James Arness, best known for his role as Marshal Matt Dillon on the long-running Western television series, Gunsmoke, died at the age of 88 on Friday (June 3, 2011). I did not know that the actor Peter Graves was his brother.
I remember watching Gunsmoke with my late grandmother, and I still watch reruns whenever and wherever I can find them. I'm at a loss to describe what he meant to me, so I hope you can settle for this IMDb obituary. Rest in peace, Marshal.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Friday, June 3, 2011
Review: Matthew Vaughn Makes Magic Out of "Stardust"
Stardust (2007)
Running time: 128 minutes (2 hours, 8 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for fantasy violence and some risqué humor
DIRECTOR: Matthew Vaughn
WRITERS: Jane Goldman & Matthew Vaughn (based upon the novel written by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by Charles Vess)
PRODUCERS: Matthew Vaughn, Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Michael Dreyer, and Neil Gaiman
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Ben Davis
EDITOR: Jon Harris
FANTASY/ADVENTURE/DRAMA/ROMANCE
Starring: Claire Danes, Charlie Cox, Sienna Miller, Ricky Gervais, Jason Flemyng, Rupert Everett, Peter O’Toole, with Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert De Niro and Ian McKellen (voice), Kate Magowan, Melanie Hill, Mark Strong, Henry Cavill, Ben Barnes, and Dexter Fletcher
Matthew Vaughn, the acclaimed director of Layer Cake, adds one more eclectic film to his young filmography, the late Summer 2007 film, Stardust, an adaptation of the novel written by Neil Gaiman (American Gods) and illustrated by Charles Vess. Although Stardust proved to be excellent late summer, counter-programming to the normal empty big budget fare that crowds movie theatres during the warm months, it failed to catch on with American audiences. That’s sad, really.
Young Tristan Thorne (Charlie Cox) lives in the sleepy English village of Wall, which is named for the cobblestone wall that has for eons kept the villagers safe from the supernatural parallel universe that lies just on the other side of the wall – the fantastical realm of Stormhold. One evening, Tristan makes a promise to the prettiest girl in the village, Victoria (Sienna Miller), whose heart he hopes to win, when the two spy a star falling from the sky and landing on the other side of the wall. Tristan pledges to Victoria that he will bring back the star for her hand in marriage.
Crossing the forbidden wall, Tristan makes his way to the star’s crash site only to discover that the star is different from what he expected. It is a spirited young woman named Yvaine (Claire Danes), injured by her tumble from the heavenly firmament. However, before he can get Yvaine back to his home, Tristan must protect her from the chilling witch, Lamia (Michelle Pfeiffer), who wants to murder Yvaine and use the star’s heart to achieve eternal youth and beauty. With the help of an eccentric pirate, Captain Shakespeare (Robert De Niro), Tristan and Yvaine evade the clutches of Lamia and anyone who wants to harm her, but in his adventure through Stormhold, Tristan may finally discover the secrets of his own past.
There are no elements in Stardust that can be described as “great,” except for Michelle Pfeiffer’s truly inspired performance as Lamia, but when all the components are brought together, they make a film that is an exceptional screen fantasy. Matthew Vaughn brings together all the elements: odd components from the original story and peculiar screenplay adaptation; the eccentric performances, and the knotty, but imaginative production work of his creative crew (cinematography, production design, score, etc.), all of which create a convincing fantasy world. It’s a world that the more audiences buy into the setting; the more they are willing to vicariously experience Tristan and Yvaine’s adventure.
As for the performances, the aforementioned Ms. Pfeiffer really stands out as Lamia. Her performance is one of those charming displays of acting that critics describe as delicious, and if that’s the case, Pfeiffer prepares a feast. She’s wicked with an extra dose of wickedness, but her evil is so luminous and Pfeiffer looks so good that Lamia is like a beautiful poison thing.
The rest of the cast is good. Claire Danes and Charlie Cox don’t exactly burn up the screen as the star-crossed pair, but they work in the context of the film. It’s much the same with Robert De Niro’s performance. De Niro’s Captain Shakespeare works best when paired with Dexter Fletcher’s Skinny Pirate. It’s all a matter of the right ingredients coming together at the right time in the right place. Perhaps, that’s the best way to explain why Stardust works – it’s all about chemistry.
7 of 10
A-
Friday, October 12, 2007
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Thursday, June 2, 2011
Reborn Anime Streaming on VIZ Anime and Hulu
Gun-Toting Infant Mafia Hitman Grooms A Shy Middle School Student To Take Over An Organized Crime Syndicate In Animated Series Based On Popular Manga Comic
VIZ Media has announced that it will begin streaming the animated comedy-action series REBORN starting today on VIZAnime.com, the company’s own premier website for free anime, as well as the streaming content provider HULU (http://www.hulu.com/).
The series (rated TV-14) will be presented uncut and subtitled and will debut with the first five episodes available immediately. Five new installments will be uploaded each week. The REBORN anime series is licensed for U.S. distribution by VIZ Media from TV Tokyo and AniTV.
REBORN’s main protagonist is Tsuna, a timid junior high student who is failure at school, sports, and his social life. But everything around Tsuna completely changes when a fedora wearing, gun-toting baby named Reborn, who claims to be an Italian hit man from Vongola family, shows up! Reborn was sent to groom Tsuna for his future life as a mafia boss of the family!
VIZ Media is the official North American publisher of the REBORN manga (graphic novel) series, written and illustrated by Akira Amano. The series (rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens), which continues to be a top-seller in Japan, is published in North America by VIZ Media under the company’s Shonen Jump Advanced imprint.
Review: Matthew Vaughn, Daniel Craig Deliver in Tasty "Layer Cake"
Layer Cake (2004)
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: UK
Running time: 104 minutes (1 hour, 44 minutes)
MPAA – R for strong brutal violence, sexuality, nudity, pervasive language and drug use
DIRECTOR: Matthew Vaughn
WRITER: J.J. Connolly (based upon his novel)
PRODUCERS: Adam Bohling, David Reid, and Matthew Vaughn
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Ben Davis (D.o.P.)
EDITOR: Jon Harris
2005 BAFTA Award nominee
CRIME/DRAMA/THRILLER
Starring: Daniel Craig, Colm Meaney, George Harris, Kenneth Cranham, Jamie Forman, Francis Magee, Sienna Miller, Tom Hardy, Sally Hawkins, and Michael Gambon
An unnamed British drug dealer (Daniel Craig) is looking to get out of the drug business, and he’s looking for one last big score to take him into retirement. Well dressed and polite, he is the consummate professional who has made a fortune trading in cocaine and ecstasy, while keeping his own hands clean, but the neat distance is about to come to an end.
Jimmy Price (Kenneth Cranham), the drug kingpin to whom he answers, has two last jobs for him – tie up the loose ends involving a stash of stolen ecstasy pills and also find the missing daughter of Eddie Temple (Michael Gambon), an old associate of Jimmy’s. However, Jimmy isn’t being entirely straight with our unnamed protagonist. The original owners of the gargantuan ecstasy cargo, ex-Serb paramilitary, are coming after Jimmy because he’s an associate of, Duke (Jamie Forman), the thief that stole the pills. Now, our suave drug dealer must rely on two associates, Morty (George Harris) and Gene (Colm Meaney), to help him out, but even they might not be able to help him when the Serbian hit man, Dragan (Dragan Micanovic), comes looking for him.
Matthew Vaughn’s Layer Cake is one of the more stylish British gangster films of the past decade. What sets it apart is Daniel Craig’s neat professional as drug dealer, which basically makes someone many consider a parasite, quite attractive. Vaughn (who received a 2005 BAFTA Award nomination for the "Carl Foreman Award for the Most Promising Newcomer") weaves a brilliant tapestry from J.J. Connolly’s screenplay, balancing intricate plotlines and a multitude of conflicting characters and motivations, at least until the end. Some viewers will need a scorecard to keep up with all the players and multiple loose ends that Vaughn ties up before delivering an ending that’s just got to go.
Other than that, Layer Cake is a brilliant crime film that blends style with gangster violence. On top of what seems like a simple story about a hood trying to exit the life of being a hood is a story about the cutthroat world of making money, where everybody is out to get his own. Those who demand the most – whether it is loyalty, respect, or money – are actually the least loyal, disdainful of others, and the greediest. It’s also nice that Vaughn smartly reminds the viewer that even the well to do can be scumbags.
8 of 10
A
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
NOTES:
2005 BAFTA Awards: 1 nomination: “Carl Foreman Award for the Most Promising Newcomer” (Matthew Vaughn-director)
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Wednesday, June 1, 2011
The Hangover Part II: It Can't Be Stopped!!
The Wolfpack Tears up the Box Office Again with a Record-Breaking Opening for “The Hangover Part II”
Comedy Sequel Has Now Crossed the $200 Million Mark Worldwide
BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ “The Hangover Part II” made it a memorable Memorial Day weekend at the box office. The blockbuster comedy has now crossed $200 million worldwide, the fastest of any comedy to surpass that benchmark. The joint announcement was made today by Warner Bros. Pictures President of Domestic Distribution Dan Fellman, and President of International Distribution Veronika Kwan-Rubinek. To date, “The Hangover Part II” has grossed more than $205 million globally.
Domestically, the Todd Phillips-directed comedy raked in more than $135 million dollars in its first five days in release, smashing multiple records along the way, beginning with its $10.4 million dollar midnight opening and first-day Thursday gross of over $31.6 million. “The Hangover Part II” broke the three-day, four-day and five-day opening records for a comedy film opening of any rating. Additionally, the film shattered both the Memorial Day weekend record and the Friday-to-Monday holiday record for an R-rated film, with a total of $103.5 million, more than doubling the previous records.
Fellman remarked, “We could not imagine a better way to kick off our summer and, based on audience reactions and strong word-of-mouth, we expect this ‘Hangover’ to last throughout the summer. Cheers to Todd Phillips and the ‘Wolfpack,’ who are back in a big way and who made ‘The Hangover Part II’ an experience no one will forget.”
In addition, “The Hangover Part II,” which was released in 40 territories, woke up to a staggering international gross, topping the box office with $70.05 million on 5193 screens through Monday.
Kwan-Rubinek stated, “With the unprecedented success and continuing popularity of the first film, expectations were incredibly high for ‘The Hangover Part II.’ This fantastic opening shows that the movie not only met but exceeded those expectations on a global level. We applaud Todd, his fantastic cast, and everyone involved in the film, all of whom share in this extraordinary success.”
In “The Hangover Part II” Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms), Alan (Zach Galifianakis) and Doug (Justin Bartha) travel to exotic Thailand for Stu’s wedding. With the memory of Doug’s nearly disastrous bachelor party in Las Vegas still fresh—or at least well-documented—Stu is taking no chances. He has opted for a safe, subdued, pre-wedding trip brunch, with pancakes, coffee…and no alcohol. However, things don’t always go as planned. Two nights before the big day, at a fabulous resort in Thailand, Stu relents. One beer each. In sealed bottles. What could go wrong?
What happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas, but what happens in Bangkok can’t even be imagined.
“The Hangover Part II” is director Todd Phillips’ follow-up to his 2009 smash hit “The Hangover,” which became the highest-grossing R-rated comedy of all time and also won the Golden Globe for Best Film – Comedy or Musical.
Reprising their roles, Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, and Justin Bartha star in the film. Ken Jeong and Jeffrey Tambor also return from the first film, and Mason Lee, Jamie Chung and Paul Giamatti join the ensemble.
The screenplay is by Craig Mazin & Scot Armstrong & Todd Phillips. Phillips also produced the film under his Green Hat Films banner, together with Dan Goldberg. Thomas Tull, Scott Budnick, Chris Bender and J.C. Spink are the executive producers, with David A. Siegel and Jeffrey Wetzel serving as co-producers.
“The Hangover Part II” is a presentation of Warner Bros. Pictures, in association with Legendary Pictures, and will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. The film has been rated R for pervasive language, strong sexual content including graphic nudity, drug use and brief violent images.
Comedy Sequel Has Now Crossed the $200 Million Mark Worldwide
BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ “The Hangover Part II” made it a memorable Memorial Day weekend at the box office. The blockbuster comedy has now crossed $200 million worldwide, the fastest of any comedy to surpass that benchmark. The joint announcement was made today by Warner Bros. Pictures President of Domestic Distribution Dan Fellman, and President of International Distribution Veronika Kwan-Rubinek. To date, “The Hangover Part II” has grossed more than $205 million globally.
Domestically, the Todd Phillips-directed comedy raked in more than $135 million dollars in its first five days in release, smashing multiple records along the way, beginning with its $10.4 million dollar midnight opening and first-day Thursday gross of over $31.6 million. “The Hangover Part II” broke the three-day, four-day and five-day opening records for a comedy film opening of any rating. Additionally, the film shattered both the Memorial Day weekend record and the Friday-to-Monday holiday record for an R-rated film, with a total of $103.5 million, more than doubling the previous records.
Fellman remarked, “We could not imagine a better way to kick off our summer and, based on audience reactions and strong word-of-mouth, we expect this ‘Hangover’ to last throughout the summer. Cheers to Todd Phillips and the ‘Wolfpack,’ who are back in a big way and who made ‘The Hangover Part II’ an experience no one will forget.”
In addition, “The Hangover Part II,” which was released in 40 territories, woke up to a staggering international gross, topping the box office with $70.05 million on 5193 screens through Monday.
Kwan-Rubinek stated, “With the unprecedented success and continuing popularity of the first film, expectations were incredibly high for ‘The Hangover Part II.’ This fantastic opening shows that the movie not only met but exceeded those expectations on a global level. We applaud Todd, his fantastic cast, and everyone involved in the film, all of whom share in this extraordinary success.”
In “The Hangover Part II” Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms), Alan (Zach Galifianakis) and Doug (Justin Bartha) travel to exotic Thailand for Stu’s wedding. With the memory of Doug’s nearly disastrous bachelor party in Las Vegas still fresh—or at least well-documented—Stu is taking no chances. He has opted for a safe, subdued, pre-wedding trip brunch, with pancakes, coffee…and no alcohol. However, things don’t always go as planned. Two nights before the big day, at a fabulous resort in Thailand, Stu relents. One beer each. In sealed bottles. What could go wrong?
What happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas, but what happens in Bangkok can’t even be imagined.
“The Hangover Part II” is director Todd Phillips’ follow-up to his 2009 smash hit “The Hangover,” which became the highest-grossing R-rated comedy of all time and also won the Golden Globe for Best Film – Comedy or Musical.
Reprising their roles, Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, and Justin Bartha star in the film. Ken Jeong and Jeffrey Tambor also return from the first film, and Mason Lee, Jamie Chung and Paul Giamatti join the ensemble.
The screenplay is by Craig Mazin & Scot Armstrong & Todd Phillips. Phillips also produced the film under his Green Hat Films banner, together with Dan Goldberg. Thomas Tull, Scott Budnick, Chris Bender and J.C. Spink are the executive producers, with David A. Siegel and Jeffrey Wetzel serving as co-producers.
“The Hangover Part II” is a presentation of Warner Bros. Pictures, in association with Legendary Pictures, and will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. The film has been rated R for pervasive language, strong sexual content including graphic nudity, drug use and brief violent images.
Do Jundroids Dream of Electric Negromancers?
It's June, and it's a big movie month. First, I still need to see that May hit, The Hangover Part II.
So Welcome to Negromancer, the rebirth of my former movie review website as a movie review and movie news blog. I’m Leroy Douresseaux, and I also blog at http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/ and write for the Comic Book Bin (which has smart phones apps).
All images and text appearing on this blog are © copyright and/or trademark their respective owners.
So Welcome to Negromancer, the rebirth of my former movie review website as a movie review and movie news blog. I’m Leroy Douresseaux, and I also blog at http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/ and write for the Comic Book Bin (which has smart phones apps).
All images and text appearing on this blog are © copyright and/or trademark their respective owners.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Columbia Pictures to Distribute Bigelow-Boal "Bin Laden" Movie
COLUMBIA PICTURES ACQUIRES UNITED STATES DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS TO THE FORTHCOMING FILM FROM OSCAR®-WINNING “HURT LOCKER” TEAM OF DIRECTOR KATHRYN BIGELOW AND SCREENWRITER MARK BOAL
Columbia Pictures has acquired United States distribution rights to the forthcoming motion picture from Oscar®-winners Kathryn Bigelow and Mark Boal, director and screenwriter, respectively, of the Best Picture-winning film The Hurt Locker, it was announced by Amy Pascal, Co-Chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment.
The untitled film focuses on the black ops mission to capture or kill Osama bin Laden, which culminated in his death earlier this month during a high-stakes raid on his compound in Pakistan. Bigelow and Boal have been developing the project since 2008 and plan to incorporate recent events into the film.
Boal and Bigelow will produce the project, along with Annapurna Picture’s Megan Ellison, and executive producer, Greg Shapiro, with production slated to commence in the late summer of 2011. The film will be released in the United States in the 4th quarter of 2012.
Commenting on the announcement, Pascal said, “With the death of Osama bin Laden, this film could not be more relevant. Kathryn and Mark have an outstanding perspective on the team that was hunting the most wanted man in the world. . Mark is second to none as an investigative journalist, and Kathryn will bring the same kind of compelling authenticity and urgency that distinguished The Hurt Locker and made that film so memorable and special.”
Kathryn Bigelow won Academy Awards® for directing and producing her most recent feature film, The Hurt Locker, a look at an elite Explosive Ordinance Disposal squad in Iraq. The film starred Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie and Brian Geraghty, and won a total of six Oscars®, including Best Picture. Bigelow’s other films include Near Dark, Point Break, Strange Days, The Weight of Water, and K-19: The Widowmaker.
Mark Boal won the Academy Award® for his original screenplay for The Hurt Locker. He also won an Oscar® for producing the Best Picture winner. As an investigative reporter, he has written for such national publications as Rolling Stone, The Village Voice, Brill’s Content, Mother Jones, and Playboy. In 2003, he wrote Death and Dishonor, the true story of a military veteran who goes searching for his missing son, which later became the basis for Paul Haggis’s follow up to Crash, In the Valley of Elah, released by Warner Bros. in 2007. Boal collaborated with Paul Haggis on the script and shares a co-story credit on the film.
Megan Ellison is the owner and CEO of Annapurna Pictures and the producer of the forthcoming Wettest County, directed by John Hillcoat. She was the Executive Producer of True Grit. Annapurna is financing and producing upcoming films by Paul Thomas Anderson, Martin McDonagh, and Andrew Dominik.
Greg Shapiro won an Academy Award® for producing The Hurt Locker. His recent credits include The Conspirator, directed by Robert Redford, and A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas.
About Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures, part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company. Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary ofSony Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; a global channel network; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of entertainment in more than 140 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com/.
Columbia Pictures has acquired United States distribution rights to the forthcoming motion picture from Oscar®-winners Kathryn Bigelow and Mark Boal, director and screenwriter, respectively, of the Best Picture-winning film The Hurt Locker, it was announced by Amy Pascal, Co-Chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment.
The untitled film focuses on the black ops mission to capture or kill Osama bin Laden, which culminated in his death earlier this month during a high-stakes raid on his compound in Pakistan. Bigelow and Boal have been developing the project since 2008 and plan to incorporate recent events into the film.
Boal and Bigelow will produce the project, along with Annapurna Picture’s Megan Ellison, and executive producer, Greg Shapiro, with production slated to commence in the late summer of 2011. The film will be released in the United States in the 4th quarter of 2012.
Commenting on the announcement, Pascal said, “With the death of Osama bin Laden, this film could not be more relevant. Kathryn and Mark have an outstanding perspective on the team that was hunting the most wanted man in the world. . Mark is second to none as an investigative journalist, and Kathryn will bring the same kind of compelling authenticity and urgency that distinguished The Hurt Locker and made that film so memorable and special.”
Kathryn Bigelow won Academy Awards® for directing and producing her most recent feature film, The Hurt Locker, a look at an elite Explosive Ordinance Disposal squad in Iraq. The film starred Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie and Brian Geraghty, and won a total of six Oscars®, including Best Picture. Bigelow’s other films include Near Dark, Point Break, Strange Days, The Weight of Water, and K-19: The Widowmaker.
Mark Boal won the Academy Award® for his original screenplay for The Hurt Locker. He also won an Oscar® for producing the Best Picture winner. As an investigative reporter, he has written for such national publications as Rolling Stone, The Village Voice, Brill’s Content, Mother Jones, and Playboy. In 2003, he wrote Death and Dishonor, the true story of a military veteran who goes searching for his missing son, which later became the basis for Paul Haggis’s follow up to Crash, In the Valley of Elah, released by Warner Bros. in 2007. Boal collaborated with Paul Haggis on the script and shares a co-story credit on the film.
Megan Ellison is the owner and CEO of Annapurna Pictures and the producer of the forthcoming Wettest County, directed by John Hillcoat. She was the Executive Producer of True Grit. Annapurna is financing and producing upcoming films by Paul Thomas Anderson, Martin McDonagh, and Andrew Dominik.
Greg Shapiro won an Academy Award® for producing The Hurt Locker. His recent credits include The Conspirator, directed by Robert Redford, and A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas.
About Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures, part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company. Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary ofSony Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; a global channel network; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of entertainment in more than 140 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com/.
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