Living for the Cinema

Back in the early days of the comic book movies, it was rare to see one released to theaters which was not only financially successful but also generally beloved by fans. There were the Batman films....and then everything else including The Rocketeer, The Shadow, and Dick Tracy. But just under thirty years, one came out which not only proved to be both financially successful and hugely influential for so many other subgenre films which were to follow up but also was being released under unusually tragic circumstances. This was the final on-screen appearance of Brandon Lee who unfortunately died during production as the result of an on-set accident involving the use of a prop gun. It was a shocking turn of events for some one who seemed to have enormous promise as a potential movie star and who also happened to be the son of a legendary movie star (Bruce Lee) who also died under mysterious circumstances almost three decades prior. :(
Under the sure hand of director Alex Proyas, this supernatural revenge thriller turned out better than any one could have expected. It tells the story of Eric Draven, the front man for a local goth rock band in Detroit who is brutally murdered alongside his fiance....but then is brought back temporarily to bring justice to those who wronged him and his lost love. Also co-starring Ernie Hudson, Michael Wincott, and Bai Ling, it's time to revisit one of the more beloved comic book adaptations of the '90's...or any decade for that matter.
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon

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Thirty years ago, this urban thriller came out to mild acclaim and pretty strong box office - it stars one of our biggest stars of the time, Michael Douglas, in what would be one of his most iconic roles generally known as "D-Fens." He plays a recently divorced, disgruntled former defense engineer stuck in traffic one humid morning in LA when he suddenly decides....that he has just HAD it! He walks away from his car and starts to venture by foot into greater Los Angeles encountering his share of strangers who are either dangerous or scared of him.....and things get increasingly violent as the day progresses on. On his trail is Robert Duvall as a LAPD detective on his last day before retirement....or will he? Eventually their stories converge in a one o the more controversial thrillers of the '90's - this was directed by the late, great Joel Schumacher who had previously directed movies like The Lost Boys and Flatliners.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon

Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:
https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

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Throughout his illustrious career as a director, Steven Spielberg has never been afraid to tackle big subject matter and when this World War II epic was first released to theaters twenty five years ago this July, it was a BIG deal. Not only was he returning to the time period and broad category of subject matter (World War II) which had last earned him an Oscar and widespread acclaim with Schindler's List less than five years prior but he was collaborating with who was at the time our most beloved movie star Tom Hanks....who was coming off of two recent Oscar wins himself for Philadelphia and Forest Gump. It also comprised a stacked cast of talented actors, many of whom were on their way towards becoming stars including Matt Damon, Vin Diesel, Giovanni Ribisi, and Tom Sizemore. All of the stars were aligned for what many expected to be a masterpiece....
And in the eyes of most audiences and critics, it WAS. The film was a massive hit at the box office, received universal acclaim and also ended up winning several Oscars as well....including a second Best Director Oscar for Spielberg. It also had a sizeable cultural impact, not only having an effect on most war film moving forward but also the overall perception of World War II including those who fought it who were nicknamed "The Greatest Generation." But how does it hold up as an actual movie? It's time to revisit this story of eight man on a mission to save ONE.

Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon

Producer: Marlene Gershon

https://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:
https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

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Many would consider Denzel Washington to be our Greatest Living Actor....Period and as part of this podcast's year tradition to celebrate his birthday (December 29), we will revisit one of the lesser-known starring vehicles from early in his career which is this Jamaica-based mystery thriller directed by Carl Schenkel. Denzel stars as the local police chief of a Jamaican resort community who is investigating a murder....with his childhood best friend (Robert Townsend) being the prime suspect...or is he? Along the way there are loads of gorgeous locations, lively music, and a strong supporting cast which includes Sheryl Lee Ralph, M. Emmett Walsh, James Fox, Art Evans, Esther Rolle, and Mimi Rogers. You ain't seen NOTHING but....
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon

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https://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:
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What if forty years ago, a brilliant filmmaker (Brian DePalma) directed one of America’s biggest stars (John Travolta) in a very timely, well-crafted thriller involving surveillance....and nobody came?? That’s the story of this film which has gratefully garnered a cult following and a reappraisal from many film-lovers and critics since then.

The actual story is of a sound effects man, played by Travolta, who was in the wrong place at the wrong time to witness a tragic accident....or was it? He saves one woman’s life (Nancy Allen) but as they team up to find out what actually happened, both of their lives become endangered. John Lithgow plays a homicidal killer on their trail...

Host: Geoff Gershon

Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/

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https://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:
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