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2 articles from 2009

23 September 2009 2:15 PM, PDT | SmellsLikeScreenSpirit | See recent SmellsLikeScreenSpirit news »

With the insane awesomeness of Fantastic Fest 2009 only a day away, our very own Don Simpson has screened some of the films that will be featured, and provided reviews for both. First up is a UK film based on a true story and described by many as "A Clockwork Orange-esque", Bronson: Hardy’s transcendental performance is reason enough to see Bronson – there are few performances will ever top this one. The real Michael Peterson should be proud. Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, Bronson can be read as a scathing indictment of celebrity culture and glorification of violence in the media; or perhaps a critique of the prison system’s inability to rehabilitate criminals; or maybe an example of how a downtrodden economy makes some people want to go to prison for free room and board…(Read More) Next is the Japnesse film that recently took the 2009 Berlin Film »

- Dave Campbell

6 June 2009 7:30 PM, PDT | WorstPreviews.com | See recent Worst Previews news »

Forbes magazine did a piece on Michael Bay and listed some of the wealth he has accumulated from his seven movies, which include "Bad Boys," "Armageddon," "The Rock" and "Transformers." His films have pulled in over $2.6 billion at the box office, putting Bay in the same league with James Cameron ($3 billion). Bay started directing commercials for Coke, Budweiser and Nike, and in 1994 Jerry Bruckheimer offered him the chance to direct "Bad Boys." But the script was so bad that Don Simpson threatened to take his name off the movie before the first shot. But Bay didn't give up. He made some changes to the script and even paid $25,000 from his $125,000 salary to shoot a particular scene. "Bad Boys" ended up earning $140 million at the box office. He realized that to make money, he couldn't be a director-for-hire, but instead needed to become a partner. For "Pearl Harbor" he declined upfront »

2 articles from 2009