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2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998
1-20 of 90 articles from 2009 « Prev | Next »
Birthday Suits: Hamlets & Hydes
13 November 2009 7:00 AM, PST | FilmExperience | See recent FilmExperience news »
Today's Cinematic Birthdays 11/131312 Edward III (of Windsor), not the gay one who gets more cinematic treatment (including Derek Jarman's fascinating take), but his son. This is the one Shakespeare wrote a play about and the one who Mel Gibson implied to be the bastard son of Braveheart William Wallace, thereby giving the finger to history unless Wallace's sperm could survive years past his death. That Gibson's sperm could magically endure beyond the grave is far more likely. He already has eight children.1833 Edwin Thomas Booth, famous influential thespian and the 19th century's most prominent Hamlet. He's been portrayed onscreen and stage by famous thespians like Richard Burton and Frank Langella, usually in stories connected to his estranged brother's assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Will someone play him in the Spielberg helmed Lincoln film?
Oskar, Steve and Whoopi
1897 Gertrude Omstead, one of many silent film actresses who moved on once sound hit the movies. »
- NATHANIEL R
Khartoum: blackface Olivier scrapes the bottom of some macabre barrels
12 November 2009 12:54 AM, PST | The Guardian - Film News | See recent The Guardian - Film News news »
Just about everyone involved in this 1966 epic about Britain's imperial adventure in Sudan deserves to have sand kicked in their faces
Director: Basil Dearden
Entertainment grade: D+
History grade: C–
Muhammad Ahmad was a Sudanese theocrat and general who in 1881 proclaimed himself Mahdi, a redeemer expected by some Muslims to appear before the day of judgment. He conquered large swathes of the Nile valley and annihilated three Egyptian armies. Gradually, Britain became involved on the Egyptian side. Khartoum covers the section of the war that pitted Muhammad Ahmad against General Charles "Chinese" Gordon.
Casting
In the 1960s, casting agents must have actually said things like: "So, we need a Sudanese Nubian … how about Laurence Olivier?" Olivier, in blackface, looks nothing like Muhammad Ahmad. Things don't improve when he speaks. His stab at a Sudanese accent sounds like Sebastian, the singing Caribbean crab from Disney's The Little Mermaid, pretending to be a Russian spy. »
- Alex von Tunzelmann
New Clash Of The Titans Trailer (or, Why I'll Always Love Harryhausen More than Computer Animators)
11 November 2009 4:15 PM, PST | iconsoffright.com | See recent Icons of Fright news »
One of my favorite flicks growing up was the 1980s extravaganza Clash Of The Titans. It featured Burgess Meredith with a beard and a metallic owl; Sir Laurence Olivier slumming as Zeus; and a bunch of Ray Harryhausen creature effects that looked awesome and acted far more lively than the wooden lead actor, Harry Hamlin. A few years ago, I watched Clash again as an adult, and although it left a lot to be desired in the acting and plotting departments, I fell in love with Harryhausen's stop-motion creatures all over again.
And then Warner Bros. went and did it.
They decided to remake Clash Of The Titans.
And what did they do? Exactly what I feared they would do: make the whole thing into a CGI-fest that looks infinitely less charming than the original. The newly released trailer serves as proof that sometimes studios should leave well enough alone. »
First Look at 'Clash of the Titans' (Trailer)
11 November 2009 11:26 AM, PST | The Wrap | See recent The Wrap news »
By Wrap Staff
New footage of Aussie up-and-comer Sam Worthington as the mythic Perseus in the remake of 1981's "Clash of the Titans." The original featured a strange hodgepodge of Shakespearean actors Maggie Smith and Laurence Olivier and "L.A. Law"s Harry Hamlin in a toga. The special effects look way better this time. With "Clash" and a little movie called "Avatar," Hollywood is clearly hoping that they have the next big thing in Worthington.
Video Below: »
- Brent Lang
Titans! Will! Clash!
11 November 2009 10:14 AM, PST | FilmExperience | See recent FilmExperience news »
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Ja from Mnpp here, taking us on a journey into the Mythical land of Perseus and his bros. (Or is it Brahs? I can never keep my frat-boy-speak up to date.) Anyway I assume by now we all have witnessed the thigh-thundering glory that is the trailer for the remake of Clash of the Titans?
If not, ye shall behold!
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I took some big pretty screen-grabs over at Mnpp if you're interested (with special attention paid to Sam Worthington's skimpy skirt, naturally).
I personally am super-stupid-psyched for this movie. Emphasis on stupid. I love the 1981 original deeply for it's epic cheesiness. Ray Harryhausen's creatures nurtured me to the deranged adulthood I now occupy. Indeed, here's the original film's trailer. Compare, contrast.
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But I can completely see the place for a big be-spectacled CG-palooza remake of this sort. Just stir in a couple hundred million dollars, replace Sir Laurence Olivier »
- JA
What do you think of 'Clash of the Titans' trailer?
11 November 2009 4:30 AM, PST | EW.com - PopWatch | See recent EW.com - PopWatch news »
Clash of the Titans -- the 1981 Geek mythology fantasy starring Harry Hamlin, Laurence Olivier and Maggie Smith, with memorable (if anachronistic) f/x from stop-motion animation master Ray Harryhausen -- boasts a pretty hefty fan following, especially among Gen Xers for whom the movie is a geek pop touchstone. Still, I think only Harryhausen zealots/purists believe that delightfully clunky block of retro-escapist cheese can't be improved upon-perhaps the rare sacred cow that genre fans think should be remade and rebooted. The new version, due in theaters March 26, is directed by Louis Leterrier (who's already proven himself adept at improving »
- Jeff Jensen
Caine Struck Up Friendship With 'Larry' Olivier
9 November 2009 12:01 AM, PST | WENN | See recent WENN news »
Sir Michael Caine was left awestruck when his Sleuth co-star Lord Laurence Olivier banned him from addressing him by his official title.
The actor admits he was nervous before starring in the 1972 mystery alongside the revered Olivier, who was made a Lord just two years prior.
But Caine insists Olivier remained down-to-earth despite his prestigious status.
He recalls, "Before we started the movie, he sent me a letter - I think he was Lord Olivier then. He sent me a letter saying, 'It's just occurred to me that you may be wondering how to address me because I have this title. From the moment we shake hands for the first time, I will be Larry forever.' Which was nice, it's wonderful - but you think about the necessity to send that letter. You know, I'm Sir Michael Caine and I can't imagine when I started doing (the 2007 remake) Sleuth with Jude Law, sending him a letter saying, 'You may be wondering how to address me, you may call me Michael.' It's amazing."
And the 76 year old will always be grateful to Olivier, who passed away in 1989, for believing in his acting ability.
Caine adds, "We did a scene, Larry and I, basically I had the main part in it. He goes to shoot me and I burst into tears begging him not to kill me on the stairs in Sleuth. When the director said cut, he (Olivier) looked at me and said, 'I thought I had an assistant. I see I have a partner.' That was the greatest compliment ever paid to me as an actor. That was his thinking, because he was the greatest actor we had." »
De Niro to the 7th? (Oscar's Male Hierarchy)
6 November 2009 3:46 AM, PST | FilmExperience | See recent FilmExperience news »
Have you been buying the minor huzz (hype+buzz) 'Robert De Niro's 7th Oscar nomination' for the holiday film Everybody's Fine? My friend txt critic saw it last night and sent the following note by phone...
it's, well, fine. most definitely a drama (despite the trailer) and conceptually a cross between About Schmidt and Four Christmases. nice, sweet and somewhat forgettable.
might, Might be a nomination for DeNiro, but i wouldn't bet on it.I dunno. I wasn't betting on it either but Best Actor sure seems vacant this year with only Colin Firth (A Single Man) and George Clooney (Up in the Air) catching any sort of real fire. As I've been saying for months, Fox Searchlight shouldn't have even hesitated to position Crazy Heart for a 2009 release. Jeff Bridges would have a clear shot at the career trophy given the field (if -- and it's always »
- NATHANIEL R
AFI's 100 Years ...100 Movie Quotes
4 November 2009 4:45 AM, PST | Extra | See recent Extra news »
"Extra" brings you AFI's 100 Best Movie Quotes of all time! From "The Wizard of Oz" to "Taxi Driver," see if your favorites made the list!
AFI's 100 Years...100 Movie QuotesGone with the Wind (1939)
“Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.” —Said by Clark Gable as Rhett Butler to Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara.
The Godfather (1972)
“I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse.” —Marlon Brando as Don Corleone.
On the Waterfront (1954)
“You don’t understand! »
Screen Queens: Another Country
1 November 2009 7:30 AM, PST | FilmExperience | See recent FilmExperience news »
Hey, MattCanada here with this weeks queer cinema post. I finally got around to watching Another Country. It was not what I expected at all and this did affect how much I liked the film. My expectations going into the movie were of a spy thriller with a hefty dose of gay sex, not PG fondling. What I was confronted with was a drama which explores the British class system through the study of Guy Bennett's (fictionalised Guy Burgess) disenfranchisement from his class because of his homosexuality at an unnamed Boys Public School (read: super posh). The film is beautifully shot, wonderfully acted, and intelligently written - a Merchant Ivory film in everything but name.
Rupert Everett in his star-making role (first on stage, then on screen)
The lead actors are all strong, especially Rupert Everett's flamboyant toff Guy Bennett. Everett does not overplay him which is a »
- CanadaMatt
Wanamaker and Suchet Star in Howard Davies-Helmed All My Sons in West End, Opens 5/27
30 October 2009 12:43 PM, PDT | BroadwayWorld.com | See recent BroadwayWorld.com news »
Zoe Wanamaker and David Suchet will star in the Apollo Theatre's production of All My Sons. The play, by Arthur Miller, will begin May 27th, 2010 and is directed by Olivier award winner Howard Davies. Davies won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Director for his work on All My Sons on the West End. Wanamaker will play Kate Keller, while Suchet will play the husband, Joe Keller. Additional casting is yet to be announced. »
Anthony Hopkins Is Odin In ‘Thor’
30 October 2009 9:00 AM, PDT | The Flickcast | See recent The Flickcast news »
It shouldn’t be completely surprising that an actor of Anthony Hopkins stature has decided to take the role of Odin, the father of Thor and Loki, in Kenneth Branagh’s upcoming big screen adaptation of the comic Thor. After all, famous actors playing parts such as this in big budget fantasy or genre movies is not completely unheard of.
As an example, take a look at the original Clash of the Titans, which featured the great Laurence Olivier as Zeus. Or, how about a little movie called Star Wars, which cast the great Alec Guinness as Obi-Wan “Ben” Kenobi. Plus, Hopkins himself has been in a few genre movies previously, including Dracula and The Silence of the Lambs.
In case you’re not familiar with Thor, the film, which is scripted by Mark Protosevich and Zack Stentz, centers on partly disabled med student Dr. Donald Blake’s discovery of his Norse god alter ego, »
- Joe Gillis
Convention Report: Rock And Shock, October 18th
28 October 2009 3:40 PM, PDT | iconsoffright.com | See recent Icons of Fright news »
Lots of Snow and Juggalos
Sometimes I go to a faraway convention and say to myself, “This was well worth the trip.” Whether it be a long flight or car trip (not interrupted by hitting a deer, preferably), with weather variables, travel obstacles and bleary-eyed exhaustion added to the mix, the convention at the center of it all pays off. Such was the case with the Rock and Shock Weekend in Worcester, Ma that I attended on October 18th. Even with one aborted interview, a wet snowstorm and a bevy of Juggalos, I can’t help but smile at the thought of this con.
Along for the ride were my cantankerous buddy John (he used to go by Brando) who I’ve known since high school, and a more recent friend Jonathan, who’s as much a staple on the circuit as some of the guests. Each of us had »
New Utv Series Celebrates Broadcaster's 50th Anniversary
27 October 2009 12:29 AM, PDT | IFTN | See recent IFTN news »
This Halloween marks the 50th anniversary of the launch of Utv. The station began broadcasting at 4.45pm on 31 October 1959 and was introduced to the Northern Ireland viewing public by Sir Laurence Olivier saying: "It is my privilege, my rare privilege; in fact it is my unique privilege to be the first person to appear before you on Ulster Television." In a series of six half hour programmes personalities who have appeared on Utv over the past 50 years will look back at the events and experiences that helped to shape their careers with Utv and beyond. In addition audiences will hear from two prominent viewers and occasional participants in Utv programmes, Rev Dr. Ian Paisley and President Mary McAleese. »
Any Sam, Myth or Harry.
3 October 2009 8:35 AM, PDT | FilmExperience | See recent FilmExperience news »
Jose here with some guys in skirts and feuding gods.
Images have began to circle the web announcing the remake of Clash of the Titans (is it just me or does it feel like it was announced about a month ago? Movie production sure is fast nowadays...). The movie based on the 1981 classic is being directed by Louis Leterrier and stars Sam Worthington (who's yet to prove his worth with James Cameron's upcoming Avatar) as the mythical demigod Perseus.
The original was a favorite of mine as a kid. I used to be enchanted by Ray Harryhausen's stop motion effects (I covered my eyes whenever Medusa appeared and was terrified by the Stygian Witches) and the plot got me interested in Greek myths.
Once I became film conscious however, the movie proved to be worthy because of several other things. That cast for starters! With Sir Laurence Olivier, »
- Jose
DVD Playhouse--September 2009
26 September 2009 1:01 PM, PDT | The Hollywood Interview | See recent The Hollywood Interview news »
DVD Playhouse—September 2009
By
The Human Condition (Criterion) Masaki Kobayashi’s epic (574 minutes) adaptation of Junpei Gomikawa’s six-volume novel was originally made and released as three separate films (1959-61), and is rightfully regarded as a landmark of Japanese cinema. Candide-like story of naïve, good-hearted Kaiji (Japanese superstar Tatsuya Nakadai) from labor camp supervisor, to Imperial Army solider, to Soviet Pow, and Kaiji’s struggle to maintain his humanity throughout. Unfolds with the mastery of a great novel, beautifully-shot, and a stunning example of cinematic mastery on the part of its makers. Four-disc set bonuses include: Interview with Kobayashi; Interview with Nakadai; Featurette; Trailer; Essay by critic Philip Kemp. Widescreen. Dolby 3.0 surround.
State Of Play (Universal) Russell Crowe stars as a veteran Washington D.C. political reporter investigating the murder of an aide to a rising congressional star (Ben Affleck), who also happens to be an old friend. »
- The Hollywood Interview.com
Kanye West Takes On The Remakes In 2010
16 September 2009 12:00 PM, PDT | MTV Movies Blog | See recent MTV Movies Blog news »
I’m the first to admit that remakes are rarely, if ever, a good idea. We can hardly claim, as a culture, that we prize originality over all else. We’re gluttons for the good stuff. Like movies based on 1980s cartoons? We’ll make more! Y’all like vampires in love? Have all the lovey dovey vampires you can handle! Imitation is a-okay, but giving us the exact same thing? That’s how you piss an audience off.
A remake is just a reflection of something the audience already loves, not a straight reproduction. That’s a hurdle many of 2010’s biggest movies are facing. The first six months of next year are chock full of marquee remakes, releases that are bound to stoke fan ire when they fail to meet expectations. I, however, have a solution for the makers of these films: Kanye West. Just look at his Vma outburst! »
- John Constantine
Caine Loves Law's Hamlet
14 September 2009 5:21 AM, PDT | WENN | See recent WENN news »
Michael Caine has given Jude Law's Hamlet the thumbs up, insisting his Sleuth co-star is better as Shakespeare's tragic prince than Lord Olivier and Richard Burton.
Caine, who played Horatio in a 1964 TV adaptation of the play, admits he was blown away by Law's latest theatrical turn, which has been wowing audiences and critics in London.
He says, "He is the best Hamlet I have ever seen in my life. I've seen Olivier and Burton and he is the best Hamlet. He stunned me.
"When he told me he was gonna do Hamlet, I went, 'Oh, he'll get slaughtered,' and then he got these great reviews.
"He's the truest, and you understand what Hamlet went through and how screwed up he was by his mother, and he gets it absolutely perfectly.
"I saw Richard Burton and he did it so quickly at the Old Vic, and years later I confronted him and said, 'You did the fastest Hamlet I've ever seen in my life.' And he said, 'Well, in those days, the pubs shut at half past 10!' He had his priorities right!" »
DVD Release Roundup – Mon 14th September 09
11 September 2009 11:02 AM, PDT | FilmShaft.com | See recent FilmShaft.com news »
This Monday we can welcome Tom Hanks and Jason Statham into our living rooms as well as some smaller films that could be worth your attention. By far the most exciting aspect of the DVD new releases next week belongs to Luc Besson as 6 of his best films are re-issued. One of the 6 happens to be the brilliant Leon starring Jean Reno and a very young Natalie Portman.
Angels & Demons
Dan Brown’s books have sold millions of copies worldwide so the transfer over to film was only a matter of time.
Back in 2006 director Ron Howard made The Da Vinci Code. The critics hated it, the church loathed it but despite all this it still didn’t do that badly at the box office.
The fact is that it’s not an awful film at all. The best way to describe The Da Vinci Code is painfully average. In »
- Alex Wagner
'Clash Of The Titans' Stars Exert Themselves, Drink Margaritas On The Set
10 September 2009 10:30 AM, PDT | MTV Movies Blog | See recent MTV Movies Blog news »
While there isn't any actual footage from the upcoming remake of "Clash of the Titans" out there, I've got the next best thing for you. On last week's episode of "Behind the Screen," we paid a visit to the set of the Sam Worthington-starring film, which is currently shooting in Wales.
In the video below you can check out interviews with Worthingon, Mads Mikkelson, Nicholas Hoult and Liam Cunningham as well as raw footage from the shoot. So not quite the polished clip you might want to see, but good stuff nonetheless.
Director Louis Leterrier's remake of "Clash" follows the basic script of the Desmond Davis original, which starred Laurence Olivier, Claire Bloom and "Harry Potter" vet Maggie Smith. Perseus (Worthington) is on a quest to save the fair Princess Andromeda (Alexa Davalos), but he'll have to go through Medusa and the Kraken first.
Expect lots of big action, »
- Adam Rosenberg
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998
1-20 of 90 articles from 2009 « Prev | Next »
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