SOUND OFF: SCARFACE Onscreen & On Blu-ray
by Pat Cerasaro
- Sep 5, 2011
Never more apparent than at this very moment in history, the operatic emotions, over-the-top theatrics and outrageous outspokenness of the 1983 SCARFACE, new on Blu-ray this week, burst forth from screens both large and small, depending on your preferred venue. And, with the fiery, ferocious fearlessness that Brian DePalma so astutely and assuredly weaves his web of debauchery and demons of the soul, heart and mind with - its apotheosis residing in Al Pacino's legendary essaying of the title role - the world finally seems ready to see SCARFACE for what it really is: a classic American film. No, there are not many modern day classics and there certainly have not been over the last thirty years since its release, but SCARFACE is unquestionably now part of the great pantheon of American films - just as much as CITIZEN KANE, CABSABLANCA and THE GODFATHER before it - and with Fathom's re-release of the film in movie theaters for one night only last week, the impact of the film as felt in its true artistic home was something akin to transcendental. Indeed, I was lucky enough to check out the HD print in a showing in Ithaca, NY, last week, which was also accompanied by an ultra-informative and revealing behind-the-scenes look at the production and subsequent legacy of the near-thirty-year-old film which is also available in an even more expanded form on the new Blu-ray - including new interviews with Brian DePalma, Al Pacino, Steven Bauer, Robert Loggia, Martin Bregman, as well as comments from fellow filmmakers and fans like Eli Roth (who shares a particularly hilarious anecdote about reciting Lopez's monologue for classmates in sixth grade). The new Blu-ray is packed to the brim with Special Features - including this brand new hour-long making-of documentary to go along with the hours of bonuses ported over from many of the prior DVD releases. Yet, above all of these other virtues, the reason you must own SCARFACE on Blu-ray is not just because the HD remastering of the image is pristine, the 7.1 sound is perfect and the Special Features are overwhelmingly enjoyable, but - most of all - it is because SCARFACE is American movie-making at its finest - and most emotionally, visually and outwardly operatic. It sings. And stings. And zings. And, bring it - all.
Universal Studios Dares Filmmakers to Submit Their Twisted Horror Films
by Gabrielle Sierra
- Jun 27, 2011
Universal Studios Hollywood(SM) invites aspiring filmmakers to compete in its annual 'Halloween Horror Nights' short film competition, offering budding directors an opportunity to have their most disturbing horror short films judged by a panel of industry insiders, including horror film auteur Eli Roth, Daily Variety senior writer, Marc Graser and 'Halloween Horror Nights' Creative Director John Murdy.
RZA to Guest Star on 5th Season of Showtime's Californication
by Gabrielle Sierra
- Apr 25, 2011
Music icon, producer, actor and director RZA (American Gangster, Derailed) has signed on for the 5th season of the hit SHOWTIME comedy series CALIFORNICATION. RZA will guest star in multiple episodes as an extreme-living, mega-rich hip hop mogul who hires Hank (series star and executive producer David Duchovny) to write a screenplay for his hot new film. Production on the 5th season begins this May.
STAGE TUBE: Bening, Rubin-Vega et al. Garner Independent Film Spirit Award Noms.
by Jessica Lewis
- Nov 30, 2010
Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards and the Los Angeles Film Festival, announced nominations this morning for the 2011 Film Independent Spirit Awards. Eva Mendes and Jeremy Renner served as presenters and 2011 Spirit Awards host Joel McHale was also on hand. Nominees for Best Feature include 127 Hours, Black Swan, Greenberg, The Kids Are All Right and Winter's Bone.
Meryl Streep, Carey Mulligan and NINE Land SAG Noms.
by Jessica Lewis
- Dec 17, 2009
Nominees for the 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® for outstanding performances in 2009 in five film and eight primetime television categories and for the SAG honors for film and television stunt ensembles were announced this morning in Los Angeles at the Pacific Design Center's Silver Screen Theater in West Hollywood.
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