When 20th Century Fox began production on the first "Planet of the Apes" film, they enlisted special effects makeup artist John Chambers to help transform actors like Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, Maurice Evans, and James Whitmore into anthropomorphic apes. Chambers was already famous for having perfected Spock's Vulcan ears on "Star Trek," but a society of intelligent apes who were capable of communicating was like something straight out of "The Twilight Zone." Rather than create ape masks, Chambers instead crafted individual prosthetic pieces to be applied in sections, allowing the actors to emote with their own facial muscles -- a technique that revolutionized the art of special effects makeup.
Now, over 50 years later, the intelligent apes have traded practical makeup prosthetics in favor of breathtaking and realistic digital artistry. When it comes to 2011's "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," /Film's Larry Fried declared, "There is simply no...
Now, over 50 years later, the intelligent apes have traded practical makeup prosthetics in favor of breathtaking and realistic digital artistry. When it comes to 2011's "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," /Film's Larry Fried declared, "There is simply no...
- 5/15/2024
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
Earlier this week, the Apple corporation released a commercial for its upcoming iPad Pro product. The commercial itself was less a positive demonstration of the new iPad and more of a sadistically gleeful ode to the encroaching dominance of the tech industry: in the spot, objects of human creativity are crushed into oblivion, and it's then revealed that the iPad has replaced all of what has just been decimated.
The commercial immediately came under criticism on social media, so much so that Apple had to issue a public apology a day later. While the ad is undeniably awful, the widespread, vitriolic backlash it received feels like a bubble bursting, as the ad's subtext seems to be the same core concept at the heart of generative AI programs: replace as many human beings as possible, at any cost.
Generative AI is undeniably a morally suspect and corrupt technology, seeing as how...
The commercial immediately came under criticism on social media, so much so that Apple had to issue a public apology a day later. While the ad is undeniably awful, the widespread, vitriolic backlash it received feels like a bubble bursting, as the ad's subtext seems to be the same core concept at the heart of generative AI programs: replace as many human beings as possible, at any cost.
Generative AI is undeniably a morally suspect and corrupt technology, seeing as how...
- 5/10/2024
- by Bill Bria
- Slash Film
Planet of the Apes is one of the most successful and durable science fiction franchises in Hollywood history. Starting in 1968 with the original film, the Apes series has generated more than $2.1 billion in box office grosses over the course of just nine movies, with a highly-anticipated 10th entry, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, due for release this May. The property has also spawned both a live-action and animated TV series, books, comics, video games, and toys – the latter produced in the wake of the first film’s success and arguably the template for future movie merchandising campaigns.
And yet, as we’ve seen over and over again with blockbuster pop culture milestones like Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, and numerous others, Hollywood at the beginning was loathe to touch the property. After publicist-turned-producer Arthur P. Jacobs secured the rights to the novel upon which the original film was based,...
And yet, as we’ve seen over and over again with blockbuster pop culture milestones like Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, and numerous others, Hollywood at the beginning was loathe to touch the property. After publicist-turned-producer Arthur P. Jacobs secured the rights to the novel upon which the original film was based,...
- 2/15/2024
- by Don Kaye
- Den of Geek
The nearly 60-year long "Planet of the Apes" film series runs the gamut in terms of quality. You have a masterpiece like the original 1968 film directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, an utter catastrophe in the 2001 remake by Tim Burton, and everything in between. That being said, there's one thing that basically every film succeeds in, and that is the look of the apes themselves. Whether it's through revolutionary makeup techniques or extremely impressive performance capture technology, the rendering of these characters is distinctive and believable. Even the aforementioned 2001 catastrophe sports truly mind-blowing prosthetic work by Rick Baker that was rudely dismissed by the Academy.
As someone who is always going to prefer tactility in filmmaking, I gravitate more towards the makeup work than the performance capture, and it all comes from my admiration for the designs by John Chambers, who won an honorary Oscar for his work on "Planet of...
As someone who is always going to prefer tactility in filmmaking, I gravitate more towards the makeup work than the performance capture, and it all comes from my admiration for the designs by John Chambers, who won an honorary Oscar for his work on "Planet of...
- 8/27/2023
- by Mike Shutt
- Slash Film
Ben Affleck made one significant change to his face that threw off his ex-wife Jennifer Garner and their children. And his family let Affleck know as much as they could how much they disapproved of his new look.
Ben Affleck’s family complained about his hated look for this film Ben Affleck | Stefania D’Alessandro/Getty Images
Affleck decided to change his style a bit when he starred in his Oscar-winning film Argo. The movie saw the actor playing an experienced extractor trying to rescue refugees from Iran in the late 1970s. The actor ended up changing his hairdo to fit in with the film’s time period.
His hair was longer, and he sported a full beard, which audiences might not have been used to seeing. According to Us Weekly, Affleck wasn’t a fan of his new look. But felt it was important to further authenticate the story.
“I hated it,...
Ben Affleck’s family complained about his hated look for this film Ben Affleck | Stefania D’Alessandro/Getty Images
Affleck decided to change his style a bit when he starred in his Oscar-winning film Argo. The movie saw the actor playing an experienced extractor trying to rescue refugees from Iran in the late 1970s. The actor ended up changing his hairdo to fit in with the film’s time period.
His hair was longer, and he sported a full beard, which audiences might not have been used to seeing. According to Us Weekly, Affleck wasn’t a fan of his new look. But felt it was important to further authenticate the story.
“I hated it,...
- 8/20/2023
- by Antonio Stallings
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Prime Minister said on Friday that this was the clear message from the technology handshake event at the White House earlier in the day in which he and President Joe Biden met leading CEOs from the US and India, which included Google’s Sundar Pichai, Microsoft’s Satya Nadella, OpenAI’s Sam Alt (of ChatGPT fame), Fmc Corporation’s Mark Douglas on the American side, and Reliance’s Mukesh Ambani and Mahindra’s Anand Mahindra.
The event sent a clear message to the companies, the businesses, the manufacturers, the innovators of both countries, and that message is: "This is the moment. This is the moment. The governments of India and America have done the groundwork for you all. You know, like you plough the field, we’ve done that. And whatever else is needed further we will keep doing it for you all. However, it is now your responsibility to wholeheartedly play,...
The event sent a clear message to the companies, the businesses, the manufacturers, the innovators of both countries, and that message is: "This is the moment. This is the moment. The governments of India and America have done the groundwork for you all. You know, like you plough the field, we’ve done that. And whatever else is needed further we will keep doing it for you all. However, it is now your responsibility to wholeheartedly play,...
- 6/24/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
"The Planet of the Apes" was not a style-over-substance type of science-fiction film, but the effectiveness of the story still lived and died on its special effects. If a title promises an otherworldly planet of inhabitants, it better deliver and showcase some damn, convincing apes. Fortunately, the film's make-up artists, chief among them the late John Chambers, delivered. Their efforts are the reason "Planet of the Apes" endures as a franchise to this day, and the make-up design process was eventually the subject of a 2019 documentary, "Making Apes: The Artists Who Changed Film."
While audiences knew what they were getting into, the film still presents the apes as a surprise. They don't show up until the end of the first act and there's a dramatic close-up of the first gorilla on horseback. Ensuring the public went into the movie without any visual spoilers meant there was extra tight security during the production.
While audiences knew what they were getting into, the film still presents the apes as a surprise. They don't show up until the end of the first act and there's a dramatic close-up of the first gorilla on horseback. Ensuring the public went into the movie without any visual spoilers meant there was extra tight security during the production.
- 1/2/2023
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
Akin to "Psycho," the earth-shattering reveal in the closing moments of "Planet of the Apes" became so ingrained into the pop culture lexicon that most folks became aware of it before they even saw the film. There's a part of me that can't fully separate the actual ending from that episode of "The Simpsons" where Troy McClure (Phil Hartman) transforms the gut punch into a bombastic musical number. But I suppose that speaks to how influential this movie was, especially in the realm of science-fiction cinema.
Over five decades since its 1968 theatrical release, "Planet of the Apes," which sees American astronaut George Taylor (Charlton Heston) crash land on an Earth system dominated by talking primates, has led to over four sequels, two reboots, and two television series, with a new feature film on the way. In many respects, this could have easily fallen into B-movie schlock, but the sharp script...
Over five decades since its 1968 theatrical release, "Planet of the Apes," which sees American astronaut George Taylor (Charlton Heston) crash land on an Earth system dominated by talking primates, has led to over four sequels, two reboots, and two television series, with a new feature film on the way. In many respects, this could have easily fallen into B-movie schlock, but the sharp script...
- 1/2/2023
- by Matthew Bilodeau
- Slash Film
Eventually released in the summer of 2001, the remake of "Planet of the Apes" went through decades of development before director Tim Burton was finally hired. According to the fascinating book "Tales From Development Hell" by David Hughes, 20th Century Fox was set to make an alternative sequel in 1988 titled "Return to the Planet of the Apes" with a screenplay from Adam Rifkin ("The Dark Backward"). Just before pre-production, new studio executives at Fox reportedly butted heads with Rifkin and the project was put on ice. Peter Jackson and Oliver Stone were even considered at one point, and even Arnold Schwarzenegger was attached in the mid-'90s.
Tim Burton was finally hired to direct at the start of the new millennium, attracting some of the biggest stars and character actors in the business, including Tim Roth, Helena Bonham Carter, Paul Giamatti, Mark Wahlberg, Michael Clarke Duncan, and music legend Kris Kristofferson.
Tim Burton was finally hired to direct at the start of the new millennium, attracting some of the biggest stars and character actors in the business, including Tim Roth, Helena Bonham Carter, Paul Giamatti, Mark Wahlberg, Michael Clarke Duncan, and music legend Kris Kristofferson.
- 1/2/2023
- by Drew Tinnin
- Slash Film
Ahead of A House on the Bayou's release on Epix and to digital (via Paramount Home Entertainment) on November 19th, we have an exclusive clip just for Daily Dead readers!
"In an effort to reconnect and mend their relationship, Jessica and John Chambers seek an idyllic getaway with their daughter Anna (Lia McHugh) to a remote mansion in rural Louisiana. When suspiciously friendly neighbors show up for dinner uninvited, the weekend takes a sinister turn as the fragile family bond is tested and dark secrets come to light."
Directed by Alex McAulay Executive Producers: Jason Blum, Chris McCumber, Jeremy Gold, Mary-Margaret Kunze Cast: Angela Sarafyan (Westworld) , Paul Schneider, Jacob Lofland
The post Watch an Exclusive Clip from A House On The Bayou appeared first on Daily Dead.
"In an effort to reconnect and mend their relationship, Jessica and John Chambers seek an idyllic getaway with their daughter Anna (Lia McHugh) to a remote mansion in rural Louisiana. When suspiciously friendly neighbors show up for dinner uninvited, the weekend takes a sinister turn as the fragile family bond is tested and dark secrets come to light."
Directed by Alex McAulay Executive Producers: Jason Blum, Chris McCumber, Jeremy Gold, Mary-Margaret Kunze Cast: Angela Sarafyan (Westworld) , Paul Schneider, Jacob Lofland
The post Watch an Exclusive Clip from A House On The Bayou appeared first on Daily Dead.
- 11/11/2021
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Epix and Blumhouse have set premiere dates for two films from their original TV movie slate. A House on the Bayou will surface on November 19, and American Refugee arrives December 10.
The pics also will be available day-and-date on PVOD via Paramount Home Entertainment.
A House on the Bayou follows a family getaway to a remote mansion in rural Louisiana. In an effort to reconnect and mend their relationship, Jessica and John Chambers (Angela Sarafyan and Paul Schneider) seek an idyllic vacation with their daughter Anna (Lia McHugh). When suspiciously friendly neighbors (Jacob Lofland and Doug Van Liew) show up for dinner uninvited, the weekend takes a sinister turn as the fragile family bond is tested and dark secrets come to light.
Watch the trailer, which was revealed along with the premiere dates during the BlumFest 2021 fan event, above.
American Refugee revolves about a family seeking shelter in a neighbor’s...
The pics also will be available day-and-date on PVOD via Paramount Home Entertainment.
A House on the Bayou follows a family getaway to a remote mansion in rural Louisiana. In an effort to reconnect and mend their relationship, Jessica and John Chambers (Angela Sarafyan and Paul Schneider) seek an idyllic vacation with their daughter Anna (Lia McHugh). When suspiciously friendly neighbors (Jacob Lofland and Doug Van Liew) show up for dinner uninvited, the weekend takes a sinister turn as the fragile family bond is tested and dark secrets come to light.
Watch the trailer, which was revealed along with the premiere dates during the BlumFest 2021 fan event, above.
American Refugee revolves about a family seeking shelter in a neighbor’s...
- 10/1/2021
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
The always delightful Doctor Z hangs with hosts Josh Olson and Joe Dante while discussing a few of his favorite monkey movies.
Dr. Z – Tmtmm Pod Mentions
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Planet of the Apes (1968) – John Landis’s trailer commentary
Beneath The Planet of the Apes (1970) – John Landis’s trailer commentary
Escape From The Planet of the Apes (1971)
Battle For The Planet of the Apes (1973) – John Landis’s trailer commentary
Every Which Way But Loose (1978)
Any Which Way You Can (1980)
The Godfather Part II (1974) – Katt Shea’s trailer commentary
Schindler’s List (1993)
Godzilla Vs. Kong (2021)
King Kong Vs. Godzilla (1962) – John Landis’s trailer commentary
King Kong (1933)
Conan The Barbarian (1982)
Godzilla (1954) – Don Coscarelli’s trailer commentary
Godzilla Raids Again (1955)
Stalag 17 (1953)
In The Heat Of The Night (1967) – Michael Schlesinger’s trailer commentary
King Kong Escapes (1967)
Murders In The Rue Morgue (1932)
The Sorrow And The Pity (1972)
My Octopus Teacher (2020)
It Came From Beneath The Sea...
Dr. Z – Tmtmm Pod Mentions
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Planet of the Apes (1968) – John Landis’s trailer commentary
Beneath The Planet of the Apes (1970) – John Landis’s trailer commentary
Escape From The Planet of the Apes (1971)
Battle For The Planet of the Apes (1973) – John Landis’s trailer commentary
Every Which Way But Loose (1978)
Any Which Way You Can (1980)
The Godfather Part II (1974) – Katt Shea’s trailer commentary
Schindler’s List (1993)
Godzilla Vs. Kong (2021)
King Kong Vs. Godzilla (1962) – John Landis’s trailer commentary
King Kong (1933)
Conan The Barbarian (1982)
Godzilla (1954) – Don Coscarelli’s trailer commentary
Godzilla Raids Again (1955)
Stalag 17 (1953)
In The Heat Of The Night (1967) – Michael Schlesinger’s trailer commentary
King Kong Escapes (1967)
Murders In The Rue Morgue (1932)
The Sorrow And The Pity (1972)
My Octopus Teacher (2020)
It Came From Beneath The Sea...
- 6/15/2021
- by Kris Millsap
- Trailers from Hell
"This has gotta work, or we're all in trouble." Gravitas Ventures has released an official trailer for a movie history documentary called Making Apes: The Artists Who Changed Film, from filmmaker William Conlin. The movie is a fascinating documentary about a group of ambitious makeup artists, telling the story behind the guys who changed everything with Planet of the Apes. 50 years ago, John Chambers and Tom Burman changed the future of cinema with their groundbreaking work on the make-up and costumes for the apes in the seminal sci-fi film. The doc film features appearances by Tom Burman, Guillermo del Toro, John Landis, Rick Baker, Leonard Maltin, and Matt Winston. I really love these docs that go deep into the historic behind-the-scenes moments of Hollywood, specifically the FX industry and how they pulled off major milestones like Apes. Can't wait to watch this. Any and all movie geeks need to watch out for this.
- 1/9/2020
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Emmy-winning makeup artist Thomas Burman and Oscar-winning hairstylist Martin Samuel are set for lifetime achievement awards from the Make-up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild at its awards ceremony in January.
Burman has racked up more than 30 Emmy nominations during his 50-year career and won seven for such series as The Tracey Ullman Show, Nip/Tuck, Tracey Takes On … and The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles. He also picked up an Oscar nomination for the 1989 Bill Murray holiday pic Scrooged. Since launching his career in 1966 as an apprentice to Ben Nye at 20th Century Fox Studios and becoming an assistant to John Chambers on Planet of the Apes in 1967, his dozens of credits also include Grey’s Anatomy, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
Acclaimed for his period hair styling and expertise with wigs, Samuel has scored three Academy Award nominations for Hitchcock, Pirates of the Caribbean: At...
Burman has racked up more than 30 Emmy nominations during his 50-year career and won seven for such series as The Tracey Ullman Show, Nip/Tuck, Tracey Takes On … and The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles. He also picked up an Oscar nomination for the 1989 Bill Murray holiday pic Scrooged. Since launching his career in 1966 as an apprentice to Ben Nye at 20th Century Fox Studios and becoming an assistant to John Chambers on Planet of the Apes in 1967, his dozens of credits also include Grey’s Anatomy, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
Acclaimed for his period hair styling and expertise with wigs, Samuel has scored three Academy Award nominations for Hitchcock, Pirates of the Caribbean: At...
- 9/17/2019
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Arri Media International has boarded WunderWerk’s animated family film “The Ogglies,” based on the hit German children’s book series about a group of creatures with unusual eating habits looking for a new home.
Helmed by Jens Møller, whose credits include the “Lego Star Wars” TV series, and Toby Genkel, director of animated hit “Ooops! Noah is Gone,” “The Ogglies” follows a family of green, smelly, garbage-eating yet good-natured little beings who find a new home in a city dump, only to face eviction when an unscrupulous contractor decides to build a wellness temple on the site.
Arri Media will present a teaser of the 3D CGI-animated pic for the first time at the upcoming Cannes Film Market.
Erhard Dietl’s book series, which includes 34 titles, has been translated into more than 13 different languages and sold more than 5 million copies in Germany alone.
“The Ogglies” film is produced by...
Helmed by Jens Møller, whose credits include the “Lego Star Wars” TV series, and Toby Genkel, director of animated hit “Ooops! Noah is Gone,” “The Ogglies” follows a family of green, smelly, garbage-eating yet good-natured little beings who find a new home in a city dump, only to face eviction when an unscrupulous contractor decides to build a wellness temple on the site.
Arri Media will present a teaser of the 3D CGI-animated pic for the first time at the upcoming Cannes Film Market.
Erhard Dietl’s book series, which includes 34 titles, has been translated into more than 13 different languages and sold more than 5 million copies in Germany alone.
“The Ogglies” film is produced by...
- 5/8/2019
- by Ed Meza
- Variety Film + TV
John Chambers, a veteran of the British film and TV industry and a former senior member of BAFTA, has died. He was 81.
Chambers died April 5 in Kingston Hospital, London, his friend and former colleague David Pounds told The Hollywood Reporter.
As a finance executive with such companies as British Lion Films, Emi Films, Goldcrest, World Film Services and Electric Sky Productions, Chambers was involved with such acclaimed features as the back-to-back best picture Oscar winners Chariots of Fire (1981) and Gandhi (1982) as well as Nicolas Roeg's Don’t Look Now (1973) and The Man Who Fell to ...
Chambers died April 5 in Kingston Hospital, London, his friend and former colleague David Pounds told The Hollywood Reporter.
As a finance executive with such companies as British Lion Films, Emi Films, Goldcrest, World Film Services and Electric Sky Productions, Chambers was involved with such acclaimed features as the back-to-back best picture Oscar winners Chariots of Fire (1981) and Gandhi (1982) as well as Nicolas Roeg's Don’t Look Now (1973) and The Man Who Fell to ...
- 6/18/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
John Chambers, a veteran of the British film and TV industry and a former senior member of BAFTA, has died. He was 81.
Chambers died April 5 in Kingston Hospital, London, his friend and former colleague David Pounds told The Hollywood Reporter.
As a finance executive with such companies as British Lion Films, Emi Films, Goldcrest, World Film Services and Electric Sky Productions, Chambers was involved with such acclaimed features as the back-to-back best picture Oscar winners Chariots of Fire (1981) and Gandhi (1982) as well as Nicolas Roeg's Don’t Look Now (1973) and The Man Who Fell to ...
Chambers died April 5 in Kingston Hospital, London, his friend and former colleague David Pounds told The Hollywood Reporter.
As a finance executive with such companies as British Lion Films, Emi Films, Goldcrest, World Film Services and Electric Sky Productions, Chambers was involved with such acclaimed features as the back-to-back best picture Oscar winners Chariots of Fire (1981) and Gandhi (1982) as well as Nicolas Roeg's Don’t Look Now (1973) and The Man Who Fell to ...
- 6/18/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Time sure does fly when you're having frightful fun... Although it may be hard to believe, this is already the 50th episode of Daily Dead's official podcast, and the Corpse Club team celebrates with a trip to a besieged farmhouse and a journey to a world of primates that you won't forget.
They're coming to get you... in episode 50 of Daily Dead's official podcast! The Corpse Club co-hosts celebrate a milestone 50th episode by taking a look at two genre game-changers that celebrate their 50th anniversaries this year: George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead and Franklin J. Schaffner's Planet of the Apes. Released in a turbulent time in American history, each movie's enduring elements are examined by the Corpse Club team half a century later, including Romero's bold storytelling decisions, John Chambers' groundbreaking makeup effects, and much more. So sit back, relax, and enjoy a...
They're coming to get you... in episode 50 of Daily Dead's official podcast! The Corpse Club co-hosts celebrate a milestone 50th episode by taking a look at two genre game-changers that celebrate their 50th anniversaries this year: George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead and Franklin J. Schaffner's Planet of the Apes. Released in a turbulent time in American history, each movie's enduring elements are examined by the Corpse Club team half a century later, including Romero's bold storytelling decisions, John Chambers' groundbreaking makeup effects, and much more. So sit back, relax, and enjoy a...
- 5/4/2018
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
John Landis made his first dent in Hollywood with this hilarious parody of Z-grade monster movies, and it was big enough to launch a film career. The kudos go to Landis’ comic monkey-man performance, wearing a Schockthropus ape suit by the 20 year-old self taught makeup whiz Rick Baker. Only monster movie fans will understand, but they’ll be charmed. This foreign edition is stacked with schlock-thropic extras.
Schlock
Blu-ray + DVD
Turbine Media Group
1973 / Color / Region Free / 1:78 widescreen (Blu-ray); 1:37 Academy (Ntsc DVD) / 79 min. / Available from Rakete Shop (De) / Street Date April 27, 2018 / Euros 29.99
Starring: John Landis, Saul Kahan, Eliza Garrett, Joseph Piantadosi, Enrica Blankey (Harriet Medin), Forrest J. Ackerman, Jack H. Harris, Donald F. Glut, John Chambers, Ivan Lepper.
Cinematography: Robert E. Collins
Film Editor: George Folsey Jr.
Makeup Artist: Rick Baker
Original Music: David Gibson
Produced by George Folsey Jr., Jack H. Harris, James C. O’Rourke
Written and...
Schlock
Blu-ray + DVD
Turbine Media Group
1973 / Color / Region Free / 1:78 widescreen (Blu-ray); 1:37 Academy (Ntsc DVD) / 79 min. / Available from Rakete Shop (De) / Street Date April 27, 2018 / Euros 29.99
Starring: John Landis, Saul Kahan, Eliza Garrett, Joseph Piantadosi, Enrica Blankey (Harriet Medin), Forrest J. Ackerman, Jack H. Harris, Donald F. Glut, John Chambers, Ivan Lepper.
Cinematography: Robert E. Collins
Film Editor: George Folsey Jr.
Makeup Artist: Rick Baker
Original Music: David Gibson
Produced by George Folsey Jr., Jack H. Harris, James C. O’Rourke
Written and...
- 5/3/2018
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
As someone who has had the pleasure of spending a good amount of time speaking with many different members of the special effects makeup industry over the last few years, I always get excited whenever new projects from the community are announced. Currently, there are two different crowdfunding efforts underway, and believe me, special effects fans are going to want to get involved with both.
First up is Steve Johnson’s follow-up book Rubberhead Volume II: Sex, Drugs, and Special FX, which promises more mind-blowing content and wildly unforgettable tales from his glory days on the sets of films like Ghostbusters, Blade II, The Abyss, A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master, and many more. As someone who has had the pleasure of speaking with Johnson a few times—and I also recently checked out the first volume of Rubberhead, which was an absolute thrill to finally read...
First up is Steve Johnson’s follow-up book Rubberhead Volume II: Sex, Drugs, and Special FX, which promises more mind-blowing content and wildly unforgettable tales from his glory days on the sets of films like Ghostbusters, Blade II, The Abyss, A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master, and many more. As someone who has had the pleasure of speaking with Johnson a few times—and I also recently checked out the first volume of Rubberhead, which was an absolute thrill to finally read...
- 5/1/2018
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
The Visual Effects Society just awarded its third trophy to the “Planet of the Apes” franchise in the prestige category of Visual Effects in a Feature Motion Picture, this time for “War for the Planet of the Apes.” That follows recent victories for both “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” (2011) and “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” (2014). Many of the 3,300 members of this guild, which consists of visual effects wizards, animators and artists, also belong to the film academy so overlap between Ves Awards champs and Oscar winners is commonplace. But when it comes to “Planet of the Apes,” Oscar voters just haven’t gone bananas.
This year’s Oscars could change all of that, as Gold Derby’s combined odds predict that Best Visual Effects will be awarded to “War for the Planet of the Apes.” Directed by Matt Reeves, this third film in 20th Century Fox...
This year’s Oscars could change all of that, as Gold Derby’s combined odds predict that Best Visual Effects will be awarded to “War for the Planet of the Apes.” Directed by Matt Reeves, this third film in 20th Century Fox...
- 2/14/2018
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
With tomorrow marking the 50th anniversary of the original Planet of the Apes premiere screening in New York City, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is getting the celebration started with a special Blu-ray, DVD, and digital release of the iconic film:
Press Release: Los Angeles, CA (Feb. 7, 2018) – Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment announced the
Planet Of The Apes 1968 50th Anniversary edition today on Digital, Blu-ray and DVD.
Charlton Heston stars in the original cinematic masterpiece that turned the world of science fiction upside down. A bewildered astronaut named Taylor (Heston) crash-lands on a strange planet ruled by talking apes who use a primitive race of humans for experimentation and sport. Soon Taylor's survival depends on the kindness of chimpanzee scientists Cornelius and Zira (Roddy McDowall and Kim Hunter) and his escape to the Forbidden Zone, where he uncovers a devastating secret that may hold the key to his own destiny.
Press Release: Los Angeles, CA (Feb. 7, 2018) – Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment announced the
Planet Of The Apes 1968 50th Anniversary edition today on Digital, Blu-ray and DVD.
Charlton Heston stars in the original cinematic masterpiece that turned the world of science fiction upside down. A bewildered astronaut named Taylor (Heston) crash-lands on a strange planet ruled by talking apes who use a primitive race of humans for experimentation and sport. Soon Taylor's survival depends on the kindness of chimpanzee scientists Cornelius and Zira (Roddy McDowall and Kim Hunter) and his escape to the Forbidden Zone, where he uncovers a devastating secret that may hold the key to his own destiny.
- 2/7/2018
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
After failing to win the Best Visual Effects Oscar for “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” (2011) and “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” (2014), it looks like the third time will be the charm for 20th Century Fox’s “Apes” reboot. According to Gold Derby’s official Oscar predictions, “War for the Planet of the Apes” is in the lead with 8/11 odds to win that damn dirty Oscar on March 4. It faces off against “Blade Runner 2049,” “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” “Kong: Skull Island” and “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” at the 2018 Oscars.
As awards watchers know, “Hugo” surprised by beating “Rise” in the visual effects race back in 2011, while “Dawn” lost to “Interstellar” in 2014. Director Matt Reeves‘ “War,” which chronicles the battle for Earth between the apes and the humans, is the third reboot of the original “Planet of the Apes” series of films from the 1960s and 1970s.
As awards watchers know, “Hugo” surprised by beating “Rise” in the visual effects race back in 2011, while “Dawn” lost to “Interstellar” in 2014. Director Matt Reeves‘ “War,” which chronicles the battle for Earth between the apes and the humans, is the third reboot of the original “Planet of the Apes” series of films from the 1960s and 1970s.
- 1/30/2018
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
And just a week after the highly entertaining reboot of the web-slinger, here comes another franchise reboot, but rather than a first entry, here’s the third chapter, the rumored final one (only the grosses will tell) of a trilogy launched six years ago. But its roots go back nearly 50 years (we’re getting into Bond territory). Oh, and this is really the second reboot (first one didn’t…take). That original ancestor is that 1968 classic Planet Of The Apes, the movie that gave Charlton Heston an iconic role not from biblical times, rather it established him as a science fiction star (mainly in dour futures as with The Omega Man and Soylent Green). Sure Chuck brought the adults in and made it “respectable”, but for the younger set, the flick was all about the fabulous simian make-ups enveloping some great character actors. Those John Chambers designed prosthetics continued on...
- 7/14/2017
- by Jim Batts
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Author: Cai Ross
The original Planet of The Apes movies occupied a curious netherworld of critical opinion. With each film, the budget was sawn in half, leading to a successive pattern of diminishing returns that led to a cheapening of its esteem. The spin-off TV show was quickly cancelled, further dulling the lustre and few people even remember the animated series that finally put the Apes to bed until a rude awakening in 2001.
However, for all their child-pleasing capers (the family-friendly G rating was a mandatory stipulation from the studios), the Apes movies deftly juggled important themes and arguments about slavery, free-will, nuclear war, vivisection, racism and oppression, and man’s innate capacity for cruelty. In pure storytelling terms, the circuitous plot links the first five movies (and the new post-Rise cycle) into a pleasing, if relentlessly pessimistic, self-perpetuating full-circle.
Enormous box office successes in their early stages, they spawned...
The original Planet of The Apes movies occupied a curious netherworld of critical opinion. With each film, the budget was sawn in half, leading to a successive pattern of diminishing returns that led to a cheapening of its esteem. The spin-off TV show was quickly cancelled, further dulling the lustre and few people even remember the animated series that finally put the Apes to bed until a rude awakening in 2001.
However, for all their child-pleasing capers (the family-friendly G rating was a mandatory stipulation from the studios), the Apes movies deftly juggled important themes and arguments about slavery, free-will, nuclear war, vivisection, racism and oppression, and man’s innate capacity for cruelty. In pure storytelling terms, the circuitous plot links the first five movies (and the new post-Rise cycle) into a pleasing, if relentlessly pessimistic, self-perpetuating full-circle.
Enormous box office successes in their early stages, they spawned...
- 7/12/2017
- by Cai Ross
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Happy beginning of June, everyone! Now that summer is just about in full swing, we have a look at the horror and sci-fi VOD releases coming our way this month, in case you prefer to beat the heat from the comfort of your own couch while catching up on movies.
June’s VOD titles are an eclectic bunch, with a little bit of something for every kind of fan out there. The month kicks off with the release of the sleep paralysis thriller Be Afraid today, and then things pick back up on June 6th with a handful of titles making their way to digital platforms, including Aaron’s Blood, Dark Signal, Besetment, and one of my most anticipated indie movies of the year, Let Me Make You A Martyr, which co-stars Marilyn Manson.
The following week, both The Belko Experiment and Camera Obscura make their VOD bows, and just a few short days later,...
June’s VOD titles are an eclectic bunch, with a little bit of something for every kind of fan out there. The month kicks off with the release of the sleep paralysis thriller Be Afraid today, and then things pick back up on June 6th with a handful of titles making their way to digital platforms, including Aaron’s Blood, Dark Signal, Besetment, and one of my most anticipated indie movies of the year, Let Me Make You A Martyr, which co-stars Marilyn Manson.
The following week, both The Belko Experiment and Camera Obscura make their VOD bows, and just a few short days later,...
- 6/1/2017
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
Sometimes life has little coincidences: you suffer from sleep paralysis for a while, and years later you come across Rodney Ascher’s documentary The Nightmare, which finally helps in explaining all those sleepless nights, while showing that’s it’s not as uncommon as you think. Fascinated, you even write up some personal thoughts on said film; and, only a few days later, you come across Be Afraid, which uses sleep paralysis as a horror device. If you didn’t know any better, you’d swear it’s stalking you. Be Afraid starts out in pretty typical horror movie fashion: Doctor John Chambers (Brian Krause) movies his family – worried wife Heather (Jaimi Paige), college dropout older son Ben (Jared Abrahamson) and somewhat creepy ghost-seeing pre-teen Nathan (Michael Leone) – out...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 6/1/2017
- Screen Anarchy
Review by Stephen Tronicek
Be Afraid seems the type of film that would grace the grindhouse theaters back in the day when those existed. It’s a film akin to unambitious but well-made grindhouse movies that seem to have made up the slate of films at a local multiplex. Those solid well told stories, that seemed familiar and unimpressive, yet infectiously watchable. Those films that didn’t seem like high art because they didn’t need to be. They just needed to be entertaining.
Be Afraid follows a Dr. John Chambers, as he and his family start to discover a dark force occupying the town that they have just moved into. The familiar is combed over: a concerned wife, a snarky teenage son, a moppet, and an ending that is not guaranteed to be happy.
It’s the textbook 80’s horror movie, but it’s not a bad textbook 80’s horror movie.
Be Afraid seems the type of film that would grace the grindhouse theaters back in the day when those existed. It’s a film akin to unambitious but well-made grindhouse movies that seem to have made up the slate of films at a local multiplex. Those solid well told stories, that seemed familiar and unimpressive, yet infectiously watchable. Those films that didn’t seem like high art because they didn’t need to be. They just needed to be entertaining.
Be Afraid follows a Dr. John Chambers, as he and his family start to discover a dark force occupying the town that they have just moved into. The familiar is combed over: a concerned wife, a snarky teenage son, a moppet, and an ending that is not guaranteed to be happy.
It’s the textbook 80’s horror movie, but it’s not a bad textbook 80’s horror movie.
- 5/30/2017
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Author: Emily Breen
Anyone who has spent more than five minutes in the company of a preschooler has cursed Peppa Pig. Flipping the pig the bird is pretty much a parental right of passage. Along with indelibly imprinting every word of The Gruffalo on your long term memory and continuing to prefix farm animal names with the sound they make, irrespective of whether children are in earshot. Happily, for the former at least, revenge is within your grasp…
Illustrator Ted Sieger’s Molly Monster comes to the big screen this weekend with a monstrously sweet and refreshingly simple story to tell. Molly’s primary coloured, clockwork world is about to be rocked by the arrival of a brand new sibling. The sensible sister-to-be sets to work knitting a cosy hat to help her process the big news and welcome the new baby. Her wind-up pal Edison is not to be so easily won over.
Anyone who has spent more than five minutes in the company of a preschooler has cursed Peppa Pig. Flipping the pig the bird is pretty much a parental right of passage. Along with indelibly imprinting every word of The Gruffalo on your long term memory and continuing to prefix farm animal names with the sound they make, irrespective of whether children are in earshot. Happily, for the former at least, revenge is within your grasp…
Illustrator Ted Sieger’s Molly Monster comes to the big screen this weekend with a monstrously sweet and refreshingly simple story to tell. Molly’s primary coloured, clockwork world is about to be rocked by the arrival of a brand new sibling. The sensible sister-to-be sets to work knitting a cosy hat to help her process the big news and welcome the new baby. Her wind-up pal Edison is not to be so easily won over.
- 4/21/2017
- by Emily Breen
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
By Gary Salem
Oscar Week celebrated three exceptional nominees at the annual Makeup & Hairstyling Symposium: “A Man Called Ove,” “Star Trek Beyond” and “Suicide Squad.” Branch governor and longtime host Leonard Engelman started the event with a favorite story about 20th Century Fox lobbying the Academy to award John Chambers with an honorary Oscar for “Planet of the Apes” in 1968. He was joined by fellow governors Kathryn Blondell and Lois Burwell in welcoming the nominees and giving an inside look at the bake-off and nomination process.
Burwell said the branch meets twice a year to discuss the films that members think should be viewed in a theater and considered for seven finalists. Branch members also communicate throughout the year to bring attention to outstanding work. The seven finalists are usually narrowed down to three nominees but there have been years with two and four nominees.
The audience included several past...
Oscar Week celebrated three exceptional nominees at the annual Makeup & Hairstyling Symposium: “A Man Called Ove,” “Star Trek Beyond” and “Suicide Squad.” Branch governor and longtime host Leonard Engelman started the event with a favorite story about 20th Century Fox lobbying the Academy to award John Chambers with an honorary Oscar for “Planet of the Apes” in 1968. He was joined by fellow governors Kathryn Blondell and Lois Burwell in welcoming the nominees and giving an inside look at the bake-off and nomination process.
Burwell said the branch meets twice a year to discuss the films that members think should be viewed in a theater and considered for seven finalists. Branch members also communicate throughout the year to bring attention to outstanding work. The seven finalists are usually narrowed down to three nominees but there have been years with two and four nominees.
The audience included several past...
- 2/26/2017
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
A couple of weeks ago we posted an awesome video of Adam Savage giving us a tour of Peter Jackson's insane collection of movie props, costumes, and other artifacts. We have a new video released by Tested, in which we get to see Savage and Jackson open up a CIA make-up and prosthetics kit owned by legendary Hollywood make-up artist John Chambers. Legend has it that Chambers used kits like this to help the CIA disguise its agents!
There's so much stuff in Jackson's collection, I hope we get to see more videos of these two exploring the collection and the awesome geeky treasures that it contains.
There's so much stuff in Jackson's collection, I hope we get to see more videos of these two exploring the collection and the awesome geeky treasures that it contains.
- 12/11/2016
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Fathom Events and Turner Classic Movies (TCM) have teamed up to bring classic films back to the big screen as part of their TCM Big Screen Classics series. This month, they put a spotlight on the seminal sci-fi film Planet of the Apes, and we’ve been provided with one pair of tickets and five Planet of the Apes figures to give away to lucky Daily Dead readers.
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Prize Details: (1) Grand Prize Winner will receive (2) tickets to a Fathom Events screening of Planet of the Apes at a nearby theater and (1) Planet of the Apes figure (see image below).
(4) Runner-up winners will receive (1) Planet of the Apes figure.
How to Enter: For a chance to win, email contest@dailydead.com with the subject “Planet of the Apes Contest”. Be sure to include your name and mailing address. Before entering the contest, check Fathom Events’ website to make sure the film...
————
Prize Details: (1) Grand Prize Winner will receive (2) tickets to a Fathom Events screening of Planet of the Apes at a nearby theater and (1) Planet of the Apes figure (see image below).
(4) Runner-up winners will receive (1) Planet of the Apes figure.
How to Enter: For a chance to win, email contest@dailydead.com with the subject “Planet of the Apes Contest”. Be sure to include your name and mailing address. Before entering the contest, check Fathom Events’ website to make sure the film...
- 7/18/2016
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
The legendary 1968 science fiction masterpiece “Planet of the Apes” will return to the big screen, crash landing in U.S. cinemas on July 24 and 27 as part of Fathom Events and Turner Classic Movies’(TCM) yearlong TCM Big Screen Classics series.
As part of this special presentation, TCM host Ben Mankiewicz will provide exclusive commentary before and after the feature, offering an inside look at the out-of-this-world classic. The event will screen at more than 650 select movie theaters nationwide, four times only, at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. local time each day.
Charlton Heston and Roddy McDowall star in this legendary science fiction masterpiece. Astronaut Taylor (Heston) finds himself on a distant planet ruled by apes who use a primitive race of humans for experimentation and sport. Soon, Taylor finds himself among the hunted, his life in the hands of a benevolent chimpanzee scientist (McDowall).
When it was released...
As part of this special presentation, TCM host Ben Mankiewicz will provide exclusive commentary before and after the feature, offering an inside look at the out-of-this-world classic. The event will screen at more than 650 select movie theaters nationwide, four times only, at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. local time each day.
Charlton Heston and Roddy McDowall star in this legendary science fiction masterpiece. Astronaut Taylor (Heston) finds himself on a distant planet ruled by apes who use a primitive race of humans for experimentation and sport. Soon, Taylor finds himself among the hunted, his life in the hands of a benevolent chimpanzee scientist (McDowall).
When it was released...
- 7/11/2016
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
If you wish more horror films came with onomatopoetic titles, I’ve got the movie for you.
When Kevin Smith released his now -notorious horror comedy Tusk, many reviewers took issue with the ludicrous premise in which a mad scientist takes it upon himself to transform a man into a walrus. Apparently none of these critics had ever seen Bernard L. Kowalski’s 1973 horror film Sssssss—new to Blu-ray from Scream Factory—because if they had, they might have recognized that the premise of Smith’s movie had been covered nearly 30 years earlier, only with a snake instead of a walrus. It is, to put it bluntly, not a very good movie. But it is a weird one, and sometimes “weird” counts.
Dirk Benedict (“Face” from TV’s The A-Team) plays college student David, hired as an assistant to Dr. Carl Stoner (Strother Martin), who specializes in snakes and doubles...
When Kevin Smith released his now -notorious horror comedy Tusk, many reviewers took issue with the ludicrous premise in which a mad scientist takes it upon himself to transform a man into a walrus. Apparently none of these critics had ever seen Bernard L. Kowalski’s 1973 horror film Sssssss—new to Blu-ray from Scream Factory—because if they had, they might have recognized that the premise of Smith’s movie had been covered nearly 30 years earlier, only with a snake instead of a walrus. It is, to put it bluntly, not a very good movie. But it is a weird one, and sometimes “weird” counts.
Dirk Benedict (“Face” from TV’s The A-Team) plays college student David, hired as an assistant to Dr. Carl Stoner (Strother Martin), who specializes in snakes and doubles...
- 5/13/2016
- by Patrick Bromley
- DailyDead
Donald Trump won't be attending D.C.'s "Nerd Prom" on April 30 - but it's not because he wasn't invited. "I was asked by every single group of media available to mankind [to attend this year's White House Correspondents' Dinner]," the Gop front-runner tells The Hill. "But I've decided not to go. Do you know why? I would have a good time and the press would say I look like I wasn't having a good time." Trump attended last year's dinner, before he announced his presidential bid, as well as the 2011 dinner, where President Obama famously roasted the billionaire businessman in a comedy routine. Trump says that, despite reports to the contrary,...
- 4/13/2016
- by Tierney McAfee, @tierneymcafee
- PEOPLE.com
Donald Trump won't be attending D.C.'s "Nerd Prom" on April 30 - but it's not because he wasn't invited. "I was asked by every single group of media available to mankind [to attend this year's White House Correspondents' Dinner]," the Gop front-runner tells The Hill. "But I've decided not to go. Do you know why? I would have a good time and the press would say I look like I wasn't having a good time." Trump attended last year's dinner, before he announced his presidential bid, as well as the 2011 dinner, where President Obama famously roasted the billionaire businessman in a comedy routine. Trump says that, despite reports to the contrary,...
- 4/13/2016
- by Tierney McAfee, @tierneymcafee
- PEOPLE.com
Compass International Film
We horror nerds have long suspected that there was more to Michael Myers than met the eye, so imagine our surprise when John Chambers, the make-up man on Halloween II (1981), was revealed to have been a CIA contact.
For helping free Americans held during the Iran Hostage Crisis, Chambers received the Agency’s Intelligence Medal Of Merit – as you’ll know if you’ve seen Argo (2012). In the movie, Chambers helps create a fake sci-fi movie looking to shoot in Iran during the crisis, and it’s implied that this is by no means his first assignment. Which begs the question: what else did he do for the Agency?
Perhaps Chambers introduced his CIA handlers to Myers, who even at age 6 had shown a remarkable capacity for violence. He’d grow up to be a stealthy, indestructible assassin, but he didn’t get that way by accident.
We horror nerds have long suspected that there was more to Michael Myers than met the eye, so imagine our surprise when John Chambers, the make-up man on Halloween II (1981), was revealed to have been a CIA contact.
For helping free Americans held during the Iran Hostage Crisis, Chambers received the Agency’s Intelligence Medal Of Merit – as you’ll know if you’ve seen Argo (2012). In the movie, Chambers helps create a fake sci-fi movie looking to shoot in Iran during the crisis, and it’s implied that this is by no means his first assignment. Which begs the question: what else did he do for the Agency?
Perhaps Chambers introduced his CIA handlers to Myers, who even at age 6 had shown a remarkable capacity for violence. He’d grow up to be a stealthy, indestructible assassin, but he didn’t get that way by accident.
- 10/10/2015
- by Ian Watson
- Obsessed with Film
“What we’re about to do is the one thing everyone says we can’t: we work.”
After being blacklisted as a communist during the Second Red Scare, screenwriter Dalton Trumbo (Bryan Cranston) attempts to continue his career in secrecy while still maintaining his spirit and values. Like the 2005 Oscar nominated film Good Night, and Good Luck, Jay Roach’s Trumbo details a real and troubling period in American history when even the implication of communist ties could ruin a person’s career and way of life.
Though we’re a few years removed from Breaking Bad, it’s great to see the infinitely talented Bryan Cranston on screen and seemingly in top form. Among others in Trumbo’s talented cast are Helen Mirren, Louis C.K., Michael Stuhlbarg (Boardwalk Empire) and John Goodman, who played makeup artist John Chambers in Argo, another Hollywood-themed political thriller.
Trumbo comes to theaters November 6th,...
After being blacklisted as a communist during the Second Red Scare, screenwriter Dalton Trumbo (Bryan Cranston) attempts to continue his career in secrecy while still maintaining his spirit and values. Like the 2005 Oscar nominated film Good Night, and Good Luck, Jay Roach’s Trumbo details a real and troubling period in American history when even the implication of communist ties could ruin a person’s career and way of life.
Though we’re a few years removed from Breaking Bad, it’s great to see the infinitely talented Bryan Cranston on screen and seemingly in top form. Among others in Trumbo’s talented cast are Helen Mirren, Louis C.K., Michael Stuhlbarg (Boardwalk Empire) and John Goodman, who played makeup artist John Chambers in Argo, another Hollywood-themed political thriller.
Trumbo comes to theaters November 6th,...
- 10/7/2015
- by Matt Linville
- SoundOnSight
As in a great Halloween costume, makeup is an important aspect of film. Join us as we examine 10 films where makeup effects played a very large role.
Using Makeup to Create A Style
Example: Edward Scissorhands (1990)
While Edward Scissorhands may be one of Burton’s most beloved characters because of Johnny Depp’s performance, the character is also memorable for his looks. For starters, there is his birds-nest hair. The wispy cob-webb look not only reassured audiences of Edward’s sad, lonely and parentless existence, but it also became an easy identifier for Burton’s gothic style. Indeed, Edward’s wild, untamed yet solid hairstyle was similar to that of Beetlejuice, whose film came out two years prior, and would be similar to many other characters we would see in later Burton films.
Edward’s pasty white make-up helped audiences to understand that he was not just a normal man.
Using Makeup to Create A Style
Example: Edward Scissorhands (1990)
While Edward Scissorhands may be one of Burton’s most beloved characters because of Johnny Depp’s performance, the character is also memorable for his looks. For starters, there is his birds-nest hair. The wispy cob-webb look not only reassured audiences of Edward’s sad, lonely and parentless existence, but it also became an easy identifier for Burton’s gothic style. Indeed, Edward’s wild, untamed yet solid hairstyle was similar to that of Beetlejuice, whose film came out two years prior, and would be similar to many other characters we would see in later Burton films.
Edward’s pasty white make-up helped audiences to understand that he was not just a normal man.
- 10/5/2015
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (G.S. Perno)
- Cinelinx
Spike Lee, probably the most famous black filmmaker in the history of American cinema and long an outspoken critic of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, will be presented with an honorary Oscar at the Academy's seventh Governors Awards on Nov. 14, the organization announced Thursday. At 58, Lee is the youngest male tapped for an honorary Oscar — which historically has been something of a lifetime achievement award — since one went to 46-year-old Planet of the Apes makeup artist John Chambers in 1969. Now the question is: what will he say when accepting the
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- 8/27/2015
- by Scott Feinberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Just before the end of the year, we looked at the incredible accomplishments of Weta Digital on "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies." This, however, was not the only 2014 film where the wizards of that New Zealand-based effects house had their talents on full display. "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" was the latest entry in the on-going rebooted franchise, where Weta topped itself yet again. And it began at a high time for the studio. "We just finished 'Avatar' and got the call from Fox," visual effects supervisor Dan Lemmon reminisces. "We were big fans of original 1960s movies and television shows so we were really excited." Adds fellow supervisor Joe Letteri, "Fox sent me the script [for ‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes'] and I loved it. It was just a fantastic script and I loved the way they did the story. Essentially it was a story of growing up...
- 1/6/2015
- by Gerard Kennedy
- Hitfix
In October, Rick Baker appeared in an Academy-approved video, touring industry outsiders around his makeup studio, a treasure trove of special effects wonderment. The inside look came tinged with sadness; With modern blockbusters opting for more CG effects over practical makeup, Baker’s craft has slowly faded into the history books, prompting him to move out of his sprawling warehouse. For those left weeping over the video comes a hint of good news: The Make-up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards will honor the monster movie make-up master during its 2015 ceremony. Iatse, Local 706 announced today that Baker and hair stylist Kathryn Blondell were the honorees of the guild’s annual lifetime achievement awards. Baker is a seven-time Academy Award winner, holding the record for the most wins and nominations bestowed upon any make-up artist. His prosthetics and nightmarish visions have appeared in "American Werewolf in London", "Harry and the Hendersons", "Ed Wood,...
- 11/6/2014
- by Matt Patches
- Hitfix
An Evening with Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, directed by Matt Reeves
The evolution of the evolution of the apes in Planet of the Apes has been miraculous. Archeologists refer to this sort of sudden spurt of advancement as punctuated equilibrium, and lately, since the newest reload, we’ve seen what is a virtual Cambrian Explosion of special effects in film. Back in the murk of the Paleolithic epoch, circa 1968, the make-up artist John Chambers won an Academy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Make-up for the original film (Franklin J.
The evolution of the evolution of the apes in Planet of the Apes has been miraculous. Archeologists refer to this sort of sudden spurt of advancement as punctuated equilibrium, and lately, since the newest reload, we’ve seen what is a virtual Cambrian Explosion of special effects in film. Back in the murk of the Paleolithic epoch, circa 1968, the make-up artist John Chambers won an Academy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Make-up for the original film (Franklin J.
- 7/23/2014
- by Dr. Garth Twa
- Pure Movies
It's the 1969 Academy Awards, and Walter Matthau and a tuxedo-clad chimp present John Chambers with an honorary Oscar for his work on Planet of the Apes. Viewed in retrospect it's one of the more surreal presentations in the ceremony's history, but this was something of a landmark event for the industry. It was only the second time the Academy had dished out a prize to make-up artists (William J Tuttle won four years earlier for 7 Faces of Dr Lao), and it highlighted the growing importance of Hollywood's backstage creative artists.
Fast-forward 45 years and prosthetics are giving way to digital pixels - for characters that require a complexity of movement and expression, performance capture technology gives a director the scope to execute their vision by marrying an actor's performance with visual effects. In its basic form, the actor will strap on a bodysuit that's wired up to a computer. All their...
Fast-forward 45 years and prosthetics are giving way to digital pixels - for characters that require a complexity of movement and expression, performance capture technology gives a director the scope to execute their vision by marrying an actor's performance with visual effects. In its basic form, the actor will strap on a bodysuit that's wired up to a computer. All their...
- 7/17/2014
- Digital Spy
The James Clayton column: James explores the path to Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes, and where we might be heading next...
Feature
Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes is a film about apes. The title isn't misleading or a metaphor or anything. This is a movie about primates and though there are human protagonists sharing screentime and functioning as significant pieces in the plot, it's very much an ape affair. Key characters - Caesar, Cornelia, Koba - are all chimpanzees.
Actually, that's not completely true. In fact it's a damn dirty ape lie for Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes is a work of great deception. This fresh bestial blockbuster employs the most state-of-art moviemaking technology to achieve its trickery, ironically bringing the primitive world to visceral life on screen by using the most advanced techniques available.
The truth about those convincing, hyper-real chimpanzees? Caesar is played by Andy Serkis,...
Feature
Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes is a film about apes. The title isn't misleading or a metaphor or anything. This is a movie about primates and though there are human protagonists sharing screentime and functioning as significant pieces in the plot, it's very much an ape affair. Key characters - Caesar, Cornelia, Koba - are all chimpanzees.
Actually, that's not completely true. In fact it's a damn dirty ape lie for Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes is a work of great deception. This fresh bestial blockbuster employs the most state-of-art moviemaking technology to achieve its trickery, ironically bringing the primitive world to visceral life on screen by using the most advanced techniques available.
The truth about those convincing, hyper-real chimpanzees? Caesar is played by Andy Serkis,...
- 7/17/2014
- by simonbrew
- Den of Geek
Even before you consider Rupert Wyatt's hit 2011 blockbuster Rise of the Planet of the Apes and its successor Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Franklin J Schaffner's 1968 adventure had spawned four sequels, an animated cartoon series, a live-action TV show, a deluge of marketing (bubblegum cards, plastic models, etc.) and Tim Burton's 2001 remake. And yet nobody wanted to touch Planet of the Apes when producer Arthur P Jacobs first touted it around Hollywood in the mid-'60s.
Adapted from Pierre Boulle's novel La Planète Des Singes, Jacobs saw it as the perfect follow-up to the animal magic movie he currently had in production, Doctor Dolittle. Approaching studios with a script by Rod Serling, the creator of The Twilight Zone, and concept images honed by no fewer than seven artists, Jacobs's passion project was nonetheless ridiculed: actors in monkey suits was the stuff of B-movies and cheap TV serials.
Adapted from Pierre Boulle's novel La Planète Des Singes, Jacobs saw it as the perfect follow-up to the animal magic movie he currently had in production, Doctor Dolittle. Approaching studios with a script by Rod Serling, the creator of The Twilight Zone, and concept images honed by no fewer than seven artists, Jacobs's passion project was nonetheless ridiculed: actors in monkey suits was the stuff of B-movies and cheap TV serials.
- 7/13/2014
- Digital Spy
With "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes," Matt Reeves ("Cloverfield") ably takes over the directing duties from Rupert Wyatt, who rebooted the franchise with 2011's "Rise of the Planet of the Apes." Reeves admitted to Moviefone to being reluctant to take on the sequel, since he was such a big fan of "Rise" and the entire series.
Fortunately, he had a unique, ape-centric vision for the film, making Caesar (Andy Serkis) the main character who must weigh the safety of his own ape community with the needs of the desperate few humans left alive. Can they work together? As Reeves pointed out, "We know it's not going to end well," but in "Dawn," he explores the possibility that apes and humans might have been able to co-exist.
The director talked his love of all things apes and where he sees the franchise headed.
Moviefone: How intimidating was it coming into an established franchise?...
Fortunately, he had a unique, ape-centric vision for the film, making Caesar (Andy Serkis) the main character who must weigh the safety of his own ape community with the needs of the desperate few humans left alive. Can they work together? As Reeves pointed out, "We know it's not going to end well," but in "Dawn," he explores the possibility that apes and humans might have been able to co-exist.
The director talked his love of all things apes and where he sees the franchise headed.
Moviefone: How intimidating was it coming into an established franchise?...
- 7/10/2014
- by Sharon Knolle
- Moviefone
When 20th Century Fox released Planet Of The Apes on February 8, 1968, audiences saw Pierre Boulle’s novel come to life on the big screen through futuristic sets and costumes, John Chambers’ Oscar-winning makeup and a percussion heavy score by Jerry Goldsmith. Shot by cinematographer Leon Shamroy, CGI wasn’t even a thought yet.
As noted in the documentary Behind the Planet of the Apes (narrated by Roddy McDowall “Cornelius”), the special effect shot of the half-buried Statue of Liberty at the end of the film was completed by adding a matte painting with existing cliffs. The iconic shot looking down at Taylor (Charlton Heston) was done from a 70-foot scaffold, angled over a 1/2-scale papier-mache model of the Statue.
Jump ahead 30 plus years to where the apes and scenes will be created through the Oscar-winning visual effects house Weta Digital.
Employing a new generation of the cutting edge performance capture...
As noted in the documentary Behind the Planet of the Apes (narrated by Roddy McDowall “Cornelius”), the special effect shot of the half-buried Statue of Liberty at the end of the film was completed by adding a matte painting with existing cliffs. The iconic shot looking down at Taylor (Charlton Heston) was done from a 70-foot scaffold, angled over a 1/2-scale papier-mache model of the Statue.
Jump ahead 30 plus years to where the apes and scenes will be created through the Oscar-winning visual effects house Weta Digital.
Employing a new generation of the cutting edge performance capture...
- 6/25/2014
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Around here we're still kind of shocked that Rise of the Planet of the Apes turned out so well. Recently we caught up with sequel director Matt Reeves to see if his Dawn of the Planet of the Apes will continue that trend!
Dread Central: Planet of the Apes takes place in a post-apocalyptic world so I’m wondering: What would you miss most if civilization were to fall in your lifetime?
Matt Reeves: If civilization fell, what I would miss the most is... I have a son who is almost 3. I would miss getting texts and videos from my 3-year-old when I am working. But I guess if civilization fell, I wouldn’t be working. (laughs)
DC: Have you always been a big fan of Planet of the Apes?
Mr: As a kid I was obsessed with Planet of the Apes. I think that it is such a...
Dread Central: Planet of the Apes takes place in a post-apocalyptic world so I’m wondering: What would you miss most if civilization were to fall in your lifetime?
Matt Reeves: If civilization fell, what I would miss the most is... I have a son who is almost 3. I would miss getting texts and videos from my 3-year-old when I am working. But I guess if civilization fell, I wouldn’t be working. (laughs)
DC: Have you always been a big fan of Planet of the Apes?
Mr: As a kid I was obsessed with Planet of the Apes. I think that it is such a...
- 6/3/2014
- by Staci Layne Wilson
- DreadCentral.com
Steve Carell has received critical acclaim for his role as John du Pont in Foxcatcher, which has just premiered at the 67th Cannes Film Festival.
The Bennett Miller-directed drama is based on the true story of Olympic wrestling champion Mark Schultz, who seeks justice for his fellow champion brother Dave Schultz after he is killed by his paranoid schizophrenic coach du Pont.
Carell's performance has been described as "the definition of a career-redefining performance", and director Miller recently revealed that he was barely recognised after his first test screening due to his fake nose and aged appearance.
Does a fake nose equal critical acclaim and an Academy Award? Not always (Steve Martin in Roxanne was robbed!), but we've found 5 actors and actresses who've worn a prosthetic schnoz and gone on to win an Oscar below:
1. Robert De Niro for Raging Bull
Robert De Niro put on a reported 60lbs and quite sizable,...
The Bennett Miller-directed drama is based on the true story of Olympic wrestling champion Mark Schultz, who seeks justice for his fellow champion brother Dave Schultz after he is killed by his paranoid schizophrenic coach du Pont.
Carell's performance has been described as "the definition of a career-redefining performance", and director Miller recently revealed that he was barely recognised after his first test screening due to his fake nose and aged appearance.
Does a fake nose equal critical acclaim and an Academy Award? Not always (Steve Martin in Roxanne was robbed!), but we've found 5 actors and actresses who've worn a prosthetic schnoz and gone on to win an Oscar below:
1. Robert De Niro for Raging Bull
Robert De Niro put on a reported 60lbs and quite sizable,...
- 5/21/2014
- Digital Spy
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