Once thought to be lost for ever, the 1923 rags-to-riches story Love, Life and Laughter has been found and restored, bringing Balfour’s magnetic charm to a new audience
“There was once a happy little chorus girl who lived alone in a garret, and there was a lonely boy in the attic above, who wrote tales nobody wanted, except perhaps the girl.” The chorus girl is called Tip-Toes, and she is destined for great stardom. The young man, not so much.
This is the fairytale scenario for a movie made in 1923 by George Pearson, an ambitious, occasionally self-aggrandising British director. It is a scenario that he reprinted in his florid autobiography, Flashback. The cheery chorine was to be played by Pearson’s protege, and one of the biggest stars in British silent cinema, Betty Balfour. The resulting film, Love, Life and Laughter, combines whimsy with realism to tell a story about optimism and ideals.
“There was once a happy little chorus girl who lived alone in a garret, and there was a lonely boy in the attic above, who wrote tales nobody wanted, except perhaps the girl.” The chorus girl is called Tip-Toes, and she is destined for great stardom. The young man, not so much.
This is the fairytale scenario for a movie made in 1923 by George Pearson, an ambitious, occasionally self-aggrandising British director. It is a scenario that he reprinted in his florid autobiography, Flashback. The cheery chorine was to be played by Pearson’s protege, and one of the biggest stars in British silent cinema, Betty Balfour. The resulting film, Love, Life and Laughter, combines whimsy with realism to tell a story about optimism and ideals.
- 9/26/2019
- by Pamela Hutchinson
- The Guardian - Film News
Hulu is out with its list of new and expiring content for the month of September, and what better way to beat the back-to-school blues than with a whole bunch of binge-watching.
Among the new goodies coming next month is the 12th episode and season finale of horror anthology series “Into the Dark.” Out Sept. 6, the finale is called “Pure,” and is described as a female coming-of-age horror story in which a group of teenage girls perform a secret ritual at a “Purity Retreat.” When one of them begins to see a “supernatural entity,” a scary question is posed: “What is more dangerous: the demon they’ve unleashed, or the pressure to conform to their fathers’ expectations?” Scary indeed!
The Hulu original documentary “Untouchable” will be released on Sept. 2, described as “the inside story of the meteoric rise and shocking fall of movie titan Harvey Weinstein.” Directed by Ursula Macfarlane,...
Among the new goodies coming next month is the 12th episode and season finale of horror anthology series “Into the Dark.” Out Sept. 6, the finale is called “Pure,” and is described as a female coming-of-age horror story in which a group of teenage girls perform a secret ritual at a “Purity Retreat.” When one of them begins to see a “supernatural entity,” a scary question is posed: “What is more dangerous: the demon they’ve unleashed, or the pressure to conform to their fathers’ expectations?” Scary indeed!
The Hulu original documentary “Untouchable” will be released on Sept. 2, described as “the inside story of the meteoric rise and shocking fall of movie titan Harvey Weinstein.” Directed by Ursula Macfarlane,...
- 8/31/2019
- by Margeaux Sippell
- The Wrap
Amazon has released its list of every new title coming to its Prime Video streaming service in August. New additions include “Free Meek,” which covers rapper Meek Mill’s 2017 arrest for probation violations, which sparked outrage. The Amazon Prime original series will be released on Aug. 9 and will re-investigate his original case and explore allegations of police corruption.
A trio of new comedy specials are coming in August as well. “Jim Gaffigan: Quality Time,” his seventh comedy special, arrives Aug. 16. Here, the four-time Grammy-nominated comedian talks about how he doesn’t understand why we aren’t more honest about the reasons we don’t want to attend events.
“Alice Wetterlund: My Mama is a Human and So Am I,” is out on Aug. 23, features comedian and actor Alice Wetterlund as she reveals her personal struggles with peeping toms, cat-rearing, alcoholism and the secret alien conspiracy behind new country music in her breakout comedy special.
A trio of new comedy specials are coming in August as well. “Jim Gaffigan: Quality Time,” his seventh comedy special, arrives Aug. 16. Here, the four-time Grammy-nominated comedian talks about how he doesn’t understand why we aren’t more honest about the reasons we don’t want to attend events.
“Alice Wetterlund: My Mama is a Human and So Am I,” is out on Aug. 23, features comedian and actor Alice Wetterlund as she reveals her personal struggles with peeping toms, cat-rearing, alcoholism and the secret alien conspiracy behind new country music in her breakout comedy special.
- 8/1/2019
- by Margeaux Sippell
- The Wrap
Gamers around the world now have access to new, free downloadable content (Dlc) for the recently released Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid, developed by nWay. The content for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One will introduce several new elements requested by players including a new “story mode” by the acclaimed writer Kyle Higgins, in addition to new characters, battle arenas and voiceovers from original cast members. Highlights of the new content include:
Story Mode
Gamers can now play through an epic storyline written and voice directed by writer/director Kyle Higgins. The mode also features original artwork by Eisner Award-winning illustrator Dan Mora. In this new mode, players experience a re-imagining of the critically acclaimed Shattered Grid event from Boom! Studios’ Power Rangers comic book series. When Lord Drakkon, an evil alternate version of Tommy Oliver, sets off a massive campaign across time and space to destroy all Power Rangers,...
Story Mode
Gamers can now play through an epic storyline written and voice directed by writer/director Kyle Higgins. The mode also features original artwork by Eisner Award-winning illustrator Dan Mora. In this new mode, players experience a re-imagining of the critically acclaimed Shattered Grid event from Boom! Studios’ Power Rangers comic book series. When Lord Drakkon, an evil alternate version of Tommy Oliver, sets off a massive campaign across time and space to destroy all Power Rangers,...
- 5/1/2019
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
In Digital Shorts we review some of the latest video games that are only available digitally (at least in the UK), in a short-form review format. In this edition we take a look at Undead’s Building, a new “puzzle” game now available on the Nintendo Switch.
Operate an elevator in a zombie invested apartment where the undead wander the hallways! Use the security monitors to check each floor and then move between floors as quickly as possible to pick up survivors. Delay and the undead will eat them before you get there. Tough decisions await! Will you abandon one person to help three on another floor? Or try to rescue them all? Quick thinking and fast controls are required to rescue as many people as possible!
Undead’s Building looks like a game from the PS2 era and plays like a game from the Amiga era. And both of those are good,...
Operate an elevator in a zombie invested apartment where the undead wander the hallways! Use the security monitors to check each floor and then move between floors as quickly as possible to pick up survivors. Delay and the undead will eat them before you get there. Tough decisions await! Will you abandon one person to help three on another floor? Or try to rescue them all? Quick thinking and fast controls are required to rescue as many people as possible!
Undead’s Building looks like a game from the PS2 era and plays like a game from the Amiga era. And both of those are good,...
- 4/15/2019
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Degrees of Separation is an atmospheric 2D puzzle platformer in which dual protagonists Ember and Rime must use their innate powers to individually manipulate heat and cold. Separated, yet drawn to one another by an enigmatic force, Ember and Rime embark on a spectacular journey, relying on their contrasting skills to shift and alter their surroundings. Interacting with their environment, Ember and Rime can make water freeze and melt, cause snowballs to grow and shrink, force vents to expel air, and more. The two will learn to lean on each other, their unique talents carrying them through the many different stages of their adventure and relationship.
Degrees of Separation is a incredibly intriguing premise for a video game. You are essentially playing a platform game but one that, like games such as Flashback, utilises puzzles as much as it does platforming. However where the game really differentiates from others of...
Degrees of Separation is a incredibly intriguing premise for a video game. You are essentially playing a platform game but one that, like games such as Flashback, utilises puzzles as much as it does platforming. However where the game really differentiates from others of...
- 3/21/2019
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Chicago – Before everything else happened, Jussie Smollett was an actor from the TV series “Empire” and portrayed Langston Hughes in the film “Marshall” … featuring Chadwick Boseman of “Black Panther” as young Thurgood Marshall. Smollett walked the Red Carpet for the film in 2017, at the 53rd Chicago International Film Festival.
In this extraordinary Flashback interview, Jussie talks about “truth,” being a temporary child actor and connecting to Langston Hughes. Smollett was born in Santa Rosa, California, and began his career as a child actor, appearing in “The Mighty Ducks” (1992) and Rob Reiner’s notorious “North” (1994), and was in a TV series with his five siblings called “On Our Own” (1994-95).
Jussie Smollett in 2017, on the Red Carpet at the 53rd Chicago International Film Festival
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com
He stopped acting to focus on music, but he was able to combine acting and his new...
In this extraordinary Flashback interview, Jussie talks about “truth,” being a temporary child actor and connecting to Langston Hughes. Smollett was born in Santa Rosa, California, and began his career as a child actor, appearing in “The Mighty Ducks” (1992) and Rob Reiner’s notorious “North” (1994), and was in a TV series with his five siblings called “On Our Own” (1994-95).
Jussie Smollett in 2017, on the Red Carpet at the 53rd Chicago International Film Festival
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com
He stopped acting to focus on music, but he was able to combine acting and his new...
- 2/22/2019
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Now that 2019 is a few weeks old, that means it is time once again for fans to start getting ready for a brand new year of conventions and horror-themed events. Around these parts, we have a lot of love for Flashback Weekend, as it’s an event that has been a part of this writer’s life for well over a decade now, and several other staff members have visited the con in recent years. A while back, we shared that the legendary Bruce Campbell was making his return to Flashback this August, and now we have an idea of several other icons and genre greats that will be joining him in Rosemont later this year.
Flashback Weekend has revealed that not only are genre legends Robert Englund and Tony Todd appearing at this year’s convention alongside Campbell, delivering up three titans of terror, but we also get to...
Flashback Weekend has revealed that not only are genre legends Robert Englund and Tony Todd appearing at this year’s convention alongside Campbell, delivering up three titans of terror, but we also get to...
- 1/23/2019
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
When he isn’t trolling fans with fake Star Wars: Episode IX reveals or chatting with his new friend Ariana Grande, Mark Hamill apparently spends his Twitter time teasing his co-stars, including Star Wars Sequel Trilogy regular John Boyega.
A couple of days ago, a video was posted to Boyega’s Instagram which saw the Finn actor get arrested by a pair of First Order Stormtroopers during his trip to Disneyland Paris:
John Boyega arrested at Disneyland
… By Stormtroopers
(via @JohnBoyega | Instagram) pic.twitter.com/seMv8CRvQh
— Fandom (@getFANDOM) December 22, 2018
The star reflected on this unfortunate incident yesterday, describing his experience as “Messed up,” but in Hamill’s response, the Original Trilogy lead argued that Boyega had only himself to blame:
“Seems like You messed up, son.
#IHaveAVeryBadFeelingAboutThis”
It’s true that Finn kind of has a habit of getting caught by the First Order, but you can expect to...
A couple of days ago, a video was posted to Boyega’s Instagram which saw the Finn actor get arrested by a pair of First Order Stormtroopers during his trip to Disneyland Paris:
John Boyega arrested at Disneyland
… By Stormtroopers
(via @JohnBoyega | Instagram) pic.twitter.com/seMv8CRvQh
— Fandom (@getFANDOM) December 22, 2018
The star reflected on this unfortunate incident yesterday, describing his experience as “Messed up,” but in Hamill’s response, the Original Trilogy lead argued that Boyega had only himself to blame:
“Seems like You messed up, son.
#IHaveAVeryBadFeelingAboutThis”
It’s true that Finn kind of has a habit of getting caught by the First Order, but you can expect to...
- 12/24/2018
- by David Pountain
- We Got This Covered
Matt Pinfield has one helluva spirit -- 4 days after he was struck by a car, he's telling the horrific story from his hospital bed ... and it's pretty freakin' inspiring. The former MTV VJ -- and current host of the radio show 'Flashback' -- joined us Friday on "TMZ Live" from L.A.'s Cedars-Sinai hospital ... where he had multiple surgeries this week, healing from 2 broken bones, facial lacerations and a gruesome head injury.
- 12/7/2018
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
After recording more than 60 episodes of Daily Dead's official podcast, the Corpse Club co-hosts have never recorded an episode together in the same room... until now!
At the annual Flashback Weekend horror convention in Chicago, the Corpse Club team got together for the very first time to record their first-ever live episode! Gathering around the microphone face to face, co-hosts Patrick Bromley, Heather Wixson, Derek Anderson, Scott Drebit, and Jonathan James talked about their favorite Flashback panels, eye-catching horror collectibles at the vendor tables, their dream convention guests, and much more! The co-hosts also discuss how Scott takes his shirt off just minutes into recording, they briefly reflect on more than one year of making the podcast, and they celebrate Heather Wixson's first book, Monster Squad: Celebrating the Artists Behind Cinema's Most Memorable Creatures, which was featured at its own table at Flashback Weekend. So, sit back, relax, and listen...
At the annual Flashback Weekend horror convention in Chicago, the Corpse Club team got together for the very first time to record their first-ever live episode! Gathering around the microphone face to face, co-hosts Patrick Bromley, Heather Wixson, Derek Anderson, Scott Drebit, and Jonathan James talked about their favorite Flashback panels, eye-catching horror collectibles at the vendor tables, their dream convention guests, and much more! The co-hosts also discuss how Scott takes his shirt off just minutes into recording, they briefly reflect on more than one year of making the podcast, and they celebrate Heather Wixson's first book, Monster Squad: Celebrating the Artists Behind Cinema's Most Memorable Creatures, which was featured at its own table at Flashback Weekend. So, sit back, relax, and listen...
- 8/10/2018
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Once upon a time, fluidly realistic character animation was a new thing in gaming. In 1989, Jordan Mechner’s Prince of Persia gave us a groundbreaking rotoscoped avatar. In 1991, French developer Delphine Software pushed the medium into cinematic territory with the brief but dazzling Another World. The following year, Delphine delivered their masterpiece: Flashback. But it needs to be seen in context – like many gaming greats, returning to it today reveals a flawed experience.
There are shades of Total Recall in the cyberpunk plot, which involves your character, Conrad, trying to recover his memories and return to Earth. He begins in a jungle and works his way to New Washington, where he earns money doing mercenary jobs. After fighting through the “Death Tower” TV show (the best section), Conrad makes it back to Earth. But then – spoiler alert! – we discover that aliens are trying to take over the Earth, so he...
There are shades of Total Recall in the cyberpunk plot, which involves your character, Conrad, trying to recover his memories and return to Earth. He begins in a jungle and works his way to New Washington, where he earns money doing mercenary jobs. After fighting through the “Death Tower” TV show (the best section), Conrad makes it back to Earth. But then – spoiler alert! – we discover that aliens are trying to take over the Earth, so he...
- 6/28/2018
- by Rupert Harvey
- Nerdly
Though she has her own character poster and plays a pivotal role in the plot of Ant-Man and the Wasp, Michelle Pfeiffer has been conspicuously missing from the Marvel movie’s marketing. But now Pfeiffer makes her first on-screen appearance in a new Ant-Man and the Wasp TV spot, rocking feathered hair and the same digital de-aging […]
The post ‘Ant-Man and The Wasp’ TV Spot: Michelle Pfeiffer Rocks Feathered Hair as Janet van Dyne in Flashback appeared first on /Film.
The post ‘Ant-Man and The Wasp’ TV Spot: Michelle Pfeiffer Rocks Feathered Hair as Janet van Dyne in Flashback appeared first on /Film.
- 6/25/2018
- by Hoai-Tran Bui
- Slash Film
(Welcome to Road to Infinity War, a new series where we revisit the first 18 movies of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and ask “How did we get here?” In this edition: Guardians of the Galaxy gets weird, and it’s spectacular.) Flashback, Comic Con 2012. Marvel Studios head honcho Kevin Feige announces development on Guardians of the […]
The post ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Goes Cosmic and Gives Marvel Its Raw, Beating Heart appeared first on /Film.
The post ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Goes Cosmic and Gives Marvel Its Raw, Beating Heart appeared first on /Film.
- 4/13/2018
- by Siddhant Adlakha
- Slash Film
A new month means new shows and movies hitting streaming services, with April bringing both classics and contemporary hits to Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime.
Netflix will welcome some family-friendly entertainment with “The Iron Giant, “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” and “Despicable Me 3,” along with “Seth Rogen’s Hilarity for Charity” comedy event and a new episode of David Letterman’s “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction” featuring Jay-z.
The highly anticipated second season of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” debuts April 25 on Hulu. Also this month, Hulu will see the Season 7 premiere of “New Girl,” as well as horror films including “Paranormal Activity” and “Friday the 13th.”
Amazon Prime adds the Oscar-nominated “The Florida Project,” as well as fan-favorites like “Steel Magnolias” and “The Karate Kid.”
Check out the full list of titles coming to Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime below.
Netflix
April 1
A Sort of...
Netflix will welcome some family-friendly entertainment with “The Iron Giant, “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” and “Despicable Me 3,” along with “Seth Rogen’s Hilarity for Charity” comedy event and a new episode of David Letterman’s “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction” featuring Jay-z.
The highly anticipated second season of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” debuts April 25 on Hulu. Also this month, Hulu will see the Season 7 premiere of “New Girl,” as well as horror films including “Paranormal Activity” and “Friday the 13th.”
Amazon Prime adds the Oscar-nominated “The Florida Project,” as well as fan-favorites like “Steel Magnolias” and “The Karate Kid.”
Check out the full list of titles coming to Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime below.
Netflix
April 1
A Sort of...
- 4/2/2018
- by Kirsten Chuba
- Variety Film + TV
StartUp creator Ben Ketai has teamed with the companies behind the Crackle tech drama, Critical Content and Hollywood Gang, to develop and produce a TV series based on The Terror author Dan Simmons' dystopian novel Flashback. The deal indicates that the reality-focused Critical Content, which just underwent a reorganization, reducing its full-time staff by approximately 35% as it seeks growth opportunities, intends to keep a presence in the scripted world. Flashback takes…...
- 2/22/2018
- Deadline TV
Milestone Media’s best-known character, Static, is back in the third volume of his animated adventures after the release of the first two seasons last year. Static Shock was somewhat revolutionary back in the day, featuring an African-American teen super-hero who juggled classes, girls, villains, and parents, not all that dissimilar to a certain wall-crawler. The comic was long gone, but he left a mark.
Virgil Hawkins (Phil Lamarr) arrived for the Static Shock the Complete Third Season sporting a brand new costume and during the season, his Bff Richie (Jason Marsden) gained powers, taking on the name Gear. Throughout the thirteen episodes comprising the series, which aired in the Kids’ WB, he left the confines of Dakota and journeyed to Africa and even partnered with Superman after fighting alongside the Justice League.
It helped that there were strong scripts from Milestone co-founder Dwayne McDuffie, backed by Paul Dini, Len Uhley,...
Virgil Hawkins (Phil Lamarr) arrived for the Static Shock the Complete Third Season sporting a brand new costume and during the season, his Bff Richie (Jason Marsden) gained powers, taking on the name Gear. Throughout the thirteen episodes comprising the series, which aired in the Kids’ WB, he left the confines of Dakota and journeyed to Africa and even partnered with Superman after fighting alongside the Justice League.
It helped that there were strong scripts from Milestone co-founder Dwayne McDuffie, backed by Paul Dini, Len Uhley,...
- 2/5/2018
- by Robert Greenberger
- Comicmix.com
From August 4th through August 6th, Flashback Weekend Chicago Horror Con took over the Windy City, and Daily Dead was on hand for all the horror-fied festivities. Throughout all three days, this writer served as one of Flashback’s co-hosts, and brought back some highlights from several of the panels held over the course of the convention.
Below is the first part of our excerpts from the panel featuring the women of A Nightmare on Elm Street, Heather Langenkamp, Amanda Wyss, and Ronee Blakley. The trio discussed their careers at the point of being involved with the first film in the Nightmare franchise, how the project came about, and their experiences seeing Wes Craven’s landmark film for the very first time.
Be sure to check back here on Daily Dead for more from the women of A Nightmare on Elm Street.
I would love to start off by hearing...
Below is the first part of our excerpts from the panel featuring the women of A Nightmare on Elm Street, Heather Langenkamp, Amanda Wyss, and Ronee Blakley. The trio discussed their careers at the point of being involved with the first film in the Nightmare franchise, how the project came about, and their experiences seeing Wes Craven’s landmark film for the very first time.
Be sure to check back here on Daily Dead for more from the women of A Nightmare on Elm Street.
I would love to start off by hearing...
- 8/17/2017
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
[Editor’s Note: This post is presented in partnership with Spectrum. Catch up on this year’s Awards Season contenders and past winners On Demand. Today’s flashback winner is “Lord of the Rings: Return of the King.”]
In a career that already seen five Oscar nominations and one win for a body of work that includes remarkable performances as Queen Elizabeth, Bob Dylan and Katherine Hepburn, no less, Cate Blanchett somehow topped herself this year.
As the title character in Woody Allen’s “Blue Jasmine,” Blanchett plays a woman whose wealthy husband (Alec Baldwin) has lost all their money, forcing her to abandon their upper class Manhattan life to live with her working class sister (Sally Hawkins) in San Francisco. Even at this point, Jasmine is somewhere past the verge of a nervous breakdown, and Blanchett manages her character’s subsequent further spiraling with a tour-de-force authenticity that blew away audiences and critics alike.
Leading into the Oscars, Blanchett has already won a slew of kudos for “Blue Jasmine,” including a Golden Globe, honors from the New York and Los Angeles critics groups and nominations from SAG,...
In a career that already seen five Oscar nominations and one win for a body of work that includes remarkable performances as Queen Elizabeth, Bob Dylan and Katherine Hepburn, no less, Cate Blanchett somehow topped herself this year.
As the title character in Woody Allen’s “Blue Jasmine,” Blanchett plays a woman whose wealthy husband (Alec Baldwin) has lost all their money, forcing her to abandon their upper class Manhattan life to live with her working class sister (Sally Hawkins) in San Francisco. Even at this point, Jasmine is somewhere past the verge of a nervous breakdown, and Blanchett manages her character’s subsequent further spiraling with a tour-de-force authenticity that blew away audiences and critics alike.
Leading into the Oscars, Blanchett has already won a slew of kudos for “Blue Jasmine,” including a Golden Globe, honors from the New York and Los Angeles critics groups and nominations from SAG,...
- 2/24/2017
- by Peter Knegt
- Indiewire
There’s something freeing in knowing that you won’t have to feel conflicted about reviewing something, in this case Dead of Summer. Sure, I’ll probably find a few enjoyable morsels here and there about this show but overall, these recaps are just going to be one big roast. Episode 2 recap begins below, and it’s a doozy. You can watch along on Hulu or on the official Freeform website, if you’re feeling masochistic.
First, let me just say that this episode title is the kind of pseudo-Stephen King nonsense I was hoping this series wouldn’t devolve into. The unending parade of pop culture references of the first episode should’ve raised red flags all over the place and naming the first episode after a GnR track was precocious enough but This is out of hand.
Anyway, the episode starts with a flashback, as usual, dating...
First, let me just say that this episode title is the kind of pseudo-Stephen King nonsense I was hoping this series wouldn’t devolve into. The unending parade of pop culture references of the first episode should’ve raised red flags all over the place and naming the first episode after a GnR track was precocious enough but This is out of hand.
Anyway, the episode starts with a flashback, as usual, dating...
- 7/1/2016
- by Chris Melkus
- Destroy the Brain
Apparently, while I wasn’t looking, ABC Family and the “executive producers” of Once Upon A Time decided to launch a summer camp-themed horror TV series this year, called Dead of Summer. The series premiered last night and the first episode is available on Hulu or you can watch it at their official site, which you’ll notice that they’ve got next week’s episode already available? But regardless, instead of watching those episodes, you can read my Angry Recap, because ABC Family has absolutely no place making this show.
Intro: Tony Todd playing a creepy melody the piano. I mean, if you’ve got Tony Todd to be in your family-oriented horror TV show, why use any restraint? Also, props to his character for dragging a piano all the way out to his secluded cabin in the woods.
Angry dudes with torches and Winchester rifles! They’re after Tony Todd but,...
Intro: Tony Todd playing a creepy melody the piano. I mean, if you’ve got Tony Todd to be in your family-oriented horror TV show, why use any restraint? Also, props to his character for dragging a piano all the way out to his secluded cabin in the woods.
Angry dudes with torches and Winchester rifles! They’re after Tony Todd but,...
- 6/29/2016
- by Chris Melkus
- Destroy the Brain
Two episodes were provided for review prior to broadcast
Returning next Monday, Season 2 of AMC’s Better Call Saul finds the series marking time, as only it can. Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould’s delightfully droll follow-up/prequel to Breaking Bad does a lot of things the acclaimed nail-biter couldn’t. Better Call Saul relaxes and breathes. It basks in the freedom of being far removed from Breaking Bad chronologically, while still being to able synthesize much of that show’s cast, geography, and tragicomic spirit into something markedly different. Both shows are races against a ticking clock, but Better Call Saul moves to the steady, controlled rhythm of the big hand.
Flashback seven years to 2009: AMC’s scrappy crime farce starring the dad from Malcolm in the Middle has survived the writer’s strike, and opened its second season with a tantalizing promise of fire and mayhem to come.
Returning next Monday, Season 2 of AMC’s Better Call Saul finds the series marking time, as only it can. Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould’s delightfully droll follow-up/prequel to Breaking Bad does a lot of things the acclaimed nail-biter couldn’t. Better Call Saul relaxes and breathes. It basks in the freedom of being far removed from Breaking Bad chronologically, while still being to able synthesize much of that show’s cast, geography, and tragicomic spirit into something markedly different. Both shows are races against a ticking clock, but Better Call Saul moves to the steady, controlled rhythm of the big hand.
Flashback seven years to 2009: AMC’s scrappy crime farce starring the dad from Malcolm in the Middle has survived the writer’s strike, and opened its second season with a tantalizing promise of fire and mayhem to come.
- 2/12/2016
- by Sam Woolf
- We Got This Covered
D. A. Pennebaker — the filmmaker behind the famed 1967 Bob Dylan documentary, Don't Look Back — and his longtime partner Chris Hegedus have started a Kickstarter to fund their latest project, Unlocking the Cage, which chronicles the work of animal rights lawyer Steve Wise. As Pennebaker explains, Wise and his organization, the Nonhuman Rights Project, have been working to grant animals personhood, believing they will only get the protection they deserve if we no longer see them as things.
'Rolling Stone' Readers Pick the 10 Best Rock Documentaries
Pennebaker and Hegedus have raised over $55,000 for their film,...
'Rolling Stone' Readers Pick the 10 Best Rock Documentaries
Pennebaker and Hegedus have raised over $55,000 for their film,...
- 5/15/2014
- Rollingstone.com
The quest of Speed is far from over. The 1994 film stars Keanu Reeves as a young cop who, with the help of Sandra Bullock and Jeff Daniels, must prevent a bomb attached by Dennis Hopper to a city bus from exploding. An Idaho fan named Ryan Beitz is attempting to collect every VHS copy of the feature, with the hopes of decorating his 15-passenger van like the vehicle in the movie. Photos: Hollywood Flashback: When Sandra Bullock Became a Star and Other Tales From 1994 Beitz's goal sprouted in 2006 while he was looking for affordable Christmas presents in
read more...
read more...
- 4/23/2014
- by Ashley Lee
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Feature Ivan Radford 23 Jan 2014 - 06:21
Ivan's latest column explores what music can tell us about a character through two new UK soundtrack releases
Music is a powerful thing. It can be used to express authority or portray identity. The very act of playing music defines us, as both performers or listeners. That relationship we have with it makes for two extremely powerful soundtracks currently accompanying movies in UK cinemas: Inside Llewyn Davis and 12 Years a Slave.
Inside Llewyn Davis
"Play me something from Inside Llewyn Davis," manager Bud Grossman (F. Murray Abraham) challenges Oscar Isaac's lead in the middle of the Coen brothers' film. Llewyn responds with The Death of Queen Jane, an old ballad from the 1500s that recounts the tale of King Henry losing his wife, Jane Seymour, to gain a son. It's not a happy song.
It's also a clear statement from Llewyn: he's not afraid of sadness.
Ivan's latest column explores what music can tell us about a character through two new UK soundtrack releases
Music is a powerful thing. It can be used to express authority or portray identity. The very act of playing music defines us, as both performers or listeners. That relationship we have with it makes for two extremely powerful soundtracks currently accompanying movies in UK cinemas: Inside Llewyn Davis and 12 Years a Slave.
Inside Llewyn Davis
"Play me something from Inside Llewyn Davis," manager Bud Grossman (F. Murray Abraham) challenges Oscar Isaac's lead in the middle of the Coen brothers' film. Llewyn responds with The Death of Queen Jane, an old ballad from the 1500s that recounts the tale of King Henry losing his wife, Jane Seymour, to gain a son. It's not a happy song.
It's also a clear statement from Llewyn: he's not afraid of sadness.
- 1/22/2014
- by sarahd
- Den of Geek
Two years before Diane Keaton charmed audiences in Annie Hall, she posed for photographer Norman Seeff. But Seeff says Keaton's off-camera persona matched up with what she portrayed on-screen. "You know when you see Diane in a movie and there’s this kind of personality, this bright-eyed innocence? When I worked with her, there was this same feeling, but underneath the innocence was such a smart woman. She had the wonderful ability to just be herself. She flowed from one thing to the other, so I just kept pace with her. It was a jewel of a session," he told...
- 10/8/2013
- by Maggie Coughlan
- PEOPLE.com
There's always been a lot of tripping in movies, and man, is it hilarious. People trip all the time. Why, just the other day, I had dropped my backpack on the floor of my apartment right when I walked in, and as I circled back around really quickly I ended up stepping right into ...
Oh. Ohhh. That type of tripping. The one with hallucinogenic drugs. Okay, got it. Yeah, that type of tripping is funny, too. And hey, that's in a bunch of movies as well! Like, say, this week's "This is the End." Or so we hear.
We've counted down for you the Top 15 "tripping" scenes in movies, ranked in order of ... trippiest? We guess?
15. 'Batman Begins' (2005)
The tripping scenes in "Batman Begins" are underrated to the degree that a) they're not done for fun — quite the opposite, in fact — and b) they're kind of an afterthought...
Oh. Ohhh. That type of tripping. The one with hallucinogenic drugs. Okay, got it. Yeah, that type of tripping is funny, too. And hey, that's in a bunch of movies as well! Like, say, this week's "This is the End." Or so we hear.
We've counted down for you the Top 15 "tripping" scenes in movies, ranked in order of ... trippiest? We guess?
15. 'Batman Begins' (2005)
The tripping scenes in "Batman Begins" are underrated to the degree that a) they're not done for fun — quite the opposite, in fact — and b) they're kind of an afterthought...
- 6/11/2013
- by Nick Blake
- NextMovie
Pop quiz, hot shot. Iconic American character actor, Dennis Hopper, has just died and left a void in the ephemeral ether of Hollywood, what do you do? What do you do? I know the one thing I will not do is mourn the passing of a legend. Hopper always had a weird sense of humor, and what better way to remember his life and characters then to take a look at some of the craziest bastards (and some of the not-so-memorable characters) that he portrayed.
“What the hell is wrong with freedom? That's what it's all about,” said by Hopper in Easy Rider.
Howard Payne in Speed (1994): Thank God, Hopper was there to offset Keanu’s attempt at acting in this high-paced bus adventure. Yeah, I know. High-paced and bus don’t really go hand in hand, but whatever. Hopper portrayed a crazy son-of-a-bitch that had been wronged by society.
“What the hell is wrong with freedom? That's what it's all about,” said by Hopper in Easy Rider.
Howard Payne in Speed (1994): Thank God, Hopper was there to offset Keanu’s attempt at acting in this high-paced bus adventure. Yeah, I know. High-paced and bus don’t really go hand in hand, but whatever. Hopper portrayed a crazy son-of-a-bitch that had been wronged by society.
- 6/2/2010
- MoviesOnline.ca
Dennis Hopper. One of the greats in cinema history. A consistent rebel in Hollywood, he pushed envelopes as often as he ripped them up and pissed on the scraps. And even when you could tell he was doing a film just for a paycheck, he did the most with that role and made us as film fans all the happier. I’m looking at you, “Waterworld”. So here at the Criterion Cast, I’ve decided to do a top 10 of my favorite Dennis Hopper roles in film. It also doesn’t hurt that he is in the Criterion Collection, in the TV series “Fishing With John”. Check it out if you haven’t already.
10. “Speed” (1994) – As villainous bomb expert Howard Payne, he more or less steals the movie from Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. But that’s like stealing candy from two rocks. I enjoy this film though, considering the...
10. “Speed” (1994) – As villainous bomb expert Howard Payne, he more or less steals the movie from Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. But that’s like stealing candy from two rocks. I enjoy this film though, considering the...
- 5/31/2010
- by James McCormick
- CriterionCast
Hell-raising actor and director who created memorable roles in films from Easy Rider to Blue Velvet
Dennis Hopper, who has died of cancer aged 74, was one of Hollywood's great modern outlaws. His persona, on and off the screen, signified the lost idealism of the 1960s. There were stages in Hopper's career when he was deemed unemployable because of his reputation as a hell-raiser and his substance abuse. However, he made spectacular comebacks and managed to kick his dependence on alcohol and cocaine.
Born in Dodge City, Kansas, Hopper, whose father was a post-office manager and mother a lifeguard instructor, expressed an interest in painting and acting at a young age. While still in his teens, he appeared in repertory at Pasadena Playhouse, California, and studied acting with Dorothy McGuire and John Swope at the Old Globe theatre, San Diego.
The year of his 19th birthday, 1955, was extraordinary. Not only did...
Dennis Hopper, who has died of cancer aged 74, was one of Hollywood's great modern outlaws. His persona, on and off the screen, signified the lost idealism of the 1960s. There were stages in Hopper's career when he was deemed unemployable because of his reputation as a hell-raiser and his substance abuse. However, he made spectacular comebacks and managed to kick his dependence on alcohol and cocaine.
Born in Dodge City, Kansas, Hopper, whose father was a post-office manager and mother a lifeguard instructor, expressed an interest in painting and acting at a young age. While still in his teens, he appeared in repertory at Pasadena Playhouse, California, and studied acting with Dorothy McGuire and John Swope at the Old Globe theatre, San Diego.
The year of his 19th birthday, 1955, was extraordinary. Not only did...
- 5/30/2010
- by Ronald Bergan
- The Guardian - Film News
This week on Clip joint, nilpferd is not perfumed, not coloured, just kind, as he talks us through some of the best examples of simplicity in the cinema
Every now and then we need to get back to the basics. Whether overwhelmed by the rapid-edit audiovisual overload of 21st century cinema, or just in need of an escape from the hectic pace of everyday life, we can all use a dose of minimalism from time to time.
The reduction of any art form to an essential core has long been equated with perfection, and the movies are no exception. But inevitably, trying to definite "simplicity" in film is anything but straightforward, encompassing anything from Len Lye's direct films to Derek Jarman's Blue, the low-budget slacker charm of Clerks versus the philosophical musings of Bruce Lee.
And there's always the risk of refining things so much that there's nothing left.
Every now and then we need to get back to the basics. Whether overwhelmed by the rapid-edit audiovisual overload of 21st century cinema, or just in need of an escape from the hectic pace of everyday life, we can all use a dose of minimalism from time to time.
The reduction of any art form to an essential core has long been equated with perfection, and the movies are no exception. But inevitably, trying to definite "simplicity" in film is anything but straightforward, encompassing anything from Len Lye's direct films to Derek Jarman's Blue, the low-budget slacker charm of Clerks versus the philosophical musings of Bruce Lee.
And there's always the risk of refining things so much that there's nothing left.
- 5/26/2010
- The Guardian - Film News
DVD Playhouse—May 2010
By
Allen Gardner
Avatar (20th Century Fox) James Cameron beat his own title as box office champ, set with Titanic over a decade ago, with this eye-popping sci-fi epic about a paraplegic Marine name Sully (Sam Worthington), who takes the form of an “avatar,” or virtual being, to go undercover on the planet Pandora, attempting to infiltrate the native Na’vi to gather intelligence that will aid a joint corporate and military operation to rape the planet of its natural resources, destroying its indigenous population in the process. When Sully suddenly “goes native,” he locks horns with the company CEO (Giovanni Ribisi) and his gung-ho commanding officer (Stephen Lang, in a wonderful, scenery-chewing turn from a long-underrated actor). Thought of by many scholars and film buffs as a “game-changer” as much as the first Star Wars film was—and they may be right. While Cameron’s politically-correct...
By
Allen Gardner
Avatar (20th Century Fox) James Cameron beat his own title as box office champ, set with Titanic over a decade ago, with this eye-popping sci-fi epic about a paraplegic Marine name Sully (Sam Worthington), who takes the form of an “avatar,” or virtual being, to go undercover on the planet Pandora, attempting to infiltrate the native Na’vi to gather intelligence that will aid a joint corporate and military operation to rape the planet of its natural resources, destroying its indigenous population in the process. When Sully suddenly “goes native,” he locks horns with the company CEO (Giovanni Ribisi) and his gung-ho commanding officer (Stephen Lang, in a wonderful, scenery-chewing turn from a long-underrated actor). Thought of by many scholars and film buffs as a “game-changer” as much as the first Star Wars film was—and they may be right. While Cameron’s politically-correct...
- 5/18/2010
- by The Hollywood Interview.com
- The Hollywood Interview
Hey, consumers with disposable income in the coveted Gen Y demographic! This summer marks the 40th anniversary of Woodstock, a seminal event you may know about through cinematic montages set to that one song by Buffalo Springfield. We’re going to party like it’s 1969—but, thanks to social media and the latest technology, now your generation can get psychedelic from the comfort of your own triple-roommate studio apartments for the Summer of Love 2.009, you “Digg”? Here are some sponsored programs we’re excited to launch with our groovy antiestablishment corporate partners: Don’t trip and drop the LCD: Experience all the far-out hallucinatory visuals without any of the legal and very dangerous medical consequences by purchasing the new Kaleidoscopic Rainbow App for your iPhone and plug-in player for Adobe FlashBack. The Jimi Hendrix Virtual Experience: Sure, live music can be fun, but why deal with the lines, blaring speakers,...
- 8/12/2009
- Vanity Fair
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