Oscar Nominations 2017!

Yes, the 2017 Academy Award nominations were announced today, and here are some exciting things to share:

The Year Of Great Women In Front Of And Behind The Camera!

Actor/Director Greta Gerwig was nominated as Best Director and Best Screenplay for the terrific “Lady Bird”, which also received nominations for Best Picture, Actress and Supporting Actress.

“Lady Bird” was one of my top three films of the year – bravo to Gerwig, Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf for a terrific film!

Double Nominee Mary J. Blige!

Mary J. Blige was also double nominated, as Best Supporting Actress in “Mudbound” as well as for best original song. Bravo Mary!

“The Shape Of Water” led the way in 2017, garnering 13 nominations, including Best Picture, Director, Actress, Supporting Actress and Supporting Actor….bravo to them all!

“The Shape Of Water” is a masterpiece, and worthy of all these honors.

Here is the trailer for the film, as well as a look at the great cast and Director Guillermo Del Toro:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/12/26/the-shape-of-water-guillermo-del-toros-masterpiece-the-best-film-of-2017/

Speaking of the best films of 2017:

Actor/Director Joran Peele became only the third person in Oscar history to pull of an amazing feat, as Deadline.com reports:

“Jordan Peele’s Get Out scoring noms for directing, writing and Best Picture, as well as an acting nom for star Daniel Kaluuya. For Peele, he becomes only the third person to be nommed in those categories with his first film. Greta Gerwig nearly pulled off the same feat with directing and screenplay noms for Lady Bird, though she wasn’t a producer on the A24 pic, which did get a Best Picture nom.”

The film also scored a Best Actor nomination for Daniel Kaluuya – these are somewhat unusual for a horror film, but very well deserved!

Here is a closer look at the film, along with the trailer:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/03/06/get-out-and-get-to-a-theater-jordan-peele-shocks-you-with-the-best-film-of-2017/

Also of note:

Christopher Plummer becomes the oldest Actor ever nominated! As Deadline notes:

“Christopher Plummer, who stepped into the role of J. Paul Getty in November following sexual allegations against Kevin Spacey in All the Money in the World, was nominated this morning for Best Supporting Actor. The nomination, which — at 88 — also makes him the oldest actor ever to be nominated (Gloria Stuart was 87 in Titanic in 1998). He had been nominated before in 2012 and won for Supporting Actor for Beginners and became the oldest winner of an Oscar at 82 at the time.”

So there are some interesting nominations to share – congrats to all of the nominees…here is the complete list of this year’s nominations:

Best Picture

Call Me By Your Name
Darkest Hour
Dunkirk
Get Out
Lady Bird
Phantom Thread
The Post
The Shape of Water
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best actress

Sally Hawkins, The Shape Of Water
Frances McDormand, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Margot Robbie, I, Tonya
Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird
Meryl Streep, The Post

Best actor

Timothee Chalamet, Call Me By Your Name
Daniel Day-Lewis, Phantom Thread
Daniel Kaluuya, Get Out
Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour
Denzel Washington, Roman J Israel, Esq

Best supporting actress

Mary J Blige, Mudbound
Allison Janney, I, Tonya
Lesley Manville, Phantom Thread
Laurie Metcalf, Lady Bird
Octavia Spencer, The Shape of Water

Best supporting actor

Willem Dafoe, The Florida Project
Woody Harrelson, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Richard Jenkins, The Shape Of Water
Christopher Plummer, All the Money in the World
Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best director

Dunkirk – Christopher Nolan
Get Out – Jordan Peele
Lady Bird – Greta Gerwig
Phantom Thread – Paul Thomas Anderson
The Shape of Water – Guillermo Del Toro

Best adapted screenplay

Call Me By Your Name – screenplay by James Ivory
The Disaster Artist – screenplay by Scott Neustadter & Michael H Weber
Logan – screenplay by Scott Frank & James Mangold and Michael Green; story by James Mangold
Molly’s Game – written for the screen by Aaron Sorkin
Mudbound – screenplay by Virgil Williams and Dee Rees

Best original screenplay

The Big Sick – written by Emily V Gordon & Kumail Nanjiani
Get Out – written by Jordan Peele
Lady Bird – written by Greta Gerwig
The Shape of Water – screenplay by Guillermo del Toro & Vanessa Taylor; story by Guillermo del Toro
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri – written by Martin McDonagh

Best foreign language film

A Fantastic Woman (Chile)
The Insult (Lebanon)
Loveless (Russia)
On Body and Soul (Hungary)
The Square (Sweden)

Best original song

Mighty River, Mudbound (Mary J Blige)
The Mystery of Love, Call Me By Your Name (Sufjan Stevens)
Remember Me, Coco (Kristen Anderson Lopez and Robert Lopez)
Stand Up for Something, Marshall (Common & Diane Warren, sung by Andra Day)
This Is Me, The Greatest Showman (Benji Pasek & Justin Paul)

Best animated feature

Boss Baby
The Breadwinner
Coco
Ferdinand
Loving Vincent

Best documentary feature

Abacus
Faces Places
Icarus
Last Men in Aleppo
Strong Island

Best documentary short

Edith + Eddie
Heaven Is a Traffic Jam on the 405
Heroin(e)
Knife Skills
Traffic Stop

Best original score

Dunkirk
Phantom Thread
The Shape of Water
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best cinematography

Blade Runner 2049
Darkest Hour
Dunkirk
Mudbound
The Shape of Water

Best costume design

Beauty and the Beast
Darkest Hour
Phantom Thread
The Shape of Water
Victoria and Abdul

Best make-up and hairstyling

Darkest Hour
Victoria and Abdul
Wonder

Best sound editing

Baby Driver
Blade Runner 2049
Dunkirk
The Shape of Water
Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Best sound mixing

Baby Driver
Blade Runner 2049
Dunkirk
The Shape of Water
Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Best animated short

Dear Basketball
Garden Party
Lou
Negative Space
Revolting Rhymes

Best live action short

DeKalb Elementary
The Eleven O’Clock
My Nephew Emmet
The Silent Child
Watu Wote/All of Us

Best production design

Beauty and the Beast
Blade Runner 2049
Darkest Hour
Dunkirk
The Shape of Water

Best visual effects

Blade Runner 2049
Guardian of the Galaxy Vol 2
Kong: Skull Island
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
War for Planet of the Apes

Best film editing

Baby Driver
Dunkirk
I, Tonya
The Shape of Water
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

I was driving through Beverly Hills the other day and ran into the legendary Actor/Director Richard Benjamin – which reminded me of one of two of the greatest – and most obscure – movies of all time! So, thanks to this terrific Actor, I am about to share them.

First, let’s begin with a “Hollywood Whodunnit!”

“Who did this room? Parker Brothers?”

Here is Richard Benjamin trying to solve one of the many puzzles in “The Last Of Sheila”, a terrific mystery thriller that also takes time to lampoon the catty environment of Hollywood in the 70’s!

“Psycho” Meets Sondheim!

That’s how I describe “The Last Of Sheila” – a great “Hollywood Insider” whodunnit – because it was written by two consummate Hollywood players. The plot is based on murder-mystery party games that co-authors and puzzle enthusiasts Anthony Perkins and Stephen Sondheim wrote and performed in their homes!

Of course, Perkins became a star through his legendary performance as Norman Bates in Alfred Hitchcock’s classic film “Psycho”, and Stephen Sondheim is one of America’s greatest composers.

Check out the classic trailer:

Here is the plot of “The Last Of Sheila”: Movie Producer James Coburn invites a Director, Writer, Starlet, Agent, and a hanger on or two to spend a week on his yacht off the French Riviera. On the surface, it’s a reunion of sorts, but there is a more serious turn ahead for all of them…

One of the great things about this film is the cast – a “who’s who” of Hollywood in the early 70’s…such as James Mason, who plays a washed-up Director desperate to get back behind a camera – Mason as you know was brilliant in Stanley Kubrick’s “Lolita”…

James Coburn plays the game-loving Hollywood Producer who was married to the actress Sheila – and in mourning her death, he decides to invite his Hollywood “friends” over to his yacht for a “game”…

“The Last Of Sheila” is a great murder-mystery, and I won’t share more plot details to avoid giving anything away. But the cast clearly is having a ball making fun of real life Hollywood figures.

Dyan Cannon “Channels” Sue Mengers!

In the film, Dyan Cannon plays a powerful Agent – in real life, Cannon was married to Cary Grant in the 60’s – and she relishes her role here – if you’ve ever heard of the legendary Super Agent Sue Mengers, wait until you see Dyan Cannon’s take on her…ballsy and full of gossip!

America’s Reigning Sex Kitten!

Raquel Welch was one of the biggest sex symbols of the 60’s and 70’s – she played that part in many films, but she also wanted more respect as well, and she brings all of that to her role as the starlet who needs constant love and affection…

Raquel has rarely been better than she is here – and her scene with Dyan Cannon is a delicious tongue in cheek poke at Hollywood.

Cannon: [while suntanning] “Will you put some sunscreen on me? I have to do 25 minutes on my stomach.”
Raquel: “To make up for the 25 minutes you spent on your back last night?”

The entire “Last Of Sheila” film takes place along the French Riviera, including great locations off the coast of Cannes…

Here is some great trivia, courtesy of the movie database IMDB:

“Shooting the monastery sequence just off Cannes proved to be troublesome for Raquel Welch. Gale force winds and rain disrupted the night shoot, and Welch was reluctant to leave her Venice hotel for fear of getting stuck in the storm.”

Raquel wasn’t a fan of the weather conditions, but she hung in there like a pro.

“This glamorous picture in the wonderful sunny Cote d’Azur has turned out to be a bit of a splodge,” Welch told a journalist at the time. “This is not my idea of an enjoyable evening, but they’re paying you the money. I just go ahead and do it and don’t complain.”

Herbert Ross directed “Sheila”, and this legendary Director also directed the Oscar nominated “The Goodbye Girl”, “The Turning Point” and yes, “Footloose” too!

If you want to know more about Raquel Welch’s career, click here and see her deliciously campy performance from an episode of “Seinfeld” as well!

https://johnrieber.com/2016/07/18/raquel-welch-dinosaur-slayer-burt-reynolds-feud-seinfeld-catfight-a-million-reasons-to-love-this-iconic-sex-kitten/

Speaking of “Seinfeld”, here is a much more challenging film from the early 70’s that also has a “Seinfeld” connection, from iconic British Actor Malcolm McDowell!

“O Lucky Man”!

“O Lucky Man” is a brilliant, little known masterpiece from 1973 starring Malcolm McDowell, who also conceived the idea for the film.

It All Began With “If…”

Malcolm McDowell was coming off of two powerful films, beginning with his film debut.

“If…” is a searing look at class structure in Great Britian, directed by Lindsay Anderson. “If…” is a prescient look at rebellious youth, and the film was released on the eve of the real student upheavals of the late 60’s…

“If…” was an indictment of the British public school system, as we follow Mick and his friends through a series of indignities at the hands of the British school system. When Mick and his friends rebel – and rebel violently – the catch phrase, “which side will you be on” becomes quite real.

“If…” won the Palme d’Or for best film at the Cannes Film Festival during the French student riots of 1969…it was a chaotic time in history, with student protests and riots that spread around the world.

McDowell’s brilliant screen debut in “If…” caught the attention of Director Stanley Kubrick, who was in the process of casting his disturbing vision of the future: “A Clockwork Orange”.

After the success of “A Clockwork Orange”, McDowell was one of the hottest Actors in film…which led him to his most personal work ever.

After the success of “If….”, Malcolm McDowell suggested to Lindsay Anderson that they should work again. Anderson replied that good scripts “don’t grow on trees” and that McDowell should consider writing his own if he wanted to give himself a good part. Although the actor was only 30 at the time, he based the film around the concept of his own life story – and then brought it to writer David Sherwin who then crafted the screenplay.

It’s a modern day retelling of “Candide”, starring Malcolm McDowell as a young coffee salesman looking to conquer a world gone mad. Just as in the film “If…”, McDowell is named Mick. Here the young Mick is being trained in the world of coffee sales by veteran British Actress Rachel Roberts.

“O Lucky Man” is a sweeping epic of youthful ambition that runs headfirst into the moral complexities of the real world. McDowell and Director Anderson take us on a three hour trip into the surreal world of capitalism and greed – with some of the most unique images and storytelling techniques ever seen…

Here’s an example of an innovative idea in the film: the movie includes Alan Price’s outstanding soundtrack. And I mean INCLUDES IT.

What I love about the film is that you see Price performing much of the music live in the film. And the opening credits are over footage of Price singing the title track in a studio, while Director Anderson observes and then interacts with him. Here is the opening song as seen in the film:

Director Lindsay Anderson conceived the role of Alan Price’s music as a kind of Greek Chorus, commenting on the action – and eventually he becomes part of the film as well.

Also, look for Helen Mirren in one of her first roles as well, as the daughter of a wealthy industrialist…an epic, challenging film the you can own on DVD!

As for the “Seinfeld” connection: there is a powerful scene in the film that “Seinfeld” pays homage to, when Kramer thinks he sees a “pig man” in the hospital! Read that story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/03/22/o-lucky-man-malcolm-mcdowells-seinfeld-connection/

Let me know if you’ve seen either of these great films!

Movie fans have a reason to celebrate – it was Burt Reynolds’ birthday!

As he himself would say:

“We’re about to make film history, right here… on videotape.”

Burt Reynolds was born on February 11, 1936 – he grew up in Riviera Beach, Florida, right next to Palm Beach. His father, Burt Sr., eventually became Chief of Police!

Reynolds worked as a stuntman – as well as small tv and movie roles, before starring in several TV shows in the 60’s, which led to work in movie westerns….

Then, in 1972 he starred in one of the most acclaimed and controversial films ever – and it propelled him to stardom…

Deliverance.

The story of four men who decide to take a river rafting trip through the backwoods of Georgia…with Reynolds as the “tough as nails” adventurer who doesn’t think the others are up to it:

Lewis: Can that chubby boy handle himself?
Ed: Bobby? He’s rather well thought of in his field, Lewis.
Lewis: Insurance? I never been insured in my life. There’s no risk.

“Deliverance” was one of the most iconic films of the 70′s, nominated for Best Picture, and it has the iconic movie line:

“Squeal like a pig!”

If you haven’t seen this brilliant movie, check out new blu-ray and DVD versions that have documentaries and commentary attached, and they are all worth viewing – and of course, there are the “dueling banjos!”

I posted a story recently about the casting of this film, when it was revealed that Marlon Brando and Jack Nicholson were considered for it! See more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/09/20/squeal-like-a-pig-marlon-brandos-deliverance-cult-classic-casting-coup/

His breakout performance in Deliverance in 1972 made Reynolds a star. The same year, Reynolds gained even more notoriety when he posed naked in the April issue of Cosmopolitan Magazine – a landmark moment in publishing.

Burt’s Sexy Centerfold!

Yes, Reynolds shocked the entertainment world when he posed nude in Cosmopolitan magazine – as their centerfold!

Reynolds later claimed the centerfold in Cosmopolitan hurt the chances for Deliverance at the Oscars – and the film’s stars, including himself, didn’t get Academy Award nominations because of it. Regardless, this cemented his place as a 70’s Superstar, leading to a number of huge box office hits, like this one:

The Longest Yard

This 1974 classic stars Reynolds as a pro football Quarterback who gets in trouble with the law and ends up in a grimy prison, run by Eddie Albert…

Check out the trailer:

This was a perfect role for him: not only was he the biggest star in the world at the time, but Reynolds was a great football player, first for Florida State University and then was drafted by the Baltimore Colts!

Reynolds plays Paul Crewe, a pro football player-turned-convict – who organizes a team of inmates to play against a team of prison guards. That’s right: convicts versus GUARDS!

Paul Crewe: You know what my problem has been all my life? I’ve always had my shit together. Always. My problem’s been I couldn’t lift it.

“The Longest Yard” is one of the best sports movies ever, and Burt was great.

Half A ‘Stache!

Reynolds had a great sense of humor, as evidenced when he went on The Tonight Show and shaved half his mustache off for a stunned Johnny Carson!

He was also a gifted comic actor, as evidenced by the arrow through his head – and he used that goofy humor to good box office effect in action comedies like this one:

Fuzz!

Police in Boston search for a mad bomber trying to extort money from the city. The cops in charge of finding this “mad bomber” are Burt Reynolds, Racquel Welch and Tom Skerritt.

According to IMDB, Raquel Welch did not like Burt Reynolds because of unsavory comments he made while they were filming “100 Rifles” together.

So, in “Fuzz” Welch insisted that she not have any direct scenes with Reynolds! The closest they get is during an interrogation scene. Still, the movie was a huge hit, in large part because of Reynolds and his comic ability.

See more about Raquel, Burt and their legendary catfight here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/07/18/raquel-welch-dinosaur-slayer-burt-reynolds-feud-seinfeld-catfight-a-million-reasons-to-love-this-iconic-sex-kitten/

Reynolds went on to star in some of the biggest hits of the 70’s, like these “good ol’ boy” action thrillers:

Both are now on blu-ray, so you can relive the wild days of the 70’s yourself! You can see more about these films, including their trailers, here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/02/22/suck-down-some-white-lightning-hicksploitation-burt-reynolds-gator-good-ol-boy-action-classics/

Reynolds made many hit comedies as well, like the action spectacle “Smokey And The Bandit”. During the first half of the 1990s, he was the star of the CBS comedy “Evening Shade”, for which he won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (1991).

Modern movie fans will recognize him for this masterpiece:

Now, an important word from Jack Horner!

Reynolds starred in “Boogie Nights” as Adult Film Director Jack Horner, who offered some words about how complex and expensive moviemaking can be…

Jack Horner: Before you turn around, you’ve spent maybe 20, 25, 30 thousand dollars on a movie!

Boogie Nights!

This is, quite simply, one of the best movies ever made, pure and simple – and one of Reynolds’ best performances.

“We’re about to make film history, right here… on videotape.”

Paul Thomas Anderson directed this epic look at the rise of a adult film superstar, and his journey through the changing world of porn, from the “innocent” days of the 70’s into the drug-fueled 80’s.

Inspired by the tragic story of John C. Holmes – aka “Johnny Wadd”, Mark Wahlberg does an amazing job as Eddie Adams, who is “discovered” by an adult movie Director – due to his “unique” talent – and overnight becomes porn superstar Dirk Diggler!

Adult Film Director Jack Horner Knows What Sells!

Reynolds put it all out there as the Veteran Film Director, which lines like this:

Jack Horner: I got a feeling that behind those jeans is something wonderful just waiting to get out.

Burt Reynolds was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance and took home a Golden Globe Award. He was considered a front-runner for the Supporting Oscar, but ultimately lost to Robin Williams, for “Good Will Hunting”. I can watch this movie any day of the week…a masterpiece.

Time to watch some Burt and celebrate his birthday!

Nicolas Cage IS “The Godfather!”

Remember Nic’s incredible performance as Don Corleone? How about his incredible performance in “X-Men?”

Or the best ever, what about his role as Lois Lane in “Superman Returns?”

Wait, wait wait – WHAT!?!?!?!?!?

Last month, the Motherboard website told the story of a Redditor who was using deep learning technology to map female celebrities’ faces onto pornographic performers, with startlingly lifelike results. That is a troubling trend in the era of “fake news”, as apparently it’s virtually impossible to spot the fake video.

One report referred to the process as “deep fakes”.

So of course, someone did the same thing – with Nicolas Cage!

Nicolas Cage – Star Of EVERYTHING!

Yes, you can now put Nicolas Cage into “The Avenger” or frankly, just about any other movie you want!

“3 Buck Theater” posted this explainer on YouTube:

“A new deep learning software called FakeApp (or just known as DeepFakes on reddit) allows users to add Nicolas Cage (or any celebrity) to any movie they want. While the technology is in a “showcase” phase at the moment, this will go far to bring dead actors to life once again.”

Here is that video showing examples of how Cage’s face was put on Lois Lane’s body seamlessly:

So, you could actually remake “Oceans 11” with Nicolas Cage as all of the characters!

Indiewire also had a story about this new technology, and as they point out:

“By scanning a bunch of images of a celebrity’s face, the software was able to imagine what they’d look like grafted into a given video—a powerful technology being used in one of the worst possible ways. The result barrels past legal and ethical boundaries, raising a whole host of free speech issues regarding the women whose likenesses are being used without their consent. There are surprisingly few legal recourses for them, at least in America.”

You can read more about their story on “Deep Fakes” here:

http://www.indiewire.com/2018/01/nicolas-cage-machine-learning-algorithm-deep-fakes-1201923224/

I told you that one clip has Nicolas Cage as Lois Lane:

In fact, Cage was working with Director Tim Burton to play Superman! There is a great documentary that has footage from the rehearsals and wardrobe fittings:

Can you imagine how this could have turned out? Click here to see what happened to this “never shot” movie:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/05/26/superman-lives-nicolas-cage-is-superman-incredible-documentary-on-tim-burtons-amazing-superman-reboot-debacle/

Finally, in more Nicolas Cage news, if you were in Japan, you could have eaten him!

Unfortunately, he never signed off on this movie promotion, so the snack food maker had to apologize – see the story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/10/11/nicolas-cage-had-no-idea-he-was-being-turned-into-a-snack-food-in-japan/

Let me know what you think of this “deep fakes” trend!

Ready For A Good Movie? Or Even A “Best Worst” Movie?

Well, this cinephile is holding one of the most wildly entertaining “bad” movies of all time!

The phrase “best worst movie” is not only well known by film buffs, but the title of a terrific documentary as well!

Time For The “Best Worst Movie!”

The documentary “Best Worst Movie” celebrates one of those films – one that is “so bad its good!”

Before I tell you about this terrific documentary, and five of the “best worst” films of all time, something to explain so we are on the same page – THIS is a “best worst” film:

Director Paul Verhoeven decided to “tear the lid off” of Las Vegas with this inside look at the sordid world of “Showgirls”, and it’s a hilariously bad, ridiculous and at times offensive film, which makes it so good!

On the other hand, here is an attempt to “tear the lid off” stripping that was just A HORRIBLE MOVIE!

“Striptease” with Demi Moore was a truly awful film – it was pretentious, condescending and poorly done – even with all that nudity, it was NO FUN AT ALL!

So, with that distinction, let’s get down to some of the “best worst” films ever made – and celebrate them for the effort to be art!

“Best Worst” Movie #5 – “Troll 2!”

The terrific documentary “Best Worst Movie” tells the story of how “Troll 2” became a sensation – years after it was released direct to video!

Here is the vintage 80’s trailer – enjoy!

“Troll 2” is often mentioned as the worst film ever made…and now there is a documentary that looks at the cult that has sprung up around it!

“Best Worst Movie!”

This great documentary looks at the making of “Troll 2” in 1990, and its journey from being crowned the “worst film of all time” to a cherished cult classic.

Check out the trailer:

The “Best Worse Movie” documentary was actually made by the child actor from the movie! He interviews the cast about how the movie changed their lives. He also interviews the Director, who insists that “Troll 2” is a great film!

I chose “Troll 2” as number five only because I wanted to start with it and talk about the great documentary…but next up is a film even movie hater could love:

“Best Worst” Movie #4 – “Birdemic!”

Forget Hitchcock’s “The Birds”, THIS is the film that tears the lid off of wild and REALISTIC bird attacks like this one:

Once you see this trailer, you can never go back!

It takes a certain type of genius to make a film like this – you can read all about it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/08/15/birdemic-brilliant-shocker-or-worst-movie-ever-who-will-survive-watching-it/

In compiling this list, I knew there were many really awful films, including one I had to share for other reasons:

NOT A “Best Worst” Movie – “Manos, Hands Of Fate!”

I’m taking a short break to prove my point about “Showgirls” vs. “Striptease” – not all “bad” movies deserve to be “best worst” films – case in point: this is “Manos, Hands Of Fate”, widely considered one of the worst films of all time. In Spanish, “Manos” means “hands” – so this film is actually called:

“Hands, Hands Of Fate!”

It’s inept, awful in every way – including NOT being any fun to watch – it’s just awful, even with “Torgo” in a crucial role.

Yes, look for the incredible acting of “TORGO” in this trailer:

Ahem. Well, there was THAT.

You can see, just a horrible movie that gives the viewer no “inside joke” pleasure – but it is of course available on DVD, so if you want to learn more about it, go here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/08/22/manos-hands-of-fate-is-here-celebrate-the-worst-of-the-worst-films/

Now, back to the good stuff: a film that boldly entertains you with a film poster that declares:

“Best Worst” Movie #3 – “Confessions Of A Psycho Cat!”

With a title like that, how could it NOT be deliciously bad – and fun to boot? And guess what? It is! Not only that, the “Raging Bull” himself is in it!

Jake LaMotta Battles The Psycho Cat!

OK, Jake LaMotta wasn’t really in “fighting shape” when he took on his opponent – a rich, eccentric upper east wide woman who likes to hunt men – to death!

Folks, there is SO much to love in this film: bad acting, hilarious “wandering around lost” action sequences in Central Park, and an argument between the “Raging Bull” and THIS woman:

What’s so unusual? Well, based on how it’s shot, it’s clear they were never in the room at the same time! Oh, and at one point she gets upset at his lack of attention (no doubt because he wasn’t there!) and so she goes over to a mirror and does THIS:

Yes, she makes out with herself!

Seen enough? Of course not! Click here to see more trivia about the film, why Jake LaMotta got caught up in it, and more! It’s a celebration of the late “Raging Bull”:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/09/20/rip-to-the-raging-bull-jake-lamotta-his-psycho-cat-movie/

LaMotta always had someone in his corner when he fought, and these films always have some kind of “wing man” in the plot – or in this case:

BLUE-FACED WING WOMEN!

“Best Worst” Movie #2 – “The Body Beneath!”

Imagine a film that promotes itself for being filmed in scary places in England!

The legendarily bad film Director Andy Milligan filmed this in spooky looking places in England, and also had these ladies around to scare the guests:

Here, in all its blue-faced glory, is the trailer:

If you are wondering what the blue-faced ghosts have to do with anything, you’ll never find out by watching the film, but that’s just one reason it’s so much fun to watch!

You can read more about this inept Director – and the many classically bad films he made!

https://johnrieber.com/2017/05/24/ghastly-horror-meet-the-ed-wood-of-shock-cinema-cranium-cleaving-andy-milligans-blue-faced-shockers/

Finally, it’s almost too easy to finish with this movie, but is there really any other choice?

“Best Worst” Movie #1 – Tommy Wiseau’s “The Room!”

From the movie’s poster, which is just a shot of the brooding Actor/Director/Producer/Writer Tommy Wiseau, to one of the greatest trailers of all time, “The Room” cries out to be the best worst film ever!

The trailer only hints at the majesty of this movie:

Now you can experience the greatest bad moments by watching Jame Franco tells the story of the making of the film in the new movie “The Disaster Artist”…see more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/12/03/the-disaster-artist-is-here-james-franco-pays-homage-to-tommy-wiseaus-best-worst-film-the-room/

Let me know what I left off the “best worst” list, and yes, there will be plenty of Ed Wood movies to be mentioned for sure!

Steven Spielberg’s “Empowered” Directorial Debut – With Goldie Hawn!

While his latest film “The Post” was nominated for Best Picture of 2017, it was his theatrical motion picture debut in 1974 that showcased his interest in telling stories about real people – with an “empowered female” role for Goldie Hawn that is one of her best!

After wowing TV audiences with his terrific made-for-TV film “Duel”, a very young Steven Spielberg was given the chance to make his big screen directorial debut with the 1974 action drama “The Sugarland Express.”

Here’s the plot:

A woman attempts to reunite her family by helping her husband escape from prison. Once out, they make plans to get their son before he’s put into a foster home. But things don’t go as planned, and they end up taking a police office hostage – and try to outrun the law.

“The Sugarland Express” is based on a true story, and was a very dramatic departure for Comedic Actress Goldie Hawn. William Atherton co-stars, along with legendary character Actor Ben Johnson.

Here is the trailer:

It might seem an unusual choice for the Director of such big box office films as “E.T.”, “Raiders Of The Lost Ark” and “Jurassic Park”, but characters and story were always important in his films, and in this debut, he combined action, drama and emotion well, allowing time for you to care about all of the people involved.

Oh yeah – just one year later, Spielberg’s next directorial effort was released:

Talk about a dramatic leap! While “The Sugarland Express” was critically acclaimed, it didn’t do much at the box office. One year later, he made the biggest hit in movie history!

Here is a look at how “Jaws” changed cinema forever:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/06/23/jaws-42-years-ago-cinema-was-changed-forever-time-to-celebrate-bruce-the-great-white/

Let me know if you’ve seen “The Sugarland Express!”

Oscar’s “Lucky 13!”

Time to celebrate this year’s Academy Awards with the strangest Oscar trivia imaginable: the X-rated kind!

This isn’t the kind of image you equate with the Oscars, is it? Well here’s some obscure Academy Award trivia for you – there have been THIRTEEN oscar nominations associated with X-rated movies!

Talk About An “Adult” Oscar!

The history of the Academy Awards is full of great moments and trivia – and this is one of the most fascinating to me…

Time to look at the biggest awards night of the year in a different way: there was a time when Oscar not only tolerated sex in the movies, they rewarded it with some of the night’s biggest awards!

There have been thirteen Academy Award nominations tied to X-rated movies…it happened in an era when the film industry gave filmmakers the freedom to tell stories in a very adult way – let’s look at this fascinating part of Oscar lore…

Here Come The Ratings!

The ratings system for films was created in the late 60’s to help audiences cope with the onslaught of adult content in film…the sexual revolution was underway, and films like “Bonnie & Clyde” offered up much more provocative content.

What The Hell’s An “M”?

When the Motion Picture Association of America created the ratings system in 1968, there were the following designations: G, M, R, and X.

There was quickly confusion between a movie that was “mature” versus one that was “restricted”, so it was changed to “GP”, then to “PG”, for parental guidance…”PG-13″ was added later, as the heart-ripping scene in “Indiana Jones and the Temple Of Doom” was deemed a bit too harsh for a straight “PG” rating.

Back To The 70’s!

It was in the early 70’s that film makers began to use the ratings to push the envelope for graphic content, such as in the classic film “Straw Dogs” with Dustin Hoffman…

Soon, America’s greatest filmmakers were taking advantage of these guidelines to make adult films that dealt with the social issues of the day…and with lots of nudity and sexual content!

Oscar’s Only X-Rated Winner!

One film would soon be the first to ever win Best Picture – with an “X” rating! And it is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time! Time to head back to a much different New York City – to meet Joe Buck and Ratso Rizzo!

“I’m walking here! I’m walking here!”

Midnight Cowboy

The setup to this great film is simple: young, naive Joe Buck heads to New York City to be a male hustler…check out the trailer:

Jon Voight stars as Texas greenhorn Joe Buck – a “stud” who arrives in New York for the first time. Preening himself as a real ‘hustler’, he finds that he is the one getting ‘hustled’ until he teams up with a down-and-outcast named Ratso Rizzo.

And that’s the plot: a country “hick” learns how to survive in the big city, thanks to “Ratso”, an amazing performance by Dustin Hoffman, including the legendary line:

“I’m walking here! I’m walking here!”

This is New York City at its grittiest – and to survive, you had to be willing to do ANYTHING. For Ratso, that meant crashing holiday parties to steal the food on the buffet table…and have no shame when caught:

Gretel McAlbertson: Why are you stealing food?
Ratso Rizzo: I was just, uh, noticing that you’re out of salami. I think you oughtta have somebody go over to the delicatessen, you know, bring some more back.
Gretel McAlbertson: Gee, well, you know, it’s free. You don’t have to steal it.
Ratso Rizzo: Well, if it’s free, then I ain’t stealin’.

Dustin Hoffman’s performance as “Ratso” Rizzo is ranked #7 on Premiere Magazine’s 100 Greatest Performances of All Time. It was also an Oscar-nominated performance, along with Voight’s iconic Joe Buck:

Elvis IS Joe Buck!

But, even with such adult content, it was almost an Elvis movie! According to the great website IMDB, one studio executive sent Director John Schlesinger a memo stating, “If we could clean this up and add a few songs, it could be a great vehicle for Elvis Presley.” HA!

Presley wanted to be taken seriously as an actor, and was interested in the role of Joe Buck. Presley went on instead to do the G-rated “Change of Habit” with Mary Tyler Moore, which bombed!

It is hard to imagine that Elvis would have filmed some of the movie’s tougher scenes like this sex scene with Sylvia Miles….

It’s Raining Oscars!

The film’s cinema verite style and rough content was just what Hollywood was looking for in 1969, and the film was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including:

Best Actor Dustin Hoffman
Best Actor Jon Voight
Best Supporting Actress Sylvia Miles
Best Film Editing

“Midnight Cowboy” took home three Academy Awards in 1969, including:

Best Screenplay Waldo Salt
Best Director John Schlesinger
Best Picture Of The Year!

“Midnight Cowboy” is the only X-rated film to ever win Best Picture, but it’s NOT the only one ever nominated! Here’s the other:

Check Out These Provocative Opening Lines!

“There was me, that is Alex, and my three droogs, that is Pete, Georgie, and Dim, and we sat in the Korova Milkbar trying to make up our rassoodocks what to do with the evening. The Korova milkbar sold milk-plus, milk plus vellocet or synthemesc or drencrom, which is what we were drinking. This would sharpen you up and make you ready for a bit of the old ultra-violence.”

A Clockwork Orange

2 years after “Midnight Cowboy” won Best Picture, Stanley Kubrick’s nightmarish vision of the future shocked audiences and captured four Academy Award nominations.

Check out this provocative trailer:

“A Clockwork Orange” was based on the futuristic novel by Anthony Burgess. In future Britain, charismatic delinquent Alex DeLarge terrorizes respectable society, along with this three “Droogs”…

Once jailed, Alex volunteers for an experimental aversion therapy developed by the government in an effort to solve society’s crime problem… but not all goes to plan. “A Clockwork Orange” is a brilliant movie, but very tough to watch in parts…if you haven’t yet seen it – you really don’t know what you are in for, and you have been warned.

The film was nominated for Best Picture (losing to the equally brilliant “The French Connection”) – and Stanley Kubrick was nominated for Best Director and Best Screenplay – the fourth nomination was for Best Film Editing.

The Stones As Droogs!

According to IMDB, which always has terrific trivia, the novel’s Author Anthony Burgess originally sold the movie rights to Mick Jagger for $500 when he needed quick cash. Jagger intended to make it with The Rolling Stones as the droogs, but then re-sold the rights.

During the filming of the scene where Alex is forced to watch ultra-violence, star Malcolm McDowell scratched one of his corneas and was temporarily blinded. He also suffered cracked ribs during filming of the humiliation stage show.

McDowell’s next film was the equally brilliant but obscure “O Lucky Man!” – see that film’s “Seinfeld” connection here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/03/22/o-lucky-man-malcolm-mcdowells-seinfeld-connection/

Both “Midnight Cowboy” and “A Clockwork Orange” are brilliant movies that have stood the test of time. As ratings guidelines have loosened, both are now rated “R”R and are the same film! The last nomination for an X-rated movie came, not for Best Picture, but for the directing and acting in the equally provocative “Last Tango In Paris”.

“Go, get the butter.”

It is one of film history’s most legendary lines – spoken by one of its most controversial Actors – check out this moody, atmospheric trailer:

Brilliant Brando!

In the 1970’s, Marlon Brando made some brilliant movies – before he went off the rails in the 80’s…let’s look at his performance in this controversial, erotic drama…

While looking for an apartment, Jeanne, a beautiful young Parisienne, encounters Paul, a mysterious American expatriate mourning his wife’s recent suicide. Instantly drawn to each other, they have a stormy, passionate affair, in which they do not reveal their names to each other.

“Beauty of mine, sit before me. Let me peruse you and remember you… always like this.”

Those words are spoken by Brando to the beautiful young woman he pursues. Maria Schneider stars with Brando, and she is captivating as the young woman lost in this anonymous love affair…

Bernardo Bertolucci was nominated for Best Director (he eventually won the Award for “The Last Emperor” in 1987, which also won for Best Picture), and Marlon Brando was nominated for Best Actor.

Controversial Brando!

This nomination was just three years after Brando stunned Hollywood by winning Best Actor for “The Godfather” – and sending Sasheen Littlefeather up to reject the award, based on America’s inhumane treatment of American Indians.

Back To The Butter!

As I said, “Last Tango IN Paris” was the last X-rated film to receive Academy Award recognition…and the film has always been remembered for the moment when Marlon Brando uses butter in the film’s most notorious scene – as a lubricant in order to have anal sex with Schneider.

According to Maria Schneider, the famous “butter scene” was never in the script and improvised at the last minute by Marlon Brando and Bernardo Bertolucci without consulting her. It is one of film’s most notorious moments.

Though the sodomy act was faked, her real tears in the film testify to her surprise and her state of shock. Much later in her life, a very troubled Schneider would make many charges about how she felt violated in the filming of the scene…sadly, she lived a troubled life, and had many negative things to say about the experience of making the movie.

After the film’s release in Europe, director Bernardo Bertolucci, producer Alberto Grimaldi, Marlon Brando and Maria Schneider were all indicted by a court in Bologna, Italy for making the film under the term “ultalitarian pornography”.

They were all acquitted of the charge – but Bertolucci lost his civil rights (including his right to vote) for five years.

“Last Tango In Paris” was a moody, polarizing film that shocked audiences when it came out, and is a true European art masterpiece.

So Whatever Happened To The Good Old “X”?

Now, back to the “X” rating. When the designation was assigned, the MPAA didn’t copyright it. With no registered trademark, the “X” could legally be self-applied to any film — a loophole pornography happily exploited. For example, the notorious 1972 film “Deep Throat” gave itself a tongue-in-cheek “X,” and many other adult films followed suit.

Movies Go “XXX”!

Soon after “Deep Throat” took ownership of the “X” rating, films like “Debbie Does Dallas” boasted a self-designated rating of “XXX”, promising three times the adult material! Look at the rating box with the extra “X’s” added!

While the arbitrary “XXX” rating has since become standard for the adult film industry, the damage was done to the singular “X”. An “X” rating became synonymous with “hardcore,” and mainstream advertisers and distributors stopped showing them in mainstream theaters.

Many filmmakers have protested the “X” rating, since it made artistic films indistinguishable from hard-core pornography. It was reported that “Taxi Driver” was originally given an “X” rating for its violent content, but some of the color of the blood was toned down in order to get an “R” rating.

In 1990, Spanish director Pedro Almodovar filed a civil suit over the X-rating given to “Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!” Almodovar lost his lawsuit, but the MPAA soon after created the trademarked “NC-17” rating, which is still little used.

Roger Ebert’s X-Rated Past!

So there you go, have a nice night of viewing Oscar’s “X”-rated past! And what about this! Famous film critic Roger Ebert also had an X-rated past!

Take a look at the Rogert Ebert and Russ Meyer X-rated collaboration – a cult classic that is unfortunately NOT Oscar worthy!

https://johnrieber.com/2013/10/08/roger-ebert-teams-up-with-russ-meyer-russ-and-roger-go-beyond/

Let me know your thoughts on Oscar’s X-rated past!

Talk About A Tough Lady!

Dressed fully in black and carrying a sharp knife, this is one of the greatest action heroes that America’s NEVER HEARD OF!

Time to share a “J-sploitation” film series that combines action, violence and “women in prison” genres to terrific effect!

This classic Japanese exploitation series follows the adventures of Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion!

“Female Prisoner 701: Scorpion!”

Japanese star Meiko Kaji is Scorpion, and as you can imagine, the movie follows her travails inside a prison!

Check out the great trailer!

Here’s how one website described it:

“Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion contains everything you will find in the remainder of the series, so if you don’t like what you see, venture no further. We are talking soft-core couplings, lesbianism, slapstick prison wardens administering gleeful punishment and lots and lots of blood, usually shooting out jet-stream style from freshly severed limbs. But, seriously, what’s not to like about that?”

“Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41!”

As much fun as “Female Prisoner 701: Scorpion” is, it’s just the beginning!

The second film in the series is considered by many to be the definitive entry. In “Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41” has our heroine recaptured and placed in solitary confinement, before she plans an escape through the bowels of the prison – with six other inmates in tow!

Here is the trailer:

One website claimed that “Jailhouse 41” has even more nudity, gratuitous sadism, acid-tinged fantasy sequences – plus musical numbers and extreme martial arts as well!

Scorpion Gets “Armed!”

Next up is the third film in the series – “Female Prisoner 701 Scorpion: Beast Stable” – as our heroine is free but on the run from the law again…

Here is the classic trailer for the film, which includes her running with a severed arm!

Yes, A SEVERED ARM!

This is wildly inventive moviemaking, operating under the classic exploitation rules: these movies must feature lots of action, nudity, and over-the-top mayhem!

A Final “Grudge!”

The final film in the series, “Female Prisoner Scorpion #701: Grudge Song” has a different Director, and shows a gentler side of our Heroine…and if you want to see all four in all-new remastered editions with tons of great extras, check this out!

Arrow Video is releasing a new blu-ray box set with all four films and tons of great extras, so you can dive into the deep end of the “J-sploitation” pool!

Japanese “pinky” films were wildly popular in the 1970’s, and are legendary for their portrayal of “tough girls” in dangerous situations:

You can see some of the best of the genre here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/05/31/mutant-girls-pinky-violence-sex-fury-and-lady-snowblood-too-japanese-sexploitation-lives/

Even though these films are from the 70’s, the modern era of cinema in Japan includes the genre of “J-sploitation” as well!

One of the more recent films had a very controversial “jiggle” promo, which you can see here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/11/11/the-bikini-game-controversial-japanese-jiggle-movie-promo-new-j-sploitation-film/

The genre is also tongue in cheek, or in this case….

Yes, “Zombie Ass: Toilet Of The Dead” is a classic example of the “J-sploitation” genre, see it here!

https://johnrieber.com/2012/11/06/zombie-ass-yes-japans-wacky-cinema-is-calling-what-the/

You can also check out a ton of great new japanese horror films as well:

This is an amazing genre of film, see the best here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/10/13/yakuza-zombies-bloody-asian-halloween-horror-2015-shocking-japanese-exploitation/

Leave me a message and let me know if you’ve seen any of the “Scorpion” films!

Ready For “Bond 25?”

Yes, that’s the unofficial name for the new James Bond 007 film, the 25th entry in this iconic series…no other details yet, except of course for the fact that Daniel Craig will return for what is expected to be his 007 swan song…

Daniel Craig’s run as Britain’s greatest Secret Agent has had incredible highs and a few “Quantum” lows, but hopefully the studio will make the 25th James Bond film the best ever…after all, it’s one of the most iconic lines in movie history:

“My Name’s Bond…James Bond.”

Whether you like hearing those words as uttered by the first James Bond, Sean Connery…or the latest, Daniel Craig, it signals the beginning of a great new adventure. Oh, and here are the 15 best utterances – all compiled for you!

Thanks to home video, we can watch any and all of these classic action films…every Bond at any time!

Equally as exciting as the movies themselves is THIS THEME SONG:

It’s a legendary opening theme – tight electric guitar, subtle horns that suddenly burst forth, and a just a touch of menace. From “Dr. No” on, this has been how the films have opened….well, except for the “Casino Royale” series reboot…shocking to fans – the theme was moved to the END of that movie!

Rock On, James!

You also have to love the James Bond theme songs…and I hope they choose wisely when picking the Artist who will tackle “Bond 25”.

A recent poll voted Paul McCartney’s “Live And Let Die” as the best Bond theme ever, and I won’t argue: incredibly catchy, bombastic, and pure Macca…

Is That The Best Bond Theme?

The answer is, obviously, YES! I love McCartney’s catchy, bombastic take on Bond, and here is a great clip of him performing it on his 1973 TV special!

McCartney captured the right amount of bravado AND subtlety in the song – Bond’s best – but there have been many others that were great as well, such as this classic:

Goldinger!

Sassy, confident, oozing with sensuality, let’s give this classic theme song a listen:

Shirley Bassey Scores Again!

Shirley Bassey’s voice was sexy, fun, menacing and provocative – just as the films themselves became pop culture sensations – “Goldfinger” was one of the first true blockbusters, and the 007 series never looked back – and Producers began to look for an iconic theme song for every film…

The very next film, “Thunderball” had Tom Jones, who was hugely popular at the time – then “You Only Live Twice” had Nancy Sinatra, Frank’s daughter – and Shirley Bassey returned to record this classic theme, “Diamonds Are Forever”:

Most fans felt Connery was walking through “Diamonds” a bit, but it is fair to hold that against the song? Speaking of which, one of the WORST Bond movies ever, “A View To A Kill”, had a GREAT theme song!

What makes this better is that you see lots of Duran Duran and you don’t see a lot of Bond! The series entered into a rut of trying to get the hottest pop act of the moment, which led immediately to the debacle of “a-ha”!

“Make It Stop”!

Ouch! What an awful theme! And there have been more as well…Sheena Easton, anyone? Chris Cornell? Sheryl Crow even delivered a bad theme…but, to me, there is one that stands above all others…

The Worst Bond Theme Ever!

Here it is, a song that has absolutely NO connection to the film, no understanding of what a 007 theme song should be at all:

Love her or hate her, Madonna delivers a theme song that IN NO WAY captures James Bond 007 – this song exists as an Artist’s effort to usurp what it means to be a Bond theme!

But as much as I hate “Die Another Day, at least Madonna got to have her song heard:

Censored Bond Music!

Did you know why this guy, Alice Cooper, is so sad – he he also wrote a Bond theme! But as you can see, he’s not to happy about how it turned out!

Alice Cooper was one of the biggest bands of the mid-70’s, and the group was asked to record a Bond theme song, and it was rejected! Read all about Alice Cooper’s “Man With The Golden Gun” debacle by clicking on my story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/10/05/adele-skyfall-new-james-bond-theme-best-bond-themes-censored-bond-music/

You see, it might be an honor to record a Bond theme song, but that doesn’t mean it gets used!

Radiohead Does 007! And Gets Whacked!

As always, it began on social media – after the release of the latest film, “SPECTRE” came this announcement from Radiohead’s lead singer:

Thom Yorke @thomyorke
“Last year we were asked to write a tune for Bond movie Spectre. Yes we were”

And with that tweet, another chapter in the “censored” James Bond theme songs is written!

Radiohead fans got the greatest Christmas present ever – the band released their “Spectre” theme song on SoundCloud – yes, Radiohead recorded a James Bond theme!

Lead singer Thom Yorke announced on Twitter that Radiohead did “write a tune” for the latest film in the James Bond series, but it didn’t end up “working out”, according to him.

Fans flooded the internet with their versions of the film’s opening titles – with the Radiohead song – take a look!

Radiohead – SPECTRE Title Sequence [HD 720p] from Sketchy People on Vimeo.

Sam Smith was ultimately chosen to record the movie’s theme song, “Writing on the Wall,” which in my opinion is an AWFUL Bond song – it’s a ballad, not a theme song!

No disrespect to Sam, he did what he was told probably, but even “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” relegated their ballad to the middle of the film, NOT the theme song!

Yes, the love song from “OHMSS” by Louis Armstrong, “We’ve Got All The Time In The World” wasn’t used as the theme!

But I Need To Hear Them All!

Of course you do, but don’t worry! To help you decide the best and the worst Bond themes, here is a twelve minute compilation that includes ALL of them!

Let me know your personal best and worst Bond themes!

The Unique “Unsane!” Steven Soderbergh’s Latest Film Is Here!

As a huge Soderbergh fan, I’m really excited for his latest thriller, “Unsane!” The creative Director filmed it on three iPhone 7’s – not for budgetary reasons but to capture the voyreuristic intensity of a woman who may, or may not, be a dangerous stalker!

uns_20171205._1.106.1.tif

Claire Foy stars as a woman who may or may not be insane – as I said, this entire film was shot using iPhones, and it is getting terrific reviews! Here is the trailer:

Steven Soderbergh is an Oscar-winning filmmaker who embodies the best of the art form: he can make mass entertainment movies for everyone, and he can look at the world in a unique, independent way that pushes the art form and challenges the more discerning movie goer.

His latest film, the unique iPhone film “Unsane”, opens today. To celebrate, we are going to look at some of his best cinematic moments.

“Sex, Lies & Videotape” – 1989.

Where it all began. Soderbergh burst onto the scene with his first movie, a cultural watershed in independent film making. A sexually repressed woman’s husband is having an affair with her sister. The arrival of a visitor with a rather unusual fetish changes everything.

James Spader, Andie MacDowell and Laura San Giocomo star along with Peter Gallagher in the movie that put independent films back into the mainstream.

Andie MacDowell is Ann, the wife who is betrayed. James Spader is Graham, a new face with a unique perspective…

Ann: Nothing’s what I thought it was. John’s a bastard. Let’s make a videotape.
Graham: No, I… ahem… I don’t think that’s a good idea.
Ann: Why not?
Graham: Because I don’t think it’s a choice that you’d make in a normal frame of mind.
Ann: And what would you know about a normal frame of mind?

Beautifully written, acted and directed, this is the “Godfather of Independent Film.” Soderbergh also tackled the issue of drug trafficking on our border in the great thriller “Traffic”.

“Traffic” – Soderbergh’s 2000 Oscar!

Steven Soderbergh directed this hard-hitting look at America’s problem with drugs…and he made it the same year as “Erin Brockovich” – and was nominated as Best Director for both films in the same year. A towering achievement.

“Traffic” is a multi-layered look at America’s war on drugs – told through four separate but ultimately inter-connected stories. A conservative politician who’s just been appointed as the US drug czar learns that his daughter is a drug addict. A trophy wife struggles to save her husband’s drug business, while two DEA agents protect a witness with inside knowledge of the spouse’s business. In Mexico, a corrupt, yet dedicated cop struggles with his conscience when he learns that his new boss may not be the anti-drug official he made himself out to be.

Michael Douglas, Benecio Del Toro and Catherine Zeta-Jones lead a multi-national cast that delves deep into the sordid world of drug-running – and its relationship with governments…

Soderbergh also makes small, experimental films like this next one…

Going Underground: “The Girlfriend Experience” – 2009

Adult film star Sasha Grey gives a compelling and intense performance as a high-end Manhattan call girl meeting the challenges of her boyfriend, her clients, and her work. Here’s how she explains her job:

Chelsea: Sometimes clients think they want the real you, but at the end of the day, they say they don’t. They want what… they want what you want to be. They want you to be something else. They don’t want you to be yourself.
Interviewer: Suppose I’m that rare client that really wants to…
Chelsea: If they wanted you to be yourself, they wouldn’t be paying you.

Next up, another intimate look at one man’s revenge-filled quest to find his missing daughter:

Terrence Stamp gives a career-best performance as a man consumed with revenge – a “film noir” that is one of Soderbergh’s best films – see the trailer here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/11/14/the-limey-night-moves-classic-action-noir/

Of course, there have been so many great films, but probably his most popular was this one:

“Ocean’s Eleven” – And Then Came The Blockbuster.

In 2001, Soderbergh remade the iconic Frank Sinatra / Dean Martin Vegas heist movie, putting George Clooney and Brad Pitt in those roles. Nobody thought the original was particularly good – legend has it that Sinatra refused to do a scene more than once, and the “Rat Pack” spent all of their time enjoying Las Vegas more than they did making the movie.

The plot remains the same: Danny Ocean and his eleven accomplices plan to rob three Las Vegas casinos simultaneously.

Julia Robert, Bernie Mac and Matt Damon are just a few of the celebrities who show up in the film, a funny, intense and intricate heist movie.

Here is Elliott Gould, the guy putting up the money to fund the robbery, reacting to Danny Ocean’s plan:

“You guys are pros. The best. I’m sure you can make it out of the casino. Of course, lest we forget, once you’re out the front door, you’re still in the middle of the fucking desert! “

Even with so many big hits like this one, Soderbergh was tiring of the studio system, so he financed a film with his movie’s star – and it turned out to be a massive hit:

Here is a look at this fictional, yet autobiographical look at Channing Tatum’s early life as a stripper:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/06/25/magic-mike-reviews-are-in-soderbergh-scores-again/

There are many more to mention of course, like “Out Of Sight” and “Logan Lucky”, but this is a primer to get you started:

These movies reiterate what a great film maker Soderbergh is…can’t wait to see “Unsane!”

“And The Oscar Goes To…”

All movie fans are perched on the edge their seats when those words are spoken each year at The Academy Awards. It’s a cinephile’s Super Bowl, after all….so, do you ever grimace when the winning name is announced? Perhaps you hated the movie, the acting, the script or the cinematography – but social media is filled with people who love to debate the worst Academy Award wins of all time.

The Best Actress Is…

Time to look at the category of “Best Performance By An Actress In A Leading Role.” There have been incredible performances honored here, recently by Cate Blanchett in “Blue Jasmine”:

On the flip side, there have been some real head-scratchers, but here is what may be, to me, the weakest winner in the category in the last three decades:

Sandra Bullock won the Academy Award for her performance in 2009’s “The Blind Side.” She played a tough-as-nails Southern pistol-packing Mom who is protective of the kid she finds homeless – and helps him become an NFL star. Michael Oher is shown at the end being drafted – bravo to him! Yes, it’s a true story, and an inspiring one as well:

The film is a “feel good” look at a young man who is helped by a loving family, who take him in and help him succeed. That said, Bullock’s performance is strident and one-note, and the scene where she takes on a group of dangerous young men is cringe-worthy….as for the other nominees that year?

Helen Mirren was nominated for the little-seen ‘The Last Station’, Carey Mulligan was great in the independent film ‘An Education’, Gabourey Sidibe exploded onscreen in ‘Precious’, and Meryl Streep gave one of her greatest performances ever in ‘Julie and Julia’.

So as you can see, a number of great roles in small films, and an acting legend who perhaps is thought to have won too recently for “The Iron Lady”

Also, Bullock didn’t win for her virtuoso performance in “Gravity” in 2013, so she got a well-deserved Oscar – just the wrong year!

I really like her as an Actress, but this just wasn’t the best performance of the year…that honors goes to Julia Child!

There is a terrific list of the ten worst winning performances according to the website “TheCinemaholic.com” – check out to see why they included Halle Berry and Cher, along with Elizabeth Taylor!

https://www.thecinemaholic.com/the-10-worst-best-actress-oscar-winners-ranked/

I also didn’t care for Frances McDormand this year for “Three Billboards” – to me it was strident and lacked any sympathy or softness to counter the obnoxiousness.

Also, in 1967 Anne Bancroft was incredible in “The Graduate”, and Faye Dunaway was mesmerizing in “Bonnie & Clyde”, only to lose to Katherine Hepburn’s by-the-numbers performance in “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner”.

If you want to read an amazing book about that revolutionary year in film, click here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/03/17/bonnie-clyde-vintage-la-screening-amazing-live-guest-pictures-from-a-revolution/

Let me know what you think was the least-award winning performance!

RIP R. Lee Ermey…

Sad news: R. Lee Ermey, the former Marine who went from an off-camera Vietnam War Expert to stardom, has died…he will always be remembered as the foul-mouthed Marine Sergeant from Stanley Kubrick’s masterpiece “Full Metal Jacket”…

“I am Gunnery Sergeant Hartman, your senior drill instructor. From now on you will speak only when spoken to, and the first and last words out of your filthy sewers will be “Sir”. Do you maggots understand that?

Recruits: [In unison in a normal speaking tone] Sir, yes Sir.

Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: Bullshit I can’t hear you. Sound off like you got a pair!

Recruits: [In unison, much louder] SIR, YES SIR!”

Shape Up, Maggots!

Talk about intense! Who can ever forget the vulgar and utterly mesmerizing R. Lee Ermey performance as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in “Full Metal Jacket!”

The Actor’s Manager announced his death on Twitter…Ermey was 74 years old, and no cause of death was mentioned.

R. Lee Ermey was in more than 75 films, but he will always be known as the foul-mouthed Sargeant who trains new recruits in Stanley Kubrick’s anti-war masterpiece!

“Full Metal Jacket!”

First, the film itself:

A two-segment look at the effect of the military mindset and war itself on Vietnam era Marines. The first half follows a group of recruits in boot camp under the command of the punishing Gunnery Sergeant Hartman. The second half shows one of those recruits, Joker, covering the war as a correspondent for Stars and Stripes, focusing on the Tet offensive.

Marine Training Camp, Kubrick-Style!

“Full Metal Jacket” is Kubrick’s classic anti-war film, showing how young men are turned into killing machines. The first half of the film is anchored by Ermey’s mesmerizing performance as the drill Sergeant who will whip this fresh bunch of new recruits into shape:

“You are nothing but unorganized grabastic pieces of amphibian shit!”

OK, perhaps we are, but what a classic way to put it! The film is filled with hilariously profane instructions from the Sergeant, like this:

Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: “If you ladies leave my island, if you survive recruit training, you will be a weapon. You will be a minister of death praying for war. But until that day you are pukes. You are the lowest form of life on Earth. You are not even human fucking beings. You are nothing but unorganized grabastic pieces of amphibian shit! Because I am hard, you will not like me. But the more you hate me, the more you will learn. I am hard but I am fair. There is no racial bigotry here. I do not look down on niggers, kikes, wops or greasers. Here you are all equally worthless. And my orders are to weed out all non-hackers who do not pack the gear to serve in my beloved Corps. Do you maggots understand that?”

Sgt. Hartman Speaks!

Thanks to the terrific genre magazine “VideoScope” for a great interview with the Actor, who shared many anecdotes about “Full Metal Jacket” as well as other films he has appeared in – “VideoSCope” is always full of great interviews that celebrate unique aspects of the world of film…

Here is some great trivia: Did you know that R. Lee Ermey was a technical advisor on another classic anti-war film “Apocalypse Now?” As he explained to VideoScope:

“I was hired as a background extra. Once we started shooting they found out I was a Vietnam veteran and I ended up being the number two technical advisor on the movie.”

Ermey’s performance in “Full Metal Jacket” is infused with his unique history as a drill instructor, leading to a nonstop series of monologues like this:

Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: Tonight, you pukes will sleep with your rifles. You will give your rifle a girl’s name because this is the only pussy you people are going to get. Your days of finger-banging ol’ Mary-Jane Rottencrotch through her pretty pink panties are over! You’re married to this piece. This weapon of iron and wood. And you will be faithful. Port, hut!”

Ermey Meets Kubrick!

Ermey was originally hired by Kubrick to be a technical advisor, but of course, things ended up differently. It all began with Ermey decided to train the extras AS Gunnery Sgt. Hartman:

“I approached them as Gunnery Sgt. Hartman would approach a platoon and I delivered the first scene. Then I dropped them down for push-ups. I had them choking themselves.”

The material was videotaped for Kubrick to see how they were being trained, and when the Director saw the material he called Ermey into his office and gave him the role!

All Ermey’s, But No Ad-libs!

It is a common misconception that most of R. Lee Ermey’s dialogue during the training sequence was improvised. In several interviews Ermey stated that he worked closely with Kubrick to help mold the script so that it was more believable, all while retaining certain dialogue crucial to Kubrick’s vision.

While filming the opening scene, where he disciplines Pvt. Cowboy, he says Cowboy is the type of guy who would have sex with another guy “and not even have the goddamned common courtesy to give him a reach-around”. Stanley Kubrick immediately yelled cut and went over to Ermey and asked, “What the hell is a reach-around?” Ermey politely explained what it meant. Kubrick laughed and re-shot the scene, telling Ermey to keep the line!

According to Ermey, he was allowed to write almost all of the material himself, but it was all written down – nothing was improvised on the set!

To keep the recruits’ reactions as convincing as possible, Matthew Modine, Vincent D’Onofrio, and the other actors never met R. Lee Ermey prior to filming. Stanley Kubrick also saw to it that Ermey didn’t fraternize with the actors between takes – as if they would want to!

And one final piece of trivia: did you know that the Motion Picture Association refused to allow this poster for the film?

They decided that the line “in Vietnam the wind doesn’t blow it sucks” was inappropriate to be seen on a movie poster!

I can only imagine what Sergeant Hartman would have said about that! Kudos to R. Lee Ermey for creating one of the most memorable film characters in movie history!

As I said, he also advised many films and TV shows, including “Apocalypse Now”, and he discusses that in this terrific documentary about filming in the Philippines…

This is a great documentary, and he is really candid about working with Coppola on the classic anti-war film…see my story here…

https://johnrieber.com/2018/04/11/meet-the-empowered-machete-maidens-unleashed-pam-grier-got-her-start-here-terrific-documentary-celebrates-the-anything-goes-films-of-the-philippines/

RIP to R. Lee Ermey…

Harvey Weinstein Owes A LOT OF Money To A LOT Of Big Stars!

Deadline.com has a great story about the latest legal issues surrounding Harvey Weinstein – the money his company owes some of Hollywood’s biggest names!

Weinstein’s company declared bankruptcy in the wake of his #MeToo scandal – Weinstein was the first of many disgraced men who have been taken down by the #MeToo revelations.

As Deadline reports:

Meryl Streep, George Clooney, Jennifer Lawrence, Leonardo DiCaprio, Bill Murray and Quentin Tarantino were among those filing documents raising concerns today in bankruptcy court.

Tarantino got his start with Weinstein when his former company Miramax funded Quentin’s debut film “Reservoir Dogs” and then “Pulp Fiction”: Tarantino also made four films for The Weinstein Company — “Grindhouse/Death Proof”, “Inglourious Basterds”, “Django Unchained” and “The Hateful Eight”. According to Deadline.com:

“The writer-director says he’s still owed a substantial amount for those films: $300,000 for Grindhouse, $575,000 for Inglourious Basterds, some $1.3 million for Django and $2.5 million for The Hateful Eight.”

That’s almost $5-million bucks!

There are many more stars who have joined the filing against the company, including Jennifer Lawrence, who says she’s owed $102,623 for her work on “The Silver Linings Playbook.”

And Weinstein even owes the “Queen Of Hollywood” money!

Meryl Streep Wants An Accounting!

Deadline.com says that Streep’s filing notes she has been unable to get an accurate accounting of outstanding payments in connection with her work on the motion pictures “August: Osage County” and “The Giver” — though the Weinstein Co. claims it owes her $168,611.

“Unless and until Ms. Streep is given such an opportunity and/or conducts a proper audit, the Debtors should not be permitted to unilaterally select cure amounts while withholding the information necessary for Ms. Streep to verify or contest those amounts,” Streep wrote in her filing.

Deadline has been all over this story, previously reporting that the list of the thousands of people owed money by the studio includes everyone from Director Kevin Smith to Dame Judi Dench, David Bowie, Michael Bay, Boris Becker, Ryan Coogler, Daniel Radcliffe, Robert De Niro and Darlene Love.

Even President Obama’s daughter Malia! WOW! You can read the entire story, and Deadline has a lengthier list of debtors as well – just click on the Deadline.com story here:

http://deadline.com/2018/04/meryl-streep-jennifer-lawrence-among-those-owed-money-the-weinstein-co-report-1202376739/

Hollywood throws a ton of money at movie and TV stars, both in front of and behind the camera…and where there’s money, there is ALWAYS conflict!

I have posted about Johnny Depp’s current lawsuit against his former Business Managers – this is still underway, but lots of embarrassing stuff about Depp’s spending habits have emerged – see them here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/05/13/johnny-depps-morass-incredible-story-of-an-actors-wild-wild-spending-bravo-to-the-hollywood-reporter/

We’ll see how this latest legal action goes for the stars seeking money from The Weinstein Company!

Producer Jack Woltz Will See You Now!

One of the great movie locations for “The Godfather” was movie mogul Jack Woltz’s Beverly Hills estate: it’s home to the most shocking scene in the movie!

My wife Alex read that the mansion was close to where we live, and as it turns out, she was right – it was less than two miles away from us!

We drove by, and Alex was so excited when she realized that behind this simple front entrance was the legendary Jack Woltz estate! Here’s an aerial view of what lies behind the gate:

The exterior of Woltz’s mansion was also used as Whitney Houston’s estate in the film “The Bodyguard”. It’s an enormous Beverly Hills estate located just north of Sunset Boulevard and The Beverly Hills Hotel. The address is 1011 North Beverly Drive.

This magnificent estate was built in the 1920s, and had once been owned by William Randolph Hearst. It has sold several times in the past few decades, and was listed for sale at more than $115-million!

The Infamous “Horse Head” Scene!

Of course, this is the estate where Producer Jack Woltz refuses to grant Don Corleone just one favor: to let Johnny Fontaine star in his new war picture. The next morning, Woltz woke up with someone else in his bed with him…

Yes, he woke up with his triple crown-winning horse, Khartoum, in his bed – well, the head at least!

And It Was Real!

This is some of the best “Godfather” trivia. During rehearsals, a false horse’s head was used for the bedroom scene. For the actual shot, a real horse’s head was used, acquired from a dog-food factory. According to John Marley, his scream of horror was real – because it was all a secret: no one told him that a real head was going to be used!

“I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse.”

This is probably the most iconic line EVER from a movie…and yes, from the greatest film ever made…so my only question is this: did “The Godfather” read that line from a cue card?

Yes, He Probably Did!

Look at this behind-the-scenes picture, from the filming of the movie…priceless! Robert Duvall holds cue cards for Marlon Brando to read – just one of the many legendary tales of making “The Godfather”!

There are SO MANY incredible stories about the making of the film, starting with the behind-the-scenes antics of Marlon Brando!

Brando’s Transformation!

Marlon Brando wanted to make Don Corleone “look “like a bulldog,” so he stuffed his cheeks with cotton wool for his audition.

For actual filming, Brando wore a mouthpiece made by a dentist; this appliance is on display in the American Museum of the Moving Image in Queens, New York.

If you really want to immerse yourself in this film, there is the perfect way to do it!

The Epic Godfather On Blu-Ray!

Thanks to a phenomenal effort by Paramount home video, you can now go deep, deep, DEEP into the history of “The Godfather”…like this blu-ray release, an amazing collection including all three films, plus hours and hours of extras!

Here are just some of the extras that are included:

“The Masterpiece That Almost Wasn’t,” reviewing in detail much of what has been said about Paramount’s mistreatment of Coppola, about casting fights (Steve McQueen as Michael?), about the studio’s assumption they were getting a quick-and-dirty B-movie, and about producer Robert Evans’ determination to keep his choice of director and unlikely actors under his wing.

“Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.”

There are so many great lines from the film – as well as great stories about the making of the movie, especially about the iconic cast: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton and John Cazale.

James Caan Is Hot-headed Sonny!

Of course, James Caan also became a star as the hot-headed Sonny, who gets set up by his brother-in-law at a toll booth in Jersey…

Here’s a behind-the-scenes picture of the bullet angles for the blood squibs that have been put on Sonny’s face…

How Francis Ford Coppola tricked Marlon Brando

Paramount executives were adamant that Brando not be hired to play Vito Corleone because of the actor’s reputation for problems on set. Finally, they relented by providing conditions that they thought could never be met, including that Brando give them a screen test.

Director Francis Ford Coppola told Brando he wanted to test equipment and get a sample take, very carefully not phrasing the filming as a screen test. When the take had been filmed, even Brando was happy with it, saying he thought he’d gotten the appearance of being “mean-looking, but warm underneath.” In later years, Brando said he’d known all along it was a screen test.

There are many more great anecdotes about the film HERE:

http://www.csmonitor.com/Books/2012/0202/The-Godfather-10-behind-the-scenes-stories-about-the-making-of-the-classic-films/How-Francis-Ford-Coppola-tricked-Marlon-Brando

Last year, The Tribeca Film Festival had an incredible cast reunion event:

I would have loved to hear that conversation! You can read more about it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/04/30/tribecas-the-godfather-reunion-great-film-trivia-deniro-pacino-keaton-coppola/

Let me know if you’ve ever had the chance to visit Jack’s place!

RIP Margot Kidder…

Sad news to share: Margot Kidder, the Actress who portrayed the best “Lois Lane” os all time, has died at the age of 69. The Franzen-Davis Funeral Home in Livingston, MT, said she died Sunday but did not give a cause of death.

The Actress had many big hits in her career, and a series of personal setbacks as well – but her body of work deserves some credit, as she was an iconic Actress to so many of us…

Kidder began her career in the 1960s, working in TV and film, and modeling as well…

Kidder was one of Hollywood’s most free-spirited new sex kittens, at a time when a new permissiveness was underway in the entertainment industry…

She appeared in Brian De Palma’s thriller “Sisters” in 1973, and then starred in the shock classic “Black Christmas” the following year.

Kidder was terrific as the caustic friend who helps Olivia Hussey search for a missing sorority sister. You can read all about this horror classic here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/11/28/the-last-christmas-black-christmas-its-a-horrific-grindhouse-holiday/

Kidder’s winning streak at the movies continued with her role in “The Amityville Horror”…

These roles were great, but she achieved her biggest success starring as Lois Lane in the classic “Superman” films with Christopher Reeve.

Cinema’s Best Lois Lane!

Kidder’s quick wit and “tough as nails” demeanor were the perfect foil for Reeve, and the chemistry between the two stars was perfect for the material…

The first two “Superman” films in the 80’s are considered by many to be the best superhero films ever made…and much of that credit goes to Kidder’s feisty performance…

Kidder’s Rough Stretch…

According to wikipedia, the Actress has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which led to a widely publicized manic episode in April 1996. She disappeared for four days, and was found in a back yard by a homeowner and was taken by Los Angeles police to Olive View Medical Center in a distressed state. She was later placed in psychiatric care. In 2007, Kidder said that she had not had a manic episode in 11 years.

Kidder since worked in numerous films as well as numerous television series and also starred in Rob Zombie’s 2009 film “Halloween II.”

Margot Kidder in her home for Celebrity Home Kathryn Kates story.

In 2015, she won an Emmy Award for her performance in the children’s television series “R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour.”

So sorry to hear about her death…RIP Margot Kidder…

Unfortunately, like Margot Kidder many Hollywood stars can’t overcome their personal demons…

The Shocking Tale Of Jan-Michael Vincent!

This 70’s star of such films as “Big Wednesday” and “The Mechanic” is now struggling, and had one leg partially amputated – you can read this story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/08/31/jan-michael-vincent-from-70s-sexiest-man-to-a-true-hollywood-tragedy/

Another star from the late 60’s also fell from grace…

June Fairchild starred with The Monkees in their movie “Head”, but ended up on LA’s skid row!

You can read more about this tragic Hollywood story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/03/20/sex-kitten-june-fairchild-from-stardom-to-skid-row-a-starlets-shocking-death/

RIP Margot…

Question: As you see the late Karen Black in the cockpit, will there ever be a better line of dialogue from a film that this one:

“The stewardess is flying the plane!”

And she was! It’s just one reason I love 70’s films, and a great book tell the wild wild tale!

The Stewardess Is Flying The Plane!: American Films of the 1970s –
Ron Hogan (Author), Peter Bogdanovich (Contributor)

Here is a terrific book about the greatest moments in 70’s cinema – the good, the bad and the hilarious!

Those “Stewardess” words were courtesy of the cult classic “Airport ’75” – a disaster film that showcased 70’s cinema at its most disastrous!

How can you not love this dialogue!

“It’s Nancy Pryor… stewardess. Something hit us! All the flight crew is dead or badly injured! There’s no one left to fly the plane! Help us! Oh my God, help us! – from Airport 1975

Yes, Karen Black was the “Stewardess Who Flew The Plane”! This book is a fantastic love letter to the movies of the 70’s…ALL OF THEM. It was, as you know, the decade for classic films like these:

These are just some of the classic films of the decade that are included in the book.

But let’s not forget that the 70’s ALSO gave us classics like THESE:

Here is what Publishers Weekly had to say about this great book:

“With films such as The Godfather, Star Wars, The Sting, Rocky, Apocalypse Now, Jaws and M*A*S*H, the 1970s is now considered the second Golden Age of Hollywood. There is renewed interest in some of the decade’s most durable genres, including disaster films and blaxsploitation flicks, allowing viewers to rediscover early performances from major stars such as Jeff Bridges, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Meryl Streep and Diane Keaton.”

“The Stewardess is Flying the Plane!” is a lavishly illustrated, fun and informative look at more than 400 films of the decade – not just classics like “The Godfather” or “Taxi Driver”, but cult favorites like “Kansas City Bomber” and other amazing disaster films like “The Poseidon Adventure!”

This is one of the greatest movie tagline:

“Hell Upside Down!”

If you want to see the trailer for this classic, click here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/06/18/celebrity-smackdowns-hell-upside-down-the-disastrous-duo-of-poseidon-adventure-and-towering-inferno/

This book has an introduction by legendary Director Peter Bogdanovich, who made “The Last Picture Show” and “Paper Moon” in the 70’s among many others, and the book also shows hundreds of never- before-published photographs and new interviews with key participants in the ’70s film industry!

This book puts the decade into perspective with categories like “Thrillers”, “Hard Crime” and “Horror” – and reminds us of some little-seen cult gems like Diane Keaton “Looking For Mr. Goodbar” – with Richard Gere’s help…

If you haven’t heard of this provocative gem, see it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/04/27/sex-violence-and-diane-keaton-looking-for-mr-goodbar/

It was a decade of some of the best – and worst- movies of all time – let’s celebrate them with a big toast!

And while we are at it, let’s toast some of the craziest drinkers in movie history as well!

Hellraisers – by Robert Sellers – originally published in 2009

RICHARD BURTON. OLIVER REED. RICHARD HARRIS. PETER O’ TOOLE. The most legendary English drinkers in movie history are the subject of a great book about their wild ways, mostly in the 70’s!

Here is what Amazon had to say about this hilarious book:

“This highly entertaining biography of four charismatic and much loved actors follows them through five decades of boozing, brawling and braggadocio.”

“I did quite enjoy the days when one went for a beer at one’s local in Paris and wake up in Corsica,” Mr. O’Toole once quipped.

At their career peaks, these four controversial actors had the whole world at their feet and lived through some of the wildest exploits Hollywood has ever seen. But all that fame had a price; Richard Burton’s liver was shot by the time he was 50, Richard Harris’s film career stalled for over a decade. Peter O’Toole’s drinking almost put him in the grave before his 43rd birthday, and Oliver Reed ended up dying prematurely.

This is the story of four of the greatest thespian boozers who ever walked — or staggered — off a film set into a pub. It’s a story of drunken binges of near biblical proportions, parties and orgies, broken marriages, drugs, riots and wanton sexual conquests. And yet these piss-artists were seemingly immune from the law.

Mr. Reed is said to have drunk 126 pints of beer in 24 hours, and as you can see, loved to carouse with The Who drummer and legendary mad man Keith Moon.

Richard Harris joked that he formed a support group called “Alcoholics Unanimous” that worked this way: “If you don’t feel like a drink, you ring another member and he comes over to persuade you.” Mr. Reed, by far the most hellish of the four, had an eagle’s head tattooed on his shoulder.

Oliver Reed also had the eagle’s claws tattooed on the part of his body that he most enjoyed exposing without warning. “Would you like to see where it’s perched?” he liked to ask about the bird.

And what about Richard Burton? Mr. Elizabeth Taylor – TWICE? Here’s a story about Mr. Burton during the filming of “The Klansman,” one of his worst. “If you want to interview a drunk or see a drunk fall in the camellia bushes, come ahead,” that film’s publicist supposedly told the press. And when the film’s makeup artist was complimented on how well he had prepared Mr. Burton for his death scene, the makeup man replied: “I haven’t touched him.”

They got away with it because of their extraordinary acting talent and because the public loved them. They were truly the last of a breed, the last of the movie hellraisers. This is a great great book – but it will make you thirsty!

The Great Sci-Fi Epic “Star Wars!”

One of the most beloved series in film history came from the mind of George Lucas, and continues to entertain people around the world today…remember the plot?

@RealCinemania on Twitter brought this “Star Wars” summary to my attention:

So, I guess it’s all about how to look at something, right?

That brings me to this classic:

“The Wizard Of Oz!”

Without a doubt, this 1939 classic is beloved the world over – the story of a young girl and her dog, who follow the yellow brick road to Oz…and of course, the incredible characters they meet along the way:

Of course, there are wicked witches, flying monkeys and an irritable guy behind a curtain to contend with – which leads to this hilarious summation that was published in TV Guide’s listing page:

Hilarious!

And do you remember this crowd pleasing musical?

Yes, “Les Miserables” is a timeless musical, and was turned into a great film as well:

Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried and Russell Crowe were all terrific in the film – and so Sam Richardson shared his opinion of the film this way:

Can’t argue with this!

Finally, my wife admits she isn’t a fan of most science fiction – and there, not a fan of this film at all:

2001: A Space Odyssey!

Yes, Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 masterpiece is a mind-blowing experience, and moviegoers were dazzled AND perplexed by what flooded by them in one of cinema’s most wildly imaginative films of all time…

My wife, however, saw it years later and had this short, six word review:

“Some Dumb Astronaut. Some Dumb Baby.”

Well, she’s accurate about the plot line at least!

Let me know if you have a funny movie plot summary to share!

Ready For This $$$ True Tale Of Hollywood?

Sometimes people just don’t realize how bonkers the entertainment industry is – although now we are seeing payback for its excesses.

Several year ago there was a terrific “inside Hollywood” book about the time that Jon Peters and his partner Peter Guber ran Columbia Pictures – and it’s a great tale of superstars, big money, and foreign owners who don’t know what they are getting into when they come to Hollywood!

Here is the terrific book:

Hit & Run – by Nancy Griffin and Kim Masters

This bestselling book has been around for years, but the story is as fresh and fascinating as ever!

“Hit and Run” tells the improbable and often hilarious story of how two Hollywood film packagers went on a campaign to reinvent themselves as studio executives — at Sony’s expense!

Veteran reporters Nancy Griffin and Kim Masters chronicle the rise of Jon Peters and Peter Guber — and all the sex, drugs, and fistfights along the way.

“Hit and Run” delivers rock-solid business reporting liberally laced with inside gossip and outrageous scandal — plus later editions of the book include a new afterword bringing us up to date on the latest fallout from the “Guber-Peters” legacy at Sony.

Here is what Publishers Weekly said about the book when it was published:

“This is basically the story of two boys who never grew up, but ended up running Sony-owned Columbia Pictures into the ground. Peters, whom the Los Angeles Times described as a “seventh-grade dropout and reform school graduate who began his show-business career as Barbra Steisand’s hairdresser-boyfriend-manager,” was a master at self-promotion; only semi-literate but able to count well enough to make it big in Hollywood.”

Yes, this is the Jon Peters who got his start in Hollywood by doing Barbra Streisand’s hair! What else do you need to become a movie Producer?

Guber and Peters went on to produce a number of big hits, including “Batman”, so it wasn’t completely out of left field that the Japan-based Executives at Sony wouldn’t think the pair could run their newly acquired movie studio. And boy, is that where it gets crazy!

The business side of this book is intriguing, recounting internecine financial twists and turns after the pair are hired to run Columbia Pictures – ultimately leading to a top Sony executive exclaiming:

“Huh! You bankrupt Sony!”

This is a great inside look at how the movie industry operates, especially when outsiders try to navigate the expensive waters of Hollywood.

And if you think things have changed…now, decades later, Jon Peters returned to make big headlines – for making millions of dollars NOT to produce “Superman” films!

Jon Peters Speaks!

Writer Tatiana Siegel and The Hollywood Reporter had a fascinating, exclusive interview with the legendary Hollywood Producer Jon Peters – with a very provocative beginning…

“And With A Loaded Gun On The Coffee Table…”

How is this for a setup to the article?

“In his first interview in 10 years, and with a loaded gun on the coffee table, the legendary former hairdresser turned producer and studio chief opens up about voting for Donald — kept secret from “love of his life” Barbra Streisand — his feud with Peter Guber and how it feels to collect huge paychecks on Superman movies for doing nothing.”

Well, that grabs hold of you and never lets go, right?

The article quotes him this way regarding Barbra:

“She was probably the love of my life. Yeah. She was the most captivating, interesting, creative person I have ever met,” he says. “I owe her. I will always owe her for giving me the life that I’ve had.”

And this is also the Jon Peters who makes millions and millions of dollars for NOT actively producing “Superman” films.

Yes, he has made a fortune for staying away from the “Superman” movies!

According to the article:

“One of the first questions he answers is about his cut on Superman films. He says he took home $80 million to $85 million combined for 2006’s Superman Returns and Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel thanks to backend granted for his role in jumpstarting the franchise in the ’90s. Warners declined to comment. “I have 7.5 percent of the gross,” says Peters. “Together they did [more than] a billion.” He adds he was banned from the set of Man of Steel at the behest of producer Christopher Nolan: “My reputation scares these guys.”

This is a great article, and Tatiana Siegel weaves an amazing story of Hollywood, and of a man who has become a legend for so many reasons! Read more of it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/01/13/legendary-producer-jon-peters-making-a-fortune-for-not-producing-superman-movies-the-amazing-hollywood-reporter-interview/

Let me know what you think of these “True Hollywood Tales!”

“The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo” Is Back!

Lisbeth Salander, an empowered female from one of the greatest “nordic noir” thrillers of the past decade, has returned with her latest adventure, and it looks great!

Claire Foy Is Lisbeth Salander!

Claire Foy, who was so great in the TV series “The Crown”, stars as Lisbeth Salander, the girl with the dragon tattoo who was played by Rooney Mara in the 2011 film of the same name.

Although the first three books of the “Dragon Tattoo” trilogy were made into terrific Swedish thrillers, the US version of the “Dragon Tattoo” film, also starring Daniel Craig, wasn’t as successful, so they skipped the next two books of the trilogy and have jumped to the fourth one. The book series was continued by David Lagercrantz after the trilogy’s Author, Stieg Larsson, died.

More good news about this latest adventure: the film is directed by Fede Alvarez, who made the surprise 2016 horror hit “Don’t Breathe.”

Foy captures the Lisbeth vibe just as Mara did in the 2011 film, and if you really want to see a great performance, watch the original trilogy from Sweden, starring Noomi Rapace…these three films will give you Lisbeth’s entire story.

Here is the trailer for “The Girl In The Spider’s Web”:

This film opens on Nov. 9th, and I hope it is as good as it looks. It’s all part of a great series of books called “nordic noir”:

This genre of books take place in Norway, Sweden, Denmark or Finland, and are dark, moody crime thriller written by such bestselling Authors as Larsson, Jo Nesbo and Jussi Adler-Olsen…here is a look at some of the best:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/06/21/classic-nordic-noir-terrific-crime-fiction-from-department-q-jo-nesbos-harry-hole-novels-rock/

Let me know if you plan to see this!

Talk About A Hike With A View!

In the distance is downtown Los Angeles – and there are so many great ways to get a spectacular view like this…so I wanted to share some of my favorite hikes in the world! These hikes are made even better because of who I get to take them with – my wife Alex:

Let’s Go “Hitch Hiking!”

Alex came up with the title “Hitch Hiking” – a series of hikes we’ve done together, and classic Hitchcock films that these hikes reminded us of…let’s begin “hitch hike #3” with a trip to Northern California, one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world…

Welcome To Bodega Bay!

Located 67 miles north of San Francisco, Bodega Bay is a gorgeous, wind-swept beach snuggled along beautiful sand dunes that are kissed by ice cold Pacific Ocean water…

Just south of Bodega Bay is Dillon Beach, miles and miles of sand and sea – with beautiful views in both directions…and we explored it for hours…

You can walk for miles in either direction, and you can also head fairly far out into the water based on whether the tide is out or not – bring a picnic and blanket as well, so you can sit down and watch some very aggressive waves – and windsurfing – because as you will see, there is a LOT of wind – but it’s also a beautiful beach to take a long long hike:

When we arrived, there were dozens of windsurfers battling the high wind and waves – the combination of heavy seas and high winds makes this a real endurance test – take a look!

We ended up “beach hiking” more than five miles that afternoon…in some very aggressive winds – but the beach was filled with families having picnics, swimming, and enjoying this spectacular coastline…

The End Of The Day…

It was so windy that we finally called it a day – after close to ten miles of walking the coastline – and we headed a few miles south to Nick’s Cove – a terrific restaurant with an equally impressive sunset view:

So there’s your hike, and if some of this incredible scenery looks familiar, it could be because one of Hitchcock’s great shockers was filmed here:

“The Birds” – 1963

Yes, Bodega Bay was home to much of the filming of this classic shocker. Everyone remembers the terrifying moment when “the birds” decide to go after people!

The plot of this Alfred Hitchcock shocker was simple: a wealthy San Francisco socialite decides to pursue a potential boyfriend, and follows him to a small Northern California town – Bodega Bay – where the local birds suddenly begin to act very strangely…

[caption id="attachment_42393" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Alfred Hitchcock

This film, coming right after Hitchcock’s “Psycho”, firmly established him as the master of the shocker!

Here is a very long but funny movie trailer, hosted by Hitchcock himself:

Rod Taylor and Tippi Hedren starred in the film, which was a huge box office hit…

The schoolhouse, in Bodega, California, has also been known to be haunted, even back during the filming. According to Tippi Hedren, the entire cast was spooked to be there. She also mentioned how she had the feeling, while there, that “the building was immensely populated… but there was nobody there.”

And that classic building is still there!

Hope you enjoyed this “Hitch Hike” – classic Alfred Hitchcock movies combined with a hike through some of the world’s most beautiful places – like this one:

Yes, my first “Hitch hike” was high above the pacific ocean near Malibu – see more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2018/06/15/hitch-hiking-1-the-spectacular-view-above-malibu-hiking-hitchcock-walking-then-watching-to-catch-a-thief/

More “Hitch Hiking” to come!