Michael Douglas is introduced by French actress Ludivine Sagnier at the opening ceremony of the 50th edition of the Deauville Festival of American Cinema Photo: Richard Mowe Who could have been more appropriate choice to launch the 50th celebrations of the Deauville Festival of American Cinema last night than that enduring icon Michael Douglas who marks his 80th birthday on September 25.
He had a hero’s welcome and a standing ovation as he received his award from French actress Ludivine Sagnier who starred with him on the TV mini-series Franklin, about the US Founding Father Benjamin Franklin who spent eight years in France to secure support for the American Revolution.
The first recipient of the Young Spirit Award - Malia Ann, the daughter of Michelle and Barack Obama Photo: Richard Mowe Douglas has form with the festival throughout his 55-year career. He recalled that his father Kirk along with Gregory Peck...
He had a hero’s welcome and a standing ovation as he received his award from French actress Ludivine Sagnier who starred with him on the TV mini-series Franklin, about the US Founding Father Benjamin Franklin who spent eight years in France to secure support for the American Revolution.
The first recipient of the Young Spirit Award - Malia Ann, the daughter of Michelle and Barack Obama Photo: Richard Mowe Douglas has form with the festival throughout his 55-year career. He recalled that his father Kirk along with Gregory Peck...
- 9/7/2024
- by Richard Mowe
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
There's a long, complicated history of celebrity guest stars on "The Simpsons," especially in those early seasons where the celebrities were often never officially credited for their roles. Sometimes the celebrity fits into the "Simpsons" universe perfectly, and sometimes they stick out like a sore thumb. Sometimes they play themselves, and sometimes they play a brand new character. Sometimes they're revered by the characters, sometimes they're treated with total contempt. There are no rules here, although, after 35 seasons and counting, we've learned to pick up on some trends.
In "Simpsons" writer Mike Reiss' 2018 behind-the-scenes book, "Springfield Confidential," he wrote a bit about why so many celebrities have chosen to appear on the show. "The Simpsons" has made it into the Guinness Book of World Records for its absurd number of guest stars, and Reiss has argued that most of them came on the show for one of five reasons.
Read...
In "Simpsons" writer Mike Reiss' 2018 behind-the-scenes book, "Springfield Confidential," he wrote a bit about why so many celebrities have chosen to appear on the show. "The Simpsons" has made it into the Guinness Book of World Records for its absurd number of guest stars, and Reiss has argued that most of them came on the show for one of five reasons.
Read...
- 8/11/2024
- by Michael Boyle
- Slash Film
Damien Thorn is the antichrist, and the trilogy that tells his unholy tale remains popular almost fifty years later. Indeed, while putting together this Omen movie ranked list and revisiting the original franchise, I was surprised at how well the old movies held up. Omen fans will be happy that the series has been restarted in a pretty interesting way earlier this year, with The First Omen a surprisingly excellent prequel to the original trilogy (check out our interviews with the director and cast here), even if it takes one large liberty involving Damien’s birth that some fans may have an issue with. So, how do the Omen films rank against each other? Let’s take a look, but remember that the Fox TV movie, Omen IV: The Awakening, is not included, as I’m sticking with feature films.
The Omen (2006):
There’s honestly no reason for this movie to exist.
The Omen (2006):
There’s honestly no reason for this movie to exist.
- 7/30/2024
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Studiocanal announce an incredible brand-new restoration of Soldier Blue, as part of the Cult Classics Collection, available on 15th July on DVD, Blu-Ray and collectable 4K Uhd SteelBook. We are giving away a Steelbook to celebrate!
A naive cavalry officer (Peter Strauss) and a resourceful young woman (Candice Bergen) survive a Native American attack and have to make their way home through the wilderness. As they face the hardships of the journey, the couple fall in love, only to witness a horrific bloodbath as the U.S. Cavalry takes revenge upon their enemy, in a battle that became notorious for its brutality.
The film, based on actual events, is a quintessentially gritty and bloody 70s revisionist western, starring Candice Bergen (Carnal Knowledge), Peter Strauss, and Donald Pleasence (Wake In Fright). As well as a collectable 4K Uhd SteelBook, the film is released on Blu-ray and DVD with superb new sleeve art by Tony Stella.
A naive cavalry officer (Peter Strauss) and a resourceful young woman (Candice Bergen) survive a Native American attack and have to make their way home through the wilderness. As they face the hardships of the journey, the couple fall in love, only to witness a horrific bloodbath as the U.S. Cavalry takes revenge upon their enemy, in a battle that became notorious for its brutality.
The film, based on actual events, is a quintessentially gritty and bloody 70s revisionist western, starring Candice Bergen (Carnal Knowledge), Peter Strauss, and Donald Pleasence (Wake In Fright). As well as a collectable 4K Uhd SteelBook, the film is released on Blu-ray and DVD with superb new sleeve art by Tony Stella.
- 7/12/2024
- by Competitions
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Is there an issue more contentious in Hollywood than facial hair? Frankly, yes. But it's still fun to talk about. Throughout the history of the industry, stars' choice of facial adornment have caused no end of issues for studio executives. Such was the case with Gregory Peck and 1950's "The Gunfighter," in which he donned a majestic mustache that then-20th Century Fox head Darryl F. Zanuck claimed he would have paid $25K to shave. Sadly, however, Zanuck was out of the country when the film shot, and only discovered the offending stache upon his return. According to the exec, it was this precise element that was to blame for the film failing to meet box office expectations.
This is but one facial hair-related debacle in the annals of Hollywood lore. What about when some sort of facial fuzz is actually required for a role? Well, in the '90s,...
This is but one facial hair-related debacle in the annals of Hollywood lore. What about when some sort of facial fuzz is actually required for a role? Well, in the '90s,...
- 7/6/2024
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
Gareth Edwards' 2016 nostalgia-fest "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" seems to have been made to address what some people call a plot hole in George Lucas' 1977 film "Star Wars." In Lucas' film, the young Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) pilots a light attack craft up to a miniature hole in the exterior of the moon-sized Death Star, drops a bomb in it, and causes the entire superstructure to blow up. It is a satisfying ending to an exhilarating sci-fi pulp adventure.
Starwoids, however, watched Lucas films enough times that they began to ask questions. Why, the query went, would the deathly efficient Empire build a moon-sized planet-killing machine with such a grievous design flaw? Why build something so large and overpowered if a single bomb from a light attack craft can destroy it entirely?
The makers of "Rogue One" took that criticism to heart, and backward-engineered a story to explain the flaw.
Starwoids, however, watched Lucas films enough times that they began to ask questions. Why, the query went, would the deathly efficient Empire build a moon-sized planet-killing machine with such a grievous design flaw? Why build something so large and overpowered if a single bomb from a light attack craft can destroy it entirely?
The makers of "Rogue One" took that criticism to heart, and backward-engineered a story to explain the flaw.
- 7/4/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Just as most young actors who headed to New York post World War II, Eva Marie Saint was a staple on live television. In fact, her first TV appearance was in 1947 in a production of “A Christmas Carol” starring John Carradine as Scrooge. Saint, who celebrates her 100th birthday on July 4, told me in a 2013 L.A. Times interview that she didn’t appear on screen in her first TV gig that same year on NBC’s “The Borden Show.” She was hired to simply supply applause off-camera and called her parents to tell them the good news. “After the show, they called me and mom said, ‘Honey, we just love the show, and Dad thinks he heard you applauding.”’
Doing live TV got the lithe blonde actress a lot of exposure. One time it was way too much exposure. Between 1950-52, Saint appeared as the daughter of a high-powered San...
Doing live TV got the lithe blonde actress a lot of exposure. One time it was way too much exposure. Between 1950-52, Saint appeared as the daughter of a high-powered San...
- 7/2/2024
- by Susan King
- Gold Derby
Two For The Road Image: 20th Century Fox “Wouldn’t it be nice if we were like that?” Regina Lampert (Audrey Hepburn) asks the man eventually known as Brian Cruikshank (Cary Grant) as they walk along the Seine in Paris a bit more than halfway into the comic thriller Charade.
- 6/25/2024
- by Jesse Hassenger
- avclub.com
CharadeImage: Universal Pictures
“Wouldn’t it be nice if we were like that?” Regina Lampert (Audrey Hepburn) asks the man eventually known as Brian Cruikshank (Cary Grant) as they walk along the Seine in Paris a bit more than halfway into the comic thriller Charade. Brian is confused, because they...
“Wouldn’t it be nice if we were like that?” Regina Lampert (Audrey Hepburn) asks the man eventually known as Brian Cruikshank (Cary Grant) as they walk along the Seine in Paris a bit more than halfway into the comic thriller Charade. Brian is confused, because they...
- 6/25/2024
- by Jesse Hassenger
- avclub.com
Long before the Disney/Fox merger of 2019 created 20th Century Studios, there was 20th Century Fox. One of the original big five studios, 20th Century Fox was founded as 20th Century Pictures in 1935 by Joseph Schenck and Darryl F. Zanuck. The latter of the two was a former Warner Bros. executive and noted pervert, who, as The Daily Beast has pointed out, was one of the chief architects of the notorious casting couch culture that produced so much of the murk in which golden age Hollywood operated. But despite what The New York Times has described as his "well documented" proclivity for flashing women, he also seemed to be pretty good at running a studio — at least for most of his career.
One particular aspect of his personality that helped in that regard was his attention to detail, as described in Scott Eyman's 2021 book "20th Century Fox -- Darryl F.
One particular aspect of his personality that helped in that regard was his attention to detail, as described in Scott Eyman's 2021 book "20th Century Fox -- Darryl F.
- 6/23/2024
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
The release of First Omen has encouraged many fans to revisit The Omen franchise ( Photo Credit – Facebook )
First Omen has rekindled the viewers’ interest in the classic horror franchise The Omen, prompting many fans to revisit the iconic series. Here, we have explored The Omen franchise in a chronological order. This series has left an indelible mark on the horror genre, and understanding its sequence will enhance your viewing experience, allowing you to appreciate the evolution of its dark and haunting story.
First Omen (2024) Director: Arkasha Stevenson Cast: Nell Tiger Free, Ralph Ineson, Sonia Braga, Tawfeek Barhom, Maria Caballero Available on: Hulu (US) & Disney Plus hotstar (India) IMDb rating: 6.5/10
Begin your journey into the omen franchise with the movie First Omen that sets the plot in motion for the birth of the Antichrist. Nell Tiger Free stars as a nun sent to a secretive church in Rome, where she unravels...
First Omen has rekindled the viewers’ interest in the classic horror franchise The Omen, prompting many fans to revisit the iconic series. Here, we have explored The Omen franchise in a chronological order. This series has left an indelible mark on the horror genre, and understanding its sequence will enhance your viewing experience, allowing you to appreciate the evolution of its dark and haunting story.
First Omen (2024) Director: Arkasha Stevenson Cast: Nell Tiger Free, Ralph Ineson, Sonia Braga, Tawfeek Barhom, Maria Caballero Available on: Hulu (US) & Disney Plus hotstar (India) IMDb rating: 6.5/10
Begin your journey into the omen franchise with the movie First Omen that sets the plot in motion for the birth of the Antichrist. Nell Tiger Free stars as a nun sent to a secretive church in Rome, where she unravels...
- 6/19/2024
- by Hari P N
- KoiMoi
One could probably write a fairly substantial tome on the history of mustaches in Hollywood. Nothing seems to court controversy in the film industry quite like a hirsute upper lip. Modern audiences will no doubt jump to Henry Cavill's magnificent "Mission: Impossible — Fallout" 'tache, which received a touching obituary on this very site back in 2018 after Cavill shaved it off. That particularly controversial cookie duster caused no shortage of issues for Joss Whedon and his reshoots of "Justice League," which infamously included a shot of Cavill with a shoddily-rendered, CGI bald upper lip. But that's just the latest mustache-related debacle to befall Hollywood.
Back in 1978, Gene Hackman had to be duped into shaving his mustache for "Superman," by a particularly crafty Richard Donner. Then, in the 90s, Kurt Russell went over-the-top with his "Tombstone" mustache, prompting director George P. Cosmatos to negotiate with the actor over the exact,...
Back in 1978, Gene Hackman had to be duped into shaving his mustache for "Superman," by a particularly crafty Richard Donner. Then, in the 90s, Kurt Russell went over-the-top with his "Tombstone" mustache, prompting director George P. Cosmatos to negotiate with the actor over the exact,...
- 6/16/2024
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
The sibling Bond movie producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli have been tapped to receive the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, writer-director Richard Curtis will be feted with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award and composer-producer Quincy Jones and casting director Juliet Taylor will receive honorary Oscars at the 2024 Governors Awards, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Wednesday.
The 15th annual Governors Awards — honorees for which were determined as the last move of the Academy’s 2023-2024 board of governors, which changed following recent board elections — will be presented at a ceremony at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles on Sunday, Nov. 17.
“The recipients of this year’s Governors Awards have set the bar incredibly high across their remarkable careers, and the Academy’s board of governors is thrilled to recognize them with Oscars,” Academy president Janet Yang said in a statement. “The selection of Michael G.
The 15th annual Governors Awards — honorees for which were determined as the last move of the Academy’s 2023-2024 board of governors, which changed following recent board elections — will be presented at a ceremony at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles on Sunday, Nov. 17.
“The recipients of this year’s Governors Awards have set the bar incredibly high across their remarkable careers, and the Academy’s board of governors is thrilled to recognize them with Oscars,” Academy president Janet Yang said in a statement. “The selection of Michael G.
- 6/12/2024
- by Scott Feinberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
How would you like to spend a special Father’s Day with your dad? Here’s a suggestion — why not sit down for a couple of hours and watch one of these movies that’s all about fathers, both terrific and horrible? Our ranked photo gallery above includes many fine suggestions, all of which feature an Oscar-winning performance by an actor who plays a father where that role was pivotal to the plot.
Though there are thousands of films in which one character happens to be a father, you won’t find them all on this list. Besides the fact that these 17 films contain a paternal performance that won an Academy Award, they show a wide array of what it means to be a father. There’s the courageous father, the inspirational dad, the loving father and even the monstrous father. Lead and supporting actors include Anthony Hopkins, Daniel Day-Lewis,...
Though there are thousands of films in which one character happens to be a father, you won’t find them all on this list. Besides the fact that these 17 films contain a paternal performance that won an Academy Award, they show a wide array of what it means to be a father. There’s the courageous father, the inspirational dad, the loving father and even the monstrous father. Lead and supporting actors include Anthony Hopkins, Daniel Day-Lewis,...
- 6/11/2024
- by Tom O'Brien, Chris Beachum and Misty Holland
- Gold Derby
Cinecittà and Film at Lincoln Center’s Sophia Loren: La Signora Di Napoli
Edoardo Ponti’s The Life Ahead; Mario Mattoli’s Poverty And Nobility opposite Totò and Enzo Turco; Alessandro Blasetti’s Too Bad She’s Bad with Marcello Mastroianni and Vittorio De Sica; Dino Risi’s The Sign Of Venus (Il Segno Di Venere) with Franca Valeri and Raf Vallone; Vittorio De Sica’s Two Women with Jean-Paul Belmondo and Eleanora Brown, plus De Sica’s 1963 and Marriage Italian Style (Matrimonio All’Italiana) with Mastroianni, and The Voyage (Il Viaggio) with Richard Burton; Stanley Donen’s Arabesque with Gregory Peck; Francesco Rosi’s More Than A Miracle (C’era Una Volta) with Omar Sharif; Charlie Chaplin’s A Countess From Hong Kong with Marlon Brando; Ettore Scola’s A Special Day (Una......
Edoardo Ponti’s The Life Ahead; Mario Mattoli’s Poverty And Nobility opposite Totò and Enzo Turco; Alessandro Blasetti’s Too Bad She’s Bad with Marcello Mastroianni and Vittorio De Sica; Dino Risi’s The Sign Of Venus (Il Segno Di Venere) with Franca Valeri and Raf Vallone; Vittorio De Sica’s Two Women with Jean-Paul Belmondo and Eleanora Brown, plus De Sica’s 1963 and Marriage Italian Style (Matrimonio All’Italiana) with Mastroianni, and The Voyage (Il Viaggio) with Richard Burton; Stanley Donen’s Arabesque with Gregory Peck; Francesco Rosi’s More Than A Miracle (C’era Una Volta) with Omar Sharif; Charlie Chaplin’s A Countess From Hong Kong with Marlon Brando; Ettore Scola’s A Special Day (Una......
- 6/11/2024
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Steven Spielberg and George Lucas worked together to develop the highly successful Indiana Jones franchise. But Spielberg has always asserted that Indiana Jones is Lucas’ story first. However, he did take credit for making one small contribution to the franchise.
Steven Spielberg once took credit for this ‘Indiana Jones’ idea Steven Spielberg | Jc Olivera/Getty Images
Spielberg has been very loyal to Lucas when it comes to the Indiana Jones movies. Although a team effort, Lucas initially came up with the idea. And Spielberg simply did his best to bring Lucas’ ideas to life, even if he didn’t agree with them. The filmmaker wasn’t a huge fan of the direction Lucas wanted to take in Kingdom of the Crystal Skull for instance. But he acquiesced to his friend’s instincts.
“I am best friends with George and I’m very obedient to the stories that he writes. I...
Steven Spielberg once took credit for this ‘Indiana Jones’ idea Steven Spielberg | Jc Olivera/Getty Images
Spielberg has been very loyal to Lucas when it comes to the Indiana Jones movies. Although a team effort, Lucas initially came up with the idea. And Spielberg simply did his best to bring Lucas’ ideas to life, even if he didn’t agree with them. The filmmaker wasn’t a huge fan of the direction Lucas wanted to take in Kingdom of the Crystal Skull for instance. But he acquiesced to his friend’s instincts.
“I am best friends with George and I’m very obedient to the stories that he writes. I...
- 6/8/2024
- by Antonio Stallings
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Courtroom dramas are the ones that fully immerse you into the growing suspense and the technicalities of trials. The genre’s lovers can agree that it’s truly an experience to peep into the process of maintaining law and order and to try to figure out who is right.
Here are 5 worth-watching court dramas, picked by Reddit and available for watching on Prime Video.
12 Angry Men (1957)
First comes Sidney Lumet’s masterpiece that paved the way for all modern court movies. Set in one jury room, it follows the case of a young man accused of murder and judged by 12 men. The more they delve into the case, the more disagreement between them arouses, while they need to abstract from their own values to render a verdict.
Primal Fear (1996)
Richard Gere-starring thriller focuses on a defense attorney who becomes convinced of his client’s innocence in the case of murdering a Catholic archbishop.
Here are 5 worth-watching court dramas, picked by Reddit and available for watching on Prime Video.
12 Angry Men (1957)
First comes Sidney Lumet’s masterpiece that paved the way for all modern court movies. Set in one jury room, it follows the case of a young man accused of murder and judged by 12 men. The more they delve into the case, the more disagreement between them arouses, while they need to abstract from their own values to render a verdict.
Primal Fear (1996)
Richard Gere-starring thriller focuses on a defense attorney who becomes convinced of his client’s innocence in the case of murdering a Catholic archbishop.
- 6/2/2024
- by [email protected] (Ava Raxa)
- STartefacts.com
On Saturday June 1, Hollywood actor Ethan Hawke will introduce two classic films on the TCM talk show Two for One. The Gunfighter (1950) and Gun Crazy (1950) are both considered masterpieces of their respective genres, the Western and film noir. ## The Gunfighter Starring Gregory Peck, The Gunfighter is a dark, brooding Western that […]
Ethan Hawke Introduces Gunfighter and Gun Crazy on Two for One, June 1 on TCM...
Ethan Hawke Introduces Gunfighter and Gun Crazy on Two for One, June 1 on TCM...
- 6/1/2024
- by Riley Avery
- MemorableTV
The black and white images of "To Kill a Mockingbird" are seared onto my brain. Just the film's monochrome snapshots of young, rambunctious Scout with her friends in the sweltering days of summer -- or being scolded for her unkindly manner -- are enough to conjure memories of childhood without tipping over into nostalgia.
Compare that to the scenes set at nighttime where Scout and her companions investigate their elusive, reclusive neighbor, Arthur "Boo" Radley (Robert Duvall). These sequences evoke the terror of being a helpless child with their long shadows and sinister ambience, culminating with the film's intense climax (and its profoundly touching aftermath). Even in the movie's agitated courtroom scenes, the black and white visuals serve to augment the fiery emotions on display rather than distract from them.
Director Robert Mulligan's classic 1962 adaptation of Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winner, itself a bildungsroman loosely inspired by Lee's own upbringing,...
Compare that to the scenes set at nighttime where Scout and her companions investigate their elusive, reclusive neighbor, Arthur "Boo" Radley (Robert Duvall). These sequences evoke the terror of being a helpless child with their long shadows and sinister ambience, culminating with the film's intense climax (and its profoundly touching aftermath). Even in the movie's agitated courtroom scenes, the black and white visuals serve to augment the fiery emotions on display rather than distract from them.
Director Robert Mulligan's classic 1962 adaptation of Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winner, itself a bildungsroman loosely inspired by Lee's own upbringing,...
- 5/28/2024
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
This week, two attorneys will stand and make their cases to the jury. Yes, that jury and that trial, which may put a former—and future?—president behind bars. This is when the pressure falls on the prosecution and defense to make their final claims of guilt or innocence.
“At this point, parties are free to use hypothetical analogies to make their points; to comment on the credibility of the witnesses, to discuss how they believe the various pieces of the puzzle fit into a compelling whole, and to advocate why jurors should decide the case in their favor,” explains the official site of the Federal Court System.
Or, we can just recall the most memorable, decisive arguments made on screen. Hey, we can handle the truth! Here is my list of 10 to remember.
“To Kill A Mockingbird”
Gregory Peck won the Oscar — even though he didn’t win the case — as Atticus Finch,...
“At this point, parties are free to use hypothetical analogies to make their points; to comment on the credibility of the witnesses, to discuss how they believe the various pieces of the puzzle fit into a compelling whole, and to advocate why jurors should decide the case in their favor,” explains the official site of the Federal Court System.
Or, we can just recall the most memorable, decisive arguments made on screen. Hey, we can handle the truth! Here is my list of 10 to remember.
“To Kill A Mockingbird”
Gregory Peck won the Oscar — even though he didn’t win the case — as Atticus Finch,...
- 5/27/2024
- by Michele Willens
- The Wrap
Roger Corman, the legendary B-movie filmmaker who directed, produced, and starred in upwards of 500 films over the course of a staggering eight decade-spanning career, has died. He passed away aged 98 this past Thursday at his home in Santa Monica, California.
In a statement posted on Roger’s Instagram to announce his passing, Corman’s wife Julie and daughters Mary and Catherine shared the following: “It is with profound sadness, and boundless gratitude for his extraordinary life, that we remember our beloved husband and father, Roger Corman. He passed away on May 9th, at home in Santa Monica, California, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife Julie and his daughters Catherine and Mary. He was generous, open-hearted and kind to all those who knew him. A devoted and selfless father, he was deeply loved by his daughters. His films were revolutionary and iconoclastic, and captured the spirit of an age.
In a statement posted on Roger’s Instagram to announce his passing, Corman’s wife Julie and daughters Mary and Catherine shared the following: “It is with profound sadness, and boundless gratitude for his extraordinary life, that we remember our beloved husband and father, Roger Corman. He passed away on May 9th, at home in Santa Monica, California, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife Julie and his daughters Catherine and Mary. He was generous, open-hearted and kind to all those who knew him. A devoted and selfless father, he was deeply loved by his daughters. His films were revolutionary and iconoclastic, and captured the spirit of an age.
- 5/13/2024
- by Jordan King
- Empire - Movies
Roger Corman, the maverick producer of B-movies and iconoclastic subjects whose innovative low-budget enterprises launched the careers of numerous major filmmakers, died on Thursday at his home in Santa Monica. He was 98.
Corman’s career encompassed seven decades and more than 500 producing credits, including early work that launched the careers of major Hollywood figures such as Jack Nicholson, Bruce Dern, Peter Fonda, Frances Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, James Cameron, Peter Bogdanovich, Gale Anne Hurd, John Sayles, Ron Howard and Jonathan Demme. Yet Corman resented the commercial studio system, and as both producer and as a director himself, he pursued his cheap, no-frills filmmaking style at all costs, while using lowbrow genre tropes as a Trojan horse for socially conscious themes.
Over the years, Corman’s name has been most closely associated with the zany escapist enterprises often referred to as exploitation films, a term he abhorred. With producing credits such...
Corman’s career encompassed seven decades and more than 500 producing credits, including early work that launched the careers of major Hollywood figures such as Jack Nicholson, Bruce Dern, Peter Fonda, Frances Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, James Cameron, Peter Bogdanovich, Gale Anne Hurd, John Sayles, Ron Howard and Jonathan Demme. Yet Corman resented the commercial studio system, and as both producer and as a director himself, he pursued his cheap, no-frills filmmaking style at all costs, while using lowbrow genre tropes as a Trojan horse for socially conscious themes.
Over the years, Corman’s name has been most closely associated with the zany escapist enterprises often referred to as exploitation films, a term he abhorred. With producing credits such...
- 5/12/2024
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
There is a widespread Westerns’ trope that lies in the transformation of the badass criminals or simply imperfect characters into the people who realize their sins and try to redeem them by helping their companions, family or even chance passers-by.
Here 5 of the Western antagonists, who demonstrate the will to turn to a bright side, discussed in a recent Reddit discussion.
The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) - Josey Wales
The fans of the good old Westerns can firstly recall the fierce character of the genre’s king, Clint Eastwood, whose nature is depicted right in the movie’s title. Although he doesn't always keep up the decent morals of Wild West heroes, his villainy can be justified by the grief for his killed family, and he eventually proves his strong desire to return to a calm life as he seeks justice for the weak.
True Grit (2010) - Rooster Cogburn
The Coen...
Here 5 of the Western antagonists, who demonstrate the will to turn to a bright side, discussed in a recent Reddit discussion.
The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) - Josey Wales
The fans of the good old Westerns can firstly recall the fierce character of the genre’s king, Clint Eastwood, whose nature is depicted right in the movie’s title. Although he doesn't always keep up the decent morals of Wild West heroes, his villainy can be justified by the grief for his killed family, and he eventually proves his strong desire to return to a calm life as he seeks justice for the weak.
True Grit (2010) - Rooster Cogburn
The Coen...
- 5/8/2024
- by [email protected] (Ava Raxa)
- STartefacts.com
This article contains spoilers for "X-Men '97."
Magneto of "X-Men" has one of the most brilliant backstories in superhero comics — they almost made a movie entirely about it. He was once a young Jewish boy when Nazi Germany invaded Poland. Captured and dehumanized, he suffered at concentration camp Auschwitz like so many of his people. He survived but it convinced him that hatred is as natural to men as breathing, and so he fights to ensure the prosperity of mutantkind. This backstory was not part of Magneto's original conception (Chris Claremont added it in 1981's "Uncanny X-Men" #150), but you'll be hard-pressed to find a writer who hasn't embraced it since.
"X-Men '97" certainly has. In episode 2, "Mutant Liberation Begins," when Magneto is tried before the United Nations, he recalls how he was first put on his path when his people were slaughtered because "they called God by a different name.
Magneto of "X-Men" has one of the most brilliant backstories in superhero comics — they almost made a movie entirely about it. He was once a young Jewish boy when Nazi Germany invaded Poland. Captured and dehumanized, he suffered at concentration camp Auschwitz like so many of his people. He survived but it convinced him that hatred is as natural to men as breathing, and so he fights to ensure the prosperity of mutantkind. This backstory was not part of Magneto's original conception (Chris Claremont added it in 1981's "Uncanny X-Men" #150), but you'll be hard-pressed to find a writer who hasn't embraced it since.
"X-Men '97" certainly has. In episode 2, "Mutant Liberation Begins," when Magneto is tried before the United Nations, he recalls how he was first put on his path when his people were slaughtered because "they called God by a different name.
- 5/2/2024
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
Meg Bennett, the Daytime Emmy winner who did double duty as an actress and writer on the daytime soap operas The Young and the Restless, General Hospital and Santa Barbara, has died. She was 75.
Bennett died April 11 after a battle with cancer, her family announced.
Bennett portrayed Marty Maraschino for more than two years during the original Broadway run of Grease that kicked off in 1972, then began her long run in daytime two years later with a turn as Liza Walton on CBS’ Search for Tomorrow, where Kevin Kline and Morgan Fairchild were castmates.
She joined CBS’ The Young and the Restless in 1980 as Julia Newman — wife of Eric Braeden’s Victor Newman — but as her character was being written off, she was asked by Y&r creator Bill Bell to stick around as a writer.
“I’d been acting on the show for almost two years when this happened, so I knew the characters,...
Bennett died April 11 after a battle with cancer, her family announced.
Bennett portrayed Marty Maraschino for more than two years during the original Broadway run of Grease that kicked off in 1972, then began her long run in daytime two years later with a turn as Liza Walton on CBS’ Search for Tomorrow, where Kevin Kline and Morgan Fairchild were castmates.
She joined CBS’ The Young and the Restless in 1980 as Julia Newman — wife of Eric Braeden’s Victor Newman — but as her character was being written off, she was asked by Y&r creator Bill Bell to stick around as a writer.
“I’d been acting on the show for almost two years when this happened, so I knew the characters,...
- 4/21/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Michael Douglas appeared on “The Jess Cagle Show with Julia Cunningham” to talk about his new Apple TV+ series, “Franklin” – as well as Benjamin Franklin’s famous essay on flatulence (“Fart Proudly”). Check out his full interview during the weekday show on Radio Andy at 2pm Et and on the SiriusXM app with a subscription and free trial.
In the premiere of the biographical drama, Franklin, played by Douglas, passes gas. The 79-year-old Oscar winner told Jess and Julia that he had the founding father’s fart added to the script.
“That was my addition to the script,” Douglas said. “Because I had read this book – I mean, we did get a couple of criticisms on the show about, uh, they tried to show [Benjamin Franklin] farting. And I said, ‘Well, I’m sending these critics who brought this up this book on Franklin. This is ‘Fart Proudly,’ Ok? So you learn about this.
In the premiere of the biographical drama, Franklin, played by Douglas, passes gas. The 79-year-old Oscar winner told Jess and Julia that he had the founding father’s fart added to the script.
“That was my addition to the script,” Douglas said. “Because I had read this book – I mean, we did get a couple of criticisms on the show about, uh, they tried to show [Benjamin Franklin] farting. And I said, ‘Well, I’m sending these critics who brought this up this book on Franklin. This is ‘Fart Proudly,’ Ok? So you learn about this.
- 4/17/2024
- by Matt Simeone
- SiriusXM
This article contains spoilers for "Star Wars: The Bad Batch" season 3, episode 13, "Into the Breach."
From the very beginning, "Star Wars" has been a smorgasbord of film influences and references. George Lucas cited John Ford and Akira Kurosawa films as chief inspirations for "A New Hope." In fact, here at /Film (and StarWars.com before that), I've written hundreds of articles about the cinematic influences behind "Star Wars."
The latest episode of "The Bad Batch" is no exception. As the Bad Batch further pursues a path to the secret Imperial science facility on Mount Tantiss where Omega is being held, they lead a daring mission to an orbital platform at Coruscant to get the coordinates and affect their rescue. Meanwhile, Omega is held inside a child prison with other gifted kids who are being experimented on. Be that as it may, she knows her brothers are coming for her, and...
From the very beginning, "Star Wars" has been a smorgasbord of film influences and references. George Lucas cited John Ford and Akira Kurosawa films as chief inspirations for "A New Hope." In fact, here at /Film (and StarWars.com before that), I've written hundreds of articles about the cinematic influences behind "Star Wars."
The latest episode of "The Bad Batch" is no exception. As the Bad Batch further pursues a path to the secret Imperial science facility on Mount Tantiss where Omega is being held, they lead a daring mission to an orbital platform at Coruscant to get the coordinates and affect their rescue. Meanwhile, Omega is held inside a child prison with other gifted kids who are being experimented on. Be that as it may, she knows her brothers are coming for her, and...
- 4/17/2024
- by Bryan Young
- Slash Film
Mike Hughes, Harvey Stevens, Alex Vincent, Paula E. Sheppard, Noah Wiseman, and Milly Shapiro
Screenshot: YouTube
There’s nothing scarier than childhood. Look no further than the movies (or your very own memory palace) for proof. With the upcoming release of Abigail and the recent child-adjacent scares from The First Omen and Imaginary,...
Screenshot: YouTube
There’s nothing scarier than childhood. Look no further than the movies (or your very own memory palace) for proof. With the upcoming release of Abigail and the recent child-adjacent scares from The First Omen and Imaginary,...
- 4/17/2024
- by Matt Schimkowitz, Saloni Gajjar, Tim Lowery, William Hughes, and Jen Lennon
- avclub.com
Last week, we saw the release of The First Omen, which was universally praised. I agree with Chris Bumbray’s review where he said it was “quite provocative, with several images, including a gruesome birthing scene, pushing the limits of the R-rating in a way I didn’t expect from a movie bankrolled by Disney.” And what I was personally most impressed with is how much it creates its own identity. Because if there’s one thing horror franchises have had an issue with, it’s carving its own path.
I still remember when the first trailer came out, and I was shocked to see the response. I felt the teaser was really cool and a unique way to present a film, as each shot was presented in reverse. So, I didn’t understand the hate that was thrown at it. But thinking about it more, I realized it really...
I still remember when the first trailer came out, and I was shocked to see the response. I felt the teaser was really cool and a unique way to present a film, as each shot was presented in reverse. So, I didn’t understand the hate that was thrown at it. But thinking about it more, I realized it really...
- 4/13/2024
- by Tyler Nichols
- JoBlo.com
We're big fans of the horror genre here at /Film. In my humble opinion, it's the best of the film genres — one that can be molded, sculpted, and altered to fit into different-sized packages. Horror can be therapeutic. It can elicit emotions in us that remind us we're still alive and kicking. Like Nicole Kidman in that annoying AMC ad, we come to this place for magic. We come to horror movies to love, to cry, to care. Because we need that, all of us. With that in mind, we're unleashing a new monthly feature where we highlight the best horror movies to stream this month. So let's get ready to scream/stream.
Read more: The 15 Best Horror Movie Directors Of All Time
Late Night With The Devil
Streaming on Shudder April 19.
A horror mockumentary that plays its cards just right, "Late Night With the Devil" is one of the...
Read more: The 15 Best Horror Movie Directors Of All Time
Late Night With The Devil
Streaming on Shudder April 19.
A horror mockumentary that plays its cards just right, "Late Night With the Devil" is one of the...
- 4/8/2024
- by Chris Evangelista
- Slash Film
Major spoilers for "Immaculate" and "The First Omen" follow.
There's a history of movies with oddly similar premises premiering within months of each other. "Armageddon" and "Deep Impact" both hit theaters in the summer of 1998, much like the Earth-shattering meteors featured in both films. The year before, there was "Volcano" and "Dante's Peak." 2022 gave us not one but two "Pinocchio" movies (with a clean victory for Guillermo del Toro's version).
This past month saw the latest case of dueling movies: "Immaculate," released on March 22, 2024, and "The First Omen," released on April 5, 2024. Both films are about American nuns who fly off to a new life in Italy. Once they arrive at the convent, the young sister discovers a sinister conspiracy at work and becomes pregnant via an unnatural conception. Unlike Mother Mary, the fruits of their wombs are not blessed.
"Immaculate," starring new starlet Sydney Sweeney as Sister Cecilia and directed by Michael Mohan,...
There's a history of movies with oddly similar premises premiering within months of each other. "Armageddon" and "Deep Impact" both hit theaters in the summer of 1998, much like the Earth-shattering meteors featured in both films. The year before, there was "Volcano" and "Dante's Peak." 2022 gave us not one but two "Pinocchio" movies (with a clean victory for Guillermo del Toro's version).
This past month saw the latest case of dueling movies: "Immaculate," released on March 22, 2024, and "The First Omen," released on April 5, 2024. Both films are about American nuns who fly off to a new life in Italy. Once they arrive at the convent, the young sister discovers a sinister conspiracy at work and becomes pregnant via an unnatural conception. Unlike Mother Mary, the fruits of their wombs are not blessed.
"Immaculate," starring new starlet Sydney Sweeney as Sister Cecilia and directed by Michael Mohan,...
- 4/7/2024
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
Plot: A young novitiate in Rome (Nell Tiger Free) is warned by an ex-communicated priest (Ralph Ineson) that she’s at the center of a sinister conspiracy at her church dedicated to spawning the anti-Christ.
Review: I’ve always really enjoyed The Omen as a franchise. Even as a kid, I found something about the original trilogy centring around Damien Thorn especially gripping. However, I never had much use for the cheap TV movie sequel (Omen IV: The Awakening) or the scene-for-scene remake, which, despite a game cast, didn’t come close to recapturing the grisly spirit of Richard Donner’s original.
As such, I figured The First Omen would be just another would-be franchise starter, but I have to give 20th Century Studios and Disney credit – they made one hell of a cool horror flick (pun intended). In some ways, it’s a bit like Wonka (bear with...
Review: I’ve always really enjoyed The Omen as a franchise. Even as a kid, I found something about the original trilogy centring around Damien Thorn especially gripping. However, I never had much use for the cheap TV movie sequel (Omen IV: The Awakening) or the scene-for-scene remake, which, despite a game cast, didn’t come close to recapturing the grisly spirit of Richard Donner’s original.
As such, I figured The First Omen would be just another would-be franchise starter, but I have to give 20th Century Studios and Disney credit – they made one hell of a cool horror flick (pun intended). In some ways, it’s a bit like Wonka (bear with...
- 4/5/2024
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
This article contains major The First Omen spoilers.
It is said the Devil is in the details, and the details are quite devilish, indeed, in The First Omen. The surprisingly stylish and adroit chiller from first-time feature director Arkasha Stevenson takes the well-worn Hollywood formula of making a “story before the story” prequel, and actually conjures something drenched in atmosphere, originality, and modern urgency. Most of the time.
While the movie has a despairing timeliness in 2024 with its parable about a patriarchal system attempting to control and use women’s bodies to achieve their own power-hungry ends, The First Omen is still also a prequel to a film that was released almost 50 years ago. As such, it is forced to conclude where The Omen begins. And in the case of a franchise as steeped in opaque mysticism and religious dread as this, that kind of ending might baffle newcomers to the series.
It is said the Devil is in the details, and the details are quite devilish, indeed, in The First Omen. The surprisingly stylish and adroit chiller from first-time feature director Arkasha Stevenson takes the well-worn Hollywood formula of making a “story before the story” prequel, and actually conjures something drenched in atmosphere, originality, and modern urgency. Most of the time.
While the movie has a despairing timeliness in 2024 with its parable about a patriarchal system attempting to control and use women’s bodies to achieve their own power-hungry ends, The First Omen is still also a prequel to a film that was released almost 50 years ago. As such, it is forced to conclude where The Omen begins. And in the case of a franchise as steeped in opaque mysticism and religious dread as this, that kind of ending might baffle newcomers to the series.
- 4/5/2024
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
[Editor’s note: The following article contains spoilers for “The First Omen.”]
In the IP-mad world of Hollywood, we’ve got remakes and sequels, re-quels and “legacy prequels,” entire cinematic timelines up-ended and rearranged, whole franchises twisted to and fro, so isn’t it refreshing to see something like Arkasha Stevenson’s “The First Omen”? It’s the rare contemporary horror prequel that wears its devotion to the original series on its sleeve, while also cleverly reorienting previous events to chart a potential new storyline.
The basis of Stevenson’s film, which she co-wrote with producers Tim Smith and Keith Thomas, takes a classic subplot from Richard Donner’s 1976 chiller — that not only is young Damien the Antichrist, but that he was the product of a planned spawning between the Devil and a female jackal — and makes it a touch more believable. In “The First Omen,” Damien’s mom isn’t actually a jackal, but young would-be nun Margaret...
In the IP-mad world of Hollywood, we’ve got remakes and sequels, re-quels and “legacy prequels,” entire cinematic timelines up-ended and rearranged, whole franchises twisted to and fro, so isn’t it refreshing to see something like Arkasha Stevenson’s “The First Omen”? It’s the rare contemporary horror prequel that wears its devotion to the original series on its sleeve, while also cleverly reorienting previous events to chart a potential new storyline.
The basis of Stevenson’s film, which she co-wrote with producers Tim Smith and Keith Thomas, takes a classic subplot from Richard Donner’s 1976 chiller — that not only is young Damien the Antichrist, but that he was the product of a planned spawning between the Devil and a female jackal — and makes it a touch more believable. In “The First Omen,” Damien’s mom isn’t actually a jackal, but young would-be nun Margaret...
- 4/5/2024
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
The Omen was a blessed success upon its release, earning a spot among the top 10 highest-grossing films of 1976. One of those ticket buyers was Wes Craven, who had already made his debut with The Last House on the Left and was gearing up for his sophomore film, The Hills Have Eyes.
“I remember thinking, ‘Big studio, won’t have a cutting edge to it. Gregory Peck, how can he be scary? I like him, but.’ And it was. I was totally amazed,” the master of horror recalled in a 2006 DVD special feature in which he waxes poetic about The Omen for some 20 minutes.
“I think [Richard] Donner is just one of our primo filmmakers.” Craven had been watching the future Superman and The Goonies director’s work since his early days helming episodes of classic TV shows like The Twilight Zone and Gilligan’s Island. “Every so often, he just knocks something...
“I remember thinking, ‘Big studio, won’t have a cutting edge to it. Gregory Peck, how can he be scary? I like him, but.’ And it was. I was totally amazed,” the master of horror recalled in a 2006 DVD special feature in which he waxes poetic about The Omen for some 20 minutes.
“I think [Richard] Donner is just one of our primo filmmakers.” Craven had been watching the future Superman and The Goonies director’s work since his early days helming episodes of classic TV shows like The Twilight Zone and Gilligan’s Island. “Every so often, he just knocks something...
- 4/5/2024
- by Alex DiVincenzo
- bloody-disgusting.com
This article contains minor spoilers for "The First Omen."
When The Walt Disney Company first acquired 20th Century Studios, fans had a field day joking about the characters in their library that were now under the Disney banner. Ripley from "Alien," Tyler Durden from "Fight Club," the titular "Predator," and all of the "Planet of the Apes" characters were now residents at the House of Mouse. Suddenly, viral memes declaring Dr. Frank-n-Furter from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" as a technical Disney Princess were inescapable. Ignoring the blatant inaccuracy of that statement, it does serve as a reminder that Disney is and will likely forever be synonymous with family-friendly fare.
When Steve Asbell took over as president of 20th Century Studios, he spoke with The Hollywood Reporter and assured everyone that despite being a part of Disney, this branch would be closer to "general entertainment," saying, "Some films will be more Disney-adjacent — 'Avatar,...
When The Walt Disney Company first acquired 20th Century Studios, fans had a field day joking about the characters in their library that were now under the Disney banner. Ripley from "Alien," Tyler Durden from "Fight Club," the titular "Predator," and all of the "Planet of the Apes" characters were now residents at the House of Mouse. Suddenly, viral memes declaring Dr. Frank-n-Furter from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" as a technical Disney Princess were inescapable. Ignoring the blatant inaccuracy of that statement, it does serve as a reminder that Disney is and will likely forever be synonymous with family-friendly fare.
When Steve Asbell took over as president of 20th Century Studios, he spoke with The Hollywood Reporter and assured everyone that despite being a part of Disney, this branch would be closer to "general entertainment," saying, "Some films will be more Disney-adjacent — 'Avatar,...
- 4/5/2024
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
Richard Donner's 1976 horror film "The Omen" is an undeniable classic. The supposed real-life curse surrounding the film's production has transported the movie to a level of infamy, and countless horror fans can recall the first time they saw a bright-eyed nanny exclaim "It's all for you, Damien!" before intentionally hanging herself in full view of an audience of horrified child's birthday party attendees. The film spawned three sequels and a "time to profit off the 06/06/06 calendar date" remake in 2006, but plenty of horror fans still view the original "The Omen" as sacred text. Fortunately, this is how "The First Omen" co-writer/director Arkasha Stevenson and co-writer Tim Smith view the film as well.
The latest genre release from 20th Century Studios, "The First Omen" is a prequel film set in the 1970s, dovetailing directly into Donner's 1976 masterpiece. The story follows a young nun named Margaret (Nell Tiger Free) who joins a convent in Rome,...
The latest genre release from 20th Century Studios, "The First Omen" is a prequel film set in the 1970s, dovetailing directly into Donner's 1976 masterpiece. The story follows a young nun named Margaret (Nell Tiger Free) who joins a convent in Rome,...
- 4/5/2024
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
This article contains spoilers for "The Omen" and "The First Omen."
In Richard Donner's terrifying 1976 horror film "The Omen," American diplomat and presidential hopeful Robert Thorn (Gregory Peck) rushes to a hospital in Rome, Italy as his wife Kathy (Lee Remick) has just given birth to their first child. Tragically, Robert is told that the child has died, but Kathy is unaware of the baby's passing. Once he arrives, he is greeted by hospital chaplain Father Spiletto (Martin Benson) who offers him a chance to spare his wife the unfathomable pain. He tells Robert that at the same time Kathy lost their child, a woman in a neighboring hospital room died during childbirth, leaving her baby without a mother. He persuades Robert to accept this baby boy and pass it on as their own biological baby, believing that what Kathy doesn't know won't hurt her.
A nun passes the...
In Richard Donner's terrifying 1976 horror film "The Omen," American diplomat and presidential hopeful Robert Thorn (Gregory Peck) rushes to a hospital in Rome, Italy as his wife Kathy (Lee Remick) has just given birth to their first child. Tragically, Robert is told that the child has died, but Kathy is unaware of the baby's passing. Once he arrives, he is greeted by hospital chaplain Father Spiletto (Martin Benson) who offers him a chance to spare his wife the unfathomable pain. He tells Robert that at the same time Kathy lost their child, a woman in a neighboring hospital room died during childbirth, leaving her baby without a mother. He persuades Robert to accept this baby boy and pass it on as their own biological baby, believing that what Kathy doesn't know won't hurt her.
A nun passes the...
- 4/5/2024
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
This article contains major spoilers for "The First Omen."Hello folks! Welcome back to Nunsploitation 2024: Battle of the Babies.
When last we left the saga of Damien Thorn, it was 1981, and Damien was played by the devilishly handsome Sam Neill in "The Final Conflict." In that film, the Antichrist nearly fulfilled his evil purpose in halting the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, but was foiled by his one-time lover, journalist Kate Reynolds (Lisa Harrow), who through the grace of God and her own strength was able to fatally stab Damien with the magical dagger of Megiddo, the weapon that poor Robert Thorn (Gregory Peck) failed to use against his adopted son Damien (Harvey Spencer Stephens) when he was a child in 1976.
If a 33-year-old Damien in 1981 seems implausible given that the first film sees Damien as merely five years of age and the 1978 sequel, "Damien: Omen II" follows the...
When last we left the saga of Damien Thorn, it was 1981, and Damien was played by the devilishly handsome Sam Neill in "The Final Conflict." In that film, the Antichrist nearly fulfilled his evil purpose in halting the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, but was foiled by his one-time lover, journalist Kate Reynolds (Lisa Harrow), who through the grace of God and her own strength was able to fatally stab Damien with the magical dagger of Megiddo, the weapon that poor Robert Thorn (Gregory Peck) failed to use against his adopted son Damien (Harvey Spencer Stephens) when he was a child in 1976.
If a 33-year-old Damien in 1981 seems implausible given that the first film sees Damien as merely five years of age and the 1978 sequel, "Damien: Omen II" follows the...
- 4/4/2024
- by Bill Bria
- Slash Film
I am not sure the world asked for yet another take on 20th Century Fox’s Omen franchise, the constantly regurgitated series with Damien (who made the numbers 666 iconic) and company. Since the 1976 original, when Damien first appeared in the movie with Gregory Peck and Lee Remick, we have had Damien: Omen II, The Final Conflict, Omen IV: The Awakening (in which a girl becomes the antichrist for the first time), the 2006 remake The Omen, and even a 2016 Damien TV series. Of course, like all these horror franchises, it is inevitable someone would come up with the idea for an origin story, and that is what we now have with The First Omen, which is, of course, not the first, just the latest. But, set in 1971, it does attempt to take us right to the doorstep of the actual first, the Richard Donner-directed 1976 starter.
The past few months have...
The past few months have...
- 4/4/2024
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
When compared to "classier" Satanic contemporaries like "Rosemary's Baby" and "The Exorcist," Richard Donner's 1976 hit "The Omen" is the pulpiest of the lot. "The Omen" had no interest in the sexist panic of the former, nor the religious angst of the latter, settling instead in the realm of spooky thrillers, replete with cool kills, portentous Satanic language, and an awesome score (a score that brought Jerry Goldsmith his only Oscar). There's no ambiguity to "The Omen," being clear from the start that Gregory Peck and Lee Remick are indeed raising the Antichrist. The pop Satanism "The Omen" introduced into the lexicon has now become standard horror fare, and was even spoofed at length in the TV series "Good Omens."
"The Omen" spawned one okay sequel ("Damien: Omen II" in 1978), one risibly bad sequel ("The Final Conflict" in 1981), and one miserably bad sequel ("Omen IV: The Awakening" in 1991) before succumbing...
"The Omen" spawned one okay sequel ("Damien: Omen II" in 1978), one risibly bad sequel ("The Final Conflict" in 1981), and one miserably bad sequel ("Omen IV: The Awakening" in 1991) before succumbing...
- 4/4/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
‘The First Omen’ Director Arkasha Stevenson Says Classic Horror Franchise Has Plenty of Stories Left
In her feature directorial debut, The First Omen filmmaker Arkasha Stevenson has pulled off the delicate balance between homage and invention. Prequels are always tricky in this regard, but it’s especially difficult when it involves Richard Donner’s horror classic, The Omen (1976). Stevenson’s assignment, in conjunction with her co-writer and producer Tim Smith, was to tell the origin story of how Damien Thorn came into the world and who gave birth to the franchise’s indelible Antichrist character.
Set in 1971, Stevenson’s story begins with the arrival of novitiate Margaret Daino (Nell Tiger Free) at a Rome-based orphanage, and she soon discovers a sinister plot to birth the Antichrist in order for the Catholic Church to regain its grip on the counterculture society of the ’60s and ’70s. But, before she’s knee deep in the conspiracy, Margaret witnesses a pregnant mother giving birth to something that causes...
Set in 1971, Stevenson’s story begins with the arrival of novitiate Margaret Daino (Nell Tiger Free) at a Rome-based orphanage, and she soon discovers a sinister plot to birth the Antichrist in order for the Catholic Church to regain its grip on the counterculture society of the ’60s and ’70s. But, before she’s knee deep in the conspiracy, Margaret witnesses a pregnant mother giving birth to something that causes...
- 4/3/2024
- by Brian Davids
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
[Editor’s note: The following interview contains some spoilers for “The First Omen.”]
In the final act of Richard Donner’s iconic 1976 horror feature “The Omen,” star Gregory Peck — driven almost mad by the realization this his adopted son Damien is probably the Antichrist — heads to the Italian cemetery where Damien’s cursed biological mother is said to be buried. When he cracks open her grave, he’s not entirely surprised to find, not the skeleton of a young woman, but of a large jackal. After all, he’s already been told Damien is the product of a satanic breeding ritual between the devil himself and a willing female jackal.
What Arkasha Stevenson’s prequel feature “The First Omen” presupposes is: What if Damien’s mother wasn’t actually a jackal? In the pantheon of horror classic remakes and reimaginings — like “Halloween” and “The Exorcist,” to name some recent offerings — it’s a hell of a starting point. A smart one,...
In the final act of Richard Donner’s iconic 1976 horror feature “The Omen,” star Gregory Peck — driven almost mad by the realization this his adopted son Damien is probably the Antichrist — heads to the Italian cemetery where Damien’s cursed biological mother is said to be buried. When he cracks open her grave, he’s not entirely surprised to find, not the skeleton of a young woman, but of a large jackal. After all, he’s already been told Damien is the product of a satanic breeding ritual between the devil himself and a willing female jackal.
What Arkasha Stevenson’s prequel feature “The First Omen” presupposes is: What if Damien’s mother wasn’t actually a jackal? In the pantheon of horror classic remakes and reimaginings — like “Halloween” and “The Exorcist,” to name some recent offerings — it’s a hell of a starting point. A smart one,...
- 4/3/2024
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
No dart gun, or First Omen, or Monkey Man will put Legendary/Warner Bros’ Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire to sleep this weekend. The pic, after an unexpected $80 million Easter weekend start, will continue to rumble with a 55%-60% second-weekend drop to between $32M-$36M. Through four days, the Adam Wingard-directed Monsterverse title stands at $87.7M, fueled by 57% of K-12 schools out Monday and another 14% colleges. Expect more cash today as, per Comscore, there are 28% of K-12 school out, and 5% universities.
Currently, both First Omen and Monkey Man are expected to come in around the same level — $12M to low teens. 20th Century Studios’ First Omen, despite being an R-rated horror movie, skews a little bit more female, while Universal/Monkeypaw’s Dev Patel feature directorial debut is more men.
Both...
Currently, both First Omen and Monkey Man are expected to come in around the same level — $12M to low teens. 20th Century Studios’ First Omen, despite being an R-rated horror movie, skews a little bit more female, while Universal/Monkeypaw’s Dev Patel feature directorial debut is more men.
Both...
- 4/2/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Joe Flaherty, the two-time Emmy-winning writer and Second City alumnus who sparkled as Guy Caballero, Count Floyd, Big Jim McBob and Sammy Maudlin as an original castmember on the landmark Canadian sketch comedy series Sctv, has died. He was 82.
His daughter, Gudrun Flaherty, told the Canadian Press he died Monday after a brief illness.
“Dad was an extraordinary man, known for his boundless heart and an unwavering passion for movies from the ’40s and ’50s,” she said in a statement. “His insights into the golden age of cinema didn’t just shape his professional life; they were also a source of endless fascination for me. In these last few months, as he faced his health challenges, we had the precious opportunity to watch many of those classic movies together — moments I will forever hold dear.”
A native of Pittsburgh, Flaherty also was known for his stint as A-1 Sporting Goods...
His daughter, Gudrun Flaherty, told the Canadian Press he died Monday after a brief illness.
“Dad was an extraordinary man, known for his boundless heart and an unwavering passion for movies from the ’40s and ’50s,” she said in a statement. “His insights into the golden age of cinema didn’t just shape his professional life; they were also a source of endless fascination for me. In these last few months, as he faced his health challenges, we had the precious opportunity to watch many of those classic movies together — moments I will forever hold dear.”
A native of Pittsburgh, Flaherty also was known for his stint as A-1 Sporting Goods...
- 4/2/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Joe Flaherty, the actor, writer and comedian known for his roles on the Canadian sketch comedy series “Second City Television” and “Freaks and Geeks,” died on Monday. He was 82.
Flaherty’s daughter, Gudrun, confirmed the news to Variety in a statement through the Comedic Artists Alliance, which had previously raised funds for Flaherty to obtain a 24-hour care provider.
“After a brief illness, he left us yesterday, and since then, I’ve been struggling to come to terms with this immense loss,” Gudrun said. “Dad was an extraordinary man, known for his boundless heart and an unwavering passion for movies from the ’40s and ’50s. His insights into the golden age of cinema didn’t just shape his professional life; they were also a source of endless fascination for me. In these last few months, as he faced his health challenges, we had the precious opportunity to watch many of...
Flaherty’s daughter, Gudrun, confirmed the news to Variety in a statement through the Comedic Artists Alliance, which had previously raised funds for Flaherty to obtain a 24-hour care provider.
“After a brief illness, he left us yesterday, and since then, I’ve been struggling to come to terms with this immense loss,” Gudrun said. “Dad was an extraordinary man, known for his boundless heart and an unwavering passion for movies from the ’40s and ’50s. His insights into the golden age of cinema didn’t just shape his professional life; they were also a source of endless fascination for me. In these last few months, as he faced his health challenges, we had the precious opportunity to watch many of...
- 4/2/2024
- by Jaden Thompson and Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
Gay Flowers.
March featured a variety of conversations, including the Kristen Stewart vehicle Personal Shopper (listen), Alfred Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train (listen), and Raja Gosnell‘s live-action cartoon sequel Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (listen here).
After previously covering The Old Dark House and Bride of Frankenstein, we wrapped the month up with another James Whale classic, The Invisible Man (1933).
In the film, Jack Griffin (Claude Rains) is an egomaniac with plans to sell his invisibility formula for a fortune, but first he has to “find a way back” from invisibility with the help of scientist/love interest, Dr. Kemp (William Harrigan). Alas, Griffin’s serum has also turned him insane and murderous, and he embarks on a killing spree that will claim the highest body count of any Universal Monster title.
Be sure to subscribe to the podcast to get a new episode every Wednesday. You can subscribe on iTunes/Apple Podcasts,...
March featured a variety of conversations, including the Kristen Stewart vehicle Personal Shopper (listen), Alfred Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train (listen), and Raja Gosnell‘s live-action cartoon sequel Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (listen here).
After previously covering The Old Dark House and Bride of Frankenstein, we wrapped the month up with another James Whale classic, The Invisible Man (1933).
In the film, Jack Griffin (Claude Rains) is an egomaniac with plans to sell his invisibility formula for a fortune, but first he has to “find a way back” from invisibility with the help of scientist/love interest, Dr. Kemp (William Harrigan). Alas, Griffin’s serum has also turned him insane and murderous, and he embarks on a killing spree that will claim the highest body count of any Universal Monster title.
Be sure to subscribe to the podcast to get a new episode every Wednesday. You can subscribe on iTunes/Apple Podcasts,...
- 4/1/2024
- by Joe Lipsett
- bloody-disgusting.com
Kirsten Dunst, Henry Cavill, Mike Faist, Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, Dev Patel, and Bill Skarsgård
Photo: A24, Lionsgate, Amazon MGM, Universal, Lionsgate
As is its wont, March was in like a lion and out like a lamb, leaving behind a bevy of blockbuster movies in its wake. But this lamb’s...
Photo: A24, Lionsgate, Amazon MGM, Universal, Lionsgate
As is its wont, March was in like a lion and out like a lamb, leaving behind a bevy of blockbuster movies in its wake. But this lamb’s...
- 4/1/2024
- by Matt Schimkowitz
- avclub.com
20th Century Studios’ The First Omen is a true prequel to The Omen, arriving almost fifty years after the Richard Donner-directed horror classic introduced Antichrist Damien Thorn and terrified audiences. The film’s legacy is front and center in an exclusive new featurette.
First released in 1976, The Omen stars Gregory Peck as affluent diplomat Robert Thorn. It begins on June 6, at 6 am in Rome, where Robert Thorn learns his newborn has died, and the Church convinces him to accept an orphaned infant in its place. Robert’s wife, Kathy (Lee Remick), is none the wiser.
As the child, Damien, turns five, it coincides with a wave of strange happenings and coincidences that leads Robert down a harrowing journey where he’ll discover his adoptive son may be the Antichrist.
Written by David Seltzer, The Omen was a massive commercial success upon release in theaters. Donner injected plenty of dread and shocking deaths,...
First released in 1976, The Omen stars Gregory Peck as affluent diplomat Robert Thorn. It begins on June 6, at 6 am in Rome, where Robert Thorn learns his newborn has died, and the Church convinces him to accept an orphaned infant in its place. Robert’s wife, Kathy (Lee Remick), is none the wiser.
As the child, Damien, turns five, it coincides with a wave of strange happenings and coincidences that leads Robert down a harrowing journey where he’ll discover his adoptive son may be the Antichrist.
Written by David Seltzer, The Omen was a massive commercial success upon release in theaters. Donner injected plenty of dread and shocking deaths,...
- 3/28/2024
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
A brand new prequel with its roots in a 1970s classic, The First Omen will be released into theaters on April 5 by 20th Century Studios, and the studio is embracing the ’70s aesthetic with this latest round of marketing. Check out a retro trailer and retro poster art below.
This new retro-style trailer isn’t merely a past trailer with a ’70s aesthetic applied to it, as it also features some bits of new footage from the movie that we hadn’t previously seen. The period-authentic trailer hypes the film as “a film of psychological suspense… about an occurrence of earth-shaking importance.” It’s a damn good trailer, nailing that retro vibe.
Tickets for The First Omen went up for grabs today, so you can navigate over to Fandango or your favorite movie ticketing website to grab yours if you like what you’re seeing below.
In the film, “When...
This new retro-style trailer isn’t merely a past trailer with a ’70s aesthetic applied to it, as it also features some bits of new footage from the movie that we hadn’t previously seen. The period-authentic trailer hypes the film as “a film of psychological suspense… about an occurrence of earth-shaking importance.” It’s a damn good trailer, nailing that retro vibe.
Tickets for The First Omen went up for grabs today, so you can navigate over to Fandango or your favorite movie ticketing website to grab yours if you like what you’re seeing below.
In the film, “When...
- 3/26/2024
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
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