If you’ve ever wondered just what it is an Executive Producer does, or maybe if you’ve heard the ambient sounds of Tangerine Dream in an 80’s film favourite without knowing who you were listening to, this is the list for you!
Here are the letters F-J…
Set in Stockton, California (and shot mostly on location there too) the film offers a sobering glimpse at broke, disillusioned working-class figures on the edge of society. Keach plays a boxer past his prime who meets a younger wannabe fighter (Bridges) whom he takes under his wing, which eventually inspires the older pugilist to attempt to get back into the ring himself.
Director John Huston (1906-1987) was a filmmaker who worked on a wide variety of material throughout his career, ranging from classic Hollywood fare like The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, The African Queen and The Maltese Falcon, to more grounded low-key, intimate pictures alongside the 70’s new wave like Fat City and 1979’s Wise Blood.
In 1988, Busey was severely injured in a motorcycle accident in which he was not wearing a helmet. At first thought to be minor, Busey’s brain injury was later diagnosed as having a greater effect on him than first realised, causing an affliction which makes the sufferer speak and act impulsively. As outlandish as this may seem, you only need to watch YouTube footage of Busey at any recent premiere or awards ceremony to see that there is something amiss.
Although he received an Oscar nomination for Best Actor in 1978 for his role in The Buddy Holly Story, it’s been a case of diminishing returns for the last decade or so (where he’s cropped up in a number of cheap B-movies), although his surreal recurring cameo appearances on Entourage are frequently hilarious (no doubt exacerbated by his current mental state!).
The stars recognise an eclectic mix of actors, musicians, directors, producers, musical and theatrical groups and even popular fictitious characters, and are said to attract around ten million visitors annually.
Many of the more egocentric celebrities who possess a star there probably breathed a sigh of relief when a $4.2 million restoration of the Walk was initiated in 2008. This came about mainly due to the wear and tear suffered over the years – from minor cosmetic flaws to damage severe enough to pose a potential trip hazard for member of the public. At least 778 stars will eventually be repaired or replaced during the ongoing project.
The film is very much in line with the Japanese horror (aka J-horror) from a decade or so back, and features liberal lashing of sexual violence and gore, all tied together with the most twisted comic book-inspired protagonist ever to grace screens.
Director by the tremendously prolific Takashi Miike (who at one point in the mid-noughties, was averaging four or five films a year!!) Ichi the Killer could be considered tame by his usual standards, but there is still enough here to entertain, disgust and enthrall in equal measure. A direct-to-video sequel and animated prequel followed a couple of years later.
Coming across as a kind of cineaste groupie, he managed to befriend a number of his idols (including such luminaries as Sam Peckinpah and Robert Altman) before his personal life spiraled out of control, leading to tragic circumstances which resulted in Harvey shooting dead his second wife before turning the gun on himself.
A documentary about his life and accomplishments was made in 2004. Directed by John Cassavetes’ daughter, Alexandra, Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession features talking heads from contemporary filmmakers and fans of the long-defunct channel, including Jim Jarmusch, Alexander Payne and Quentin Tarantino.
Check out A-E here.