In the B-plot of George Lucas' 2002 sci-fi romance "Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones," the stalwart Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) is sent to an ocean planet called Kamino to apprehend an assassin who may be lurking there. Obi-Wan finds more than he expected, as Kamino is the home of a massive cloning facility that has been making duplicates of Jango Fett (Temuera Morrison) for years. There are now millions of him. When Jango Fett catches wise to Obi-Wan's investigation, he leaves Kamino in a miniature spacecraft while Obi-Wan pursues. In order to get Obi-Wan off his tail, Jango flies into a cluttered asteroid field and begins dropping explosive space mines called seismic charges.
The seismic charges, as dramatized in the film, are cylindrical objects that float out into space, hold steady for a moment, and then explode into a flash of blue fire. There is then...
The seismic charges, as dramatized in the film, are cylindrical objects that float out into space, hold steady for a moment, and then explode into a flash of blue fire. There is then...
- 5/16/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The public's consideration of George Lucas' 1999 film "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace" has dipped and swerved like a roller coaster. Those of us who were alive in 1999 are likely astonished to have witnessed "Phantom Menace" go from being one of the most successful films of all time, to one of the most disappointing franchise movies of all time, to one of the most outwardly hated blockbusters of all time, to one of the most unjustly maligned films of all time, to finally being considered a vital (if clunky) part of a long-running sci-fi saga with its share of highs and lows.
In truth, "The Phantom Menace" is rather bad. Lucas' dialogue is dry and dull, his characters staid and bland. It's the stiffest, most mannered sci-fi blockbuster one might ever see, lacking in personality, wit, humor, fun, or excitement. The story of "The Phantom Menace" infamously surrounds...
In truth, "The Phantom Menace" is rather bad. Lucas' dialogue is dry and dull, his characters staid and bland. It's the stiffest, most mannered sci-fi blockbuster one might ever see, lacking in personality, wit, humor, fun, or excitement. The story of "The Phantom Menace" infamously surrounds...
- 5/8/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Star Wars is still a cherished part of many people’s childhoods. Beyond the nostalgia, its sheer coolness and grandeur make it perfect for the theaters. However, it’s no secret that the Star Wars universe is expansive, with a plethora of spin-offs and sequels, which amounts to a $10 billion franchise.
Hollywood director George Lucas (image credit: Wikimedia Commons)
It’s remarkable to think that the franchise remains relevant with new movies still coming out to this day. Nevertheless, it’s only natural that, despite its popularity, Star Wars has had its occasional oopsie-daisy moments. One such instance is The Phantom Menace, which even George Lucas, the creator of the universe, admits to being a bit “disjointed.”
Even George Lucas Agrees This Star Wars Movie Was Hard to Watch
Despite its commercial success, The Phantom Menace was a critical disaster. Of course, it was a commercial success, as the fans...
Hollywood director George Lucas (image credit: Wikimedia Commons)
It’s remarkable to think that the franchise remains relevant with new movies still coming out to this day. Nevertheless, it’s only natural that, despite its popularity, Star Wars has had its occasional oopsie-daisy moments. One such instance is The Phantom Menace, which even George Lucas, the creator of the universe, admits to being a bit “disjointed.”
Even George Lucas Agrees This Star Wars Movie Was Hard to Watch
Despite its commercial success, The Phantom Menace was a critical disaster. Of course, it was a commercial success, as the fans...
- 4/24/2024
- by Sampurna Banerjee
- FandomWire
Opening night of the TCM Classic Film Festival next week will also serve as a Pulp Fiction reunion.
Uma Thurman, Samuel L. Jackson, Rosanna Arquette and Harvey Keitel are among those joining John Travolta on April 18 for the 30th anniversary, 35mm screening of Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction (1994) at the Tcl Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
Fellow actors Eric Stoltz, Julia Sweeney, Frank Whaley, Phil Lamarr and Burr Steers, producer Lawrence Bender and executive producers Michael Shamberg and Stacey Sher are expected to be there as well.
As previously announced, actor Billy Dee Williams and makeup artist Lois Burwell will be honored at the 15th annual festival; author Jeanine Basinger will receive the Robert Osborne Award; and Jodie Foster will partake in a hand- and footprint ceremony.
The festival, with the theme “Most Wanted: Crime and Justice in Film,” runs through April 21 at venues including the rejuvenated Egyptian Theatre.
Among those...
Uma Thurman, Samuel L. Jackson, Rosanna Arquette and Harvey Keitel are among those joining John Travolta on April 18 for the 30th anniversary, 35mm screening of Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction (1994) at the Tcl Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
Fellow actors Eric Stoltz, Julia Sweeney, Frank Whaley, Phil Lamarr and Burr Steers, producer Lawrence Bender and executive producers Michael Shamberg and Stacey Sher are expected to be there as well.
As previously announced, actor Billy Dee Williams and makeup artist Lois Burwell will be honored at the 15th annual festival; author Jeanine Basinger will receive the Robert Osborne Award; and Jodie Foster will partake in a hand- and footprint ceremony.
The festival, with the theme “Most Wanted: Crime and Justice in Film,” runs through April 21 at venues including the rejuvenated Egyptian Theatre.
Among those...
- 4/8/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official predictions for the upcoming Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and Tony Awards ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis. The prediction pages reflect the current standings in the race and do not reflect personal preferences for any individual contender. As other formal (and informal) polls suggest, competitions are fluid and subject to change based on buzz and events. Predictions are updated every Thursday.
Visit the prediction pages for the respective ceremonies via the links below:
Oscars | Emmys | Grammys | Tonys
2024 Oscars Predictions:
Best Achievement in Sound
Weekly Commentary: In the highly competitive sound category, “Oppenheimer” production sound mixer Willie D. Burton could become the first Black person to win three Oscars in the category, an historic achievement. A victory for “Oppenheimer” would also grant Universal Pictures its 10th statue,...
Visit the prediction pages for the respective ceremonies via the links below:
Oscars | Emmys | Grammys | Tonys
2024 Oscars Predictions:
Best Achievement in Sound
Weekly Commentary: In the highly competitive sound category, “Oppenheimer” production sound mixer Willie D. Burton could become the first Black person to win three Oscars in the category, an historic achievement. A victory for “Oppenheimer” would also grant Universal Pictures its 10th statue,...
- 3/7/2024
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
"Fast X" is one of the best over-the-top movies of the year (the first annual /Film Movie Awards even said so), but it just got even better. In an interview with Happy Sad Confused podcast's Josh Horowitz, director Louis Leterrier confessed that he snuck a familiar "Star Wars" sound effect into the action-packed driving movie. "In my last movie, in 'Fast X,' I put Tie fighter sounds in it," Leterrier told the host.
Though Leterrier doesn't say exactly where he snuck in the familiar sound of the Imperial fleet, Syfy Wire was able to trace the sound effect to the 1-hour 54-minute mark of the film, which features a climactic chase scene involving the film's unforgettably wild villain, Dante (Jason Momoa). Fans with an ear for sound effects also clocked the Tie fighter noise on Reddit soon after the movie's release. The Starfighters have some of the most...
Though Leterrier doesn't say exactly where he snuck in the familiar sound of the Imperial fleet, Syfy Wire was able to trace the sound effect to the 1-hour 54-minute mark of the film, which features a climactic chase scene involving the film's unforgettably wild villain, Dante (Jason Momoa). Fans with an ear for sound effects also clocked the Tie fighter noise on Reddit soon after the movie's release. The Starfighters have some of the most...
- 12/30/2023
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
Special effects artists are overworked. Perhaps you've heard some of the complaints from the Marvel Studios VFX artists who have to do an incredible amount of work in very little time. The problem has gotten worse over the years as CGI has become more prevalent. However, time was an issue all the way back when 2002's "Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack of the Clones" was in production. There were a lot of sequences that required things that didn't exist on the set, particularly in the Geonosian droid factory scene. You know, the one where Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) and Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman) dodge crushing metal stamps and C-3P0 (Anthony Daniels) literally loses his head.
The CGI technology available back in the early 21st century wasn't anywhere near as sophisticated as today's, yet the effects artists at Industrial Light & Magic (Ilm) were just as much under the gun...
The CGI technology available back in the early 21st century wasn't anywhere near as sophisticated as today's, yet the effects artists at Industrial Light & Magic (Ilm) were just as much under the gun...
- 12/10/2023
- by Jenna Busch
- Slash Film
George Lucas' "Star Wars" was a whole-cloth piece of world building. Inspired by gee-whiz sci-fi serials like "Flash Gordon," Lucas envisioned a sprawling saga that would stretch over multiple chapters. There was just one problem: the technology required to bring his vision to fruition didn't exist.
If you're any kind of "Star Wars" fan, you know about John Dykstra's revolutionary motion-control camera (the Dykstraflex), a pioneering piece of equipment that allowed Lucas to pull off the climactic trench run. You're also most certainly aware of how Rick Baker and Stuart Freeborn conjured up their groundbreaking creature effects. But do you know the story of how the lightsaber, the Jedi weapon of choice, was discovered?
While Lucas' idea for the lightsaber was brought to vivid life by the brilliant conceptual designer Ralph McQuarrie, someone had to either build or find the saber That someone was art director Roger Christian. And...
If you're any kind of "Star Wars" fan, you know about John Dykstra's revolutionary motion-control camera (the Dykstraflex), a pioneering piece of equipment that allowed Lucas to pull off the climactic trench run. You're also most certainly aware of how Rick Baker and Stuart Freeborn conjured up their groundbreaking creature effects. But do you know the story of how the lightsaber, the Jedi weapon of choice, was discovered?
While Lucas' idea for the lightsaber was brought to vivid life by the brilliant conceptual designer Ralph McQuarrie, someone had to either build or find the saber That someone was art director Roger Christian. And...
- 10/21/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
The most rudimentary research into the creative origins of the groundbreaking 1977 sci-fi flick "Star Wars" will reveal to the reader that creator George Lucas was inspired by "Flash Gordon" serials from the 1930s, as well as Akira Kurosawa's 1958 epic "The Hidden Fortress." Kurosawa's film famously opened with two clownish characters (Kamatari Fujiwara and Minoru Chiaki) who aimed to earn their fortune as samurai. After several misadventures, the peasants unwittingly become embroiled in a much larger plot about a missing princess (Misa Uehara), a war, and a brave protective warrior (Toshiro Mifune). "Star Wars" borrowed that film's structure, introducing audiences to its sci-fi action through the eyes (lenses?) of the robotic characters C-3Po (Anthony Daniels) and the non-humanoid R2-D2.
C-3Po was a prissy, fastidious droid who seemed impatient with the foibles of the organic beings he lived with, and was frequently panicked and afraid. The only time...
C-3Po was a prissy, fastidious droid who seemed impatient with the foibles of the organic beings he lived with, and was frequently panicked and afraid. The only time...
- 8/26/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
For Oscar-winning film composer Michael Giacchino (“Up”), Steven Spielberg’s “Raiders of the Lost Ark” is the defining movie of his life. It’s what sparked his love of movies and film scores, and what started him on his path to becoming a successful composer, all thanks to John Williams’ rousing, orchestral masterpiece.
Giacchino, who most recently scored Taika Waititi’s “Next Goal Wins” and Juan Antonio Bayona’s “Society of the Snow,” and is prepping a remake of the giant ant movie “Them!” as his directorial feature debut, first saw “Raiders” as a 13-year-old in New Jersey when it opened the summer of 1981. He went back about a dozen times and even sneaked a tape recorder into the theater so he could replay it every night. He also had the soundtrack on vinyl and later bought a second LP containing score, dialogue, and sound effects.
“I think that record,...
Giacchino, who most recently scored Taika Waititi’s “Next Goal Wins” and Juan Antonio Bayona’s “Society of the Snow,” and is prepping a remake of the giant ant movie “Them!” as his directorial feature debut, first saw “Raiders” as a 13-year-old in New Jersey when it opened the summer of 1981. He went back about a dozen times and even sneaked a tape recorder into the theater so he could replay it every night. He also had the soundtrack on vinyl and later bought a second LP containing score, dialogue, and sound effects.
“I think that record,...
- 8/15/2023
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
With "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," Steven Spielberg and George Lucas delved into their characters more than with their previous two Indy efforts. The film is ostensibly centered around the search for the Holy Grail, but is really about a man and his father's search for reconciliation and a bond that has eluded them throughout their relationship. Or, as Spielberg said in a making-of featurette, "the search for the father is the search for the Holy Grail."
Foreshadowing some of what he would later showcase in "The Fabelmans," Spielberg used the third Indiana Jones movie to explore the relationship between a son and a father who seemed more interested in excavating history than building a bond with his child. And while 1981's "Raiders of the Lost Ark" is still the best Indy film, it's arguable that "The Last Crusade" is the most complex and perhaps most moving Indy film.
Foreshadowing some of what he would later showcase in "The Fabelmans," Spielberg used the third Indiana Jones movie to explore the relationship between a son and a father who seemed more interested in excavating history than building a bond with his child. And while 1981's "Raiders of the Lost Ark" is still the best Indy film, it's arguable that "The Last Crusade" is the most complex and perhaps most moving Indy film.
- 8/12/2023
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
“Star Wars” is one of the biggest franchises of all time and has welcomed multiple generations to a galaxy far, far away for 45 years. George Lucas’ groundbreaking vision, which began all the way back in 1977 with “A New Hope,” changed the movie industry forever and, with that, made a mark on the Academy Awards that year with a Best Picture nomination. However, the relationship between “Star Wars” and the Oscars hasn’t always been as lovable as Han Solo and Chewie. In fact, there’s often been a touch of Vader-Luke in the conflicted dynamic between the two institutions. Here’s a breakdown of the history of every “Star Wars” movie at the Academy Awards, ranked in terms of Oscars success.
“A New Hope” (1977)
Dir: George Lucas
Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness
“Luke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and...
“A New Hope” (1977)
Dir: George Lucas
Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness
“Luke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and...
- 7/28/2023
- by Jacob Sarkisian
- Gold Derby
When creating the sounds for "Star Wars: A New Hope," the film's sound effects engineers didn't exactly have much reference to draw from. Sound doesn't travel through the vast emptiness of space, for starters, and no one has any audio recordings of space dogfights even if they were possible. So when sound designer Ben Burtt had to come up with sounds for the various spaceships and their weapons, he had to draw from his imagination. The Tie Fighters, flown by Imperial soldiers, don't sound like any jet fighter or airplane from our galaxy, and that's in large part because they're made from such an unusual combination of sounds.
In interviews collected by Popular Mechanics, Burtt and special effects artist Joe Johnston explained the sounds that went into creating the effect of the Tie Fighters zooming about, along with the inspirations behind those particular sounds. After all, the zippy little ships...
In interviews collected by Popular Mechanics, Burtt and special effects artist Joe Johnston explained the sounds that went into creating the effect of the Tie Fighters zooming about, along with the inspirations behind those particular sounds. After all, the zippy little ships...
- 5/27/2023
- by Danielle Ryan
- Slash Film
After Spielberg and Ford came back after a long absence from the Indiana Jones world in 2008 with Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, the reception of that film plus Harrison’s age, it didn’t seem like there was much confidence for a follow-up of any kind. Set the dial to 2023, and the time has come for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny to be unveiled to audiences. Tickets for the adventurer’s curtain close are now on sale at Fandango.
The movie ticket service is celebrating the start of the sale with a new interview featuring the film’s stars. The site’s description reads, “Fandango’s Big Ticket interview series features in-depth conversations with the casts and creators of the year’s biggest movies. Fandango correspondent Nikki Novak got together with series star Harrison Ford and newcomer Phoebe Waller-Bridge to discuss where we pick...
The movie ticket service is celebrating the start of the sale with a new interview featuring the film’s stars. The site’s description reads, “Fandango’s Big Ticket interview series features in-depth conversations with the casts and creators of the year’s biggest movies. Fandango correspondent Nikki Novak got together with series star Harrison Ford and newcomer Phoebe Waller-Bridge to discuss where we pick...
- 5/22/2023
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
Ever since its May 25, 1977, theatrical release, "Star Wars" has been inspiring kids to dive headlong into its richly imagined universe. Children could spin their own fantastic tales with action figures and playsets, or lose themselves in the franchise's many video game spin-offs. You could immerse yourself in that galaxy far, far away for hours on end, and take the saga in all kinds of directions.
But there was nothing more fun than hitting the playground of your elementary school and acting out the characters in impromptu stories of your own devising. You could create blasters out of LEGOs or fabricate one with your fingers. As for lightsabers, everything from wiffle-ball bats to sticks would do. And when you dueled with your friends, you enhanced the experience by making the trademark humming noise created by Academy Award-winning sound designer Ben Burtt.
And if you find yourself fortunate enough to star in an actual "Star Wars" movie,...
But there was nothing more fun than hitting the playground of your elementary school and acting out the characters in impromptu stories of your own devising. You could create blasters out of LEGOs or fabricate one with your fingers. As for lightsabers, everything from wiffle-ball bats to sticks would do. And when you dueled with your friends, you enhanced the experience by making the trademark humming noise created by Academy Award-winning sound designer Ben Burtt.
And if you find yourself fortunate enough to star in an actual "Star Wars" movie,...
- 5/14/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
/Film has written about conlangs -- or constructed languages -- several times in the past. Hardcore "Avatar" fans may recall that language Professor Paul Frommer helped construct the Na'vi language for James Cameron's franchise. (Frommer was also behind the Barsoomian language heard in "John Carter.") Additionally, any good Trekkie will definitely be able to name Marc Okrand, the author of the extensive Klingon language, perhaps the most widely spoken of all conlangs. And, of course, readers of "Lord of the Rings" likely know that J.R.R. Tolkien based Quenya, his fictional Elf language, on the structure and syntax of Finnish. Space aliens and fantasy cultures have long allowed linguists to play around.
Although it may not be as celebrated or slavishly structured as Klingon or Dothraki (authored by David J. Peterson), Star Wars has its own conlang: Ewok. In 1982, during the production of the soon-to-be-hit film "Return of the Jedi,...
Although it may not be as celebrated or slavishly structured as Klingon or Dothraki (authored by David J. Peterson), Star Wars has its own conlang: Ewok. In 1982, during the production of the soon-to-be-hit film "Return of the Jedi,...
- 5/2/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The voice of “Wall-e,” the lightsaber sounds from “Star Wars” and Darth Vader’s breathing are just a fraction of what sound mixer, designer and editor Ben Burtt has contributed to the world of cinema. This weekend, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will celebrate his body of work with a special conversation and installation titled “Behold.”
Though the two-time Oscar winner has over 122 credits to his name, this will be the first time he’s going to be on stage alone. “Every time I’ve been on stage, it’s been to present something or I’ve been part of a team,” Burtt tells Variety over Zoom ahead of the conversation.
1977’s “Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope” was one of the first films he worked on. It was Burtt who created the lightsaber’s famous hum, which he says came from a broken TV set and a film projector.
Though the two-time Oscar winner has over 122 credits to his name, this will be the first time he’s going to be on stage alone. “Every time I’ve been on stage, it’s been to present something or I’ve been part of a team,” Burtt tells Variety over Zoom ahead of the conversation.
1977’s “Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope” was one of the first films he worked on. It was Burtt who created the lightsaber’s famous hum, which he says came from a broken TV set and a film projector.
- 4/22/2023
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
(Welcome to The Daily Stream, an ongoing series in which the /Film team shares what they've been watching, why it's worth checking out, and where you can stream it.)
The Movie: "Wall-e"
Where You Can Stream It: Disney+
The Pitch: The debate about the dangers of artificial intelligence rages on, with bots that become racist and sexist on social media and the Boston Dynamics videos that scare the crap out of most of us. From "The Matrix" to "The Terminator," we're all preparing ourselves for the inevitable singularity when robots take over the world. We don't treat them well, and it wouldn't be surprising if, down the line, we get a Disney+ show about the "Star Wars" droids getting sick of being treated like crap by everyone but a few people in a galaxy far, far away and revolt. It's terrifying, and it's probably going to happen sooner or later.
The Movie: "Wall-e"
Where You Can Stream It: Disney+
The Pitch: The debate about the dangers of artificial intelligence rages on, with bots that become racist and sexist on social media and the Boston Dynamics videos that scare the crap out of most of us. From "The Matrix" to "The Terminator," we're all preparing ourselves for the inevitable singularity when robots take over the world. We don't treat them well, and it wouldn't be surprising if, down the line, we get a Disney+ show about the "Star Wars" droids getting sick of being treated like crap by everyone but a few people in a galaxy far, far away and revolt. It's terrifying, and it's probably going to happen sooner or later.
- 1/27/2023
- by Jenna Busch
- Slash Film
"Star Wars" was an all-in gamble for George Lucas in 1977. Even with the blockbuster success of 1973's "American Graffiti," the filmmaker was taking a massive risk by creating a sprawling, richly imagined sci-fi/fantasy saga from scratch. Just about every studio in Hollywood passed on the project. No one understood it. Alan Ladd, then the head of 20th Century Fox, didn't get it either, but he believed in Lucas enough to give him a budget in the neighborhood of 10 million. This translates to 52 million in 2022: not exorbitant, but big enough that Fox would feel a bit of financial pain if the film flopped.
It was impossible to predict just how emphatically moviegoers would connect with "Star Wars," and there was no road map for how to capitalize on its unprecedented success. Lucas and the VFX wizards at Industrial Light & Magic had pioneered new techniques to capture the thrilling intergalactic...
It was impossible to predict just how emphatically moviegoers would connect with "Star Wars," and there was no road map for how to capitalize on its unprecedented success. Lucas and the VFX wizards at Industrial Light & Magic had pioneered new techniques to capture the thrilling intergalactic...
- 1/5/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Thanks to the one-two release of visual effects legend Phil Tippett's nightmarish magnum opus "Mad God" and Lawrence Kasdan's Industrial Light & Magic docuseries "Light & Magic" in 2022, Tippett has come to enjoy some long overdue recognition as one of the unsung heroes of Hollywood's blockbuster era (which began roughly in 1975 with the runaway success of "Jaws"). But since cinema is an audiovisual medium, legendary sound designer Ben Burtt is equally noteworthy for shaping the blockbuster soundscape over the last five decades.
After getting his start on the Roger Corman-produced "Death Race 2000" in 1975 (for which he was uncredited), Burtt served as a sound designer and artist on the original "Star Wars" trilogy. In between working on those films, Burtt lent his skills to "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (the 1978 remake), "Raiders of the Lost Ark," "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," and "The Dark Crystal." It's possible you may have heard...
After getting his start on the Roger Corman-produced "Death Race 2000" in 1975 (for which he was uncredited), Burtt served as a sound designer and artist on the original "Star Wars" trilogy. In between working on those films, Burtt lent his skills to "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (the 1978 remake), "Raiders of the Lost Ark," "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," and "The Dark Crystal." It's possible you may have heard...
- 1/3/2023
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
It's worth remembering that the span of time between the release of George Lucas' 1999 film "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace" and the present day is now greater than the span of time between the releases of the original "Star Wars" and the "The Phantom Menace." For many years, "Phantom Menace" was discussed -- endlessly -- as the utter nadir of "Star Wars," inspiring a level of peeved punditry the internet is still recovering from. If a general overview of online "fan reactions" were any sort of gauge by which to measure a film's popular acceptance, then there hasn't been a good "Star Wars" movie since perhaps 1980. It inspired a generation-long crisis of pop culture adherence that manifested in a million hour-long YouTube thinkpieces and even documentary films. It would take about 20 years before "Phantom Menace" was relitigated and declared to be good, actually.
One thing that can...
One thing that can...
- 12/28/2022
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
When “Top Gun: Maverick” landed in theaters this summer, audiences around the world enjoyed the excitement of soaring through the sky alongside the Navy’s best of the best. One key to creating that sensation was building the perfect soundscape.
Director Joseph Kosinski describes the challenge, saying, “‘Top Gun’ was the test disc for everyone’s home entertainment system.” Adding to a monumental task were the restrictions brought on by the pandemic, as well as months of military negotiations, Navy contracts and detailed planning to bring the story of Maverick (Tom Cruise) back to the big screen.
Early on, supervising sound editor Al Nelson and sound effects editor Ben Burtt spent a week in the Atlantic aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. Nelson recalls, “The idea was, ‘Let’s just get as much great raw material as we can.’” They collected a variety of sounds that included takeoffs and landings, radios,...
Director Joseph Kosinski describes the challenge, saying, “‘Top Gun’ was the test disc for everyone’s home entertainment system.” Adding to a monumental task were the restrictions brought on by the pandemic, as well as months of military negotiations, Navy contracts and detailed planning to bring the story of Maverick (Tom Cruise) back to the big screen.
Early on, supervising sound editor Al Nelson and sound effects editor Ben Burtt spent a week in the Atlantic aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. Nelson recalls, “The idea was, ‘Let’s just get as much great raw material as we can.’” They collected a variety of sounds that included takeoffs and landings, radios,...
- 12/16/2022
- by Karen M. Peterson
- Variety Film + TV
If you live long enough, you start to see the same eyes in different people. Just as the original "Star Wars" trilogy wrapped up in 1983 with "Return of the Jedi," one of the biggest blockbuster movies of the '80s was released three years later. Tony Scott's "Top Gun" infatuated audiences with its dreamlike, sunny portrayal of San Diego and its successful launch of Tom Cruise as the next big movie star. "Top Gun" would gross 357 million at the global box office out of a production budget of 15 million, military recruitment among young men spiked, and the film's original track, "Take My Breath Away," was inescapable.
It's funny how history repeats itself. Today, we find ourselves in another cycle of nostalgic filmmaking. "The Rise of Skywalker" marked the end of a new "Star Wars" trilogy owned by Disney in 2019. Delayed three years because of Covid-19, Joseph Kosinski's legacy sequel,...
It's funny how history repeats itself. Today, we find ourselves in another cycle of nostalgic filmmaking. "The Rise of Skywalker" marked the end of a new "Star Wars" trilogy owned by Disney in 2019. Delayed three years because of Covid-19, Joseph Kosinski's legacy sequel,...
- 11/10/2022
- by Tyler Llewyn Taing
- Slash Film
Pixar’s save-the-world eco-epic actually begins with the world destroyed, before a pair of cute robots help put it back together again. Andrew Stanton’s animated comedy finds hope and cheer in a post-apocalyptic scenario, a tall order for any speculative science fiction tale. Meet Wall•E, the nuts ‘n’ bolts super-janitor, and Eve, the sleek next-generation seeker of terrestrial plant re-birth. Good satire and social criticism comes in the brightest package possible in this endearing charmer.
Wall•E 4K
4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray
The Criterion Collection 1161
2008 / Color / 2:39 widescreen / 98 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date November 22, 2022 / 39.95
Starring: (voices) Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, Jeff Garlin, MacInTalk, John Ratzenberger, Kathy Najimy, Sigourney Weaver, (and) Fred Willard.
Production Designer: Ralph Eggleston
Film Editor: Stephen Schaffer
Original Music: Thomas Newman
Written by Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon, Pete Docter
Produced by Jim Morris
Directed by Andrew Stanton
Pixar was on a terrific...
Wall•E 4K
4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray
The Criterion Collection 1161
2008 / Color / 2:39 widescreen / 98 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date November 22, 2022 / 39.95
Starring: (voices) Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, Jeff Garlin, MacInTalk, John Ratzenberger, Kathy Najimy, Sigourney Weaver, (and) Fred Willard.
Production Designer: Ralph Eggleston
Film Editor: Stephen Schaffer
Original Music: Thomas Newman
Written by Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon, Pete Docter
Produced by Jim Morris
Directed by Andrew Stanton
Pixar was on a terrific...
- 11/8/2022
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Spoiler culture is a big deal today. While certain studios have leveraged spoiler culture to influence audiences to rush to cinema halls on release day, others use it as means to create buzz and anticipation for a particular film. For obvious reasons, nobody likes spoilers because they most certainly ruin the excitement of watching a movie and take away from its ability to let surprises and secrets unravel naturally. Today, with social media usage at an all-time high, it's nearly impossible to keep a massive movie secret under wraps. Back in the day, however, word of mouth was the only way for spoilers to get out, and studios worked hard to keep big reveals a mystery.
When the 1980 "Star Wars" film "The Empire Strikes Back" was set to release, the film's cast and crew worked hard to conceal the reveal: that Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker were father and son.
When the 1980 "Star Wars" film "The Empire Strikes Back" was set to release, the film's cast and crew worked hard to conceal the reveal: that Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker were father and son.
- 8/15/2022
- by Fatemeh Mirjalili
- Slash Film
Based on Riot Games’ popular “League of Legends,” Netflix’s “Arcane” quickly became a hit show for Netflix. It knocked “Squid Game” off the most-watched charts for the streamer and received stellar reviews — a rare feat for a video game adaptation. “Arcane” not only swept the Annie Awards, but it’s now nominated for two Emmys: Outstanding Animated Program and Outstanding Sound Editing for a Comedy or Drama Series (Half-Hour) and Animation.
“We spent a lot of time trying to recreate the unique sounds of the game that stand out while playing, and ended up discovering that we could just use those iconic sounds as is and they worked,” Eliot Connors, co-supervising sound editor, told IndieWire. “But overall we tried to get as many original sounds as possible when building the sound library for the show, while picking from the library at Riot which they’ve amassed for a long time.
“We spent a lot of time trying to recreate the unique sounds of the game that stand out while playing, and ended up discovering that we could just use those iconic sounds as is and they worked,” Eliot Connors, co-supervising sound editor, told IndieWire. “But overall we tried to get as many original sounds as possible when building the sound library for the show, while picking from the library at Riot which they’ve amassed for a long time.
- 8/10/2022
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Indiewire
Click here to read the full article.
The cinematographer of Ryan Coogler’s upcoming Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and a team of Skywalker Sound’s Star Wars franchise vets are among Tuesday’s Creative Arts Emmy nominees.
Supervising sound editors Matthew Wood (a five-time Oscar nominee and Emmy winner) and David Acord (a two-time Oscar nominee and Emmy winner) each earned a pair of Emmy noms for Disney+/Lucasfilm’s The Book of Boba Fett and Disney+/Marvel’s Loki). Bonnie Wild — a three-time Emmy winner for The Mandalorian — earned a trio of noms in sound editing (Boba Fett and Disney+/Marvel’s Moon Knight) and sound mixing (Moon Knight). The nominated Boba Fett team also included sound editor Benjamin A. Burtt, son of legendary Star Wars sound editor Ben Burtt.
Cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw earned a nomination for Loki, her first MCU project. We’ll be seeing more of...
The cinematographer of Ryan Coogler’s upcoming Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and a team of Skywalker Sound’s Star Wars franchise vets are among Tuesday’s Creative Arts Emmy nominees.
Supervising sound editors Matthew Wood (a five-time Oscar nominee and Emmy winner) and David Acord (a two-time Oscar nominee and Emmy winner) each earned a pair of Emmy noms for Disney+/Lucasfilm’s The Book of Boba Fett and Disney+/Marvel’s Loki). Bonnie Wild — a three-time Emmy winner for The Mandalorian — earned a trio of noms in sound editing (Boba Fett and Disney+/Marvel’s Moon Knight) and sound mixing (Moon Knight). The nominated Boba Fett team also included sound editor Benjamin A. Burtt, son of legendary Star Wars sound editor Ben Burtt.
Cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw earned a nomination for Loki, her first MCU project. We’ll be seeing more of...
- 7/12/2022
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
What do you think of when you think of Darth Vader? Black mask and armor? Red lightsaber? "I am your father"? For me, it's the breathing. A perfect complement to James Earl Jones' baritone voice, the breathing ensures Vader's presence dominates a scene even when he isn't speaking. It also proves that even behind his armor and cyborg body, Vader was once human. Yet the breathing still sounds automated, between its low and raspy sounds, how drawn out each breath is, and its repetition. As proof Vader is as much machine as man, even his breathing sounds robotic.
Giving Vader a human...
The post How Star Wars Sound Designer Ben Burtt Created Darth Vader's Heavy Breathing appeared first on /Film.
Giving Vader a human...
The post How Star Wars Sound Designer Ben Burtt Created Darth Vader's Heavy Breathing appeared first on /Film.
- 5/3/2022
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
The mythos of the "Star Wars" galaxy is powered by lightsabers, the famous laser swords of George Lucas' galaxy far, far away. The elegant weapon of the Jedi (and a favorite of cosplayers), they make woo-woo-whoosh noises courtesy of sound designer Ben Burtt. They stab, melt metal, cut through limbs and torsos, or deflect blaster bolts. George Lucas conceived them as defensive weapons capable of batting away lasers, befitting the peacekeeping ways of the Jedi, defenders of the galaxy and disciples of the Force.
Yes, they're cool, but their sacred meaning to their users is not to be trifled with. At the heart of the lightsaber is the kyber crystal, a...
The post Every Star Wars Lightsaber Color Explained appeared first on /Film.
Yes, they're cool, but their sacred meaning to their users is not to be trifled with. At the heart of the lightsaber is the kyber crystal, a...
The post Every Star Wars Lightsaber Color Explained appeared first on /Film.
- 4/22/2022
- by Caroline Cao
- Slash Film
What’s Wookiee for “Attaboy”?
The widow of Peter Mayhew, the 7-foot-2 Brit who famously originated the role of Chewbacca in the original Star Wars trilogy, has extended a warm welcome to The Book of Boba Fett‘s Carey Jones, who in Episode 2 of the Disney+ series made his first appearance as the gladiator-turned-bounty hunter Wookiee named Krrsantan.
More from TVLineWill Book of Boba Fett's Next Episode Possibly Bring Back Grogu?Boba Fett Recap: The Last Starfighter -- Who Is Here to Offer Some Muscle?Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series Officially a Go at Disney+ -- Watch Author Rick Riordan...
The widow of Peter Mayhew, the 7-foot-2 Brit who famously originated the role of Chewbacca in the original Star Wars trilogy, has extended a warm welcome to The Book of Boba Fett‘s Carey Jones, who in Episode 2 of the Disney+ series made his first appearance as the gladiator-turned-bounty hunter Wookiee named Krrsantan.
More from TVLineWill Book of Boba Fett's Next Episode Possibly Bring Back Grogu?Boba Fett Recap: The Last Starfighter -- Who Is Here to Offer Some Muscle?Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series Officially a Go at Disney+ -- Watch Author Rick Riordan...
- 1/26/2022
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
The Motion Picture Sound Editors have revealed the nominees for the 2022 Mpse Golden Reel Awards, which celebrate sound artists in 17 categories spanning feature film, television, animation and other fields.
The hardware will be handed out during the guild’s 69th annual ceremony, which will be held Sunday, March 13. See the full list of nominations below.
“It’s been a fantastic year for sound, and we look forward to celebrating the incredible work sound editors have performed for movies, television, games, documentaries and other creative media last year,” said Mpse president Mark Lanza. “Building on the success of our first-ever virtual ceremony last year, we are planning an even more spectacular night of fun, surprises and great achievements in sound.”
Mpse previously announced Ron Howard for the 2022 Filmmaker Award and Anthony “Chic” Ciccolini III for the 2022 Career Achievement Award.
The Trial of the Chicago 7, Soul, The Queen’s Gambit and The Mandalorian...
The hardware will be handed out during the guild’s 69th annual ceremony, which will be held Sunday, March 13. See the full list of nominations below.
“It’s been a fantastic year for sound, and we look forward to celebrating the incredible work sound editors have performed for movies, television, games, documentaries and other creative media last year,” said Mpse president Mark Lanza. “Building on the success of our first-ever virtual ceremony last year, we are planning an even more spectacular night of fun, surprises and great achievements in sound.”
Mpse previously announced Ron Howard for the 2022 Filmmaker Award and Anthony “Chic” Ciccolini III for the 2022 Career Achievement Award.
The Trial of the Chicago 7, Soul, The Queen’s Gambit and The Mandalorian...
- 1/24/2022
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s the Gold Standard of Christmas movies and likely the oldest feature still broadcast on network TV during the holidays: Frank Capra’s sentimental favorite is his most human movie, the kind of show that convinced people that raising a family is a great idea. Although we’re now a full three generations removed from the world events that surround the story of George Bailey, his problems haven’t dated. Paramount’s anniversary disc gives us a new encoding from a 4K scan, a repressing of the older colorized version, a good making-of piece by Craig Barron and Ben Burtt, a reel of home movies from the film’s wrap picnic in the summer of ’46. . . and a set of ‘Bailey Family Recipe Cards.’
It’s a Wonderful Life 75th Anniversary
Blu-ray
Paramount
1946 / B&w + Colorized / 1:37 Academy / 130 min. / Street Date November 16, 2021 / Available from /
Starring: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore,...
It’s a Wonderful Life 75th Anniversary
Blu-ray
Paramount
1946 / B&w + Colorized / 1:37 Academy / 130 min. / Street Date November 16, 2021 / Available from /
Starring: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore,...
- 11/30/2021
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Criterion gives this classic its first exposure on Region A Blu-ray! A new 4K remaster puts the story of a guy too tiny to escape from his own cellar in its very best light — Scott Carey’s combat with the spider is still a scary delight, with a newly-fixed imperfection. Criterion’s extras lean toward fan-oriented fare: Tom Weaver tops the stack with a fine commentary and we get good input from Ben Burtt, Craig Barron, Richard Christian Matheson, Joe Dante and Dana Gould — plus thoughtful liner notes by Geoffrey O’Brien. And don’t forget those excellent movie trailers narrated by a breathless Orson Welles. Robert Scott Carey should have his own statue in Los Angeles, like Rocky Balboa in Philadelphia.
The Incredible Shrinking Man
Blu-ray
The Criterion Collection 1100
1957 / B&w / 1:85 widescreen / 81 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date October 19, 2021 / 39.95
Starring: Grant Williams, Randy Stuart, April Kent, Paul Langton,...
The Incredible Shrinking Man
Blu-ray
The Criterion Collection 1100
1957 / B&w / 1:85 widescreen / 81 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date October 19, 2021 / 39.95
Starring: Grant Williams, Randy Stuart, April Kent, Paul Langton,...
- 10/5/2021
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
“That’s all he ever wanted out of life… was love. That’s the tragedy of Charles Foster Kane. You see, he just didn’t have any to give.”
Orson Welles’ classic Citizen Kane (1941) will be available on 4k and Blu-ray October 19th. A 4-disc 4K Uhd+Blu-ray Combo and a 3-blu-ray Edition will both be available.
In the most dazzling debut feature in cinema history, twenty-five-year-old writer-producer-director-star Orson Welles synthesized the possibilities of sound-era filmmaking into what could be called the first truly modern movie. In telling the story of the meteoric rise and precipitous fall of a William Randolph Hearst–like newspaper magnate named Charles Foster Kane, Welles not only created the definitive portrait of American megalomania, he also unleashed a torrent of stylistic innovations—from the jigsaw-puzzle narrative structure to the stunning deep-focus camera work of Gregg Toland—that have ensured that Citizen Kane remains fresh and...
Orson Welles’ classic Citizen Kane (1941) will be available on 4k and Blu-ray October 19th. A 4-disc 4K Uhd+Blu-ray Combo and a 3-blu-ray Edition will both be available.
In the most dazzling debut feature in cinema history, twenty-five-year-old writer-producer-director-star Orson Welles synthesized the possibilities of sound-era filmmaking into what could be called the first truly modern movie. In telling the story of the meteoric rise and precipitous fall of a William Randolph Hearst–like newspaper magnate named Charles Foster Kane, Welles not only created the definitive portrait of American megalomania, he also unleashed a torrent of stylistic innovations—from the jigsaw-puzzle narrative structure to the stunning deep-focus camera work of Gregg Toland—that have ensured that Citizen Kane remains fresh and...
- 8/31/2021
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
To celebrate today’s release and the upcoming 40th Anniversary of Raiders of the Lost Ark, legendary sound designer Ben Burtt and foley artist John Roesch came together on the Foley stage at Skywalker Sound in Northern California and used props to demonstrate how they developed the distinctive sounds.
In the above video, go behind the scenes with Burtt and Roesch and watch as they recreate some of the iconic sounds that help make Raiders of the Lost Ark a true cinematic classic. Experience face punches, sword swishes, snake slithers, and more!
Called “the father of Skywalker Sound” by Steven Spielberg, Ben Burtt is an Academy Award®-winning sound designer, as well as an accomplished filmmaker who has written, directed and served as film editor on a vast array of projects. John Roesch is a professional Foley artist who has worked in the film business for over 40 years. With nearly 600 credits,...
In the above video, go behind the scenes with Burtt and Roesch and watch as they recreate some of the iconic sounds that help make Raiders of the Lost Ark a true cinematic classic. Experience face punches, sword swishes, snake slithers, and more!
Called “the father of Skywalker Sound” by Steven Spielberg, Ben Burtt is an Academy Award®-winning sound designer, as well as an accomplished filmmaker who has written, directed and served as film editor on a vast array of projects. John Roesch is a professional Foley artist who has worked in the film business for over 40 years. With nearly 600 credits,...
- 6/8/2021
- by ComicMix Staff
- Comicmix.com
Cinema Retro has received the following press release:
Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Raiders of the Lost Ark with All Four Indiana Jones Movie Adventures on 4K Ultra HD for the First Time
Hollywood, Calif. – Relive the unforgettable exploits of world-renowned, globetrotting hero Indiana Jones in spectacular 4K Ultra HD when the Indiana Jones 4-movie Collection arrives in a new 4K Ultra HD set June 8, 2021 from Lucasfilm Ltd. and Paramount Home Entertainment.
The cinematic classic that started it all—Raiders of the Lost Ark—celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, having first introduced audiences to the man with the hat on June 12, 1981. Forty years later, the legendary hero continues to captivate new generations of fans.
Now, for the first time ever, all four films are available together in 4K Ultra HD with Dolby Vision® and Hdr-10 for ultra-vivid picture quality and state-of-the-art Dolby Atmos® audio*. Each film has been meticulously...
Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Raiders of the Lost Ark with All Four Indiana Jones Movie Adventures on 4K Ultra HD for the First Time
Hollywood, Calif. – Relive the unforgettable exploits of world-renowned, globetrotting hero Indiana Jones in spectacular 4K Ultra HD when the Indiana Jones 4-movie Collection arrives in a new 4K Ultra HD set June 8, 2021 from Lucasfilm Ltd. and Paramount Home Entertainment.
The cinematic classic that started it all—Raiders of the Lost Ark—celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, having first introduced audiences to the man with the hat on June 12, 1981. Forty years later, the legendary hero continues to captivate new generations of fans.
Now, for the first time ever, all four films are available together in 4K Ultra HD with Dolby Vision® and Hdr-10 for ultra-vivid picture quality and state-of-the-art Dolby Atmos® audio*. Each film has been meticulously...
- 3/25/2021
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
It’s a sad irony that Boba Fett actor Jeremy Bulloch died mere hours before the season 2 finale of The Mandalorian. Bulloch was under the helmet and armor in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, his performance helping make the bounty hunter one of the most interesting and enigmatic characters in Star Wars. The impact of his Boba Fett is keenly felt in the smash hit Disney+ show, too, with Temuera Morrison taking over the role to amazing effect and set to continue it in a dedicated spinoff.
Tributes have been flooding in from his Star Wars colleagues all week as well. Billy Dee Williams said “today we lost the best bounty hunter in the galaxy,” Mark Hamill described him as “the quintessential English gentleman” and Daniel Logan (who played the young Boba in Attack of the Clones) stated: “Conventions won’t be the same without you.
Tributes have been flooding in from his Star Wars colleagues all week as well. Billy Dee Williams said “today we lost the best bounty hunter in the galaxy,” Mark Hamill described him as “the quintessential English gentleman” and Daniel Logan (who played the young Boba in Attack of the Clones) stated: “Conventions won’t be the same without you.
- 12/19/2020
- by David James
- We Got This Covered
We’re in the endgame now.
There’s no coincidence in the timing, as Mando draws to a close, Disney tease us with a raft of new shows. After the mess they made out of the sequel trilogy (The Last Jedi notwithstanding), half a dozen new shows may be ambitious.
Still, it’s because of episodes like The Believer that we can have faith that Disney are finally getting it right when it comes to the future of Star Wars on the (large) small screens.
You know the drill by now – Mando is searching for Grogu, so he inevitability needs to break into somewhere (an Imperial facility) to get the information that will drive the next episode (where Grogu is).
This time, he needs the help of an ex-Imperial employee, hence a trip to a prison camp to pick up Mayfeld (Bill Burr), the sharpshooter who double crossed Din back...
There’s no coincidence in the timing, as Mando draws to a close, Disney tease us with a raft of new shows. After the mess they made out of the sequel trilogy (The Last Jedi notwithstanding), half a dozen new shows may be ambitious.
Still, it’s because of episodes like The Believer that we can have faith that Disney are finally getting it right when it comes to the future of Star Wars on the (large) small screens.
You know the drill by now – Mando is searching for Grogu, so he inevitability needs to break into somewhere (an Imperial facility) to get the information that will drive the next episode (where Grogu is).
This time, he needs the help of an ex-Imperial employee, hence a trip to a prison camp to pick up Mayfeld (Bill Burr), the sharpshooter who double crossed Din back...
- 12/11/2020
- by Richard Phippen
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures has added Emmy-winner Ryan Murphy and five other new members to its Board of Trustees, AMPAS announced on Thursday.
The other new members for the museum, set to open on April 30, 2021, are Patricia S. Bellinger, Arnaud Boetsch, Olivier de Givenchy, Ray Halbritter and Regina K. Scully.
The board oversees the museum’s strategic vision, maintains its financial health and ensures the museum meets its mission of serving film lovers.
Also Read: Spike Lee, Pedro Almodóvar to Curate Inaugural Academy Museum Exhibitions
“We are thrilled to welcome these six remarkable leaders to our board of trustees. Their achievements in their respective fields demonstrate the passion and leadership that they will contribute to the Academy Museum. We look forward to working together on the world’s premier institution dedicated to the art and science of movies,” Ron Meyer, board chair and vice chairman of NBCUniversal, said in a statement.
The other new members for the museum, set to open on April 30, 2021, are Patricia S. Bellinger, Arnaud Boetsch, Olivier de Givenchy, Ray Halbritter and Regina K. Scully.
The board oversees the museum’s strategic vision, maintains its financial health and ensures the museum meets its mission of serving film lovers.
Also Read: Spike Lee, Pedro Almodóvar to Curate Inaugural Academy Museum Exhibitions
“We are thrilled to welcome these six remarkable leaders to our board of trustees. Their achievements in their respective fields demonstrate the passion and leadership that they will contribute to the Academy Museum. We look forward to working together on the world’s premier institution dedicated to the art and science of movies,” Ron Meyer, board chair and vice chairman of NBCUniversal, said in a statement.
- 7/9/2020
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
When I think of classic literature that really gets under my skin and leaves some scars, H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds is at the top of the list. The many adaptations of Wells' timeless extraterrestrial tale are just one indication of the novel's enduring legacy, and that legacy continues to grow now that the first The War of the Worlds film is coming to the Criterion Collection.
Announced on Criterion's Twitter account, The War of the Worlds (1953) will join the Criterion Collection this July as a new Blu-ray featuring a 4K digital restoration and new cover art by artist Patrick Leger.
We have the full release details and a look at the cover art and images from the film below, and be sure to visit the Criterion Collection online for more information.
From Criterion Collection: "A mysterious, meteorlike object has landed in a small California town.
Announced on Criterion's Twitter account, The War of the Worlds (1953) will join the Criterion Collection this July as a new Blu-ray featuring a 4K digital restoration and new cover art by artist Patrick Leger.
We have the full release details and a look at the cover art and images from the film below, and be sure to visit the Criterion Collection online for more information.
From Criterion Collection: "A mysterious, meteorlike object has landed in a small California town.
- 4/16/2020
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
With the Academy Museum finally, finally set to open to the public on December 14, eight years since the project was first announced, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has lined up a new group of world-class talent to contribute to the museum’s programming. Spike Lee and Pedro Almodóvar are among recently announced filmmakers who will curate exhibits for the Academy Museum, with more directors to come, AMPAS said on Saturday. Specific details on the exhibits have yet to be announced.
“Joker” composer Hildur Guðnadóttir, the first woman ever to win the Best Original Score Academy Award, will also collaborate on new exhibits. So will veteran sound-effects whiz Ben Burtt, an editor and Oscar winner on the original “Star Wars,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial,” and “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.”
More from IndieWireStream of the Day: Spike Lee's 'Girl 6' Deserves...
“Joker” composer Hildur Guðnadóttir, the first woman ever to win the Best Original Score Academy Award, will also collaborate on new exhibits. So will veteran sound-effects whiz Ben Burtt, an editor and Oscar winner on the original “Star Wars,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial,” and “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.”
More from IndieWireStream of the Day: Spike Lee's 'Girl 6' Deserves...
- 4/4/2020
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
The Academy Museum on Saturday detailed what will be some of its inaugural exhibitions when it opens in December, with directors Spike Lee and Pedro Almodóvar, composer Hildur Guðnadóttir and sound designer Ben Burtt to curate galleries in the museum.
The four collaborators will contribute to the Stories of Cinema galleries located on the second and third floors of the Saban Building. The galleries will explore all aspects of the art and science of moviemaking and over time will rotate out and change with new movies, artists, eras and genres being highlighted.
Some of the initial films and artists who will be spotlighted in the galleries exploring the history of cinema will include Bruce Lee, cinematographer Emmanuel “Chivo” Lubezki, filmmaker Oscar Micheaux, and the films “Citizen Kane” and “Real Women Have Curves.” The galleries will dives deeply into the worlds of casting and performance, costume, hair and makeup design, the components of sound design,...
The four collaborators will contribute to the Stories of Cinema galleries located on the second and third floors of the Saban Building. The galleries will explore all aspects of the art and science of moviemaking and over time will rotate out and change with new movies, artists, eras and genres being highlighted.
Some of the initial films and artists who will be spotlighted in the galleries exploring the history of cinema will include Bruce Lee, cinematographer Emmanuel “Chivo” Lubezki, filmmaker Oscar Micheaux, and the films “Citizen Kane” and “Real Women Have Curves.” The galleries will dives deeply into the worlds of casting and performance, costume, hair and makeup design, the components of sound design,...
- 4/4/2020
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
The upcoming Academy Museum of Motion Pictures announced that Spike Lee, Pedro Almodóvar and other filmmakers will collaborate on exhibitions when the museum opens.
Hildur Guðnadóttir, the composer for last year’s “Joker,” and Ben Burtt, a veteran sound designer on the “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones” franchises, will also help curate exhibits.
Bill Kramer, director of the Academy Museum, announced the details of the new collaborations on Saturday. The museum will open to the public on Dec. 14, eight years after the project was first announced.
“We will open the Academy Museum with exhibitions and programs that will illuminate the complex and fascinating world of cinema — its art, technology, artists, history, and social impact — through a variety of diverse and engaging voices. We will tell complete stories of moviemaking — celebratory, educational, and sometimes critical and uncomfortable. Global in outlook and grounded in the unparalleled collections and expertise of the Academy,...
Hildur Guðnadóttir, the composer for last year’s “Joker,” and Ben Burtt, a veteran sound designer on the “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones” franchises, will also help curate exhibits.
Bill Kramer, director of the Academy Museum, announced the details of the new collaborations on Saturday. The museum will open to the public on Dec. 14, eight years after the project was first announced.
“We will open the Academy Museum with exhibitions and programs that will illuminate the complex and fascinating world of cinema — its art, technology, artists, history, and social impact — through a variety of diverse and engaging voices. We will tell complete stories of moviemaking — celebratory, educational, and sometimes critical and uncomfortable. Global in outlook and grounded in the unparalleled collections and expertise of the Academy,...
- 4/4/2020
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety Film + TV
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures has provided new details of the exhibitions that will be on view when the museum opens to the public on December 14, 2020.
Motion picture artists Spike Lee, Pedro Almodóvar, Hildur Guðnadóttir, and Ben Burtt will serve as collaborators, contributing their own visions to the inaugural exhibitions, said Bill Kramer, the museum’s director.
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“We will open the Academy Museum with exhibitions and programs that will illuminate the complex and fascinating world of cinema—its art, technology, artists, history, and social impact—through a variety of diverse and engaging voices,” Kramer said in a statement. “We will tell complete stories of moviemaking—celebratory,...
Motion picture artists Spike Lee, Pedro Almodóvar, Hildur Guðnadóttir, and Ben Burtt will serve as collaborators, contributing their own visions to the inaugural exhibitions, said Bill Kramer, the museum’s director.
More from DeadlineNew York Gov. Andrew Cuomo Claims 4,159 Covid-19 Deaths, But Indicates That It Could Be "A Plateau"Food Network's 'Barefoot Contessa' Ina Garten Advocates Day Drinking As A Way To Beat Quarantine BluesJoe Biden: Democratic National Convention May Have To Be "Virtual" Event
“We will open the Academy Museum with exhibitions and programs that will illuminate the complex and fascinating world of cinema—its art, technology, artists, history, and social impact—through a variety of diverse and engaging voices,” Kramer said in a statement. “We will tell complete stories of moviemaking—celebratory,...
- 4/4/2020
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
The Rise of Skywalker wasn’t the only Star Wars movie to feature a minor cameo from George Lucas.
According to sources close to ABC News, the former Lucasfilm boss was also referenced in both Rogue One and The Last Jedi – albeit through the power of audio.
The recently-released Episode IX contained a deep audio Easter egg that just so happens to be a scream from George Lucas himself. The clip, which has since been dubbed “The George,” was first recorded all the way back in 1973 for American Graffiti, though it’s only now that it’s beginning to gain traction online. So much so, in fact, that it’s even being compared to the “Wilhelm Scream,” an incredibly distinctive audio clip that you’ve no doubt heard ten times before, after Star Wars sound designer Ben Burtt stitched it into dozens of different films, including every installment of Indiana Jones.
According to sources close to ABC News, the former Lucasfilm boss was also referenced in both Rogue One and The Last Jedi – albeit through the power of audio.
The recently-released Episode IX contained a deep audio Easter egg that just so happens to be a scream from George Lucas himself. The clip, which has since been dubbed “The George,” was first recorded all the way back in 1973 for American Graffiti, though it’s only now that it’s beginning to gain traction online. So much so, in fact, that it’s even being compared to the “Wilhelm Scream,” an incredibly distinctive audio clip that you’ve no doubt heard ten times before, after Star Wars sound designer Ben Burtt stitched it into dozens of different films, including every installment of Indiana Jones.
- 2/5/2020
- by Michael Briers
- We Got This Covered
The supervising sound editors behind Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker are featured in a new episode of The Hollywood Reporter's Behind the Screen.
Sound editing Oscar nominees David Acord, who was also the film's sound designer, and Matthew Wood of Skywalker Sound describe how the film paid homage to the franchise by incorporating the iconic Star Wars sound of the original's legendary sound designer Ben Burtt while integrating new sounds and new characters. They do this by sharing little-known behind-the-scenes stories.
The pair also discuss their work on Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and Jon Favreau's The Mandalorian, which ...
Sound editing Oscar nominees David Acord, who was also the film's sound designer, and Matthew Wood of Skywalker Sound describe how the film paid homage to the franchise by incorporating the iconic Star Wars sound of the original's legendary sound designer Ben Burtt while integrating new sounds and new characters. They do this by sharing little-known behind-the-scenes stories.
The pair also discuss their work on Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and Jon Favreau's The Mandalorian, which ...
The supervising sound editors behind Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker are featured in a new episode of The Hollywood Reporter's Behind the Screen.
Sound editing Oscar nominees David Acord, who was also the film's sound designer, and Matthew Wood of Skywalker Sound describe how the film paid homage to the franchise by incorporating the iconic Star Wars sound of the original's legendary sound designer Ben Burtt while integrating new sounds and new characters. They do this by sharing little-known behind-the-scenes stories.
The pair also discuss their work on Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and Jon Favreau's The Mandalorian, which ...
Sound editing Oscar nominees David Acord, who was also the film's sound designer, and Matthew Wood of Skywalker Sound describe how the film paid homage to the franchise by incorporating the iconic Star Wars sound of the original's legendary sound designer Ben Burtt while integrating new sounds and new characters. They do this by sharing little-known behind-the-scenes stories.
The pair also discuss their work on Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and Jon Favreau's The Mandalorian, which ...
From the swoosh of a lightsaber to the beeps of R2-D2, the world of Star Wars is brought alive not just by groundbreaking special effects but also the innovative sounds that capture a galaxy far, far away — which started with the work four decades ago of legendary Star Wars sound designer Ben Burtt. So for The Rise of Skywalker, sound editing Oscar nominees David Acord and Matthew Wood of Skywalker Sound were conscientious about staying within the sonic world created by their predecessor.
"It's just trying to create that Ben Burtt sound, if that's at all possible," says ...
"It's just trying to create that Ben Burtt sound, if that's at all possible," says ...
- 1/29/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
From the swoosh of a lightsaber to the beeps of R2-D2, the world of Star Wars is brought alive not just by groundbreaking special effects but also the innovative sounds that capture a galaxy far, far away — which started with the work four decades ago of legendary Star Wars sound designer Ben Burtt. So for The Rise of Skywalker, sound editing Oscar nominees David Acord and Matthew Wood of Skywalker Sound were conscientious about staying within the sonic world created by their predecessor.
"It's just trying to create that Ben Burtt sound, if that's at all possible," says ...
"It's just trying to create that Ben Burtt sound, if that's at all possible," says ...
- 1/29/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
From the roar of the T-Rex in “Jurassic Park” to the off-kilter, three-dimensional way Barry (Adam Sandler) travels through an off-kilter aural world in “Punch-Drunk Love,” to sound becoming the principal storyteller amidst the chaos of the D-Day invasion in “Saving Private Ryan,” Gary Rydstrom’s place on the Mount Rushmore of sound designers is secure. It’s a career that stretches back 30-plus years, resulting in 18 Oscar nominations and won seven wins, for projects ranging from “Terminator 2: Judgement Day” to “Titanic.”
Rydstrom’s most productive and longest collaboration has been with Steven Spielberg, but his most long-lasting impact was making Pixar’s digital animation come to life. Rydstrom started his career at Skywalker Sound, which ultimately led him to work on Pixar’s earliest achievements. In 1986, John Lasseter’s first experiment was animating the bouncing lamp in “Luxo, Jr.,” but it was Rydstrom’s springy creak that brought it life.
Rydstrom’s most productive and longest collaboration has been with Steven Spielberg, but his most long-lasting impact was making Pixar’s digital animation come to life. Rydstrom started his career at Skywalker Sound, which ultimately led him to work on Pixar’s earliest achievements. In 1986, John Lasseter’s first experiment was animating the bouncing lamp in “Luxo, Jr.,” but it was Rydstrom’s springy creak that brought it life.
- 12/3/2019
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
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