Contents Page 3 Editorial 4-7 Laddie The Man Behind The Movies The untold story of the movie mogul who green lit Star Wars. And Blade Runner. And Alien. And Police Academy. And... A film about Alan Ladd Jr., producer and former 20th Century Fox chairman, directed by his daughter Amanda Ladd-Jones.
8-11 Granada Nights In Granada, Spain a British tourist struggles with a broken heart as he befriends a group of young foreigners and crashes into the heart of the international student scene.
12-15 Coming Soon 16-19 Spring Blossom A 16 year old girl, bored with her own age group, becomes involved with an older man at a theater she passes.
20-23 Memories Of My Father The story about a Colombian writer's father. His father was an University md professor who promoted tolerance and human rights in his country.
24-27 Close Up 28 DVD OF THE MONTH (Our Friend) After receiving life-altering news, a couple finds unexpected support from their best friend, who puts his own life on hold and moves into their family home, bringing an impact much greater and more profound than anyone could have imagined
29 DVD OF THE MONTH (Another Round) Four high school teachers consume alcohol on a daily basis to see how it affects their social and professional lives.
30 DVD OF THE MONTH (Husbands) After the death of a common friend, three married men leave their lives together, seeking pleasure and freedom and ultimately leaving for London.
31 DVD OF THE MONTH (The Irishman) An old man recalls his time painting houses for his friend, Jimmy Hoffa, through the 1950-70s.
32 Poster: In The Heights. Photo Credits: Strike Media: 1,4,6,7 Jon Rushton: 8,10,11 Curzon.com:16,18,19 Acknowledgements: We would like to acknowledge the following for providing publicity information for this magazine: Keir Waller @Strike Media. Jon Rushton @Jon Rushton. Jake Garriock and Kelly Powell @Curzon.com
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Editioral Welcome to the latest issue of Movies by Mills. We are delighted to have as our feature review a documentary on a person in the movie industry who was known as Laddie who brought out the creative juices of so many: George Lucas, Steven Spielberg. He green lit the best by listening to what directors, producers, actors wanted to do and told them to do it! He was the movie mogul who had been an agent, an executive and a studio head and one of the most prominent executives in the history of Hollywood. Movies by Mills proudly enthuses over a documentary that will appeal to cinephiles the world over. Besides this, you will find film reviews as usual. Our magazine is about the greatest entertainment in the world. In the darkest shadows of the pandemic we hope that through movies you may find some escape.
Take care. Enjoy the Read.
Brian Mills
Paul Ridler
Magazine Editor
Magazine Designer
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LADDIE: THE MAN BEHIND THE MOVIES Directed by Amanda Ladd Jones (as Amanda Ladd) Starring: Ben Affleck, Mel Brooks, George Lucas, Elizabeth Daley, Ridley Scott, Richard Donner, Lucy Fisher, Sigourney Weaver, Morgan Freeman, Mel Gibson, Alan Ladd Jnr., Ron Howard. The untold story of the movie mogul who green lit Star Wars, Blade Runner, Alien, Police Academy.
The documentary is directed by Alan Ladd Junior’s daughter. “My dad is an awesome movie executive you’ve never heard of; he has been an agent, an executive and a studio head with 150 academy award nominations, 60 academy award wins. He is one of the most prominent executives in the history of Hollywood, not that this impressed me very much growing up because my dad spent years trying to escape the shadow of his own illustrious father (*Alan Ladd) and I spent years trying to do the same. In the end, I broke into the movie business, and every job I did, inevitably someone had a story about my dad. I decided to sit down with all my Dad’s friends and colleagues and hear what they had to say about the man they called Laddie.
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“He was the kind of foot on the ground producer”
- Ben Affleck “This guy is one who just says, ‘Just do it.” - Mel Gibson “The objective was to help these incredibly creative people make the best possible movie they could” - Sigourney Weaver “Laddie was one of the few people who said ‘I trust the artist’ - George Lucas “What mattered to me was he said: “You got something?” And I said: “Yeah, you want to read it? And he said: Yeah, and you get an answer by Tuesday”.
- Ridley Scott
Alan Ladd came to fame as a tough guy in “This Gun for Hire” in 1942.
He had a cameo role in one of the greatest films of all time: “Citizen Kane”.
Today he is remembered for the western “Shane”.
Unlike any other film before it, “Laddie: The Man Behind The Movies” is a cinephile’s dream and will be eternally treasured and repeatedly watched because it is so inspiring and uplifting and will help many film afficionados from all backgrounds who may have flirted with the idea that maybe they could write a screenplay, that they have a story that is unique to them and can hear the inner voice of Laddie telling them to do it. Go ahead – realize your dream. Yes, “Laddie: The Man Behind The Movies is the most important movie you will have ever seen!
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Laddie & George Lucas
Laddie & Steven Spielberg 6
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Laddie
Robert Redford
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GRANADA NIGHTS Directed by Abid Khan Starring: Antonio Aakeel, Oscar Casas, Quintessa Swindell. It’s feeling…where you belong. - Ben A British – Pakistani tourist is stuck in Granada, Spain with a broken heart, feeling lost and abandoned. He befriends a group of young foreigners and crashes into the heart of the international student scene. He pushes himself out of his comfort-zone and tries to restart his life but behind every corner is a reminder of his ex-girlfriend and his struggle to find closure. A love letter to Granada that mixes documentary with fiction to create a real and authentic heartfelt examination on the process of self-discovery. It works well and is emotionally sound and should appeal to cineastes as well as general cinemagoers and particularly those that have experienced the delights and picturesque setting of Granada. When a film makes one want to believe that you can find romance in Spain by relating to the protagonist, and it wins you over, then it is worth seeing.
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ABID KHAN: Producer and Director of Granada. Previously: BARDO (2014) Patrick journeys through his subconscious mind to discover the truth about a heinous crime he may have committed.
SAY SOMETHING (2013) A short point-of-view film about a cross-Atlantic breakup story seen through the eyes of a guy called Ben. It follows Ben from his heartbreak in Montreal to his new career in London.
ANTONIO AAKEEL: Actor Film Feature Debut:2016 “The Contract” (2016) as Raza Two worlds collide when a wealthy financier returns home to find his country house has been occupied by squatters.
“City of Lights” (2016) as Young Lovely In the teeming multicultural metropolis of modern-day London, a seemingly straight forward missing person launches a down-at-heals private eye into a dangerous world of religions, fanaticism, and political intrigue.
“The Hungry” (2017) as Chirag Joshi An adaptation of Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus set in contemporary New Delhi.
“Tomb Raider” (2018) as Nitin Lara Croft (Alicia Vikander)The fiercely independent daughter of a missing adventurer, must push ahead beyond her limits when she discovers the island where her father Lord Richard Croft disappeared.
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Ben (Antonio Aakeea & Ella (Tabata Cerezo) in Granada Nights
Silvia (Laura Frederico, Ben (Antonio Aakeea) Lucas(Oscar Casas) in Granada Nights 10
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Silvia(Laura Frederico) & Lucas (Oscar Casas) in Granada Nights
Ben(Antonio Aakeel) and Ella (Tabata Cerezo) in Granada Nights
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COMING SOON FILMS TO LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS
Rare Beasts Directed by Billie Piper Starring: Billie Piper, Leo Bill, Kerry Fox An anti rom-com about Mandy, a career single mother, who falls in love with charming traditional Pete.
Babylon Directed by Damien Chazelle Starring: Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt, Li Jun Li Set in Period Hollywood. Plot unknown.
In the Heights Directed by Jon M. Chu Starring: Anthony Ramos, Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace The scent of a caliente hangs in the air just outside of the 81st street subway stop. The likeable magnetic Bodego owner Usnavi saves every penny from his daily grind as he hopes, visualizes, and sings about a better life.
The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard Directed by Patrick Hughes Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Frank Grillo, Salma Hayek The Bodyguard Michael Bryce continues his friendship with assassin Darius Kincaid as they try to save Darius’s wife Sonia.
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Infinite Directed by Antoine Fuqua Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sophie Cookson. A man discovers that his hallucinations are actually visions from past lives.
Respect Directed by Liesl Tommy Starring: Jennifer Hudson, Forest Whitaker, Audra McDonald The life story of legendary R&B singer Aretha Franklin
Reminiscence Directed by Lisa Joy Starring: Rebecca Ferguson, Thandiwe Newton, Hugh Jackman A scientist discovers a way to relive your past and uses the technology for his long lost love.
Dune Directed by Denis Villeneuve Starring: Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya Feature adaptation.
West Side Story Directed by Steven Spielberg Starring: Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, Ariana DeBose An Adaptation of the 1957 musical, West Side Story explores love and the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks; two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds.
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Ma Belle, My Beauty Directed by Marion Hill Starring: Idella Johnson, Hannah Pepper A surprise reunion in the South of France reignites passions and jealousies between two women who were formerly polyamorous lovers.
Venus As A Boy Directed by Ty Hodges Starring: Bai Ling, Gilles Marini, Trace Lysette A struggling artist living a life in limbo between who he is and who he wants to be.is interrupted by a beautiful woman who forces him to choose.
The Sky Is Everywhere Directed by Josephine Decker Starring: Jason Segel, Cherry Jones, Grace Kaufman A shy teenage musician tries to keep things together in the aftermath of her older, more outgoing sister’s death.
The Billion Dollar Spy Directed by Amma Asante Starring: Mads Mikkelsen The true story of a man who became the Pentagon’s most valuable spy during the last years of the Cold War.
Women Talking Directed by Sarah Polley Starring: Frances McDormand, Sarah Polley A group of women in an isolated Mennonite religious colony in Bolivia as they struggle to reconcile their faith with a string of sexual assaults committed by the colony’s men.
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The Woman In The Window Directed by Joe Wright Starring: Amy Adams, Gary Oldman, Anthony Mackie An agoraphobic woman living alone in New York begins spying on her new neighbours , only to witness a disturbing act of violence.
Where Are You Directed by Valentia De Amici, Riccardo Spinotti Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Madeline Brewer, Angela Sarafyan A photographer experiencing an artistic decline begins taking his aggression out on his artist girlfriend. When she cryptically disappears he enters subconscious, descending down a spiral of mystery and madness on his search for her as well as himself.
Things Heard And Seen Directed by Shari Springer Berman & Robert Pulcini Starring: Amanda Seyfried, James Norton, Natalia Dyer An artist relocates to the Hudson Valley and begins to suspect that marriage has sinister darkness, one that rivals her new home’s history.
Fingernails Directed by Christos Nikou Starring: Carey Mulligan Anna increasingly suspects her relationship with her long-time partner may not actually be the real thing. To improve things, she secretly embarks on a new assignment working of a mysterious institute designed to incite the presence of romantic love in increasingly desperate couples.
Bullet Train Directed by Davud Leitch Starring: Hiroyuki Sanada, Brad Pitt, Zazie Beetz Five assassins aboard a fast moving Bullet train find out their missions have something in common.
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SPRING BLOSSOM Directed by Suzanne Lindon Starring: Suzanne Lindon, Frederic Pierrot. I’m tired of everything. The guys and girls at school. My routine. I’m bored with people my age. What are you looking at? - Suzanne.
A 10-year girl, bored with her own age group, becomes involved with an older man at a theatre she passes. Writer-director Suzanne Lindon’s portrait of youth that depicts a protagonist played by herself and has a unique narrative about a female adolescent’s desire and romantic innocence. Suzanne made this film as a teenager and says, *“I’ve never lived without cinema”. She is influenced by her actor parents: Vincent Lindon and Sandrine Kiberlain. Vincent known for “Diary of a Chambermaid” as Joseph in the former and as Pierre Pastie in “La Haine” in the latter. Suzanne’s mother, Sandrine Kiberlain is an actress and director. The talented versatility which Suzanne Lindon has inherited from her parents is evident in “Spring Blossom” which results in a very watchable must-see film of the highest quality and echoes Suzanne’s sentiments that she has never lived without cinema…There are many magical moments in this movie,” Spring Blossom”, which makes you understand why it is so special. For example, when Suzanne expresses her happiness, reminiscent of Gene Kelly’s “Singin’ in the Rain”. And when Suzanne meets up with the man, Raphael (Arnaud Valois), they go and find a place to sit outside and chat. “Do you like music?” asks Raphael. “Yeah, a lot and classical music” Suzanne replies. “Hang on, don’t move. Do you want to hear a beautiful opera? It’s the overture of the play. In this play, I’m tired of my lines, the troop, and myself, but never this music. He gives her earphones, and she places them over her ears. He takes out a recorder from out of his pocket and switches it on and when the singer begins to sing, they both close their eyes, enraptured by the music and create a ballet with their hands. It is simply beautiful. 16
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I so concur with that and know that I would watch this film again and again. What this film brought to my notice was the attraction of biopics because they are personal and therefore believable. A film like this encourages one to go a little deeper into the world of the actress/writer/director behind it: Suzanne Lindon. What you see is her passion for films and the result is this feel -good movie that if you are a film lover will take up residence in your heart and eventually in your film library. Suzanne Lindon is a name to be treasured and I can’t wait to find out what she will be making, invariably writing, directing, acing in next. Such a remarkably talented creative artiste is a gift to the film industry, which needs new faces and add their imaginative storylines and beckon others to join them. For genuine filmgoers who have been longing to get back to seeing a film in a cinema once again then they will not have to wait much longer because the lockdown ends on May 17th and that is when you will be able to go along to your arthouse cinema to see “Spring Blossom”. When friends ask you whether they know of a film that they should see that you think they would love, then tell them “Spring Blossom”.
Finally I must add that I think “Spring Blossom” will be one of the best films you will see this year…if not, the very best! And…remember this film is Suzanne Lindon’s directional debut.
Available on Curzon Home Cinema *Special Mention Signis 35 Award of the Mar del Plata Festival
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Suzanne (Suzanne Lindon) in Spring Blossom
Suzanne (Suzanne Lindon) in Spring Blossom
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La Pere (Frederic Pierrot) & Suzanne (Suzanne Lindon) in Spring Blossom
Raphael (Arnaud Valois) & Suzanne (Suzanne Lindon) in Spring Blossom
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MEMORIES OF MY FATHER (aka FORGOTTEN WE’LL BE)
I have taught very little, if anything I always tried to teach my students freely. - Hector Abad
Directed by Fernando Trueba Starring: Javier Cámara, Nicolás Reyes Cano , Juan Pablo Urego The story about a Colombian writer’s father. His father was a university professor who promoted tolerance and human rights to his country. The writer exposes his feelings related to his lovely father and he describes his family story and all the drama related with the killing of his father. It is a moving film based on a book with the same title. It is a sample of the violence related to the events of the Colombian political life over the last three decades. What makes this film a memorable experience is the naturalness of the actors particularly Javier Cámara as Héctor, making you feel that at one time or another you have met him although you cannot remember why or when. The film is set in the mid-eighties which are shown in black and white and reflects the bleak political period, while a major part of the film and core of the narrative is set in 1973 and shot in colour reflecting the gentle warmth of Héctor senior, embodied by Javier Camara, with his relaxing charm. A university lecturer who cared about the community of Medellín where the family lived. The film was Colombian’s submission for the year’s Academy Award’s race What truly resonates with us is our feelings for Héctor and his fight for better healthcare for citizens and intuitively you believe he will get it and that is because of the superb performance of Javier Canara who plays him.
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FERNANDO TRUEBA: was a cinema critic for the newspaper El Pais and for La Guila del Ocio and founded the journal “Casablanca”. At the movies, his first success was “Opera Prima” (1980). He had a major success with “Se infiely no mires con quien (1985).
JAVIER CAMARA: Born in La Rioja, Spain in 1967. He moved to Madrid to graduate in Dramatic Arts. He used to work as an usher at the Figaro Theatre in Madrid. His stage debut was in “El caballero de Olmedo” by Felix Lope de Vega in 1991. After his great success in the TV – Sitcom 7 Vida (1999), he worked with Pedro Almodóvar in the acclaimed “Talk to Her” (2002).
JUAN PABLO UREGA: Colombian born. He can next be seen in “Memoria” which is currently in post-production. He has a supporting role. The film stars Tilda Swinton. The storyline of “Memoria” is about a woman from Scotland. While travelling in Colombia, she begins to notice strange sounds. Soon she begins to think about their appearance. The film is directed by the highly respected Apichatpong Weerasethpeul.
APICHATPONG WEERASETHPEUL: Director. He has a degree in Architecture from Khon Kaen University and a Master of Fine Arts in filmmaking from The Art Institute of Chicago. He has been making films and Videos since the early 90’s. He is one of the few filmmakers in Thailand who have worked outside the strict studio system. He often works with non-professional actors. Habitually shows credits after an opening sequence not before.
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Hector (Nicolás Reyes Cano) & Héctor Abad Gómez (Javier Cámara) in Memories of My Father
Hector (Nicolás Reyes Cano) & Héctor Abad Gómez (Javier Cámara) in Memories of My Father
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Hector (Juan Pablo Urego) & Cecilia (Patricia Tamayo) in Memories of My Father.
Héctor Abad Gómez (Javier Cámara) in Memories of My Father.
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CLOSE UP Ben Affleck American actor and filmmaker, Benjamin Geza Affleck-Boldt was born on August 15, 1972 in Berkeley, California and was raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His mother, Chris Anne (nee Boldt) is a schoolteacher and his father, Timothy Byers Affleck, a social worker. The two are divorced. Ben’s younger brother is Casey who was born in 1975. Ben wanted to be an actor ever since he could remember, and his first acting experience was for a Burger King commercial. When on the PBS -mini-series “The Voyage of the Mimi (1984) Ben met a lifelong friend and fellow actor, Matt Damon. They played Little League together and took drama classes together. Ben’s teen years consisted mainly TV movies and small television appearances including “Hands of a Stranger” (1987) and “The Second Voyage of the Mimi” (1988). Feature films beckoned when he was cast in “Dazed and Confused” (1993)Ben played the role of O’Bannion. The film was directed by Richard Linklater. The narrative was about the adventures of High School and Junior High Students. After that, he did mainly independent films like Kevin Smith’s “Mallrat”. But it “Chasing Amy” in 1997 that was really good for Ben’s career, receiving renowned appreciation for his works at the Sundance Film Festival. But the success he was having in independent did not last long and things got shaky. Since Matt was having the same trouble, they decided to write their own script, where they could call their own shots. So after finishing the script for “Good Will Hunting” (1997) they gave it to their agent who showed it to a few Hollywood Studios, finally being accepted by Castle Rock. But Castle Rock was not willing to give Ben and Matt the control over the project they were hoping for. It was a friend, Kevin Smith who took it to the Head of Miramax who bought. “Good Will Hunting” was released on December 5, 1997 making the two virtually unknown actors famous. The film was nominated for 9 Academy Awards and won 2, including Best Original Screenplay for Ben and Matt. For the first time, Ben was given the chance to choose roles instead of having to go through gruelling auditions. He chose such roles in films such as “Armageddon” “Shakespeare in Love” both films made in 1998. In 2006, Ben Affleck received a Golden Globe nomination for “Hollywoodland”.
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George Lucas George Walton Lucas Jr. was raised on a walnut ranch in Modesto, California. His father was an owner of a stationery store and he had three siblings. During his late teen years, he went to Thomas Downey High School. He was interested in drag racing. He planned to become a professional race car driver. However, a terrible accident just after his High School graduation ended that dream permanently changed his view on life.
He decided to attend Modesto Junior College before enrolling in the University of Southern California Film School as a film student, he made several Short Films including “Labyrinth THX”, which won first prize at the 1967-68 National Student Film Festival. In 1967, he was awarded a scholarship by Warner to observe the making of “Finian’s Rainbow”(1068), which was being directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Lucas and Coppola became good friends and formed American Zoetrope in 1949. The first project was Lucas’ first Lucas’s first full length version “THX 1138.” In 1973, he wrote and directed the semiautobiographical “American Graffiti”, which won the Golden Globe and garnered five Academy Award nominations, this gave him the clout he needed for his next daring adventure. 1997, Came the epic space opera “Star Wars” which went through a problematic production process. However, it was a surprise blow, the highest grossing film at that time. As was winning six Academy Awards and becoming a cultural phenomenon. After the first “Star Wars” movie, Lucas produced and co-wrote the following instalments in the trilogy “The Empire Strikes Back” (1980) and “The Return of the Jedi” (1983). Lucas helped collaborate with the story of “Indiana Jones” movies. George Lucas is one of the most financially successful filmmakers in the American film history and has been personally nominated for four Academy Awards.
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Ridley Scott Described by film producer Michael Deeley as “The very best eye in the business”. His father was an officer in the Royal Engineers and family moved from County Durham and to wherever his father was posted and encouraged Ridley to develop his artistic talents, so he went to Hartlepool College of Art and then London’s Royal College of Art, where he helped fund the Film Department. In 1962, he joined the BBC as a trainee set designer working on several high-profile series. He attended a Trainee Director’s Course while he was there and the directing job was on an episode of the popular BBC police series Z Cars (1962) and Z Cars: Error of Judgement (1965). More TV work followed until, frustrated by the poor financial awards at the BBC, he went into advertising with his younger brother, Tony Scott. He formed the advertising production company RSA (Ridley Scott Associates). In 1967 and the next 10 years, he made some of the best loved TV adverts ever shown on British Television including a series of ads for Hovis bread set to the music of Dvorak’s “New World Symphony which are still talked about today. Having graduated from art school, Scott made his way to Hollywood via advertising campaigns and TV finally directing his feature debut “The Duellists” (1977). Stylish and impressive but relatively unseen, the title led to Scott’s breakout movie “Alien” (1979). Featuring the biological nightmare of an acidbleeding, irrational alien on a rampage, the film made space travel blue collar and dirty, and elevated Sigourney Weaver to stardom. Scott then directed the classic science fiction movie “Blade Runner”(1982) and “Legend” (1985), a fantasy now remembered for Tim Curry’s incarnation of the devil, as well as being an early Tom Cruise outing. “Black Rain” ((1989) was Scott’s mid-career resurrection proving he was capable of directing glossy action films, then “Thelma and Louise” (1991) made him the critic’s favourite. Next came the commercially successful “Gladiator” starring Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix. It was about a former Roman general who sets out to exact vengeance against the corrupt emperor who murdered his family and sent him into slavery. An excellent example of Laddie’s motivational advice to get a director to act out his wishes and – do it! is Ridley Scott’s film he is now making: “House of Gucci” which has every sign of being a massive success. It is the story of how Patricia Reggiani (Lady Gaga) the ex-wife of Maurizio Gucci (Adam Driver) plotted to kill her husband, the grandson of renowned fashion designer Guccio Gucci. The film stars: Al Pacino, Lady Gaga Salma Hayek, Jared Leto, Adam Driver. This is the second collaboration between Ridley Scott and Adam Driver; the first being “The Last Duel”.
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Sigourney Weaver Born Susan Alexandra Weaver on October 8 1949 in Leroy Hospital in New York City. Her father, TV producer Sylvester L. Weaver Junior. Originally wanted to name her Flavia because of his passion for Roman history (he had already named elder brother Trojan). Her mother, Elizabeth Inglis was a British actress who had sacrificed her career for family. Sigourney grew up in a virtual bubble of guiltless bliss, being taken care of by nannies and maids. By 1959, the weavers had resided in 39 different households. In 1961, Sigourney began attending the Brearly Girls Academy, but her mother moved her to another New York Private school, Chapin. Sigourney was quite a bit taller than most of her other classmates (at the age of 13, she was already 5’10”), resulting in her constantly being laughed at and picked on; in order to gain their acceptance, she took on the role of class clown. In 1962 her family moved to San Francisco. Briefly, an unpleasant experience for her. Later they moved back east to Connecticut, where she became a student at the Ethel Walker School. Facing the same problems as before. In 1963 she changed her name to Sigourney after the character “Sigourney Howard” in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”. Her own birth name Susan was in honour of her mother’s best friend, explorer, Susan Pretalk). Sigourney had already starred in a school drama production of “A Midsummer’s Nights Dream”, and in 1965, she worked during the summer with a Stock Troupe performing in “A Streetcar Named Desire” and “You Can’t Take It with You”. She did not star in the latter because she was taller than the lead actor. After graduating from school in 1987, she spent some months in a kibbutz in Israel. At that time, she became engaged to reporter Aaron Latham, but they soon broke up. In 1969, Sigourney enrolled at Stanford University, majoring in English Literature. She also participated on school plays, especially Japanese Naci plays. By that time she was living in a treehouse. Alongside a male friend, dressed in Elf-like clothes! After completing her studying in 1971, she applied for the Yale School of Drama in New York. Despite appearing at the audition reading a Bertolt Brecht Special and wearing a rope-like belt, she was accepted by the School, but her professors rejected her because of her height and kept casting her as a prostitute or an old woman. Whereas classmate Meryl Streep was treated almost reverently. However, in 1973, while making her theatrical debut with “Watergate Classics”, she met up with a team of playwrights and actors with them resulting in long-term friendships. Sigourney is currently filming “Call Jane”, supporting Kate Mara and Elizabeth Banks in the role of Virginia. The Storyline is about a married woman with an unwanted pregnancy and trying to find help in a time in America where she cannot get a legal abortion. Sigourney enthuses eloquence about Laddie and his influence on her and can rightfully called a Luddite like her fellow enthusiasts as it is reflected in her future work. Laddie, the man that no one had hear much about…until now and the making of the documentary and what the filmmakers and actors and actresses like Sigourney said about him and the simple maxim he told them to follow: if you have an idea and feel you want to do it..then do it!! Sigourney is doing just that and in her future films watch what happens expect to see her direct, produce, and star in films as well even explore the strong possibility of writing screenplays and casting the cast that she really wants and will get. What she has learnt from Laddie is to believe in the projects that you dream of doing and know that you can and will do them and there will be nothing stopping you. Oh, yes. And her positivity like those others mentioned: Lucas, Spielberg, Affleck, Scott, will follow and make their dreams come true and surpass anything they have ever done before.
They followed Laddie’s advice. Do it!
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DVDS OF THE MONTH OUR FRIEND Directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite Starring: Jason Segel, Isabella Kai, Violet McGraw, Casey Affleck, Dakota Johnson
Tells the inspiring and extraordinary true story of the Teague family – journalist Matt (Casey Affleck) his vibrant wife Nicole (Dakota Johnson) and their two young daughters- and how their lives are upended by Nicole’s heartbreaking diagnosis of terminal cancer. As Matt’s responsibilities as caretaker and parent become increasingly overwhelming, the couple’s best friend Dane Faucheux (Jason Segel) offers to come and help out. As Dane puts his life on hold to stay with his friends, the impact of this life-altering decision proves greater and more profound than anyone could have imagined. “The film the world needs right now” -Stephen Sairo – The Memorable Fest
EXTRAS:
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BONUS FEATURE Behind the Scenes with the Cast & Crew: Jason Segel Casey Affleck Dakota Johnson Gabriela Cowperthwaite
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DVDS OF THE MONTH ANOTHER ROUND Directed by Thomas Vinterberg Starring: Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Bo Larsen, Magnus Millang, Lara Ranthe
Four friends, all teachers embark on a unique experiment to see if a constant level of alcohol in their blood will help them reach greater levels of freedom and happiness. Director Thomas Vinterberg and Mads Mikkelsen explore the euphoria and pain of an unbridled life.
EXTRAS:
Bonus Trailers ”Another Round” “Savage State” “Spoor” “Another Round” sings, and sparkles Justin Chang — Los Angeles Times.
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DVDS OF THE MONTH HUSBANDS Directed by John Cassavetes Starring: Ben Gazzara, Peter Falk, John Cassavetes The trailblazing independent auteur John Cassavetes pushes his raw, uncompromising emotional realism to its limit in this unflinching portrait of masculinity in crisis. Cassavetes joins Ben Gazzara and Peter Falk – both of whom would become key collaborators of the director’s playing a trio of middle-aged Long Island family men who, following the death of their close mutual friend, channel their grief into an epic, multiday bender that takes them from Manhattan to London in a desperate, debauched quest to feel alive. By turns painfully funny and woundingly perceptive, this ‘comedy’ about life, death, and freedom” (as its tagline stated) stands as perhaps the most fearless, harrowingly honest deconstruction of American manhood ever committed to film.
EXTRAS: TWO-DVD SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES
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Audio Commentary from 2009 featuring critic Marshall Fine. New interviews with producer Al Ruban and actor Jenny Runacre. New video essay featuring audio recordings of actor-director John Cassavetes discussing his approach to working with actors.
The Story of “Husbands”- A Tribute to John Cassavetes (2009), a half-hour program featuring Al Ruban, actor Ben Gazzara, and cinematographer VictorJ. Kemper. Episode of The Dick Cavett Show from 1970 featuring Cassavetes, Gazzara and actor Peter Falk. Trailer PLUS: An essay by filmmaker Andrew Bujalski
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DVDS OF THE MONTH THE IRISHMAN Directed by Martin Scorsese Starring: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci. Martin Scorsese’s cinematic mastery is on full display in this sweeping crime saga, which serves as an elegiac summation of his six-decade career. Left behind by the world, former hit man and union truck driver Frank Sheeran (Robert De Niro) looks back from a nursing home on his life’s journey through the ranks of organized crime: from his involvement with Philadelphia mob boss Russell Bufalino (Joe Pesci) to his association with Teamsters union head Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino) to the rift that forced him to choose between the two. An intimate story of loyalty and betrayal writ large across the epic canvas of mid-twentieth-century American history. The Irishman (based on the real-life Sheeran’s confessions, as told to writer Charles Brandt for the book(I Heard You Paint Houses)is a uniquely reflective late-career triumph that balances its director’s virtuoso set pieces with a profoundly personal rumination on aging, mortality, and the decisions and regrets that shape life.
EXTRAS: DIRECTOR-APPROVED TWO-DVD SPECIAL ADDITION FEATURES
NEWLY EDITED ROUNDTABLE CONVERSATION AMONG SCORCESE AND ACTORS ROBERT DE NIRO, AL PACINO, AND JOE PESCI, ORIGINALLY RECORDED IN 2019 MAKING “THE IRISHMAN”, A PROGRAM FEATURING SCORCESE; THE LEAD ACTORS, PRODUCERS EMMA TILLINGER KOSKOFF, JANE ROSENTHAL, AND IRVIN WINKLER; DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY RODRIGO PRIETO; AND OTHERS FROM THE CAST AND CREW.
GANGSTER’ REQUIEM, A NEW VIDEO ESSAY BY FILM CRITIC FARRAN SMITH NEHME ABOUT “THE IRISHMAN’S SYNTHESIS OF SCORCESE’S SINGULAR FORMAL STYLE. ANATOMY OF A SCENE: “THE IRISHMAN”, A 2020 PROGRAM FEATURING SCORCESE’S ANALYSIS OF THE FRANK SHEERAN APRRECIATION NIGHT SCENE FROM THE FILM. THE EVOLUTION OF DIGITAL DE-AGING, A 2019 PROGRAM ON THE VISUAL EFFECTS CREATED FOR THE FILM. EXCERPTED INTERVIEWS WITH FRANK “The Irishman” Sheeran and Teamsters trade-union leader Jimmy Hoffa from 1999 and 1963. TRAILER & TEASER ENGLISH SUBTITLES FOR THE DEAF AND HARD AT HEARING. PLUS: AN ESSAY BY CRITIC GEOFFREY O’BRIEN
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