“IF THIS PICTURE DOESN’T MAKE YOUR SKIN CRAWL – IT’S ON TOO TIGHT!”

On this 28th day of “Shocktober”, time to share one of the most shocking horror classics of the 70’s – and yes, your skin will crawl!

A classic 70’s horror film that has been rediscovered thanks to home video, “Black Christmas” is a tight, vicious thriller that is one of my top five horror films of all time!

Let’s look at the original trailer, which is not only lengthy at four minutes, but scary as hell as well:

The plot is straightforward: It’s time for Christmas break, and a group of sorority sisters make plans for the holiday – but then the horrifying anonymous phone calls begin. Olivia Hussey stars in the film…

Hussey starred in “Romeo & Juliet”, but this is no love story…one of the reasons the film works so well is that her performance is so grounded in reality – she is very much like Jamie Lee Curtis in “Halloween” – a “real” person who makes the horror all the more real…

Margot Kidder also stars as one of Olivia’s sorority sisters, and she’s got a wicked sense of humor and an acid tongue…this was just prior to her breakout role as Lois Lane in “Superman”…

Kidder really elevates the film with her caustic wit…and the film is full of familiar faces…

What A Cast!

Kier Dullea also stars in the movie – Dullea of course was in Stanley Kubrick’s masterpiece, “2001: A Space Odyssey…”

Great character Actor John Saxon also stars – and action movie fans will always remember him showcasing his kung fu moves in the Bruce Lee classic “Enter The Dragon.”

Since this was a low budget film, Keir Dullea worked only for a week, and never met Margot Kidder! He barely met John Saxon either, but the film is edited in such a way that he appears to be present throughout the film…

“Black Christmas” Fan Steve Martin!

Around 1986, Olivia Hussey met Steve Martin for a role in “Roxanne”, and Martin said “Oh my God Olivia, you were in one of my all time favorite films”. Hussey assumed it was her role in “Romeo and Juliet” – but she was surprised to find out it was “Black Christmas!” Martin claimed he had seen it over 20 times!

What’s amazing is that the Director, Bob Clark, also made one of the holiday’s greatest films – a beloved comedy!

That’s right, Clark also directed this classic – oh, and “Porky’s” as well! Read all about this under-appreciated Director here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/08/08/porkys-peepholes-christmas-horror-fra-gee-lay-director-bob-clarks-enduring-legacy/

It’s been a horrific Shocktober 2016 so far – yesterday, I shared what many feel is one of the greatest Directors tackling one of the most intense Halloween movies:

Yes, these two want to welcome you to the Overlook Hotel, where Jack Nicholson and Stanley Kubrick hung out for a few months and created “The Shining”:

See the iconic trailer – an elevator full of blood – by clicking here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/27/the-shining-lights-up-shocktober-day-27-heres-johnny-kubricks-creepy-masterpiece/

Another classic horror film is from the great John Carpenter – yes, the Director of “Halloween” took it one step further in the 80’s with this horror classic:

See some amazing special effects by clicking here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/26/the-thing-shocks-halloween-horror-day-26-man-is-the-warmest-place-to-hide/

If you missed some of my Shocktober countdown, well you missed some neglected classics like this:

Here is a list of ten great scary movies to enjoy this weekend:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/24/shocktober-2016-ten-more-horror-classics-for-halloween/

And bravo to “Black Christmas”, #4 on my list of greatest Halloween shockers of all!

As these folks wander aimlessly toward a bloody end to “Shocktober 2016”, I am counting down my five favorite horror films…and on day #29, we reach #3 on my list – one of the most iconic horror films of all time!

The Iconic “Night Of The Living Dead!”

Take a moment to bow down to the great Director George Romero, who ushered in a new era of horror – with a film that has become one of the most beloved horror films of all time!

“Night Of The Living Dead” has grown more famous over the years, but almost never got made at all! It is a testament to the tenacity and ingenuity of Romero that he managed to get this film made! It was completed on a $114,000 budget and premiered October 1, 1968.

Here is the classic trailer:

The plot is straightforward: A shocking phenomenon has occurred: throughout the country, the dead have suddenly come back to life. A small group barricade themselves in an old farmhouse in an attempt the remain safe from these “walking dead.”

“Night of the Living Dead” is a master class in low budget filming. The script is razor sharp, the characters become clearly defined over the course of the movie, and the gore – well, let’s just say it was heavily criticized when it came out, because it was presented in a “reality” style that was shocking for its time!

The film has grown in critical stature over the years, and was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry, as a film deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”.

The lead role of Ben was played by Duane Jones. He was an unknown stage actor. It was a major gamble for Romero to cast a Black Actor in the lead; in fact, one Reviewer said that the performance depicted Ben as a “comparatively calm and resourceful Negro”!

Here’s another interesting fact: the word “zombie” is never used in the film. According to IMDB, the most common euphemism used to describe the living dead is “those things,” or “ghouls.”

Can you imagine “The Walking Dead” existing if it wasn’t for this film?

According to the George A. Romero commentary track on one of the many special edition DVDs of the film, the original working print and working elements and materials for the film no longer exist – they were destroyed as a result of a flood that filled the basement where the materials were stored (which was the same basement used in the movie).

The sequels are also great in their own way, and Robero has gone on to make many other films as well – but this was a revelation in low-budget horror, and it will live forever as one of the greatest Halloween films ever released!

Here is another low-budget cult film that hanged horror forever – because “Black Christmas” created the eerie POV camera shot of the killer that was knocked off by every horror film since!

“Black Christmas” is a classic horror film – see the creepy movie trailer here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/28/shocktober-day-28-the-classic-sorority-horror-of-black-christmas/

It’s been a horrific Shocktober 2016 so far – any month that brings Stanley Kubrick and Jack Nicholson together is perfect tin my book!

Yes, these two want to welcome you to the Overlook Hotel, where Jack Nicholson and Stanley Kubrick hung out for a few months and created “The Shining”:

See the iconic trailer – an elevator full of blood – by clicking here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/27/the-shining-lights-up-shocktober-day-27-heres-johnny-kubricks-creepy-masterpiece/

Another classic horror film is from the great John Carpenter – yes, the Director of “Halloween” took it one step further in the 80’s with this horror classic:

See some amazing special effects by clicking here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/26/the-thing-shocks-halloween-horror-day-26-man-is-the-warmest-place-to-hide/

If you missed some of my Shocktober countdown, well you missed some neglected classics like this:

Here is a list of ten great scary movies to enjoy this weekend:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/24/shocktober-2016-ten-more-horror-classics-for-halloween/

Enjoy Shocktober!

Time For A Halloween Horror Classic!

On this 30th day of “Shocktober 2016”, I want to share the second greatest horror film ever made.

One of the greatest films of all time began as a Stephen King novel – his first novel in fact, and still the greatest film ever made from one of his books!

Classic “Carrie!”

In 1976, Director Brian DePalma took a very young cast – including Sissy Spacek, John Travolta and Nancy Allen – and made a classic film that will stand the test of time:

It’s not just a great horror film – it’s a great movie – classic cinema from a master filmmaker – let’s look first at the trailer for “Carrie”:

“Carrie” is a master class in filmmaking. I mean, how can you top this opening credits sequence, when Carrie takes a shower after gym class and discovers an unknown horror…

After her class mates taunt her about her horrified reaction to her totally unexpected first period, the story takes a dual path: both “good” and “bad” girls at school have plans for Carrie, while she discovers that she is “gifted”, and you really don’t want to get her angry.

Casting “Carrie” – AND Princess Leia!

Here’s great trivia: George Lucas and Brian De Palma held a joint audition for “Carrie” and “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope”. There is a long-standing rumor that originally, Sissy Spacek was cast as Princess Leia, and Carrie Fisher as Carrie, but when Fisher refused to appear in nude scenes and Spacek was willing to do them, they switched parts.

Princess Leia Says “NOT TRUE!”

However, Fisher refuted this story in a Premiere magazine article called “The Force Wasn’t With Them,” about actors who auditioned unsuccessfully for “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.” That article got into the “switched roles” legend, and quoted Fisher as saying:

“Not only do I love being nude, I would’ve been nude then… But anyway, it’s total bullshit that Fisher refused to play Carrie.”

Spielberg’s Set Visits!

In a 2010 interview with “The A.V. Club”, Actress P.J. Soles said that Steven Spielberg often came to the set at Brian De Palma’s invitation – because DePalma told him that there were “a lot of cute girls down here.”

Soles said that Spielberg asked out most of the women on the set, Soles included, and Amy Irving was the only one who accepted. Irving and Spielberg were married from 1985-1989 and had one son together.

Travolta’s Smarmy Supporting Role!

John Travolta broke out big in as small role as Billy Nolen, a punk who just wants to make his girlfriend, Chris Hargenson, happy. Chris is played by DePalma favorite Nancy Allen. Their big dramatic scene takes place underneath the stage where Carrie White is about to be crowned homecoming queen:

Billy Nolen: “Keep the light straight!
Chris Hargenson: [blood drops onto the flashlight] Watch it, you stupid shit, you’re getting blood all over the place!
Billy Nolen: [starts laughing] Who are you calling a stupid shit? I mean you can’t even keep that fuckin’ light straight
Chris Hargenson: [whines] Just hurry up, I wanna go home!
Billy Nolen: [drawls] Yes, Ma’am! We’re doing the BEST we can, we sure are!
Billy Nolen: Just keep your tits on, and I’ll let you pull the rope!
Chris Hargenson: I intend to!
Billy Nolen: I know…”

Piper Laurie was Oscar-noiminated as Carrie’s crazy, religious Mom…in a virtuoso performance that was central to the film’s success…

“Carrie” is a masterpiece, and brilliantly directed by a master filmmaker – check out all of the special editions DVD’s and Blu-rays that delve into much more great behind-the-scenes trivia about the making of the film…

Here is another low-budget cult film that changed horror forever – because “Black Christmas” created the eerie POV camera shot of the killer that was knocked off by every horror film since!

“Black Christmas” is a classic horror film – see the creepy movie trailer here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/28/shocktober-day-28-the-classic-sorority-horror-of-black-christmas/

One of the most revelatory horror films ever released was an ultra-low budget black’n’white shocker from 1968:

There would be no “Walking Dead” if it wasn’t for Director George Romero’s classic shock fest, which came at a time of huge changes in our culture – and in the level of gore allowed in film. Read all about it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/29/shocktober-day-29-the-revelatory-horror-of-night-of-the-living-dead/

It’s been a horrific Shocktober 2016 so far – any month that brings Stanley Kubrick and Jack Nicholson together is perfect in my book!

Yes, these two want to welcome you to the Overlook Hotel, where Jack Nicholson and Stanley Kubrick hung out for a few months and created “The Shining”:

See the iconic trailer – an elevator full of blood – by clicking here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/27/the-shining-lights-up-shocktober-day-27-heres-johnny-kubricks-creepy-masterpiece/

Another classic horror film is from the great John Carpenter – yes, the Director of “Halloween” took it one step further in the 80’s with this horror classic:

See some amazing special effects by clicking here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/26/the-thing-shocks-halloween-horror-day-26-man-is-the-warmest-place-to-hide/

If you missed some of my Shocktober countdown, well you missed some neglected classics like this:

Here is a list of ten great scary movies to enjoy this weekend:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/24/shocktober-2016-ten-more-horror-classics-for-halloween/

I plan to watch “Carrie” again this Shocktober, hope you do too!

The Exorcist!

Shocktober 2016 ends on a horrific high note: simply put, one of the greatest achievements in cinema, thanks to brilliant Director William Friedkin, one of the most shocking films ever made!

For those who are too young to remember, this film was a cultural phenomenon when it was released.

In 1973, “The Exorcist” shocked American moviegoers with its intense horror. Based on the bestselling novel, the film tells the story of 12-year old Regan, a quiet girl who begins to show some strange symptoms. The film creates a sense of dread that turns shocking – then never lets up!

Director William Friedkin made this two years after he won the Oscar for Best Picture for “The French Connection”…a Director at the top of his game, and a film that actually caused audience members to faint – that’s right, the media was having a field day with stories of audience members fainting or running out of the theater in shock!

“The Exorcist” was nominated for Best Picture of 1973 – and was a box office sensation. Ellyn Burstyn and Max Von Sydow star in the film, but the real star was a young girl who made a stunning movie debut:

Introducing Linda Blair!

Linda Blair was perfect as the young, angelic Regan – a quiet girl who begins to act strangely – her innocence in the early scenes is what makes what happens next in the film all the more shocking:

A Special Effects Roller Coaster!

“The Exorcist” included some of the most unique special effects ever seen. After some early scenes, things quickly spiral out of control:

Regan MacNeil: “My bed was shaking. I can’t get to sleep.”

That leads to the arrival of Father Damien, who has a talk with his evil adversary:

Demon: What an excellent day for an exorcism.
Father Damien Karras: You would like that?
Demon: Intensely.
Father Damien Karras: But wouldn’t that drive you out of Regan?
Demon: It would bring us together.
Father Damien Karras: You and Regan?
Demon: You and us.

A Cold, Cold Set!

Here is some great trivia about the making of the film. The refrigerated bedroom set was cooled with four air conditioners and temperatures would plunge to around 30 to 40 below zero. It was so cold that perspiration would freeze on some of the cast and crew. On one occasion the air was saturated with moisture resulting in a thin layer of snow falling on the set before the crew arrived for filming.

“The Exorcist’s” Iconic Dialogue!

The film is filled with legendary shocking moments, like when Regan “turns” to greet Father Karras:

This is one of the classic visual images from the film, which also has some iconic movie dialogue, like this:

Demon: “Your mother sucks cocks in Hell, Karras, you faithless slime!”

This film is so intense and scary that the original teaser trailer, which consisted of nothing but images of the white-faced demon quickly flashing in and out of darkness, was banned in many theaters, as it was deemed “too frightening”.

Cue The “Pea Soup!”

And then of course, there is the projectile vomiting scene!

The substance that the possessed Regan (Linda Blair) hurls at Father Damien Karras (Jason Miller) is thick pea soup. Specifically, it’s Andersen’s brand pea soup. The crew tried Campbell’s but didn’t like the “effect.”

Tons of great stories and commentaries on the special edition blu-ray….check it out and relive a classic!

By the way, the star of the film, Linda Blair, went on to make a number of provocative movies – and a few photo shoots as well!

Yes, Linda grew up, alright! See some of her movies and photos here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/06/16/linda-blairs-head-spinning-photo-shoots-from-exorcist-to-explicit-tv-movie-born-yesterday/

For me, “The Exorcist” is the most intense, horrific film ever made, but here is my second favorite Halloween film:

Director Brian DePalma’s “Carrie” is shocking, but also a great character study with incredible performances by Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, John Travolta, Nancy Allen and Amy Irving – and of course, PJ Soles as well!

Here is a look at this classic film, with some great “Star Wars” trivia as well!

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/30/shocktober-day-30-brilliant-carrie-brian-depalmas-horror-classics-star-wars-connection/

So it’s been an incredible month of shocks, like this black’n’white classic from 1968 that changed the way we looked at Zombies forever:

There would be no “Walking Dead” without this masterpiece of horror from Director George Romero. Check out some great trivia here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/29/shocktober-day-29-the-revelatory-horror-of-night-of-the-living-dead/

Another low budget horror film created the POV killer film technique:

This shocking classic from 1976 is a must-see for horror fans, see the trailer here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/28/shocktober-day-28-the-classic-sorority-horror-of-black-christmas/

One of the greatest special effects horror shows ever was this classic:

Kurt Russell stars in John Carpenter’s shock fest – see the trailer here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/26/the-thing-shocks-halloween-horror-day-26-man-is-the-warmest-place-to-hide/

If you missed some of my Shocktober countdown, well you missed some neglected classics like this:

Here is a list of ten great scary movies to enjoy this weekend:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/24/shocktober-2016-ten-more-horror-classics-for-halloween/

If those aren’t enough for you, well I have you covered with even more great horror, like a night with this guy:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/12/the-first-ten-days-of-shocktober-chainsaws-naked-vampires-scream-queens-clowns-galore/

A big month for classic horror, ending on the shocking – head-turning – high note of “The Exorcist!”

Two Legendary Actors Bite Into A Crime!

Here is a great new movie to share: two incredible actors working for one of the most eclectic Writer/Directors in film…and of course, it comes with a bit of controversy!

Talk About “Dog Eat Dog!”

Nicolas Cage and Willem Dafoe star in “Dog Eat Dog” for Director Paul Schrader.

Schrader is no stranger to controversy in his career, but here is a social media post he shared discussing what happened with his 2014 collaboration with Nicolas Cage:

“The Angel Dust Of Crime Fiction!”

Talk about saying it like it is! It’s well known that the film was taken away from Schrader, and he disavowed the final release. He also reached out to Nicolas Cage to ask him for another collaboration, this time to “get it right!”

The result of that call is “Dog Eat Dog”, based on the 1995 novel of same name by Edward Bunker, the late great Writer – and “Mr. Blue” in Quentin Tarantino’s classic crime drama “Reservoir Dogs!”

So Schrader had great material to work with, and two great Actors that he’s collaborated with before. Here is the trailer….

The plot is simple: A crew of ex-cons are hired by a Cleveland mafioso to kidnap the baby of a rival mobster. From there, things spin quickly out of control.

This is Schrader’s third collaboration with Nicolas Cage – Schrader previously wrote Scorsese’s “Bringing Out the Dead” as well as the controversial “Dying of the Light”.

This is the 7th collaboration between Paul Schrader and Willem Dafoe!

Schrader’s Movie Debut!

Here is great trivia from IMDB:

“Paul Schrader said he approached Michael Wincott, Michael Douglas, Quentin Tarantino, Martin Scorsese, Nick Nolte, Christopher Walken, Jeff Goldblum and Rupert Everett for the role of Greco the Greek, but it didn’t work out with any of them. In the end, to avoid going over budget, he played the role himself in what will be his acting debut!”

Director Paul Schrader has an incredible career: getting off to an iconic start when he wrote this screenplay:

Taxi Driver!

One of the greatest films ever was full of great dialogue and powerfully violent scenes…see how they celebrated the 40th anniversary of Travis Bickle here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/04/21/travis-bickle-turns-40-taxi-driver-tribeca-screening-3-reasons-to-love-him-one-big-reason-to-hate/

Schrader also wrote and directed a powerful film in the 70’s that showcased Richard Pryor in a terrific performance:

Blue Collar!

This is one of Pryor’s best performances..see more about it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/05/28/richard-pryor-brilliantly-funny-violently-dramatic-his-most-incendiary-work/

Of course, Schrader directed one of the most controversial films of the 70’s as well:

Hardcore

This movie was filmed in actual XXX-rated shops in LA and San Francisco, as a midwest Businessman goes looking for his missing daughter…see the powerful trailer here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/09/28/hardcore-a-journey-into-70s-porn-hell-classic-george-c-scott-performance/

Schrader also directed “American Gigolo” with Richard Here, and the intense “Cat People” remake in the mid-80’s…he also directed one of the first stars I ever worked with:

“Auto Focus”

Paul Schrader told the sordid story of Actor Bob Crane, whose obsession with porn – and women – was his downfall. Willem Dafoe is amazing in this film, as is Greg Kinnear, who I worked with when he hosted “Talk Soup” on E!

Here is a look at this great film, one of three neglected movies you should check out:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/03/30/sex-crazed-stars-tabloid-wars-and-tough-guys-too-little-seen-movie-gems/

Schrader never shied away from controversial subject matter, which is why this film got so much attention upon release a few years ago:

“The Canyons” was Lindsay Lohan’s comeback attempt, and another controversial film from Schrader. See the trailer and find out why the casting of this film was so controversial:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/07/15/lindsay-lohan-from-mean-girl-to-the-canyons/

Finally, if you want to read a great interview with the Director about all of his work, including “Dog Eat Dog”, click on this story from Indiewire:

http://www.indiewire.com/2016/11/paul-schrader-dog-eat-dog-the-canyons-1201743496/

I can’t wait to see “Dog Eat Dog”!

Time To Grab A Book And Read!

I spent the entire month of October highlighting horror films, so let’s get into November with some great Writers who deserve to get some attention as well!

Time For Great “Nordic Noir!”

Norwegian Author Jo Nesbo has published a number of best-selling novels, but his series of Harry Hole Detective novels are classic “Nordic Noir”: dark, moody thrillers with a flawed Protagonist…Harry Hole is his version of “Dirty Harry.”

Here is a look at all of Nesbo’s great work:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/10/16/jo-nesbo-police-brilliant-new-nordic-noir-harry-hole-novels-in-order/

Jussi Adler-Olsen is a terrific Danish Writer, who created a series of great crime novels around “Department Q”:

These novels are terrific – with lots of interesting political insight into that part of the world…take a look at his Department Q thrillers here:

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

Time to share my favorite Author of all time – the mad Hippie of the 60’s who delivered decades of wonderful books like this:

“Trout Fishing In America” is Richard Brautigan’s masterpiece, but he did so much more…here is a look at some of his greatest work:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/02/22/watermelons-babylon-and-trout-fishing-in-america-the-brilliant-richard-brautigan/

Another legendary Writer is the iconic Charles Bukowski, who used his real life as a postal worker – and notorious drinker – to his advantage:

Bukowski’s book are profane, angry, and brilliant….see them here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/12/09/barfly-tales-of-sex-alcohol-the-post-office-brilliant-writer-charles-bukowski/

Oh, and speaking of profane and brilliant:

Yes, the master of them all: the late Hunter S. Thompson! He not only wrote the seminal “Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas”, he lived the wildest life a Writer could hope for – oh, and he interviewed fellow wild man Keith Richards!

Thanks to the internet, this mad exchange exists to watch! Check out the whole story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/02/08/amazing-gonzo-tv-the-legendary-hunter-s-thompson-keith-richards-interview/

There you go, now READ!

Princess Leia Unloads!

Carrie Fisher has an explosive new book about her “Star Wars” adventures coming out, and it includes some revelations about her and Han Solo!

Here’s how Google describes the book:

“When Carrie Fisher recently discovered the journals she kept during the filming of the first Star Wars movie, she was astonished to see what they had preserved-plaintive love poems, unbridled musings with youthful naivet , and a vulnerability that she barely recognized. Today, her fame as an author, actress, and pop-culture icon is indisputable, but in 1977, Carrie Fisher was just a (sort-of) regular teenager.”

Princess Leia’s Affair With Han Solo!

It seems that Fisher is going to share a LOT of behind-the-scenes revelations!

According to The Daily Beast:

“Carrie Fisher unveiled details of a secret relationship with her Star Wars co-star Harrison Ford in her forthcoming book, The Princess Diarist. Fisher, now 60, said the two began sleeping together one night in 1976 when Ford, then 32, offered to drive her, then 19, home while filming the beloved film franchise’s first installation. The affair lasted three months, she said, and she “relentlessly” wanted him to love her, often fantasizing, she recalled, that he would ask her to marry him with a “gold band with diamonds (inscribed) ‘Carrison.”’

According to the article:

“at the end of filming Star Wars, Ford returned to his wife Mary and two children (he and Mary divorced in 1979). Fisher has been rather open about off-screen life during the Star Wars filming, telling The Daily Beast last year that she and Ford partied with the Rolling Stones and members of the Monty Python troupe.”

Carrie Fisher is already a best-selling Author of books like “Postcards From The Edge”, and I cannot wait to read her latest memoir!

Of course, there was a more modern “Princess Leia” I shared with you:

Yes, I worked with Olivia Munn at G4, and her “Slave Leia” outfit turned a lot of head at our Star Wars convention coverage! See more pics here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/10/19/the-force-awakens-final-trailer-is-here-amazing-star-wars-cup-clingers-darth-vader-cmas-tree-olivia-munn-is-sexy-princess-leia-darth-vader-on-violin/

I also shared some great “Star Wars” news for fans of Disneyland – the first sketches of the new “Star Wars” land being built there:

See more pics here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/07/12/new-star-wars-disneyland-images-are-here-the-force-is-with-this-new-disney-theme-park-area/

Can’t wait for this book!

Looking for some over-the-top camp 80’s classics? Starring these three?

Have Some Fun With Quigley, Stevens & Bauer!

It would be the most popular law firm EVER: 80’s sex kittens Linnea Quigley, Brinke Stevens and Michael Bauer teamed up on a few of the best 80’s cult horror movies of all – including this film, which was done on a dare!

Meet The “Nightmare Sisters!”

Here is a movie that was made in the most unique way ever – a creative team dared to make use of some extra leftover film!

Here is how the movie is described by the great website Mondo Digital:

“Shot over a long weekend, this self-proclaimed “4 Day Wonder” began as a dare to director David DeCoteau to throw together a single-location shoot using 35mm short ends after the completion of his successful Full Moon feature, ‘Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-a-Rama’.”

The website adds:

“Three of his leading ladies (who would remain with him for years in a variety of other scream queen projects) — Linnea Quigley, Michelle Bauer, and Brinke Stevens — gladly jumped at the chance to star in a T&A comic horror fantasy while getting to stretch a bit by playing both sorority nerds and demonic temptresses.”

And cult movie fans are happy they wanted to have some fun!

So here are three of the 80’s most popular cult movie queens – Quigley, Bauer and Stevens as nerds – clearly having fun playing goofy…and then of course, here they are as demonic temptresses:

Where’s The Skin?

While the movie that was released on blu-ray is chock full of nudity, an alternative cut was created for television…as Mondo Digital reports:

“An alternate TV version clocks in at almost the exact same running time but replaces the nude scenes (especially the very, very long one in the middle of the film) with different takes involving the actresses in lingerie and some different scenes (shot much later) with them bouncing around on a bed instead of frolicking in the bathtub!”

There is PLENTY of skin on display, as any good 80’s camp horror film would have…Mondo Digital also goes into the extensive extra content included in the blu-ray release, including some great audio commentary by the cast and crew….see the whole story here:

http://www.mondo-digital.com/nightmaresisters.html

And of course, major kudos once again to “Vinegar Syndrome”, and mazing home video company working to keep movies like this alive!

Vinegar Syndrome is remastering and releasing these gems with tons of great extras, uncut editions, etc. I have posted about them before, for work on classic underground films like these!

“The Telephone Book” is a crazy, obscure film from the 70’s the Vinegar Syndrome brought back to life…see some crazy material from it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/02/25/the-telephone-book-a-legendary-mind-blowing-obscure-cult-classic/

Vinegar also gave us such classics as this:

Yes, Vinegar Syndrome is the place to go for great cult films…see more of them here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/03/28/a-saint-a-woman-a-devil-classic-vinegar-from-a-syndrome-you-need-to-control/

This is the kind of “anything goes” attitude from cinema that is missing in film today…and the three Actresses in “Nightmare Sisters” have a ton of great camp films to enjoy…right Linnea?

Yes, Linnea Quigley became known as one of Hollywood’s legendary Scream Queens, and she continues to work today, as well as tour the country – making personal appearances at cult movie festivals:

She also wrote her autobiography…see so much more from Linnea here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/10/28/scream-queen-linnea-quigley-naked-graveyard-dancing-horror-demons-too/

Let me know your favorite 80’s horror gems!

It’s “Rush Hour” Meets “Midnight Run!”

If you ever wanted to see those classic “buddy comedy” films mashed together, well here you go! Jackie Chan and Johnny Knoxville star in “Skiptrace”, which does indeed sound like a “Rush Hour Midnight Run” mashup!

Here’s the plot: a detective from Hong Kong teams up with an American gambler to battle against a notorious Chinese criminal.

Well, that’s got “Rush Hour” and “Midnight Run” written all over it!

First, check out the trailer:

“Skiptrace” Skips Traditional Release!

First of all, “Skiptrace” looks like a lot of fun – both Actors seem to be having a blast, and Director Renny Harlin, best known for “Cliffhanger”, knows how to put together great action sequences.

This buddy comedy was made this year, but it bypassed theatrical release in the US and went straight to on demand…something we see a lot of these days…remember this?

Keanu Reeves made a terrific kung fu action film, but it was never released in movie theaters! It’s just one of many “direct to ondemand” films starring everyone from John Travolta to James Franco and more…see a list of some of the best of them here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/10/07/james-franco-keanu-reeves-ondemand-the-new-future-of-film/

That was the fate of “Skiptrace” as well, although it was a massive hit overseas!

The film was shot in China, Russia and Mongolia, as well as the territories of Macau, Hong Kong and Inner Mongolia!

China’s Box Office Bonanza!

While you can see the film right now on demand in the US, the film was number-one on its opening in China, grossing $60 million + so far just in that one country!

That’s the way movies are sold these days – the idea of finding them in your local multiplex isn’t assured, even if they are huge hits elsewhere!

Here is some fun trivia from IMDB:

“the Mandarin/Chinese song that Johnny Knoxville sings in the movie, and that can be seen in the trailer is actually Jackie Chan’s song ‘Ming Ming Bai Bai Wo De Xin” (Please Understand My Heart). Back in Hong Kong, beside known as an actor Jackie Chan has released several albums as a singer and he’s a good singer as well!”

So Jackie Chan is a hugely successful singer in Asia, and he and Johnny Knoxville made a frat-looking buddy action comedy!

Well, I will give this film a shot, since it looks like a lot of fun! Speaking of which, you must also check out the “Godfather of buddy movies”:

“Midnight Run” is hilarious, action-packed, and full of great characters and even better one-liners:

“Hey dummy number two, put dummy number one back on the line.”

See more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/11/28/fistophobia-the-brilliant-but-neglected-buddy-action-comedy-midnight-run/

Let me know if you take a chance on “Skiptrace!”

Utopia’s Lost Treasure!

All hardcore Todd Rundgren and Utopia fans know about this album, but for the more “casual” Todd Rundgren fan, you may have missed one of Utopia’s neglected gems: a terrific collection of power pop tunes – as the band had a terrific creative run in the early 80’s before finally disbanding…

None Blacker!

That line, paraphrased from “This Is Spinal Tap”, says it all…the cover is completely black, with an embossed title and Utopia logo…stark, and certainly darker than the great power pop inside…here’s a listen:

ca. 1983 — Members of the band Utopia from left to right: Jon Wilcox, Todd Rundgren, Kasim Sulton, and Roger Powell. — Image by © CORBIS

All of the songs on “Oblivion” are credited as written by Utopia, a true group effort…

The album begins with “Itch in My Brain”, a power pop song that has a muscular hook, great harmonies, and a tight sound….here is an audio only version from the album:

“Love with a Thinker” and “Bring Me My Longbow” are next, then a “why wasn’t this a hit single?” song:

“If I Didn’t Try”

“If I didn’t care, if I didn’t care
Sometimes I think I must be crazy for doing this
(You can never run away)
But how would I know it’s a losing cause
If I didn’t try, if I didn’t try”

“If I Didn’t Try” is a great ballad, with Todd’s strong vocals matched by great , creative musicianship around it.

I can’t find any videos at all for this gem, but here is the audio:

“Too Much Water” is next: a terrific power pop song with an infectious, calypso beat – again, I haven’t found a live versions on YouTube to share, but here is the audio:

“Maybe I Could Change” follows, with lead vocals by Kasim Sulton. This is another mid-tempo ballad with great harmonies.

Here is a great live version from Kasim in 2015:

Yes, A Music Video!

Finally, the album has a music video, and it’s a great one! “Crybaby” is pure power pop, an uptempo rocker that is Utopia at its power pop best.

Here is the terrific music video for the song:

“Welcome to My Revolution” and “Winston Smith Takes It on the Jaw” are next, another pair of upbeat examples of 80’s power pop.

The album wraps with a beautiful love song “I Will Wait” – with a cascading waterfall of harmonies at the end…

“Oblivion” was just that, as the album only made to to #74 on the charts, and none of the singles charted…too bad as it was, once again, great 80’s power pop!

I mentioned that the black album cover reminds me of Spinal Tap – did you know that Utopia was an inspiration for one of the funniest moments in the film?

Yes, the hilarious “broken egg” sequence in the film was inspired by an early Utopia concert! Read about it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/07/13/these-go-to-eleven-todd-rundgrens-spinal-tap-connection/

Utopia had a number of great albums, including this classic:

Their second self-titled “Utopia” album was great power pop – see some music videos here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/06/30/todd-rundgrens-utopia-2-a-neglected-80s-power-pop-classic-kasim-sultans-departure-and-return/

Finally, I talk a lot about “power pop”, which was a very popular genre in the 80’s:

Todd was a master genre – here are some of my favorite Todd power pop songs:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/09/02/todd-rundgrens-power-pop-the-finger-snapping-story-of-a-pop-music-sound/

Let me know your “Oblivion” favorites!

Happy Birthday Bruce Lee!

Today would have been Bruce Lee’s 77th birthday – the greatest action movie star of all time….and here is the proof!

Yes, he battles Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – and he took on “tough guy” Check Norris as well – in fact, he was the greatest on-screen fighter we’ve ever seen…

However, his physical prowess wasn’t just proven on the movie screen – you see, Lee was just as amazing as you saw in the movies in real life as well!

First, Shout Factory has the great Bruce Lee film “Game Of Death” – check out this Nunchuck fight scene:

Nunchuck Ping Pong!

Here is another example of just how amazing an athlete Bruce Lee was. Early in his career, to promote a cell phone from Nokia, Bruce Lee was sponsored by Nokia in a Ping Pong tournament. But as a twist:

Bruce Lee Plays Ping Pong With Nunchucks!

Check out this amazing video!

DJ Bruce Lee!

Bruce Lee died tragically in the early 70’s, just as he was achieving super stardom. He has become an iconic figure – and apparently the hippest DJ of all time as well!

Here are some pictures of Robert Downey Jr, when he was promoting the last “Avenger” film…you can see who his inspiration is…

Yep, “Iron Man” is sporting a “DJ Bruce Lee” T-shirt – and I love it! Lee is an iconic action figure, and his work will last forever…oh yes, and you can buy one of these as well!

So kudos to Robert Downey Jr. for his good taste, and let me take a moment to remind you of just why Bruce Lee was so cool …

“Remember: the enemy has only images and illusions behind which he hides his true motives. Destroy the image and you will break the enemy.”

This philosophy may be from the classic action film “Enter The Dragon”, but it speaks to the life of Bruce Lee, one of the most iconic figures of all time.

Bruce Lee was the founder of Jeet Kune Do, and is widely considered to be the most influential martial artist of all time.

Lee was born in San Francisco to parents from Hong Kong – and was raised in Kowloon, just outside of Hong Kong, with his family until his late teens. Lee moved to the United States at the age of 18 to receive his higher education, and it was during this time that he began teaching martial arts. He trained many celebrities, including James Coburn, and it helped him break into films with this mesmerizing scene from “Marlowe.”

What a movie entrance! Bruce Lee also starred in the TV series “The Green Hornet” as Kato, and then went back to Hong Kong to star in an action movie that would propel him to stardom. “The Big Boss” elevated the traditional Hong Kong martial arts film to a new level of popularity and acclaim, leading to his masterpiece…

“Enter The Dragon” is the greatest martial arts movie ever made – and it made Lee a superstar. Lee starred in five movies: The Big Boss (1971), Fist of Fury (1972) and Way of the Dragon (1972), directed and written by Lee – this is the film in which he fights Chuck Norris in the Rome Coliseum!

Enter The Dragon Trailer!

Here’s the trailer for the film that made Bruce Lee a super star:

In “Enter the Dragon”, Bruce played an undercover agent who enters a martial arts tournament in order to infiltrate a drug smuggler’s operation. Character Actor and martial arts afficianado John Saxon also starred and showed off his moves, along with the very under-rated action star Jim Kelly.

Jim Kelly went on to star in such grindhouse classics as “Black Belt Jones” – he was a kick-ass action star who never really broke out big…

And then came tragedy. Bruce Lee died in Hong Kong three weeks before the film’s premiere in 1973. He had already finished filming his next movie, called “Game Of Death” before he died of a brain aneurism. The movie, which was completed after his death, includes footage from Lee’s real-life funeral.

Bruce Lee Vs. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar!

“Game of Death” included an amazing fight between Lee and basketball super star Kareen Abdul-Jabbar…here it is:

Bruce Lee was an amazing Athlete, talented Actor and Director, and an iconic figure…so much so that he lives on today like this!

And as I mentioned before, Jim Kelly co-starred with Bruce Lee in “Enter The Dragon” – he was a great star in the world of 70’s blaxploitation action film – here is a look at his great career:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/06/30/rip-jim-kelly-bruce-lees-kung-fu-partner-blaxploitation-master/

The other co-star in “Enter The Dragon” was the great character actor John Saxon…

You can read all about this terrific actor here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/04/06/john-saxon-kicks-bruce-lees-ass-classic-kung-fu-action-euro-crime-master/

So it’s time to get the special edition blu-ray of “Enter The Dragon” – and go out and get some DJ Bruce Lee too!

Happy 74th Birthday Jimi Hendrix!

November 27 is the birthday of one of rock’s most iconic figures – the legendary Jimi Hendrix!

There is a new documentary out that shows you, in a rarely seen live performance – just how incredible Jimi Hendrix was!

Playing Guitar – With His Teeth!

Yes, Jimi plays the guitar with his teeth during the performance – but what is so incredible about this documentary is that it was shot just a few months before Hendrix died…and includes material that has never been seen before!

Key Art for the SHOWTIME documentary Jimi Hendrix: Electric Church. PHOTO: Courtesy of SHOWTIME

Jimi Hendrix: Electric Church!

Showtime premiered this incredible documentary, that captured Jimi’s performance at the Atlanta International Pop Festival in 1970, where hundreds of thousands of people gathered to hear him play at the so-called “southern Woodstock.”

Here is the trailer:

What’s amazing is that the festival footage was shot by “Can’t Buy Me Love” director Steve Rash, and it went unreleased after a deal to turn it into a documentary back in the ’70s fell through – so it sat undeveloped in his garage for decades!

The film is also a fascinating historical document, as it shows the racial unrest in the south leading up to the show – and how the “hippies” took over a small southern town with only one police officer!

An Iconic Jimi Hendrix Performance!

Jimi Hendrix performs for a half hour, and it’s a “greatest hits” of all of his best songs, performed with effortless brilliance by Jimi…this is a great historical record of an amazing performer at the prime of his career…

And yes, HE PLAYS WITH HIS TEETH!

Since this show was on July 4th, Hendrix does his electric version of “The Star Spangled Banner”, but he also performed that at another big show:

Woodstock was the “Godfather” of festival shows, but Atlanta’s was just as big!

If you want to see more about Woodstock, you can read by story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/11/01/celebrating-woodstock-3-days-of-pop-culture-magic-the-music-the-nudity-the-brown-acid/

There are a ton of great stories about the Artists who performed at Woodstock, especially about this incredibly talented singer, shown here reclining for Photographer Jim Hendrix:

That’s legendary singer Janis Joplin posing for Hendrix – she was another legend who died way too early….

Janis Joplin at Woodstock
no publication after December 31, 2009

Janis Joplin died the same year as Hendrix, and if you want to find out more about her, there is an incredible new documentary out right now as well!

You can read all about it by clicking on my story here:

Janis Joplin! “Little Girl Blue” Documentary! Rock’s Greatest Voice!

For those who don’t know her, Laura Nyro was also an amazingly talented singer/songwriter, who has a fascinating story that involves Joplin:

According to Music Mogul Clive Davis, shown here with his client Janis Joplin, Janis was jealous of the attention that David gave to Nyro….you can read all about it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/06/03/laura-nyros-legendary-audition-for-music-mogul-clive-davis-janis-joplins-jealousy/

Happy birthday to Jimi Hendrix, and as you can see, there are so many ties between Artist. November 27th is also the birthday of the legendary Bruce Lee, who also died far too early:

He had an incredible movie career, and was an amazing Athlete as well – here is a look at him playing a Ping Pong game against two of the best players in the world – and Lee is only using his nunchucks!

https://johnrieber.com/2016/11/27/happy-birthday-bruce-lee-lees-amazing-nunchuck-ping-pong-his-brilliant-movie-career/

Happy Birthday Jimi and Bruce!

“Hey, Bud, let’s party!”

One of cinema’s greatest one-liners captured perfectly an age when growing up meant hanging out in a suburban shopping mall, trying desperately to impress a girl – or at least get high and cruise through life:

It was a time when getting high led to only one thing:

[Spicoli, talking on the phone, hits his head with a shoe]
Jeff Spicoli: That was my skull! I’m so wasted!

Time to celebrate one of the greatest movies ever about growing up in America…

“Fast Times At Ridgemont High”!

This 1982 film launched the movie careers of many of its young stars, and is one of the best comedies about the angst of growing up in America there has ever been!

“Fast Times At Ridgemont High” was directed by Amy Heckerling, who went on to make the classic teen comedy “Clueless” – she really knew how to capture the humor, warmth, angst and confusion of these “Times” in our lives…

The Movie Is Based On A True Story!

Writer/Director Cameron Crowe actually wrote the book – when he went back to school for a year in order write the real story of students at a high school in Southern California.

The resulting movie is an 80’s classic, introducing us to one of cinema’s most hilarious stoners – first, check out the trailer:

“Hey, Bud, let’s party!”

Sean Penn has never been better as Jeff Spicoli, who is always stoned and hilariously funny! , and the cast include Judge Reinhold, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and a very young Forest Whitaker…

It was also Nicolas Cage’s first film appearance…but it is perhaps Phoebe Cates who made film history thanks to one iconic dream sequence:

The Bikini Shot Heard Around The World!

Phoebe Cates admitted she was nervous to shoot this scene, but it has become an iconic movie moment.

This legendary scene begins when Phoebe Cates and Jennifer Jason Leigh are hanging out by the pool – and when Judge Reinhold comes home from work and goes to the bathroom, he begins to fantasize about Cates – who calls out to him as she gets out of the pool, before removing her top…

That fantasy leads to the moment in real life when she accidentally walks in on him masturbating to her!

“Jeez! Doesn’t anyone fucking knock any more?”

According to IMDB, Reinhold secretly had a dildo in his hand, so Phoebe’s shocked and disgusted reaction was real!

Because this book was written about a year in the life of real high school students, the film deals with real issues about growing up in America. Jennifer Jason Leigh is terrific in the film, baring her soul – and a lot more – as a young woman who feels compelled to lose her virginity to keep up with her more beautiful friend.

This subplot is very serious, and the film doesn’t shy away from any of it.

That said, it’s also one of the funniest films ever, thanks to this guy!

Meet Jeff Spicoli!

Without a doubt, the most legendary character in the film is Jeff Spicoli!

As IMDB says:

“during shooting of the film, Sean Penn got so into character that he only answered as Spicoli. In fact, the door on his dressing room was labeled “Spicoli” instead of ‘Sean Penn’!”

Spicoli meets his match in Mr. Hand, plays beautifully by Ray Walston, who had a long career in movies and TV. Here is how they meet:

Jeff Spicoli: Hey, you’re ripping my card.
Mr. Hand: Yes.
Jeff Spicoli: Hey bud, what’s your problem?
Mr. Hand: No problem at all. I think you know where the front office is.
Jeff Spicoli: [stunned] You dick!

Here’s more from IMDB:

Ray Walston was at the time, best known for his role as Uncle Martin on My Favorite Martian (1963). Unfortunately Walston, like many actors of that era, was typecast in the role and couldn’t book serious roles until the decade ended. Walston said that after the release of this film, he’d be walking down the street and young people would see him and shout “Mr. Hand!”. Walston was grateful for that, as it finally meant that he had torn away from being only associated with playing Uncle Martin.

Even their relationship ends on a warm high note…”Fast Times At Ridgmont High” is one of the greatest “growing up” movies ever…

Crowe would go on to direct his own films, including “Jerry Maguire” and the autobiographical film about his own life, “Almost Famous.”

“Almost Famous” is one of the best films about the impact that music has on young people – and captures a great time in music history – because Crowe wrote for Rolling Stone as a teenager! See more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/12/01/pamela-des-barres-the-groupie-trilogy-almost-famous-the-groupie-life/

Let me know your favorite moments from “Fast Times!”

Meet Action Star Weng Weng!

Can you imagine a new movie starring this action hero? As you can see, he’s a BIT SMALLER than his co-stars:

I have written about this diminutive action star before, but now there is a documentary that tells his whole story!

This terrific new movie tells Weng Weng’s whole story – and has some amazing scenes, like this one, where the documentary Director sits down with Imelda Marcos!

Yes, the wife of the late Dictator Ferdinand Marcos is part of this Weng Weng movie!

Here is my review of this terrific new documentary that tells the story of the world’s most unlikely Action Star: Weng Weng!

Check out my entire story on the terrific website “ActionAGoGo!”

http://actionagogo.com/2016/12/02/5-reasons-weng-weng-is-an-action-star-you-need-to-know/

Thanks to “ActionAGoGo” for asking me to review the film – it really is terrific, as is the website, which is always full of new movie stuff to share with fans!

I love movies like this one: Weng Weng’s story is fascinating, just as his movies are:

Check out his blockbusters – which make great holiday gifts – by clicking on my story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/12/06/weng-weng-troma-oz-plo-wacky-movie-lovers-need-a-shocking-stocking-stuffer/

Get yourself a dose of Weng Weng now!

A couple of weeks ago, one of Hollywood’s most legendary Artists – and Ladies Man – released his first film in more than fifteen years.

Yes, LADIES MAN!

“So, Did Warren Beatty Really Sleep With 12,000-Plus Women?”

Recently, US Magazine screamed this question about Warren Beatty, and he spoke about it coyly in a new interview in AARP magazine (note how they describe him on the cover).

As these magazines exemplified, EVERY SINGLE ARTICLE about this Actor/Director’s new film referenced this fact about him.

Here’s how AARP described his reaction to the US magazine article:

“The ‘Bulworth’ actor didn’t downplay his infamous ladies’ man reputation, though. “Look, I never mislead anyone,” he told the publication. “And … and I’m a nice guy.””

Now how do you think this publicity helped his new movie? Did it make ANYONE want to go and see his film? And how much did THIS poster help?

Set in 1958 Hollywood, “Rules Don’t Apply” follows the romantic relationship between a young actress and her driver, which is forbidden by their employer, Howard Hughes.

STOP RIGHT THERE.

First, the poster suggests NOTHING. It looks like a dark film noir..it also looks dramatically different than any other film being shown over Thanksgiving…

One other thing: most people don’t even know who Howard Hughes was. The movie trailer suggested a drama – wait, a comedy – wait, a love story with a mysterious figure lurking around. In today’s Hollywood, this plot and trailer were a recipe for disaster…and guess what? Disaster struck!

It “Rules” For The Wrong Reason…

“Rules Don’t Apply” opened on Thanksgiving weekend nationwide, and as Box Office Mojo describes, it was one of the industry’s worst openings EVER:

“Debuting in 2,382 theaters, “Rules Don’t Apply” delivered an estimated $1.57 million three-day weekend. The three-day result is the worst wide-opening of 2016, averaging just $661 per theater, and the sixth worst opening all-time for a film debuting in 2,000+ theaters.”

On the second weekend, the movie grossed only $230 per theater – that means an average of 15-20 people TOTAL saw the movie in each theater over those three days…

The End Of “Classic” Hollywood…

This is not a knock against Warren Beatty, a true Hollywood legend who has made great films such as “Bonnie & Clyde”, “Shampoo” and “Heaven Can Wait”…he is a Hollywood legend and deservedly so…

But the Hollywood of his era is gone – Beatty himself hadn’t made a film in fifteen years, and that one wasn’t a hit either. Looking at the entertainment industry over the last decade, here’s an even bigger fact: there are no more movie stars in Hollywood, there are only Super Heroes:

I loved “Guardians Of The Galaxy”, as well as many other “popcorn” movies. Animated hits like “Moana” and “Minions” are also huge box-office hit, leaving films like “Rules Don’t Apply” on the outside looking in…

More than that, many of Hollywood’s stars are making films that are being released on demand directly into the home!

Keanu Reeves’ “Man Of Tai Chi” and James Franco’s “As I Lay Dying” are just two of the films that bypassed theaters – other stars like John Travolta and Robert DeNiro have also gone straight to streaming services…here is a look at some of the bigger stars to go this route:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/10/07/james-franco-keanu-reeves-ondemand-the-new-future-of-film/

The fact is, Hollywood is now focused on animated blockbusters, super heroes, teen dramas and raucous comedies…and even some of those “sure-fire” blockbusters have bombed BIG:

This is just one of 2016’s mega-flops. Want to know how to lose $812-million in the movie business? Click here to see:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/09/02/how-to-lose-812-million-in-the-movie-business-2016s-tough-tough-year/

Even some of Hollywood’s most dependable box office stars aren’t…the latest Tom Cruise “Jack Reacher” film grossed just over $50-million in the US.

That’s less than half of what Cruise would gross just ten years ago…here is more on the change in Tom Cruise’s box office fortunes, including a film that had a new title added once it went to streaming services:

“Live! Die!” RENAME! The NEW Tom Cruise Film Is The OLD Tom Cruise Film!

This is not a knock against Cruise, who still makes entertaining films that are very popular around the world. I’m just pointing out that Hollywood has changed, and what it means to be a “movie star” has changed as well.

Finally, “Vintage Los Angeles” is a great website that highlights legendary Hollywood haunts – and documents those that are disappearing as well:

The legendary Dominick’s restaurant is an example – some of the most wellknown Hollywood “Haunts” for movie stars are being torn down, and a lot of Hollywood history is being lost forever click here to see more about Hollywood’s disappearing past:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/12/15/destroying-hollywoods-soul-goodbye-dominicks-vintage-los-angeles-alison-martino-fights-to-save-tinseltowns-iconic-past/

As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, the era of “classic” Hollywood is over…

As the holiday season approaches, everyone will eat lots of food and sit down to watch classic holiday movies – and we all have our own favorites! I’ve got a list of the nine best holiday movies, including RARE behind-the-scenes photos from the set of “It’s A Wonderful Life”, and so much more!

First, get into the holiday spirit with Billy Mack’s “Christmas Is All Around”!

Thanks Billy, just what I needed to get into the holiday spirit! If you know this song, then you LOVE “Love Actually” – one of the NINE best holiday movies ever!

“Love Actually”!

“Love Actually” is a series of inter-locking stories that take place during the holiday season: some are funny, and a few are sad – with an all-star cast including Kiera Knightley, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Laura Linney, Hugh Grant and Emma Thompson.

So many terrific Actors in the film, and thanks to the great website IMDB, here is some terrific “Love Actually” trivia! Let’s start with this fun one:

The word “actually” is spoken twenty-two times by various characters in the film.

When casting the part of Sarah, Richard Curtis auditioned a great many British girls, but kept saying, “I want someone like Laura Linney…” The casting director eventually snapped and said:

“Oh, for fuck’s sake, get Laura Linney then!”

They brought her in and she of course got the part.

The idea for Mark’s surprise of the band singing “All You Need Is Love” at Peter and Juliet’s wedding came from Jim Henson’s funeral (which Richard Curtis attended) where all the puppeteers brought their Muppets and sung the song.

Colin Firth’s “Avocado Elbow!”

The lake that Lúcia Moniz and Colin Firth are “swimming” in was actually only eighteen inches deep and they had to kneel down and pretend to be in deeper water. It was also over-run by mosquitoes and Colin Firth was badly bitten and his elbow swelled up to the size of an avocado, requiring medical attention.

Billy Bob’s Fear Of Furniture!

Knowing about Billy Bob Thornton’s quite unique fear of antique furniture, Hugh Grant would sometimes flash a piece of antique (which is abundant in England) in front of Thornton just before the cameras rolled, and watch him freak out in amusement.

The airport greeting footage at the beginning and end of the film is real. Richard Curtis had a team of cameramen film at Heathrow airport for a week, and whenever they saw something that would fit in they asked the people involved for permission to use the footage. Alex and I always wondered how excited these people must be to be in the film forever!

Thanks, Billy Mack!

“Christmas Is All Around” is now one of our favorite holiday songs thanks to Bill Nighy. With that tune in our heads, let’s see some of the other great holiday films, beginning with Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, and the spirit of “Saturday Night Live”!

Get “Scrooged” and “Griswolded”!

Our next two great holiday films are screwball comedies with iconic stars!

“Scrooged” (1983) and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (1989) both are infused with SNL attitude – Bill Murray does an updated “Christmas Carol” as miserly TV exec Frank Cross – Murray is full of great lines and classic double takes, but the Actor also reveals his soft spot, in a film that has more of a manic energy than many holiday classics.

Check out the trailer:

Once you are “Scrooged”, you might as well go “Griswold!”

Let’s get right to this holiday hilarity with the Griswold family:

That’s right, welcome back to the Clark Griswold family – Chevy Chase takes his clan on another “Vacation”…yes, it’s just a holiday version of the first movie, so do they deserve a spot on the list? As Clark Griswold would say:

“Bend over and I’ll show you!”

OK, maybe a bit forward for the holiday…let’s go back to a simpler time…

The “White Christmas” (1954) / “Holiday Inn” (1942) Crosby Combo!

This double bill is a single entry in my top nine, because these two iconic holiday films star legendary Actors – and they are basically the same movie! In “Holiday Inn”, Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire are two war buddies who sing lots of classic Irving Berlin tunes, including the Oscar winning “White Christmas”…

The Song Becomes The Film!

“White Christmas” was such a great song that they decided to remake “Holiday Inn” and CALL it “White Christmas”! This time, Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye are two GIs coming home from WWII, who fall in love with singing-and-dancing sisters and help their general with his failing Vermont inn. Again, almost the same film, but both of classic Hollywood holiday entertainment! A great double bill!

“Bad Santa”!

This ain’t your father’s holiday movie, which is why is MUST be on a top nine list! How can you NOT love a film with the classic line:

“Fuck me, Santa, Fuck Me!”

So says Lauren Graham in a movie that wears its dark heart on its sleeve…forget the sequel if you want, but this original caustic comedy is one of the best! Here is the trailer:

It’s the perfect movie to watch after all of your horrendous holiday shopping – fighting crowds, no parking, enormous bills – and it’s virtually impossible to watch without a stiff drink in your hand. But it is hilarious, profane and touching as well!

Here’s another holiday charmer:

Happy Holidays, Del Griffith!

And now, the funniest holiday movie character ever, the legendary Del Griffith!

“Planes, Trains & Automobiles”!

I know, it takes place over Thanksgiving, but it’s a holiday movie through and through, and Del Griffith deserves to be here – as it is one of the most heartwarming holiday movies ever!

It’s the classic story of a guy just trying to get home to his family in times for the holidays. “Here’s an idea. When you tell a story, have a point!” And who can forget Del Griffith pulling his socks off on the plane, waving them around and exclaiming “the dogs are barking!”

And of course, as you can see above:

“those aren’t pillows!”

I rest my case. Just one of the sweetest holiday films ever…see more great trivia here:

Greatest Thanksgiving Movie EVER! “Planes, Trains & Automobiles!” Del Griffith Rules!

I love Del Griffith – and you know who else I love?

Hey, Buddy!

Buddy the Elf of course! Will Ferrell’s best film by a mile – check out the trailer:

Will Ferrell is innocent and perfect as Buddy – the elf who heads to New York City to find his real father – a very unfriendly James Caan. Add Ed Asner as a slightly grumpy Santa PLUS Zooey Deschanel as the “innocent love” interest and you have an instant holiday classic!

Speaking of holiday classics:

Congratulations To Director Bob Clark!

Time to celebrate the seriously under-rated Director Bob Clark, who directed the classic holiday film “A Christmas Story” – literally one of the most quoted holiday movies ever! Need an example?

“You’ll shoot your eye out with that thing!”

It makes me want to have chinese food on Dec. 25th just to honor him. This is arguably the best Christmas movie of all time – the encounter with the frozen tether ball pole is just one reason…

And who can forget Dad’s new lamp – look at this terrific TBS ad for the movie that captures the fun of that scene…

It is a holiday classic, directed by Canadian Bob Clark, an under-appreciated Director…check out the trailer:

So funny, so heartwarming! That said, Bob Clark also directed the little-known classic horror film “Black Christmas”, where a sorority is terrorized by a manic over the holidays. He perfected the killer’s POV shot years before “Halloween” got credit for revitalizing it. The thriller stars Kier Dullea (2001) and Margo Kidder (Superman)…dark, dark, dark, but what a Bob Clark holiday double bill – just make sure to send the kids to bed before you start this second feature!

Added trivia: Clark also created and directed “Porky’s”…talk about an eclectic career – read all about it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/08/08/porkys-peepholes-christmas-horror-fra-gee-lay-director-bob-clarks-enduring-legacy/

And now, the last film – the ninth film being honored on this list – because it’s the “Citizen Kane” of holiday films:

“It’s A Wonderful Life”!

The greatest holiday movie of all! Jimmy Stewart, the Tom Hanks of his generation, beautifully portrays a disillusioned husband and father who sees his life amount to nothing – or so he thinks.

This Frank Capra classic is a dark look at one man’s disappointment with his life – of course all coming to a head on Christmas eve – and the film reveals a ton of universal truths about what we should or should not expect from life – remember this line: “we serve stiff drinks for men who want to get drunk fast!” I mean, this movie gets DARK…

Rare “Bedford Falls” Photos!

LIFE Magazine has revealed 13 rare behind-the-scenes photos from the set of the 1946 Frank Capra classic. The pictures focus on one aspect of the holiday favorite that many probably take for granted: the snowy milieu of Bedford Falls!

So as you can see, they used snow machines to create the beautiful serenity of the town:

Looks like Jimmy Stewart had a few snowballs tossed back in his direction during filming!

I will admit that, in some ways, Pottersville always looked a lot more fun than Bedford Falls – like a mini-Vegas! But no matter what life through at George Bailey, he always had a secret weapon…

That’s right – Zuzu’s pedals!

Send me a note and let me know what you watched this holiday season!

“So Hot It’s Banned In HELL!”

That has to be one of the most hilariously obvious movie tag lines of all time! This is why I love the internet…someone posted this image, and I just had to share.

I have no idea what the film is about – I can’t find any info about the film online – so it is probably lost to time, as so many films are – but what a funny, over-the-top poster – it’s why I love classic sexploitation movies like that –

and THIS!

“No Car Or Man Was Too Hot To Handle”!

You get the idea: lurid, obvious sexual innuendo – designed to drive young men to the movies – and it worked!

These classic 70’s sexploitation movies were so bad they were great fun. There is a great site that collects and shares these classic movie posters, on twitter as @TheRioTheatre, and you should check out all of these classic movie posters here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/12/22/classic-cult-movie-posters-the-rios-grindhouse-exploitation-art-sexy-double-bills/

Here’s another example of a goofy horror comedy from that era!

These “Bee Girls” Sting!

I know what you’re thinking: can this movie ever be as great as the poster? The answer is, who cares!

These 70’s sex comedies always featured women who were beautiful – and deadly! Check out the trailer:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/04/06/sexy-bee-girls-campy-cult-cinema-gets-its-buzz-on/

So many classic exploitation movies have been rescued from oblivion by great home video companies like Something Weird:

Their classic documentary “That’s Sexploitation!” looks at this entire genre of cinematic madness:

This is a terrific documentary – see more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/04/20/thats-sexploitation-terrific-documentary-captures-the-seedy-majesty-of-grindhouse-cinema/

Enjoy this movie that’s hotter than HELL!

RIP Carrie Fisher & Debbie Reynolds…

Movie fans around the world are mourning the loss of Carrie Fisher and her Mother, the iconic Debbie Reynolds.

There are so many places to get the official bio material, so I won’t reiterate credits for these two legendary women…

“Bright Lights” On HBO…

For those who aren’t aware, there is a new documentary that captures their life together…”Bright Lights” follows the two as they live next to each other in Beverly Hills…

Here is the reporting from Variety:

“The deaths of Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher over the past 48 hours have left the team behind the upcoming HBO documentary on the mother and daughter reeling from shock.

“Bright Lights: Starring Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher” is a chronicle of the extraordinary bond that mother and daughter forged over six decades in the unrelenting glare of showbiz’s spotlight. Documentary vets Fisher Stevens and Alexis Bloom directed and produced the film, which screened in October at the New York Film Festival and before that in Cannes.

“It’s a love story,” said HBO Documentary Films president Sheila Nevins told Variety Wednesday night after the news broke of Reynolds’ death at the age of 84.

“Carrie wanted to make ‘Bright Lights’ for Debbie and Debbie wanted to make it for Carrie,” Nevins said. The sudden loss of two women only magnify the importance of Fisher and Bloom capturing the material for the movie when they did.

Fisher died unexpectedly Tuesday at the age of 60 following complications from a heart attack suffered during a flight from London to Los Angeles. The twin blows have been overwhelming to all of those involved in “Bright Lights,” Nevins said. “If this was a Hollywood script, no one would believe it,” she said, fighting back tears. “They just loved each other so much. The bond was just unbreakable.”

A formal premiere date has not yet been set. HBO will carefully consider the appropriate timing given the tragic developments, Nevins said.

Much of the footage for “Bright Lights” was shot about a year ago. The movie depicts the intensely close relationship that mother and daughter maintained through all their personal and professional ups and downs. Fisher in the movie is candid about her recent battles with mental illness.

“It’s life with Carrie and Debbie. It’s about both of them trying to stand upright, both having their frailties — age on the one hand and mental illness on the other. It’s a love story about a mother and daughter — they happen to be Carrie and Debbie.”

Fisher’s goal with “Bright Lights” was to document for a younger generation Reynolds’ legacy as an entertainer — from her wholesome image as the star of the “Tammy” films to musicals such as “Singin’ in the Rain” to her cabaret and comedic chops. “She wanted to preserve all of that for her mother,” Nevins said.

Thanks to Variety for that great reporting.

You can read the entire article here:

http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/debbie-reynolds-carrie-fisher-bright-lights-hbo-documentary-1201949513/

Princess Leia’s Final Memoir…

Carrie Fisher had just released an explosive new book about life on the set during the filming of “Star Wars”, and it included some revelations about her and Han Solo.

Here’s how Google described the book:

“When Carrie Fisher recently discovered the journals she kept during the filming of the first Star Wars movie, she was astonished to see what they had preserved-plaintive love poems, unbridled musings with youthful naivet , and a vulnerability that she barely recognized. Today, her fame as an author, actress, and pop-culture icon is indisputable, but in 1977, Carrie Fisher was just a (sort-of) regular teenager.”

Carrie Fisher was already the best-selling Author of books like “Postcards From The Edge”, which was a fictionalized version of life growing up in the shadow of her famous mother.

Original Cinema Quad Poster – Movie Film Posters

That bestselling novel was made into a terrific film starring Meryl Streep and Shirley MacLaine…Carrie Fisher was an acerbic and candid Writer about life in Hollywood, including this memoir…

I cannot wait to see “Bright Lights”, and losing these two is a horrible way for 2016 to end…

Clint Eastwood – And One Incredible Year For Film!

Clint Eastwood has, over his career, had many incredible films – beginning with his “man with no name” character from early iconic westerns like this:

Eastwood has become an accomplished Director as well, with classic films like his Oscar-winning Best Picture winner “Million Dollar Baby”:

In 1971, Eastwood’s acting career slammed full on into his directing debut, and along with his close friend Director Don Siegel, he made three films that are, as a triple bill, a film lovers dream come true.

One was a smash hit, one was a cult classic, and one was a roadmap for “Fatal Attraction” to follow years later…let’s begin with the box office smash, and one of the greatest action films ever made:

Dirty Harry!

Eastwood teamed up with Director Siegel on this gritty action classic. San Francisco faces the terror of a maniac known as Scorpio – who kills innocent people and demands the city pay him a ransom to stop him from killing again.

Here is the gritty trailer:

Against this straightforward plot, Director Siegel and Eastwood paint a picture of the times: 1971 was a polarizing time of police brutality and anti-war protests. The film takes a strong view that police brutality is warranted because the “system” favors criminals over victims. It was, and still is, a polarizing argument played out in the film….no more so than in the early iconic scene when Callahan taunts a bleeding criminal…

DO YOU FEEL LUCKY, PUNK?

It’s one of the most iconic scenes in movie history – when Harry disrupts a bank robbery and shoots one of the bad guys, leading to this legendary dialogue:

That scene is one of the most well known of all time, and establishes Harry’s personality and anti-establishment attitude…that said, the film is also very funny early on, when Dirty Harry explains to the Mayor why he shot a man who was going to rape a woman. The Mayor wanted to know how Harry could have known that.

Harry: “Well, when an adult male is chasing a female with intent to commit rape, I shoot the bastard. That’s my policy.”
The Mayor: “Intent? How did you establish that?”

Harry: “When a naked man is chasing a woman through an alley with a butcher’s knife and a hard-on, I figure he isn’t out collecting for the Red Cross!”

Harry then dramatically walks out of the room…there’s a pause, then they cut to the Mayor, who says:

“He’s got a point.”

Another great scene has Harry using a fire department ladder to be taken up five stories and rescue a suicide jumper.

According to terrific trivia on IMDB, Clint Eastwood directed the scene. However, it was said he directed the scene because Director Don Siegel was ill. This is inaccurate. Siegel was indeed ill, and wasn’t on the set, but Eastwood had always been scheduled to direct that scene, due to the difficult logistics of getting the actors, director, camera-man and sound-man all together on the top of a small ledge. In the shooting schedule, 6 nights had been set aside for the shooting of the scene. Eastwood told the studio he could shoot it in two nights. In the end, he shot the entire scene in one night!

Here is that terrific scene:

“Dirty Harry” is a brilliant movie, a great action thriller with iconic dialogue and a compelling social argument underway throughout the film…oh, and Siegel and Eastwood used the film to promote Eastwood’s directorial debut as well…check out what’s the marquee as Dirty Harry is walking the streets of San Francisco:

1971 would be a year that Director Siegel and Eastwood would never duplicate – they worked together THREE times, including Eastwood’s terrific directorial debut:

“Play Misty For Me!”

Clint starred in this classic thriller, and also made his directorial debut…check out the trailer:

Eastwood plays a Jazz DJ, who makes a BIG mistake when he picks up on of his fans – at a bar that is tended by Director Don Siegel!

Siegel is clearly having a blast in this scene, but for Jessica Walter, her fascination with Eastwood turns deadly in a hurry…

Watch this 1971 thriller, and you will notice that “Fatal Attraction” uses many of the same ideas…Clint’s directorial debut is a lean and clean thriller…and yes, it was just the second film of 1971 for him, because he and Siegel still had one more cult classic to come:

The Beguiled!

This is an unknown cult classic – with Eastwood playing a wounded Civil War soldier who seeks refuge in a girl’s convent…

Of course, they do a lot more than just “dress his wounds”, and the film – directed by Don Siegel of course – becomes a gothic horror film…

This is a cult classic, and if you want to see more about the film, you can read it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/04/04/man-eager-girls-take-on-clint-eastwood-the-obscure-cult-classic-the-beguiled-sophia-coppolas-remake-on-the-way/

So 1971 was an amazing year for these two guys: Cline Eastwood and Don Siegel – bravo!

A “Monster” Box-Office Meltdown!

This past weekend saw the release of the big-budget action film “Monster Trucks” – and it bombed, barely grossing $10-million dollars in nationwide release.

The problem was well known. Before Paramount even released this movie, their parent company Viacom wrote off $115-million, meaning they knew it wouldn’t make any money, so they took the loss on their 2016 taxes!

This is not an indictment of the film – as with every movie that fails, the intent was to create an entertaining piece of fiction for audiences to enjoy in theaters, but it’s is SO tough to know – two years in advance, when a film goes into production – what audiences will respond to, and they clearly DIDN’T respond to this. “Monster Trucks” is only the latest example of some wildly unsuccessful films being released!

2016’s $812-Million Writedown!

I posted a story showing how a handful of films in 2016 grossed $812-million LESS than they cost to make!

This disastrous remake of “Ben Hur” was one of many big $$$ debacles in 2016.

Click here to see the entire list of box-office bombs:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/09/02/how-to-lose-812-million-in-the-movie-business-2016s-tough-tough-year/

There are films that were legendary flops, like “The Adventures of Pluto Nash” with Eddie Murphy, and “Cutthroat Island” with Geena Davis – these films wrote off $100 million or more – huge amounts of money spent to make the films, with little in return. Even some of Hollywood’s legends took a big fall in 2016:

This article says “Beatty Is Back!” but Warren Beatty’s film “Rules Don’t Apply” was virtually ignored when it was released on Thanksgiving weekend – one of the worst opening weekends for a wide film release in history…here is the whole story:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/12/09/the-death-of-classic-hollywood-ladies-men-streaming-stars-and-warren-beattys-rules-dont-apply/

The business is certainly changing, and for the last decade, movie stars who were traditionally “box office gold” suddenly weren’t:

Arnold Schwarzenegger used to be the biggest star in the world, but after several post-Governor films tanked, he ended up hosting “The Celebrity Apprentice”…here is a look at stars like Arnold, Sylvester Stallone and their declining box office:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/02/05/the-action-80s-are-over-sly-and-arnolds-action-disasters-stallone-and-schwarzenegger-bomb/

Again, the nature of the movie business has changed, and movie stars are no longer guaranteed to generate big $$$. I wish the best for anyone releasing a movie these days: the business has changed so much that many big stars are now debuting their movies on demand!

Keanu Reeves made a great action movies called “Man Of Tai Chi”, which premiered on demand…and he’s not alone: James Franco, Brian DePalma, John Travolta and many more are doing the same – see more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/10/07/james-franco-keanu-reeves-ondemand-the-new-future-of-film/

There is now a financial opportunity to release movies directly into the home, saving millions in marketing costs.

In many cases, these are really good films, and this new trend could actually help filmmakers get their movies in front of an audience.

As I’ve said, the business is changing so much: isn’t an indictment of “Monster Trucks” or the filmmakers at all – everyone WANTS to make a successful film, but the marketplace is so difficult to judge, and who knows? The film could be a huge hit overseas…time will tell.