Billy Jack (1971) - News Poster

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Once Upon an Epic Panel at the New Beverly: Tarantino, DiCaprio, Pitt and Robbie Reunite to Talk ‘Hollywood’

  • 03 November 2019
  • by Chris Willman
  • Variety
Once Upon an Epic Panel at the New Beverly: Tarantino, DiCaprio, Pitt and Robbie Reunite to Talk ‘Hollywood’
“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” is such a rabbit hole of references, themes and moods that 40 minutes is hardly sufficient to scramble down it. But a small audience in a Hollywood theater was happy to have that much time Saturday with the rare reassembling of Quentin Tarantino, Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie for a post-screening discussion about the year’s most rewardingly episodic epic. (The chat was also live-streamed to 18 other screens around North America.)

The Q&a had Tarantino holding the home-field advantage as a conversationalist, taking place at his own beloved repertory house, the New Beverly. Invited guild members were on hand along with 50 members of Tarantino’s public, who were recognizable as the ones asleep under coats and blankets before the screening started, some having waited outside much of the night for the early a.m. dispersal of free tickets. They were rewarded with
See full article at Variety »

‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’: What Happened to Cliff Booth’s Wife? Brad Pitt Knows

‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’: What Happened to Cliff Booth’s Wife? Brad Pitt Knows
One of the most intriguing and mysterious characters in director Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” has to be fictional stuntman Cliff Booth, who is played by Brad Pitt.

While said to be stylistically inspired by actor Tom Laughlin in the “Billy Jack” movie franchise, Booth is an invention of Tarantino and Pitt, and is depicted as the loyal and deadly friend of fading television series star Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio).

Accused by multiple people of being a murderer, Booth is somewhat of an outcast in the universe of stuntmen, and is believed to have gotten away with killing his wife, Billie Booth (Rebecca Gayheart). However, the film is ambiguous on that front and leaves Booth’s alleged dark past to speculation.

What Tarantino does allow the audience to see is a flashback scene that takes place on a boat, during which Billie scolds Cliff, as he
See full article at Indiewire »

Watch Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie Interrupt ‘Kimmel’ Monologue

Watch Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie Interrupt ‘Kimmel’ Monologue
Jimmy Kimmel and his audience got a big surprise Monday when the stars of Quentin Tarantino’s new film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood unexpectedly interrupted the host’s monologue as they cut through the studio on their way to the film’s red carpet premiere, which was happening at the Tcl Chinese Theatre, across the street from Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Hollywood Boulevard.

One by one, Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio breezed through the studio, interrupting Kimmel’s monologue and eliciting cheers and applause from the audience.
See full article at Rolling Stone »

The Crazy Coincidence That Brought Tarantino and Brad Pitt Back Together for ‘Hollywood’

The Crazy Coincidence That Brought Tarantino and Brad Pitt Back Together for ‘Hollywood’
Quentin Tarantino and Brad Pitt first worked together on the director’s 2009 WWII movie “Inglourious Basterds,” but that film was not what sealed the deal on the duo reuniting for “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” Tarantino was courting Pitt to play the role of stuntman Cliff Booth and invited the actor over to his home for an initial meeting to discuss the character. It was there that a pretty amazing coincidence occurred that proved Pitt deeply understood the character without any guidance from the legendary filmmaker.

As Tarantino recently explained to Pure Cinema Podcast hosts Elric Kane and Brian Saur, Pitt showed up at his house to discuss Cliff Booth, followed by the two sitting down in his personal screening room to watch Tom Laughlin’s 1971 indie action drama “Billy Jack.” Pitt brought over his personal DVD copy of the movie, which also stars Laughlin in the title role
See full article at Indiewire »

Earth, Wind and Fire’s Philip Bailey Previews New Solo Album With Curtis Mayfield Cover

Earth, Wind and Fire’s Philip Bailey Previews New Solo Album With Curtis Mayfield Cover
Earth Wind & Fire’s Philip Bailey honors one of his greatest falsetto influences, Curtis Mayfield, with a cover of “Billy Jack” set to appear on his upcoming solo album, Love Will Find a Way, out June 21st via Verve Records.

Bailey puts a dark soul spin on “Billy Jack,” transforming the reggae-tinged original into a brooding groover that mixes West African influences with orchestral flourishes and even takes a turn towards the psychedelic. Bailey imbues his falsetto with a potent mix of tenderness and pain as he croons the murder ballad,
See full article at Rolling Stone »

Delores Taylor, Star of ‘Billy Jack’ Movies of the 1970s, Dies at 85

Delores Taylor, Star of ‘Billy Jack’ Movies of the 1970s, Dies at 85
Delores Taylor, a Golden Globe-nominated actress who starred with her husband Tom Laughlin in five indie movies featuring counterculture hero Billy Jack, died Friday. She was 85.

News of Taylor’s death was posted by her daughter on a “Billy Jack” Facebook fan page.

A native of South Dakota, Taylor met Laughlin in college and married him in 1954. Together, the two developed the character of Billy Jack, a martial arts expert who was half-Navajo, half-white Green Beret Vietnam veteran and defended youthful members of the counterculture from authorities who just didn’t understand.
See full article at The Wrap »

Steven Soderbergh, What Happened? 4 Reasons ‘Logan Lucky,’ Wasn’t

  • 21 August 2017
  • by Tom Brueggemann
  • Indiewire
Steven Soderbergh, What Happened? 4 Reasons ‘Logan Lucky,’ Wasn’t
Steven Soderbergh’s “Logan Lucky” opened to $7.6 million this weekend, well short of its tracking and good for only #3 on the worst summer weekend in two years. This, despite a cast full of draws like Daniel Craig and Channing Tatum, strong reviews, a distribution team of A players, and (overhyped) coverage of its would-be groundbreaking marketing and release plan.

As it turned out, those elements contributed to a complex set of factors that resulted in this meh of a weekend.

Here’s some key ones:

“The Hitman’s Bodyguard” Got in the Way

Studios largely abandoned August, a month that in recent years saw “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Suicide Squad” thrive. Enter Lionsgate, which knows how to find opportunistic dates for its genre films. In this case, “The Hitman’s Bodyguard” overlapped some of what “Logan Lucky” had to offer, and offered greater appeal.

Read More:‘Hitman’s Bodyguard
See full article at Indiewire »

Go See ‘Logan Lucky’ This Weekend If You Want Better TV in the Future

Go See ‘Logan Lucky’ This Weekend If You Want Better TV in the Future
“Logan Lucky” and “The Knick” are one and the same. Yes, one is a new Channing Tatum and Daniel Craig-led motion picture — a brisk, lively, crowd-pleasing heist flick, opening this weekend. And “The Knick” was a TV show, set in 1901 with gruesome operations, low ratings, and a cancellation handed down by Cinemax after two seasons.

But beyond their shared director, both “Logan Lucky” and “The Knick” operate outside the norm. If the former succeeds, it could lead to more great TV like the latter; it could help build a world where ambitious shows — like “The Knick” Season 3 — could see the light of day.

Steven Soderbergh’s first and last TV show, along with his return from the filmmakers’ retirement home, are auteur efforts with a clear, creative vision, and their success is measured differently from blockbusters of both mediums.

Read More:How Netflix Has Ignited TV’s Talent War — and
See full article at Indiewire »

The Delinquents

“Here is the screen’s most shocking exposé, of the ‘Baby-Facers’ just taking their first stumbling steps down Sin Street U.S.A.!” Robert Altman’s first feature film is far too good to be described as any but an expert step toward an impressive career. But he had to deal with a young actor who drove him up the wall, Tom Laughlin.

The Delinquents

Blu-ray

Olive Films

1957 / B&W / 1:66 widescreen / 72 min. / Street Date March 21, 2017 / available through the Olive Films website / 29.98

Starring: Tom Laughlin, Peter Miller, Richard Bakalyan, Rosemary Howard, Helen Hawley, Leonard Belove, Lotus Corelli, James Lantz, Christine Altman, George Mason Kuhn, Pat Stedman, Norman Zands, James Leria, Julia Lee, Lou Lombardo.

Cinematography: Charles Paddock

Film Editor: Helene Turner

Second Unit Director: Reza Badiyi

Produced, Written and Directed by Robert Altman

The hoods of tomorrow! The gun molls of the future!

Ah, the glorious Juvenile Delinquency film, or J.D. Epic,
See full article at Trailers from Hell »

They Don’t Make T&A Thrillers Like This Anymore

This Week in Home Video‘They’re Playing With Fire’ Blends Bloody Violence and T&A Thrills to Surprising EffectPlus 13 more new releases to watch at home this week on Blu-ray/DVD.

Welcome to this week in home video! Click the title to buy a Blu-ray/DVD from Amazon and help support Fsr in the process!

Pick of the WeekThey’re Playing With Fire [Kl Studio Classics]

What is it? A sexy college professor seduces her student, and then people start dying horrible deaths.

Why see it? I’ve been a Sybil Danning fan for more years than I care to recall, but somehow this one slipped past me before now. I’m not sure what teen me would have thought, but as an adult I’m in awe of just how off the rails it gets from its very clear T&A origin. From the cover to the copy the film sells itself as just another sex flick, but
See full article at FilmSchoolRejects »

Dracula vs. Frankenstein: Horror Movies Meet the Hippie Era

Jim Knipfel Oct 17, 2018

After all these years, Al Adamson’s cult classic Dracula vs. Frankenstein still doesn’t make a damn lick of sense!

Growing up in Wisconsin in the early '70s, I would get home from school, drop my bag, park myself in front of the TV and tune in The Early Show. Every weekday between three and five-thirty, a local station aired sometimes shockingly uncut films, and it was there my cinematic education began. I don’t know who was programming The Early Show, but I would like to shake his hand. The focus was decidedly on genre films,especially horror and recent drive-in hits. Along with scattered Westerns, war movies and mysteries, there were regular week-long Toho and Hammer fests, without a single stupid musical or romantic comedy tossed in to muck things up.

It was through The Early Show that I was introduced to Roger Corman,
See full article at Den of Geek »

Dracula vs. Frankenstein: Horror Movies Meet the Hippie Era

Jim Knipfel Oct 17, 2018

After all these years, Al Adamson’s cult classic Dracula vs. Frankenstein still doesn’t make a damn lick of sense!

Growing up in Wisconsin in the early '70s, I would get home from school, drop my bag, park myself in front of the TV and tune in The Early Show. Every weekday between three and five-thirty, a local station aired sometimes shockingly uncut films, and it was there my cinematic education began. I don’t know who was programming The Early Show, but I would like to shake his hand. The focus was decidedly on genre films,especially horror and recent drive-in hits. Along with scattered Westerns, war movies and mysteries, there were regular week-long Toho and Hammer fests, without a single stupid musical or romantic comedy tossed in to muck things up.

It was through The Early Show that I was introduced to Roger Corman,
See full article at Den of Geek »

Dead Right: How Dirty Harry Captured the ’70s Culture Wars

Part I.

1971 was an incredibly violent year for movies. That year saw, among others, Tom Laughlin’s Billy Jack, with its half-Indian hero karate-chopping rednecks; William Friedkin’s The French Connection, its dogged cops stymied by well-heeled drug runners; Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange, banned for the copycat crimes it reportedly inspired; and Sam Peckinpah’s Straw Dogs, featuring the most controversial rape in cinema history. Every bloody shooting, sexual assault and death by penis statue reflected a world gone mad.

It seemed a reaction to America’s skyrocketing crime. Between 1963 and 1975, violent crimes tripled; riots, robberies and assassinations racked major cities. The antiwar and Civil Rights movements generated violent offshoots like the Weathermen and Black Panthers. Citizens blamed politicians like New York Mayor John Lindsay (the original “limousine liberal”), who proclaimed “Peace cannot be imposed on our cities by force of arms,” and Earl Warren’s Supreme Court,
See full article at SoundOnSight »

Trouble With a Cause: The Top 10 Movie Rebels

Now what would the movies be like if everybody on the big screen was a conformist and blandly played by the rules? Every now and then it can be quite therapeutic to have a bad apple shape our rigid outlook with a dosage of cynicism in cinema. Whether intentionally unruly or merely questioning the status quo movie rebels can be compellingly entertaining for various reasons.

So who are your choice big screen rabble-rousers that like to stir the pot and cause dissension in the name of justice or just plain anti-establishment? In Trouble With a Cause: The Top 10 Movie Rebels let us take a look at some of the on-screen troublemakers with a taste for colorful turmoil, shall we?

The selections for Trouble With a Cause: The Top 10 Movie Rebels are (in alphabetical order according to the film titles):

1.) Brad Whitewood, Jr. from At Close Range (1986)

In director James Foley
See full article at SoundOnSight »

Oldest Surviving Credited Gwtw Performer Has Died

‘Gone with the Wind’ actress Alicia Rhett dead at 98; was oldest surviving credited Gwtw cast member Gone with the Wind actress Alicia Rhett, the oldest surviving credited cast member of the 1939 Oscar-winning blockbuster, died on January 3, 2014, at the Bishop Gadsden Episcopal Retirement Community in Charleston, South Carolina, where Rhett had been living since August 2002. Alicia Rhett, born on February 1, 1915, in Savannah, Georgia, was 98. (Photo: Alicia Rhett as India Wilkes in Gone with the Wind.) In Gone with the Wind, the David O. Selznick production made in conjunction with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM head Louis B. Mayer was Selznick’s father-in-law), the stage-trained Alicia Rhett played India Wilkes, the embittered sister of Ashley Wilkes, whom Scarlett O’Hara loves — though Ashley eventually marries Melanie Hamilton (Rhett had auditioned for the role), while Scarlett ends up with Rhett Butler. Based on Margaret Mitchell’s bestseller, Gone with the Wind was (mostly) directed by Victor Fleming
See full article at Alt Film Guide »

Oscar-Nominated Actress Featured in One of Universal's Biggest Blockbusters Dead at 99

Oscar-nominated ‘Imitation of Life’ actress Juanita Moore has died Juanita Moore, Best Supporting Actress Academy Award nominee for the 1959 blockbuster Imitation of Life, died on New Year’s Day 2014 at her home in Los Angeles. According to various online sources, Juanita Moore (born on October 19, 1922) was 91; her step-grandson, actor Kirk Kahn, said she was 99. (Photo: Juanita Moore in the late ’50s. See also: Juanita Moore and Susan Kohner photos at the 50th anniversary screening of Imitation of Life at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.) Juanita Moore movies The Los Angeles-born Juanita Moore began her show business career as a chorus girl at New York City’s Cotton Club. According to the IMDb, Moore was an extra/bit player in a trio of films of the ’40s, including Vincente Minnelli’s all-black musical Cabin in the Sky (1942) and Elia Kazan’s socially conscious melodrama Pinky (1949), in which Jeanne Crain plays a (very,
See full article at Alt Film Guide »

Laughlin's Capra Reboot Bombs (U.S. Government Members to Blame?); Failed Presidential Runs

Tom Laughlin: ‘Billy Jack’ movie franchise comes to an end; U.S. government, Hollywood studios blamed (See previous post: “‘Billy Jack’: Tom Laughlin Revolutionized Film Distribution Sytem.”) In 1975, Tom Laughlin’s self-produced Western The Master Gunfighter — a remake of Hideo Gosha’s samurai actioner Goyokin, co-starring Ron O’Neal and Barbara Carrera — bombed at the box office after opening at more than 1,000 locations. Laughlin reportedly had spent $3.5 million to market the $3.5 million production, having hired John Rubel, assistant secretary of defense under Robert McNamara, to plan the film’s distribution tactics. Financially depleted and embroiled in more lawsuits against Warner Bros., Laughlin embarked on the Billy Jack series’ fourth — and, as it turned out — final film, Billy Jack Goes to Washington. A 1977 Frank Capra Jr.-produced reboot of Frank Capra’s 1939 classic Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Laughlin’s final directing effort was barely seen even in its drastically edited form.
See full article at Alt Film Guide »

North American Film Distribution System Game-Changer: Billy Jack

‘Billy Jack’: Tom Laughlin helped to revolutionize Hollywood’s film distribution system (See previous post: “Tom Laughlin: ‘Billy Jack’ Actor and Director, Robert Altman Difficult Star Dead at 82.”) Featuring the titular hero as a semi-mystical figure who, with a mixture of steely determination and purposeful violence, helps to rescue wild horses from becoming dog meat and allows an independent school to continue operating at an Indian reservation in Arizona — against the wishes of white reactionary bigots and ruthless capitalists — Billy Jack was a box office disappointment when released by Warner Bros. at, in Tom Laughlin’s words, "porno houses" (and drive-ins) in 1971. (Photo: Tom Laughlin in Billy Jack.) Unhappy with the studio’s handling of his film, Laughlin sued Warners. In May 1973, following a settlement with the studio, he began self-distributing Billy Jack at small-town movie theaters throughout the United States. He hired marketing expert, former United Artists honcho,
See full article at Alt Film Guide »

Long Before Indie Blockbuster Billy Jack, Laughlin Had Trouble on the Set of Altman's First Feature Film

Tom Laughlin: ‘Billy Jack’ actor-filmmaker who died last week helped to revolutionize film distribution patterns in North America (photo: Tom Laughlin in ‘Billy Jack’) Tom Laughlin, best known for the Billy Jack movies he wrote, directed, and starred in opposite his wife Delores Taylor (since 1954), died of complications from pneumonia last Thursday, December 12, 2013, at Los Robles Hospital and Medical Center in Thousand Oaks, northwest of Los Angeles County. Tom Laughlin (born on August 10, 1931, in Minneapolis) was 82; in the last dozen years or so, he suffered from a number of ailments, including cancer and a series of strokes. Tom Laughlin movies: ‘The Delinquents’ and fighting with Robert Altman In the mid-’50s, after acting in college plays and in his own stock company while attending university in Wisconsin, Tom Laughlin began landing small roles on television, e.g., Climax!, Navy Log, The Millionaire. At that time, he was also cast
See full article at Alt Film Guide »

'Billy Jack' Tom Laughlin has died (Video)

'Billy Jack' Tom Laughlin died last week. Laughlin, who created and played the movie character "Billy Jack" — a half-white, half Native American Vietnam vet who used martial arts skills to defeat bigots and racists — died last week. Late Sunday, The Associated Press reported that Laughlin's daughter said "he died Thursday at Los Robles Hospital and Medical Center in Thousand Oaks, Calif. Laughlin was 82 and Teresa Laughlin, who acted in the Billy Jack movies, said the cause of death was complications from pneumonia." The Los Angeles Times writes, Laughlin "drew a huge following for his movies about the ill-tempered, karate-chopping pacifist Billy Jack. ... Laughlin starred in and co-produced the four films of the 1960s and '70s
See full article at Monsters and Critics »
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