Dork Hero: Run Run Shaw

Along with his brother Runme, Run Run Shaw and Shaw Brothers Studio were largely responsible for making Martial Arts movies a thing.  He died in January of this year at the age of 106 (!!!).  He was even knighted by the Queen of England, for crying out loud.  Zounds.

-Matt

Dork Hero: Shane Rimmer

    One of the great ‘That Guy’ actors, Shane Rimmer has been a staple supporting actor for more than 50 years.  Recently, you might remember him as that guy in control of the waterworks during the climactic battle in Batman Begins.  But go back through the years and you’ll find him popping up in such gems as Space Truckers (“Square pigs!!!”), Out of Africa, Superman II & III, Doctor Strangelove, even Star Wars and three Bond films (as three different guys).  Originally from Canada, he’s spent much of his career in England, frequently playing the American.  He’s got a darned jovial face, and always adds a little something extra to a film.  The perfect quality of a ‘That Guy.’

Five Favorite Shane Rimmer films:
5.  Rollerball
4.  The Spy Who Loved Me
3.  Space Truckers
2.  Doctor Strangelove
1.  The People That Time Forgot

-Matt

Dork Hero: Christopher Lee

    For a long time, Christopher Lee existed as photos of various monsters (often Dracula) in creature books I’d pore over as a kid.  Though I’m sure I saw him in a few things (Man with the Golden Gun?), it was with my delving into Peter Cushing’s filmography that I began to get into the venerable old gentleman’s work.  You could write books on the man, about his various exploits and esoteric knowledge.  He’s a Tolkien fan (maybe THE Tolkien fan).  He’s former British Special Forces.  And he speaks several languages.  His voice is like the cracking of the Earth.  And yes.  He’s in a metal band…at 92.

Five Favorite Christopher Lee Movies:

5. Hannie Caulder
4. Hugo
3. Horror of Dracula
2. The Man with the Golden Gun
1.  The Wicker Man

-Matt

Dork Hero: Peter Cushing

Like many of my generation I first became aware of Peter Cushing late in his life, as Grand Moff Tarkin, the real villain of the first Star Wars film (Vader was just a lapdog for Tarkin).  But I quickly saw him in several other films, and realized that he was quite the cool old dude.  As I transitioned into my teen years, he was my gateway drug, getting me hooked on the world of Hammer Horror.  I remain a junkie for bodice ripping, Gothic tinted, British horror/weird films.  Today is the 101st anniversary of his birth.  A tip of the hat to one of the great gentlemen of film.

Five Favorite Peter Cushing Movies:
5.  Star Wars
4.  At the Earth's Core
3. The Curse of Frankenstein
2.  Twins of Evil
1.  She (1965)

-Matt

Ben Wheatley Meets J.G. Ballard

Thanks to the blog Existential Ennui, I just found out that Ben Wheatley, the guy behind A Field in England, one of my favorite films of last year, is attached to direct an adaptation of a book I've been wanting to read for nearly thirty years.  J.G. Ballard's High Rise.  When I was a young lad, I found a book about various ways the concept of the City of the Future has been explored in art and literature.  And one of the books mentioned was High Rise.  But, gasp, I could not find a copy to save my life.  Heck, I could barely even find any other evidence the book ever existed.

However, it was finally reprinted (first US printing?) in 2012, and I now own a copy.  Which went right into my 'to read' pile and has been sitting there for two years.  OK, so I just moved it closer to the top.  I've got a lot of books to read.  Don't pressure me, man.

I can't wait to see what Wheatley does with this very cool concept.  And somehow his voice mixing with Ballard's feels right.  Of course, right now, he's only 'attached' to the project.  It's not a sure thing that this film will get made, or that by the time it is, Wheatley will be at the helm.  Still, I find it exciting news to wake up to, and hope all goes well.  And I have time to read the book so I'm not a total poser-chump.

Mushrooms!!!

Oh, yeah, and fangirl favorite Tom Hiddleston is currently attached as the star.  That's cool by me.  If you can't get Michael Fassbender, there's Hiddleston.

-Matthew J. Constantine

James Bond & The Queen Arrive At The Olympics

Below you'll find the silly little skit that opened the Olympics last night.  In it, you'll see 007 arrive at Buckingham Palace to pick up The Queen for a nice hop outta a helicopter.  The best bits involve the Corgis.  And below that you'll see the TV spot for Sam Mendes' Skyfall, showing off a little more of those crazy Bond set pieces.

--Brad

Ripples across the Pond?

I don't know a lot of details about the film industry in England and the UK, other than like most things there, it seems to be mostly state sponsored.  And headbutts are apparently considered rather extreme violence, because they're often edited out of films that want to be seen by wide audiences.  However, I found this article about the success of The King's Speech rather interesting. 

I really enjoyed the film, though I don't personally think it was the "best picture" of last year.  Still, it's worth seeing.  And I hope its win does have a positive effect in general on film in the UK.  I think in part because of the state involvement, their film industry has always languished a bit, due to a lack of support, especially when attempting anything too far away from the status quo.