The background is well-known to Trekkies. Throughout the 1970s, "Star Trek" exploded in popularity. This was thanks largely to some sweet eternal syndication deals, which allowed the series to stay on the air pretty much in perpetuity. In the mid-'70s, "Star Trek" conventions were born, revealing to the world that there was a passionate, ultra-nerdy contingency of Trek fans willing to discuss and celebrate their pop obsession in public. It was at these conventions that series creator Gene Roddenberry opened an ongoing conversation with Trekkies as to what made his series so appealing. One could argue that it wasn't until these conversations that Roddenberry discovered the depth of his show, and the pragmatic philosophies of pacifism and diplomacy it represented.
It was in 1975 that Roddenberry began working on a "Star Trek" movie, although that early concept fell apart over some complex script issues. After that, Roddenberry began work on "Star Trek: Phase II,...
It was in 1975 that Roddenberry began working on a "Star Trek" movie, although that early concept fell apart over some complex script issues. After that, Roddenberry began work on "Star Trek: Phase II,...
- 2/25/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The story is familiar to Trekkies. When "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" was in production in the late 1970s, SFX guru Douglas Trumbull was busy completing work on Steven Spielberg's "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." Paramount asked Trumbull to work on their movie, but he turned them down. Not only was not quite done with "Close Encounters," but he was eager to return to a personal project of his, the development of Showscan. Showscan was a new filming process that ran high-fidelity 70mm film through a camera at 60 frames per second, allowing for crystal clear images and more natural movement. Although such a process had the potential to revolutionize the film industry, Paramount didn't care. There was a rumor that Paramount managed to get Trumbull's Scowscan funding cut as revenge for not working on "Star Trek."
Instead, Paramount hired Robert Abel and Associates to develop then-novel CGI for "Star Trek.
Instead, Paramount hired Robert Abel and Associates to develop then-novel CGI for "Star Trek.
- 2/25/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
On February 7, 2022, special effect pioneer Douglas Trumbull died at the age of 79. He left behind a massive and impressive legacy of cinematic visuals that might be some of the best in the history of the medium. Trumbull worked on the effects for "2001: A Space Odyssey," "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," and "Blade Runner." Trumbull was also the inventor of a filming process called Showscan, which involved shooting 70mm film at 60 frames per second. Showscan was meant to increase the visual fidelity of film by a massive margin. Modern-day 8K cameras are close to the visual fidelity of 70mm film, and most movies, despite tinkering by Peter Jackson and Ang Lee, still run at 24 frames per second.
Trumbull's work on Robert Wise's "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" might be the most impressive gig of his career merely because of the circumstances under which he worked. The story goes...
Trumbull's work on Robert Wise's "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" might be the most impressive gig of his career merely because of the circumstances under which he worked. The story goes...
- 2/23/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
For seven years, Elvis Presley performed multiple residencies in Las Vegas. The king of rock and roll thrilled concertgoers at the International Hotel twice yearly. Presley performed twice a night in a run of 636 shows. However, the fun didn’t always stop after the curtain fell. The entertainer once admitted jam sessions sometimes ran “until daylight.”
Elvis Presley marquee at the International Hotel in Las Vegas in 1969 | Fotos International/Getty Images Elvis Presley discussed his Las Vegas performances in interview footage for ‘Elvis On Tour’
In 1972, Elvis Presley discussed his Las Vegas performances while filming “Elvis On Tour.” He gave two separate interviews with the directors of the movie, Pierre Adidge, and Robert Abel, during his Madison Square Garden shows in New York City.
In the footage, an unknown person reveals that after Presley completes two shows per evening, he and his band sometimes continue to perform into the wee hours of the morning.
Elvis Presley marquee at the International Hotel in Las Vegas in 1969 | Fotos International/Getty Images Elvis Presley discussed his Las Vegas performances in interview footage for ‘Elvis On Tour’
In 1972, Elvis Presley discussed his Las Vegas performances while filming “Elvis On Tour.” He gave two separate interviews with the directors of the movie, Pierre Adidge, and Robert Abel, during his Madison Square Garden shows in New York City.
In the footage, an unknown person reveals that after Presley completes two shows per evening, he and his band sometimes continue to perform into the wee hours of the morning.
- 5/25/2023
- by Lucille Barilla
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
“Brace Yourself For A Shock!…200 Feet of Living Burning Horror!” Eugène Lourié’s second feature about an irate sea monster wrecking a city features sober eco-preaching, good performances by Gene Evans and André Morell, and several minutes of exciting stop-motion animation nirvana. One just needs to overlook a few lunkhead effects scenes and concentrate on the key Willis O’Brien / Pete Peterson material. It’s a Shock all right — do you prefer to be stepped on like a bug, or fried by a zillion volts of ‘projected radiation?’
The Giant Behemoth
Blu-ray
Warner Archive Collection
1959 / B&W / 1:78 widescreen / 80 min. / Street Date January 22, 2019 / available through the WBshop / 21.99
Starring: Gene Evans, André Morell, John Turner, Leigh Madison, Jack MacGowran, Maurice Kaufmann, Derren Nesbitt.
Cinematography: Ken Hodges
Production Design: Eugène Lourié
Special Visual Effects: Willis H. O’Brien, Pete Peterson, Phil Kellison, Jack Rabin, Irving Block, Louis DeWitt.
Original Music: Edwin Astley...
The Giant Behemoth
Blu-ray
Warner Archive Collection
1959 / B&W / 1:78 widescreen / 80 min. / Street Date January 22, 2019 / available through the WBshop / 21.99
Starring: Gene Evans, André Morell, John Turner, Leigh Madison, Jack MacGowran, Maurice Kaufmann, Derren Nesbitt.
Cinematography: Ken Hodges
Production Design: Eugène Lourié
Special Visual Effects: Willis H. O’Brien, Pete Peterson, Phil Kellison, Jack Rabin, Irving Block, Louis DeWitt.
Original Music: Edwin Astley...
- 1/26/2019
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Star Trek patriarch Gene Roddenberry, Dynamation VFX pioneer Ray Harryhausen and film poster/title sequence legend Saul Bass are among the Visual Effect Society’s 2018 Hall of Fame class, the guild said today. It also named its other career honorees, including Gene Kozicki (Founders Award) and Jonathan Erland (Lifetime Membership).
“Our Ves honorees represent a group of exceptional artists, innovators and professionals who have had a profound impact on the field of visual effects,” Ves Board Chair Mike Chambers said. “We are proud to recognize those who helped shape our shared legacy and continue to inspire future generations of VFX practitioners.”
Here is the full list of this year’s Ves honorees, with bios provided by the guild. This year’s Ves Fellows will be announced later.
Founders Award Recipient
Gene Kozicki for his sustained contributions to the art, science or business of visual effects and meritorious service to the Society.
“Our Ves honorees represent a group of exceptional artists, innovators and professionals who have had a profound impact on the field of visual effects,” Ves Board Chair Mike Chambers said. “We are proud to recognize those who helped shape our shared legacy and continue to inspire future generations of VFX practitioners.”
Here is the full list of this year’s Ves honorees, with bios provided by the guild. This year’s Ves Fellows will be announced later.
Founders Award Recipient
Gene Kozicki for his sustained contributions to the art, science or business of visual effects and meritorious service to the Society.
- 8/15/2018
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Chicago – Elvis may have left the building, but his work remains viscerally alive in this breezily enjoyable concert documentary. It was filmed during a 15-city tour in April of 1972, and captures the King of Rock at a triumphant peak late in his career, one year before his infamous “Aloha from Hawaii” concert (the first globally broadcast via satellite) and five years before his death.
Sometimes it’s difficult to remember just how gifted Elvis Presley was, since the popularity of his image has far outstretched that of his talent. He’s become an icon in the John Wayne mold, beloved more for what he represented rather than what he accomplished. His persona has been channelled and satirized by countless actors (most memorably, Nicolas Cage and Val Kilmer), and his voice is remembered more for its distinctive timber than its fiery energy.
Blu-Ray Rating: 3.5/5.0
Yet “Elvis on Tour” portrays the larger-than-life man in refreshingly human terms.
Sometimes it’s difficult to remember just how gifted Elvis Presley was, since the popularity of his image has far outstretched that of his talent. He’s become an icon in the John Wayne mold, beloved more for what he represented rather than what he accomplished. His persona has been channelled and satirized by countless actors (most memorably, Nicolas Cage and Val Kilmer), and his voice is remembered more for its distinctive timber than its fiery energy.
Blu-Ray Rating: 3.5/5.0
Yet “Elvis on Tour” portrays the larger-than-life man in refreshingly human terms.
- 8/18/2010
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Few rock documentaries to come along in the last several decades have come close to matching the intensity, interest, and amazing footage found in Elvis On Tour. From 1972 performances, the film was an instant classic of the genre, and is now available newly restored and remastered, and the Blu-Ray edition is a true must-own for fans.
Elvis on Tour, the Golden Globe®-winning documentary that followed Elvis on a 15-city tour of the United States in 1972, will make its debut August 3 in newly-restored and remastered Blu-ray and DVD versions from Warner Home Video. A screening of the documentary on August 14 in Memphis will follow the home entertainment release as Whv joins in the celebration of Elvis Week (August 10 – 16), commemorating the 75th anniversary of the rock ‘n’ roll icon’s birth.
Elvis on Tour, considered to be Presley’s last film before his death in 1977, was described by Variety in their review as “a bright,...
Elvis on Tour, the Golden Globe®-winning documentary that followed Elvis on a 15-city tour of the United States in 1972, will make its debut August 3 in newly-restored and remastered Blu-ray and DVD versions from Warner Home Video. A screening of the documentary on August 14 in Memphis will follow the home entertainment release as Whv joins in the celebration of Elvis Week (August 10 – 16), commemorating the 75th anniversary of the rock ‘n’ roll icon’s birth.
Elvis on Tour, considered to be Presley’s last film before his death in 1977, was described by Variety in their review as “a bright,...
- 8/7/2010
- by Marc Eastman
- AreYouScreening.com
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