Hollywood’s Cinerama Dome theater, which has been shuttered since the beginning of the pandemic, will not be reopening in 2024, sources confirmed on background. It’s hoped that the Dome and adjacent Arclight Theatres will be ready for a 2025 opening.
The Cinerama Dome and Arclight remained closed even after other theaters reopened after Covid shutdowns and Pacific Theatres filed for bankruptcy in 2021. The Decurion Corporation — the parent company of Pacific Theatres — kept the right to use the Arclight and Pacific brand names at the 14-screen Arclight Hollywood and the Cinerama Dome.
In 2022, the owners, Decurion Corporation, received a liquor license and signaled the intention to change the complex’s name to Cinerama Hollywood.
Decurion subsidiary Pacific Theaters, which had operated the complex before filing for bankruptcy, gave up the other Arclight Theatres locations, most of which have been taken over by other operators. The Culver City location is now run by Amazon,...
The Cinerama Dome and Arclight remained closed even after other theaters reopened after Covid shutdowns and Pacific Theatres filed for bankruptcy in 2021. The Decurion Corporation — the parent company of Pacific Theatres — kept the right to use the Arclight and Pacific brand names at the 14-screen Arclight Hollywood and the Cinerama Dome.
In 2022, the owners, Decurion Corporation, received a liquor license and signaled the intention to change the complex’s name to Cinerama Hollywood.
Decurion subsidiary Pacific Theaters, which had operated the complex before filing for bankruptcy, gave up the other Arclight Theatres locations, most of which have been taken over by other operators. The Culver City location is now run by Amazon,...
- 12/1/2023
- by Pat Saperstein
- Variety Film + TV
Today came the sad news that Smash Mouth frontman Steve Harwell died at 56. Smash Mouth is undoubtedly best known today for the fact their 1999 hit song "All Star" played at the very beginning of the first "Shrek" movie. Like with everything else related to "Shrek," the song has become a bit of a meme.
It's easy to forget, however, that before "Shrek" debuted at Cannes and went on to win the very first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, "All Star" was a smash hit way before Shrek. It was considered one of the best songs of 1999 and even got nominated for the Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal Grammy. While "Shrek" immortalized it, it was actually another film from 2001 that gave us the best use of "All Star," and one of the best endings to a movie of the last 20 years.
That's right, the perfect...
It's easy to forget, however, that before "Shrek" debuted at Cannes and went on to win the very first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, "All Star" was a smash hit way before Shrek. It was considered one of the best songs of 1999 and even got nominated for the Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal Grammy. While "Shrek" immortalized it, it was actually another film from 2001 that gave us the best use of "All Star," and one of the best endings to a movie of the last 20 years.
That's right, the perfect...
- 9/4/2023
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
This story about “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story” first appeared in the Limited Series/Movies issue of TheWrap’s awards magazine.
Opening night of last year’s Toronto International Film Festival culminated with one of the wackiest and, yes, weirdest screenings imaginable. Premiering at midnight, Roku’s “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story” left a capacity TIFF audience in stitches at the almost wholly fictional saga of young Al’s rise from a kid whose passion for accordions and Hawaiian shirts shamed his parents to a global superstar who found time to romance Madonna and take down a Colombian drug cartel.
The film was inspired by a Funny or Die video that director Eric Appel made in 2009, parodying rock biopics in the same way that Yankovic’s songs gleefully distort rock hits. Expanded from a three-minute trailer that starred Aaron Paul as the Weird one into a 108-minute romp with Daniel Radcliffe in the title role,...
Opening night of last year’s Toronto International Film Festival culminated with one of the wackiest and, yes, weirdest screenings imaginable. Premiering at midnight, Roku’s “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story” left a capacity TIFF audience in stitches at the almost wholly fictional saga of young Al’s rise from a kid whose passion for accordions and Hawaiian shirts shamed his parents to a global superstar who found time to romance Madonna and take down a Colombian drug cartel.
The film was inspired by a Funny or Die video that director Eric Appel made in 2009, parodying rock biopics in the same way that Yankovic’s songs gleefully distort rock hits. Expanded from a three-minute trailer that starred Aaron Paul as the Weird one into a 108-minute romp with Daniel Radcliffe in the title role,...
- 6/5/2023
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Rami Malek, an Oscar winner for his role of Freddie Mercury in “Bohemian Rhapsody,” will team-up with “The Batman” director Matt Reeves for a new series about the life of early film star Buster Keaton. The unnamed project was sold to Warner Bros. Television, with an eye toward distribution on one of the major streamers, according to Deadline. Ted Cohen, a three-time Emmy winner for work on “Succession,” “Veep,” and “Friends,” is in negotiations to write and serve as executive producer. Reeves will direct.
The series will be based off of the newly released Keaton biography ‘Buster Keaton: A Filmmaker’s Life’ by James Curtis.
Keaton, also known as “The Great Stoneface,” emerged from vaudeville to become one of the major architects of early silent cinema. He didn’t just mug to the camera for comic effect but he was incredibly innovative in using the malleability of cinema’s form...
The series will be based off of the newly released Keaton biography ‘Buster Keaton: A Filmmaker’s Life’ by James Curtis.
Keaton, also known as “The Great Stoneface,” emerged from vaudeville to become one of the major architects of early silent cinema. He didn’t just mug to the camera for comic effect but he was incredibly innovative in using the malleability of cinema’s form...
- 1/20/2023
- by Jordan Hoffman
- Gold Derby
Click here to read the full article.
Pat Rosson, a son and grandson of cinematographers who appeared on The Andy Griffith Show, The Twilight Zone and the soap opera The Young Marrieds as a child actor in the 1960s, has died. He was 69.
Rosson died April 28 of a heart attack in Los Angeles, his daughter, Maria Delilah Rosson, told The Hollywood Reporter.
On “Runaway Kid,” which premiered in November 1960 as the sixth episode of CBS’ The Andy Griffith Show, Rosson played George “Tex” Foley, whose circumstances teach Opie (Ron Howard) a lesson about trust and keeping promises.
A month later, he appeared on CBS’ The Twilight Zone on the season two episode “The Night of the Meek,” which starred Art Carney as a down-on-his-luck department store Santa Claus.
On ABC’s The Young Marrieds from 1965-66, Rosson portrayed Jerry Karr, a youngster in the middle of a custody battle between his biological mother,...
Pat Rosson, a son and grandson of cinematographers who appeared on The Andy Griffith Show, The Twilight Zone and the soap opera The Young Marrieds as a child actor in the 1960s, has died. He was 69.
Rosson died April 28 of a heart attack in Los Angeles, his daughter, Maria Delilah Rosson, told The Hollywood Reporter.
On “Runaway Kid,” which premiered in November 1960 as the sixth episode of CBS’ The Andy Griffith Show, Rosson played George “Tex” Foley, whose circumstances teach Opie (Ron Howard) a lesson about trust and keeping promises.
A month later, he appeared on CBS’ The Twilight Zone on the season two episode “The Night of the Meek,” which starred Art Carney as a down-on-his-luck department store Santa Claus.
On ABC’s The Young Marrieds from 1965-66, Rosson portrayed Jerry Karr, a youngster in the middle of a custody battle between his biological mother,...
- 8/5/2022
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
William Barr, the former attorney general who did Trump’s bidding in the Justice Department for nearly two years, has joined the cavalcade of former Trump lackeys who have determined they can cash in by writing a book trashing the man they willingly, dutifully served.
Barr’s entry into the canon, One Damn Thing After Another, is due out Tuesday, which means he has spent the past few days bashing the former president on various media channels.
On Sunday night, he sat down for an hour-long interview with Lester Hold of NBC News,...
Barr’s entry into the canon, One Damn Thing After Another, is due out Tuesday, which means he has spent the past few days bashing the former president on various media channels.
On Sunday night, he sat down for an hour-long interview with Lester Hold of NBC News,...
- 3/7/2022
- by Ryan Bort
- Rollingstone.com
Our first episode back in the studio! Robert Weide discusses a few of his favorite movies with hosts Josh Olson and Joe Dante.
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
How to Lose Friends & Alienate People (2008)
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (2010)
Mother Night (1996)
Woody Allen: A Documentary (2011)
Mort Sahl: The Loyal Opposition (1989)
Lenny Bruce: Swear to Tell the Truth (1998)
Marx Brothers in a Nutshell (1982)
W.C. Fields: Straight Up (1986)
Kurt Vonnegut: Unstuck in Time (2021)
It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963) – John Landis’s trailer commentary
Mary Poppins (1964)
The French Connection (1971) – Dennis Lehane’s trailer commentary, Mark Pellington’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairing
The Magnificent Seven (1960) – Jesus Treviño’s trailer commentary
The Godfather (1972) – Ernest Dickerson’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairing
The Exorcist (1973) – Oren Peli’s trailer commentary
Patton (1970) – Rod Lurie’s trailer commentary
Mash (1970)
Short Cuts (1993) – Glenn Erickson’s Criterion Blu-ray review
Lenny...
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
How to Lose Friends & Alienate People (2008)
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (2010)
Mother Night (1996)
Woody Allen: A Documentary (2011)
Mort Sahl: The Loyal Opposition (1989)
Lenny Bruce: Swear to Tell the Truth (1998)
Marx Brothers in a Nutshell (1982)
W.C. Fields: Straight Up (1986)
Kurt Vonnegut: Unstuck in Time (2021)
It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963) – John Landis’s trailer commentary
Mary Poppins (1964)
The French Connection (1971) – Dennis Lehane’s trailer commentary, Mark Pellington’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairing
The Magnificent Seven (1960) – Jesus Treviño’s trailer commentary
The Godfather (1972) – Ernest Dickerson’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairing
The Exorcist (1973) – Oren Peli’s trailer commentary
Patton (1970) – Rod Lurie’s trailer commentary
Mash (1970)
Short Cuts (1993) – Glenn Erickson’s Criterion Blu-ray review
Lenny...
- 11/30/2021
- by Kris Millsap
- Trailers from Hell
The first James Bond film, ‘Dr. No,” starring Sean Connery, Ursula Andress, Jack Lord and Joseph Wiseman, opened in England on Oct. 2, 1962. But the 007 classic didn’t open in New York and Los Angeles until May 29, 1963. Let’s travel back almost six decades to look at the top events, movie, TV series, books and other cultural events of that year in James Bond history, which was punctuated by the tragic assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas on Nov. 22.
35th Annual Academy Awards
Best Picture: “Lawrence of Arabia”
Best Director: David Lean, “Lawrence of Arabia”
Best Actor: Gregory Peck, “To Kill a Mockingbird
Best Actress: Anne Bancroft, “The Miracle Worker”
Best Supporting Actor: Ed Begley, “Sweet Bird of Youth”
Best Supporting Actress: Patty Duke, “The Miracle Worker”
Top 10 highest grossing films
“Cleopatra”
“How the West Was Won”
“It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World”
“Tom Jones”
“Irma La Douce...
35th Annual Academy Awards
Best Picture: “Lawrence of Arabia”
Best Director: David Lean, “Lawrence of Arabia”
Best Actor: Gregory Peck, “To Kill a Mockingbird
Best Actress: Anne Bancroft, “The Miracle Worker”
Best Supporting Actor: Ed Begley, “Sweet Bird of Youth”
Best Supporting Actress: Patty Duke, “The Miracle Worker”
Top 10 highest grossing films
“Cleopatra”
“How the West Was Won”
“It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World”
“Tom Jones”
“Irma La Douce...
- 10/8/2021
- by Susan King
- Gold Derby
The legendary punk god joins us to talk about movies he finds unforgettable. Special appearance by his cat, Moon Unit.
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Tapeheads (1988)
Rock ‘n’ Roll High School (1979) – Eli Roth’s trailer commentary
A Face In The Crowd (1957) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
Meet John Doe (1941)
Bob Roberts (1992)
Bachelor Party (1984)
Dangerously Close (1986)
Videodrome (1983) – Mick Garris’s trailer commentary
F/X (1986)
Hot Rods To Hell (1967)
Riot On Sunset Strip (1967)
While The City Sleeps (1956) – Glenn Erickson’s trailer commentary
Leaving Las Vegas (1995)
It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963) – John Landis’s trailer commentary
Spider-Man (2002)
The Killing (1956) – Michael Lehmann’s trailer commentary
Serpent’s Egg (1977)
The Thin Man (1934)
Meet Nero Wolfe (1936)
The Hidden Eye (1945)
Eyes In The Night (1942)
Sudden Impact (1983) – Alan Spencer’s trailer commentary
Red Dawn (1984)
Warlock (1989)
The Dead Zone (1983) – Mick Garris’s trailer commentary
Secret Honor (1984)
The Player (1992) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary,...
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Tapeheads (1988)
Rock ‘n’ Roll High School (1979) – Eli Roth’s trailer commentary
A Face In The Crowd (1957) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
Meet John Doe (1941)
Bob Roberts (1992)
Bachelor Party (1984)
Dangerously Close (1986)
Videodrome (1983) – Mick Garris’s trailer commentary
F/X (1986)
Hot Rods To Hell (1967)
Riot On Sunset Strip (1967)
While The City Sleeps (1956) – Glenn Erickson’s trailer commentary
Leaving Las Vegas (1995)
It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963) – John Landis’s trailer commentary
Spider-Man (2002)
The Killing (1956) – Michael Lehmann’s trailer commentary
Serpent’s Egg (1977)
The Thin Man (1934)
Meet Nero Wolfe (1936)
The Hidden Eye (1945)
Eyes In The Night (1942)
Sudden Impact (1983) – Alan Spencer’s trailer commentary
Red Dawn (1984)
Warlock (1989)
The Dead Zone (1983) – Mick Garris’s trailer commentary
Secret Honor (1984)
The Player (1992) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary,...
- 6/22/2021
- by Kris Millsap
- Trailers from Hell
Angelenos are still processing their grief about the closure of the ArcLight theaters. Pacific Theatres announced on Monday that it would close all of its locations, which include the ArcLight Hollywood and the historic Cinerama Dome.
Not as well known is that the theater chain also owns the Cinerama technology. The three-camera filming technique was introduced in 1952 in response to the rise of television, and was virtually obsolete by the time the Cinerama Dome opened on Sunset Boulevard in November 1963. The name lived on for a few years after that, in the form of single-camera 70 millimeter releases that were marketed as Cinerama films — including “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World,” the first film ever shown at the dome.
The dome itself was not outfitted with the three-camera projection technology until 2002, to coincide with the format’s 50th anniversary. The same year, David Strohmaier released the documentary “Cinerama Adventure,” detailing the history of the process.
Not as well known is that the theater chain also owns the Cinerama technology. The three-camera filming technique was introduced in 1952 in response to the rise of television, and was virtually obsolete by the time the Cinerama Dome opened on Sunset Boulevard in November 1963. The name lived on for a few years after that, in the form of single-camera 70 millimeter releases that were marketed as Cinerama films — including “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World,” the first film ever shown at the dome.
The dome itself was not outfitted with the three-camera projection technology until 2002, to coincide with the format’s 50th anniversary. The same year, David Strohmaier released the documentary “Cinerama Adventure,” detailing the history of the process.
- 4/14/2021
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
The announcement that Hollywood’s Cinerama Dome and ArcLight Cinemas would not reopen left Los Angeles film buffs in shock. Built as a showcase for the three-panel Cinerama process, the Dome became a Hollywood landmark and beloved theater. But by the time construction was finished in 1963, the three-panel Cinerama process was no longer in use. So the theater opened with the premiere of “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” in regular widescreen projection with a slightly wider aspect ratio. Over the years, the Dome has been one of the top places in Los Angeles to see films in 70mm and a favorite spot for premieres and film festivals.
- 4/14/2021
- by Pat Saperstein
- Variety Film + TV
Robert C. Jones, an Oscar-winning writer and editor whose credits include It’s A Mad Mad Mad Mad World, Coming Home and Love Story, has died. He was 84.
“It is with deep sadness that I am writing to tell you the passing of Robert C. Jones, who was a celebrated editor and screenwriter, and a beloved professor at our School,” said Elizabeth Daley of the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, where Jones served as a professor for 15 years.
Jones was born on March 30, 1936 in Los Angeles. His foray into film work began upon his drafting into the U.S. Army, when he joined the Army Pictorial Center from 1958 to 1960 as a film editor. At the Pictorial Center he edited Army training films, documentaries and several segments of the television program The Big Picture.
After his Army stint, Jones further developed his editing skills for A Child Is Waiting...
“It is with deep sadness that I am writing to tell you the passing of Robert C. Jones, who was a celebrated editor and screenwriter, and a beloved professor at our School,” said Elizabeth Daley of the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, where Jones served as a professor for 15 years.
Jones was born on March 30, 1936 in Los Angeles. His foray into film work began upon his drafting into the U.S. Army, when he joined the Army Pictorial Center from 1958 to 1960 as a film editor. At the Pictorial Center he edited Army training films, documentaries and several segments of the television program The Big Picture.
After his Army stint, Jones further developed his editing skills for A Child Is Waiting...
- 2/6/2021
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
Robert C. Jones, the acclaimed film editor behind 1960s and ’70s classics “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” and “Love Story” who garnered a screenplay Academy Award for the war drama “Coming Home,” has died. He was 84.
His daughter, Leslie Jones — who is also an Oscar-nominated film editor — confirmed to Variety that Jones died on Feb. 1 following a long illness.
“My Dad had a tremendous impact on my own editing career with whom I worked on several films as his assistant,” Leslie said in a statement. “Like Bob I did not go to film school and had no formal training in editing. But what I learned was that editing does not always require a specific skill set. He taught me that talent instead is guided by a sense of compassion, and integrity, and the search for truth and authenticity. He had all that and more.”
Throughout his career, Jones collaborated with...
His daughter, Leslie Jones — who is also an Oscar-nominated film editor — confirmed to Variety that Jones died on Feb. 1 following a long illness.
“My Dad had a tremendous impact on my own editing career with whom I worked on several films as his assistant,” Leslie said in a statement. “Like Bob I did not go to film school and had no formal training in editing. But what I learned was that editing does not always require a specific skill set. He taught me that talent instead is guided by a sense of compassion, and integrity, and the search for truth and authenticity. He had all that and more.”
Throughout his career, Jones collaborated with...
- 2/6/2021
- by Natalie Oganesyan
- Variety Film + TV
The creators of HBO Max’s Search Party join Josh and Joe to talk about their favorite films.
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
Dr. Strangelove (1964)
Tenet (2020)
Piranha (1978)
Piranha 3D (2010)
Jurassic Park (1993)
Jaws (1975)
E.T. The Extraterrestrial (1982)
Looker (1981)
The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)
Waiting For Guffman (1996)
True Stories (1986)
Another Year (2010)
Abigail’s Party (1977)
Brazil (1985)
The Pink Panther (1963)
It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963)
Network (1976)
Idiocracy (2006)
A League Of Their Own (1992)
Desperately Seeking Susan (1985)
About Schmidt (2002)
Please Give (2010)
Duck Soup (1933)
The Gold Rush (1925)
The Cocoanuts (1929)
A Night At The Opera (1935)
The Terminator (1984)
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
Love Potion No. 9 (1992) – Sarah
The Birdcage (1996) – Charles
Mandy (2018)
Other Notable Items
Search Party TV series (2016- )
The Coen Brothers
The DGA
Jon Favreau
Garry Marshall
Christopher Nolan
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation TV series (2000-2015)
Jurassic Park series
Laura Dern
Jeff Goldblum
Sam Neill
Steven Spielberg
Jurassic Park novel by Michael Crichton...
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
Dr. Strangelove (1964)
Tenet (2020)
Piranha (1978)
Piranha 3D (2010)
Jurassic Park (1993)
Jaws (1975)
E.T. The Extraterrestrial (1982)
Looker (1981)
The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)
Waiting For Guffman (1996)
True Stories (1986)
Another Year (2010)
Abigail’s Party (1977)
Brazil (1985)
The Pink Panther (1963)
It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963)
Network (1976)
Idiocracy (2006)
A League Of Their Own (1992)
Desperately Seeking Susan (1985)
About Schmidt (2002)
Please Give (2010)
Duck Soup (1933)
The Gold Rush (1925)
The Cocoanuts (1929)
A Night At The Opera (1935)
The Terminator (1984)
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
Love Potion No. 9 (1992) – Sarah
The Birdcage (1996) – Charles
Mandy (2018)
Other Notable Items
Search Party TV series (2016- )
The Coen Brothers
The DGA
Jon Favreau
Garry Marshall
Christopher Nolan
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation TV series (2000-2015)
Jurassic Park series
Laura Dern
Jeff Goldblum
Sam Neill
Steven Spielberg
Jurassic Park novel by Michael Crichton...
- 10/13/2020
- by Kris Millsap
- Trailers from Hell
The actor/comedian/writer/director joins us to talk about some of the objectively bad movies he loves.
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Explorers (1985)
Chinatown (1974)
Suicide Squad (2016)
The Oath (2018)
The Last Movie Star (2018)
Tango and Cash (1989)
The Thing (1982)
Runaway Train (1985)
Midnight Cowboy (1969)
Conrack (1974)
Volcano (1997)
Dante’s Peak (1997)
Earthquake (1974)
It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963)
Independence Day (1996)
Independence Day: Resurgence (2016)
Road House (1989)
Minnie and Moskowitz (1971)
Killing of a Chinese Bookie (1976)
The Greatest Showman (2017)
West Side Story (1961)
Chicago (2002)
The Producers (1967)
Outbreak (1995)
Volunteers (1985)
Splash (1984)
The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
Tropic Thunder (2008)
Philadelphia (1993)
Bachelor Party (1984)
Con Air (1997)
Bad Boys (1995)
The Rock (1996)
Mandy (2018)
Out For Justice (1991)
Once Upon A Time In America (1984)
Goodfellas (1990)
Paths of Glory (1957)
Hard To Kill (1991)
Above The Law (1988)
Under Siege (1992)
Under Siege 2: Dark Territory (1995)
The Asian Connection (2016)
Contract To Kill (2016)
The Perfect Weapon (2016)
Sniper: Special Ops (2016)
The Glimmer Man (1996)
The Andromeda Strain (1971)
Contagion (2011)
Other Notable Items
The...
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Explorers (1985)
Chinatown (1974)
Suicide Squad (2016)
The Oath (2018)
The Last Movie Star (2018)
Tango and Cash (1989)
The Thing (1982)
Runaway Train (1985)
Midnight Cowboy (1969)
Conrack (1974)
Volcano (1997)
Dante’s Peak (1997)
Earthquake (1974)
It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963)
Independence Day (1996)
Independence Day: Resurgence (2016)
Road House (1989)
Minnie and Moskowitz (1971)
Killing of a Chinese Bookie (1976)
The Greatest Showman (2017)
West Side Story (1961)
Chicago (2002)
The Producers (1967)
Outbreak (1995)
Volunteers (1985)
Splash (1984)
The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
Tropic Thunder (2008)
Philadelphia (1993)
Bachelor Party (1984)
Con Air (1997)
Bad Boys (1995)
The Rock (1996)
Mandy (2018)
Out For Justice (1991)
Once Upon A Time In America (1984)
Goodfellas (1990)
Paths of Glory (1957)
Hard To Kill (1991)
Above The Law (1988)
Under Siege (1992)
Under Siege 2: Dark Territory (1995)
The Asian Connection (2016)
Contract To Kill (2016)
The Perfect Weapon (2016)
Sniper: Special Ops (2016)
The Glimmer Man (1996)
The Andromeda Strain (1971)
Contagion (2011)
Other Notable Items
The...
- 9/15/2020
- by Kris Millsap
- Trailers from Hell
The word rang out this morning in the world of laughter. A member of comedy royalty had taken his last well-deserved bow.
Here’s how the AP news service spread the word:
New York (AP) — Carl Reiner, the ingenious and versatile writer, actor and director who broke through as a “second banana” to Sid Caesar and rose to comedy’s front ranks as creator of “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and straight man to Mel Brooks’ “2000 Year Old Man,” has died. He was 98.
Reiner’s assistant Judy Nagy said he died Monday night of natural causes at his home in Beverly Hills, California.
While he made significant contributions to the worlds of live theatre, television, recordings, and literature, we at Wamg would like to applaud his body of work in motion pictures: acting, writing and directing. But in order to begin, lets’ double back to TV. Carl first achieved worldwide...
Here’s how the AP news service spread the word:
New York (AP) — Carl Reiner, the ingenious and versatile writer, actor and director who broke through as a “second banana” to Sid Caesar and rose to comedy’s front ranks as creator of “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and straight man to Mel Brooks’ “2000 Year Old Man,” has died. He was 98.
Reiner’s assistant Judy Nagy said he died Monday night of natural causes at his home in Beverly Hills, California.
While he made significant contributions to the worlds of live theatre, television, recordings, and literature, we at Wamg would like to applaud his body of work in motion pictures: acting, writing and directing. But in order to begin, lets’ double back to TV. Carl first achieved worldwide...
- 7/1/2020
- by Jim Batts
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Los Angeles – If there ever was a living embodiment of show business history from the mid 20th Century to now, it was Carl Reiner. The producer, director, writer and sometimes actor worked in the business from 1938 to the present, and is probably best known for creating “The Dick Van Dyke Show” (1961-66). He died of natural causes in Los Angeles on June 29th, 2020.
Reiner touched all forms of media, up to and including the modern social media, where he was active on Twitter (read one of his last tweets below). His incredible resume includes film director, TV series creator and movie/TV performer.
Carl Reiner in a Recent Publicity Picture
Photo credit: Carl Reiner
Carl Reiner was born in the Bronx, New York, and first tried theater as a 16-year-old during the Depression (1938). He was drafted into the Army Air Forces during World War II and eventually landed into Special Forces,...
Reiner touched all forms of media, up to and including the modern social media, where he was active on Twitter (read one of his last tweets below). His incredible resume includes film director, TV series creator and movie/TV performer.
Carl Reiner in a Recent Publicity Picture
Photo credit: Carl Reiner
Carl Reiner was born in the Bronx, New York, and first tried theater as a 16-year-old during the Depression (1938). He was drafted into the Army Air Forces during World War II and eventually landed into Special Forces,...
- 6/30/2020
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Reiner was a prolific actor, writer and director for over 60 years.
Carl Reiner, the acclaimed Us actor, writer and director, has died aged 98 of natural causes.
A native of The Bronx, New York, Reiner began working as a writer and performer on variety show Your Show Of Shows in 1950. His colleagues included Mel Brooks, who became a longtime collaborator and friend.
In 1961 he created The Dick Van Dyke show, a sitcom which ran for five years and made its titular lead a star.
Reiner formed a successful film partnership with Steve Martin in the late 1970s and early 1980s, directing...
Carl Reiner, the acclaimed Us actor, writer and director, has died aged 98 of natural causes.
A native of The Bronx, New York, Reiner began working as a writer and performer on variety show Your Show Of Shows in 1950. His colleagues included Mel Brooks, who became a longtime collaborator and friend.
In 1961 he created The Dick Van Dyke show, a sitcom which ran for five years and made its titular lead a star.
Reiner formed a successful film partnership with Steve Martin in the late 1970s and early 1980s, directing...
- 6/30/2020
- by 1101321¦Ben Dalton¦26¦
- ScreenDaily
Carl Reiner, the writer, producer, director and actor who was part of Sid Caesar’s legendary team and went on to create “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and direct several hit films, has died. He was 98.
He died of natural causes on Monday night at his home in Beverly Hills, his assistant Judy Nagy confirmed to Variety.
Reiner, the father of filmmaker and activist Rob Reiner, was the winner of nine Emmy awards, including five for “The Dick Van Dyke Show.” His most popular films as a director included “Oh God,” starring George Burns, in 1977; “The Jerk,” with Steve Martin, in 1979; and “All of Me,” with Martin and Lily Tomlin, in 1984.
In his later years, Reiner was an elder statesman of comedy, revered and respected for his versatility as a performer and multi-hyphenate. He was also adept at social media. He maintained a lively presence on Twitter up until the last day of his life.
He died of natural causes on Monday night at his home in Beverly Hills, his assistant Judy Nagy confirmed to Variety.
Reiner, the father of filmmaker and activist Rob Reiner, was the winner of nine Emmy awards, including five for “The Dick Van Dyke Show.” His most popular films as a director included “Oh God,” starring George Burns, in 1977; “The Jerk,” with Steve Martin, in 1979; and “All of Me,” with Martin and Lily Tomlin, in 1984.
In his later years, Reiner was an elder statesman of comedy, revered and respected for his versatility as a performer and multi-hyphenate. He was also adept at social media. He maintained a lively presence on Twitter up until the last day of his life.
- 6/30/2020
- by Carmel Dagan
- Variety Film + TV
The Supporting Actress Smackdown 1963 Edition arrives on Monday so let's talk context since we haven't revisited as much of 1963 as we'd hoped to...
Great Big Box Office Hits: 1) Cleopatra 2) How the West Was Won 3) It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World 4) Tom Jones 4) Irma La Douce 6) Son of Flubber 7) The Birds 8) Dr No 9) The VIPs 10) McClintock!
Oscar's Best Pictures: Tom Jones (10 noms / 4 wins), Cleopatra (9 noms / 4 wins), How the West Was Won (8 noms / 3 wins), Lilies of the Field (5 noms / 1 win), America America (4 noms / 1 win) Our theory as to what was just outside the Best Picture shortlist plus more '63 goodies follow...
Great Big Box Office Hits: 1) Cleopatra 2) How the West Was Won 3) It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World 4) Tom Jones 4) Irma La Douce 6) Son of Flubber 7) The Birds 8) Dr No 9) The VIPs 10) McClintock!
Oscar's Best Pictures: Tom Jones (10 noms / 4 wins), Cleopatra (9 noms / 4 wins), How the West Was Won (8 noms / 3 wins), Lilies of the Field (5 noms / 1 win), America America (4 noms / 1 win) Our theory as to what was just outside the Best Picture shortlist plus more '63 goodies follow...
- 8/10/2017
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
Simon Brew Jun 13, 2017
Rawson Marshall Thurber is set to steer The Cannonball Run for Warner Bros...
We’ve seen three different Cannonball Run movies to date, although only the first two gained prominence. Furthermore, in the early 2000s there was Rat Race, something of a homage to the films (which in itself owe a debt to It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World). But now, Hollywood is gearing up for a full on reboot.
If you’ve never had the pleasure – and they’re a lot of pleasure – The Cannonball Run films involved lots of famous people in a barnstorming cross country car race, in a not very Fast & Furious way.
Warner Bros has been trying to get a new version of the film off the ground for a while, with names such as Guy Ritchie and Etan Cohen linked with directing in the past. But the man who’s...
Rawson Marshall Thurber is set to steer The Cannonball Run for Warner Bros...
We’ve seen three different Cannonball Run movies to date, although only the first two gained prominence. Furthermore, in the early 2000s there was Rat Race, something of a homage to the films (which in itself owe a debt to It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World). But now, Hollywood is gearing up for a full on reboot.
If you’ve never had the pleasure – and they’re a lot of pleasure – The Cannonball Run films involved lots of famous people in a barnstorming cross country car race, in a not very Fast & Furious way.
Warner Bros has been trying to get a new version of the film off the ground for a while, with names such as Guy Ritchie and Etan Cohen linked with directing in the past. But the man who’s...
- 6/13/2017
- Den of Geek
Blake Edwards: Director of the 'Pink Panther' movies – and Julie Andrews' husband for more than four decades – was at his best handling polished comedies and a couple of dead serious dramas. Blake Edwards movies: Best known for slapstick fare, but at his best handling polished comedies and dramas The Pink Panther and its sequels[1] are the movies most closely associated with screenwriter-director-producer Blake Edwards, whose film and television career spanned more than half a century.[2] But unless you're a fan of Keystone Kops-style slapstick, they're the filmmaker's least interesting efforts. In fact, Edwards (born William Blake Crump in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on July 26, 1922) was at his best (co-)writing and/or directing polished comedies (e.g., Operation Petticoat, Victor Victoria) and, less frequently, dramas (Days of Wine and Roses, the romantic comedy-drama Breakfast at Tiffany's). The article below and follow-up posts offer a brief look at some of Blake Edwards' non-Pink Panther comedies,...
- 5/29/2017
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Here's a great fan-made trailer that mashes together the film Mad Max: Fury Road with the classic 1963 film It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World. The result is It's a Mad Mad Mad Max Fury Road, and it's a lot of fun! I'm a big fan of both films and they are completely different, but they amusingly work so well together. The trailer was created by Monkey Blood, and it uses the footage of Mad World with the audio from Fury Road. ...
- 5/15/2017
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Gifted comedian Jonathan Winters has died of natural causes at age 87, reports Variety. My fondest memories of him are Stanley Kramer's antic road comedy "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World" and Norman Jewison’s "The Russians Are Coming the Russians Are Coming," but of course this under-appreciated comic artist did much more. See clips below. Winters released several popular comedy albums and was a regular guest through the 50s, 60s and 70s on TV variety and talk shows from Johnny Carson, Steve Allen and Garry Moore to Jack Paar, who called Winters “pound for pound, the funniest man alive.” The radio dj, stand-up comedian and gifted mimic inspired the improvisational comedy of comics ranging from Steve Martin to Robin Williams, whose son he played on the last season of ABC’s "Mork and Mindy." He starred in several of own variety shows in the 60s and 70s, and...
- 4/12/2013
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Legendary comedian Jonathan Winters passed away of natural causes last night at the age of 87. Winters was a pioneer in improvisational comedy, able to quickly jump from unique character to unique character, hilarious idea to hilarious idea. He was a fixture of late-night television, frequently appearing on The Jack Paar Program and Johnny Carson's Tonight Show. Over the course of his career, he appeared in more than 50 movies and tons of television. This included notable parts in It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (where he actually played two roles) and in the last season of Mork & Mindy, where he played the lead's child. Most recently, he voiced Papa Smurf in The Smurfs and upcoming The Smurfs 2. The Mark Twain Prize–winning Winters was an immensely influential and hilarious comedian, and he'll surely be missed. Below watch a famous clip from 1964 where Paar gives Winters a...
- 4/12/2013
- by Jesse David Fox
- Vulture
Jonathan Winters, the comedian known for his work in "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" and "Mork & Mindy," among many other projects, died Thursday night at his home in Montecito, Calif., his agent told TheWrap on Friday. He was 87. According to his agent, Richard Lawrence of Rebel Entertainment Partners, Winters died of natural causes at his home in Montecito, Calif. home at 6:35 p.m.,and his family was with him. "I think the world was blessed to have Jonathan Winters' talents in television and movies, and I know he'll be...
- 4/12/2013
- by Tim Kenneally
- The Wrap
The 2013 TCM Classic Film Festival (April 25-28) continues to add more stars and screenings to its slate, including Mel Brooks in conversation following "The Twelve Chairs," Mickey Rooney and Jonathan Winters appearing with epic nutty ensemble comedy "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World" and the already announced Max von Sydow tribute has added a new screening of Sydney Pollack's "Three Days of the Condor." Meanwhile, actress Coleen Gray will appear in person with Stanley Kubrick's "The Killing," and actor Theodore Bikel will be on hand for John Huston's "The African Queen." Susan Ray, widow to Nicholas Ray, will present a screening of the director's proto-"Bonnie and Clyde" noir "They Live By Night"; "Saturday Night Live" comedian Bill Hader will intro George Stevens' classic Western "Shane" and 1955's "The Ladykillers," by Alexander Mackendrick. More details on the new and ongoing additions to the fest are here.
- 3/14/2013
- by Beth Hanna
- Thompson on Hollywood
Films starring Elizabeth Banks, Halle Berry, Gerard Butler, Josh Duhamel, Richard Gere, Hugh Jackman, Emma Stone, Naomi Watts and Kate Winslet have a combined lifetime domestic gross of over $10.7 billion. On Jan. 25, "Movie 43" -- which stars all nine of them, plus recognizable actors like Chloe Moretz, Terrence Howard, Kristen Bell, Jason Sudeikis and many, many more -- opened with just $4.8 million in ticket sales.
Over the weekend of Feb. 8, only two weeks after its opening, "Movie 43" earned $279,717 from 777 venues, giving the film a per-screen average of just $360.
"Movie 43" is an omnibus or anthology film -- a collection of short stories or segments, which tie together in a loose fashion. The storytelling technique has been fashionable for Hollywood screenwriters since the 1940s, and yielded such hit films as 1962's "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World", 2003's "Love Actually" and 2010's "Valentine's Day." The films -- often comedies,...
Over the weekend of Feb. 8, only two weeks after its opening, "Movie 43" earned $279,717 from 777 venues, giving the film a per-screen average of just $360.
"Movie 43" is an omnibus or anthology film -- a collection of short stories or segments, which tie together in a loose fashion. The storytelling technique has been fashionable for Hollywood screenwriters since the 1940s, and yielded such hit films as 1962's "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World", 2003's "Love Actually" and 2010's "Valentine's Day." The films -- often comedies,...
- 2/12/2013
- by The Huffington Post
- Huffington Post
Opening in seventh place this weekend with just $5.0 million on 2,043 screens, "Movie 43" marks one of the poorest wide-release openings of Hugh Jackman's career. Or Kate Winslet's. Or Halle Berry's. Or Emma Stone's. Or those of Elizabeth Banks, Kristen Bell, Kate Bosworth, Gerard Butler, Josh Duhamel, Anna Faris, Richard Gere, Terrence Howard, Greg Kinnear, Johnny Knoxville, Justin Long, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Chloe Moretz, Liev Schreiber, Seann William Scott, Jason Sudeikis, Uma Thurman, or Naomi Watts. How does a comedy with so much star power -- more than two dozen big-name celebrities earned top billing, including at least two past Oscar winners and two current nominees -- and still fail to open big? You can't exactly call "Movie 43" a failure; it reportedly cost just $6 million to make, with all the actors working for union scale and pre-sold deals with entities like Netflix for its ancillary rights. And...
- 1/28/2013
- by Gary Susman
- Moviefone
Oh, if only Movie 43 had screened for press before it opens this weekend. The premise -- a search for the world's most banned movie -- and cast are tantalizing. (Dennis Quaid, Greg Kinnear, Seth MacFarlane, Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet, Emma Stone, Richard Gere, Naomi Watts, Uma Thurman, Halle Berry and a dozen other famous faces -- yeah, even Snooki -- in the same movie? Yowsa -- I'm reminded of It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World.) But prudent filmgoers should wait awhile to find out if this star-studded but unreviewed collection of comic shorts is any good. Let your friends take one for the team by seeing it first.
Two other new releases are critically vetted and worth a look, depending on your taste: Amour is outstanding but oh-so-sad, and Quartet is a Dustin Hoffman-helmed comedy that's garnering some good reviews but may not be for everyone.
The Love God?...
Two other new releases are critically vetted and worth a look, depending on your taste: Amour is outstanding but oh-so-sad, and Quartet is a Dustin Hoffman-helmed comedy that's garnering some good reviews but may not be for everyone.
The Love God?...
- 1/25/2013
- by Don Clinchy
- Slackerwood
Another summer screening series from AMPAS, aka The Academy, and this time it's not outdoors, but something else spectacular. They're hosting a series dubbed "The Last 70mm Film Festival" (meaning no more 70mm after? oh no!) that will feature six screenings of 70mm classics, usually with a cast reunion or rarely screened 70mm shorts. The line-up includes Stanley Kramer's It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World to open, plus classics like Sleeping Beauty, Sound of Music and, of course, Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey. If you're lucky enough to live in Los Angeles, you should be able to see a couple of these 70mm screenings. From the official event listing on Oscars.org, found via Thompson on Hollywood. It states: "Join us for six 70mm classics, each from a different genre." Screenings are on Monday nights, and they are open to the public, but you have to buy a...
- 6/20/2012
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
The art of movie titles is becoming an increasingly lost one: aside from a few films (the Bond movies) and directors (Steven Spielberg, David Fincher and Jason Reitman always pay particular attention to their credit sequences), it feels like relatively little care is taken over such things, with many movies dumping them altogether. And it's hard not to put that down to the fact that we don't have guys like Saul Bass around anymore.
Bass was a graphic designer from the Bronx who went out West in the 1940s and started working on film ads. After being noticed by Otto Preminger, who would become his collaborator for the next twenty years starting with "Carmen Jones" in 1954, Bass went on to design some of cinema's most iconic title sequences and posters for world-class filmmakers like Stanley Kubrick, Alfred Hitchcock and Martin Scorsese, often in an instantly recognizable style that remains influential...
Bass was a graphic designer from the Bronx who went out West in the 1940s and started working on film ads. After being noticed by Otto Preminger, who would become his collaborator for the next twenty years starting with "Carmen Jones" in 1954, Bass went on to design some of cinema's most iconic title sequences and posters for world-class filmmakers like Stanley Kubrick, Alfred Hitchcock and Martin Scorsese, often in an instantly recognizable style that remains influential...
- 4/25/2012
- by Oliver Lyttelton
- The Playlist
Anonymous The fact this is hitting DVD and Blu-ray and no one has really seen it and Columbia has done very little to encourage people to see it is a bit frustrating. As someone that loves and writes about movies you want the good ones to be seen and I can tell you this is a good film. I don't know what it was that scared Sony into releasing it into only 513 theaters at its widest release, but I guess that just stands to mean it will be a small gem found on DVD and Blu-ray.
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 This one actually doesn't arrive until Saturday, February 11, but I'm sure young girls all across the country are already queuing up to be the first to own the first part of the final film in the Twilight franchise in which nothing happens and Summit makes millions of dollars as a result.
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 This one actually doesn't arrive until Saturday, February 11, but I'm sure young girls all across the country are already queuing up to be the first to own the first part of the final film in the Twilight franchise in which nothing happens and Summit makes millions of dollars as a result.
- 2/7/2012
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
There's some sad news to report today as Peter Falk, TV's Columbo, has passed away at age 83. The actual cause of death has not been released, although it's known that Falk had suffered from Alzheimer's disease for the past few years. He was a talented actor who enjoyed success in both TV and film, earning multiple awards and nominations from each medium. Although Falk started in theater, he quickly transitioned into films, achieving back-to-back Best Supporting Actor nominations for Murder, Inc. and Pocketful of Miracles. From there he enjoyed steady work in films like The Great Race, Castle Keep, and Murder by Death. Falk was also known for his friendship with actor/director John Cassavetes and the two collaborated on more verité-style films like Husbands and A Woman Under the Influence. And then there was Columbo, the role Falk would be most associated with. He started playing the seemingly inept...
- 6/25/2011
- by Aaron
- FilmJunk
Peter Falk, the Oscar-nominated and Emmy Award-winning actor best known for his portrayal of the raincoat-wearing, cigar smoking TV detective Columbo, died Thursday evening at his home in Beverly Hills, CA; he was 83. Though an exact cause of death was not released by his family, it had been known that Falk was suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
Though he received two Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor in 1960 and 1961 for Murder, Inc. and Pocketful of Miracles, and was an acclaimed stage actor, winning a Tony Award for 1972's The Prisoner of Second Avenue, he was known to millions as the irascible Lieutenant Columbo, one of television most beloved detectives, whose apparent absent-mindedness belied his cunning deductive skills and ease at outwitting even the most clever and devious of criminals. In all, he received four Emmy Awards and 10 nominations for the role, which he played from 1968 (in the TV film Prescription: Murder) to a special 2003 episode of the series.
Born in New York City in 1927, Falk underwent surgery at only the age of three to have his right eye removed because of a malignant tumor; for the rest of his life he would wear a glass eye, which became one of his most notable traits. Rejected by the armed forces because of his eyesight, he enlisted in the Merchant Marines during World War II, returning home to finish his college education, obtaining a master's degree in public administration and taking a job as an efficiency expert in Hartford, Connecticut in the early 1950s. It was there that he began his acting career, studying with the acclaimed actress and teacher Eva Le Gallienne. After moving to New York to pursue acting full time, he co-starred in the 1956 revival of The Iceman Cometh alongside Jason Robards, and was on Broadway within the same year, and started appearing on television as well. In the late '50s he took a number of small film roles, and was hailed by critics for his turn as a murderer in the 1960 gangster film Murder Inc., which proved to be his breakthrough role. An Oscar nomination followed, as did a role in Frank Capra's Pocketful of Miracles the next year, which was the acclaimed director's last film and for which Falk received a second Oscar nod.
With back-to-back Academy Award nominations and his first Emmy Award (for a 1961 episode of The Dick Powell Theater), Falk worked steadily throughout the 1960s in both television and film, with small roles in It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World and Robin and the 7 Hoods, and a starring role in the short-lived legal TV series The Trials of O'Brien. He first played the role of Lieutenant Columbo in the 1968 TV movie Prescription: Murder, which was originally written as a Broadway play and then reworked for television. The film set up a number of tropes for the upcoming TV series: the seeming ineptitude of detective Columbo and the intricate cat-and-mouse mysteries in which the killer, known to viewers, seemed to dance around the detective's bumbling investigations. Columbo became a TV series in 1971, with a young 25-year-old Steven Spielberg helming the very first episode. The series was an unqualified hit for NBC, and ran through 1977 in 90 or 120 minute movie-length segments that appeared every third week as part of the network's "Sunday Mystery Movie" series, with a wide variety of acclaimed guest stars. Even after it went off the air, it spawned the short-lived Mrs. Columbo (based on the detective's unseen wife), starring a young Kate Mulgrew.
While becoming one of the signature television stars of the 1970s, Falk also appeared on the big screen in two of close friend John Cassavetes' films, Husbands (1970) and the Oscar-nominated A Woman Under the Influence (1971). Falk also played a Sam Spade-style detective in the comedy Murder By Death, and also starred in The Brink's Job (1978), The Cheap Detective (also 1978), and The In-Laws (1979). After the Columbo series came to a close in 1977, Falk continued acting in film, appearing in two highly notable roles in 1987: the storybook-reading Grandfather in Rob Reiner's The Princess Bride, and an acclaimed turn as a slightly modified version of himself as a man who converses with angels in Wim Wender's Wings of Desire. He returned to the role of Columbo in 1989 when ABC began commission TV movies centered on the character that would appear twice a year. After his last Columbo turn in 2003, Falk appeared sporadically in film and TV, his last role in the 2009 indie comedy American Cowslip.
In December 2008, his daughter Catherine Falk had filed court documents stating her father suffered from Alzheimer's Disease and petitioned to be his guardian; he is survived by his two daughters and wife, Shera.
Though he received two Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor in 1960 and 1961 for Murder, Inc. and Pocketful of Miracles, and was an acclaimed stage actor, winning a Tony Award for 1972's The Prisoner of Second Avenue, he was known to millions as the irascible Lieutenant Columbo, one of television most beloved detectives, whose apparent absent-mindedness belied his cunning deductive skills and ease at outwitting even the most clever and devious of criminals. In all, he received four Emmy Awards and 10 nominations for the role, which he played from 1968 (in the TV film Prescription: Murder) to a special 2003 episode of the series.
Born in New York City in 1927, Falk underwent surgery at only the age of three to have his right eye removed because of a malignant tumor; for the rest of his life he would wear a glass eye, which became one of his most notable traits. Rejected by the armed forces because of his eyesight, he enlisted in the Merchant Marines during World War II, returning home to finish his college education, obtaining a master's degree in public administration and taking a job as an efficiency expert in Hartford, Connecticut in the early 1950s. It was there that he began his acting career, studying with the acclaimed actress and teacher Eva Le Gallienne. After moving to New York to pursue acting full time, he co-starred in the 1956 revival of The Iceman Cometh alongside Jason Robards, and was on Broadway within the same year, and started appearing on television as well. In the late '50s he took a number of small film roles, and was hailed by critics for his turn as a murderer in the 1960 gangster film Murder Inc., which proved to be his breakthrough role. An Oscar nomination followed, as did a role in Frank Capra's Pocketful of Miracles the next year, which was the acclaimed director's last film and for which Falk received a second Oscar nod.
With back-to-back Academy Award nominations and his first Emmy Award (for a 1961 episode of The Dick Powell Theater), Falk worked steadily throughout the 1960s in both television and film, with small roles in It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World and Robin and the 7 Hoods, and a starring role in the short-lived legal TV series The Trials of O'Brien. He first played the role of Lieutenant Columbo in the 1968 TV movie Prescription: Murder, which was originally written as a Broadway play and then reworked for television. The film set up a number of tropes for the upcoming TV series: the seeming ineptitude of detective Columbo and the intricate cat-and-mouse mysteries in which the killer, known to viewers, seemed to dance around the detective's bumbling investigations. Columbo became a TV series in 1971, with a young 25-year-old Steven Spielberg helming the very first episode. The series was an unqualified hit for NBC, and ran through 1977 in 90 or 120 minute movie-length segments that appeared every third week as part of the network's "Sunday Mystery Movie" series, with a wide variety of acclaimed guest stars. Even after it went off the air, it spawned the short-lived Mrs. Columbo (based on the detective's unseen wife), starring a young Kate Mulgrew.
While becoming one of the signature television stars of the 1970s, Falk also appeared on the big screen in two of close friend John Cassavetes' films, Husbands (1970) and the Oscar-nominated A Woman Under the Influence (1971). Falk also played a Sam Spade-style detective in the comedy Murder By Death, and also starred in The Brink's Job (1978), The Cheap Detective (also 1978), and The In-Laws (1979). After the Columbo series came to a close in 1977, Falk continued acting in film, appearing in two highly notable roles in 1987: the storybook-reading Grandfather in Rob Reiner's The Princess Bride, and an acclaimed turn as a slightly modified version of himself as a man who converses with angels in Wim Wender's Wings of Desire. He returned to the role of Columbo in 1989 when ABC began commission TV movies centered on the character that would appear twice a year. After his last Columbo turn in 2003, Falk appeared sporadically in film and TV, his last role in the 2009 indie comedy American Cowslip.
In December 2008, his daughter Catherine Falk had filed court documents stating her father suffered from Alzheimer's Disease and petitioned to be his guardian; he is survived by his two daughters and wife, Shera.
- 6/24/2011
- IMDb News
Red has one of the bigger-name casts of all the fall flicks: Helen Mirren, John Malkovich, Bruce Willis, and Morgan Freeman. By our count that's 11 Academy Award nominations and two wins. Does it live up to the talent involved?
"...it's absolutely, thoroughly enjoyable. Red rocks like some giddy mash-up of It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World, The Manchurian Candidate, Three Days of the Condor, and every movie ever made in which a hired gun yanks at his holster for One Last Stand to kill the one who brung him in the first place."
— Robert Wilonsky, Village Voice
"Although tailor-made for genre fans, it benefits from flavors of humor and romance that keep its appeal from being fanboy-only."
— John DeFore, Hollywood Reporter
"...serves as a throwback to the no-gloss psychological tack of Walking Tall and other '70s exploitation classics..."
— Peter Debruge, Variety
"Red stands for "Retired, Extremely Dangerous," though "Reasonably Entertaining Diversion" works too.
"...it's absolutely, thoroughly enjoyable. Red rocks like some giddy mash-up of It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World, The Manchurian Candidate, Three Days of the Condor, and every movie ever made in which a hired gun yanks at his holster for One Last Stand to kill the one who brung him in the first place."
— Robert Wilonsky, Village Voice
"Although tailor-made for genre fans, it benefits from flavors of humor and romance that keep its appeal from being fanboy-only."
— John DeFore, Hollywood Reporter
"...serves as a throwback to the no-gloss psychological tack of Walking Tall and other '70s exploitation classics..."
— Peter Debruge, Variety
"Red stands for "Retired, Extremely Dangerous," though "Reasonably Entertaining Diversion" works too.
- 10/14/2010
- by reelz reelz
- Reelzchannel.com
Bruce Campbell is reportedly planning a horror equivalent of The Expendables. If this is the case, who would star in it, and what gory events would take place? Here are Duncan’s suggestions…
Now, news that Bruce Campbell is reportedly planning a horror equivalent of The Expendables is, in itself, enough to make me want to proclaim that the world is a beautiful place, filled with beautiful things, as merely putting just Bruce Campbell in a film is normally enough to get me to watch it. But, let's all calm down for a minute and look a bit closer at the facts.
In a recent interview with the La Times, Mr Campbell was asked about his concept for taking Bruce Vs. Frankenstein (a sequel to 2007's My Name Is Bruce) and making it 'The Expendables of horror'. His reply was: "Yeah, The Expendables, or more like the It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World...
Now, news that Bruce Campbell is reportedly planning a horror equivalent of The Expendables is, in itself, enough to make me want to proclaim that the world is a beautiful place, filled with beautiful things, as merely putting just Bruce Campbell in a film is normally enough to get me to watch it. But, let's all calm down for a minute and look a bit closer at the facts.
In a recent interview with the La Times, Mr Campbell was asked about his concept for taking Bruce Vs. Frankenstein (a sequel to 2007's My Name Is Bruce) and making it 'The Expendables of horror'. His reply was: "Yeah, The Expendables, or more like the It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World...
- 9/14/2010
- Den of Geek
Another round of programming announcements from Fantastic Fest includes the news that Robert Schwentke's graphic novel adaptation "Red," starring Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich and Helen Mirren as former CIA agents forced back into action, will be screening as a sneak preview at the festival, as will "Mother's Day," starring Rebecca De Mornay, the new film from "Repo! The Genetic Opera"'s Darren Bousman. More exciting to me personally is the announcement that Bill Pullman will be appearing in person to help mock "Independence Day" in a special Master Pancake Theater screening of the Roland Emmerich alien disaster epic.
The complete announcement, descriptions courtesy of the festival:
Premieres
Agnosia (2010)
Director: Eugenio Mira, Spain, World Premiere
The producers of Pan's Labyrinth and The Orphanage present a truly unique romantic thriller from Fantastic Fest veteran Eugenio Mira (The Birthday). "I've read few screenplays in my life that have impressed me as much as Agnosia,...
The complete announcement, descriptions courtesy of the festival:
Premieres
Agnosia (2010)
Director: Eugenio Mira, Spain, World Premiere
The producers of Pan's Labyrinth and The Orphanage present a truly unique romantic thriller from Fantastic Fest veteran Eugenio Mira (The Birthday). "I've read few screenplays in my life that have impressed me as much as Agnosia,...
- 9/8/2010
- by Alison Willmore
- ifc.com
And the third wave is here. Our own Austin correspondent rochefort will be providing coverage. What do we like?
Spanish baroque thriller Agnois.
Technicolor fantasy actioner Bunraku.
Álex de la Iglesia's The Last Circus (Balada Triste).
and many more!
Fantastic fest runs from September 23rd to September 30th in Austin, TX at the Alamo Drafthouse. Purchase tickets at the official website.
The entire third wave after the break!
Premiere Screenings
Agnosia (2010)
Director: Eugenio Mira, Spain, World Premiere
The producers of Pan's Labyrinth and The Orphanage present a truly unique romantic thriller from Fantastic Fest veteran Eugenio Mira (The Birthday). "I've read few screenplays in my life that have impressed me as much as Agnosia," said director Guillermo del Toro. Director Eugenio Mira will be live in person.
Bunraku (2010)
Director: Guy Moshe, USA, Us Premiere
In a world with no guns, a mysterious drifter (Josh Hartnett), a young samurai and...
Spanish baroque thriller Agnois.
Technicolor fantasy actioner Bunraku.
Álex de la Iglesia's The Last Circus (Balada Triste).
and many more!
Fantastic fest runs from September 23rd to September 30th in Austin, TX at the Alamo Drafthouse. Purchase tickets at the official website.
The entire third wave after the break!
Premiere Screenings
Agnosia (2010)
Director: Eugenio Mira, Spain, World Premiere
The producers of Pan's Labyrinth and The Orphanage present a truly unique romantic thriller from Fantastic Fest veteran Eugenio Mira (The Birthday). "I've read few screenplays in my life that have impressed me as much as Agnosia," said director Guillermo del Toro. Director Eugenio Mira will be live in person.
Bunraku (2010)
Director: Guy Moshe, USA, Us Premiere
In a world with no guns, a mysterious drifter (Josh Hartnett), a young samurai and...
- 9/8/2010
- QuietEarth.us
At first this sounded like an April Fools-worthy kind of article. Think about it, you have Bruce Campbell shooting his mouth off wanting a horror actor version of "The Expendables". How totally cool would that be? After clicking on the link and reading what Campbell had to say, it could be a reality. "Yeah, "The Expendables," or more like the "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World" of horror. I want to get so many horror movie stars that people can't possibly not see the movie. I want to give them other stuff to do. I want to have Kane Hodder be very particular about what he eats. I want Robert Englund to be a tough guy, like he knows tae kwon do or something. I want to find out the hidden sides of all these people. Some will play themselves, some will play alternate characters as well. I may...
- 9/3/2010
- LRMonline.com
MTV has picked up a couple of hints from Bruce Campbell about Bruce Vs. Frankenstein, the planned sequel to his 2007 My Name is Bruce.Shooting was due to start in the autumn, but commitments to his role in TV's Burn Notice - specifically to a TV movie spin-off that he's shooting during the hiatus - has meant having to "push" BvF to the next Burn Notice break.It's still definitely on though, with Bruce clearly keeping his eye on the zeigeist. "I want every horror icon in the movie," he says. Are we talking about the horror Expendables? Not so much that, says Bruce, as "the horror It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World". Maybe not quite so zeitgeisty after all then, although the idea of Bruce, Robert Englund, Kane Hodder, Gunnar Hansen, Bill Moseley, Michael Berryman, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tony Todd, Angus Scrimm, Danielle Harris and Warwick Davies chasing...
- 8/25/2010
- EmpireOnline
I never thought I'd see anyone on Mad Men shouting "Monster!" at a movie screen but that's why Mad Men at the Movies is great fun to write. You never know what's coming.
Episode 4.3 "The Good News"
In this episode, Joan focused for once (yay Christina Hendricks!) the worlds curviest office manager handles her confusing marriage with surprise tenderness and her career with less control than usual, her temper flaring. Meanwhile, Don (Jon Hamm) travels to see his first ex-wife and gets very bad news. He returns home early, ditching a planned Apaculpco vacation. Come the middle of the holiday afternoon, Lane (Jared Harris) and Don are already drunk and planning a boys night out. Don: [drunk, with mouth full] We're going to the movies.
Lane: Do you think we should?
Don: Does Howdy Doody have a wooden dick? [reading from newspaper] Zorba the Greek -- seen it, but would see it again. It's a Mad Mad Mad World -- no kidding.
Episode 4.3 "The Good News"
In this episode, Joan focused for once (yay Christina Hendricks!) the worlds curviest office manager handles her confusing marriage with surprise tenderness and her career with less control than usual, her temper flaring. Meanwhile, Don (Jon Hamm) travels to see his first ex-wife and gets very bad news. He returns home early, ditching a planned Apaculpco vacation. Come the middle of the holiday afternoon, Lane (Jared Harris) and Don are already drunk and planning a boys night out. Don: [drunk, with mouth full] We're going to the movies.
Lane: Do you think we should?
Don: Does Howdy Doody have a wooden dick? [reading from newspaper] Zorba the Greek -- seen it, but would see it again. It's a Mad Mad Mad World -- no kidding.
- 8/10/2010
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
Actress Dorothy Provine has died after a battle with emphysema.
The star passed away on Sunday at a hospice in Bremerton, Washington at the age of 75, reports Reuters.
Her career began after she landed the title role in 1958's The Bonnie Parker Story - just three days after moving from a small town in South Dakota to Hollywood.
She later went on to star in The 30 Foot Bride of Candy Rock with Lou Costello, and played Jack Lemmon's wife in Good Neighbor Sam.
Provine also appeared in 1963 comedy It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World as well as Live Fast, Die Young and Never a Dull Moment, opposite Dick Van Dyke.
She is survived by her husband, TV director Robert Day.
The star passed away on Sunday at a hospice in Bremerton, Washington at the age of 75, reports Reuters.
Her career began after she landed the title role in 1958's The Bonnie Parker Story - just three days after moving from a small town in South Dakota to Hollywood.
She later went on to star in The 30 Foot Bride of Candy Rock with Lou Costello, and played Jack Lemmon's wife in Good Neighbor Sam.
Provine also appeared in 1963 comedy It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World as well as Live Fast, Die Young and Never a Dull Moment, opposite Dick Van Dyke.
She is survived by her husband, TV director Robert Day.
- 4/29/2010
- WENN
For better or worse, we live in the age of the action homage, in which popular filmmakers clutch their self-awareness like a talisman against their fears of the unknown -- whether manifested through the sublime referentiality of "Inglourious Basterds" or the neurotic mimicry of "Watchmen." What to make, then, of a film like Kim Ji-woon's "The Good, the Bad, the Weird," which initially seems disastrously ill-conceived but quickly develops an unholy energy all its own? You kind of want to hate it -- do we really need another goddamned love letter to Spaghetti Westerns? -- but dear lord, how it moves.
It helps, of course, that Kim isn't really interested in making a Western so much as mixing together a bunch of action styles and seeing what comes out. The film, set in 1940s Manchuria, gives us a trio of Korean badasses in search of hidden treasure, each of them...
It helps, of course, that Kim isn't really interested in making a Western so much as mixing together a bunch of action styles and seeing what comes out. The film, set in 1940s Manchuria, gives us a trio of Korean badasses in search of hidden treasure, each of them...
- 4/21/2010
- by Bilge Ebiri
- ifc.com
Deadline is reporting that Neil Patrick Harris (Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle) has joined the CG/live-action "Smurfs" movie. He will play the lead live-action character. In the new movie a first-time expectant mother is faced with juggling both an overworked husband and, ultimately, a household full of Smurfs. Jonathan Winters (It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World) will voice Papa Smurf. Raja Gosnell (Beverly Hills Chihuahua, Scooby-Doo) is directing the new 3D movie which is set to go in front of the cameras in April and scheduled to hit theaters on July 29th, 2011. Click here to read more about "The Smurfs."...
- 3/4/2010
- WorstPreviews.com
Winters Goes Smurfing: 84-year-old Jonathan Winters (It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World) is set to provide his voice to that of Papa Smurf in the Columbia Pictures' The Smufs, the CGI adaptation of the 1981 NBC cartoon, which originates from the 1958 Belgian comic strip. [Ugo]
Browning is a Beauty: Emily Browning (The Uninvited) gives good reason for the category for these casting posts as she replaces Alice in Wonderland star Mia Wasikowska in Julia Leigh's Sleeping Beauty, a haunting erotic fairy tale about a student who drifts into prostitution and finds her niche as a woman who sleeps, drugged, in a 'Sleeping Beauty chamber' while men do to her what she can't remember the next morning. Yeah, we're not talking Disney here with the mild spindle prick. Browning will next be seen in Zack Snyder's Sucker Punch. [The Australian via The Playlist]
Will Gosling Drive for Winding Refn? Nicolas Winding Refn (Bronson) is...
Browning is a Beauty: Emily Browning (The Uninvited) gives good reason for the category for these casting posts as she replaces Alice in Wonderland star Mia Wasikowska in Julia Leigh's Sleeping Beauty, a haunting erotic fairy tale about a student who drifts into prostitution and finds her niche as a woman who sleeps, drugged, in a 'Sleeping Beauty chamber' while men do to her what she can't remember the next morning. Yeah, we're not talking Disney here with the mild spindle prick. Browning will next be seen in Zack Snyder's Sucker Punch. [The Australian via The Playlist]
Will Gosling Drive for Winding Refn? Nicolas Winding Refn (Bronson) is...
- 2/11/2010
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Information about the upcoming live-action/CGI "Smurfs" movie has been leaking out on a consistent basis. We have already seen a rendered shot of the blue characters, a casting call for the two major roles, and we now know who will play Papa Smurf. According to Ugo, Papa Smurf will be voiced by the 84-year-old Jonathan Winters (It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World). In addition to many films and television appearances, Winters actually voiced various characters on the original 1981 "Smurfs" show. In the new movie a first-time expectant mother is faced with juggling both an overworked husband and, ultimately, a household full of Smurfs. Click here to read more about "Smurfs."...
- 2/11/2010
- WorstPreviews.com
Funny movies make us laugh, that’s a no-brainer. But, what happens when you get a movie with Lots of funny people in it? Chances are, if it’s done well, you get an exponentially funnier movie. It’s like asking someone if they’d like a scoop of ice cream, or if they’d like three scoops of ice cream with hot fudge, caramel, whipped topping, nuts, sprinkles (gotta have sprinkles) and a cherry on top… it’s an easy decision. That’s sort of like asking someone if they want to see Mike Judge’s new comedy Extract, which opens nationwide in theaters this Friday. This should be an easy decision as well. So, we Movie Geeks decided to reflect on these movies and “extract” a list of our Top Ten Best Ensemble Comedies.
10. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
One of the most quotable, most intelligently ridiculous films of all time,...
10. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
One of the most quotable, most intelligently ridiculous films of all time,...
- 9/1/2009
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Actress/singer Edie Adams has died of pneumonia and cancer, according to her son Josh Mills.
Adams passed away on Wednesday in Los Angeles, aged 81.
She is best-known as the face of Muriel cigars - starring in a series of commercials that ran over 19 years - although her career spanned across the stage, nightclubs, movie screens and television.
A graduate of New York's prestigious Juilliard school, Adams got her start in entertainment in 1950 as the winner of the Miss U.S. Television beauty pageant, which shot her to TV-stardom with an appearance on comedian Milton Berle's television show.
Her TV roles, including a 1963 appearance with Sammy Davis Jr., received five Emmy nominations.
She also sang on classic comedy series The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour in 1960, marking the show's final episode with a rendition of That's All.
Adams later became a Broadway star with roles in 1953 musical Wonderful Town, and 1956s Li'l Abner.
In the 1960s, she took to the silver screen, appearing in films including It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, The Apartment, Under the Yum Yum Tree and Lover Come Back - opposite Doris Day and Rock Hudson.
Adams later returned to TV in the 1970s and 80s with roles in The Love Boat, Murder, She Wrote, and Designing Women.
She is survived by her son Mills.
Adams passed away on Wednesday in Los Angeles, aged 81.
She is best-known as the face of Muriel cigars - starring in a series of commercials that ran over 19 years - although her career spanned across the stage, nightclubs, movie screens and television.
A graduate of New York's prestigious Juilliard school, Adams got her start in entertainment in 1950 as the winner of the Miss U.S. Television beauty pageant, which shot her to TV-stardom with an appearance on comedian Milton Berle's television show.
Her TV roles, including a 1963 appearance with Sammy Davis Jr., received five Emmy nominations.
She also sang on classic comedy series The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour in 1960, marking the show's final episode with a rendition of That's All.
Adams later became a Broadway star with roles in 1953 musical Wonderful Town, and 1956s Li'l Abner.
In the 1960s, she took to the silver screen, appearing in films including It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, The Apartment, Under the Yum Yum Tree and Lover Come Back - opposite Doris Day and Rock Hudson.
Adams later returned to TV in the 1970s and 80s with roles in The Love Boat, Murder, She Wrote, and Designing Women.
She is survived by her son Mills.
- 10/16/2008
- WENN
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World just got a little madder.
Ed Bass, one of the producers behind Bobby, and Karen Sharpe Kramer, the widow of Mad World director Stanley Kramer, have teamed to make a sequel to the comedy classic.
Titled "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, MAD World," the film would be, like the 1963 film, a large ensemble movie mixing comics and dramatic actors. The story follows the descendants of the characters from the first movie who are thrust into another madcap chase to find a cache of money after it is revealed that the money found in the first movie was counterfeit.
Bass' relationship with the sequel began in 1991 when he produced the Mad World documentary Something a Little Less Serious with Stanley Kramer. The two began planning a sequel, but Kramer became ill, and the project was put on hold. Kramer died in 2001.
A sequel was further derailed when Paramount released 2001's Rat Race, which had a similar concept.
Bass reconnected last year with Karen Sharpe Kramer -- who held the rights and had produced a TV remake of her husband's Western classic High Noon -- when making Bobby.
Ed Bass, one of the producers behind Bobby, and Karen Sharpe Kramer, the widow of Mad World director Stanley Kramer, have teamed to make a sequel to the comedy classic.
Titled "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, MAD World," the film would be, like the 1963 film, a large ensemble movie mixing comics and dramatic actors. The story follows the descendants of the characters from the first movie who are thrust into another madcap chase to find a cache of money after it is revealed that the money found in the first movie was counterfeit.
Bass' relationship with the sequel began in 1991 when he produced the Mad World documentary Something a Little Less Serious with Stanley Kramer. The two began planning a sequel, but Kramer became ill, and the project was put on hold. Kramer died in 2001.
A sequel was further derailed when Paramount released 2001's Rat Race, which had a similar concept.
Bass reconnected last year with Karen Sharpe Kramer -- who held the rights and had produced a TV remake of her husband's Western classic High Noon -- when making Bobby.
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