#AFI, AFI Movie Club, American Film Institute, television

Edgar Wright announces today’s AFI Movie Club selection: DUCK SOUP (1933)

April 23, 2020 HollywoodGlee Leave a comment

Posted by Larry Gleeson

Edgar Wright announces today’s AFI Movie Club selection: DUCK SOUP – an early sophisticated comedy that holds up well over time. The film appears on three of AFI’s lists of the greatest American films – including #5 on AFI’s 100 YEARS…100 LAUGHS. And the Marx Brothers – Groucho, Chico and Harpo – appear collectively at #20 on AFI’s list of the greatest screen legends!

The mayor of Fredonia, NY, complained to Paramount Pictures about the name of the mythical kingdom of Freedonia. There is now a film festival in celebration of the film – Freedonia Marxonia: Marx Brothers Film Festival and Symposium – held in Fredonia! In the meantime, watch Billy Crystal and Lily Tomlin talk about their love of the Marx Brothers in this exclusive AFI Archive clip.

Interesting Facts

Italian dictator Benito Mussolini banned the film from Italy because he thought it was a direct attack on him.

Groucho had a very unique explanation of the movie’s title. “Take two turkeys, one goose, four cabbages, but no duck, and mix them together. After one taste, you’ll duck soup the rest of your life.”

DUCK SOUP is the final Marx Brothers film to feature straight man Zeppo Marx?

Actress Margaret Dumont starred in half of all Marx Brothers movies. She was an experienced comedienne, who Groucho Marx referred to as “practically the fifth Marx Brother.”

DUCK SOUP doesn’t end at the credits. Engage with your family, friends and others like you who love the movies. Check out the AFI Movie Club Discussion Questions for this movie and post your responses in the comment section!

AFI Movie Club Discussion Questions

Join the conversation on Twitter and Instagram now using #AFIMovieClub. Or post your responses in the comment section below.

-DUCK SOUP is a satire – using humor to comment on the world. What elements of the movie do you think may have been happening in the world during the time it was made?

-What themes of the movie still resonate in today’s world?

-Many consider DUCK SOUP to be the best of the Marx Brothers movies. Do you have a favorite?

-The Marx Brothers are one of the funniest comedy groups in movie history – inspiring generations. What comedy groups and comedians rank as your favorites?

-How would you rate DUCK SOUP?

About AFI Movie Club

I hope the AFI Movie Club brings some inspiration and entertainment during this uncertain time. AFI has created a global, virtual gathering of those who love the movies where each day’s film – announced by a special guest – is accompanied by fun facts, family-friendly discussion points and material from the AFI Archive to bring the viewing experience to life. As a non-profit, AFI Movie Club is a member-powered organization, dependent upon the support of its movie fans. To support AFI Movie Club please consider becoming a member or donating.

AFI Movie Club is a newly launched free program to raise the nation’s spirits by bringing artists and audiences together – even while we are apart. AFI shines a spotlight on an iconic movie each day, with special guests announcing the Movie of the Day. Audiences can “gather” at AFI.com/MovieClub to find out how to watch the featured movie of the day with the use of their preexisting streaming service credentials. The daily film selections will be supported by fun facts, family discussion points and exclusive material from the AFI Archive to enrich the viewing experience.

(Sourced from AFI NEWS Release)

#AFI, AFI Movie Club, American Film Institute, television

Jessica Chastain announces today’s AFI Movie Club

April 22, 2020 HollywoodGlee Leave a comment

Posted by Larry Gleeson

Jessica Chastain announces today’s AFI Movie Club selection Moonstruck starring Cher and Nicolas Cage.

INTERESTING FACTS

MOONSTRUCK won three Academy Awards^® — Best Actress in a Leading Role (Cher), Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Olympia Dukakis) and Best Screenplay (John Patrick Shanley).

The production included a prop moon – dubbed “Wendy” – which was made out of 196 fey lights attached to a giant cherry picker. The prop, invented by British cinematographer David Watkin, depicted the moon rising at night and was also perched over the set, illuminating cast members.

The original title of MOONSTRUCK was THE BRIDE AND THE WOLF. However, director Norman Jewison thought it sounded like a horror film, much to writer John Patrick Shanley’s chagrin.

A real, working bakery was used in the filming of MOONSTRUCK. During production, the owner insisted on keeping his business open so he could continue to fill orders and bake 5,000 loaves of bread a day.

Principal photography on MOONSTRUCK concluded on February 13, 1987 – coincidentally the night of a full moon.

Cher urged Norman Jewison to cast Nicolas Cage after seeing his performance in PEGGY SUE GOT MARRIED.

Nicolas Cage’s memorable performance during the “I lost my hand” speech was inspired by watching Rudolf Klein-Rogge in Fritz Lang’s METROPOLIS.

The movie doesn’t end at the credits. Engage with your family, friends and others like you who love the movies. Check out the AFI Movie Club Discussion Questions for this movie and post your responses in the comment section! Or join the conversation on Twitter and Instagram now using #AFIMovieClub.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

-What did you think of the film’s representation of a New York Italian family?

-How is MOONSTRUCK an unconventional romantic comedy? How does Loretta (Cher) diverge from the normal archetype for a leading lady in a romcom?

-What are the moments that made you laugh out loud the hardest?

-Why do you think Loretta (Cher) and Johnny (Nicolas Cage) are so attracted to one another?

-How does the film use music both in its iconic opening and in the opera scene?

-What is your favorite line in the movie?

-How would you rate MOONSTRUCK?

About AFI Movie Club

(Sourced from AFI NEWS Release)

#AFI, AFI Movie Club, American Film Institute, television

Sharon Stone Announces ALL ABOUT EVE #AFIMovieClub

April 20, 2020 HollywoodGlee Leave a comment

Posted by Larry Gleeson

Sharon Stone announces today’s AFI Movie Club selection: ALL ABOUT EVE. The film is #28 on AFI’s 100 Years…100 Movies – 10th Anniversary Edition list and Eve Harrington’s scheming ingénue graces AFI’s list of the most diabolical movie villains! The film’s iconic quote – “Fasten your seatbelts. It’s going to be a bumpy night” – is ranked #9 for the greatest movie quotes of all time.

ALL ABOUT EVE received 14 Academy Award^® nominations and is the only film ever to receive four female acting nominations – Bette Davis and Anne Baxter were nominated for Best Actress, while Celeste Holm and Thelma Ritter were nominated for Best Supporting Actress. In this exclusive AFI Archive video, Bette Davis and costume designer Edith Head talk about working on the film.

INTERESTING FACTS

Mary Orr, who wrote the short story “The Wisdom of Eve” on which the film is based, received no onscreen or official credit for her story.

Claudette Colbert was originally cast in the role of Margo Channing but was forced to withdraw from the production when she injured her back. Bette Davis was then offered the role, which revitalized her career.

Bette Davis and co-star Gary Merrill became romantically involved during filming. They married in July 1950 and adopted a baby girl, whom they aptly named Margot.

Zsa Zsa Gabor, who was newly married to George Sanders (Addison DeWitt), kept dropping by set because she was worried about the young blonde ingénue acting opposite him. It was none other than Marilyn Monroe.

ALL ABOUT EVE received 14 Oscar^® nominations—a record that remained unbroken until 1998 when it was tied by TITANIC and later LA LA LAND. It marks the only time a film has received four female actings Oscar® nominations – Bette Davis and Anne Baxter for Best Actress and Celeste Holm and Thelma Ritter for Best Supporting Actress.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

The movie doesn’t end at the credits. Engage with your family, friends, and others like you who love the movies. Check out the AFI Movie Club Discussion Questions for this movie and post your responses in the comment section!

Join the conversation on Twitter and Instagram now using #AFIMovieClub. Or post your responses in the comment section below.

-How does screenwriter Joseph L. Mankiewicz use a revolving door of narrators throughout the film? What effect does it have in terms of perspective?

-Mankiewicz’s Academy Award®-winning script is known for its razor-sharp wit and biting humor. What is your favorite line?

-How is Eve Harrington an unconventional antagonist?

-How does Margo characterize being a woman aging in Hollywood, and what is the internal conflict that she struggles with throughout the film?

-ALL ABOUT EVE is still the only film to ever be Oscar®-nominated for four female performances. Which is your favorite and why?

-What other movies about show business, and Broadway, in particular, do you love?

-How would you rate ALL ABOUT EVE?

I hope the AFI Movie Club brings some inspiration and entertainment during this uncertain time when we are reminded “There’s no place like home.” AFI has created a global, virtual gathering of those who love the movies where each day’s film – announced by a special guest – is accompanied by fun facts, family-friendly discussion points and material from the AFI Archive to bring the viewing experience to life. As a non-profit, AFI Movie Club is a member-powered organization, dependent upon the support of its movie fans. To support AFI Movie Club please consider becoming a member or donating.

About AFI Movie Club

AFI Movie Club is a newly launched free program to raise the nation’s spirits by bringing artists and audiences together – even while we are apart. AFI will shine a spotlight on an iconic movie each day, with special guests announcing select AFI Movies of the Day in short videos posted on AFI.com and social media platforms. Audiences can “gather” at AFI.com/MovieClub to find out how to watch the featured movie of the day with the use of their preexisting streaming service credentials. The daily film selections will be supported by fun facts, family discussion points and exclusive material from the AFI Archive to enrich the viewing experience. Audiences can continue the conversation online using the hashtag #AFIMovieClub. Learn more at AFI.com and follow us on social media at Facebook.com/AmericanFilmInstitute, youtube.com/AFI, twitter.com/AmericanFilm, and Instagram.com/AmericanFilmInstitute.

(Source: AFI News Release)

#AFI, AFI Movie Club, American Film Institute

JACK BLACK ANNOUNCES THIS IS SPINAL TAP #AFIMovieClub

April 17, 2020 HollywoodGlee Leave a comment

Posted by Larry Gleeson

Jack Black announces today’s AFI Movie Club selection: THIS IS SPINAL TAP. Directed by Rob Reiner and written by Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, and Rob Reiner, the film is ranked #29 on AFI’s list of the all-time greatest comedies!

Watch Carl Reiner and Billy Crystal talk about their favorite scenes from THIS IS SPINAL TAP.

INTERESTING FACTS: The film features cameos by comedians Billy Crystal and Dana Carvey as mimes, and the film has its own IMDb rating scale to reflect Nigel Tufnel’s famous quote that the amps “go to 11.”

THIS IS SPINAL TAP is Rob Reiner’s first feature film as a director.

The film features cameos by comedians Billy Crystal and Dana Carvey as mimes. The film has its own IMDb rating scale to reflect Nigel Tufnel’s famous quote that the amps “go to 11.”

The three leads play their own instruments and do their own singing in the film.

Penelope Spheeris was originally asked to direct THIS IS SPINAL TAP. She ultimately turned it down but did go on to direct the documentary rock trilogy THE DECLINE OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION.

The movie doesn’t end at the credits. Engage with your family, friends, and others like you who love movies. Check out the AFI Movie Club Discussion Questions for this movie and post your responses in the comment section!

What were the most laugh-out-loud moments of the movie? What were the most outrageous scenes of rock and roll excess?

-Which Spinal Tap band member do you like the most?

-Which real-life British rock stars do you think might have inspired the filmmakers?

-What did you think of the characters’ ad-libbing throughout? Could you tell me that the film wasn’t scripted?

-THIS IS SPINAL TAP marked the first of several mockumentaries created by Christopher Guest. Do you have a personal favorite?

-Why do you think THIS IS SPINAL TAP has achieved cult status?

-How would you rate THIS IS SPINAL TAP?

About AFI Movie Club

#AFI, AFI Life Achievement Award, AFI Movie Club, American Film Institute, television

CHARLIE DAY AND MARY ELIZABETH ELLIS ANNOUNCE NINE TO FIVE #AFIMovieClub

April 15, 2020 HollywoodGlee Leave a comment

Posted by Larry Gleeson

Charlie Day and Mary Elizabeth Ellis announce today’s AFI Movie Club selection: NINE TO FIVE. The film appears on AFI’s 100 YEARS…100 LAUGHS list, and Dolly Parton’s anthem “9 to 5” is on AFI’s list of greatest songs! And Jane Fonda, one of the stars of the film, was the recipient of the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2014!

INTERSTING FACTS: NINE TO FIVE was the second biggest hit of 1980 – after THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. View this exclusive AFI Archive video of Jane Fonda talking about how she brought NINE TO FIVE to the big screen.

Jane Fonda was inspired by Karen Nussbaum, the founder of Nine to Five – an association of women office workers – to develop a film about secretaries. Screenwriter Patricia Resnick conducted research for the film by posing as a secretary at Fox Studios’ insurance company.

Lily Tomlin originally turned down the role of Violet Newstead because she was coming off of a seven-month shoot for THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING WOMAN, but her wife Jane Wagner convinced her to change her mind.

NINE TO FIVE marked the theatrical film debut of actress and singer Dolly Parton.

Dolly Parton’s sister Rachel took over the role of Doralee Rhodes when they made NINE TO FIVE into a TV series. The series also featured screen legend Rita Moreno!

Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” was nominated for the Academy Award® for Best Original Song.

NINE TO FIVE was the second biggest hit of 1980 – after STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK.

The movie doesn’t end at the credits: Family-friendly Discussion Questions

Join the conversation on Twitter and Instagram now using #AFIMovieClub. Or post your responses in the comment section below.

-What moment in NINE TO FIVE made you laugh the hardest?

-Which secretary – Violet, Judy or Doralee – do you most identify with?

-What do you think of the theme song written by Dolly Parton? What other songs by Dolly Parton do you like?

-What are some other films starring Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda that are your favorites?

-Does the film still resonate today, and, if so, why?

-How would you rate NINE TO FIVE?

About AFI Movie Club

#Sundance, Documentary, Sundance, Sundance Film Festival

FILM REVIEW: Bryan Fogel’s The Dissident Speaks Volumes

April 14, 2020 HollywoodGlee 2 Comments

Posted by Larry Gleeson

Bryan Fogel, the Academy Award-winning director of Icarus premiered The Dissident, a bone-chilling documentary film, at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. In The Dissident Fogel explores the events leading up to the 2018 brutal murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the events in the aftermath of the killing. Fogel follows Khashoggi’s friend and colleague, Omar Abdulaziz, a Saudi exile in Canada risking his life for the freedom of speech and Khashoggi’s fiancée, Hatice Cengiz, arguing for justice in front of the United Nations. In addition, with 2018 footage of Khashoggi in and out of briefings, Fogel lays the impressive groundwork of a counter-revolutionary movement underway in Egypt and Jordan and provides critical insight into the progressive, reformist leaning Vision 2030, the Saudi Arabian King Salmond’s Crown Prince son, Mohammad Bin Salmond’s (MBS) blueprint for Saudi society.

Furthermore, Fogel discusses a top-level purchase of highly sophisticated cyber-espionage technology, known as Pegasus, enabling MBS to hack into dissident social media accounts across the country and beyond. MBS employed an army to control social media content by infecting untold accounts with Pegasus. Interesting to note, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos’ smartphone was hacked and downloaded for months by Pegasus after MBS sent Bezos a mysterious video attachment on WhatsApp. The social media space, manipulated so effectively by Russia in the US elections, had now become an international warzone not just in the US and Suadi Arabia but in many countries around the world. Not surprisingly, US President Donald Trump went to the country of Saudi Arabia on his first stop of his first official visit abroad, refused to acknowledge Khashoggi’s murder despite every intelligence agency concurring, and proceeded to announce to the American people a massive $500 billion dollar arms sale. “The Saudis buy a lot of weapons from us,” opined the President in defense of himself.

But, Jamaal Kashoggi was widely respected both in Saudi Arabia and globally as a very astute scholar well-versed in the ways of diplomacy. Seemingly, his outspoken journalism aginst the destabilizing “reforms” of MBS, published in the Washington Post, led to his murder in the Istanbul Saudi consulate on October 2, 2018. The Turkish government investigated Koshoggi’s murder compiling a formidable case. United Nations Special Reporter Agnes Callamard started her own investigation and concluded an international crime had been committed in Khashoggi’s death with no less than six violations of international law igniting protests and strengthening the country’s demand for freedom of speech under the banner – Justice for Jamal. His murder also undid MBS’s Vision 2030. In reality, Vision 2030 was an ambitious power grab under the guise of an anti-corruption probe where MBS rounded up and imprisoned the country’s most powerful people while seizing hundreds of billions of dollars.

With a covert expose’ touch, Fogel adeptly uncovers and reveals the truth in this highly controversial and well-researched, socio-political-economic arena unfolding in the global news cycle with an abundant supply of footage of all the key players and some very informative graphics. Make no mistake, The Dissident is a powerful and startling look at the cost of freedom of speech, the murder of a journalist for exercising his freedom of speech, and the ramifications of the interference of a government in social media. Don’t miss this one. Highly recommended.

Documentary, Sundance, Sundance Film Festival

FILM REVIEW: Max Richter’s Sleep connecting the world

April 14, 2020 HollywoodGlee Leave a comment

Posted by Larry Gleeson

Max Richter’s Sleep, a documentary film from Award-winning filmmaker Natalie Johns screened at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival as a Special Event. Sundance Special Events are one-of-a-kind moments highlighting new independent works that enhance the festival experience. Johns’s first global feature documentary, I Am Thalente, won an Audience Award at the LA Film Festival. Johns also received an Emmy nomination in 2015 for Outstanding Directing and has collaborated with some of the world’s leading musical talent, including John Legend Annie Lennox, Sam Smith, Childish Gambino, Solange, and Gil Scott Heron. In 2015, to critical acclaim, Richter released an eight-hour Sleep lullaby with a meditative quality combining piano and strings with subtle electronic touches and vocals to mimic brain waves in a state of sleep – an unimaginable effort connecting musical consciousness to the world.

Max Richter’s Sleep follows the process of mounting the most ambitious live performance of Sleep to date: an open-air concert in downtown Los Angeles’s Grand Park, across from the Los Angeles Music Center, where over 500 people experienced the composer’s work in unison. But, instead of chairs, the audience members were given beds to sleep in! Johns includes a myriad of aerial shots of the downtown Los Angeles area that are interwoven in the film while a narrative voice-over informs the audience of longing for human connection and the desire to create a space for community and connectivity. A montage of close-ups depicting musical instruments and mathematical equations delineating the intricate mathematical formulae Richter utilizes to create his dream state composition.

Intentionally designed to keep listeners in a state of sleep, Richter unlocks patterns and rhythmically represents brain waves with accompanying repetitious musical notes. Performing Sleep required unprecedented endurance from its musicians. Once the concert is well underway, footage of Richter walking through the sleeping audience is captured and reveals the majestic undertaking coming to fruition – rejuvenation by reengaging the arts back into society. As morning breaks, an acoustic sunrise slowly brings an emotional, refreshed awakening with a feeling of hope and a new beginning.

Johns also includes a look into Richter’s home life as he and his wife balance creative pursuits and paying the bills. Richter confesses his creative pursuits are his passion but his film compositions allow him the freedom to balance his art and his household needs. The result was a striking visual portrait that immerses us within the life of Richter and his creative partner, Yulia Mahr. Interestingly, Richter has performed his Sleep in venues around the world including cathedrals and parks. The first performance from midnight to 8:00 AM, September 27th, 2015, in London, England, at the Wellcome Collection Reading Room as part of the BBC’s “Science and Music” set a Guinness Book of World Records for the longest live broadcast The composition was also performed at the Philharmonie de Paris from midnight to 8:00 AM on November 18th, 2017.

The Los Angeles concerts on July 27-28th and July 28-29th, 2018, from approximately 10:30 PM until dawn, were the first outdoor performances of Sleep. Richter played piano, keyboards, and electronics. The American Contemporary Music Ensemble accompanied Richter along with cellist Claire Jensen, soprano Grace Davidson, violinist Andrew Tholl, cellist Emily Brausa, Isabelle Hagen (viola), and Ben Russell. I viewed the ninety-nine-minute film in the evening with a group of Sundance Film Festival volunteers and several members of the press. I left the theatre feeling very connected and very grounded and I imagine you will too. Highly recommended – an ultimate chill film!

television

ABC TO CELEBRATE THE LEGENDARY GARRY MARSHALL

April 10, 2020 HollywoodGlee Leave a comment

Posted by Larry Gleeson

‘The Happy Days of Garry Marshall’ Airs Tuesday, May 12, on ABC

Julie Andrews, Jennifer Garner, Richard Gere, Anne Hathaway, Kate Hudson, Ron Howard, Jimmy Kimmel, Ashton Kutcher, Chris Pine, Julia Roberts, John Stamos and Henry Winkler Among Stars Sharing Their Favorite Memories of a Beloved Friend and Colleague

In a one-of-a-kind, heartfelt tribute to a Hollywood legend, the stars of some of TV and film’s most iconic titles, including “Happy Days,” “Laverne & Shirley,” “Mork & Mindy,” “Pretty Woman” and “The Princess Diaries,” come together to celebrate “The Happy Days of Garry Marshall,” airing TUESDAY, MAY 12 (8:00 – 10:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC.

In this special, Marshall’s family and friends share their favorite memories of the creative genius behind some of the most memorable series in television history. It was 1974 when Marshall created his first series for ABC and introduced America to “The Cunninghams.” Each week, millions gathered around the television set for “Happy Days,” shared in the hilarious hijinks of Laverne DeFazio and her best friend, Shirley Feeney, on “Laverne & Shirley,” and witnessed the “out-of-this-world” adventures of a Martian named Mork on “Mork & Mindy.”

Not only was Marshall a force in television, but he also directed a wide range of critically acclaimed feature films including “Pretty Woman,” “Beaches,” “Runaway Bride” and “The Princess Diaries,” creating countless memories for generations around the world. Join stars, Richard Gere, Hector Elizondo and Julia Roberts (“Pretty Woman”); Ron Howard, Don Most, Marion Ross, Anson Williams and Henry Winkler (“Happy Days”); Cindy Williams, David Lander and Michael McKean (“Laverne & Shirley”); Pam Dawber (“Mork & Mindy”); Barbara Hershey (“Beaches”); and Julie Andrews, Anne Hathaway, and Chris Pine (“The Princess Diaries”) for an evening full of laughs and heartfelt memories about a man who put family first and spent his life and career-making us laugh.

John Scheinfeld, Executive Producer of “The Happy Days of Garry Marshall”

“Garry famously said, ‘I never wanted to change the world. I wanted to entertain the world.’ And for more than six decades, his work in television and films made us laugh, touched our hearts and always left us feeling good,” said John Scheinfeld, executive producer of “The Happy Days of Garry Marshall.” “Featuring his most famous stars, this very special celebration captures the hilarious, positive, upbeat and romantic nature of Garry Marshall. It’s exactly the show we need right now.”

Additional appearances in “The Happy Days of Garry Marshall” include ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel and actors Abigail Breslin, Yvette Nicole Brown, Cary Elwes, Jennifer Garner, Kate Hudson, Ashton Kutcher, Rob Lowe, and John Stamos, as well as Marshall’s wife, Barbara, and their children Scott, Kathleen and Lori, who share never-before-heard stories about Marshall, including a look back at the start of his career in Hollywood.

“The Happy Days of Garry Marshall” is produced by Crew Neck Productions for ABC and is written and directed by John Scheinfeld.

About ABC Entertainment

ABC Entertainment airs compelling programming across all day parts, including “Grey’s Anatomy,” the longest-running medical drama in prime-time television; riveting dramas “The Good Doctor,” “How to Get Away with Murder,” “A Million Little Things” and “Station 19”; the Emmy® Award-winning “Modern Family” and trailblazing comedy favorites “American Housewife,” “black-ish,” “Bless This Mess,” “The Conners,” “The Goldbergs,” and “Schooled”; the popular “Summer Fun & Games” programming block, including “Card Sharks,” “Celebrity Family Feud,” “Holey Moley” and “Press Your Luck”; star-making sensation “American Idol”; reality phenomenon “Shark Tank”; “The Bachelor” franchise; long-running hits “Dancing with the Stars” and “America’s Funniest Home Videos”; “General Hospital,” which has aired for more than 55 years on the network; and late-night talk show “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”; as well as the critically acclaimed hit special ”Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear’s ‘All in the Family’ and ‘The Jeffersons.’” The network also boasts some of television’s most prestigious awards shows, including “The Oscars®,” “The CMA Awards” and the “American Music Awards.”

ABC programming can also be viewed on-demand and on Hulu.

(Source: Press release from Beachwood Entertainment Collective)

#AFI, AFI Movie Club, American Film Institute

Eva Longoria Announces GILDA #AFIMovieClub Pick of the Day

April 10, 2020 HollywoodGlee Leave a comment

Posted by Larry Gleeson

Eva Longoria announces today’s AFI Movie Club selection: GILDA. The film stars Rita Hayworth and appears on AFI’s 100 YEARS…100 SONGS list of the greatest American movie music of all time – and Hayworth appears as #19 on AFI’s 100 YEARS…100 STARS!

INTERESTING FACTS

GILDA was originally written as an American gangster film. The more salacious events in the story were threatened by censorship codes, so the location was changed to Buenos Aires.

GILDA was not the first time Glenn Ford and Rita Hayworth were coupled onscreen, co-starring six years earlier in another Charles Vidor film, THE LADY IN QUESTION. After GILDA, the two stars maintained a secret love affair for nearly 40 years!

THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION was adapted from a Stephen King novella titled, “Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption,” and features a scene from GILDA. Hayworth’s role, including her iconic introduction in the film, remains one of the most widely referenced performances in cinema history!

Rita Hayworth’s singing voice was dubbed for most of her musical numbers in GILDA, but she performed the most iconic song of the film – “Put the Blame on Mame” – herself.

Producer Virginia Van Upp developed GILDA for Rita Hayworth. Van Upp was a prolific screenwriter and producer, although much of her work was not credited onscreen.

One of the first test atomic bombs was named “Gilda”? Rumor has it, the bomb was also decorated with Rita Hayworth’s likeness! Hayworth’s husband at the time, Orson Welles, later revealed that she was not pleased with this explosive attribution.

The film was Hayworth’s first major dramatic role for Columbia and catalyzed her ingenious genesis as a femme fatale.

Join the conversation on Twitter and Instagram now using #AFIMovieClub. Or post your responses in the comment section below.

-GILDA is now known as a quintessential film noir – with Rita Hayworth’s character representing the prototypical femme fatale. What elements of the movie make it fit that genre?

-Is Gilda all bad? Do you consider her a villain or an antihero?

-GILDA was released just six months after WWII ended. How do you think audiences may have perceived the threat of escaped Nazi war criminals as it is shown in the movie? How does GILDA capture the postwar ethos?

-What themes of the movie still resonate in today’s world?

-Historians note that GILDA broke type with other film noir by having a happy ending. Would you describe the conclusion as “happy?” If you were telling this story, how would you end it?

-GILDA’s filmmakers used visual devices to shift the audience’s loyalty toward characters throughout the film. Can you describe a scene in which you changed your mind about a character?

-How would you rate GILDA?

Watch Edward James Olmos talk about Rita Hayworth and GILDA in this exclusive AFI Archive video.

About AFI Movie Club

French Riviera Film Festial

Digital World Premiere of Characters Set For 4PM PST/7PM EST on April 11 in French Riviera Film Festival’s Online Screening Room

April 10, 2020 HollywoodGlee Leave a comment

Posted by Larry Gleeson

Short Comedy by Director Kevin Asch (Holy Rollers) Stars Danny A. Abeckaser (The Irishman), Lukas Haas (The Revenant) & Sara Foster (Barely Famous)

Los Angeles, April 10, 2020 — In celebration of short film and short-form content worldwide, French Riviera Film Festival (FRFF) is pleased to present the online world premiere of the comedy Characters, by director Kevin Asch (Holy Rollers) and starring Danny A. Abeckaser (The Irishman), Lukas Haas (The Revenant) and Sara Foster (Barely Famous). Characters will premiere at 4PM PST/7PM EST on Saturday, April 11, 2020, as part of FRFF’s online screening room (www.frenchrivierafilmfestival.com/screening-room)

In response to the growing concern worldwide about the covid-19 pandemic, FRFF producers recently unveiled its ‘screening room,’ running through April 30^th, where the festival’s 2019 winning and finalist films are available for viewing to enjoy online while on the go or from the comfort of one’s home.

“FRFF’s online screening room was extremely well received by our audience,” comments co-founder Nicole Muj. “So much so, we decided to add Characters, which will also have its world premiere theatrical screening at our 2020 festival. We wanted to give film fans a sneak peek of the entertaining, star-studded content that will be spotlighted later this summer.”

In Characters, a psychologically troubled sporting goods store clerk (Abeckaser), obsessed with Al Pacino’s gangster characters is set-off into his old pattern of acting out like them when he hears about his ex returning to Long Island to get married. At the same time, his current love (Foster) is giving him an ultimatum to leave with her to California at the end of the summer, all the while pushing his relationships, including his mother and best friend (Haas) to the limits with his Pacino impressions.

“I’m thrilled people will finally get to see Characters. I loved playing this character not only because of my love and admiration for Al Pacino, but because I feel that we all have a little bit of Sandy in us,” says Abeckaser.

FRFF also recently announced that the second annual edition of the festival has been rescheduled for later this summer with screenings at Laemmle Film Center in Santa Monica, California, the ‘Riviera West,’ with exclusive parties and an award ceremony at S Bar Brentwood.

First launched last year during the time period of the Cannes Film Festival in 2019, the exclusive, intimate festival fêtes short-form content created for film, television, Web and all digital platforms. FRFF invites filmmakers from around the world to participate in the two-day, by invitation only event. Attendees and participants include filmmakers, industry executives, celebrities, media and influencers.

“In 2019, we presented a special, out-of-competition screening of the Oscar-winning short Skin, in association with Salaud Morisset,” adds co-founder Gotham Chandna. “We are delighted that Characters will be this year’s special screening title.”

FRFF’s prestigious jury selects Best Drama Short, Best Comedy Short, Best Documentary Short, Best Animation Short, Best Experimental Short, Best Sci-Fi/Horror Short, Best Music Video, Best Lifestyle Content, Best Fashion Content, Best Director Award, Best Actor Award, Best Actress Award, as well as a Special Industry Award.

Filmmakers and content creators can submit their films for FRFF 2020 at a 20% discount, using code FRFF20A through April 30, 2020 at: https://filmfreeway.com/FrenchRivieraFilmFestival.

Festival media partners include Azure Azure, Cinémoi USA, Close Up Culture, Destination Luxury, Indie Entertainment Magazine, Informer Media, Gothamology, The Hype Magazine and Marie Westwood Magazine.

Event sponsors include Bel-Air Fine Art, Chateau de Berne, filmfestivals.com, The Good Gin, NurtriVsta, S Bar Brentwood and Weed Cellars.

*please note, actual festival dates are tentative, due to the ongoing health crisis.

(Source: FRFF Press Release)

HollywoodGlee

Monthly Archives: April 2020

Edgar Wright announces today’s AFI Movie Club selection: DUCK SOUP (1933)

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Jessica Chastain announces today’s AFI Movie Club

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Sharon Stone Announces ALL ABOUT EVE #AFIMovieClub

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JACK BLACK ANNOUNCES THIS IS SPINAL TAP #AFIMovieClub

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CHARLIE DAY AND MARY ELIZABETH ELLIS ANNOUNCE NINE TO FIVE #AFIMovieClub

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FILM REVIEW: Bryan Fogel’s The Dissident Speaks Volumes

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FILM REVIEW: Max Richter’s Sleep connecting the world

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ABC TO CELEBRATE THE LEGENDARY GARRY MARSHALL

‘The Happy Days of Garry Marshall’ Airs Tuesday, May 12, on ABC

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Eva Longoria Announces GILDA #AFIMovieClub Pick of the Day

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Digital World Premiere of Characters Set For 4PM PST/7PM EST on April 11 in French Riviera Film Festival’s Online Screening Room

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Film Review and Marketing

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‘The Happy Days of Garry Marshall’ Airs Tuesday, May 12, on ABC

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Film Review and Marketing