Cinematicalhttp://www.cinematical.comCinematicalhttp://www.cinematical.com/media/feedlogo.gifCinematicalhttp://www.cinematical.comen-usCopyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/In Memoriam: Harve Presnell (1933-2009)http://www.cinematical.com/2009/07/03/in-memoriam-harve-presnell-1933-2009/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/07/03/in-memoriam-harve-presnell-1933-2009/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/07/03/in-memoriam-harve-presnell-1933-2009/#commentsFiled under:

Actor, singer and Broadway star Harve Presnell died July 1, 2009 at the age of 75. Born September 14, 1933, Presnell started his career on stage, playing prominent roles on Broadway in shows such as The Unsinkable Molly Brown, before moving into film work in the late 1960s. Perhaps best known as the domineering father-in-law to William H. Macy's sheepish wannabe kidnapper in Fargo, Presnell enjoyed a career resurgence in the 1990s and became one of the more recognizable character actors of the last two decades.

Presnell's performance in Fargo was one of those that made even cinephiles wonder, who is this guy? Playing Wade Gunderson, the gruff and obstinate father of the film's kidnap victim, he complemented the desperate ambition of Macy's Jerry Lundegaard and the smalltown sensibleness of Frances McDormand's Marge Gunderson. That same year, he appeared in several other movies, including The Whole Wide World, Larger Than Life and The Chamber, rekindling a film career that stagnated in 1976.

Continue reading In Memoriam: Harve Presnell (1933-2009)

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]]>harve presnellHarvePresnellTodd GilchristFri, 03 Jul 2009 09:02:00 ESTKarl Malden Dies at 97http://www.cinematical.com/2009/07/01/karl-malden-dies-at-97/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/07/01/karl-malden-dies-at-97/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/07/01/karl-malden-dies-at-97/#commentsFiled under:

Karl Malden, an Oscar- and Emmy-winning actor and former president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, died of natural causes today in Los Angeles at the age of 97. His long life and successful career were virtually free of scandal or controversy, and as an actor he was by all accounts a consummate professional. He and his wife, Mona, who survives him, were married for 70 years, which might literally be a show-business record.

Malden was born Mladen George Sekulovich in Chicago, the son of a Serbian father and Czech mother. He changed his name for obvious reasons when he went into acting (after working alongside his father in the steel mills), but often found a way for someone to mention the name "Sekulovich" in his films, as a tribute to his roots. He appeared in 21 Broadway productions between 1937 and 1957, including the premiere of A Streetcar Named Desire in 1947. He and several other cast members from the show, including Marlon Brando, reprised their roles for the 1951 film version, and Malden won an Oscar for best supporting actor. He was later nominated for On the Waterfront, in which he also appeared with Brando. Overall, he appeared in some 50 films, 19 in the 1960s alone.

In the 1970s, he earned four Emmy nominations as the star of The Streets of San Francisco, where he played an experienced cop working with rookie Michael Douglas. Malden also appeared in American Express TV commercials throughout the '70s ("Don't leave home without it"), an oft-parodied but long-remembered campaign that worked because of his familiar, trustworthy face. His bulbous nose, perhaps the most recognizable thing about him, was the result of sports injuries in his youth, and Malden joked about it frequently. He later won an Emmy for his work in the 1984 miniseries Fatal Vision.

Continue reading Karl Malden Dies at 97

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]]>a streetcar named desireAStreetcarNamedDesirefeaturedkarl maldenKarlMaldenmarlon brandoMarlonBrandoEric D. SniderWed, 01 Jul 2009 23:02:00 ESTMichael Jackson's Bond with Sci-Fi and Comicshttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/06/26/michael-jacksons-bond-with-sci-fi-and-comics/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/06/26/michael-jacksons-bond-with-sci-fi-and-comics/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/06/26/michael-jacksons-bond-with-sci-fi-and-comics/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

One of the things us genre fans remember most about Michael was his love of sci-fi and fantasy. It oozed out of almost everything he touched, and as visionary filmmakers like James Cameron and George Lucas began making advancements in special effects during the 1980s, Jackson was right there, incorporating his talents into the most memorable music videos of our generation.

Here, SciFi Squad's Mike Moody remembers Jackson's love of sci-fi and comics, and points to some really great content from around the web as all of us come together today to mourn the loss of a pop-culture legend.

Michael Jackson, the king of pop, whose music left an indelible mark on the popular music landscape, died yesterday at the age of 50. It seemed there was little about Jackson's life that didn't make the news or tabloids throughout his long career, with the possible exception of his love of science fiction and comic books.

Jackson was a huge comic book fan, and even considered buying Marvel Comics in the 1990s. MTV Splashpage looks at Jackson's history with comics, and notes that the pop star owned a giant collection of superhero books, costumes and statues that recently went up for auction. Comics Alliance has a rundown on Jackson's 5 greatest moments in comics, including his last public trip to a comic shop and the fate of his Moonwalker comic.

Read more at SciFi Squad

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]]>comicsmichael jacksonmichael jackson diesMichaelJacksonMichaelJacksonDiesCinematical staffFri, 26 Jun 2009 12:02:00 ESTBREAKING: Michael Jackson Dies, According to Reportshttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/06/25/breaking-michael-jackson-dies/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/06/25/breaking-michael-jackson-dies/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/06/25/breaking-michael-jackson-dies/#commentsFiled under: , ,

TMZ is reporting that Michael Jackson has died of cardiac arrest. Paramedics were called to his home this afternoon after the singer stopped breathing. When they arrived, he had no pulse and after repeated attempts to revive him, he was pronounced dead. Jackson's songs were featured on a number of different movie soundtracks over the years, and as an actor he appeared in the film The Wiz and the Francis Ford Coppola-directed Captain EO, among others. Of course we'll never forget his extended music video/short film for Thriller, directed by John Landis (who later directed his video for Black or White), as well as the other countless videos that helped shape our culture. Though he's had his share of problems and controversy over the years, it's sad to hear that one of the great pop-culture icons of our generation has passed on. He was 50.

UPDATE: The LA Times now confirms through law enforcement officials that Jackson passed away after arriving at the hospital in a deep coma.

Feel free to share you favorite Michael Jackson memories in the comments section ...



Michael Jackson Photos

    FILE - In this Sept. 15, 1972 file photo, The Jackson 5, from left, Tito, Marlon, Michael, Jackie and Jermaine perform during the "Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour" in Los Angeles. (AP Photo, file)

    AP

    FILE - In this Oct. 4, 1977 file photo, Diana Ross, center, as Dorothy, Michael Jackson, right, as Scarecrow, and Nipsey Russell as Tinman perform during filming of the musical "The Wiz" in New York. Ted Ross, portraying the Lion, is partly hidden behind Russell. (AP Photo, file)

    AP

    Singer Michael Jackson (C) and sisters LaToya (L) and Janet Jackson walk over to greets fans during a lunch break at a pretrial hearing in Santa Maria, California in this August 16, 2004 file photo. Pop giant Michael Jackson, who took to the stage as a child star and went on to set the world dancing to the thumping rhythms of his music for decades, died on June 25, 2009, TMZ website reported. He was 50. There was no official confirmation of the reported death and spokespersons for Jackson could not be reached for comment. REUTERS/Ed Souza/Pool/Files (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT HEALTH)

    Reuters

    FILE - In this undated file photo, the Jackson 5, Michael Jackson, front right, Marlon Jackson, front left, Tito Jackson, back left, Jackie Jackson and Jermaine, back right, are shown in Los Angeles. (AP Photo, file)

    AP

    FILE - In this Friday, April 30, 2004 file picture, Michael Jackson, center, surrounded by security, uses his hand to block the view of cameras as he arrives for his expected indictment on charges related to child molestation at a courthouse in Santa Maria, Calif. (AP Photo/Pool, Hector Mata)

    AP

    FILE - In this 1972 file photo, singer Michael Jackson at age 13, the youngest member of the singing group Jackson Five, sings in his home in Encino, Ca. (AP Photo, file)

    AP

    U.S. pop star Michael Jackson performs "We are the World" during the World Music Awards at Earl's Court in London in this November 15, 2006 file photo. Pop giant Michael Jackson, who took to the stage as a child star and went on to set the world dancing to the thumping rhythms of his music for decades, died on June 25, 2009. TMZ website reported. He was 50. There was no official confirmation of the reported death and spokespersons for Jackson could not be reached for comment. REUTERS/Kieran Doherty/Files (BRITAIN ENTERTAINMENT HEALTH IMAGES OF THE DAY)

    Reuters

    SANTA MARIA - MARCH 24: (FILE PHOTO) Singer Michael Jackson arrives at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse on day 19 of his child molestation trial March 24, 2005 in Santa Maria, California. The iconic pop star, 50, was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital June 25, 2009 after going into cardiac arrest, receiving CPR in the ambulance, according to reports. (Photo by Mark Mainz/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michael Jackson

    Getty Images

    SANTA MARIA, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: (FILE PHOTO) Singer/songwriter Michael Jackson waves to fans as he arrives for court on September 17, 2004 in Santa Maria, California. The iconic pop star, 50, was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital June 25, 2009 after going into cardiac arrest, receiving CPR in the ambulance, according to reports. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michael Jackson

    Getty Images

    SANTA MARIA, CA - AUGUST 16: (FILE PHOTO) Defendant Michael Jackson with sisters LaToya Jackson (L) and Janet Jackson exit the Santa Maria courthouse for break during the evidentiary hearing in the Michael Jackson child molestation case August 16, 2004 in Santa Maria, California. The iconic pop star, 50, was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital June 25, 2009 after going into cardiac arrest, receiving CPR in the ambulance, according to reports. (Photo by Ed Souza-Pool/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michael Jackson

    Getty Images

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]]>featuredmichael jacksonmichael jackson deathmichael jackson diesMichaelJacksonMichaelJacksonDeathMichaelJacksonDiesErik DavisThu, 25 Jun 2009 17:45:00 ESTFarrah Fawcett Dies After Battle with Cancerhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/06/25/farrah-fawcett-dies-after-battle-with-cancer/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/06/25/farrah-fawcett-dies-after-battle-with-cancer/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/06/25/farrah-fawcett-dies-after-battle-with-cancer/#commentsFiled under:

Farrah Fawcett, one of the original Charlie's Angels cast members and the best-selling pinup girl in history, died this morning in Santa Monica, Calif, three years after being diagnosed with cancer. Actor Ryan O'Neal, with whom she'd had an on-again/off-again relationship for nearly 30 years, was at her side. Fawcett was 62.

The Corpus Christi native and University of Texas at Austin alumnus had become relatively famous in the early 1970s doing modeling and guest spots on various TV shows, but it was her role as one of the three sexy crime fighters in Charlie's Angels, in 1976, that made her a superstar. The iconic poster of her in a red swimsuit sold 12 million copies -- the most ever for a poster -- and adorned teenage boys' bedrooms all across America. When she appeared mostly nude in Playboy in 1995, at age 48, it became the magazine's bestselling issue of the 1990s.

She left Charlie's Angels after a year to pursue a movie career that never materialized, but she earned critical respect and Emmy nominations in made-for-TV movies throughout the 1980s, including The Burning Bed and Poor Little Rich Girl: The Barbara Hutton Story. Her theatrical films included Logan's Run, The Cannonball Run, The Apostle, and Dr. T and the Women. Her last role was in the 2004 comedy The Cookout.

Fawcett and O'Neal have a son, Redmond, born in 1985.

[Via: Associated Press and Variety.]

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]]>farrah fawcettFarrahFawcettfeaturedEric D. SniderThu, 25 Jun 2009 14:33:00 ESTR.I.P. Dom DeLuisehttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/05/05/r-i-p-dom-deluise/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/05/05/r-i-p-dom-deluise/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/05/05/r-i-p-dom-deluise/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Wow. Leave it to one friend's muted Facebook status to tip me off to the fact that actor Dom DeLuise passed away yesterday at the age of 75.

Most of us probably grew up watching his comedic work, whether it was live-action -- Blazing Saddles, The Muppet Movie, The Cannonball Run -- or animated -- An American Tail, The Secret of NIMH, All Dogs Go to Heaven. He also frequently appeared on the small screen, eventually garnering a Golden Globe nomination and a Daytime Emmy for his live-action and animated TV work, respectively. He also authored several children's books and cookbooks in his spare time.

According to Popeater, he is survived by his wife of 54 years and three sons. No cause of death has been given at the time of this posting.

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]]>William GossTue, 05 May 2009 14:02:00 ESTWho's Your Favorite Dirty Old Lady on Film?http://www.cinematical.com/2009/04/27/whos-your-favorite-dirty-old-lady-on-film/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/04/27/whos-your-favorite-dirty-old-lady-on-film/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/04/27/whos-your-favorite-dirty-old-lady-on-film/#commentsFiled under: ,

By now you've probably heard -- Maude-Golden Girl Bea Arthur passed away over the weekend at the age of 86. In honor of the great actress and comedian, EW called up old co-star Rue McClanahan for her thoughts. During the discussion, she said: "And she [Arthur] told some pretty raunchy jokes, live on stage. In fact, a couple that were just a bit too much for me! [Laughs.] But boy she could tell a dirty joke. Oh my God, she was funny!"

This is what makes her passing right now all the more unfortunate -- one of the greats has left us just as the dirtiness of the silver set, particularly the Golden Girls themselves, dips into a Renaissance already mourning the loss of Estelle Getty. Lenora Claire recently brought us the wonder of Golden Gals Gone Wild. Meanwhile, Betty White jumped from her woman-without-morals role on Boston Legal to the dirty ol' Grandma Annie in the upcoming Sandra Bullock romcom The Proposal. One view of the trailer and it is obvious that White is easily the one reason the film might be worth a view or two.

These are the women who tought us the ever-important lesson that age isn't all bridge clubs and shopping sprees to spoil the grandkids. Nor is it something that eradicates every lascivious whim of youth, perversions and obscenities melting away for sugary, batty niceness (even if Ellen Albertini Dow made a wonderful career out of it).

So I thought we could take a moment on this Monday to give some love to the old ladies who defy expectations, whether they're spinning a dirty joke with the best of 'em, or delivering shocker line for comedic effect (like Jessamine Milner in Blazing Saddles). Which surprising old women stick in your memory banks? The killers of Arsenic and Old Lace? The saucy dentured neighbor in Yes Man? That other famous Maude, the one who loved Harold? Or maybe Nedra Volz from Moving Violations? Weigh in below!

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]]>Bea ArthurBeaArthurCinematicaldirty old ladies on filmDirtyOldLadiesOnFilmfeaturedGolden GirlsGoldenGirlsMonika BartyzelMon, 27 Apr 2009 11:02:00 ESTRIP, J.G. Ballardhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/04/20/rip-j-g-ballard/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/04/20/rip-j-g-ballard/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/04/20/rip-j-g-ballard/#commentsFiled under:

After a long battle with prostate cancer, British novelist J. G. Ballard passed away in his home in west London on Sunday at the age of 78. Ballard might not have been a big name in Hollywood, nor lent his time to the world of Tinsel and screenwriting, but his novels did make for two radically different and unforgettable films.

First, there was Steven Spielberg's Empire of the Sun -- the story of Ballard's expat childhood in China and his experiences in an internment camp when the Japanese invaded during World War II. This also happens to be the film that truly kicked off Christian Bale's career (he played the young, fictionalized version of the writer). Ballard once wrote: "In many ways my entire fiction is the dissection of a deep pathology that I had witnessed in Shanghai and later in the postwar world."

This notion adds a whole other dimension to the other notable film made from his work: David Cronenberg's Crash, which saw James Spader, Holly Hunter, Elias Koteas, Deborah Kara Unger, and Rosanna Arquette explore the world of sexual energy bred out of car crashes. Roger Ebert said of the film: "It downloads gigabytes of information about sex, it discovers our love affair with cars, and it combines them in a mistaken algorithm. The result is challenging, courageous and original--a dissection of the mechanics of pornography."

J.G. Ballard, you will be missed.

Perhaps with his passing, Ballard's work will now get new life in Hollywood. Is there any you'd like to see on the big screen?

[via The Hollywood Reporter]

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]]>CinematicalCrashEmpire of the SunEmpireOfTheSunJG BallardJgBallardMonika BartyzelMon, 20 Apr 2009 19:03:00 ESTNoted Clothing-Eschewer Marilyn Chambers Dies at 56http://www.cinematical.com/2009/04/13/noted-clothing-eschewer-marilyn-chambers-dies-at-56/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/04/13/noted-clothing-eschewer-marilyn-chambers-dies-at-56/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/04/13/noted-clothing-eschewer-marilyn-chambers-dies-at-56/#commentsFiled under:

You probably knew Marilyn Chambers best as the model who appeared on an Ivory detergent box in the early 1970s, or from her starring roles in Angel of H.E.A.T. and David Cronenberg's Rabid. Or perhaps you remember her as a 2004 vice presidential candidate, running with Charles Jay on the Personal Choice Party ticket and receiving almost a thousand votes.

I'm kidding, of course. You remember Marilyn Chambers as a porn star, titillating millions in such films as Behind the Green Door and Insatiable. She passed away over the weekend, in California, 10 days before her 57th birthday.

Chambers' career began wholesomely, with the Ivory gig and some other modeling jobs, as well as a few small-ish roles in movies, including the 1970 Barbra Streisand/George Segal comedy The Owl and the Pussycat, which sounds like porn but isn't. But it was gettin' naked and doin' it that made her a star, and though she found some mainstream work later on, it never approached the success she had in the porn biz. And besides, you might not consider Cronenberg's Rabid -- in which Chambers gets an emergency skin graft that mutates into a phallic stinger under her arm that turns people into zombies -- to be very "mainstream" anyway.

Her most recent work was in a yet-to-be-released indie film called Solitaire. She also did voice work for a spoof called Porndogs, joining several other legendary adult-film stars in providing voices for the animals who make up the bulk of the cast.

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]]>behind the green doorBehindTheGreenDoormarilyn chambersMarilynChambersEric D. SniderMon, 13 Apr 2009 21:32:00 ESTIndie Roundup: A Champion Falls, 'Paper Heart,' Yoga Doc Scores Bighttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/04/08/indie-roundup-a-champion-falls-paper-heart-yoga-doc-scores/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/04/08/indie-roundup-a-champion-falls-paper-heart-yoga-doc-scores/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/04/08/indie-roundup-a-champion-falls-paper-heart-yoga-doc-scores/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Indie Roundup

In this week's edition of Indie Roundup, we begin by noting the sad and untimely passing of one of the great champions of independent film, Wouter Barendrecht. The founder of Fortissimo Films, an international sales and production company, Barendrecht died unexpectedly last weekend from heart failure while in Thailand.

Eugene Hernandez at indieWIRE writes: "Perhaps his greatest professional achievement is the invaluable role he played as a tireless champion of Asian cinema and as a stalwart supporter of independent, queer and international film. On a personal note, his friendships with so many members of the worldwide film community are also hard to overlook." He was just 43.

Deals. Overture Films has acquired worldwide distribution rights to Nicholas Jasenovec's Paper Heart, which debuted at Sundance. In his review, Eric D. Snider said the film, which stars and was co-written by Charlyne Yi, "combines elements of reality and fiction in an amusing, meta-referential way, though one's enjoyment of it may ultimately come down to one's enjoyment of Yi as a performer." Yi's real-life boyfriend, Michael Cera, is featured. Overture plans to release Paper Heart in New York and Los Angeles on August 7 and expand it a week later, according to indieWIRE.

Box Office. Kate Churchill's documentary Enlighten Up!, advertised as "a skeptic's journey into the world of yoga," exercised its right to be the highest per-screen earner among indies, grossing $16,161 at the one theater where it played, per Box Office Mojo. (Check out the trailer, embedded below.) Fashion doc Valentino: The Last Emperor continued to draw good crowds, earning $14,196 per screen at four locations, while Paul Dano and Zooey Deschanel helped Matt Aselton's Gigantic become the top performer among new releases, reaping $10,294 for a film that's received mixed reviews.

After the jump: Film festivals around the country.

Continue reading Indie Roundup: A Champion Falls, 'Paper Heart,' Yoga Doc Scores Big

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]]>charlyne yiCharlyneYienlighten upEnlightenUpfortissimo filmsFortissimoFilmsgiganticindie roundupIndieRoundupmichael ceraMichaelCerapaper heartPaperHeartvalentine the last emperorValentineTheLastEmperorwouter barendrechtWouterBarendrechtPeter MartinWed, 08 Apr 2009 18:02:00 ESTStars in Rewind: In Memory of Andy Halletthttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/04/01/stars-in-rewind-in-memory-of-andy-hallett/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/04/01/stars-in-rewind-in-memory-of-andy-hallett/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/04/01/stars-in-rewind-in-memory-of-andy-hallett/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Movies and television might be two separate entities, but over and over they intersect, and bad news to one is most often bad news for both. Like news from E Online that Andy Hallett has passed away after a 5-year battle with heart disease at the way-too-young age of 33. Hallett was a big part of the Joss Whedon universe, playing a bit part on Buffy, and then the much more green and recognizable Lorne on Angel.

After leaving the world of vampires, Hallett spent most of his energy on his music, but he did pop up in two films. His voice was featured in 2005's Gepetto's Secret, and his lone live-action feature was Chance -- fellow Buffy alum Amber Benson's feature film.

There was an undeniable sweetness to the actor, and I'm sure that if heart disease hadn't ended his life so soon, we'd have seen a lot more of him on the big and small screen, whether as an actor or musician. In honor of his undying charm, you can watch a brief clip of Chance below, where he talks with (yet another Buffy alum...) James Marsters.

Andy, you're already missed.

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]]>Monika BartyzelWed, 01 Apr 2009 18:45:00 ESTComposer Maurice Jarre Passes Awayhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/03/30/composer-maurice-jarre-passes-away/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/03/30/composer-maurice-jarre-passes-away/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/03/30/composer-maurice-jarre-passes-away/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

"One could say my life itself has been one long soundtrack. Music was my life, music brought me to life, and music is how I will be remembered long after I leave this life. When I die there will be a final waltz playing in my head and that only I can hear." *

The week starts with some unhappy news, as the AFP reports that Academy Award composor Maurice Jarre has passed away at the age of 84. He wrote music for over 150 films, and many of them for the great directors: John Frankenheimer, Alfred Hitchcock, John Huston, Luchino Visconti, David Lean, and Peter Weir.

In his long career, he was nominated for an Oscar nine times, and took home three. His three Oscar wins were for what are probably his most recognizable scores: Lawrence of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago, and Passage to India. Doctor Zhivago will alwaos be one of my favorites, and despite that Lara's Theme has been much abused over the years (Roger Ebert calls it one of his least favorite pieces, and Jarre himself was annoyed at the overuse of it in the film), it's a score is just pure sweeping, tragic romance.

Here's a collection someone on YouTube put together of his "greatest hits", below the jump are two of my favorites. One is naturally Doctor Zhivago, but my favorite part is at 1:38.

Please feel free to link to some of your favorites in the comments, it'd be great to hear them.

* ETA As an astute commenter pointed out, he was not the composer for Danny Boyle's Sunshine, but the 1999 István Szabó film. I read his filmography too fast. My apologies.

* ETA Apparently, the quote was a hoax. Thanks for cheapening one man's death for a social media experiment, sir.

Continue reading Composer Maurice Jarre Passes Away

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]]>Doctor ZhivagoDoctorZhivagolawrence of arabiaLawrenceOfArabiaMaurice JarreMauriceJarrePassage to IndiaPassageToIndiaSunshineElisabeth RappeMon, 30 Mar 2009 16:32:00 ESTNatasha Richardson Passes Away at the Age of 45http://www.cinematical.com/2009/03/18/natasha-richardson-passes-away-at-the-age-of-45/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/03/18/natasha-richardson-passes-away-at-the-age-of-45/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/03/18/natasha-richardson-passes-away-at-the-age-of-45/#commentsFiled under: ,



One simple, regular fall on a ski slope has led to the unfortunate death of Tony-award winning actress Natasha Richardson. As we posted yesterday, Richardson was on a beginner's slope when she had what seemed to be a minor fall. However, an hour later, she began complaining of headaches and was rushed to the hospital. In just two days, this fall became fatal as she worsened and was finally taken off life support. As E! Online reports, she was pronounced dead earlier today, and will receive a small and private funeral soon.

A rep for Richardson's husband, Liam Neeson, says: "Liam Neeson, his sons, and the entire family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Natasha. They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone, and ask for privacy during this very difficult time."

Ms. Richardson began her screen career in an uncredited role of "Flower girl at wedding" in the 1968 film, The Charge of the Light Brigade, with mother Vanessa Redgrave. As the years progressed, she made a name for herself with her role as Patricia Hearst in Patty Hearst, and followed it up with challenging dramas like The Handmaid's Tale, lighter family fare like The Parent Trap remake, and indie art with Chelsea Walls. And, of course, she won a Tony award for the 1998 revival of Cabaret, where she played Sally Bowles.

But beyond her roster of films and projects, Richardson had a true talent and power to her. As Paul Schrader once said (via Washington Post), she "had an essential quality of mystery about her. You can watch her for the better part of two hours, and still think that she'll show you something new."

It's a terribly tragedy that we'll no longer experience this mystery, and we wish her family all the best in this trying time.

Rest in peace, Ms. Richardson. We'll miss you!

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]]>CinematicalfeaturedNatasha RichardsonNatashaRichardsonMonika BartyzelWed, 18 Mar 2009 22:17:00 ESTRIP, Ron Silverhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/03/16/rip-ron-silver/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/03/16/rip-ron-silver/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/03/16/rip-ron-silver/#commentsFiled under:

It's another sad day in Hollywood. After a two-year long fight with esophageal cancer, actor and political activist Ron Silver passed away on Sunday, in New York City, at the age of 62.

On the political realm, there's certainly a lot to note -- with his work and his switch to "9/11 Republican" -- but in the realm of Cinematical, it's the movies that matter. Silver's impact on Hollywood was not that of a superstar or critical powerhouse, but of an intelligent and talented man who became an indelible piece of the cinematic puzzle.

Critically, it's hard to forget his work in films like the Oscar-winning Reversal of Fortune, Ali, or Silkwood. There is also his television work, as he came into our homes with Chicago Hope, Veronica's Closet, and The West Wing. But for me, I can't help but think of his sillier gigs, and how his bouts with heavy drama were balanced by the goofy action of a Timecop, or even better, time with a devilish and godly George Burns in Oh, God! You Devil.

Over his 34-year career, his presence on the big and small screens has been familiar and comforting, and he will definitely be missed.

Rest in peace, Ron Silver.

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]]>CinematicalfeaturedRIPRon SilverRonSilverMonika BartyzelMon, 16 Mar 2009 09:32:00 ESTJames Whitmore, 'Shawshank' Librarian, Dies at 87http://www.cinematical.com/2009/02/07/james-whitmore-shawshank-librarian-dies-at-87/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/02/07/james-whitmore-shawshank-librarian-dies-at-87/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/02/07/james-whitmore-shawshank-librarian-dies-at-87/#commentsFiled under: ,

James Whitmore

Actor James Whitmore, whose career spanned nearly 60 years, died on Friday at his home in Malibu, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He was 87.

Whitmore embodied the role of Brooks Hatlen in Frank Darabont's The Shawshank Redemption (1994) with rueful grace and heartfelt regret. As the longtime librarian, he was a wise and kind friend to the initially floundering Andy (Tim Robbins). But he had absolutely no idea how to live outside the prison walls. This scene (link to a big spoiler if you haven't seen the movie) with just the right touch in the narration by Whitmore as he writes to his buddies, is heartbreaking, and I found it impossible to watch all the way through after hearing the news of his passing.

My personal, sentimental favorite remains Them! (1954), the greatest giant ant movie ever made. Whitmore played a New Mexican police Sergeant who finds a little girl wandering in the desert, and soon finds himself courageously facing down nature gone amuck. He was so friendly and calm, yet authoritative, that I never doubted for a moment that giant ants were a serious threat to mankind.

He was much more fiery in Give 'em Hell, Harry! (1975), for which he was nominated for an Academy Award. The film was an adaptation of a one-man stage play about President Harry S Truman. I was spellbound in the movie theater for 100 minutes, held captive once more by Whitmore's authority, but also by the sparkle in his eyes as his moved brusequely around the stage.

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]]>battlegroundgive em hell harryGiveEmHellHarryJames WhitmoreJamesWhitmorethe shawshank redemptionthemTheShawshankRedemptionPeter MartinSat, 07 Feb 2009 11:02:00 ESTRIP: Ricardo Montalbanhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/01/15/rip-ricardo-montalban/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/01/15/rip-ricardo-montalban/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/01/15/rip-ricardo-montalban/#commentsFiled under:



For over sixty years, Ricardo Montalban charmed audiences -- he was the man who granted wishes on Fantasy Island; he fooled the Captain of the Enterprise in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan (look above); and in recent years, he even grandfathered some sassy Spy Kids and gained new virtual legs. And now, I'm sad to write that The Hollywood Reporter posts that Montalban has passed away at the age of 88. According to the report, he died in his home in Los Angeles on Wednesday, and the news was released at a meeting of the city council.

Montalban's career began in 1942 with the WWII drama Five Were Chosen. In the coming decades, his roles morphed from Latin lovers, to a slew of ethnic characters, and finally, in 1967, the role of Khan in an episode of Star Trek. After time in space, Montalban moved on to Planet of the Apes, and took on a series of television roles, which finally nabbed him an Emmy in 1978 for How the West Was Won. We all know what that year also brought -- six years of wish-granting on the show that made his face known to all -- Fantasy Island.

His last role: He voiced The Cow in the "McStroke" episode of Family Guy. While not the most desirable role to bid adieu to Hollywood with, it was certainly an example of the man's range. Ricardo, you will be missed.

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]]>CinematicalRicardo MontalbanRicardoMontalbanMonika BartyzelThu, 15 Jan 2009 10:03:00 ESTThe Old Commissioner Gordon Passes Awayhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/01/05/the-old-commissioner-gordon-passes-away/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/01/05/the-old-commissioner-gordon-passes-away/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/01/05/the-old-commissioner-gordon-passes-away/#commentsFiled under:

For the past few years, Gary Oldman has been the man shining the bat signal high into the sky. But before Christopher Nolan took on the world of the Dark Knight and reinvented it, there was a different Commissioner in town -- Pat Hingle, who lost his battle with blood cancer on Saturday at the age of 84.

In 1989, he became Commissioner James Gordon in Tim Burton's Batman, filling the role through all four of the films -- from the great Michael Keaton days, all the way through to the abysmal and embarrassing Batman and Robin. But while his law-enforcing time in Gotham might be his most recognizable role, it's only a small portion of his work. His 54-year career took him from recent films like Talladega Nights to Muppets from Space and Splendor in the Grass, and even his first (uncredited) role as Jocko in On the Waterfront back in 1954.

Rest in peace, Mr. Hingle. You will be missed.

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]]>CinematicalPat HinglePatHingleMonika BartyzelMon, 05 Jan 2009 21:02:00 ESTWatch This: TCM's Tribute to the Departed of 2008http://www.cinematical.com/2009/01/05/watch-this-tcms-tribute-to-the-departed-of-2008/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/01/05/watch-this-tcms-tribute-to-the-departed-of-2008/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/01/05/watch-this-tcms-tribute-to-the-departed-of-2008/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Every December, Turner Classic Movies produces a lovely montage honoring the actors and filmmakers who died that year, and here's the one for 2008. Apparently they released it around Dec. 10, then updated it to include Van Johnson, who died Dec. 15, but now it's incomplete again because Eartha Kitt died. Maybe they should wait until the year's actually over? I'm just sayin'.

Anyway, TCM's montages are always classy and elegant, putting the ones at the Academy Awards to shame. If you're interested, you can see previous years' montages here: 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003.

And now here's 2008. The song is "God Only Knows," by Joe Henry, from his 2007 album Civilians.


[Via /Film.]

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]]>Eric D. SniderMon, 05 Jan 2009 13:02:00 ESTRest in Peace, Eartha Kitt and Ann Savagehttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/12/29/rest-in-peace-eartha-kitt-and-ann-savage/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/12/29/rest-in-peace-eartha-kitt-and-ann-savage/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/12/29/rest-in-peace-eartha-kitt-and-ann-savage/#commentsFiled under:



While we were curled up in our homes, stuffing ourselves on cookies and ripping open presents, two of our beloved female icons passed away.

By now you've probably heard that Eartha Kitt succumbed to colon cancer on Christmas Day at the age of 81. To me (like many), she'll always be the woman who made rolling, feline rrrrrr's sound perfectly natural and downright sexy on the completely ridiculous and lovable Batman. In more recent years, she voiced Yzma on The Emperor's New Groove series, and played the evil Lola Dede in the adaptation of Anne Rice's Feast of all Saints.

On that very same Christmas Day, The Hollywood Reporter posts that the wonderful Ann Savage passed away at the age of 87. The '40s movie actress had suffered a series of strokes recently, and died in her sleep at a nursing home. To some, she was Sister Harriet from Fire with Fire, to others, she's Guy Maddin's mother in My Winnipeg, and to most, she's the unstoppable, blackmailing dame named Vera from Detour.

Both actresses will be sorely missed. Each put their unstoppable and powerful stamp on Hollywood, and we're all the luckier for having gotten to know them on the big screen. Hop through the jump for a look at Kitt in all of her purring wonder, and the magnetic poll that is Ann Savage as Maddin's mother.

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]]>Ann SavageAnnSavageCinematicalEartha KittEarthaKittMonika BartyzelMon, 29 Dec 2008 19:02:00 ESTStars in Rewind: Goodbye, Bettie Page.http://www.cinematical.com/2008/12/12/stars-in-rewind-goodbye-bettie-page/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/12/12/stars-in-rewind-goodbye-bettie-page/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/12/12/stars-in-rewind-goodbye-bettie-page/#commentsFiled under: ,



I'm sorry to post that the LA Times has reported that Bettie Page passed away Thursday night at the age of 85. The news comes after the pinup icon had spent a few weeks on life support following her heart attack earlier this month. In her memory, I thought I'd whip up a rewind for the film based on her life -- The Notorious Bettie Page, which starred Gretchen Mol as the lady with the black bangs.

In the clip below, Page gets introduced to the world of modeling and pin-up girls, and soon finds her smiling face gracing a myriad of magazines. While the film only received moderate buzz, most seem in agreement -- Mol did a heck of a job as Page, and carried the film right into a number of decent reviews.

Rest in peace, Bettie. You'll be missed.


Warning: Not entirely safe for work -- brief nudity.

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]]>Bettie PageBettiePageCinematicalfeaturedThe Notorious Bettie PageTheNotoriousBettiePageMonika BartyzelFri, 12 Dec 2008 09:02:00 EST