on commercials and smaller roles in films and guesting on a variety of TV series.
He got a big break thanks to 1976’s Rocky, where his critiquing Sylvester Stallone’s...
Born on January 14, 1948, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Weathers’ initial career was much more focused on sports, specifically American Football, relying on athletic prowess to overcome adversity. He played on teams at Long Beach City College, San Diego State and signed on with the Oakland Raiders in 1970, making a mark as a linebacker.
But after various injuries, he decided in 1974 to focus on performance, pursuing a drama degree at San Francisco State University. Weathers took a familiar route to screens, working on commercials and smaller roles in films and guesting on a variety of TV series.
He got a big break thanks to 1976’s Rocky, where his critiquing Sylvester Stallone’s...
- 2/5/2024
- by James White
- Empire - Movies
Hollywood star Carl Weathers, who starred as Apollo Creed in the first four ‘Rocky’ films opposite Sylvester Stallone, died on Thursday. He was 76.
Weathers manager Matt Luber confirmed to Variety.
Weathers also starred in 1987’s ‘Predator’ and had a memorable role in Adam Sandler’s ‘Happy Gilmore’. He was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his work in the ‘Star Wars’ series ‘The Mandalorian’.
He voiced Combat Carl in ‘Toy Story 4’ and played a fictionalised version of himself in a recurring role on ‘Arrested Development’.
His other credits include the TV series ‘Street Justice’, ‘Colony’, ‘The Shield’, ‘Chicago Justice’ and ‘Brothers’, and the films ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’, ‘Death Hunt’ and ‘The Comebacks’.
After working with Sandler on the 1996 golf comedy ‘Happy Gilmore’, Weathers briefly reprised his role in ‘Little Nicky’ and voiced a character in Sandler’s...
Weathers manager Matt Luber confirmed to Variety.
Weathers also starred in 1987’s ‘Predator’ and had a memorable role in Adam Sandler’s ‘Happy Gilmore’. He was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his work in the ‘Star Wars’ series ‘The Mandalorian’.
He voiced Combat Carl in ‘Toy Story 4’ and played a fictionalised version of himself in a recurring role on ‘Arrested Development’.
His other credits include the TV series ‘Street Justice’, ‘Colony’, ‘The Shield’, ‘Chicago Justice’ and ‘Brothers’, and the films ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’, ‘Death Hunt’ and ‘The Comebacks’.
After working with Sandler on the 1996 golf comedy ‘Happy Gilmore’, Weathers briefly reprised his role in ‘Little Nicky’ and voiced a character in Sandler’s...
- 2/3/2024
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Carl Weathers has passed away at 76.
The long-time actor was known for roles in film and on television, and the sad news has been released that he died this week.
An announcement came from Carl’s family, expressing their sadness for his recent passing.
Carl has recently been seen as a supporting character on the hit Disney+ show, The Mandalorian.
Over the years, Carl has appeared in many films and on several hit television shows, including the One Chicago dramas on NBC.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers,” the family of Carl Weathers said in a statement to Deadline. “He died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 1st, 2024. … Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life. Through his contributions to film, television, the arts and sports, he has left an indelible mark and is recognized worldwide and across generations. He was a beloved brother,...
The long-time actor was known for roles in film and on television, and the sad news has been released that he died this week.
An announcement came from Carl’s family, expressing their sadness for his recent passing.
Carl has recently been seen as a supporting character on the hit Disney+ show, The Mandalorian.
Over the years, Carl has appeared in many films and on several hit television shows, including the One Chicago dramas on NBC.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers,” the family of Carl Weathers said in a statement to Deadline. “He died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 1st, 2024. … Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life. Through his contributions to film, television, the arts and sports, he has left an indelible mark and is recognized worldwide and across generations. He was a beloved brother,...
- 2/2/2024
- by Ryan DeVault
- Monsters and Critics
Carl Weathers, the former NFL player who made his mark in Hollywood as the boxer Apollo Creed in the first four Rocky films and with appearances in such other projects as Predator, Happy Gilmore and The Mandalorian, has died. He was 76.
Weathers died Thursday in his sleep at his home in Los Angeles, his manager, Matt Luber, announced in a statement.
“Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life,” he said. “Through his contributions to film, television, the arts and sports, he has left an indelible mark and is recognized worldwide and across generations. He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner and friend.”
The charismatic Weathers portrayed Detective Beaudreaux on the 1991-93 syndicated cop show Street Justice; the chief of police Hampton Forbes on the final two seasons of CBS’ In the Heat of the Night in 1992-94; a caricature of himself on episodes of Fox...
Weathers died Thursday in his sleep at his home in Los Angeles, his manager, Matt Luber, announced in a statement.
“Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life,” he said. “Through his contributions to film, television, the arts and sports, he has left an indelible mark and is recognized worldwide and across generations. He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner and friend.”
The charismatic Weathers portrayed Detective Beaudreaux on the 1991-93 syndicated cop show Street Justice; the chief of police Hampton Forbes on the final two seasons of CBS’ In the Heat of the Night in 1992-94; a caricature of himself on episodes of Fox...
- 2/2/2024
- by Mike Barnes and Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Best known to horror fans for playing Dillon in John McTiernan’s original action-horror classic Predator, acting legend Carl Weathers has passed away this week at the age of 76.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers,” his family said in a statement. “He died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 1st, 2024. Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life. Through his contributions to film, television, the arts and sports, he has left an indelible mark and is recognized worldwide and across generations. He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner, and friend.”
Carl Weathers appeared in more than 70 films and television shows throughout his career, which began all the way back in the early 1970s. Weathers of course rose to prominence as Apollo Creed in the first four Rocky movies between 1976 and 1985, which were directly followed by his co-starring role in the...
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers,” his family said in a statement. “He died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 1st, 2024. Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life. Through his contributions to film, television, the arts and sports, he has left an indelible mark and is recognized worldwide and across generations. He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner, and friend.”
Carl Weathers appeared in more than 70 films and television shows throughout his career, which began all the way back in the early 1970s. Weathers of course rose to prominence as Apollo Creed in the first four Rocky movies between 1976 and 1985, which were directly followed by his co-starring role in the...
- 2/2/2024
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Carl Weathers, who starred as Apollo Creed in the first four “Rocky” films opposite Sylvester Stallone, died Thursday, his manager Matt Luber confirmed to Variety. He was 76.
Weathers also starred in 1987’s “Predator” and had a memorable role in Adam Sandler’s “Happy Gilmore.” He was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his work in the “Star Wars” series “The Mandalorian.”
He voiced Combat Carl in “Toy Story 4” and played a fictionalized version of himself in a recurring role on “Arrested Development.” His other credits include the TV series “Street Justice,” “Colony,” “The Shield,” “Chicago Justice” and “Brothers,” and the films “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” “Death Hunt” and “The Comebacks.”
After working with Sandler on the 1996 golf comedy “Happy Gilmore,” Weathers briefly reprised his role in “Little Nicky” and voiced a character in Sandler’s animated Hanukkah comedy “Eight Crazy Nights.
Weathers also starred in 1987’s “Predator” and had a memorable role in Adam Sandler’s “Happy Gilmore.” He was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his work in the “Star Wars” series “The Mandalorian.”
He voiced Combat Carl in “Toy Story 4” and played a fictionalized version of himself in a recurring role on “Arrested Development.” His other credits include the TV series “Street Justice,” “Colony,” “The Shield,” “Chicago Justice” and “Brothers,” and the films “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” “Death Hunt” and “The Comebacks.”
After working with Sandler on the 1996 golf comedy “Happy Gilmore,” Weathers briefly reprised his role in “Little Nicky” and voiced a character in Sandler’s animated Hanukkah comedy “Eight Crazy Nights.
- 2/2/2024
- by Ethan Shanfeld
- Variety Film + TV
John Williams’ film legacy is being immortalized with a Sony Pictures studio building dedicated to the Oscar-, Emmy,- and Grammy-winning composer.
The newly renamed John Williams Music Building on the Sony Pictures’ Culver City lot was unveiled January 18, with Williams’ longtime collaborator Steven Spielberg sharing his admiration for the musician.
“I have grown up with Johnny from the very beginning,” Spielberg said of Williams. “What he’s done for me is something I haven’t been able to imagine. This building is where all my stress dissipates…when I finally get to this stage of a production, and I know I’m in your hands.”
Spielberg added, “In the end I don’t recognize the movies as mine but as ours. Thank you Johnny, my movies would not be the same without you.”
Williams has earned 53 Academy Award nominations thus far, and collaborated with Spielberg specifically on films like “Jaws,...
The newly renamed John Williams Music Building on the Sony Pictures’ Culver City lot was unveiled January 18, with Williams’ longtime collaborator Steven Spielberg sharing his admiration for the musician.
“I have grown up with Johnny from the very beginning,” Spielberg said of Williams. “What he’s done for me is something I haven’t been able to imagine. This building is where all my stress dissipates…when I finally get to this stage of a production, and I know I’m in your hands.”
Spielberg added, “In the end I don’t recognize the movies as mine but as ours. Thank you Johnny, my movies would not be the same without you.”
Williams has earned 53 Academy Award nominations thus far, and collaborated with Spielberg specifically on films like “Jaws,...
- 1/18/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Some cliche somewhere said that ‘a picture is worth a thousand words.’ This has proven to be the case for me and especially when it comes to fan art. I have always sought out great fan art and have wanted to share it with as many people as possible. “Awesome Art We’ve Found Around The Net” is the outlet for that passion. In this column, I will showcase the kick-ass artwork of some great artists, with the hopes that these artists get the attention they deserve. That’s the aim. If you have any questions or comments, or even suggestions of art or other great artists, feel free to contact me at any time at theodorebond@joblo.com.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind by Anderson Grimm
Echo by Rye Coleman
Enter The Dragon by Matthew Gallagher
Ghost of Tsushima by Jack Owen
John Wick by Nuno Sarnadas
Killers of the Flower Moon...
Close Encounters of the Third Kind by Anderson Grimm
Echo by Rye Coleman
Enter The Dragon by Matthew Gallagher
Ghost of Tsushima by Jack Owen
John Wick by Nuno Sarnadas
Killers of the Flower Moon...
- 1/13/2024
- by Theodore Bond
- JoBlo.com
Chicago – The seemingly middle-of-the-road character actor Bob Balaban has more to his legacy than just a ton of appearances from the 1960s to present in classic films and TV. His Chicago family were pioneers in film exhibition and the movie executive suite during the studio system in the early days of the history of film. It is in his DNA.
The amazing story of Chicago’s Balaban family began soon after they emigrated from Russia. His uncles formed a coalition with Sam Katz to build theaters. The Balaban & Katz brand meant the highest quality movie palaces eventually, the ultimate in the early 20th Century movie experience before television … two prominent theaters still standing are the city-symbolic Chicago Theatre and the still-closed-but-still-standing Uptown Theatre. Bob was born in Chicago, and his father built his favorite theatre icon (as told in the Podtalk below). For the final flourish, his uncle Barney Balaban...
The amazing story of Chicago’s Balaban family began soon after they emigrated from Russia. His uncles formed a coalition with Sam Katz to build theaters. The Balaban & Katz brand meant the highest quality movie palaces eventually, the ultimate in the early 20th Century movie experience before television … two prominent theaters still standing are the city-symbolic Chicago Theatre and the still-closed-but-still-standing Uptown Theatre. Bob was born in Chicago, and his father built his favorite theatre icon (as told in the Podtalk below). For the final flourish, his uncle Barney Balaban...
- 1/9/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
The article contains spoilers for "For All Mankind" season 4.
Somehow, while no one was looking, Apple TV+ became the home of terrific sci-fi TV -- from the incredible adaptation of "Foundation" to the "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters" series that expands the MonsterVerse's lore in meaningful ways and, of course, "For All Mankind." Originally billed as an alternate history show about a world where the Soviet Union reached the moon before the U.S., "For All Mankind" is one of the best current dramas on TV. It also serves as a pseudo-prequel to sci-fi shows like "The Expanse" or "Star Trek," bridging futuristic sci-fi with contemporary grounded drama.
As a drama, the show has plenty of memorable characters and compelling plotlines, aided by a story spanning decades that the show constantly mines for conflict and pay-offs. Then there's the sci-fi. As the show goes on, it introduces more and more changes to the timeline,...
Somehow, while no one was looking, Apple TV+ became the home of terrific sci-fi TV -- from the incredible adaptation of "Foundation" to the "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters" series that expands the MonsterVerse's lore in meaningful ways and, of course, "For All Mankind." Originally billed as an alternate history show about a world where the Soviet Union reached the moon before the U.S., "For All Mankind" is one of the best current dramas on TV. It also serves as a pseudo-prequel to sci-fi shows like "The Expanse" or "Star Trek," bridging futuristic sci-fi with contemporary grounded drama.
As a drama, the show has plenty of memorable characters and compelling plotlines, aided by a story spanning decades that the show constantly mines for conflict and pay-offs. Then there's the sci-fi. As the show goes on, it introduces more and more changes to the timeline,...
- 1/6/2024
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
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