Category: Movies

36 Things We Learned from John McTiernan’s “Predator” Commentary

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Film School Rejects posted  36 Things We Learned from John McTiernan’s Predator Commentary by Rob Hunter.

Here are five of my favorites from the list…

2. Producer John Davis developed the script with the idea that it was “Rocky meets Alien, I guess,” but McTiernan liked the idea of it feeling closer to King Kong. “Bunch of guys go to an island, and go deeper and deeper in, and shazam the thing they’re chasing turns out to be a lot bigger than they thought, and they have to turn around and run away!”

5. He points out that this was his first studio film, and it’s actually only his second feature period after the moody horror thriller, Nomads. “Terrifying in a lot of ways, and a learning experience in a lot of other ways.”

7. Carl Weathers came onboard because McTiernan wanted an actual actor to work against Schwarzenegger. The director had to fight to get a quality actor in the role. It’s unclear if Weathers was a first choice.

9. Shane Black was cast because McTiernan and producer Joel Silver wanted a writer on the set. “And he has a great wise-ass manner.”

14. Before they could cast Sonny Landham the insurance company insisted that the production provide a bodyguard, “not to protect Sonny, but to protect other people from Sonny.”

The piece is definitely worth a read if you get a kick out of behind-the-scenes information.

Antonios Papantoniou Takes on Brian DePalma’s Union Station Scene

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Antonios Papantoniou breaks down Brian DePalma’s Union Station gunfight scene from The Untouchables where he pays homage to Eisenstein’s “Odessa Steps” scene from Potemkin.

If that sounds confusing, just sit back and enjoy classic film-making and tell me you’re not smiling ear-to-ear when Andy Garcia says, “I got him.” and shortly after “Two.”

BRIAN DE PALMA Shot by Shot from Antonios Papantoniou on Vimeo.

15 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines”

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Mental_Floss posted 15 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines by Sean Hutchinson.  Here are three of my favorites from the list…

1. ARNOLD CAME BACK—BUT AT A PRICE …

Arnold Schwarzenegger was paid $29.25 million to star in T3.

11. THE PRODUCTION CREATED AN ENTIRE STREET FOR ONE SCENE …

Several city blocks used during the crane chase sequence were created because the production needed a level of destruction that wouldn’t be possible on a real street.

12. … AND SCHWARZENEGGER FOOTED PART OF THE BILL.

During the crane chase sequence, The Terminator—hanging from the crane—swings through an entire building façade. The studio didn’t want to foot the bill for the sequence, so Arnold Schwarzenegger put up his own money to complete the scene.

Z-View: Escape From New York #3 by Sebela and Barreto

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Escape From New York is an on-going series published by Boom Studios.

Writer: Christopher Sebela

Artist: Diego Barreto

Colorist: Marissa Louise

Letterer: Ed Dukeshire

Are you ready for…General Plissken? The independent state of Florida has forced Snake to train their troops for the inevitable war with the United States. But you know Snake, he’s not exactly “Employee of the Year.” He’s just trying to find his freedom, and may anger two warring factions in the process!

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

The Good

  • The Snake Plissken character is what keeps me buying this book.  I’m starting to wonder if I’m not part of the audience they’re looking for.

The Bad:

  • I’m not a fan of the Declan Shalvey cover shown above.
  • The story isn’t working, at least for me.  Neither is the art.  Perhaps it’s because I want a grittier more mature Snake Plissken story.
  • Being unable to suspend by disbelief that any adults would follow Romulus and Remus.
  • Snake can break in and out of the compound easier than Hogan and his heroes.

The Ugly:

  • Trying to escape in broad daylight by climbing a high fence topped with barbwire and in direct line of sight to a guard tower.  Ugly and stupid.

Escape from New York #3 

Rating: 2 out of 5

Every “Rocky” Movie, Ranked

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On February 27, 2015, USAToday posted Every “Rocky” Movie, Ranked by Chris Chase.

For details check out the piece, but here are Chris’ rankings and mine. We differ quite a bit, but there’s nothing wrong with that.

Chris Chase
Craig Zablo
6. Rocky V 6. Rocky V
5. Rocky Balboa 5. Rocky II
4. Rocky II 4. Rocky IV
3. Rocky 3. Rocky III
2. Rocky III 2. Rocky Balboa
1. Rocky IV 1. Rocky

 

 

Grzegorz Domaradzki’s “First Blood” Limited Edition Prints

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Grzegorz Domaradzki created the poster above and now Grey Matter Art under license from StudioCanal has announced new officially licensed, limited edition screen prints with two variant editions for Sylvester Stallone and First Blood fans.

For more information and to see the above poster and the variants in larger format check out Gotham News and Grey Matter Art.

Remembering Leonard Nimoy – RIP

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Leonard Nimoy died today at the age of 83 from the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Although best known for his role as Spock [which spanned the Star Trek  tv and movie series], Leonard Nimoy was not only an actor, but also a director, author, and photographer.

Had Mr. Nimoy only been known for his role as Spock, that would have been enough to merit a post in my blog. Spock as played by Leonard Nimoy was one of my first and longest-lasting heroes. I wasn’t alone in that thinking. I was able to convince my mom to let me have a Spock haircut, but thankfully, she drew the line when I asked for my ears to be made pointed.

After the original Star Trek  series went off the air I continued to be a Leonard Nimoy fan enjoying his performances on new television shows and movies, and discovering his past performances in both media as well.

It’s cliché but true for many baby-boomers when we lost Leonard Nimoy, we also lost a big piece of our childhood.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Leonard Nimoy’s family, friends and fans.

The “John Wick” Kill Counter

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One of my favorite movies last year [and one of the best action movies in years] was John Wick.  Until I checked out The John Wick Kill Counter video below, I didn’t realize how many people he killed.  Ouch.

WARNING: This video contains major spoilers for the film John Wick and is rated R for  language and “crazy gun fu violence.”

“Pitch Black” and the Unexpected Genius of Vin Diesel

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One of my all-time favorite movie characters is Riddick played by Vin Diesel in Pitch Black;  The Chronicles of Riddick  and Riddick.

It was in Pitch Black  that Diesel [along with writer/director David Twohy] laid the foundation for what Adam Bellotto summarizes as Pitch Black and the Unexpected Genius of Vin Diesel for Film School Rejects.

Well done, Mr. Bellotto.  Well done.

“Damsel in Distress” – A Bill Black Short

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Damsel in the Dark  is a short [less than two minute film] that is a lot of fun — moody, great soundtrack and reminds me of the shorts that used to accompany episodes of Night Gallery. 

And I’d give it all that praise even if it wasn’t created under the direction of my ole buddy, Bill Black.

Hey Bill!  If you do a sequel I want to play C.Z. Pickens.  EZ’s brother.