We celebrate one of the all-time greats, the late Gene Hackman, with ten essential movies… One of the best to ever step in front of the camera sadly left us recently. Gene Hackman’s long and illustrious career, in many ways, felt like an anomaly. He was intense and enthralling whenever he was on screen. An […]
R.I.P. Gene Hackman (1930 – 2025)
Some very sad news to report this morning as it has been announced that legendary American actor Gene Hackman has passed away aged 95, having been found dead alongside his wife Betsy Arakawa and their family dog at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Although details are yet to be confirmed regarding a cause […]
Unforgiven: The Story Behind Clint Eastwood’s Western Masterpiece
Premiering 32 years ago today, Hasitha Fernando dives into the story behind Clint Eastwood’s 1992 masterpiece Unforgiven… There are Revisionist Westerns, and then there are Revisionist Westerns. Unforgiven firmly belongs in the latter category. Barring occasional entries like Dances with Wolves, the early to mid-90s was a period in time when the western genre as […]
10 Stunning Performances Outrageously Snubbed by the Oscars
It’s the Oscars, so it’s time to look at ten stunning performances the Academy outrageously snubbed… Oscar season is an exciting time of the year. It’s fair to say that every year, for one reason or another, contentious decisions are made as well as glaring omissions. The desperation from some actors to snag an Oscar […]
Revisiting Enemy of the State at 25
As it turns 25, we take a look back at the underrated Tony Scott espionage thriller Enemy of the State… It’s the year 1998 and everybody loves Will Smith. The guy can do no wrong, from coming fresh off the back of an iconic and much-loved TV show to an almost instantaneous leap into blockbuster […]
4K Ultra HD Review – Superman: The 5-Movie Collection
Superman: The 5-Movie Collection Directed by Richard Donner, Richard Lester, and Sidney J. Furie. Starring Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, Christopher Reeve, Ned Beatty, Jackie Cooper, Glenn Ford, Trevor Howard, Margot Kidder, Valerie Perrine, Maria Schell, Terence Stamp, Phyllis Thaxter, Susannah York, Sarah Douglas, Jack O’Halloran, Clifton James, E.G. Marshall, Marc McClure, Richard Pryor, Annette O’Toole, […]
Blu-ray Review – Reds: 40th Anniversary Edition (1981)
Reds, 1981. Directed by Warren Beatty. Starring Warren Beatty, Diane Keaton, Edward Herrmann, Jerzy Kosiński, Jack Nicholson, Paul Sorvino, Maureen Stapleton, Gene Hackman, and M. Emmet Walsh. SYNOPSIS: This isn’t Reds’ first time on Blu-ray, but Paramount has made up for its lackluster presentation the first time by commissioning a new transfer supervised by director, […]
How Superman IV: The Quest For Peace Killed the Superman Franchise and Helped Close a Studio
Back in 1983, the Superman franchise was in full swing, despite the tense and fractured on-set fights and fallouts which saw original director Richard Donner leave after Superman: The Movie before he was able to finish Superman II, released almost three years later under the new direction of Richard Lester. Both films were huge financial successes […]
Blu-ray Review – Mississippi Burning (1988)
Mississippi Burning, 1988. Directed by Alan Parker. Starring: Gene Hackman, Willem Dafoe, Frances McDormand, Brad Dourif, R. Lee Ermey, and Michael Rooker. SYNOPSIS: Nominated for seven Oscars, including its director and two cast members, Mississippi Burning settled for just one trophy. That’s about to be expected for a movie that’s good but not great. This new […]
Six Actors We Wish Would Come Out of Retirement
Freda Cooper with six actors we wish would come out of retirement… It would have overshadowed a lesser movie. When Robert Redford declared that The Old Man and the Gun would be his last appearance on screen, you could hear the gasps ripple round Tinsel Town. With a career that’s lasted nearly 60 years as […]
