I may write mostly about the film exploits of actors like Charles Bronson, Rutger Hauer, James Woods, Clint Eastwood, and Chow Yun-Fat, but there’s no doubt that I’m a sucker for a good romance. And my very favorite romantic films are based on the works of Jane Austen. I’ve watched the 1995 TV mini-series version of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle at least ten times in my life. It’s just so good. My favorite Austen “book-turned-film” just may be the 1995 version of PERSUASION starring Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds. I’ve probably watched it at least twenty times in my life. I love to watch these movies when I need a pick me up, or when I need to relax. They have hard won “happy endings” and they always leave me with a tear in my eye.
Well, it’s obvious that 1995 was an amazing year for Jane Austen adaptations, because the year also featured the release of Ang Lee’s SENSE AND SENSIBILITY starring an incredible cast that included Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant and Alan Rickman. Emma Thompson would even win an Oscar for the screenplay that she adapted for the screen. If it was up to me, she would have also won an Oscar for her performance in this scene alone, and I still get happy tears every time I watch it. *(SPOILER ALERT)* If you’ve never seen the film, and you don’t want to see how it ends, do not watch this clip. However, if you love the movie, and the scene, as much as I do, enjoy. Happy Valentine’s Day, my friends!
4 (or more) Shots From 4 (or more) Films is just what it says it is, 4 (or more) shots from 4 (or more) of our favorite films. As opposed to the reviews and recaps that we usually post, 4 (or more) Shots From 4 (or more) Films lets the visuals do the talking.
81 years ago, on this date, the late director Alan Parker was born in London. One of the many British directors, like the Scott brothers and Adrian Lyne, who began by directing advertisements, Parker went on to become a director known for both his intense visual style and his revolutionary use of music as a storytelling device. It’s time for….
4 Shots From 4 Alan Parker Films
Midnight Express (1978, dir by Alan Parker, DP: Michael Seresin)
Fame (1980, dir by Alan Parker, DP: Michael Seresin)
Pink Floyd — The Wall (1982, dir by Alan Parker, DP: Peter Bizou)
Angel Heart (1987, dir by Alan Parker, DP: Michael Seresin)
4 (or more) Shots From 4 (or more) Films is just what it says it is, 4 (or more) shots from 4 (or more) of our favorite films. As opposed to the reviews and recaps that we usually post, 4 (or more) Shots From 4 (or more) Films lets the visuals do the talking.
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner! Let’s get a head start!
4 Shots From 4 “Love”ly Films
Love Story (1970, dir by Arthur Hiller, DP: Richard Kratina)
The Spy Who Loved Me (1977, dir by Lewis Gilbert, DP: Claude Renoir)
Shakespeare In Love (1998, dir by John Madden, DP: Richard Greatrex)
Only Lovers Left Alive (2013, dir by Jim Jarmusch, DP: Yorick Le Saux)
4 (or more) Shots From 4 (or more) Films is just what it says it is, 4 (or more) shots from 4 (or more) of our favorite films. As opposed to the reviews and recaps that we usually post, 4 (or more) Shots From 4 (or more) Films lets the visuals do the talking.
Today, the Shattered Lens wishes a happy 56th birthday to one of our favorite filmmakers, Darren Aronofsky! When we first started this site, we were eagerly awaiting the release of Black Swan. Now, ten years alter, we’re eagerly awaiting the release of Aronofsky’s next film, whatever it may be.
In honor of the birthday of a true visionary director, here are….
4 Shots From 4 Darren Aronofsky Films
Requiem for a Dream (2000, dir by Darren Aronofsky, DP: Matthew Libatique)
The Wrestler (2008, dir by Darren Aronofsky, DP: Maryse Alberti)
Black Swan (2010, dir by Darren Aronosfky, DP: Matthew Libatique)
mother! (2017, dir by Darren Aronofsky, DP: Matthew Libatique)
I’ve loved Joe Don Baker since I first saw him portray Buford Pusser in WALKING TALL on Fox 16 out of Little Rock when I was a kid. There was something about the way he wields that big piece of lumber that got me excited. As I’ve watched more of his work, I realized just how charismatic he could be in the right roles. And he excelled at being a ruthless bad guy! Today, I share a scene from the excellent film CHARLEY VARRICK (1973), where Baker portrayed the sadistic “Molly.”
4 Shots From 4 Films is just what it says it is, 4 shots from 4 of our favorite films. As opposed to the reviews and recaps that we usually post, 4 Shots From 4 Films lets the visuals do the talking!
Burt Reynolds has his own section in my massive physical media collection. I love the guy. And he was massively popular in his prime. From 1978 – 1982, Reynolds was named the number one box office star in the United States by the Quigley Poll, an annual survey of movie exhibitors. He was a true movie star. Happy Birthday in heaven, Burt! Thanks for all the great entertainment you’ve provided in my life!
4 Or More Shots From 4 Or More Films is just what it says it is, 4 shots from 4 of our favorite films. As opposed to the reviews and recaps that we usually post, 4 Shots From 4 Films lets the visuals do the talking!
Today, we celebrate the great director Joseph L. Mankiewicz, who was born 116 years ago today. It’s time for….
4 Shots From 4 Joseph L. Mankiewicz Films
All About Eve (1950, dir by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, DP: Milton R. Krassner)
Suddenly, Last Summer (1959, dir by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, DP: Jack Hildyard)
Cleopatra (1963, dir by Joseph L. Mankiewicz , DP: Leon Shamroy)
A Carol For Another Christmas (1964, dir by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, DP: Arthur Ornitz)
Every Monday night at 9:00 Central Time, my wife Sierra and I host a “Live Movie Tweet” event on X using the hashtag #MondayMuggers. We rotate movie picks each week, and our tastes are quite different. Tonight, Monday February 10th, we’re watching KINJITE: FORBIDDEN SUBJECTS starring Charles Bronson!
Back when I was a teenager, I would always get the entertainment section out of dad’s Sunday paper so I could check out the movie listings and see if there was a new movie I wanted to see. I would also look for information about my favorite movie star, Charles Bronson. Nowadays, we know about new movies months, even years, in advance, but back then I would first learn about them from the entertainment section of dad’s paper. I remember one Sunday in early 1989, seeing an advertisement for a new Charles Bronson film called KINJITE: FORBIDDEN SUBJECTS. It was the first time I had ever heard of the film. I knew I wasn’t going to get to see it at the movies because it was only playing in Little Rock, and it was rated R, but I was excited anyway because I knew it would be on its way to video pretty soon!
In KINJITE: FORBIDDEN SUBJECTS, Charles Bronson plays police lieutenant Crowe. He deals with the sleaziest criminals in Los Angeles on a daily basis and it’s starting to take a toll on his personal life. He’s currently personally invested in bringing down an underage prostitution ring led by Duke (Juan Fernandez) and Lavonne (Sy Richardson). When a Japanese businessman’s young daughter is kidnapped by Duke, Crowe decides he must do everything in his power to get her back to her family.
Here is some interesting trivia about the film:
Beginning with DEATH WISH II (1982) Charles Bronson made 8 films for the infamous Cannon Group. KINJITE: FORBIDDEN SUBJECTS was the last of those films. The others are 10 TO MIDNIGHT (1983), DEATH WISH 3 (1985), MURPHY’S LAW (1986), ASSASSINATION (1987), DEATH WISH 4: THE CRACKDOWN (1987), and MESSENGER OF DEATH (1988).
Director J. Lee Thompson directed Charles Bronson in 9 different films, with KINJITE: FORBIDDEN SUBJECTS being the final film he ever directed. Charles Bronson loved working with the same directors once he got comfortable with them. Thompson, who directed classics like THE GUNS OF NAVARONE (1961) and CAPE FEAR (1962), always made sure Bronson’s low budget Cannon films were filmed in a competent and professional manner.
Nicole Eggert plays a teen prostitute in this film and Amy Hathaway plays Charles Bronson’s daughter. Both were appearing in popular sitcoms at the time. Eggert was starring in CHARLES IN CHARGE and Hathaway was in MY TWO DADS.
The bad guy in the film is played by Juan Fernandez. He’s played some great villains in his day. Actor James Woods told me this about Juan, “The irony is that Juan Fernandez is one of the nicest actors I’ve ever worked with, and yet one of the most truly frightening villains. His work in SALVADOR was superb. A lovely, talented man.”
Perry Lopez, who plays Bronson’s partner in the film had worked with Bronson twice before. He appeared with Bronson in the excellent 1954 western DRUM BEAT, and also in 1987’s DEATH WISH 4: THE CRACKDOWN.
So join us tonight to for #MondayMuggers and watch KINJITE: FORBIDDEN SUBJECTS! It’s on Amazon Prime.
4 Or More Shots From 4 Or More Films is just what it says it is, 4 shots from 4 of our favorite films. As opposed to the reviews and recaps that we usually post, 4 Shots From 4 Films lets the visuals do the talking!
Today, the Shattered Lens wishes a happy birthday to director Alexander Payne! It’s time for….
4 Shots from 4 Alexander Payne Films
Election (1999, dir by Alexander Payne, DP: James Glennon)
Sideways (2004, dir by Alexander Payne, DP: Phedon Papamichael)
The Descendants (2011, dir by Alexander Payne, DP: Phedon Papamichael)
Nebraska (2013, dir by Alexander Payne, DP: Phedon Papamichael)
4 Or More Shots From 4 Or More Films is just what it says it is, 4 shots from 4 of our favorite films. As opposed to the reviews and recaps that we usually post, 4 Shots From 4 Films lets the visuals do the talking!
Since today is Super Bowl Sunday, it seems appropriate to pay tribute to America’s unofficial holiday with….
4 Shots From 4 Football Films
The Freshman (1925, dir by Fred C. Newmeyer and Sam Taylor, DP: Walter Lundin)
Any Given Sunday (1999, dir by Oliver Stone, DP: Salvatore Totino)
Friday Night Lights (2004, dir by Peter Berg, DP: Tobias Schliessler)
Carter High (2015, dir by Arthur Muhammad, DP: Ron Gonzalez)
Through the Shattered Lens 