#oscars casting directors 2014

[tllgrrl]

Adepero Oduye at the 2014 Academy Awards for 12 Years a Slave starring Chewitel Ejiofor and Lupita Nyong’o.

[myoddessy]

CONEY ISLAND CHARACTER PROFILE

series masterlist

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS!

Y/N L/N —TV Actress/Singer/Model

BIRTHDAY —July 5TH, 1998

BIRTH SIGN —Cancer

BIRTHPLACE —Monte Carlo, Monaco

AGE (as of 2018) —20

#3 MOST POPULAR ✰ BOOST

ABOUT

Famous for her breakout role in the French, Oscar-winning film, "Enchanté", where she played a young girl learning of love and of life through art and foreign cinema. (For this film, Y/n won her first of many Academy Awards, and made history as the youngest nominee to win in said category.) In 2014, she released an album entitled 'As I am' which delved into her troubled personal life and how she fears that there will come a day when those she loves will grow bored of her. 5 of the album's 11 tracks made it onto Billboard's top 100, while a further 2 topped the list for three weeks post-release. Additionally, she made her directorial debut with "Little Women" starring Saoirse Ronan, Timotheé Chalamet, and Florence Pugh, where she also played the role of the eldest March sister, Meg. That year, she won the Academy Award for best director.

BEFORE FAME

She began her acting career at the age of six, where she starred in a number of commercials and minor appearances in soap operas. She also began modeling at a young age, and can be found on the cover of several textbooks.

TRIVIA

In 2015, she was casted for the French dubbing of Joy in the Pixar movie "Inside Out". In 2017, Y/n launched her beauty and cosmetics company "Bare", a brand dedicated to creating a diverse range of product shades and cruelty-free cosmetics. She hosted SNL for the first time on March 11th, 2016

FAMILY LIFE

Despite keeping her personal life quite private, many sources have been able to gather that she has a very close relationship with her mother and two brothers, and is the middle child. We do not know anything about her father. As far as we know, none of her family is involved in showbusiness.

ASSOCIATED WITH

She is most commonly associated with her long-term boyfriend, Formula 1 driver, Charles Leclerc.

POPULARITY

Most Popular #3

Born on July 5th #1

TV Actress #2

Singer #5

Model #2

20 Year Old #1

Born in Monaco #1

Cancer #2

SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS!

taglist — @lilsiz , @formula-hamilton

if you would like to be tagged in future series parts, either comment, dm me, or send a message into my inbox! 💞💞

[eddieredmayneargentinablog]

New! "See Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin in First Rehearsal Photos for Broadway's Cabaret Revival (Exclusive)"

Redmayne and Rankin's casting in the revival was first announced back in October 2023.

By Jen Juneau and Dave Quinn. Published on February 13, 2024.

Photos by Jenny Anderson

PEOPLE has an exclusive glimpse at rehearsals for the upcoming Broadway revival, which stars Gayle Rankin as Sally Bowles and Eddie Redmayne as the Emcee.

In one snapshot, Redmayne, 42, and Rankin, 34, smiled at something off camera, while dressed fashionably. The Oscar and Tony winner wore a patterned zip-up sweater and dark slacks, while the House of the Dragon actress rocked a black vest over matching wide-leg pants and a beret.

A second photo showed the pair with a bit more serious expressions on their faces, turned away from the camera as Redmayne put his arm around his costar's shoulders.

 Cabaret will be directed by the West End production's director, Rebecca Frecknall, and begin playing in previews at the August Wilson Theatre on April 1, with an official opening April 21. The show features a book by Joe Masteroff, with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb.

Cabaret tells the story of Sally Bowles, an English cabaret performer who performs at the Kit Kat Club in Berlin between World Wars I and II, and explores related themes of the time period as well as life at the club.

The show first opened on Broadway in 1966 and the West End in 1968, and has enjoyed several revivals since — most recently in 2021 for London and 2014 in New York City.

The Emcee is not new to Redmayne, as he played the role from 2021 to 2022 in London during the West End revival.

 In a statement in October 2023, the Fantastic Beasts actor said his experience with the character goes back more than two decades, when he played the Emcee in a student production of Cabaret.

Noting that his "love for theater was properly ignited" then, Redmayne added, "It now feels completely thrilling and a little surreal to be a part of Rebecca's truly unique vision of Masteroff, Kander, and Ebb's brilliance as it arrives on Broadway, where the piece has such a history."

Frecknall said in a statement at the time that she is "so excited to be reuniting with Eddie as our devilishly seductive Emcee, the metaphorical soul of Berlin."

"I cannot wait to dive into rehearsals with Gayle, a fearless actor of supreme talent, as she explores Cabaret's magnetic core, the breathtaking and heartbreaking Sally Bowles," she added.

Redmayne also gave props to Scottish actress Rankin, saying he was "beyond excited to be doing it arm-in-arm" with her, as well as "a truly stunning cast and team."

"I am hoping we will create an experience for you quite unlike any other," he added.

Tickets for Cabaret on Broadway are on sale now at kitkat.club.

[nothingnothingaaa]

Every Actor Who’s Played Batman, Ranked from Worst to Best

By Insider, June 16 2023

10. GEORGE CLOONEY - BATMAN & ROBIN (1997); THE FLASH (2023)

George Clooney in "Batman & Robin." Warner Bros.

Still trying to find his footing post-"ER," Clooney was jumping back and forth between romantic comedies and action movies when he took the Batman role after Val Kilmer was one-and-done in "Batman Forever." It turned out to be a disaster. Fans were exhausted by director Joel Schumacher's colorful aesthetic and the cartoonish villains played by Arnold Schwarzenegger (Mr. Freeze) and Uma Thurman (Poison Ivy) fell flat. Plus, Clooney's Batman was too jokey turning the gruff Dark Knight into someone playful and soft. Back in 2013, Clooney said that he keeps a photo of himself as Batman to remind him how bad of a decision that was. However, the Oscar-winner had a little fun with his superhero status for "The Flash" as he appears as Bruce Wayne at the end of the movie, indicating that Barry Allen isn't in his universe.

9. LEWIS G. WILSON - THE BATMAN TV SHOW (1943)

Lewis G. Wilson in "The Batman" TV show. Columbia Pictures

Wilson has the distinction of being the first actor to play Batman starring in the 1943 series. Though he had the comics as a reference point, Wilson was still at a disadvantage being the first to put on the tights. He holds his own, but it's certainly not a performance that is memorable. Just take a look at him in the role.

8. ROBERT LOWERY - BATMAN AND ROBIN TV SHOW (1949)

Robert Lowery in the "Batman & Robin" TV show. Columbia Pictures

The second effort at a Batman TV series led to the casting of a bigger actor to play Batman. Lowery's physique and the show's better fight scenes make for a more enjoyable experience.

7. WILL ARNETT - THE LEGO MOVIE (2014); THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE (2017); THE LEGO MOVIE 2: THE SECOND PART (2019)

Will Arnett voices Lego Batman. Warner Bros. Animation

It's tough to say whether Arnett has it easier or tougher having to do only a Batman voice to play the Lego version, but it's entertaining regardless. He voiced the character perfectly in "The Lego Movie," "The Lego Batman Movie," and "The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part."

6. BEN AFFLECK - BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE (2016); SUICIDE SQUAD (2016); JUSTICE LEAGUE (2017); ZACK SNYDER'S JUSTICE LEAGUE (2021); THE FLASH (2023)

Ben Affleck in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice." Warner Bros.

Most of the actors on this list had to deal with scrutiny when they agreed to take the Batman role. But you could arguably say Ben Affleck has had it the worst. Dealing with the social media hate that comes with being a superstar in today's world, Affleck had the cards stacked against him as soon as he was cast in "Batman v Superman." But he did well playing the character as brooding and past-his-prime.

5. VAL KILMER - BATMAN FOREVER (1995)

Val Kilmer in "Batman Forever." Warner Bros.

Having to replace Michael Keaton after he dropped out of making a third Batman movie, Kilmer came in with a smoother style, and audiences enjoyed it. The movie made more than "Batman Returns." It would have been interesting to see what would have happened if Kilmer had stayed on for another movie.

4. ADAM WEST - BATMAN TV SHOW (1966); THE FLASH (2023)

Adam West in the "Batman" TV show. 20th Century Fox

Love it or hate it, West's Batman portrayal is singular and permanently imprinted on many brains. He's the first image many of us have of the character (he's even Christian Bale's favorite Batman). West gave the character a squeaky-clean persona that was perfect for the kid-friendly show. The only knock on him: His fighting abilities were less than desired.

3. ROBERT PATTINSON - THE BATMAN (2022)

Robert Pattinson in "The Batman." Warner Bros.

Pattinson's Batman is still very rough around the edges as we focus on the character in his second year as Gotham's Dark Knight. And that's what makes it so appealing as instead of watching Bruce Wayne in his prime as a superhero here he's using his raw talent and desire to make Gotham better to get through every night.  Also, Pattinson plays the character with such darkness and fury you can't take your eyes off of him.

2. CHRISTIAN BALE - BATMAN BEGINS (2005); THE DARK KNIGHT (2008); THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (2012)

Christian Bale in "Batman Begins." Warner Bros.

Bale's acting chops and dedication to the characters he takes on are unquestioned, and he certainly delivered in the three times he played the character. The argument could be made that you could never understand Bale when he spoke as Batman or that he was helped heavily by the creative force that is director Christopher Nolan. Regardless, Bale brought an intensity to the character that had never been seen before. 

1. MICHAEL KEATON - BATMAN (1989); BATMAN RETURNS (1992); THE FLASH (2023)

Michael Keaton in "Batman." Warner Bros.

The casting of Keaton is definitely up there as one of the biggest gambles a studio has ever made. Known best for his comedic work, Keaton faced a near-universal fan backlash when announced for the 1989 film. But Keaton proved everyone wrong, and along with director Tim Burton brought legitimacy back to a franchise that was on life support by then. Playing the character as dark and mysterious, yet still capable of a wry laugh, Keaton paved the way for how Batman would be seen for the decades to come. And decades later he reprised his role for "The Flash," once more proved he's the best Dark Knight as he's a major highlight of the movie. Keaton is so confident in his performance in the role that he can say, "I'm Batman." And you know what? We think he's right.

HONORABLE MENTION: WE CAN'T LEAVE OUT KEVIN CONROY

Kevin Conroy is the voice of the animated Batman. Warner Bros.

Though numerous actors have voiced Batman, there's one who stands out. Kevin Conroy has basically become "the voice" of the Dark Knight, doing the character for "Batman: The Animated Series" in the early 1990s and almost everything else related to Batman in animation and video games until his death in 2022. All hail to the G.O.A.T.!

[wanderinginksplot]

What to watch during the ongoing WGA strike

As the WGA strike keeps going, put the pressure where it belongs: on big companies, not the writers working for better conditions.

While we wait for new content (after an equitable agreement), here are some lesser-known movies, along with the (US) streaming services where they can be found. Feel free to add on with a title, short description, and where it can be found!

(Television show version here!)

Films listed under the cut!

Netflix:

The Gray Man (2022) - Rated R. A CIA spook known only as Sierra Six (Ryan Gosling) is assigned to kill a former Sierra member... only to find himself at the center of a conspiracy. At the same time, he becomes the target of a sadistic ex-CIA mercenary (Chris Evans).

Genre: Action/thriller. There are likely to be more Gray Man films coming in the near future, along with a television show based on Chris Evans's chillingly villainous Lloyd Hansen.

Rocky (1976) - Rated PG. Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) is a washed-up boxer who works as a Mafia enforcer. He gets an unexpected chance at glory when boxer Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) wants to fight an unknown.

Genre: Drama/sports. If you don't know the story behind Rocky, it's almost as good as the movie itself!

The Imitation Game (2014) - Rated PG-13. The story of Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch), particularly his work in World War II to decode Enigma transmissions intercepted from the Axis powers.

Genre: Biographical drama. The Imitation Game is the story of Alan Turing's life, both triumphs and tragedies. It contains themes of hidden homosexuality, cruel and unusual punishment, and suicide.

Max:

Triple Frontier (2019) - Rated R. An ex-Delta Force soldier (Oscar Isaac) asks his prior teammates to come on one final mission, with the promise of an incredible payout.

Genre: Action/adventure. Triple Frontier is a typical action/adventure movie with some interesting effects and a cast (Isaac, Ben Affleck, Pedro Pascal, Charlie Hunnam, and Garrett Hedlund) that elevates it a little further.

Parasite (2019) - Rated R. The Kim family struggles to make ends meet until Ki-woo is referred to tutor a rich teenager. Through manipulation and daring, the entire Kim family ends up employed by the unknowing Park family.

Genre: Black comedy/thriller. Full of fascinating dynamics and an interesting look at divisions of wealth in South Korea, it's clear to see why Parasite gained such acclaim.

Casablanca (1942) - Rated PG. Casablanca, Morocco is a popular departure point for people fleeing the Nazis. Jaded nightclub owner Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) must decide whether to risk his life to help his ex (Ingrid Bergman) and her husband escape.

Genre: Romance/drama. Casablanca is considered by many to be the greatest movie ever made. If you haven't seen it, try it. Keep an eye out for dry humor and the way the director uses shadows to keep the black and white film interesting!

Ex Machina (2014) - Rated R. Caleb Smith (Domhnall Gleeson) wins an office lottery to help the company's CEO (Oscar Isaac) test his new AI (Alicia Vikander).

Genre: Sci-fi/psychological thriller. With incredible effects, a labyrinthine plot, and uncomfortable questions about what makes us human, it's easy to see why Ex Machina is considered one of the best sci-fi films of the last decade.

Hulu:

The Last Action Hero (1993) - Rated PG-13. Film fan Danny (Austin O'Brien) goes to see the latest in his favorite franchise, he finds himself pulled into the movie, working alongside his hero Jack Slater (Arnold Schwarzeneggar).

Genre: Fantasy/action/satire. Think of every action trope you associate with Arnold Schwarzeneggar, mix it with a vibe like Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and add some self-aware humor, and you have The Last Action Hero. This is not a popular film among internet aggregators, but I enjoyed it!

Palm Springs (2020) - Rated R. Reluctant maid of honor Sarah (Cristin Milioti) is fascinated by a wedding guest (Andy Samberg) who seems to know more than he should. When she follows him from the wedding, she finds herself stuck with him in a time loop.

Genre: Sci-fi/rom-com. Though Palm Springs has some real COVID-19 quarantine vibes, the plot keeps it from feeling like a time capsule.

Whiplash (2014) - Rated R. Talented drummer Andrew Neiman (Miles Teller) is identified for an elite jazz band by sadistic and manipulative conductor Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons).

Genre: Drama. Though Whiplash is not a horror movie, it is partially produced by Blumhouse Productions. That darkness really shines through in Fletcher's abusive behavior.

Role Models (2008) - Rated R. After a disastrous, drunken day at work, Danny (Paul Rudd) is assigned community service in a big brother program. He is assigned to awkward teenager Augie (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) and accompanies him during his favorite activity: LARPing.

Genre: Humor. Though Role Models can get a little close to cringe comedy, it's got enough genuine humor and heart to get away with it... and even be a little sweet.

Amazon Prime:

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) - Rated R. An author tells the story of Zero Moustafa (Tony Revolori), the owner of a once-grand hotel in the former country of Zubrowka, using several frame stories.

Genre: Drama. Wes Anderson's films have a very characteristic style. The Grand Budapest Hotel features stunning sets, a ton of cameos, and enough quirky humor to keep you entertained!

Hot Fuzz (2007) - Rated R. London police officer Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg) is reassigned to the small town of Sandford. He's frustrated by the small town at first, but a string of murders make him suspect something more is going on...

Genre: Action/comedy. Hot Fuzz is the second installment of the Cornetto Trilogy. It is a satirical look at the cop film genre - and thus has a lot of overdramatic violence - but it manages to stand on its own at the same time.

Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989) - Rated PG. Bill (Alex Winter) and Ted (Keanu Reeves) are two teens more interested in their band than their studies. But if they don't pass their history final, Ted will be sent to military school. A mysterious stranger gives them a time machine, sending them off to write the best essay of all time!

Genre: Comedy/sci-fi. If you're used to Keanu Reeves as a broody hero, you're in for a shock and a treat to see him at his surfer/stoner/slacker best!

The Iron Giant (1999) - Rated PG. In 1957, 9-year-old Hogarth Hughes finds a 50-foot tall robot in the woods. He befriends the giant and the two work to evade the government, who suspect it is an attack on the United States.

Genre: Family/adventure. The Iron Giant is one of the most recognizable and emotional animated films of the 1990s - extra impressive considering it's a Warner Bros film that came out in the middle of the Disney Renaissance!

Disney+

The Boondock Saints (1999) - Rated R. Irish Catholic brothers Connor (Sean Patrick Flanery) and Murphy (Norman Reedus) living in 1990s Boston are sick of the crime on the streets. They decide to take matters into their own hands.

Genre: Crime/drama. The Boondock Saints has low scores on almost every film aggregator site, but is widely considered a cult classic. (Edit: warnings for insensitive portrayal of homosexuality and transgenderism.)

Feel free to reblog this and add your own lesser-known film suggestions! Support the WGA strike!

The Reluctant Dragon (1941) - Rated G. Robert Benchley wants to sell a movie idea to Walt Disney. As he searches for Walt, he wanders through the studio and sees how many of the magical movie effects are done.

Genre: Family/fantasy. I'll admit, this film was included on purpose. Not because it's amazing (it's interesting at best), but because of the story behind it. The Reluctant Dragon was released three weeks after the majority of the animators went on strike. (And most of the "workers" in the film are actually actors, another sore spot.) Disney fired all of the strikers before eventually agreeing to let them unionize and rehiring those who wished to return. (You can read more about the strike here.)

[thecinemarattifilmclub]

Join us as we celebrate the films that we love starting with Movies That Make You Want to HUG the Weekend! The List, in no particular order:

Tenet In Her Shoes John Wick Chicago It's Complicated Train to Busan Honorable Mention: Call Me By Your Name, I Am Legend

Tenet, 2020 From the opening scene, Tenet is an electrifying blend of heart-pounding action and mind-bending science fiction. Director Christopher Nolan delivers a captivating and visually stunning film. The Protagonist, portrayed by John David Washington, is a complex figure who moves through the film asking the same questions we have as viewers. The cast is fantastic, and there's this one unforgettable scene towards the end where The Protagonist has a revelatory, emotionally charged moment with Neil, Robert Pattinson's character, that leaves you heartbroken. I love this movie and will watch it again and again! -Alana

In Her Shoes, 2005 Often overlooked in the flurry of rom-coms released in the early aughts, director Curtis Hanson’s In Her Shoes exists as one of the most endearing films of the genre. In this 2005 gem, the film’s leads, Toni Collette, Cameron Diaz, and Shirley MacLaine, each deliver performances that are beautifully nuanced in telling the story of two estranged sisters finding their way back to each other, and themselves, after reconnecting with their estranged grandmother. Yes, this is a story about love - the unexpected ways we might find it, learning to permit ourselves to experience it, how it profoundly changes us, and what we are willing to do to rebuild it after it’s been broken - but this film is about so much more than that. In Her Shoes pulls the curtain back on how grief and mental illness change our relationships in ways that can reverberate through generations and how we might be able to pick up the pieces and build something beautiful for ourselves. This movie fundamentally changed me when I first watched it. I love watching movies exploring the depths of sisterhood, both loving and complicated, and this one just means so much to me. -Victoria John Wick, 2014 Keanu Reeves, a fan favorite, is dynamite in the John Wick series. The movies are action-packed, well-acted, and feature a simple yet intriguing storyline. Whenever I'm in the mood for an exciting film with snappy dialogue and an interesting cast, I always turn to a John Wick film. Among the series, the original John Wick is my go-to because what's more exhilarating than a grieving hitman seeking vengeance for his puppy and his car? I mean, if "you've effed with the wrong one" was a person, it'd be John Wick. I'm here for it! -Alana Chicago, 2002 Based on the 1926 play and 1975 stage musical of the same name, 2002’s Chicago is a soaring accomplishment from director Rob Marshall. This musical crime dramedy tells the spellbinding tale of Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, both inmates on Murderess’ Row at Cook County Jail, as they chase celebrity and notoriety while awaiting trial. What is at once a tour-de-force of its own merit is also an enchanting homage to its source material, this film is one I simply cannot get enough of. The performances from Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere, and Queen Latifah are electrifying and completely mesmerizing, each wholly embodying their lauded characters. Aside from the spectacular acting each delivers in this film, the musical performances are simply out of this world, with credit to the original music and lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb respectively, of course, but the production comes to life in a whole new way on the big screen. I watch this film a few times a year and highly recommend keeping the soundtrack in your rotation. -Victoria It’s Complicated, 2009 Oscar-nominated writer and director Nancy Meyers followed up a legendary four-film run (The Parent Trap, What Women Want, Something’s Gotta Give, and The Holiday) with 2009’s rom-com It’s Complicated. Starring Meryl Streep, with charming supporting performances from Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin, this film follows a 10-years divorced baker as she navigates life as an empty-nester and discovers what might be next for her - which appears to include an affair with her now-married ex-husband (Baldwin) and a blossoming romance with the architect remodeling her home (Martin). This film explores the complications of divorce and moving on, while highlighting the joys and pits of rediscovering yourself, especially in your golden years. While this film was met with mixed reviews from critics, there is an undeniable sense of the Nancy Meyers charm that makes it the cozy and beloved film it is to me. Like any Meyers film, the set design is a character and story to discover in itself and perhaps one of my favorite elements of this movie - it’s an aesthetic feast! I have loved this movie for years and it’s one of those movies that pulls on your heartstrings, tickles your funny bone, and makes you feel hopeful for the future by the final scene. -Victoria

Train to Busan, 2016 Train to Busan is an electrifying and almost unmatched zombie film. Like any good movie, it has emotional depth. Your investment in the characters and their survival catapults you from scene to scene. Yeon Sang-ho’s directorial choices build the tension and suspense required for the film’s propulsion, but he also incorporates space for you to catch your breath. And with this plot, you'll need it. Gong Yoo and Ma Dong-seok are a great pair, using their ingenuity and sheer power to fight their way through zombie hoards. Whenever I'm looking for something exciting to watch, this film never fails to deliver. -Alana

[mikefaistinfo]

Onstage, ‘Brokeback Mountain’ Is Still a Tragedy

Much has changed for L.G.B.T.Q. people since Annie Proulx’s short story was published in 1997. But a new theatrical version is a reminder that homophobia is far from over.

By Douglas Greenwood - Reporting from London (May 12, 2023, 5:00 a.m. ET)

In 2016, when the theater director Jonathan Butterell was considering a proposal to adapt Annie Proulx’s 1997 short story “Brokeback Mountain” for the stage, he wondered how to translate the prose’s vast landscape and insular emotions into a play.

Last month, in a central London rehearsal studio, Butterell and Ashley Robinson, who wrote the play, tried to answer that question. To help the cast connect with Proulx’s story of a cowboy and a ranch hand falling in love against the wide-stretching landscapes of 1960s Wyoming, black-and-white photographs of American plains and mountain ranges were tacked to the walls during rehearsals.

“The vastness has been there from the very beginning,” Butterell said in a recent interview. When it came to evoking the story’s emotional landscape, the director had stuck one sepia-toned photograph, of a lone cowboy in a snow-covered Wyoming, behind a pillar. The image “speaks to the bit of us that feels alone in the world,” Butterell said. “Maybe he’s at peace with this, maybe it’s the source of his agony.”

Butterell’s “Brokeback Mountain” opened in previews May 10 at @sohoplace in London’s West End. It’s the first time the story has been adapted for theater — an opera by Charles Wuorinen premiered in Madrid in 2014 — and each version now follows in the footsteps of Proulx’s text and the film that popularized it: Ang Lee’s 2005 Academy Award-winning adaptation, which is often cited as one of the best L.G.B.T.Q. films of all time.

Butterell said he was aware of his audience having expectations based on the film. “They’re inevitable,” he said, “but I don’t mind that.”

This theatrical version also has some Hollywood clout. Its lead characters, Jack Twist and Ennis del Mar, are played by the BAFTA-nominated actor Mike Faist and the Oscar-nominated actor Lucas Hedges.

In late 2016, Robinson first wrote a treatment for what he called a “memory play” based on the short story, after speaking with the composer Dan Gillespie Sells and Butterell. Robinson’s script stated that the Wyoming setting should not be conveyed “in a purely literal sense,” and his story is set in 2013, with an older version of del Mar reflecting on the years he spent with Twist between 1963 and 1983.

Proulx approved of Robinson’s vision. She has “high hopes for the play,” she said in a recent email interview. “When I read Ashley’s script several years ago, I thought he had done a fine job.”

In Proulx’s story, del Mar and Twist’s interior worlds are conveyed by an omniscient narrator. In the stage adaptation, music does much of that work.

“These two men can’t sing,” Gillespie Sells said, because “they don’t have an emotional dialogue.” Instead, a character called The Balladeer — played by the Scottish singer-songwriter Eddi Reader — sings with an onstage country and western band. “She takes us through time,” Butterell said. “Sometimes it’s from night to day. Sometimes it’s 10 years.”

“Brokeback Mountain” will be the first time its two lead actors have appeared onstage in five years. Faist, who plays Twist, originated the role of Connor Murphy in “Dear Evan Hansen” on Broadway, and has had more recent success in film, including Steven Spielberg’s 2021 remake of “West Side Story.”

Hedges “hadn’t acted in a while” when he was sent the script, he said, having been focusing on writing instead. The “Brokeback” offer and playing del Mar changed that. “There wasn’t an angle I didn’t love about this,” he said.

As the project entered its final week of rehearsals, both actors were grappling with the process in different ways. Hedges said he was experiencing “tragic and triumphant ups and downs” about his own work. “I have a day where I think I’ve figured it all out, and then a day when it all disappears,” he said. The “collective experience” of theater was daunting compared to working in film, he said, adding that onstage, “I can’t use tricks to make it through.”

Faist concurred: “It’s a challenge, and it’s terrifying,” mainly because of the expectations of having to match the source material and 2005 film, he said. “But as terrifying and frustrating as it is, I really am having the time of my life,” he added.

Butterell said that Faist and Hedges were “as men, as actors, very different creatures.” Faist, he said, had “a sense of life and vivacity,” while Hedges “has this deeply complex interior landscape that’s very much of Ennis.”

Neither Hedges, Faist nor Butterell had revisited Lee’s film since they were approached for the project. “The truth of the matter is, no matter what, he’s not Heath Ledger and I’m not Jake Gyllenhaal,” Faist said of the film’s two lead stars, who both earned Oscar nominations for their performances. He and Hedges, Faist added, would both bring their “own weird things” to the roles.

The production has forced Faist to confront his “traumas,” he said. “We can take those traumas, turn them around,” he added, and, he hopes, make the audience “think deeply about their own lives.”

Following the success of the “Brokeback Mountain” film, Proulx said fans of her text sent her fan fiction that rewrote the ending of her short story, claiming the original was too sad. She told the The Paris Review that those fans had “misunderstood” the story and stated that it was, most importantly, about “homophobia.”

This is the first adaptation of “Brokeback” to be released since the Supreme Court made gay marriage legal in all 50 U.S. states. Robinson — who lives in Brooklyn but was raised in the tiny town of Lockhart, S.C. — said he wrote it to remind audiences that gay trauma still exists.

“These stories aren’t necessarily being told anymore because of a trend to put onstage what we want the world to be,” he said, referring to the theater community. “That’s a wonderful thing to do, but we shouldn’t cancel out all of the opportunities to talk about what’s going on underneath it.”

Butterell added that the fight against homophobia was “not over” in Britain either, citing a recent spike in the number of attacks on L.G.B.T.Q. people.

“This is a tragedy,” Butterell said of the play. “Of course love exists — I don’t want it to be solemn — but the tragedy of this piece is that fear wins.”

Find this article here: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/12/theater/brokeback-mountain-play.html

[world-cinema-research]

It's Alive!!: Young Frankenstein Blog Essay

By: Jillian Arnold

“It’s alive!”

Young Frankenstein is a classic Gene Wilder film that has become a cult classic for Halloween and has taken on different forms, such as on stage as a musical. This film is a parody of the original book by Mary Shelly, Frankenstein. Its fun loving humor and controversial themes has remained a staple through the decades.

The plot follows the story of Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, who has taken on lecturing at a college, but was once a brain surgeon. He quit his former job because of the constant comparison and acknowledgment of his grandfather, Dr. Victor Frankenstein, the original man who experimented on dead beings and attempted to bring them back to life. He even went as far as trying to mispronounce his name as Fron-kon-shteen instead of Frankenstein. He is drawn back to his grandfather’s old castle and laboratory in Transylvania where he meets his aide Igor and assistant Igna, who then help him conduct his grandfather’s old experiments. As the weary town then hears of his arrival and experiments, the group has to escape the town and an investigator as Frankenstien’s fiancee flies in and gets wrapped up in the experiment. 

Here is a link to the trailer. The trailer gives away some of the plot so audiences can understand a little about the movie, but not too much to where it gives away major plot points. 

This film was released on December 15th, 1974 by 20th Century Studios. It was directed by Mel Brooks and was co-written . The film starred Gene Wilder as Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, Marty Feldman as Igor, Teri Garr as Igna, and Peter Boyle as The Monster. The movie earned $86,274,406 worldwide, even with its $2,800,000 budget. The film had 11 wins and 8 nominations, with Gene Wilder and Mel Brooks being nominated for Best Writing at the 1975 Oscars awards. 

Photo of the cast behind the scenes on the set of the movie, in Frankenstein’s laboratory. This is what the cast and set looked like without the infamous black-and-white coloring throughout the film.

Although this movie is infamous for its humor and its original take on the original story of Frankenstein, it does have its controversy. At one point of the movie, Dr. Frederick Frankenstein’s fiancee, Elizabeth, gets kidnapped by The Monster and taken to the woods, where he then forces himself on her in a cave.  Although she does get on board with it and reciprocates to The Monster, she was unwilling to put herself in that situation and it seems as though it turns into forced sexual conduct. This scene is supposed to be funny, but the vibe of it was rapey and uncomfortable. Later in the movie, Elizabeth ends up falling in love with The Monster after the sexual encounter and her later actions and passion for the monster makes her a sex-crazed maniac that strips any dignity left from her character. This is also offensive to women who have been put into these situations and is offensive to women. It makes a nonconsensual sexual encounter a joke and makes the victim a joke to how they are after the experience while also taking away from the seriousness of the situation. 

A photo from the movie of Elizabeth and The Monster after the nonconsensual sexual encounter. 

What made this film so unique to others being released at the time was the use of black-and-white coloring for the film. This aesthetic for the film is unique to the time because the norm for films was to have it in color, as the first colored film had been released decades earlier so the norm was colored. This particular change is what makes the movie eye-catching to audiences and made it so memorable. There was much pushback for this move to the director, but his choice allowed the movie to have a real 1930’s classic monster movie feel. 

This is an interview from 2014 on the Jimmy Kimmel show, interviewing Mel Brooks. As it was the 40th anniversary of the movie,  Mel Brooks talked about why he chose to have the movie in black-and-white and reasons there was pushback.

1974 was a big year for tabloids and stars. That year, there was the infamous Rumble in the Jungle boxing match. The Rumble in the Jungle was a boxing match between George Foreman vs. Muhammad Ali. This match was huge because Muhammad Ali reclaimed the heavyweight title and it allowed him to become America's icon. There was also the resignation of the presidency by Richard Nixon. On August 8, 1974, President Nixon resigned from being President of the United States of America. This was because of the backlash he faced from the public over the Watergate scandal. This was crazy because he was the only President at the time to resign from office. 

By the end of the movie, you feel like you’ve watched a classic 1930’s monster movie that made you laugh to the point your stomach hurt. This movie became huge and boosted Mel Brooks’s as well as Gene Wilder’s careers. It was so big that the movie even got adapted into a Broadway musical that opened on November 7th, 2007. I had lots of fun watching this movie and now I understand why it’s such a classic that many people have watched. 

“It’s Pronounced Fronkensteen!”

[greensparty]

Thoughts on the 2024 Oscars

Just the other day I posted my Best Movies of 2023 list, so you pretty much know what I was rooting for! But here are some thoughts on tonight's awards, telecast and winners:

Best Director: Christopher Nolan - he deserved this award, but he easily should've won for Memento, The Dark Knight, Inception or Dunkirk too.

Best Actress: Emma Stone - really Academy? Lilly Gladstone should've won for Killers of the Flower Moon. That was a performance where she leaned into the silences and it was all in the eyes. While Emma Stone gave a powerhouse performance in Poor Things (an uneven movie IMHO) it was more of a showy "hey, look at me" performance. It's hard to compare both performances since they were so different but Gladstone should've won (and made history).

Best Supporting Actor: Robert Downey Jr. - Congrats to the first SNL cast member (he was in the 1985-86 season) to win an Acting Oscar. So cool to see the supporting actor from Weird Science, Back to School and A Scanner Darkly win! He probably should've won for Tropic Thunder, but he is worthy of this award for this performance!

Best Supporting Actress: Da'Vine Joy Randolph - I named The Holdovers my Best Movie of 2023 so I'm thrilled they did the right thing and at least rewarded Randolph!

Best Documentary Feature Film: 20 Days in Mariupol - I named this my Best Documentary of 2023. Big Congrats to GBH, Frontline and everyone involved with this powerful doc!

Best Animated Short Film: War Is Over - In my recent guide to the Oscar Nominated Short Films I predicted this. But big congrats to co-writer / executive producer Sean Ono Lennon. The son of John Lennon and Yoko Ono oversaw the short animated film inspired by John and Yoko's "Happy Xmas (War is Over)". I met Mr. Sean Ono Lennon when he did an in-store performance at Other Music in NYC in 2010. In Feb. 2015, I named his band Ghost of the Saber Tooth Tiger's album Midnight Sun my #1 Album of 2014. Then both The GOASTT and their leader Sean Lennon retweeted it and thanked me! I've also gotten to cover his band The Claypool Lennon Delirium here as well.

Best Live Action Short Film: The Wonderful World of Henry Sugar - another short film I predicted would win. Wes Anderson has been nominated in a lot of other categories, but it's nice to see him finally win, even if he should've won for Bottle Rocket or Rushmore!

Very cool to see Slash doing a guitar solo during "I'm Just Ken". Yes the Barbie song lost to Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell's "What Was I Made For" also from that film, but how cool was it to see the GNR guitarist ripping it up at the Oscars?!

[byneddiedingo]

Julianne Moore in Still Alice (Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland, 2014)

Cast: Julianne Moore, Alec Baldwin, Kristen Stewart, Kate Bosworth, Hunter Parrish, Shane McRae, Stephen Kunken, Seth Gilliam. Screenplay: Richard Glatzer, Wash Westmoreland, based on a novel by Lisa Genova. Cinematography: Denis Lenoir. Production design: Tommaso Ortino. Film editing: Nicholas Chaudeurge. Music: Ilan Eshkeri.

After four previous nominations, Julianne Moore was overdue for an Oscar. I just wish she had won for a more challenging film than Still Alice, a middlebrow, middle-of-the-road movie that unfortunately suggests a slicked-up power-cast version of a Lifetime problem drama. It goes without saying that, with her luminous natural style, Moore can act the hell out of anything she's given: When she played Sarah Palin in Game Change (Jay Roach, 2012) on HBO, she even made me forget Tina Fey's great caricature of that eminently caricaturable politician, and did it without resorting to caricature. What bothers me most about Still Alice is its choice of an affluent white professional, a linguistics professor with a physician husband (Alec Baldwin) and an attractive family, to carry the burden of what the movie has to say about Alzheimer's. Why couldn't the film have been about the effect of early-onset Alzheimer's on a black or Latino family, or someone faced with meeting the bills -- a waitress or a secretary or a factory worker, perhaps? The screenplay (by directors Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland, from Lisa Genova's novel) even shamefully asserts at one point that the disease is particularly difficult for "educated" people. The movie has its good points, of course. Kristen Stewart, as Alice's younger daughter, is a revelation. Those who knew Stewart only from the Twilight movies were startled by the skill and maturity of her performance. And the scene in which Alice discovers the suicide instructions left by herself before the disease had progressed is deftly handled, as the disease itself prevents Alice from remembering and following through on the instructions. The film also has some poignancy in the fact that director-screenwriter Glatzer, who was Westmoreland's husband, suffered from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and died from the disease in 2015. But the use in Still Alice of excerpts from Tony Kushner's Angels in America suggests a dubious parallel between Alzheimer's and AIDS.

[mi4012ayodyarajakaruna]

Christopher Nolan

The famous British director Christopher Nolan was born in London, England, on July 30, 1970. He is well known for his unusual narrative methods and unusual visual style, which is defined by a gloomy and enigmatic mood. Among his most renowned productions are the surreal thriller "Inception" (2010), the space opera "Interstellar" (2014), the riveting war drama "Dunkirk" (2017), and several Batman films. Oscar Award for Best Director (2024) for Nolan's masterwork "Oppenheimer" (2023), which also won the esteemed Best Picture award, recognised his extraordinary brilliance.

His early life

Nolan was raised in Chicago and London, with an American mother and a British father. He attended the boarding school Haileybury, which is close to London, as a young boy. From an early age, Nolan would use his father's Super-8 camera to make short films, which sparked his enthusiasm for filmmaking. The immersive dystopian films of Ridley Scott and George Lucas's Star Wars trilogy served as sources of inspiration for him.

After completing his English literature studies at University College London, Nolan went on to work as a corporate and industrial training video director. Simultaneously, he devoted himself to his first feature film, Following (1998), about a writer's dangerous search for inspiration. It took Nolan fourteen months of unyielding dedication to get this project through to completion. After the movie's success at festivals, Nolan moved to Hollywood with his producer wife, Emma Thomas.

His work

The film Inception (2010), directed by Christopher Nolan, was the finished product of a project he began eleven years earlier. The movie, which stars Leonardo DiCaprio as a corporate spy with the capacity to enter dreams, centres on his character's attempt to transcend technological constraints and implant a concept in a person's head. With the critical and commercial success of Inception, Christopher Nolan was nominated for a second Academy Award for best original screenplay. Furthermore, Nolan contributed to the development of the narrative for the 2013 Man of Steel, a Superman reboot.

After that, Nolan directed the science fiction drama Interstellar (2014), which he co-wrote with his brother. The movie follows a group of scientists who want to use wormhole technology to transport humans from a war-torn and starving Earth to another planet. Subsequently, he wrote and directed the 2017 war picture Dunkirk, which is about the evacuation of Allied forces from France in World War II. Widespread praise and several Academy Award nominations, including one for Best Picture, were bestowed upon this compelling drama. Furthermore, Nolan was nominated for an Oscar for his outstanding directing. He developed and directed the action-packed thriller Tenet in 2020, which centres on a C.I.A. agent's quest to avert a world war and features time travel.

The 2023 film Oppenheimer, directed by Christopher Nolan, depicts the role played by American theoretical scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer in the development of the atomic bomb as well as the security hearing that followed because of his alleged ties to communism. The filmmaker decided to cast Cillian Murphy, who had worked with Nolan on other movies, as the main role. The movie won a lot of awards, including best picture and best director for Christopher Nolan. Oppenheimer won the best film drama award, while director Christopher Nolan received a Golden Globe for his work.

His cinematography

Famous for his distinctive filmmaking techniques and cinematography, Christopher Nolan's artistic approach has come to embody these attributes. The following are some essential elements that define his methodology:

Non-Linear Storytelling: To get the viewer to participate in piecing together the plot, Nolan frequently uses non-linear narratives, delivering stories out of chronological order.

Practical Effects: He feels that actual, on-set effects add to the realism of the cinematic experience, hence he favours them over computer-generated imagery.

In-Camera Techniques: Nolan's films are more realistic since he is renowned for creating visual effects in-camera rather than through post-production.

IMAX and Film: Because of IMAX's better resolution and texture, he strongly supports the use of premium, larger-format film stock.

Style of Documentary Lighting & Hand-Held Camera Work: Nolan frequently uses hand-held camera work and natural lighting to give his films a grounded, realistic vibe. Sound & Music: Working with composers such as Hans Zimmer, Christopher Nolan's films are renowned for their potent soundtracks that complement the visual story telling.

[flicksnfilms]

Next Goal Wins (2023)

Based on a true story, this follows the infamously terrible American Samoa soccer team, known for a brutal 2001 FIFA match they lost 31-0. With the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers approaching, the team hires down-on-his-luck, maverick coach Thomas Rongen hoping he will turn the world’s worst soccer team around in this humorous and heartfelt underdog story.

TL;DR: Do I recommend it? > Yes

The long of it:

Studio: Searchlight Pictures Director: Taika Waititi Writer: Taika Waititi, Iain Morris Music: Michael Giacchino Cast: Michael Fassbender, Oscar Kightley, Kaimana, David Fane Runtime: 104 minutes IMDB | RottenTomatoes | Official Site

Watched: at the cinema on December 9th

Reaction: ± I didn't even know that a game like that has ever been conceivable (Australia vs American Samoa 31-0) much less that this was based on a true story. The film is entertaining and very Taika Waititi. It's hilarious and kinda ridiculous but with the heart behind it.

Memorable aspect of the movie: + "Unhappiness is a curse that i would not wish on anyone." + I hope you find your happiness. Maybe it's in the past because you were happy then. You can be happy here now. But you have to be here, now. (Or something to that effect.)

[realtvfilms]

James Shanklin, Publish or Perish Movie from RealTVfilms on Vimeo.

James Shanklin was born and raised in Baltimore Maryland. During his undergraduate time he would spend his summers working as a member of the Ocean City Beach Patrol as a lifeguard on the beach. The first professional theatre job was in David Hare's MAP OF THE WORLD at Center Stage in Baltimore, MD. Along with other roles at Washington, DC's Folger Theatre where he performed with Stacy Keach in RICHARD III, Arena Stage where he was directed by the legendary theatre director Liviu Ciulei. From there he went on to do several plays with The New York Shakespeare Festival and The Public Theatre. From there he went on to the prestigious Yale School of Drama where he did a multitude of productions including John Guare's LANDSCAPE OF THE BODY with Laura Linney. Upon graduating from Yale he went on to do more plays with the Public Theatre and the NYSF including the world premiere of Thulani Davis's EVERYBODY LOVES RUBY with Viola Davis. James never stopped his passion for doing theatre even after his film and television work began to increase. After doing multiple roles in NYC produced television shows and films, he moved to Los Angeles in 2004 where he has had the pleasure of working with actors such as Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Eddie Murphy, Alfre Woodard among others and directors such as David Fincher, Barry Sonnenfeld, JJ Abrams, Tyler Perry and many others. James has always been a passionate advocate for animals and at one point had five dogs. More recently he has three extraordinary creatures he shares with actress Eileen Wesson.

Graduate of the Yale School of Drama where he received an MFA. Summer's during undergraduate years, served 3 years as an ocean lifeguard with the Ocean City Beach Patrol in Ocean City, Maryland. "Three of the best years of my life. I learned discipline and responsibility, two things that have served me well in life.". In 2010, 2011 & 2012 was in 3 films nominated for Oscars, The Social Network, Moneyball and Argo. The third, Argo won the Oscar for Best Film in 2013. Unfortunately, the scenes in which he performed the character Mike Touzani (a retiring CIA agent) did not make the final cut of the film. Though shared no scenes, worked on two films in which Philip Seymour Hoffman starred. In 2013 was cast as Aaron Hatch a one-episode guest star in season 3 of the AMC series Hell On Wheels. That one episode turned into 3 seasons on the top-rated AMC series. Is passionate about animals and animal rights. As of 2017 has 4 dogs. 2014 performed in the West Coast premiere of Bethany at The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, CA. 2015 performed in the West Coast premier of The Twenty-Seventh Man at The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, CA. 2018 played Stan in the Mark Taper Forum production of Sweat. 2018 Beginning rehearsals for Anna Karenina at The Denver Center. Mr. Shanklin lives in Los Angeles.

SYNOPSIS - Facing impossible deadlines and an adversarial relationship with his boss, a professor obsessed with getting tenure accidentally kills a student. The cover up causes his life to spiral out of control in this award winning dark comedy.

WEBSITE publishorperish.movie/ @publishorperish_movie WATCH MOVIE youtube.com/watch?v=a8ww86mXkqs

#publishorperishmovie #jamesshanklin #altaglobalmedia

[denimbex1986]

'Cillian Murphy’s decades-long collaboration with Christopher Nolan hit a new peak with “Oppenheimer,” his first leading role in a Nolan feature that has garnered him the best reviews of his career and Oscar buzz for best actor. “Oppenheimer” follows Murphy’s supporting turns in three Batman films, “Inception” and “Interstellar.” Recently asked by The Independent if there were any Nolan movies not featuring Murphy that he wished he could’ve starred in, Murphy selected the director’s 2014 space epic “Interstellar.”

“I adore ‘Interstellar’ just because I find it so emotional,” Murphy said. “I remember seeing it in the cinema when I had little kids. It just had a big impact on me. It broke my heart. I love watching his films when I’m not in them because you don’t have to freak out about the size of your ears, or whatever.”

Murphy stressed that Nolan cast the “right people” in “Interstellar,” so there’s no hard feelings that he missed out on it. The epic stars Matthew McConaughey as an ex-NASA pilot who is recruited on a mission to locate a new planet outside of the solar system that can support human life. Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Bill Irwin, Ellen Burstyn, Matt Damon and Michael Caine had supporting roles in the film.

The Independent also asked Murphy which Nolan movie he’d pair with “Oppenheimer” for a double feature.

“You could go ‘Interstellar,’ which is very… explores similar scientific, physic themes. Or you could watch ‘Dunkirk,’ which is also set in World War II,” Murphy said. “‘Dunkirk’ is shorter, so that might be a good match ‘cause it’s like an hour-and-a-half, and then you can go into [‘Oppenheimer’].”

Despite being a talky biographical drama that runs three hours and is rated R, “Oppenheimer” has already surpassed the lifetime domestic box office totals of “Interstellar” and “Dunkirk.” The film has earned $264 million in the U.S. and Canada, while its global gross is about to cross the $650 million mark. “Oppenheimer” is now playing in theaters nationwide.'

[adriaenvaleryburgis]

#OPENTOWORK

RED (2010) Movie | Action, Comedy, Crime NCIS: Los Angeles (2012) TV Series | Action, Crime, Drama House of Cards (2014) TV Series | Drama.

Adriaen Valéry Burgis has gone on to give memorable performances in a pretty impressive list of well-known action-packed films and series including the 2010 Golden Globe-nominated film "RED" starring Golden Globe Winner Bruce Willis ("Die Hard") and Oscar Award winner Helen Mirren ("The Queen"). After a long break, award-winning actor, Varick Addler, returned to the Hollywood Circus in 2019 and can be seen in the highly-anticipated action film "Out for Vengeance" with martial arts legends Michel Qissi's ("Kickboxer") and Silvio Simac ("Transporter") directed by Angel Film Award winner Salar Zarza and co-directed by Michael Dudikoff ("American Ninja").

"Adriaen is a super-sized version on Bruce Willis," says the Industry Hollywood Casting Directors from ABC Entertainment Casting & ASG Casting. But the fictitious face of Adriaen in his older days looks more like Sir Sean Connery or Sir Patrick Stewart *smile! This award-winning and versatile actor could follow in a long tradition of charming German bad guys (i.e. Bond franchise, Star Wars or any other Marvel Universes),... he is the great supporting cast that brings the film and the main character shine because it's more important to have the villain be interesting - it's that [villain] role, like Heath Ledger or Tom Hardy in the Dark Knight franchise, that run away with the movie.

#IMDb http://www.imdb.com/name/nm6401783 #SPOTLIGHT https://www.spotlight.com/9331-9058-4867 #WHATSAPP +49 162 6428206

"My favorite franchise is James Bond! and the Star Wars Saga or the Marvel Movies and with good luck and the right casting director, I will be in one of the next episodes!" explains Adriaen Valéry Burgis.

Other Skills: Bouncer (qualified), Director, Drama Coach (professional), Military Training/Experience, Paramedic (former/professional), Personal Fitness Trainer (professional), Producer (professional), Scriptwriter (professional), Soldier (former professional), Writer

Industry awards: 2014 Nuremberg International Human Rights Film Festival Won, Audience Award Best Supporting Actor.

#actor #model #hollywood #film #actress #love #actorslife #photography #losangeles #fashion #instagood #art #movie #nyc #director #acting #photooftheday #artist #music #la #movies #producer #fitness #cinema #filmmaker #photographer #filmmaking #tv #theatre #singer #filmmaker #filmmaking #film #director #cinematography #actor #photography #cinema #producer #cinematographer #videographer #art #photographer #movie #shortfilm #hollywood #setlife #losangeles #artist #movies #actress #indiefilm #videography #filmfestival #love #documentary #music #model #videoproduction #video

[greensparty]

This Month In History - May

This is a big month for landmark pop culture anniversaries. Here are a few I'm celebrating:

May 4, 1984: Sixteen Candles opens

In May 1984, the beginning of John Hughes' teen movie streak began. There are a lot of things about this movie that have not aged well and quite frankly are just wrong (too many things to discuss briefly in this column). But credit does need to go to Molly Ringwald for tapping into a relatable teen who is being ignored by her family and is pining for a boy at school who just might like her too. Credit also goes to Anthony Michael Hall as Farmer Ted, a LOL funny nerd who helps her. While there has been a revisionist take on this in recent years (most notably some criticism from Ringwald herself), let's blow out 40 candles for Sixteen Candles!

May 8, 2009: Star Trek opens

In May 2009, J.J. Abrams' first Star Trek reboot was released. It is the best Star Trek movie yet! Here is my piece I wrote in 2014. Happy 15 ST!

May 10, 1994: The Blue Album released

In May 1994, Weezer's self-titled debut (better known as The Blue Album) was released. Here is my piece I wrote in 2014. Happy 30th Blue Album!

May 13, 1994: The Crow opens

In May 1994, one of the great comic book adaptations of the 90s was released. In the last few years at at conventions I've been fortunate enough to talk to cast members Ernie Hudson and Bai Ling. Here is my piece I wrote in 2014. Happy 30th The Crow!

May 19, 1999: Star Wars Episode I The Phantom Menace opens

In May 1999, possibly the most anticipated movie in history was released. George Lucas returned to the director's chair for the first chapter of a prequel trilogy to his legendary Star Wars trilogy (Episodes 4-6). I saw it opening day (bought tickets weeks earlier) with a group of friends and then saw it again the following week to dissect what I saw the first time. After the initial thrill of "Holy shit - it's a new Star Wars movie I can't believe it!", there set in a sense of "This is what we waiting this long for?". There was no way in hell this movie could possibly live up to the expectations the fans had set. But I have returned to on video and DVD many times over the years including the 2012 re-release in 3-D. Without the hype and fanfare it wasn’t bad. There’s been quite a few revisionist appraisals of Ep 1 in recent years. Does it come anywhere close to Episodes 4-6? No way! But is it cool to learn about Anakin and Obi-Wan's early days? Definitely! Happy 25 Episode I!

May 23, 1984: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom opens

In May 1984, the second Indiana Jones movie opened. Here is my piece I wrote in 2019. Happy 40th Indy 2!

May 24, 1989: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade opens

In May 1989, the third Indiana Jones movie opened. Here is my piece I wrote in 2019. Happy 35th Indy 3!

May 25, 1969: Midnight Cowboy opens

In May 1969, the first and only X-rated movie to win a Best Picture Oscar was released. Here is my piece I wrote in 2019. Happy 55th MC!

May 25, 1979: Alien opens

In May 1979, the first Alien movie was released. Here is my piece I wrote in 2019. Happy 45th Alien!

May 29, 2009: Drag Me to Hell opens

In May 2009, one of Sam Raimi's more underrated films was released. Here is my piece I wrote in 2019. Happy 15 DMTH!