The path to "Star Wars" was long and circuitous. George Lucas famously attempted to obtain the rights to "Flash Gordon" prior to making "Star Wars," hoping to make a straight-up adaptation of one of his childhood favorites. When those plans fell through, he pivoted to something in a similar vein, coming up with a fantastical space adventure with broad archetypes as characters, exciting battles, and cutting-edge special effects. I don't think Lucas could have predicted the stranglehold "Star Wars" would almost instantly have on the popular arts. It seems to have hit at just the right time and has remained firmly entrenched ever since.
Of course, getting "Star Wars" from its early "Flash Gordon" ideas into its own world took some trial and error. Early concept art is easily found online, and fans can see some of the initial ideas that were completely altered by the time they made it to the screen.
Of course, getting "Star Wars" from its early "Flash Gordon" ideas into its own world took some trial and error. Early concept art is easily found online, and fans can see some of the initial ideas that were completely altered by the time they made it to the screen.
- 5/25/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Back in 1990, CBS’s The Flash was a favorite of young comic book fans. Growing up as a young comic book fan in the ’80s and ’90s was not easy. All you current comic fans have it so easy. I grew up in the dark times, my friends. We were glad when anything comic book related was on movies and TV. We were so desperate that we would make excuses for anything.
Superman III? Hey, he gets to fight an evil Superman.
Generation X? Look they’re in the X-mansion!
Howard the Duck? Yeah….I got nothing.
But every once in a while someone would get it right. Richard Donner’s Superman started it but it was Tim Burton’s Batman film in 1989 that started to change things. Sure we would eventually get duds like Batman & Robin, but we also had Batman The Animated Series and Blade. Yet for a long time,...
Superman III? Hey, he gets to fight an evil Superman.
Generation X? Look they’re in the X-mansion!
Howard the Duck? Yeah….I got nothing.
But every once in a while someone would get it right. Richard Donner’s Superman started it but it was Tim Burton’s Batman film in 1989 that started to change things. Sure we would eventually get duds like Batman & Robin, but we also had Batman The Animated Series and Blade. Yet for a long time,...
- 5/22/2023
- by David Arroyo
- JoBlo.com
Mark Hamill, Gary Kurtz, and Billy D. Williams in 1980.Photo: Fairfax Media Archives (Getty Images)
Imagine Star Wars without merch. Or Ewoks. Or another Death Star, just two movies after the first. Imagine if Leia and Luke weren’t related, and might have become lovers. Imagine Han Solo dying in...
Imagine Star Wars without merch. Or Ewoks. Or another Death Star, just two movies after the first. Imagine if Leia and Luke weren’t related, and might have become lovers. Imagine Han Solo dying in...
- 5/4/2023
- by Ray Greene
- avclub.com
It must be tough being a movie (or TV show) sitting on Taika Waititi's To Do list as the writer/director ruminates between ideas such as his long-gestating Star Wars film, a new Flash Gordon adaptation and more. Now imagine seeing another entry join the crowded waiting room. Which is happening, as he's aiming to make an adaptation fo Kazuo Ishiguro's sci-fi story Klara And The Sun.
Ishiguro’s novel follows Klara, a robot girl created to prevent teenagers from becoming lonely. This is the story of how she tries to save a family of humans she lives with from heartbreak.
Sony's 3000 Pictures has the rights to the book, and Harry Potter/Paddington producer David Heyman is aboard for the film.
Next up for Waititi, meanwhile, is true story-based football comedy drama Next Goal Wins, which will be out on 20 October and has a trailer online.
Ishiguro’s novel follows Klara, a robot girl created to prevent teenagers from becoming lonely. This is the story of how she tries to save a family of humans she lives with from heartbreak.
Sony's 3000 Pictures has the rights to the book, and Harry Potter/Paddington producer David Heyman is aboard for the film.
Next up for Waititi, meanwhile, is true story-based football comedy drama Next Goal Wins, which will be out on 20 October and has a trailer online.
- 5/2/2023
- by James White
- Empire - Movies
Generationally wealthy royals: they're just like us!
Queen Elizabeth II's favorite movie was reportedly Mike Hodges' gloriously campy "Flash Gordon." Her son, King Charles, is apparently a fan of morose singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen. When Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud isn't ordering the mutilation of journalists, he evidently enjoys pro wrestling.
Entertainment is essential. It's what gets us through the drudgery of day-to-day life, and even the most monstrous people who've ever existed require this escapist outlet. Adolf Hitler was a cinephile. So was Joseph Stalin. Donald Trump reportedly loves Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Evita."
King Abdullah II of Jordan is no exception. In 2002, the first child of King Hussein visited Hollywood, and, keen on meeting Steven Spielberg, visited the set of "Catch Me If You Can." He was also a fan of "Shrek," which prompted Jeffrey Katzenberg to give Abdullah II a tour of DreamWorks Animation...
Queen Elizabeth II's favorite movie was reportedly Mike Hodges' gloriously campy "Flash Gordon." Her son, King Charles, is apparently a fan of morose singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen. When Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud isn't ordering the mutilation of journalists, he evidently enjoys pro wrestling.
Entertainment is essential. It's what gets us through the drudgery of day-to-day life, and even the most monstrous people who've ever existed require this escapist outlet. Adolf Hitler was a cinephile. So was Joseph Stalin. Donald Trump reportedly loves Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Evita."
King Abdullah II of Jordan is no exception. In 2002, the first child of King Hussein visited Hollywood, and, keen on meeting Steven Spielberg, visited the set of "Catch Me If You Can." He was also a fan of "Shrek," which prompted Jeffrey Katzenberg to give Abdullah II a tour of DreamWorks Animation...
- 4/28/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Leo D. Sullivan, whose animation of a chugging train graced the opening of television dance party Soul Train for decades, died March 25 in Los Angeles. He was 82 and died of heart failure at Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center, his wife Ethelyn Sullivan confirmed.
In addition to creating the memorable Soul Train opener, Sullivan contributed to cartoons featuring Fat Albert, Transformers and My Little Pony. He worked as an animator for five decades.
His resume included television work for The Incredible Hulk, Flash Gordon, BraveStarr and Scooby-Doo, his family said.
Born in Lockhart, Texas, Sullivan moved to Los Angeles in 1952, and started working for Looney Tunes animator Bob Clampett. In the 1960s, he joined forced with Floyd Norman, the first Black animator at Disney, and cofounded Vignette Film, which created educational films about historic Black figures.
He also published a video game that honored the Tuskegee Airmen and taught...
In addition to creating the memorable Soul Train opener, Sullivan contributed to cartoons featuring Fat Albert, Transformers and My Little Pony. He worked as an animator for five decades.
His resume included television work for The Incredible Hulk, Flash Gordon, BraveStarr and Scooby-Doo, his family said.
Born in Lockhart, Texas, Sullivan moved to Los Angeles in 1952, and started working for Looney Tunes animator Bob Clampett. In the 1960s, he joined forced with Floyd Norman, the first Black animator at Disney, and cofounded Vignette Film, which created educational films about historic Black figures.
He also published a video game that honored the Tuskegee Airmen and taught...
- 4/6/2023
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Many filmmakers yearn for their work to be at the centre of a public conversation. But it’s not always a good thing.
Sometimes, movies – even great ones – are put under the microscope for problematic characters, plotlines or moments.
Often, this is a result of changing social standards. Films like The Jazz Singer utilised blackface at a time when it was more or less completely socially acceptable. Watch it now, however, and you’ll likely be mortified.
Other films, of course, are problematic the moment they hit cinemas – such as Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
In some cases, the question of whether or not a film is offensive can provoke strong debate among fans and even those involved in making the film. This week, Michael Caine was in the news after hitting back at claims that the 1964 film Zulu was a “key text” for white supremecists.
Sometimes, movies – even great ones – are put under the microscope for problematic characters, plotlines or moments.
Often, this is a result of changing social standards. Films like The Jazz Singer utilised blackface at a time when it was more or less completely socially acceptable. Watch it now, however, and you’ll likely be mortified.
Other films, of course, are problematic the moment they hit cinemas – such as Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
In some cases, the question of whether or not a film is offensive can provoke strong debate among fans and even those involved in making the film. This week, Michael Caine was in the news after hitting back at claims that the 1964 film Zulu was a “key text” for white supremecists.
- 3/10/2023
- by Louis Chilton
- The Independent - Film
Chaim Topol, the renowned star of "Fiddler on the Roof" and "Flash Gordon," has died. The world renowned actor of both the stage and screen was 87 years old. According to The Times of Israel, Topol passed away in Tel Aviv after dealing with Alzheimer's disease for many years.
In large part thanks to his decades-long run as Tevye in "Fiddler on the Roof," both on stage and on screen, Topol earned a reputation as being the first Israeli actor to truly find fame and recognition around the world. His profile was bolstered greatly following the smash success of 1971's Oscar-winning adaptation of "Fiddler," for which Topol was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar. Israeli President Isaac Herzog called Topol "one of the most outstanding Israeli stage artists," as well as a "giant of Israeli culture and will be greatly missed." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also had the following to say in a statement:
"Sadly,...
In large part thanks to his decades-long run as Tevye in "Fiddler on the Roof," both on stage and on screen, Topol earned a reputation as being the first Israeli actor to truly find fame and recognition around the world. His profile was bolstered greatly following the smash success of 1971's Oscar-winning adaptation of "Fiddler," for which Topol was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar. Israeli President Isaac Herzog called Topol "one of the most outstanding Israeli stage artists," as well as a "giant of Israeli culture and will be greatly missed." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also had the following to say in a statement:
"Sadly,...
- 3/9/2023
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
Chaim Topol, the Israeli-born actor who starred in Fiddler on the Roof on both stage and screen, has died at the age of 87.
Known simply to audiences worldwide as Topol, the actor’s death was announced Thursday by Israeli president Isaac Herzog. “From Fiddler on the Roof to the roof of the world, Haim Topol, who has passed away from us, was one of the most outstanding Israeli stage artists, a gifted actor who conquered many stages in Israel and overseas, filled the cinema screens with his presence and above...
Known simply to audiences worldwide as Topol, the actor’s death was announced Thursday by Israeli president Isaac Herzog. “From Fiddler on the Roof to the roof of the world, Haim Topol, who has passed away from us, was one of the most outstanding Israeli stage artists, a gifted actor who conquered many stages in Israel and overseas, filled the cinema screens with his presence and above...
- 3/9/2023
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
Many filmmakers yearn for their work to be at the centre of a public conversation. But it’s not always a good thing.
Sometimes, movies – even great ones – are put under the microscope for problematic characters, plotlines or moments.
Often, this is a result of changing social standards. Films like The Jazz Singer utilised blackface at a time when it was more or less completely socially acceptable. Watch it now, however, and you’ll likely be mortified.
Other films, of course, are problematic the moment they hit cinemas – such as Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
In some cases, the question of whether or not a film is offensive can provoke strong debate among fans and even those involved in making the film. This week, Michael Caine was in the news after hitting back at claims that the 1964 film Zulu was a “key text” for white supremecists.
Sometimes, movies – even great ones – are put under the microscope for problematic characters, plotlines or moments.
Often, this is a result of changing social standards. Films like The Jazz Singer utilised blackface at a time when it was more or less completely socially acceptable. Watch it now, however, and you’ll likely be mortified.
Other films, of course, are problematic the moment they hit cinemas – such as Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
In some cases, the question of whether or not a film is offensive can provoke strong debate among fans and even those involved in making the film. This week, Michael Caine was in the news after hitting back at claims that the 1964 film Zulu was a “key text” for white supremecists.
- 3/9/2023
- by Louis Chilton
- The Independent - Film
Epic fantasy has been a popular genre in the movies for nearly a century. Classics like "The Wizard of Oz," "Jason and the Argonauts," and "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves" attracted hordes of moviegoers; they also won awards and drew rave reviews from critics. But not every fantasy film gets two thumbs up. For every "The Lord of the Rings," there's a "Hobbit"; for every "Labyrinth," an "Eragon."
And yet, some of these films might make you sit up and cheer anyway. It's not just the swords and sorcery that make them fun; it's the diverse and complex characters, the bizarre and creative creatures, and the wild and innovative settings. Many fantasy films were lambasted by reviewers when they were released, but if you sit down to watch them today, you'll have a fantastic time.
Don't believe me? These 14 epic fantasy movies were panned by professional commentators, but they're still a blast to watch.
And yet, some of these films might make you sit up and cheer anyway. It's not just the swords and sorcery that make them fun; it's the diverse and complex characters, the bizarre and creative creatures, and the wild and innovative settings. Many fantasy films were lambasted by reviewers when they were released, but if you sit down to watch them today, you'll have a fantastic time.
Don't believe me? These 14 epic fantasy movies were panned by professional commentators, but they're still a blast to watch.
- 12/14/2022
- by Brendan Knapp
- Slash Film
John Guillermin’s Academy Award Winning remake of iconic Hollywood classic, King Kong (1976), starring Jeff Bridges and Jessica Lange and produced by Hollywood legend Dino de Laurentiis, this retelling of the classic monster adventure film went on to jointly win the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, as well as receiving Academy Award nominations for Best Cinematography (Richard H. Kline) and Best Sound. Jessica Lange was also honoured as Best new Actress for her role at the Golden Globes that same year.
Fred Wilson (Charles Grodin), an employee of a large American oil company, has been charged with a mission to find new oil wells. With a chartered boat, he sets off on a journey to an uninhabited island in the South Pacific. On board is also a stowaway: the palaeontologist Jack Prescott (Jeff Bridges) has smuggled himself onto the ship, as he hopes to examine a rare species of monkey on this island.
Fred Wilson (Charles Grodin), an employee of a large American oil company, has been charged with a mission to find new oil wells. With a chartered boat, he sets off on a journey to an uninhabited island in the South Pacific. On board is also a stowaway: the palaeontologist Jack Prescott (Jeff Bridges) has smuggled himself onto the ship, as he hopes to examine a rare species of monkey on this island.
- 12/14/2022
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Mark Hamill's Luke Skywalker might've been the protagonist of George Lucas' "Star Wars," but Harrison Ford was its breakout star as the charming interstellar rapscallion Han Solo. He would've broken out eight years earlier in Jacques Demy's "Model Shop," but the genius head of Columbia Pictures at the time believed Ford had "no future" as a film actor. Having finally kicked down the door at the age of 35, Ford was determined to not get pigeonholed as his generation's Flash Gordon à la Buster Crabbe. So before "Star Wars" hit theaters on May 22, 1977, the actor chased down a supporting role in a small, independently produced film.
The film was Jeremy Kagan's "Heroes," a quiet drama about a Vietnam veteran (Henry Winkler) who escapes a mental hospital in New York City and sets out on a quest to start a worm farm in Northern California. Winkler is joined by...
The film was Jeremy Kagan's "Heroes," a quiet drama about a Vietnam veteran (Henry Winkler) who escapes a mental hospital in New York City and sets out on a quest to start a worm farm in Northern California. Winkler is joined by...
- 12/3/2022
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Welcome to Sales to Astonish, a new column in association with comics retailer The Unreality Store, in which Matthew De Monti brings us news on comic sales and the general moves in the comic market over the past month or so!
After a slow September, hopes were high that October would return to seeing a normal semblance of online sales levels seen earlier in the year, and indeed the month started strongly with sales of runs of Flash, Tomb of Dracula, Werewolf By Night and X-Men.
We dropped around 100 Spider-Man and Fantastic Four issues into the store around mid-October. No real key issues to speak of but some solid entertaining books featuring some great art by John Romita Jnr (Spidey) and Carlos Pacheco (Ff). Surprisingly to date, none of these have sold, but no doubt they will trickle out as people fill their gaps and before we know it we...
After a slow September, hopes were high that October would return to seeing a normal semblance of online sales levels seen earlier in the year, and indeed the month started strongly with sales of runs of Flash, Tomb of Dracula, Werewolf By Night and X-Men.
We dropped around 100 Spider-Man and Fantastic Four issues into the store around mid-October. No real key issues to speak of but some solid entertaining books featuring some great art by John Romita Jnr (Spidey) and Carlos Pacheco (Ff). Surprisingly to date, none of these have sold, but no doubt they will trickle out as people fill their gaps and before we know it we...
- 11/3/2022
- by Guest
- Nerdly
After the "Star Wars" prequels ended, the franchise was all but dead. There was no more story to tell, and you were either too angry to care, or happy enough with how the trilogy ended to not care. After all, what was left? The gaps in the story were filled, and even the post-"Return of the Jedi" events were covered in the expanded universe, canon or not.
That changed at the fan convention Star Wars Celebration III in 2005. During a panel with George Lucas himself, it was announced that "Star Wars" would enter the TV world. Not only did they announce the 3D, half-hour version of "The Clone Wars," but also a live-action show titled "Star Wars: Underworld."
Though we don't know much about what that show would have looked like, we know that the aim was to make something more serious and unlike anything in the franchise up to that point.
That changed at the fan convention Star Wars Celebration III in 2005. During a panel with George Lucas himself, it was announced that "Star Wars" would enter the TV world. Not only did they announce the 3D, half-hour version of "The Clone Wars," but also a live-action show titled "Star Wars: Underworld."
Though we don't know much about what that show would have looked like, we know that the aim was to make something more serious and unlike anything in the franchise up to that point.
- 11/3/2022
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
Benjamin Franklin once famously claimed “in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.” That might have been true in 1789 but, in 2022, it should probably be amended to include “remakes and reboots.” Remakes, reboots or whatever your preferred term may be, are increasingly commonplace in the world of moviemaking. It’s more common than most realize too. All that obscures that fact is that many have simply proven so bad that, without a VHS/DVD bargain bin to go to, they’ve been consigned to nothing more than distant memory. Who remembers the remakes of Jacob’s Ladder or Point Break, for example?
So when news first broke that Highlander was set to become the latest beloved cult classic to get rebooted for a modern audience, there was understandable apprehension. After all, there was an undeniably unique alchemy to the success of the original film. Something that’s never quite...
So when news first broke that Highlander was set to become the latest beloved cult classic to get rebooted for a modern audience, there was understandable apprehension. After all, there was an undeniably unique alchemy to the success of the original film. Something that’s never quite...
- 11/1/2022
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
Robbie Coltrane, best known for his roles in Harry Potter, James Bond, and the UK drama series Cracker, has died.
He was 72.
Deadline reports that he passed away in a hospital near his home in Larbert, Scotland.
The outlet reports that Coltrane had been in ill health over the last two years.
Coltrane was born Anthony Robert McMillan on March 30, 1950, in Glasgow, Scotland.
He was the son of a doctor and teacher.
Coltrane attended the Glasgow Art School before continuing his studies at Moray House College of Education in Edinburgh.
He decided to try stand-up comedy after his attempts to become an artist didn't work out.
His name was changed in honor of jazz legend John Coltrane when the star turned to acting.
Early roles included Flash Gordon, Blackadder, and Keep It in the Family.
His other credits included A Kick Up the Eighties, The Comic Strip, and Alfresco.
His...
He was 72.
Deadline reports that he passed away in a hospital near his home in Larbert, Scotland.
The outlet reports that Coltrane had been in ill health over the last two years.
Coltrane was born Anthony Robert McMillan on March 30, 1950, in Glasgow, Scotland.
He was the son of a doctor and teacher.
Coltrane attended the Glasgow Art School before continuing his studies at Moray House College of Education in Edinburgh.
He decided to try stand-up comedy after his attempts to become an artist didn't work out.
His name was changed in honor of jazz legend John Coltrane when the star turned to acting.
Early roles included Flash Gordon, Blackadder, and Keep It in the Family.
His other credits included A Kick Up the Eighties, The Comic Strip, and Alfresco.
His...
- 10/14/2022
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Robbie Coltrane Photo: Eoin Carey, courtesy of the Edinburgh International Film Festival
Robbie Coltrane has passed away at the age of 72, it was announced today.
The much loved actor, who hailed from Rutherglen, was a legend on the small screen thanks to roles in the likes of Tutti Frutti, Blackadder and Cracker, the latter of which saw him win a BAFTA, while on the big screen her appeared in the James Bond and Harry Potter franchises as well as starring in the likes of Mona Lisa, From Hell and Ocean's 12. His final film role was in Effie Gray in 2014.
A graduate of Glasgow School of Art, Coltrane made his first film appearance almost unnoticed at the airport at the very start of Flash Gordon. He went on to play small roles in the likes of Death Watch and Krull before building up a fan following through his small screen roles which led casting directors.
Robbie Coltrane has passed away at the age of 72, it was announced today.
The much loved actor, who hailed from Rutherglen, was a legend on the small screen thanks to roles in the likes of Tutti Frutti, Blackadder and Cracker, the latter of which saw him win a BAFTA, while on the big screen her appeared in the James Bond and Harry Potter franchises as well as starring in the likes of Mona Lisa, From Hell and Ocean's 12. His final film role was in Effie Gray in 2014.
A graduate of Glasgow School of Art, Coltrane made his first film appearance almost unnoticed at the airport at the very start of Flash Gordon. He went on to play small roles in the likes of Death Watch and Krull before building up a fan following through his small screen roles which led casting directors.
- 10/14/2022
- by Jennie Kermode
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
We’ve learned the very sad news today that veteran Scottish actor Robbie Coltrane, best known for his role in the Harry Potter movies, has passed away this week at the age of 72.
Deadline reports that Coltrane “passed away in hospital near his home in Larbert, Scotland. The award-winning actor had been in ill health for the past two years.”
Robbie Coltrane became beloved to Harry Potter fans around the world thanks to his role as the lovable Rubeus Hagrid in the hugely successful live action film franchise, a role he first played in 2001’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and continued to play straight through to the final film in the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 in 2011.
Outside the world of Harry Potter, Robbie Coltrane amassed well over 100 additional film and television credits dating back to 1979, with notable projects including Krull (1983), National Lampoon’s European Vacation...
Deadline reports that Coltrane “passed away in hospital near his home in Larbert, Scotland. The award-winning actor had been in ill health for the past two years.”
Robbie Coltrane became beloved to Harry Potter fans around the world thanks to his role as the lovable Rubeus Hagrid in the hugely successful live action film franchise, a role he first played in 2001’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and continued to play straight through to the final film in the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 in 2011.
Outside the world of Harry Potter, Robbie Coltrane amassed well over 100 additional film and television credits dating back to 1979, with notable projects including Krull (1983), National Lampoon’s European Vacation...
- 10/14/2022
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
"Andor" is unlike anything we've seen from "Star Wars" so far, a grounded show with gravitas, emotional impact, thematic resonance, and absolutely gorgeously-shot moments. This is a show where evil is not over-the-top, but mundane, cold, and detached; where heroism isn't just killing a bunch of people or exploding space stations, but also just refusing to look the other way when evil is happening.
Set between the prequels and the original trilogy, "Andor" has the opportunity to explore and expand things we haven't seen the franchise do in live-action before, going deeper into the way people join a rebellion, explaining rebel technology, and more. The newest episode of the show also explores how politics play into a brewing civil war, all while bringing back a location that has been sorely missed in "Star Wars," the Galactic Senate.
That's right, the Galactic Senate. This beautiful building located at the very center of Coruscant,...
Set between the prequels and the original trilogy, "Andor" has the opportunity to explore and expand things we haven't seen the franchise do in live-action before, going deeper into the way people join a rebellion, explaining rebel technology, and more. The newest episode of the show also explores how politics play into a brewing civil war, all while bringing back a location that has been sorely missed in "Star Wars," the Galactic Senate.
That's right, the Galactic Senate. This beautiful building located at the very center of Coruscant,...
- 10/12/2022
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
"Thor: Love and Thunder” director Taika Waititi plans to write and direct a CG-animated, theatrical feature, adapting Alex Raymond's 1930's sci-fi newspaper comic strip "Flash Gordon":
"Flash Gordon" debuted January 7, 1934, inspired by newspaper comic strip "Buck Rogers".
'Flash Gordon', a polo player and Yale University graduate and his companions 'Dale Arden' and 'Dr. Hans Zarkov'...
...start their journey together as Earth is bombarded by fiery meteors.
Zarkov invents a rocket ship to locate their place of origin in outer space.
Half mad, Zarkov kidnaps Flash and Dale and the three travel to the planet 'Mongo'...
...where they discover the meteors are weapons...
...devised by 'Ming the Merciless'...
...that planet's evil ruler.
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Flash Gordon"...
"Flash Gordon" debuted January 7, 1934, inspired by newspaper comic strip "Buck Rogers".
'Flash Gordon', a polo player and Yale University graduate and his companions 'Dale Arden' and 'Dr. Hans Zarkov'...
...start their journey together as Earth is bombarded by fiery meteors.
Zarkov invents a rocket ship to locate their place of origin in outer space.
Half mad, Zarkov kidnaps Flash and Dale and the three travel to the planet 'Mongo'...
...where they discover the meteors are weapons...
...devised by 'Ming the Merciless'...
...that planet's evil ruler.
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Flash Gordon"...
- 9/21/2022
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Being given a token theatrical release to no doubt capitalize on Mena Suvari's prominence thanks to "American Beauty", this witless satire of cybersex and virtual reality is particularly unfortunate because it demonstrates how far the career of the superb Bob Hoskins has fallen.
The film is receiving its theatrical premiere at New York's AMC Empire 25 Theatres, where it is playing to handfuls of obviously bored patrons at the small 25th auditorium, located so high up in the forbidding complex that the seats should come equipped with oxygen masks.
Suvari plays the title role, an about-to-be 18-year-old named Katrina who decides to get back at her father, a famous porn filmmaker (Robert Loggia), by simultaneously celebrating her birthday and losing her virginity live on pay-per-view, with thousands of men participating in the experience via the Internet and virtual reality body suits. Promoting Katrina's stunt is the sleazy Joey Quinn (Hoskins), her father's ex-protege and now hated rival, who's looking to score millions. Complicating the plan is her ex-boyfriend (Gabriel Mann), who desperately seeks to prevent the deflowering, and her desperate father, who spends most of the story flailing about in a homicidal rage.
Directed and co-written by Jean-Pierre Marois, a former fashion photographer, "Live Virgin" desperately tries for a screwball comic tone, with wildly exaggerated performances, dialogue that is shouted far more often than spoken and over-the-top performances. Particularly egregious in the latter department is Loggia, who is so convincing in his apoplexy that you fear he might have a stroke.
Hoskins is rather more amusing as the sleazy and impotent Joey and even manages to score some laughs with his deadpan demonstration of the virtual reality sex gear, which resembles a Flash Gordon spacesuit.
Suvari displays little of the erotic or comic flair she demonstrated so well in "Beauty", while such performers as Sally Kellerman (playing a Sally Jessy Raphael-type talk show host), Esai Morales and Bobbie Philips spend most of the film trying not to look embarrassed.
LIVE VIRGIN
Granite Releasing
Director: Jean-Pierre Marois
Screenwriters: Jean-Pierre Marois, Ira Israel
Producer: Aissa Djabri,
Farid Lahouassa, Manuel Munz
Co-producer: Aladdin Pojhan
Director of photography: Agle Egilsson
Editor: Georges Klotz
Production designer: Christian Wagener
Color/stereo
Cast:
Joey: Bob Hoskins
Ronny: Robert Loggia
Katrina: Mena Suvari
Brian: Gabriel Mann
Raquel: Bobbie Phillips
Quaint: Sally Kellerman
Running time -- 87 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
The film is receiving its theatrical premiere at New York's AMC Empire 25 Theatres, where it is playing to handfuls of obviously bored patrons at the small 25th auditorium, located so high up in the forbidding complex that the seats should come equipped with oxygen masks.
Suvari plays the title role, an about-to-be 18-year-old named Katrina who decides to get back at her father, a famous porn filmmaker (Robert Loggia), by simultaneously celebrating her birthday and losing her virginity live on pay-per-view, with thousands of men participating in the experience via the Internet and virtual reality body suits. Promoting Katrina's stunt is the sleazy Joey Quinn (Hoskins), her father's ex-protege and now hated rival, who's looking to score millions. Complicating the plan is her ex-boyfriend (Gabriel Mann), who desperately seeks to prevent the deflowering, and her desperate father, who spends most of the story flailing about in a homicidal rage.
Directed and co-written by Jean-Pierre Marois, a former fashion photographer, "Live Virgin" desperately tries for a screwball comic tone, with wildly exaggerated performances, dialogue that is shouted far more often than spoken and over-the-top performances. Particularly egregious in the latter department is Loggia, who is so convincing in his apoplexy that you fear he might have a stroke.
Hoskins is rather more amusing as the sleazy and impotent Joey and even manages to score some laughs with his deadpan demonstration of the virtual reality sex gear, which resembles a Flash Gordon spacesuit.
Suvari displays little of the erotic or comic flair she demonstrated so well in "Beauty", while such performers as Sally Kellerman (playing a Sally Jessy Raphael-type talk show host), Esai Morales and Bobbie Philips spend most of the film trying not to look embarrassed.
LIVE VIRGIN
Granite Releasing
Director: Jean-Pierre Marois
Screenwriters: Jean-Pierre Marois, Ira Israel
Producer: Aissa Djabri,
Farid Lahouassa, Manuel Munz
Co-producer: Aladdin Pojhan
Director of photography: Agle Egilsson
Editor: Georges Klotz
Production designer: Christian Wagener
Color/stereo
Cast:
Joey: Bob Hoskins
Ronny: Robert Loggia
Katrina: Mena Suvari
Brian: Gabriel Mann
Raquel: Bobbie Phillips
Quaint: Sally Kellerman
Running time -- 87 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
- 6/12/2000
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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