I think that’s definitely something that we could all benefit from. Though I do love computer-generated imagery and what filmmakers have done with it, I also think it makes things a little rushed since CGI’s the reason a lot of movies are pushed to the post-production phase. So I’m really happy that, with The Hurricane Heist, you decided to go back to that old school feel.
Well, if it worked for you that makes me happy. You are my audience.
I have to ask, one thing that surprised me to learn while researching you was that you had directed The Boy Next Door. It’s just not a film I would associate with someone of your appetite for actions films. I’m wondering, was that something you wanted to do to take a break before delving into another action movie like The Hurricane Heist? Or did you just want to do a different thing with your career?
Yeah, a lot of times when you’ve made a number of movies you’re looking to do something that will expand you as a director. And although I’ve had many strong women in all my films, whether it’s Lauren Holly as Linda Lee or Amy Brenneman in Daylight, or of course Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster in [The Fast and the Furious] or Asia Argento in xXx, I had never done a movie based around a woman where the woman was the star. And I had always been fascinated by Jennifer and thought she was a really great actress. And it gave me a chance to work with her, show that I can handle a big-star diva woman, and create a sexual thriller. I love sexy thrillers and I just wanted to make my own version. So it was a change of pace, but I liked it, it was successful, and I’m very happy I did it.
Now I just have one last question. When I was growing up, Mr. Cohen, one type of genre I really loved were fantasy films. I loved Willow and Legend and Star Kid. But probably at the top of that list had to be Dragonheart. I’m curious, I know it wasn’t one of your more successful movies, but do people come up to you and talk about it at all? Because as someone who grew up with dragon literature like Eragon and Lord of the Rings, it meant a lot.
You know, Dragonheart pointed the way. There would be no Lord of the Rings without Dragonheart. We were the first to do a full CG acting character. But it’s been very interesting. There’s a great love for that film among a certain audience. And I get a lot of reactions from very unexpected quarters to that film, with people who saw it when they were young, or kids or teenagers, or women who are now of an advanced age that love it, and New Age people who found the spirituality in it very moving. I’m very proud of it.
I got wiped off the face of the Earth by Twister that summer, but I think in the long run Dragonheart will still be being shown for a very very long time, because it does speak to something real and something timeless. I’m very happy to hear that it moved you and that you’re a fan of it, because I certainly am.
Yeah, like I said it was one of my favorite childhood films, not only because of the dragon but because it, ironically, had a lot of heart in it. The title was very appropriate! It was a very moving film. So thank you so much for making it and thank you for taking the time out of your day to speak with me Mr. Cohen.
Thank you for speaking with me. Take care!
Flickering Myth would like to thank Mr. Cohen for taking the time to sit down with us. The Hurricane Heist will be out on 4K, DVD and Blu-Ray June 5th, 2018.
Red Stewart
Originally published June 5, 2018. Updated June 4, 2018.
