Category Archives: AFI Movie Club

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Sharon Stone Announces ALL ABOUT EVE #AFIMovieClub

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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.

AFI MOVIE CLUB(Source: AFI News Release)

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JACK BLACK ANNOUNCES THIS IS SPINAL TAP #AFIMovieClub

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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? 

 

 

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.

AFI MOVIE CLUB

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

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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?

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.

AFI MOVIE CLUB

 

#AFI, AFI Movie Club, American Film Institute

Eva Longoria Announces GILDA #AFIMovieClub Pick of the Day

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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.

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. 

-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.

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.

AFI MOVIE CLUB

 

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CYNTHIA ERIVO Announces THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA – AFI Movie Club

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Posted by Larry Gleeson

Wednesday, April 8, 2020 – Cynthia Erivo announces today’s AFI Movie Club selection: THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA. The film was honored with an AFI AWARD in 2006 – recognizing it as one of the most outstanding and culturally significant movies of the year – and stars 2004 AFI Life Achievement Award recipient Meryl Streep!

 

Interesting Facts

All the costumes for THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA came from major designers. Meryl Streep donated her designer costumes to charity after filming was complete.

The movie is based on a novel written by Lauren Weisberger. She had previously been Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour’s assistant!

“The Devil Wears Prada” was on the New York Times Best Seller list for over 30 weeks in 2003 and 2004. The novel returned to the paperback Best Seller list after the film’s release.

Meryl Streep’s Oscar®-nominated performance was partially inspired by Clint Eastwood and Mike Nichols. Her character’s look was inspired by supermodel Carmen Dell’Orefice and politician Christine Lagarde.

Stanley Tucci was on set and filming within 72 hours of accepting the role of Nigel.

AFIFest 2019
Larry Gleeson proudly displays AFI FEST swag bag, outside the TCL Chinese Theatre, November 14th, 2019, at the 2019 AFI FEST in Hollywood, California.

 

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.

AFI MOVIE CLUB

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

BRAD PITT ANNOUNCES BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID – AFI MOVIE CLUB

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Posted by Larry Gleeson

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AFI MOVIE CLUB

BRAD PITT ANNOUNCES BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID

April 6, 2020

Brad Pitt announces today’s AFI Movie Club selection: BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID. Starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford as the infamous outlaws, the film appears on AFI’s original and 10th-anniversary lists of the greatest American films – and the dynamic duo of Butch and Sundance were co-ranked #20 among AFI’s greatest screen heroes!

DID YOU KNOW? The real Butch Cassidy never used violence or firearms until he moved to Bolivia in the last days of his life. William Goldman, who won an Oscar® for writing the film, said that this paradox in Cassidy’s character was his primary motivator in developing the story for the film. View this exclusive AFI Archive video of Goldman talking about writing the film.

Interesting Facts

Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid were real-life outlaws living at the turn of the 20th century.

The real Butch Cassidy never used violence or firearms until he moved to Bolivia in the last days of his life.

Robert LeRoy Parker and Harry Alonzo Longabaugh – the real-life Butch and Sundance! – were members of a gang called The Wild Bunch. The gang’s name was never referred to in the movie to avoid confusion with another western in theaters that same year – Sam Peckinpah’s THE WILD BUNCH!

Stars Paul Newman and Robert Redford teamed up with director George Roy Hill for THE STING in 1973. That later film would win Best Picture at the Academy Awards®!

BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID was the highest-grossing Western ever made. Adjusted for today’s numbers, the film would have earned over a half billion dollars!

Paul Newman, an early investor in BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID, initially planned to play Sundance with Steve McQueen as his co-star.

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

-Is this the first time you’ve seen BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID? 

-Does the Western theme remind you of other kinds of movies you’ve seen that are not typically considered to be Westerns, such as STAR WARS? 

-The dynamic duo Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid were co-ranked #20 on AFI’s 100 YEARS…100 HEROES & VILLAINS list. Would you describe them as heroes? Why or why not? 

-BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID was released in September 1969. What else was going in our nation at that time – and why do you think this movie resonated so strongly with audiences? 

-Why do you think BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID is still so beloved after 51 years? 

-How would you rate BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID? 

EXTRA – Listen to what everyday funnyman Ben Stiller has to say about the film and about Woodcock, in aprticular, here:

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.

AFI MOVIE CLUB