Only Good Movies Blog » Interesting Movie Facts http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog News and opinions on movies. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:46:46 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Oprah Winfrey Movies http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/thoughts-on-film/oprah-winfrey-movies/ http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/thoughts-on-film/oprah-winfrey-movies/#comments Sat, 16 Oct 2010 18:24:42 +0000 Shane http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/?p=4409 Since she’s the most powerful person in the world of entertainment, it’s high time we took a look at the Oprah Winfrey movies available on DVD and Blu-ray. Sure, she’s primarily known for her work on television, but Oprah has also demonstrated her acting chops in a handful of films. In addition, we’ll look at some notable Oprah Winfrey quotes and interesting factoids about her life and career.

It should be noted that all the Oprah Winfrey movies discussed below can be rented through Netflix. They offer delivery right to your door, as well as no late fees, and over 100,000 titles to choose from. Click here to become a member.

Oprah Winfrey – A Brief Bio

Oprah Winfrey was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi on January 29th, 1954. Her parents were unmarried and both in their teens. Oprah’s mother worked as a maid, and her upbringing of her daughter was less than perfect. Often suffering from poverty and being made fun of by children for the condition of her clothes, Oprah would also endure sexual abuse at the hands of a cousin, uncle, and family friend.

But things started to turn around when she was sent to live with her father, and soon she was a popular honors student. After winning an oratory contest, she received a scholarship to Tennessee State University, where she majored in communications. After graduation, she went into the news industry, serving as an anchor for television stations in Nashville and Baltimore.

She moved to Chicago in 1983 and took over the low-rated morning show, AM Chicago. It was soon the highest-rated show in the city, and Oprah signed a syndication deal with King World. Her program was renamed The Oprah Winfrey Show and began national broadcasts on September 8th, 1986.

The rest, as they say, is history. Oprah now boasts massive appeal among viewers of all ages and ethnic backgrounds, and her Oprah’s Book Club has enabled authors to rise from the depths of obscurity to the heights of success. She’s made stars out of individuals such as Dr. Phil McGraw, Rachael Ray, and Dr. Oz, and publicly confessing your problems as a form of therapy has been dubbed “Oprahfication.”

At one point, she was the only African-American billionaire, and one poll voted her the most important woman in the history of the United States. Despite her fame and obvious success, she’s also found time to donate over $303 million to charities around the globe.

Not bad for someone who used to wear potato sacks for clothing.

For all the Oprah Winfrey movies on this list, become a member of Netflix.

Oprah Winfrey Quotes

If you enjoy listening to her talk, here are a few Oprah Winfrey quotes to make your day:

  • “Excellence is the best deterrent to racism or sexism.”
  • “I don’t believe in failure. It is not failure if you enjoyed the process.”
  • “I still have my feet on the ground, I just wear better shoes.”
  • “Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.”
  • “My idea of heaven is a great big baked potato and someone to share it with.”
  • “You CAN have it all. You just can’t have it all at once.”
  • “So go ahead. Fall down. The world looks different from the ground.”
  • “The whole point of being alive is to evolve into the complete person you were intended to be.”
  • “When I look into the future, it’s so bright it burns my eyes.”
  • “Where there is no struggle, there is no strength.”

Oprah Winfrey Facts

For those of you who would like to know more about the most powerful woman on the planet, here’s a selection of Oprah Winfrey facts:

  • Over the years, Winfrey has donated money to help 250 African-American men either continue or complete their education at Atlanta’s Morehouse College.
  • Consistently ranked as one of the most admired women in the world, according to an annual Gallup poll.
  • Life magazine recently listed Winfrey as one of the 100 people who changed the world. Other people who made the list included Isaac Newton, Jesus Christ, and Muhammad.
  • She was the wealthiest African-American of the 20th century.
  • Oprah and partner Stedman Graham have been together since 1986, but they have never married.
  • During a 1995 telecast, she confessed to smoking crack in her youth.
  • Involved in a romantic relationship with John Tesh during the ‘70s.
  • Winfrey had a child when she was 14, but he died shortly after.
  • Her Montecito, California estate is known as “The Promised Land.” It’s 42 acres, with a view of the ocean and mountains.
  • She was persuaded to sign a syndication deal with King World by film critic Roger Ebert. Winfrey and Ebert also dated for a brief period.

Oprah Winfrey Movies

And finally, here’s the list of Oprah Winfrey movies you’ve patiently been waiting for:

  • The Color Purple (1985) – Directed by Steven Spielberg and adapted from the novel by Alice Walker, The Color Purple highlights the problems faced by African-American women of the early 1900s, specifically Celia Harris (Whoopi Goldberg), a young woman who is abused mentally and physically by the men in her life. Oprah plays Sofia, a woman far less willing to accept abuse, although her stance leads to brutal consequences. Co-starring Danny Glover and Margaret Avery, the film is a powerful and uplifting experience that shows it’s never too late to do the right thing. Winfrey received a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination for her role.
  • Beloved (1998) – Based on the Pulitzer-Prize-winning novel by Toni Morrison, Beloved is a supernatural tale directed by Jonathan Demme and produced by Oprah’s Harpo Productions. It tells the story of a former slave, Sethe (Winfrey), and her struggle to find happiness while co-existing with a ghost from her past. Co-starring Danny Glover and Thandie Newton. While a box-office disappointment, the film is still worth a look, thanks in large part to the strong performances and the cinematography of Tak Fujimoto.
  • Charlotte’s Web (2006) – Blending live-action and computer animation, this G-rated Nickelodeon film is a modern-day retelling of the classic children’s story by E.B. White. Dakota Fanning stars as a little girl who rescues a small pig from slaughter, but the real stars are the animals voiced by actors such as Julia Roberts, Steve Buscemi, and John Cleese. Oprah gets in on the voice-over work, too, providing the personality for Gussie the Goose.
  • Bee Movie (2007) – A computer-animated family film co-written by Jerry Seinfeld, the story revolves around a honey bee named Barry B. Benson (Seinfeld) who leaves behind his life of conformity, befriends a florist, and eventually sues humanity for all the honey they’ve been stealing over the years. The all-star cast of voice actors includes Renee Zellweger, Matthew Broderick, Chris Rock, and Kathy Bates (along with many others). Oprah does her part by providing the voice for Judge Bumbleton.
  • The Princess and the Frog (2010) – Based on the novel The Frog Princess, this animated Disney musical is about a prince during the 1920s who’s turned into a frog by a voodoo priest. Seeking the kiss of a princess to turn him back, he talks a young woman named Tiana into giving him a smooch. But she’s no princess, and so she finds herself turned into a frog, as well. Together, they must journey deep into the Louisiana swamps to find a kindly voodoo priestess to reverse the spell, befriending a number of colorful talking animals along the way. Oprah lends her voice to Eudora, the mother of Tiana (who also happens to be Disney’s first black “princess“).

That concludes our look at Oprah Winfrey movies, and I hope you also enjoyed the quotes and personal facts that were thrown in at no extra charge. Join Netflix to have all the above movies delivered to your home, and remember that any commission we make goes right back into the site.

Also recommended:

]]> http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/thoughts-on-film/oprah-winfrey-movies/feed/ 3 Beyonce Knowles Movies http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/thoughts-on-film/beyonce-knowles-movies/ http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/thoughts-on-film/beyonce-knowles-movies/#comments Thu, 07 Oct 2010 07:15:22 +0000 Shane http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/?p=4354 While Beyonce Knowles movies are beginning to gain in popularity, this talented young Texan is first and foremost a singer. In the following post, we’ll be looking at her work in film and on motion picture soundtracks, as well as her musical success as a solo artist and with Destiny’s Child. If you’re a fan of Beyonce, this article should be right up your alley. If you’re not, you may very well change your mind by the time we’re done.

If you’re interested in watching some Beyonce Knowles movies, the best place to do so is Netflix. They offer thousands of films that can be viewed right on your computer, and their library of movies available for home delivery numbers over 100,000. There are never any late fees, and they carry works from every genre. Click here to become a Netflix subscriber.

Before we look at the music of movies of Beyonce Knowles, let’s pause for a moment to review a few interesting facts about the chart-topping superstar:

  • Thanks to her album I Am…Sasha Fierce, Beyonce holds the record for the most Grammy Awards won in a single night by a female performer (with six).
  • Allergic to perfume.
  • As a child, she was taunted by classmates about the size of her ears. I doubt they’re laughing now.
  • Chosen by Billboard as the top female artist of the 2000s.
  • Her favorite actor is Tom Hanks.
  • Her friends have given her the pet names Moth, Bee, and JuJu.
  • Beyonce dislikes cooking.
  • Her song “Bootylicious” was a major hit, prompting The Oxford Dictionary to include it in their latest edition.
  • Beyonce won her first talent competition at age seven by performing John Lennon’s “Imagine”
  • In order to help manage Destiny’s Child full-time, Beyonce’s father quite his six-figure sales job at Xerox.

Albums by Destiny’s Child

Before she went solo, Beyonce sang alongside Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams as part of Destiny’s Child. The group enjoyed massive success, selling over 40 million albums around the globe. Here’s a look at their studio albums, and I’ve included an Amazon link to select items. One click, and you’ll be ready to add the CD to your shopping cart.

  • Destiny’s Child (1998 – reached #67 on US charts)
  • The Writing’s on the Wall (1999 – reached #5 on US charts)
  • Survivor (2001 – reached #1 on US charts)
  • 8 Days of Christmas (2001 – reached #34 on US charts)
  • Destiny Fulfilled (2004 – reached #2 on the US charts)
  • #1′s (2005 – reached #1 on the US charts)

Albums by Beyonce Knowles

The following are the solo albums released by Beyonce Knowles as of this writing. She continues to ride a massive wave of success, and there’s little doubt that her next musical effort will debut at the top spot on the Billboard charts. As before, clicking on the provided links will take you to the item’s Amazon page (where you can then purchase it).

  • Dangerously in Love (2003 – debuted at #1 on the US charts)
  • B’Day (2006 – debuted at #1 on the US charts)
  • I Am…Sasha Fierce (2008 – debuted at #1 on the US charts)

Beyonce Knowles Movies

If you’re looking for some Beyonce Knowles movies, then you’ve come to the right place. All of her feature films are listed below.

  • Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002) – In order to stop the mad–yet somewhat comical–schemes of Dr. Evil and Goldmember, British spy Austin Powers (Mike Myers) must travel back in time to 1975. There, he teams up with Foxxy Cleopatra (Beyonce), a former lover and FBI agent. Together, they face Fat Bastard, Mini-Me, and a pair of sharks with lasers on their heads.
  • The Fighting Temptations (2003) – An ad exec (Cuba Gooding Jr.) with a habit of lying tries to get a church choir together so they can perform in a gospel competition. Along the way he meets Lilly (Beyonce), a girl he had a crush on as a boy. She’s all grown up now, working as a lounge singer and raising her young son alone. Care to guess where all this is headed?
  • Fade to Black (2004) – Beyonce plays herself in the documentary about future husband Jay-Z and his supposed “retirement” concert at Madison Square Garden.
  • The Pink Panther (2006) – Bumbling French detective Jacques Clouseau (Steve Martin) is assigned to find out who killed a French soccer coach and stole a legendary diamond known as “The Pink Panther.” Beyonce co-stars as Xania, a successful American entertainer who dated the dead man and remains a prime suspect.
  • Dreamgirls (2006) – Based loosely on some of the real-life events of Motown’s history, this musical follows the career of a girl group known as The Dreams. Beyonce received a Gold Globe nomination for her role as Deena Jones, a character based on Diana Ross.
  • Cadillac Records (2008) – Telling the story of Chess Records from the 1940s to the 1960s, the film stars Adrien Brody as co-founder Leonard Chess. Beyonce co-stars as four-time Grammy winner, and R&B legend, Etta James.
  • Obsessed (2009) – When a crazy white woman (Ali Larter) tries to steal her man, Sharon Charles (Beyonce) is forced to fight to save her family. The catfight between the two beauties is reason enough to see the film.

Beyonce Knowles Soundtracks

In addition to her solo albums and work with Destiny’s Child, Beyonce’s music has also been featured on a number of movie soundtracks. Here’s a complete list (as of this writing):

  • The Best Man (1999) – wrote “Bug A Boo” and performed “After All Is Said and Done”
  • Romeo Must Die (2000) – wrote “Perfect Man”
  • Charlie’s Angels (2000) – wrote “Independent Women Part I” and “Dot”
  • Osmosis Jones (2001) – wrote “Solo Star”
  • Scooby-Doo (2002) – wrote lyrics for “Thinking About You”
  • Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002) – wrote and performed “Work It Out,” and performed “Hey Goldmember”
  • Head of State (2003) – performed “03 Bonnie and Clyde”
  • Bad Boys II (2003) – writer and performer of “Keep Giving Your Love to Me”
  • The Fighting Temptations (2003) – performed “Fighting Temptation,” “Fever,” “Everything I Do,” “Swing Low Sweet Chariot,” “He Still Loves Me” and “Time to Come Home”
  • Soul Plane (2004) – wrote “Survivor”
  • White Chicks (2004) – wrote and performed “Crazy in Love”
  • Taxi (2004) – wrote and performed “Crazy in Love”
  • Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004) – wrote and performed “Crazy in Love”
  • The Honeymooners (2005) – wrote “Survivor”
  • The Pink Panther (2006) – wrote and performed “Check On It” and “A Woman Like Me”
  • Dreamgirls (2006) – wrote “Listen” and performed “Move”, “Fake Your Way to the Top”, “Cadillac Car”, “Steppin’ to the Bad Side”, “I Want You Baby”, “Family”, “Dreamgirls”, “Heavy”, “It’s All Over”, “I’m Somebody”, “Family” (Reprise), “Step on Over”, “One Night Only” (Disco), “Listen”, “Hard to Say Goodbye”, “Dreamgirls” (Finale), “When I First Saw You” (End Title Duet Version)
  • Good Luck Chuck (2007) – wrote “Crazy in Love”
  • Lakeview Terrace (2008) – wrote “Dot”
  • Cadillac Records (2008) – wrote “Once In A Lifetime” and performed “All I Could Do Was Cry”, “Trust In Me”, “At Last”, “I’d Rather Go Blind”, “Once In A Lifetime”
  • Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (2009) – wrote “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)”
  • Sex and the City 2 (2010) – wrote “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)”

That wraps up our look at Beyonce Knowles movies and Beyonce Knowles soundtracks. To check out the former, be sure to become a member of Netflix. We do get a small commission if you join, but it adds nothing to your final cost.

Also recommended:

]]> http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/thoughts-on-film/beyonce-knowles-movies/feed/ 5 Internet Movie Database – A Closer Look http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/movie-news/internet-movie-database/ http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/movie-news/internet-movie-database/#comments Wed, 29 Sep 2010 00:58:48 +0000 Shane http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/?p=4214 If you’re a true fan of cinema, then you’re no doubt familiar with the Internet Movie Database, also known as the IMDb. It’s a massive resource devoted to film, television, and celebrities, and its content continues to grow even as you read this. Some sections can be contributed to by users, while the bulk of the individual content can only be altered by the IMDb staff. This creates an interesting synthesis of amateur and professional ideas, resulting in a rare experience when it comes to information on the entertainment industry.

The following article details many of the features you can find on IMDb, although additional exploration on your part will turn up even more. Just be careful about popping onto the site during work hours, as it’s truly an addictive experience.

HOME PAGE

When you first type in www.IMDB.com, you’ll end up on the site’s home page. Here are the features that await you there:

  • Featured Trailers – The latest and most popular trailers from the IMDb.
  • Movie Showtimes and Tickets – Pick a date, pick a movie, and see all the showtimes for theaters in your area.
  • NewsDesk - News from the world of entertainment. You can choose from Top News, Movie News, TV News, and Celebrity News.
  • Box Office – A look at the recent top performers at the box office, including their most recent weekend gross.
  • Opening This Week – A list (with links) of all the films opening this week.
  • Coming Soon – A list (with links) of all the upcoming theatrical releases.
  • IMDb Snapshot: Latest Photos and Galleries – Still photos from current and upcoming films, as well as movie poster art.
  • Born Today – A list of celebrities who were born on the current date. Includes a picture and their age.
  • This Week on DVD and Blu-ray – A rundown of all the film that will be hitting your local video store or Netflix.
  • About Last Night: TV Recaps – Rundowns of all the latest episodes of your favorite TV show.
  • On TV Tonight – An up-to-the-minute schedule of all the major networks and cable channels.
  • Indie Film – Watch independent film trailers, discuss indie cinema, and read about the latest independent news.
  • Daily Poll Question – Each day, a question is posted for viewers to respond to.
  • Movie/TV Quote – A popular or memorable quote for a movie or television show.
  • Gallery of the Week – A collection of photos, often involving actors and actresses at film premieres or festivals.
  • Did You Know? – An interesting bit of trivia relating to movies or television.
  • IMDb Hit List – Links to online articles about cinema, television, and celebrities in general.
  • Connect with IMDb – If you’d like to follow IMDb on Twitter or Facebook, here’s the place to do it.

IMDb Homepage Additional Content

But that’s not all of the goodness located on the IMDb homepage. At the top of the page are six sections with dropdown menus. Here’s what’s available in each section:

MOVIES

  • Now Playing
  • Top Movies
  • Showtimes & Tickets
  • Trailers
  • My Movies
  • DVD & Blu-ray
  • Independent Film
  • Top 250
  • Site Index
  • Genres
  • Summer Movie Guide

TV

  • TV Home
  • TV Listings
  • TV Episodes & Clips
  • Road to the Emmys

NEWS

  • Top News
  • Movie News
  • TV News
  • Celebrity News
  • Featured News
  • IMDb Snapshot

VIDEOS

  • Video Home
  • HD Trailer Gallery
  • Trailers
  • TV Episodes & Clips
  • Browse Videos

COMMUNITY

  • Message Boards
  • Contributor Zone
  • IMDbPRO (this area is only available for a fee)
  • IMDbPro
  • IMDb Resume
  • Content Licensing

SEARCH BAR – Individual Pages for Film, TV, and Celebrities

This may be the best part of the Internet Movie Database. Type the name of any celebrity, television show, or movie into the search bar, and you’ll be taken to a unique page for that item. Let’s look at an example using one of my favorite movies Big Trouble in Little China.

Beneath the title of the film is a selection of photos from the movie, 29 to be exact. Next to that are videos, allowing the user to watch the movie trailer or various clips from the actual film. Then there’s the section called Overview, which provides the following sub-categories:

  • User Rating (Big Trouble in Little China has a user rating of 7.1 out of 10)
  • MOVIE Meter (detects if a film is trending upward or downward)
  • Director
  • Writers
  • Contact (contact info for the company, available only through IMDbPro)
  • Release Date
  • Genre
  • Tagline
  • Plot
  • Plot Keywords
  • Awards
  • NewsDesk
  • User Reviews

CAST

Next is the Cast section, providing a list of all the actors to appear in the film. I wonder whatever happened to co-star Dennis Dunn? Actually, I can click on his hyperlinked name and find out. The same goes for almost all the other cast members.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

  • Also Known As
  • Parents Guide
  • Runtime
  • Country
  • Language
  • Color
  • Aspect Ratio
  • Sound Mix
  • Certification
  • Filming Locations
  • Company

FUN STUFF

  • Trivia
  • Goofs
  • Quotes
  • Movie Connections
  • Soundtrack

FAQ

A section that answers frequently asked questions about the movie, such as the final fate of Jack Burton.

USER REVIEWS

Read part of a user review, and click on the link to see additional reviews. As of this writing, Big Trouble in Little China has 263 reviews from IMDb users.

MESSAGE BOARDS

A place where IMDb users can discuss the subject of the specific page. In this case, topics range from “Things I’ve Learned from BTILC” to “Is This Deserving to Be Called the Greatest B-Film Ever?”.

RECOMMENDATIONS

If you enjoyed the film, IMDb also provides a list of other movies you might enjoy. In this case, it’s Willow, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, as well as a few others.

OTHER OPTIONS

But that’s just scratching the surface. Down the left of the page, there are tons of additional links. Here are just a few of the features available:

  • TV Schedule
  • Full Cast and Crew
  • Trivia
  • Memorable Quotes
  • Awards
  • External Reviews
  • Soundtrack Listing
  • Movie Connections
  • Box Office/Business
  • Taglines
  • Official Sites
  • Sound Clips

MOVIE RANKINGS

Another popular feature of Internet Movie Database is the movie rankings. The largest option is the IMDb Top 250, which lists the 250 highest-rated movies of all time as voted on by users of the site. Other categories include:

  • US Box Office
  • UK Box Office
  • All-Time Box Office
  • Video Rentals
  • Votes by Genre
  • Votes by Decade
  • Votes by Gender
  • Top Genre Searches

And to top it all off, another feature allows visitors to the IMDb to search for the lowest-rated films of all times. I’m talking to you Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.

There’s plenty more to be found on the Internet Movie Database, but I’ve droned on long enough. Almost all of what I’ve discussed above is free, and joining the subscription-based IMDbPro will open up a whole other world (complete with contact info for agents and publicists). If your business actually involves cinema, TV, or celebrities on some level, you’ll find IMDbPro to be an indispensable tool.

Also recommended:

]]> http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/movie-news/internet-movie-database/feed/ 4 Movie Trivia – Interesting Movie Facts http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/interesting-movie-facts/movie-trivia-interesting-movie-facts/ http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/interesting-movie-facts/movie-trivia-interesting-movie-facts/#comments Tue, 17 Aug 2010 00:13:17 +0000 Shane http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/?p=3836 I love movie trivia and interesting movie facts. In fact, I’ll pretty much buy any kind of game that allows me to show off my cinematic expertise to friends and family. And when I’m not doing that, I’m often hanging out on Wikipedia and reading random pages devoted to performers and their projects. Yes, I have no real life to speak of, but my loss is your gain.

Just check out this list of interesting movie facts put together by yours truly. There are 20 bits of goodness included below, and any one of them should be enough to win you a bar bet or make you the undisputed king of geeks at your next party.

Check back in the future, as we’ll have even more articles devoted to movie trivia. Until then, browse around the site and read the hundreds of articles we’re written on the subject of film.

  • Originally, Paul Newman was supposed to play The Sundance Kid, and Robert Redford was scheduled to co-star as Butch Cassidy. The roles were eventually switched, and the film went on to be a major success.
  • Nicolas Cage once defeated Leonardo DiCaprio in a bidding contest for the skull of a dinosaur. Cage’s winning bid was $276,000.
  • Jackie Chan’s all-time favorite actor is French star Jean-Paul Belmondo (Breathless).
  • Sylvester Stallone tore his pectoral muscle while training for Rocky II and needed more than 160 stitches.
  • The role of the janitor in The Breakfast Club was originally supposed to be filled by Rick Moranis, but he left after creative differences with director John Hughes.
  • Over one million feet of film was used during the production of The 40 Year Old Virgin, a rare accomplishment. On the final day of shooting, the company that provided the film stock sent the cast and crew free champagne to celebrate their milestone.

  • During the scene from The Hangover where the main characters were forced to take part in a Taser demonstration, director Todd Phillips kept trying to convince the actors to allow him to use a real Taser. This idea was put to rest when the lawyers for Warner Bros. stepped in and put their foot down.
  • Because of the physical changes in the character of Jacob Black between Twilight and New Moon, the producers briefly considered replacing Taylor Lautner with an actor who could portray “the new, larger Jacob Black.” Lautner hit the weights and put on thirty pounds of muscle, this allowing him to keep the role in The Twilight Saga: New Moon.
  • After Chris Pine was cast as Captain Kirk in Star Trek reboot, he sent a letter to William Shatner. In a reply letter, Shatner gave his blessing.
  • After shooting for Zombieland had wrapped, Woody Harrelson got into a physical altercation with a member of the paparazzi in New York City. Harrelson excused his behavior by saying that he was still in character and believed the photographer to be a zombie.
  • In Point Break, FBI agent Johnny Utah (Keanu Reeves) is following possible bank robber Bodie (Patrick Swayze) around town. At one point, the suspect heads into a business called Patrick’s Roadhouse. Swayze, of course, starred in Road House in 1989.
  • Following the release of Psycho, director Alfred Hitchcock received an angry letter from the father of a young girl. After seeing 1954’s Diabolique, she refused to take a bath. Now, a few years later, she refused to shower after watching Psycho. Hitchcock’s reply simply stated “Send her to the dry cleaners.”
  • Red Dawn was the first film to be given a PG-13 rating. In fact, The Guinness Book of Records once considered it to be the most violent film ever made, with an act of violence occurring every 2.23 minutes (for a rate of 134 per hour).

  • In Aliens, the character of Hudson (Bill Paxton) refers to fellow Colonial Marine Vasquez (Jenette Goldstein) by saying, “She thought they said ‘illegal aliens’ and signed up.” This was actually something of an inside joke among the cast, as Goldstein, confused by the title into thinking Aliens was about the immigration issue, showed up at auditions with make-up, high heels, and a short skirt. Everyone else was dressed in military fatigues.
  • To prepare for his role in Down and Out in Beverly Hills, actor Nick Nolte spent five weeks doing intensive research on the experiences of homeless people, even spending periods living on the streets of Los Angeles. This film was also the first R-rated movie released by Disney.
  • Mel Brooks was the executive producer of The Elephant Man. Fearing people would get the wrong idea if they saw his name, his had it left off of the credits.
  • When it was announced that Gone with the Wind was going to be made into a movie, a large section of the public demanded that Bette Davis be given the role of Scarlett O’Hara. Davis did receive a screen test for the part, and the footage exists to this day.
  • Dolph Lundgren, star of The Expendables and Rocky IV, speaks English, Swedish, French, German, Spanish, and some Italian and Japanese. He also holds a master’s degree in chemical engineering.
  • Sean Connery wore a toupee in every James Bond movie that he appeared in.
  • When actress Lainie Kazan posed for Playboy in 1970, her look inspired the look of DC Comic superhero Big Barda.

If you’re still in the mood for movie trivia, be sure to check out these previous articles from OGM:

]]> http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/interesting-movie-facts/movie-trivia-interesting-movie-facts/feed/ 1 AK 100: 25 Films of Akira Kurosawa http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/new-dvd-releases/ak-100-25-films-of-akira-kurosawa/ http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/new-dvd-releases/ak-100-25-films-of-akira-kurosawa/#comments Thu, 24 Jun 2010 02:16:49 +0000 Shane http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/?p=3393 If you’re a fan of Asian cinema, then you absolutely must buy AK 100: 25 Films of Akira Kurosawa. The legendary director, who created such classics as Seven Samurai, Yojimbo and Rashomon, was born in 1910, and this collection was released in 2009 in anticipation of his 100th anniversary. While Kurosawa didn’t live to see it (he died in 1998), collectors will be absolutely thrilled by the quality of this Criterion Collection product. Twenty-five discs capture the Japanese director at his finest, and four of the films have never before been released on DVD. This is the most complete set of Akira Kurosawa films ever made available to the public, and devoted fans will get over 3,072 minutes of widescreen viewing pleasure. From postwar noir to samurai epics (Toshiro Mifune is the man!), he was truly a director without equal.

AK 100 - 25 Films of Akira Kurosawa

You can order AK 100: 25 Films of Akira Kurosawa from Amazon, and you’ll receive more than just the 25 DVDs (as if that weren’t enough). The whole thing comes packaged within a deluxe linen-bound collector’s set, and an illustrated book rounds out the collection. Filled with essays from Stephen Prince and Donald Richie, the tome is an excellent companion piece for learning more about each film before you view it.

And here’s a little something else to whet your appetite, courtesy of the Criterion Collection:

A lot of the director’s more obscure works are included in AK 100: 25 Films of Akira Kurosawa, and many of these haven’t been released by Criterion since the days of VHS. Whether you’re looking to experience his filmmaking magic for the first time, or you want to update your collection with high-quality DVD transfers, you simply can’t go wrong.

Order AK 100: 25 Films of Akira Kurosaw at Amazon Now

AMAZON CUSTOMER REVIEWS

I mentioned earlier that Amazon sells the Akira Kurosawa collection, so let’s pause for a moment and take a look at some of the overwhelmingly positive comments left by customers.

  • “I’m fortunate to be just starting my Akira Kurosawa collection. With this collection, I get 25 of his 30 movies in one set. I love the Criterion collection and have many titles from them. Great picture quality, sound and lots of extras.”
  • “Every single film is presented in the usual excellent picture quality and audio presentation! If you have purchased Criterion products in the past, you already know that they deliver the very BEST technical film presentation than anyone else in the industry.”
  • “For those of us whose Kurosawa collection was on VHS, this was a terrific bargain. Quality of sound and video surprisingly good.”
  • “Wonderful boxed set. Lovely quality collectable set.”

Order AK 100: 25 Films of Akira Kurosaw at Amazon Now

AKIRA KUROSAWA FILM COLLECTION

Since he directed exactly 30 films during his 57 year career, that means this Akira Kurosawa collection is missing only five titles. Those can be picked up separately, and Amazon is once again the place to go. Here’s a complete list of the films included in AK 100: 25 Films of Akira Kurosawa, along with a description of each.

Sanshiro Sugata (1943) – Kurosawa makes his directorial debut in this action-packed tale of the fierce competition between judo and jujitsu practitioners.

The Most Beautiful (1944) – Made during World War II about female factory workers who install lenses for targeting scopes and binoculars.

Sanshiro Sugata Part Two (1945) – Most of the original cast returns, and this time our judo-fighting hero gets to take on an American boxer. It was filmed near the end of World War II, so guess who wins?

The Men Who Tread on the Tiger’s Tail (1945) – A 12th-century lord and his samurai attempt to cross through enemy territory. Based on a kabuki play.

No Regrets for Our Youth (1946) – In 1933 Japan, a professor’s daughter is drawn to a radical student and later attempts to redeem him in the eyes of his parents.

One Wonderful Sunday (1947) – In post-war Tokyo, a young couple seek employment, lodging, and a little entertainment. Deals with themes of young love and the devastating effects of World War II on Japan.

Drunken Angel (1948) – A criminal with tuberculosis (Toshiro Mifune) strikes up an unusual friendship with a doctor. See this one for an example of Japanese film noir.

Stray Dog (1949) – A cop has his gun stolen by a pickpocket on a bus and must go undercover to retrieve it. Another Akira Kurosawa film that falls into the noir category.

Scandal (1950) – A painter meets a beautiful singer, but the press paints their relationship as a shameful affair. The painter’s lawyer is little help, as he plays both sides against one another.

Rashomon (1950) – Highly influential for its use of multiple accounts of the same event, Rashomon tells the story of a murdered samurai, his raped wife, and the man accused of the crimes.

The Idiot (1951) – An adaptation of Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s story of a pure man’s reintegration into a corrupt society.

Ikiru (1952) – A bureaucrat dying of stomach cancer seeks to find meaning in his life during his final days on Earth. Considered by many to be the greatest Akira Kurosawa film.

Seven Samurai (1954) – A group of wandering samurai are hired by farmers to protect their village from bandits. Remade dozens of times over the years in countries around the world.

I Live in Fear (1955) – An aging Japanese businessman moves his family to South America due to fear of a nuclear attack.

Throne of Blood (1957) – Toshiro Mifune stars in this retelling of Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

The Lower Depths (1957) – Adapted from the Maxim Gorky play about murder and passion in a dilapidated tenement building.

The Hidden Fortress (1958) – With two idiotic peasants along for the ride, a general and a princess attempt to pass through hostile territory with a royal treasure.

The Bad Sleep Well (1960) – A cross between film noir and Hamlet, this film tells of an executive hunting down his father’s killer.

Yojimbo (1961) – Mixing action and dark comedy, this films tells of a wandering samurai who attempts to save a village by turning two warring clans against one another.

Sanjuro (1962) – Toshiro Mifune reprises his role from Yojimbo. This time he’s helping a group of young samurai eliminate the corruption in their clan.

High and Low (1963) – Taking a look at Japanese society, High and Low stars Toshiro Mifune as an industrialist who must rescue his family from a kidnapper.

Red Beard (1965) – Exploring the theme of social injustice, this classic Akira Kurosawa film examines the relationship between an arrogant young doctor and his mentor, an aging country physician. Toshiro Mifune’s last role with the director.

Dodes’ka-den (1970) – One of the most heartbreaking Akira Kurosawa films, it follows the lives of the destitute living in the slums of Tokyo.

Kagemusha (1980) – When a warlord dies, a common criminal who bears a striking resemblance is taught to impersonate him in order to save the clan.

Madadayo (1993) – The final film from Akira Kurosawa, it’s meant as a tribute to Japanese academic and author, Hyakken Uchida. The relationship between Uchida and his students is explored as each passing birthday is celebrated. A fitting end to a masterful career.

Order AK 100: 25 Films of Akira Kurosaw at Amazon Now

AKIRA KUROSAWA – A BRIEF BIO

Considered one of the most important filmmakers to have ever lived, Akira Kurosawa born on March 23rd, 1910 in the suburbs of Tokyo. The youngest of eight children, Akira’s family was descended from a line of samurai, a subject that would help fuel his later career in cinema.

When he was 13, Akira and his older brother Heigo went on foot to tour the aftermath of the Great Kanto earthquake that had decimated Tokyo. Over 100,000 people had died in the disaster, and the brothers were confronted with corpses of people and animals at every turn. This proved a pivotal moment for the future director, as his brother urged him not to look away from the death and destruction. He obeyed, thus learning that facing something horrible head-on was the best way to rob it of its power. This willingness to confront unpleasant subjects would become a hallmark of his films, especially those dealing with madness, murder, and poverty.

By the time he was 23, Akira was the only one of his brothers still alive. Heigo had committed suicide, and his eldest male sibling passed away four months later. During the years leading up to these events, Akira read literature, wrote articles for a radical newspaper, and developed his painting technique.

His original career goal was to become a painter, but this was abandoned for a job in the Japanese film industry in 1936. Even though he never became a professional artist, Kurosawa would continue with his passion, and the storyboards for his films would often be rendered as paintings.

For years, he worked as a scriptwriter and assistant director, learning the ins and outs of the business (Kurosawa also edited his films). His directorial debut would come as World War II raged on (Sanshiro Sugata), and he would first team with star Toshiro Mifune following his country’s defeat (Drunken Angel). This would prove an important pairing, as the director and actor would work together a total of 16 times.

After the success of Rashomon, Kurosawa’s films gained an audience in Europe and North America, and other Japanese filmmakers also gained well-deserved exposure, including Yasujiro Ozu and Kenji Mizoguchi. Highly prolific during the ‘50s and ‘60s, Kurosawa would release one film per year. Many of these are now considered classics, such as Yojimbo and Seven Samurai.

His work slowed down by the middle of the ‘60s, and he attempted suicide in 1971 by slashing his wrist with a razor thirty times. He survived, and while his output was never as great, he went on to make instant classics such as Ran (1985) and Kagemusha (1980). While always a huge hit with North American and European audiences, his fellow countrymen often viewed his work as too influenced by Western ideals. Not coincidentally, Kurosawa’s all-time favorite filmmaker was John Ford.

His final film was 1993’s Madadayo, and he received an Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement three years earlier. At the age of 88, the great director would pass away from a stroke in his home city of Tokyo.

Oddly enough, he had always wanted to direct a Godzilla film, but the executives at Toho Co., Ltd. assumed it would cost them too much. One can only imagine the majesty of Toshiro Mifune versus a giant, fire-breathing lizard.

Order AK 100: 25 Films of Akira Kurosaw at Amazon Now

DIRECTORIAL STYLE OF AKIRA KUROSAWA

When viewing the 25 films in the Akira Kurosawa, here are some directorial techniques and habits to keep an eye out for. Hopefully, this will add an even greater degree of enjoyment to your experience.

  • Known as a perfectionist during filming, Kurosawa once demanded that a stream be made to flow in the opposite direction. He also had the roof of a house removed and then put back again.
  • Usually avoided fully orchestrated music (especially in his early films). Preferred the sounds of a single instrument for a scene.
  • After each day of filming concluded, Kurosawa would head to the editing room and cut the dailies himself.
  • Often placed cameras far away from actors. He believed that this less intrusive method of filming would improve the performance of his actors.
  • Well known for his use of rain to heighten the mood of a scene. When a young Kurosawa met his idol, John Ford, the veteran director remarked, “You really like rain.” Kurosawa replied, “You’ve really been paying attention to my films.”
  • Transitions from one scene to the next were often accomplished with wipes. This would later be emulated by George Lucas–himself a fan of Kurosawa–in the Star Wars series.
  • Frequently worked with actors Toshiro Mifune and Takashi Shimura. The director paired with Mifune in 16 films, with the actor usually in a leading role. Shimura appeared in 21 films, alternating between supporting and leading parts.
  • Used multiple cameras during action scenes to capture events from multiple angles and prevent the actors from knowing which camera was shooting them (and thus instinctively turning towards it).
  • Obsessed with realism in his film, he once had professional archers fire real arrows only centimeters from Toshiro Mifune’s body in Throne of Blood. He also had truckloads of water dyed with calligraphy ink to better show up against the sky. Kurosawa insisted that costumes looked worn, often giving them to actors weeks in advance and asking them to break the garments in before filming.
  • Sometimes referred to as “Emperor” by the Japanese press for his perceived dictatorial directing style. According to his cast and crew, however, this reputation was greatly exaggerated.
  • With his background as a painter, many of Kurosawa’s shots were framed as though they were singular works of art.
  • Used telephoto lenses to flatten out the frame.
  • His samurai films were not considered traditional in Japan due to his habit of setting them in the feudal periods of the 16th and 17th centuries. More traditional samurai films were usually set in the 18th and 19th centuries.

INFLUENCES ON AKIRA KUROSAWA

The following are a list of the many influences on Akira Kurosawa. If you’re a fan of his work, it’s worth your time to explore the artists who inspired him to greatness.

  • William Shakespeare (Ran, Throne of Blood, and The Bad Sleep Well are all based on his works.)
  • Fyodor Dostoyevsky (His favorite author, Kurosawa adapted The Idiot in 1951.)
  • Maxim Gorky (Russian playwright whose The Lower Depths was adapted by Kurosawa in 1957.)
  • Leo Tolstoy (Russian author whose The Death of Ivan Ilyich inspired Kurosawa‘s Ikiru.)
  • Vladimir Arsenyev (Russian explorer. Kurosawa’s Dersu Uzala was based on his memoirs.)
  • Ed McBain (American crime writer whose King’s Ransom was the basis for Kurosawa’s High and Low.)
  • Dashiell Hammett (American author whose Red Harvest served as inspiration for Yojimbo.)
  • Georges Simenon (Belgian writer. Stray Dog was Kurosawa’s attempt to create a story in his style.)
  • Frank Capra (American filmmaker)
  • Howard Hawks (American filmmaker)
  • William Wyler (American filmmaker)
  • Kajiro Yamamoto (Japanese filmmaker and Kurosawa’s mentor)
  • John Ford (American filmmaker and Kurosawa’s favorite director)

THOSE INFLUENCED BY AKIRA KUROSAWA

Since he’s one of the greatest filmmakers to ever stand behind a camera, it’s a given that many directors and feature films have been influenced by the works of Akira Kurosawa. Here’s a list of some of the many artists who’ve been inspired by or downright copied the master. Remakes of Kurosawa films are also listed.

  • Ingmar Bergman
  • Martin Scorsese
  • Federico Fellini
  • The Magnificent Seven (1960) (Seven Samurai)
  • Bernardo Bertolucci
  • A Fistful of Dollars (1964) (Yojimbo)
  • Steven Spielberg
  • Tsubaki Sankuru (2007) (Sanjuro)
  • Robert Altman
  • Andrei Tarkovsky
  • George Lucas
  • The Last Princess (2008) (The Hidden Fortress)
  • John Woo
  • The Outrage (1964) (Rashomon)
  • Sergio Leone
  • Zhang Yimou
  • Antoine Fuqua
  • Takeshi Kitano
  • Last Man Standing (1996) (Yojimbo)
  • Sidney Lumet
  • Werner Herzog
  • Star Wars (1977) (heavily influenced by The Hidden Fortress)
  • Sam Peckinpah
  • Arthur Penn
  • John Milius
  • Francis Ford Coppola
  • Roman Polanski
  • Alex Cox

Now that you know a little more about the man and his films, why not rush over to Amazon and buy the Akira Kurosawa collection? We do get a small commission if you make a purchase, but all proceeds go towards making sure that we can continue to bring you quality posts like this one.

Order AK 100: 25 Films of Akira Kurosaw at Amazon Now

]]> http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/new-dvd-releases/ak-100-25-films-of-akira-kurosawa/feed/ 9 Steven Seagal Quotes – Actor Biography http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/thoughts-on-film/steven-seagal-quotes-actor-biography/ http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/thoughts-on-film/steven-seagal-quotes-actor-biography/#comments Mon, 12 Apr 2010 15:44:51 +0000 Shane http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/?p=2772 Whether you love him or hate him, these Steven Seagal quotes should provide more than a few minutes of reading enjoyment for action fans and the morbidly curious. I’ve also included a number of factoids–enough to constitute a mini actor biography on the (formerly) pony-tailed one. Whether he’s breaking forearms or rockin’ out with his band, Steven Seagal is one interesting dude.

Yes, Seagal has a band. They’re known as Thunderbox, and they present a blend of blues, world, and pop music. While I like to imagine that former action stars like Jeff Speakman and Brian Bosworth fill out the rhythm section, I’m pretty sure the guys are just normal musicians.

If you haven’t had a chance to hear Seagal play, just check out the album cover to Songs from the Crystal Cave below. I’m not sure where the Crystal Cave is, but I’m sure it’s filled with pain and the shattered bones of his enemies. By the way, you can click on the text or pic links in this article to be taken to Amazon. There, you’ll be able to buy all the Steven Seagal movies that you can stand. We do get a small commission for sending you there, but it doesn’t cost you anything extra.

And here are few other items you might be interested in:

Actor Biography for Steven Seagal

I’m not going to launch into a two-page actor biography for Steven Seagal. Instead, I’m going to throw out some interesting facts and leave it at that. Here goes…

  • Segal was the first foreigner to operate an aikido dojo in Japan.
  • He made his first film, Above the Law, at the urging of talent agent Michael Ovitz, a former student at Seagal’s L.A. dojo.
  • A supporter of the Dalai Lama.
  • His films have made more than $920 million around the globe.
  • Has dogs named Chaos, Tyson, Hamlet, Gruff, and Cole.
  • Seagal has six children by three different women.
  • No movie with Seagal has played at North American theaters since the early part of 2001. That will all change with the release of Robert Rodriguez’s Machete in 2010.
  • Served as a martial arts coordinator for Never Say Never Again (with Sean Connery) in 1983. Screw you, Trebek!
  • His father was a high school match teacher.
  • Other names of Steven Seagal include Takeshigemichi, Albs Oft, and Chungdrag Dorje.

Steven Seagal Movie Quotes

The following Steven Seagal quotes have been taken from his various movies, and they provide a solid glimpse into the on-screen swagger demonstrated by this action star. While some are downright memorable, others are just plain awful. Either way, you won’t forget these words of wisdom anytime soon.

Nico Toscani from Above the Law: If I find out you’re lying, I’ll come back and kill you in your own kitchen.

Mason Storm from Hard to Kill: This is for my wife. Fuck you and die!

Jake Hopper from Belly of the Beast: I liked you a lot better as a bitch.

John Hatcher from Marked for Death: You fuck with my family, you die.

Jonathon Cold from The Foreigner: Don’t do that. If you touch it again, I will blow your 2-inch dick off.

Detective Gino Felino from Out for Justice: Now look, I’ll feed you every dope-dealing guy he’s got, but let me do it my way. Just give me an unmarked and a shotgun.

Casey Ryback from Under Siege: What kind of babbling bullshit is this?

Matt Connor from Pistol Whipped: Well, probably I would like you a lot less if you had a dick.

Casey Ryback from Under Siege: Krill’s a maniac! Go tell the captain he spit in my soup!

John Hatcher from Marked for Death: One thought he was invincible… the other thought he could fly. They were both wrong.

Jack Foster from Shadow Man: It ain’t over til the wolf howls.

Orin Boyd from Exit Wounds: What am I, a shit magnet?

Casey Ryback from Under Siege: Get my pies out of the oven!

Jack Taggert from Fire Down Below: Is this kind of like Deliverance or something?

Casey Ryback from Under Siege 2: Dark Territory: Nobody beats me in the kitchen.

Forrest Taft from On Deadly Ground: For 350,000 dollars, I’d fuck anything once.

Jack Cole from The Glimmer Man: If that’s the best you got, I’m just gonna have to kill you.

Jack Taggert from Fire Down Below: If your daddy knew exactly how stupid you were, he’d trade you in for a pet monkey.

Cock Puncher from The Onion Movie: I don’t think you have the balls.

Forrest Taft from On Deadly Ground: What does it take to change the essence of a man?

Steven Seagal Real-Life Quotes

In addition to his movie lines, Steven Seagal has also delivered some pretty entertaining dialogue (intentional or not) in real life. Take a look, and prepare to be enlightened.

  • “I am hoping that I can be known as a great writer and actor some day, rather than a sex symbol.”
  • “I have traveled the world creating this drink; there is none better that I know.” (speaking about his energy drink known as Steven Seagal’s Lightning Bolt)
  • “It doesn’t work if the bad guys kill his mother’s uncle’s friend’s neighbor’s pet dog. You’ve got to make the stakes high.”
  • “I was born clairvoyant. I was born a healer, and I was born very different.”
  • “I am sorry for any pain or suffering or hurt or negativity I’ve caused any sentient being, in this life and all past lives.”

Steven Seagal Characters

Since I’ve got your attention, let’s go ahead and take a look at all the Steven Seagal characters available on DVD and Blu-ray. Whether they’re cops, scientists or zombie killers, all Steven Seagal characters have two things in common: (1) they likely have a shadowy past in which they may have been a member of an intelligence agency, and (2) they can kick ass like nobody’s business.

Now here’s the list…

  • Nico Toscani
  • Mason Storm
  • John Hatcher
  • Gino Felino
  • Casey Ryback
  • Forrest Taft
  • Jack Cole
  • Jack Taggert
  • Orin Boyd
  • Jonathon Cold
  • Austin Travis
  • Wesley McClaren
  • Frank Glass
  • Sascha Petrosevitch
  • Robert Burns
  • Jake Hopper
  • William Lancing
  • Jack Miller
  • Travis Hunter
  • Chris Cody
  • Harlan Banks
  • John Seeger
  • Jack Foster
  • Marshall Lawson
  • John Sands
  • Simon Ballister
  • Cock Puncher
  • Matt Conner
  • Jacob King
  • Tao
  • Ruslan Drachev
  • Rolland Sallinger
  • Shane Daniels

For those of you keeping score at home, the names “John” and “Jack” are most popular for Seagal roles, with each being used four times in various films. Cock Puncher has only been used once (in The Onion Movie), but I’m hoping that one will soon overtake the others.

If you’ve enjoyed this multi-faceted look at Steven Seagal, be sure to check out other actor biographies and random strangeness from Only Good Movies:

]]> http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/thoughts-on-film/steven-seagal-quotes-actor-biography/feed/ 3 75 Actor Height Facts http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/movie-megalists/75-actor-height-facts/ http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/movie-megalists/75-actor-height-facts/#comments Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:18:21 +0000 Shane http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/?p=2450 The following 75 actor height facts are presented for those of you obsessed with knowing the true stature of your favorite leading man or character actor. Since many performers lie about their height or wear lifts in their shoes, figuring out their size can often be a challenge. But we’ve done our homework, scouring the Internet to find the most reliable resources regarding actor height. I’d like to give a special nod to Celeb Heights, a site that goes so far as to take pictures of stars standing next to people of verifiable size.

For additional info on celebrities, you may want to head over to Amazon and pick up one of the following products. Yes, we get a commission for sending you there, but we’ve gotta eat, too.

Now let’s take a look at our 75 actor height facts. If one of your favorites isn’t included, be sure to let us know and we’ll do our best to track down the information.

  • James Cromwell – 6’6 ½ “
  • Dolph Lundgren – 6’6″
  • Vince Vaughn – 6’5″
  • Tim Robbins – 6’5″
  • Christopher Lee – 6’5″
  • Dwayne Johnson – 6’4 1/2″
  • Jeff Goldblum – 6’4 1/2″
  • Jon Voight – 6’4″
  • Steven Seagal – 6’4″
  • Clint Eastwood – 6’4″
  • Liam Neeson – 6’4″
  • Djimon Hounsou – 6’4″
  • Will Ferrell – 6’3 1/2″
  • Stellan Skarsgard – 6’3″
  • Jean Reno – 6’3″
  • Brendan Fraser – 6’3″
  • Paul Bettany – 6’3″
  • Eric Bana – 6’3″
  • Ben Affleck – 6’2 1/2″
  • Samuel L. Jackson – 6’2 1/2″
  • Hugh Jackman – 6’2″
  • Will Smith – 6’2″
  • Brendan Gleeson – 6’1 1/2″
  • Jeff Bridges – 6’1 1/2″
  • Harrison Ford – 6’1″
  • Keanu Reeves – 6’1″
  • Kevin Costner – 6’1″
  • Alan Rickman – 6’1″
  • Gerard Butler – 6’1″
  • Arnold Schwarzenegger – 6’0″
  • Jake Gyllenhaal – 6’0″
  • Denzel Washington – 6’0″
  • Tom Hanks – 6’0″
  • Nicolas Cage – 6’0″
  • Robert Pattinson – 6’0″
  • John Travolta – 6’0″
  • Chris Pine – 6’0″
  • Christian Bale – 6’0″
  • Bruce Willis – 5’11 1/2″
  • Leonardo DiCaprio – 5’11 1/2″
  • Brad Pitt – 5’11″
  • Jude Law – 5’11″

  • Mickey Rourke – 5’11″
  • Orlando Bloom – 5’10 1/2″
  • Kevin Bacon – 5’10 1/2″
  • Ving Rhames – 5’10 1/2″
  • George Clooney – 5’10 1/2″
  • Daniel Craig – 5’10″
  • Billy Bob Thornton – 5’10″
  • Adam Sandler – 5’10″
  • Matt Damon – 5’10″
  • Colin Farrell – 5’10″
  • Josh Brolin – 5’10″
  • Mel Gibson – 5’9 1/2″
  • Casey Affleck – 5’9″
  • Jason Statham – 5’9″
  • Jean-Claude Van Damme – 5’9″
  • Eddie Murphy – 5’9″
  • Sam Worthington – 5’9″
  • Johnny Depp – 5’9″
  • Sylvester Stallone – 5’9″
  • Taylor Lautner – 5’8 1/2″
  • Robert Downey Jr. – 5’8″
  • Sean Penn – 5’8″
  • Tom Cruise – 5’7 3/4″
  • Tobey Maguire – 5’7 3/4″
  • Jon Stewart – 5’7″
  • Martin Lawrence – 5’7″
  • Robin Williams – 5’7″
  • Mike Myers – 5’7″
  • Ben Stiller – 5’6 1/2″
  • Jack Black – 5’6″
  • Jet Li – 5’6″
  • Woody Allen – 5’5″
  • Danny DeVito – 5’

Since you’re in a celebrity state of mind, you should also take a look at the following articles from Only Good Movies:

]]> http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/movie-megalists/75-actor-height-facts/feed/ 9 Top Grossing Movies of 1978 http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/box-office-results/top-grossing-movies-of-1978/ http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/box-office-results/top-grossing-movies-of-1978/#comments Tue, 02 Mar 2010 19:06:46 +0000 Shane http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/?p=2206 Before we examine the top grossing movies of 1978, let’s take a look at some of the other interesting events that went down around the globe in that year. Since this is a movie blog, I’ll concentrate on events that either directly involved the film industry or later inspired big-screen adaptations.

  • After pleading guilty to having sex with a 13-year-old girl , director Roman Polanski flees to France.
  • Serial killer Ted Bundy is captured.
  • The comic strip Garfield debuts.
  • Porn publisher Larry Flynt is shot and paralyzed.
  • Annie Hall wins Best Picture at the 50th Academy Awards.
  • The remains of Charlie Chaplin are stolen and later recovered.
  • Serial killer David Berkowitz, aka The Son of Sam, receives a prison sentence of 365 years.

  • George Lucas purchases the property that would later become Skywalker Ranch.
  • Jim Jones leads over 900 of his followers in a mass murder-suicide ritual in Guyana.
  • Harvey Milk is assassinated in San Francisco.
  • A Lufthansa cargo facility at JFK Airport is robbed by six men. Over $5 million in cash is stolen, along with $875,000 in jewels.
  • Serial killer John Wayne Gacy is arrested.

Births in 1978

  • James Franco
  • Katie Holmes
  • Rachel McAdams
  • Bill Hader
  • Topher Grace
  • Katherine Heigl
  • Danielle Harris
  • Josh Hartnett
  • Zoe Saldana

Now that our impromptu history lesson is out of the way, let’s take a look at the top grossing movies of 1978. You may immediately notice that the numbers for the top 10 films are significantly lower than their modern counterparts. The #10 film of 1978, Foul Play, grossed $27,500,000. By way of comparison, the tenth highest grossing film of 2009, Sherlock Holmes, grossed over $200 million in the U.S. and $462,411,216 worldwide.

  • Grease ($96,300,000) – Singing, dancing, and John Travolta! He and Olivia Newton-John star in this musical about two teens who meet and fall for one another over the summer, only to later find themselves enrolled in the same high school. Their ensuing courtship is framed by such memorable songs as “Grease,” and “Summer Nights.”
  • Superman ($82,800,000) – The late Christopher Reeve starred and Richard Donner directed this first film in the long-running superhero franchise. While moonlighting as mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent, Superman must foil the nefarious schemes of arch-villain Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman). He also finds time to romance fellow reporter Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) and rap with holographic projections of his father, Jor-El (Marlon Brando). If you enjoy today’s modern superhero movies, thank this film for getting the whole phenomenon started.
  • An Unmarried Woman ($70,826,000) – Jill Clayburgh stars as Erica, an affluent New Yorker who must face life alone after her husband ditches her for a younger woman. Nominated for three Oscars, the supporting cast includes Alan Bates, Kelly Bishop and Cliff Gorman.

  • Jaws 2 ($61,900,000) – Another great white shark pays Amity Island a visit, and it’s once again up to Police Chief Martin Brody to keep the beaches safe. But this time around, he’ll have to do so without the help of Quint or Hooper. Jaws 2 isn’t as good as the original, but it’s a damn sight better than what followed. Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water…
  • Heaven Can Wait ($50,432,000) – Warren Beatty directs and stars in this remake of the 1941 classic, Here Comes Mr. Jordan. This time around, Beatty plays Joe Pendleton, a quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams who’s involved in a car crash and prematurely sent to heaven by an inexperienced guardian angel (Buck Henry). He protests his death and is allowed to return to Earth in the body of a just-murdered millionaire. This surprises his killers (Dyan Cannon and Charles Grodin) to no end, and Joe wastes no time in buying the Rams and announcing himself the starting quarterback. Besides getting into game shape, he must also contend with a new love interest (Julie Christie) and the continued schemes of his would-be killers (his wife and personal secretary).
  • Coming Home ($49,400,000) – Jane Fonda stars as Sally Hyde, a woman whose husband (Bruce Dern) has been sent to fight in Vietnam. While volunteering at a veteran’s hospital, Sally reconnects with Luke Martin (Jon Voight), an old friend who’s returned from Vietnam in a wheelchair. The character of Luke was based on paralyzed vet Ron Kovic, whose story would later be told in Oliver Stone’s Born on the Fourth of July. Both Fonda and Voight would receive an Oscar for their performance.
  • Hooper ($34,900,000) – Intended as a tribute to stuntmen (the director, Hal Needham, used to be one), the film stars Burt Reynolds as Sonny Hooper, the greatest stuntman alive. But the years of abuse are catching up with his body, and the addiction to painkillers isn’t exactly helping. That’s when he meets a young stuntman named Delmore “Ski” Shidski (Jan-Michael Vincent). The two develop a friendly rivalry, but their planned jump across a gorge in a rocket car could leave Hooper permanently paralyzed. The film would inspire TV’s The Fall Guy, and actor James Best would parlay his role into that of Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane in The Dukes of Hazzard. Co-starring Sally Field, Brian Keith, Robert Klein, Terry Bradshaw and Adam West.
  • California Suite ($28,386,000) – Adapted from the hilarious Neil Simon play, California Suite is broken into four distinct stories, each detailing the events transpiring within a single room at an upscale hotel. The all-star cast includes Alan Alda, Jane Fonda, Bill Cosby, Walter Matthau, Richard Pryor, Maggie Smith, Elaine May and Michael Caine. Maggie Smith (yes, the woman from the Harry Potter series) would win an Oscar for her portrayal of a nervous Academy Award nominee.
  • Every Which Way But Loose ($28,300,000) – Philo Beddoe (Clint Eastwood) is a truck driver and bare-knuckle fighter with a pet orangutan named Clyde. As he tries to make ends meet and searches for true love, he has to contend with a gang of inept bikers known as The Black Widows. Geoffrey Lewis is Philo’s best pal, Orville Boggs, and Ruth Gordon is a scream as the shotgun-wielding Ma Boggs. This was during Eastwood’s Sandra Locke phase, so you can expect to see more of her than you’d like. The sequel, Any Which Way You Can, would hit theaters two years later.
  • Foul Play ($27,500,000) – Goldie Hawn plays a librarian pursued by a murderous albino, and Chevy Chase is the skeptical San Francisco cop who eventually falls for her. Mixing elements of the comedy and thriller genres, the story includes film hidden in a pack of cigarettes, a radical group opposed to organized religion, and a plot to kill the Pope during an opera performance. The strong supporting cast includes Burgess Meredith, Dudley Moore and Brian Dennehy.

Head over to Amazon, as they carry all the films listed above on DVD (and many on Blu-ray). We’ll get a small commission for sending you their way, which allows us to keep bringing you quality movie recommendations.

You may also want to check out the following:

]]> http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/box-office-results/top-grossing-movies-of-1978/feed/ 3 Interesting Movie Facts – Christmas Edition http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/interesting-movie-facts/interesting-movie-facts-christmas-edition/ http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/interesting-movie-facts/interesting-movie-facts-christmas-edition/#comments Fri, 25 Dec 2009 18:34:07 +0000 Shane http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/?p=1631 Merry Christmas! As my gift to you, here’s a special Christmas-themed version of Interesting Movie Facts. From Joe Pesci injuring Macaulay Culkin to Jim Carrey learning torture resistance techniques, we’ve got plenty of oddball facts to lift your holiday spirits.

Home Alone – Adorable little Macaulay Culkin ended up with a scar on his finger following a scene with Joe Pesci. The star of Goodfellas was called upon to bite the finger of his younger co-star, and he did so with too much force. I guess Pesci has a problem with “yewts.”

Die Hard – Bruce Willis wasn’t the first choice for the role of John McClane. It was offered to Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Burt Reynolds and Richard Gere before the star of Moonlighting was brought aboard. The mind boggles at the thought of Alan Rickman vs. Burt Reynolds.

Die Hard 2 – The sequel to Die Hard went way over budget. At one point, the film was costing the studio over $20,000 per minute.

The Santa Clause – Prior to hiring Tim Allen, Disney had a strict policy about hiring felons. They made an exception for the Home Improvement star, who was arrested in 1978 for possession of over 1 pound of cocaine. I wonder if they would’ve made the same exception for a key grip or gaffer?

christmas-wreath

Lethal Weapon – Thanks to the scene where Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) struggles with whether or not to eat a bullet, director Franco Zeffirelli decided to cast him in the role of Hamlet.

The Polar Express – This was the first film to be done in “all-digital capture,” and it’s even listed in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Scrooged – At one point in the film, crabby television executive Frank Cross (Bill Murray) insults a group of street carolers. This group is comprised of Paul Shaffer, David Sanborn, Miles Davis and Larry Carlton.

Miracle on 34th Street – For the 1994 remake, Macy’s department store refused to let their name be used in the film.

Ernest Saves Christmas – During filming, the reindeer on the set began to shed their antlers. To fix the problem, the reindeer were fitted with replacement antlers.

It’s a Wonderful Life – In the old days of Hollywood filmmaking, falling snow was simulated by using cornflakes that had been painted white. Because they made a noticeable sound when stepped on, audio had to be dubbed in later. During this film, director Frank Capra wanted to record live sound, so he needed to find an alternative to the cornflakes. A fire-fighting substance called foamite was mixed with soap and water and distributed via a wind machine. For this new innovation, the special effects department of RKO Pictures received special recognition from the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – The house belonging to the yuppie neighbors was the same one used for the Murtaugh family in the Lethal Weapon series. It resides on the back lot of Warner Brothers Studios.

Elf – The costumes for the elves were modeled after those used in the 1964 television special Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

Fred Claus – The filmmakers contacted Levi’s and had 501 jeans made especially to fit star Vince Vaughn.

Black Christmas (1974) – Star Olivia Hussey was originally considered for the lead role in 1987′s Roxanne. When she met Steve Martin, he said, “Oh, my God, Olivia, you were in one of my all-time favorite films.” Hussey thought he was talking about Romeo and Juliet, but Martin meant Black Christmas, which he claimed to have seen over 20 times.

Jack Frost (1996) – This horror movie about a serial killer snowman featured actress Shannon Elizabeth in her first movie role.

The Preacher’s Wife – Star Whitney Houston admitted years later that she was on drugs (marijuana and cocaine) throughout every single day of filming.

Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang – Val Kilmer had to quickly lose the 50 pounds he’d gained to play his role in 2004′s Alexander.

Reindeer Games – While shooting a scene where former NFL player Dana Stubblefield is supposed to stab Ben Affleck, Stubblefield accidentally knocked Affleck down and caused him to suffer a concussion. Production was delayed while the star recovered from his injury.

Batman Returns – During the six months it took to shoot the film, star Michelle Pfeiffer (Catwoman) went through 60 catsuits, each at a cost of $1,000.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas – Jim Carrey felt so confined in his latex skin that he consulted a Navy SEAL and learned techniques for resisting torture.

Gremlins – One of the two films (along with Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom) that caused the MPAA to create the PG-13 rating.

Trading Places – This film was originally intended for Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor. When Pryor dropped out of the project, Eddie Murphy came aboard and got Wilder replaced. It’s said that this was done to keep people from thinking of Murphy as just a Pryor knock-off.

Eight Crazy Nights – The original title of the film was Whitey & Davey, but this was deemed too politically incorrect and changed.

Bad Santa – Holds the record for the most cursing in a holiday-themed film. The word “fuck” (and its variations) appear 147 times, and a total of 243 curse words are used. 286 naughty words appear in the unrated DVD version.

]]> http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/interesting-movie-facts/interesting-movie-facts-christmas-edition/feed/ 3 Interesting Movie Facts http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/interesting-movie-facts/interesting-movie-facts-3/ http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/interesting-movie-facts/interesting-movie-facts-3/#comments Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:01:13 +0000 Shane http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/?p=1382 I thought I’d take a little break from all the good movie lists of late and bring you another installment of Interesting Movie Facts.  Gathered together after hours of searching through sites like Wikipedia, I’m hoping you’ll find these little slivers of trivia as fascinating as I did.  If you have any interesting movie facts of your own, be sure to share them in the comments section. 

  1. Berry Berenson, the widow of Psycho’s Anthony Perkins, died on American Airlines Flight 11 during the events of September 11th, 2001. 
  2. As a child, Jet Li and the rest of the Chinese National Wushu Team performed for President Richard Nixon.  Nixon jokingly asked Li to become his personal bodyguard, to which Li reportedly replied, “I don’t want to protect any individual. When I grow up, I want to defend my one billion Chinese countrymen!”
  3. When Sony executives expressed doubt over casting Leonardo DiCaprio as The Kid in The Quick and the Dead, star Sharon Stone paid for his salary herself.
  4. Actress Virgina Madsen’s first experience as a performer came when she would help out her older brother, actor Michael Madsen, with his childhood magic shows. 
  5. The record for the highest free-fall stunt is 220 feet.  It was set during the filming of 1981′s Sharky’s Machine (starring Burt Reynolds).  The stunt was shot at The Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia, and the stuntman was the late Dar Robinson (who later died while performing a routine stunt in 1986).
  6. Clint Eastwood was not the first choice for the lead role in Dirty Harry.  The part was written for Frank Sinatra, but a previous wrist injury made it uncomfortable for him to hold Harry’s signature .44 Magnum, so he passed on the part.  John Wayne was also considered, but he was later deemed too old for the part.  Steve McQueen and Paul Newman also passed on the role before Eastwood was offered the part.  Audie Murphy was offered the role of the villainous Scorpio Killer, but he died in a plane crash before he could accept the part. 
  7. Many of the nude scenes for Brooke Shields in 1980′s The Blue Lagoon were done by older body doubles, and Shields had her hair glued to her breasts in many scenes. 
  8. Action star Dolph Lundgren speaks over five languages and holds a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Sydney. 
  9. According to reports, Val Kilmer and Tom Cruise were said to have come to blows during the filming of Top Gun, with Kilmer coming out the victor.
  10. After being impressed with a DVD of Paranormal Activity, executives at DreamWorks passed it along to Steven Spielberg to watch.  He took it home and later claimed that his bedroom doors locked by themselves after he finished viewing the film.  He had to call a locksmith to get out, and he brought the movie back to DreamWorks in a garbage bag, convinced that the DVD was haunted. 
  11. In the movie Borat, the lead character claims to be from Kazakhstan.  While this did not sit well with Kazakh officials, the film is said to be a favorite of the Kazakhstan national football team. 
  12. The unrated version of 1979′s Caligula, known as the first pornographic film to feature major stars (such as Malcolm McDowell, Helen Mirren, and Peter O’Toole), includes such activities as orgies, fellatio, cunnilingus, anal fisting, rape, incest, tranvestism, urination, masturbation, and penile castration. 
  13. Sam Worthington, the co-star of Terminator Salvation, was recommended to director McG by none other than Terminator creator James Cameron.  Russell Crowe also put in a good word for his fellow Australian. 
  14. Daniel Stern was the first choice to play bully Biff Tannen in Back to the Future.  When he passed, the part went to Thomas F. Wilson.
  15. Writing on Quigley Down Under began in 1974, and Clint Eastwood and Steve McQueen were lead contenders for the role.  Production started in 1980, and McQueen was supposed to play the part, but he was unable to do so due to his declining health.  This caused the film to be delayed for a decade, and the part eventually went to Tom Selleck. 

Hope you enjoyed this list of interesting movie facts.  For even more juicy tidbits, click on the following links:

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